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Tag: 2019 ELECTIONS

  • 2019: Buhari will get more votes in Kogi – Bello

    2019: Buhari will get more votes in Kogi – Bello

    Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, said on Friday President Muhammadu Buhari would get more votes in Kogi State than his home state, Katsina, if he decides to run for presidential elections in 2019.

    The governor stated this while speaking with State House correspondents after observing jumaat service at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

    He said: “I’m sure you are following us as we are receiving decampees from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and all other political parties. And any time we hold any decamping rally in any local government area you will see the mammoth crowd that turns out.

    “So, Kogi State has already endorsed President Buhari for second term. We are just waiting for the time to come. You are going to see the votes that will come out of Kogi State. It will dwarf that of Katsina State I can assure you.”

    Bello said his state is not owing workers’ salaries.

    The governor added: “In Kogi State today we are up to date as far as salary is concerned. In the month of December like Mr. President magnanimously assisted us with another tranche of Paris Club Refund, our own figure was N1.2 billion and some other change on top.

    “We didn’t just stopped at that, we borrowed up to N10 billion and we added November/December allocation to our figures and we were able to clear four months at a stretch before Christmas and some left over were cleared before this January in Kogi State.

    “As you all know the salary was very bogus and according to the figure we had we were able to distribute it among these months.

    “Moving forward from this January, we have decided that we are going to make use of our clock-in device for every civil servant in Kogi State both at local and state levels. So that as you come to work and clock-in, that is exactly how your salary will end up being generated.

    “It is online, it is automated so nobody is going to cheat anybody. That is how we are going to go in the state so Kogi state civil servants and pensioners will be happy with this administration.”

     

  • 2019: APC can’t lose sleep over Atiku against Buhari – El-Rufai

    2019: APC can’t lose sleep over Atiku against Buhari – El-Rufai

    Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has said that, All Progressives Congress ( APC ) is waiting for the former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to come and contest the 2019 presidential seat against President Muhammadu Buhari, saying that, they cannot lose sleep over Atiku’s ambition.

    El-Rufai also said that, Atiku lied by saying he financed the APC campaigns in 2015. He however challenged the former Vice President to prove his claims.

    Kaduna State Governor stated this in an interview with the Hausa service of the Voice of America (VOA), which was monitored in Kaduna on Wednesday.

    Also featured in the short interview on the VOA Hausa service programme ‘Democracy Today’ were the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar himself and former Jigawa State Governor, Alhaji Sule Lamido, who has since declared intention to contest the presidential ticket under the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    When asked about his intention to contest in 2019, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar simply said, he has not made up his mind, saying that, “when I decide, I will let the world know”.

    But, Sule Lamido in his reaction to Atiku’s return to PDP said, they were happy to have him back, and that, he is not threatened by Atiku’s return.

    According to Lamido, “We are happy that former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar is back to PDP. PDP made him and that he is back to the party is our joy. Not only him, in fact, we want others who left the party like the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki and former Governors to come back”.

    Asked whether he is not threatened by Atiku’s return, Lamido said, he is not threatened, but his prayer is that, best Presidential candidate will emerge for PDP. “If our interest is to see the progress and development of Nigeria, then, we should also prayer that everyone who left should return home”.

    However, El-Rufai while tongue-lashing Atiku said, “We in the APC were aware from onset that Atiku was going to leave APC back to PDP in the December and we thank God that, he left in November.

    “Atiku had seen that, we in the APC, especially the APC Governors had resolved to support President Muhammadu Buhari to run again in 2019. That is why he left APC, since he was only looking for where to contest for presidency.

    “Even in the 2015 APC primary election, Atiku didn’t come second, he was floored by Kwankwaso. So, even if President Buhari decides not to contest, Atiku knows that the APC ticket is not sure for him. Majority of the APC Governors have endorsed President Buhari as our candidate for 2019.

    “And we thank God, God has continued to improve the health condition of the President. Each time I see him, I thank God and I still pray that God continues to give him sound health.

    “So, by 2019, we are waiting to see Atiku contest, we are waiting to contest against him and see what happens. But, I cannot lose sleep because Atiku wants to contest, because by God’s grace, this is the reign of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “Agreed, in politics if you lose even only one person, it should worry you, but the utterances of the former Vice President that, APC used his money, who did he give the money to? For me, I know those that supported us with their money and property that we used during election, and I never heard the name of Atiku that he brought a dime. If Atiku said he brought money, who did he give? Let him come and say it and how much did he give and what was it used for?

