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Tag: Abraham

  • Ondo guber: I’m still in the race – Abraham.

    Ondo guber: I’m still in the race – Abraham.

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Segun Abraham, has debunked the rumour that he has dropped his ambition of contesting the November 26 governorship election in the state. He described those peddling the rumour as detractors who are not comfortable with his soaring popularity among the citizenry.

    According to him,”what we have done is to move our campaign office from Isinkan to the popular and conspicuous Oyemekun road in order to acomodate more people now trooping into our camp. That is why they have been insinuating that we have quit the race. My vision is very clear and that is to move into Alagbaka and take Ondo state and its citizenry to the promised land”.

    Abraham noted that there had been series of lies told against him by those he called enemies of progress, stressing that after he was attacked by suspected political thugs in Oka-Akoko, they lied that the National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, had summoned a reconciliation meeting, which never happened.

    He said the same people were also behind the rumours that he has been offered appointment as an Ambassador in order to drop his ambition.

  • Why I want to govern Ondo, by Abraham

    Why I want to govern Ondo, by Abraham

    Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Dr. Segun Abraham spoke with Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU on his ambition, the challenges facing the party and preparations for next year’s poll. 

    what are the challenges facing the Ondo APC, ahead of next year’s governorship election?

    Like any insitution, there are challenges. The challenge is to ensure that all the interest groups unite to avoid division. This is common to al political parties. In any institution or organisation, there sre diverse interests. They need to be protected. We are now solving the problem, using the experience of the last election to resolve it and we are making progress.

    There is the feeling that the activities of APC aspirants in Ondo State are also polarising the party. What is your reaction?

    The opposite is the answer. The more you have the aspirants, the more activities you have in the party. It becomes more exciting. More people are involved. A lot of people are coming out with different ideas, vision and programmes. On the ecomomic aspect of it, there will be boom in the economy of the state. Printers will be busy. People will be more engaged in political activities. It increases the awareness of the people politically. There are some of these aspirants who just want to be known. They are not spending money. They may be using it to negotiate for other positions. These are nice political activities. We also had rumours that some of them may be moles for other political parties. The party exco is aware of these activities in the party and they are very experienced. Since they know the intention of some of the candidates, it is easy to know those candidates that are serious, competent and fit to be the governor of the state. They know the candidates that are qualified to contest and the governor will emerge from among them.

    Is it not confounding to you that some of these aspirants are building personal structures, instead of building the party?

    Well, what you refer to as personal structures are groups, which must be integrated into the party .All over the world, there are interest groups that must be formed. The only thing is that the leadership of the groups must subject the interest of the groups to the interest of the party and that is in conformity with the principles of democracy. The lesson we have learned is that we must not sacrifice the interest of the society or the party at the altar of the group. At our level, we build the party politically, socially, pyschologically and financially, in all ramifications. That is why our group is called the Unity Forum.  It is the only group in the state that is reaching out the other groups so that we can have a unity front to drive away the PDP government from the state. The leader of the Unity Group is the only person that has n grouse against any other group, but I have been organising other groups for unity. This can be described as the bride without spot as quoted by the holy book. None of the groups have anything against our groups. Therefore, they all find it easy to work with us. That is why the Unity Forum is growing fast and rapidly.

    What are the lessons you learned from your participation at the contest in 2012?

    The first lesson I learnt was that our people may not be rich, but they are people of integrity and very intelligent. Based on my integrity and the services I had rendered in the past, they rallied round me because they wanted me to be their governor. I discovered that people will like you when you have compassion; when you are ho9nest, truthful transparent and concerned about their welfare without what you will gain from them; or without any attachment of personal interest to your pursuits. You can imagine a woman of 80 years distributing my leaflets in the local governments. old men campaigning for me because they have seen the works of my hands in the past. Imagine the physically challenged holding meetings and campaigning with all their desirabilities. Imagine the students spending their money to campaign for me in the neighbourhood. Al These gave me the practical lessons that we are to live here and serve God and humanity alone. As a matter of fact, it is a revelation that, when you say love God, it will reflect on the love you have for the people. This shows that in all vocations, professions, and that in that vocation, in that relationship, we are ministers of God. Our work is an act of service to God. All the leaders should realise this. This should be a good lesson to all human beings who want to have good relationship with God and mankind. Our good character can only manifest in our work and service to humanity.

    How far is it true that some stakeholders are mounting pressure on you to join the governorship race?