    “And in fact, if Atiku brought money, I ought to know, because I am part of the leadership of the party and during campaign, myself and former Governor Rotimi Amaechi were at the centre of the presidential campaign. Therefore, we are supposed to know. So, let him mention whom he gave the money and how much?

    “Asked about large number of APC members who are likely to follow Atiku to PDP, El-Rufai said, “Sure, we know that, we cannot rule out the possibility of some greedy people following him, those that are following material things. But, if people will consider how we can work for the progress of our country, everybody knows that you cannot compare Atiku with President Muhammadu Buhari”, El-Rufai said.

  • Agencies unfold plans for 2019 elections

    Agencies unfold plans for 2019 elections

    All hands are on deck to ensure credible elections in 2019. Relevant government agencies, including electoral umpire – the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) – are unfolding their plans for the next general elections. ERIC IKHILAE, who was at a National Stakeholders’ Forum on Elections, in Abuja yesterday, reports.

    MORE plans were yesterday unfolded for the 2019 general elections by all the agencies involved in the conduct of national elections.

    The agencies are: the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Office of the Minister of Justice & Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Police and the National Assembly Committee on Electoral Matters.

    INEC Chairman Prof Mahmood Yakubu, AGF Abubakar Malami (SAN), Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ibrahim Idris and Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters, Mrs. Aisha Dukku, represented the agencies.

    They all laid out their agencies’ plans for the next general elections. It was in Abuja at a National Stakeholders Forum on Elections, organised by a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), under the aegis of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, led by Clement Nwankwo.

    Their action came less than two weeks after the electoral umpire fixed February 16, 2019, as the possible date for the Presidential and National Assembly elections and March 2, 2019, for the governorship, State Assembly and the Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    At an induction retreat for Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on December 8, the INEC chair said it had become imperative to always remind the commission’s personnel of the dates and to regularly appraise their preparations.

    The INEC chief said: “All participants at this retreat should be aware that from today (December 8), the 2019 general elections begin with the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 16, 2019, exactly 434 days away.

    “These will be followed by the Governorship, State Assembly and Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory on March 2, 2019.”

    Speaking yesterday, Yakubu assured that INEC was putting in place all the necessary measures to ensure a successful outing.

    Yakubu, who was represented by INEC’s National Commissioner Adekunle Ogunmola gave details of the commissions preparations so far and all that were being done to ensure an improved performance at the next general elections.

    Some of such measures, he said, included the early release of the time-table for the next presidential election and the registration of 21 new political parties.

    Yakubu spoke of plans by INEC to register more parties as long as they meet the legal requirements.

    According to him, the commission has on its table about 80 applications from associations seeking registration as political parties.

    He said: “We will continue to register parties as long as they comply with the legal requirements. Our hands are tied. There is no way we can stop registering parties. We will continue to register them until the time stipulated in the constitution.

    “By the time the issue of independent candidate takes off, there will be more problem for INEC. The highest number we have done in governorship election is in Anambra State, with 27 parties.”

    Yakubu ruled out the issues of electronic and diaspora voting, pointing out that both have no place in the constitution yet.

    The IGP said since Nigerians have hailed the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) for a job well-done during the last Anambra governorship election, it was working to improve on that in 2019.

    Idris, who was represented by Joshak Habila, a Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) of Police, said the input the police received from all stakeholders in the nation’s electoral process, including the CSOs, have assisted the agency a lot.

    He said: “In preparing for the 2019 elections, I can assure you that with this interaction, we will come out better. The Nigeria Police will do all within its powers to ensure successful elections.

    “I can assure you that our readiness is assured. But, our success depends on all the stakeholders, particularly the politicians.”

    The AGF said the executive, having identified the areas requiring reform in the electoral process, was working with the legislature to put the necessary legislation in place ahead of the general polls.

    Malami, who was represented by the Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Legal Matters, Juliet Ibekaku-Nwangwu, restated the Federal Government’s commitment to the reform of the electoral process to enhance its credibility.

    He said the government’s desire for a credible electoral process informed its establishment of the Constitution and Electoral Reform Committee (CERC), headed by former Senate President Ken Nnamani.

    The AGF explained that all the recommendations of the committee have been reduced into bills, which have been forwarded to the National Assembly for passage into law.

    Malami said: “This government believes that a credible electoral process provides a sustainable basis for the survival of democracy in Nigeria and will do everything possible to support the achievement of this.

    “As part of its effort, the government has given every support to INEC including support to retain its independence and financial autonomy.

    “In addition, the government has ensured that INEC is able to operate as an independent and credible. election umpire.”

    Also speaking, Mrs. Dukku said the House of Representatives was currently working on 12 bills intended to strengthen the electoral system.

    She assured that the bills would be passed into law, and hopefully, assented to by the President before the next general elections.

    Giving details of the electoral process reform-related bills in the lower chamber of the National Assembly, Mrs. Dukku said the bills would have remarkable effect on the process when passed.

    Some of the bills, she said, recommend increase in the maximum election expenses to be incurred by candidates; that a court or tribunal should declare the person with the second highest votes winner of an election if it finds that the winner was not qualified to contest; and to outline a procedure for the use of the smart card reader in elections.

    She said some of the bills are also for the establishment of the Nigerian Electoral Offences Commission and the Electoral Offences Tribunal in Abuja, with equal status as the High Court and with exclusive jurisdiction to try electoral offences.

    Mrs. Dukku also spoke of a Bill for an Act to Provide for time frame for the submission of the list of candidates, disclosure of source of funds contributed for political parties and to empower INEC to uphold party primaries where there is a change in the result and related matters.

    She said: “There is also a bill for an Act to further amend the Section 33 of the principal Act by inserting a provision to enable a party choose the running mate of a nominated candidate who dies before the conclusion of a gubernatorial election to replace the deceased governorship candidate.

    “As both the 1999 Constitution and the 2010 Electoral Act (as amended) regulate the conduct of elections in Nigeria, it is anticipated that the committee’s report on the aforesaid amendment bills, which is an infusion of its input and recommendations from various stakeholders, will further strengthen and deliver on such expectations.”

    Mrs. Dukku said her committee was also collaborating with the ad-hoc Committee for the Review of the Constitution to ensure that consequential amendments relating to elections are addressed to give effect to the affected provisions.

    In his opening remarks, Nwankwo, the Executive Director of the Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre (PLAC), described d the gathering, an annual event of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, is intended as a platform for stakeholders in the nation’s electoral process to evaluate their preparedness for the general elections.

    He noted that, like yesterday, those who came into office through the 2015 elections, could hardly believe that their tenure was months away, but have hardly performed to the satisfaction of the electorate.

    Nwanko said it appeared the country was already running late in its preparation for the next electoral season because, in the next seven months, candidates for the various offices would begin to emerge.

    He argued that the country could not afford to waste its precious time on frivolities and that elected leaders must learn to hit the ground running once they assume office.

  • Mark to EFCC: You are chasing shadow

    Mark to EFCC: You are chasing shadow

    Former Senate President, Senator David Mark Tuesday described the accusations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he purchased his Apo Residential House illegally as spurious, contrived and baseless.

    Senator Mark in a statement by his media assistant, Paul Mumeh, said that the EFCC or any other agent of Government is chasing shadows “because the property was duly offered for sale, bided for, and he purchased like any other person would in line with Federal Government’s Monetization Policy that was started during the time of President Olusegun Obasanjo.”

    Mark said “I had the right of first refusal. Even if I did not purchase it, someone else would have.

    “I am a law-abiding citizen. I did not flout any law.

    “Curiously, four houses occupied by the then Presiding Officers of National Assembly were offered to the occupants. All of us, me as the then President of the Senate, Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole and his Deputy Bayero Nafada were all given the same offer.

    “I am at a loss as to why it is now a subject of contention.

    “If this persecution is about politics, my political party and the 2019 elections, I dare say that only God and Nigerians would decide. No amount of persecution would alter the will of God.

    “I had refrained from commenting on this because it is already in the law Court. But they have taken the matter to the Court of public opinion.”

    It said that Senator Mark through his lawyer Ken Ikonne in the suit NO FHC/ABJ/1037/2017 before the Federal High Court, Abuja had said that he followed due process and legally acquired the property from the FCDA on April 27, 2011.