    During the last primary when I was not picked by the leadership of the party, the people of Ondo State were utterly disappointed. Some of them had heart attack and they were rushed to the hospital. Some people were wailing as if they were bereaved; as if they lost people. Others could not manage the disappointment and they moved to another party. Others refused to vote. About the two third of the party left. Some went to the PDP. Others went to the Labour Party (LP). Some were passive. I did not know the extent o their love for me, until all these things happened. Despite my efforts to persuade them, some could not be consoled. Some resigned to fate. After the election, I returned to what I wanted to do in the last three years. I scaled down on my business, went to the university to do Christian Studies and Theology. I wanted to know more about God. I wanted to become a missionary. This gives me fulfillment. Because of the love my people have for me and I have for them, the people were still in contact with me and I am in contact with them. While away, I was doing the right thing to  the party, instead of building self-interest group. This can be seen in the record of my contribution to the party. These people felt that they needed somebody who they can trust’ who has been providing leadership, who has the economic fortune and capability to turn around the state. They were looking for a virtuous, conscientious leader, somebody who has international connection that can bring investment, leader who has the fear of God and integrity, leader who has a vision and mission. They were fed up with the government of deceit; people who are not accountable, people who cannot protect their interest, people who are after power for selfish interest, people who lack the know-how. That is the reason why they are making a clarion call for me to come and serve. In the last three years, they have been calling on me to remember that I have a duty to perform for them. I have searched and investigated and found out that over 95 percent of the people genuinely want me to come and serve them. They are desirous of change. We are in the era of change mantra, I have made up my mind. I have discovered that my service will be incomplete, until we have a state that will take care of all categories of people and also assist people in the areas of their life.

    What do you want to do differently, if elected as governor?

    First and foremost, we will work hard to restore our lost virtue and value. We will develop technological and managerial capability in order to harness our various resources, with little dependence on foreigners. We will develop organic food that is now the new paradigm shift in economic returns, apart from IT, so that Ondo State can become the hub for organic food globally. We will avail them of various opportunities offered by our international connections, from African Pacific Funding and Management and other multi-lateral institutions. Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment will be established, with offices in Europe, America and Asia. This will increase our international profile, export drive and employment generation. We should be able to generate about 500,000 employment through this drive. We will set up Government Demand Industry (GDI). Through this, a lot of industries will be set up to complement the major industry that will support the government policies and programmes. For example, if we are rehabilitating schools, industries will be set up to provide roofing sheets and other education infrastructure. We are going to set up People Demand Industry (PDI). Right now, 80 percent of what our people need are brought in from outside. We will set up small scale industries along under PPP. We will provide part of funding, training and good and services depot that will supply the populace at a very reduce rate so that they can have economic value on their income. We will integrate our secondary schools with international schools through the World wide libraries.

    What is your position on the agitation for power shift by the people of Akure and Akoko?

    The agitations for power shift in Ondo State are legitimate. Our party, the APC, will promote equity, fairness and justice.

    What is the assurance that you will beat other aspirants during the primary?

    My good work will speak for me. With God’s support and my work speaking for me and the people that God will use, my victory at the primary is assured.

    What gives the APC the boldness that it can sack the PDP from Ondo State?

    The PDP is dead in Ondo State. It only needs to be buried. The PDP is in comatose. People are leaving the PDP for the APC. The former deputy governor is now in the APC. Commissioners, special advisers, forger governorship aspirants are defecting. What remains is the carcass. People are leaving the PDP in droves.

  • Why I want to govern Ondo, by Abraham

    Why I want to govern Ondo, by Abraham

    Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Dr. Segun Abraham spoke with Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU on his ambition, the challenges facing the party and preparations for next year’s poll. 

    What are the challenges facing the Ondo APC, ahead of next year’s governorship election?

    Like any insitution, there are challenges. The challenge is to ensure that all the interest groups unite to avoid division. This is common to al political parties. In any institution or organisation, there sre diverse interests. They need to be protected. We are now solving the problem, using the experience of the last election to resolve it and we are making progress.

    There is the feeling that the activities of APC aspirants in Ondo State are also polarising the party. What is your reaction?

    The opposite is the answer. The more you have the aspirants, the more activities you have in the party. It becomes more exciting. More people are involved. A lot of people are coming out with different ideas, vision and programmes. On the ecomomic aspect of it, there will be boom in the economy of the state. Printers will be busy. People will be more engaged in political activities. It increases the awareness of the people politically. There are some of these aspirants who just want to be known. They are not spending money. They may be using it to negotiate for other positions. These are nice political activities. We also had rumours that some of them may be moles for other political parties. The party exco is aware of these activities in the party and they are very experienced. Since they know the intention of some of the candidates, it is easy to know those candidates that are serious, competent and fit to be the governor of the state. They know the candidates that are qualified to contest and the governor will emerge from among them.