    Senator Mark is also asking the Court for a declaration that an order by the Attorney General of the Federation and one Obono Obla of the Presidential Task Force on Recovery of Government Properties compelling him to vacate the aforesaid property without affording him a fair hearing, amounted to a denial of his fundamental human rights, unconstitutional and void.

    He recalled that the Federal Executive Council decided to authorize the sale of the properties housing the principal officers of the National Assembly because the general security of the area had been altered/compromised due to the sale of the other houses in the Legislative Quarters to the public.

    Consequent upon which the houses were offered for sale and duly purchased.

    Senator Mark was given the first option of refusal upon which he duly accepted on April 21st 2011 and paid the agreed purchase price to the adhoc committee on sale of Federal Government houses on April 27, 2011.

  • PDP accuses APC of plot to sabotage its convention

    PDP accuses APC of plot to sabotage its convention

    The leadership of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of plotting to sabotage its December 9 national convention.

    Citing “intelligence reports”, the PDP said the ruling party has perfected plans to sponsor a parallel convention using some unscrupulous members of the PDP to hold a parallel convention.

    Addressing newsmen in Abuja on Friday, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, said the aim of the APC was to factionalise and destroy the opposition ahead of the 2019 elections.

    Adeyeye appealed to PDP members across the federation to resist such temptation, saying the party was doing everything to address grievances among its aspirants to the various executive positions ahead of the December 9 convention.

    “We are not completely oblivious of the plans by the APC to sabotage our convention. Apart from the internal fighting within the APC, one of the reasons why the party postponed its national convention till next year was to enable it closely monitor our convention with a view to destabilising our party ahead of the 2019 general elections.

    Adeyeye said, “The National Caretaker Committee has uncovered plans by some unscrupulous members of our party to hold a parallel national convention on December 9, 2017.

    “This is totally uncalled for and a complete act of sabotage. Those making such plans cannot be said to be honest members of our party, the PDP. They are not patriotic but just out to destroy our party.

    “The planned parallel convention is one of those ideas of the APC to create divisions amongst members of our party. It will be most unfortunate for members of our party to allow themselves to be used against the party, especially in the light of our recent painful experience.

    “These are all part of the agenda of the APC to create an atmosphere of fear and insecurity around PDP members before and after the national convention. It is also part of the overall strategy of the ruling party to turn Nigeria into a one party state.

    “The National Caretaker Committee has been working very hard to carry all party members and supporters of the party along in all the preparations for the forthcoming national convention holding on December 9 – 10, 2017”.

    According to him, the plot by the APC was to capitalise on disagreements among the chairmanship aspirants of the PDP, assuring that the leadership of the party would address the aspirants’ grievances in an open and transparent manner before the convention.

    “We are putting our resources in place to address all the fears earlier reported by some national chairmanship aspirants. One of the steps being taken by the leadership is to make available and in good time, the comprehensive names of all the delegates for the national convention to all the aspirants before the convention.

    “We therefore see no reason for any honest member of this great party to want to disrupt our programmes, except they are of course working for the ruling party, the APC”, Adeyeye added.

    The party appealed to aggrieved aspirants and members to take advantage of available internal conflict resolution channels to ventilate their opinions, concerns and grievances.

    It vowed to resist any moves by anyone to sabotage the convention, saying however that there was very little the party could do to dissuade members that may have decided to become paid agents of the APC.

    The party spokesman cited the arrest and detention of some key PDP stakeholders on what he described as trump up charges of corruption, saying that the ruling APC had already targeted no fewer than 50 of its prominent members for arrest and incarceration.

    Adeyeye said, “The APC propagandists said we were crying wolf. Now we are being vindicated by the continuing and unrelenting arrest, intimidation and harassment of our top leaders.

    “In the last one week, the former Governor of Taraba State, Mr. Abubakar Danladi and the former Senate President and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, two prominent members of our party, were arrested by the anti-graft agency, the EFCC. This is apart from the five that were earlier arrested within the month of November. We don’t know who will be next in the list”.

    The PDP called on Nigerians and the international community to be vigilant and to ensure that the APC did not entrench full blown dictatorship in the country.

    “The only reason why the APC is hell bent on killing the opposition in Nigeria is due to its nonperformance and inability to deliver on its campaign promises. They have failed Nigerians and they know too well that they can no longer convince Nigerians to vote for them again in 2019.

    “We want to assure members of our party nationwide that, the leadership of the party led by Senator Ahmed Makarfi, will provide an enabling environment and a level playing field for all those contesting for one position or the other before and after the national convention.

    “We pledged to ensure a transparent, free and fair election and by the grace of God we are going to conduct the most democratic election in the history of any political party in Nigeria”, the party spokesman said.

  • APC and 2019: Time to separate wheat from the chaff

    APC and 2019: Time to separate wheat from the chaff

    With 2018 beckoning and the 2019 elections only about a year away, the political clime is already heating up.

    The real contenders and pretenders will gradually be revealed before our very eyes.

    For the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), it would be yet another time to weigh its popularity before the people.

    In this piece, Coordinators of Our Lagos Your Lagos, Aregbe Idris and Abiodun Yinusa, submit that in the run up to 2019 elections, the real leaders of the party must take its rightful place and unseat the fair weather leaders who are only after their meal ticket.

    They insist that real leaders don’t claim credit for success, rather they accept responsibilities and that attempts by usurpers of the party will be resisted by real members of the party.

    Read on:

    “Leaders who can’t see it would probably not find it. Leaders who lack vision cannot inspire teams. Blind Leaders cannot continue to lead. Leaders who see ability alone in their family, friends or neighbors are not Leaders. Leaders who lack character or integrity won’t last the test of time and it’s high time we ignore ‘the know it all leaders’ and the hidden ones amongst us.

    “The Alimosho’s, the Kosofe’s and quite number of key places are tired of those individuals who handed themselves leadership roles in their communities. Their quietness and calmness is for the love they have for the true leadership and structure on ground by our foremost leaders: Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Akinwunmi Ambode who have taken the State to its best. Any attempt to raise hands on these God given people, millions of hard stones comes back to you in a hard way.

    “When we look at the effigy of these people, we keep praying for their long life. It is good for you to look back at where you guys are coming from and check if these people haven’t contributed to your life. The ‘It’s all about them politics is over’. A leader in one state today, a leader in another state tomorrow is over. Stay where you are and lead your people, if it’s all about true service and nothing behind that. Omo Eko niwa leni, Omo Osun niwa lola, Omo Ogun niwa the next day politics is over in Lagos. Asiwaju does not teach zigzag politics.

    “A true grass root leader lays ground rules for promoting community change and not interfering with progressive, statesmanship decisions. You should always demonstrate credible commitment to their party and to their community. It is forbidden for any leader to obstruct growth process in the state. Your intention for this singular act is unacceptable. ‘We love Lagos, we cherish our dreams and we won’t let anyone divide us’.

    “I dare any of these so called leaders to come out if you have never for once, twice, or thrice benefited from the politics of the anointed one over the other. Anyone who wishes to leave should leave now, we mean NOW. We need the real party members and party faithfuls to enjoy and feel the Tinubu-Ambode breeze with ease in Lagos- The only State that will save our party in the 2019 General Election in the Country”.

    Idris and Yinusa are both Coordinators of Our Lagos Your Lagos

    Read Also: 2019: Ebonyi APC drums support for Buhari

  • Ibadan summit may shape 2019 elections

    Ibadan summit may shape 2019 elections

    The ‘Yoruba Summit on Restructuring,’ held at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan on September 7, may be a turning point in Nigeria’s political and governance system. Its outcome may also redefine preparations and issues that will dominate campaign for the 2019 general elections, writes BISI OLADELE, who covered the summit.

    When many socio-cultural and socio-political organisations in Yorubaland gathered at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, Oyo State capital, on September 7, it was clear that a watershed in Nigerian politics and governance system was about to be witnessed. The presence and participation of some stakeholders from the Southeast and Southsouth regions also robbed off on the significance of the event.

    At the end of the day, the three regions took a position on the need to restructure Nigeria. This time, they went beyond the call by rolling out details of the expected restructuring.

    The summit saw collaboration of groups such as the Afenifere, the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), the Atayese, factions of the Odu’a People’s Congress (OPC), governors, traditional rulers, leaders of thought and religious leaders from across the Southwest. They put aside their differences and came under the same umbrella for what they saw as the love of their nation.

    The Ohaneze Ndigbo delegation was led by President-General, Chief John Nwodo, while the Southsouth region sent a delegation led by Chief Albert Horsefall. Both leaders expressed support for the position of the Yoruba, saying it is a reinforcement of their agitation for resource control and devolution of powers.

    Chaired by the legal luminary, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN), the summit, in its 16-point communique, called for a return of the 1960 and 1963 constitutions with some modifications to reflect current realities.

    It clearly stated that restructuring simply means running Nigeria as a proper federation. The participants insisted that the federating units must be allowed to own and develop their resources, while they contribute to the centre for provision of central services, such as immigration, foreign affairs, currency and defence.

    The summit recalled with nostalgia the great strides made by the Yoruba nation in the years of self-government up until the abrogation of the federal constitution in 1966, which reflected in the region’s literacy level, novel infrastructural strides and giant leaps in all spheres of human development.

    It noted that the crisis of over-centralisation has led to mass misery across the country, with poverty levels at 72 per cent, unemployment rate at 65 per cent and unprecedented level of internal immigration and internal displacement, as well as security threat in form of Boko Haram, herdsmen and organised crime.

    It expressed conviction that Nigeria is careering dangerously to the edge of the slope and that unless urgent steps are taken to restructure the country from a unitary constitution to a federal constitution, as negotiated by the country’s founding fathers at independence in 1960, the union is at risk of disintegration.

    The communique, which is otherwise termed the ‘Ibadan Declaration,’ read in part: “That Yoruba insists that Nigeria must return to a proper federation as obtained in the 1960 and 1963 constitutions. This has been our position since 1950 Ibadan conference and developments in Nigeria over the last 50 years reinforce our conviction.

    “That Yoruba are clear that restructuring does not mean different things to different people other than that a multi-ethnic country like Nigeria can only know real peace and development, if it is run only along federal lines.

    “That the greatest imperatives of restructuring Nigeria is to move from a rent-seeking and money-sharing, anti-development economy to productivity, by ensuring that the federating units are free to own and develop their resources. They should pay agreed sums to the federation purse to implement central services.

    “That the federating units — whether states, zones or regions — must themselves be governed by written constitution to curb impurity at all leve1s. Nigeria shall be a federation comprised of six regions and the federal capital Territory, Abuja.

    “The Federal Government shall make laws and only have powers in relation to items specified on the legislative list contained in the constitution of the Federation.

    “The regions shall in turn be composed as states. Each region shall have its own constitution, containing enumerated exclusive and concurrent legislative lists regarding matters upon which the regions and the states may act or legislate.

    “That contiguous territories, ethnic nationalities or settlement shall be at liberty through a plebiscite, to elect to be part of any contiguous region other than the region in which the current geo-political zone or state boundaries places them.

    “States as presently comprised in the geo-political zones into which they fall, which shall become regions, shall continue to exercise the executive, legislative and judicial functions currently exercised at that level of government.

    “The States within a region shall determine the items on the legislative lists in the Regional constitution for the purpose of good government and the administration and provision of common inter-state social, economic and infrastructural requirements. Residual powers shall be vested in the states.

    “The power to create states shall be within the exclusive powers of the region which shall be obliged to create a state provided a plebiscite is conducted, following a request by an agreed percentage of the residents of the ethnic nationality within a state. The procedure for conducting a plebiscite and the percentage of any ethnic nationality shall be out in the regional constitution.

    “The power to create local governments and assign functions to them shall be vested in the states. States shall be entitled to manage all resources found within their boundaries and the revenue accruing there from. The issue of the entitlement of littoral states to offshore resources and the extension of such rights from the continental shelf and rights accruing to the Federal Government shall be determined by the National Assembly.

    “The sharing ratio of all revenues raised by means of taxation shall be 50 per cent to the states, 35 per cent to the regional government and 15 per cent to the government of the federation.

    “For a period of 10 years from the commencement of the operation of the new constitution (or such other agreed period to be enshrined in the federal constitution), there shall be a special fund for the development of all minerals in the country. The government of the federation shall raise this sum by way of additional taxation on resources at a rate to be agreed by the National Assembly. The National Assembly shall set up a body to manage the funds with equal representation of nominees from each of the Regional governments and shall also set out and out and specify the guidelines for the administration of the funds exclusively for this purpose. The president of the federation shall appoint a chairperson for the entity so formed.

    “That these agreed positions of the Yoruba taken today shall form the basis of negotiations with our partners in the Nigerian project for a united Nigeria based on justice, peace and fair play.”

    The communique was signed by the Chairman, and Secretary, Dr Kunle Olajide. The participation of the two other regions strengthened the agitation, by giving it a broad base. From the standpoint of popular call for secession in Southeast and resource control in Southsouth, the renewed agitation for restructuring by Southwest and backing of the two other regions underscored the popularity of the agitation. It also made it acquire the status of an agitation whose time has come.

    The Ibadan declaration is believed to have set a tone for the 2019 general election. It has also provided the needed tonic for agitations that are already strong in the Southeast and Southsouth. With the entire South calling for restructuring, analysts believe that the Muhammadu Buhari administration cannot shrug off the agitation. The position that the central government is too powerful to the detriment of the federating units is already a success in the minds of many southerners, part of which made the summit a huge success.

    As things stand, the Ibadan Declaration makes it difficult for any major politician from the Southwest to take an opposing view in public, because the declaration is largely regarded as the position of the Yoruba in the quest for renegotiation of the terms of coexistence of the nationalities that make up the country.

    Observers believe that the major issue that will dominate the 2019 election is restructuring, particularly for those canvassing for votes in the South. It is now seen as the basic promise to make to win people’s votes.

    As a political scientist and a governorship aspirant in Oyo State, Prof. Adeolu Akande, explained, the Ibadan Declaration will narrow the issues in the campaign for the next election. He said: “It is very significant because I suspect it narrows the issues in the 2019 elections. The dominant issue in 2015 elections was corruption. The dominant issues in 2019 may be corruption and restructuring. The contending parties may pick which one sells them better. If you look at it critically, the Ibadan Declaration aligns the Southwest with the position of Southeast and Southsouth. Let us wait and see what the position of the Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral will be. Whatever the decisions are, restructuring is bound to be a major electoral issue in the 2019 elections. So, also, is corruption, because it remains a problem in the polity.”

    Already, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has set up a committee on the agitation and is already collating views of Nigerians across the six geo-political zones.

    Also analyzing the political implication of the Ibadan Declaration, legal practitioner and politician, Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN), said restructuring has come to the centre stage in Nigerian politics and governance. He said there is no way it will not impact the next election.

    His words: “Yes, it will impact on the polity and 2019 election. All major political parties have taken note of that. The APC has started collating ideas. The PDP is already making it an issue. It has become an albatross on the neck of all the political parties. Southeast is planning a rally on restructuring; and Arewa is planning its own programme on it.

    “No serious party will ignore it in the next election. Democracy is a work in progress. We have to fine-tune it continuously. Anyone who ignores it does so as a self–denial. We just have to confront it headlong. Any politician that is not paying attention to restructuring is not a serious politician. Restructuring will promote quality representation and delivery of services.”

  • 2019: Stakeholders vow to resist imposition in Bayelsa

    2019: Stakeholders vow to resist imposition in Bayelsa

    Bayelsa State stakeholders, Tuesday, gathered in Yenagoa, the state capital and vowed to resist imposition of candidates in the 2019 general elections.

    The stakeholders appealed to all the voters in the state to join forces with them to end ‘godfatherism’ in Bayelsa politics insisting that the masses had the power to lead a revolution against the elites.

    Speaking in a town-hall meeting to mark the official opening of the Yenagoa Secretariat of the Campaign for Development and Democracy in Bayelsa (CDDB), the stakeholders said it was within their power to ensure good governance in the state.

    CDDB, a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) founded by a university don, Mr. Konrad Welson, has been setting up its structures across the state to agitate for social justice, development and good governance through participatory democracy.

    The stakeholders comprised notable politicians, civil servants, students, market women, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) and other interest groups.

    A community leader, Chief Prince Abeki, who hails from Yenagoa, blamed the people for neglecting their power and allowing selfish politicians underdevelop the state.

    He said moneybags had jeopardized the state development by deceiving the people through buying of votes and other inducements.

    He said: “The time has come for the people to say no by choosing their credible and selfless leaders. The move by CDDB to sensitize the people and inaugurate chapters round the state is the foundation for a new Bayelsa.

    “Today we are all out to inaugurate the Yenagoa chapter to start the foundation laying of a new Bayelsa. The people must have a re-think about all that we have lost and how we need to recover all. We have to change the narratives. We have caught the vision and we have the confidence to achieve our dreams.”

    Another stakeholder, Mr. Fred Dimieari, said inducements and money politics had mortgaged the future of the state and called for a collective action to stop the trend.

    He asked the masses to blame themselves for the state of affairs in Bayelsa adding that their actions and inactions led to the collapse of major institutions in Bayelsa.

    Dimieari said: “The message is simply partnering with CDDB because of its mission of revolution in all the sectors of the state. The fault has been identified, the blames have been taken by all and the time to act is now.

    “We have found ourselves in a deep forest, nobody is exempted because we all caused it and we are facing it. There’s hardly any institution of government that is working in the state, and it time to get our way out.

    “We have to partner with CDDB; we are concerned by their message. If Yenagoa is developed it will become a centre of attraction to investors. Investors will create jobs and the capital will increase our Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) through taxation.

    “Employment of youths will be effective, business activities will boom and even the agricultural sector will strive. Education system of the state will improve, reducing the crime rate.

    “We have to engage our youths positively rather than using them for political thuggery. The power must return to the people. Presently they are ruling us without fears because they weren’t voted for but they rather bought their seat of power”.

  • PDP not a threat in 2019 – APC

    PDP not a threat in 2019 – APC

    The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), North East zone, Mustapha Salihu, said on Wednesday the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would not pose any threat to the APC in 2019 despite the Supreme Court’s judgement that ended the protracted leadership crisis rocking the party.

    Salihu, who spoke with journalists at the APC secretariat, also dismissed petitions against his nomination as the North East zonal chairman of the party, saying he had the full support of all stakeholders in the zone to represent them at the National Working Committee (NWC).

    He said although the Supreme Court’s judgement affirmed Senator Ahmed Makarfi as National Chairman of the PDP, the ruling would not in any way restore the image of the party before Nigerians.

    He said: “Makarfi, Ali Modu Sheriff or any other person being the PDP chairman is no threat us. What you should look at is this, look at the party as an institution. This is a party that institutionalized corruption in the country and dilapidated our structure. They caused insecurity. As long as that institution remains, we are not threatened by any person.”

    On his emergence as APC National Vice Chairman, Salihu said “who is complaining? I have with here with me, the six state chairmen of the party in the zone. I also have the support of the governors and other stakeholders. So, who is doing the complaining?

    “I am overseeing Adamawa, Borno, Yobe, Bauchi, Taraba and Gombe States for our great party, APC.”

     

  • 2019: I will become Nigeria’s president through divine intervention – Fayose

    2019: I will become Nigeria’s president through divine intervention – Fayose

    Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, said on Friday he would become Nigeria’s president in 2019 through divine intervention.

    The governor also said he supported the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s decision to zone power to the North in the next general elections.

    He predicted that two events that would determine Nigeria’s future ahead of the 2019 presidential election would take place this month.

    Fayose, who spoke while delivering the 13th convocation lecture of the Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, said something would give way for him to become the country’s president in 2019.

    The Ekiti Governor, who spoke on the theme: “Education and Actualisation,” said he would continue to play politics until he becomes the country’s president.

    He vowed never to become a member of the All Progressive Congress (APC), saying Nigerians especially the youths, were brainwashed through the social media to vote “for a President they never know.”

    The governor said Nigeria’s greatest problem was not corruption but attitude of the leadership and the followers.

    He accused the APC-led government of playing politics with the anti-corruption campaign, insisting that the “actual thieves are in Buhari’s government.”

    Fayose said no meaningful achievements would be recorded in the educational sector if teachers were not placed on the driver’s seat.

    “Teachers remain the only solution to the revival of education. Education is currently at its lowest ebb in Nigeria.

    “It is carnality that makes you look at me and think I cannot be president. I am the man to watch in this generation. I surely will become the president. Something has to give way for you to manifest,” he added.