    Is it not confounding to you that some of these aspirants are building personal structures, instead of building the party?

    Well, what you refer to as personal structures are groups, which must be integrated into the party .All over the world, there are interest groups that must be formed. The only thing is that the leadership of the groups must subject the interest of the groups to the interest of the party and that is in conformity with the principles of democracy. The lesson we have learned is that we must not sacrifice the interest of the society or the party at the altar of the group. At our level, we build the party politically, socially, pyschologically and financially, in all ramifications. That is why our group is called the Unity Forum.  It is the only group in the state that is reaching out the other groups so that we can have a unity front to drive away the PDP government from the state. The leader of the Unity Group is the only person that has n grouse against any other group, but I have been organising other groups for unity. This can be described as the bride without spot as quoted by the holy book. None of the groups have anything against our groups. Therefore, they all find it easy to work with us. That is why the Unity Forum is growing fast and rapidly.

    What are the lessons you learned from your participation at the contest in 2012?

    The first lesson I learnt was that our people may not be rich, but they are people of integrity and very intelligent. Based on my integrity and the services I had rendered in the past, they rallied round me because they wanted me to be their governor. I discovered that people will like you when you have compassion; when you are honest, truthful transparent and concerned about their welfare without what you will gain from them; or without any attachment of personal interest to your pursuits. You can imagine a woman of 80 years distributing my leaflets in the local governments. old men campaigning for me because they have seen the works of my hands in the past. Imagine the physically challenged holding meetings and campaigning with all their desirabilities. Imagine the students spending their money to campaign for me in the neighbourhood. Al These gave me the practical lessons that we are to live here and serve God and humanity alone. As a matter of fact, it is a revelation that, when you say love God, it will reflect on the love you have for the people. This shows that in all vocations, professions, and that in that vocation, in that relationship, we are ministers of God. Our work is an act of service to God. All the leaders should realise this. This should be a good lesson to all human beings who want to have good relationship with God and mankind. Our good character can only manifest in our work and service to humanity.

    How far is it true that some stakeholders are mounting pressure on you to join the governorship race?

    During the last primary when I was not picked by the leadership of the party, the people of Ondo State were utterly disappointed. Some of them had heart attack and they were rushed to the hospital. Some people were wailing as if they were bereaved; as if they lost people. Others could not manage the disappointment and they moved to another party. Others refused to vote. About the two third of the party left. Some went to the PDP. Others went to the Labour Party (LP). Some were passive. I did not know the extent o their love for me, until all these things happened. Despite my efforts to persuade them, some could not be consoled. Some resigned to fate. After the election, I returned to what I wanted to do in the last three years. I scaled down on my business, went to the university to do Christian Studies and Theology. I wanted to know more about God. I wanted to become a missionary. This gives me fulfillment. Because of the love my people have for me and I have for them, the people were still in contact with me and I am in contact with them. While away, I was doing the right thing to  the party, instead of building self-interest group. This can be seen in the record of my contribution to the party. These people felt that they needed somebody who they can trust’ who has been providing leadership, who has the economic fortune and capability to turn around the state. They were looking for a virtuous, conscientious leader, somebody who has international connection that can bring investment, leader who has the fear of God and integrity, leader who has a vision and mission. They were fed up with the government of deceit; people who are not accountable, people who cannot protect their interest, people who are after power for selfish interest, people who lack the know-how. That is the reason why they are making a clarion call for me to come and serve. In the last three years, they have been calling on me to remember that I have a duty to perform for them. I have searched and investigated and found out that over 95 percent of the people genuinely want me to come and serve them. They are desirous of change. We are in the era of change mantra, I have made up my mind. I have discovered that my service will be incomplete, until we have a state that will take care of all categories of people and also assist people in the areas of their life.

    What do you want to do differently, if elected as governor?

    First and foremost, we will work hard to restore our lost virtue and value. We will develop technological and managerial capability in order to harness our various resources, with little dependence on foreigners. We will develop organic food that is now the new paradigm shift in economic returns, apart from IT, so that Ondo State can become the hub for organic food globally. We will avail them of various opportunities offered by our international connections, from African Pacific Funding and Management and other multi-lateral institutions. Ministries of Industry, Trade and Investment will be established, with offices in Europe, America and Asia. This will increase our international profile, export drive and employment generation. We should be able to generate about 500,000 employment through this drive. We will set up Government Demand Industry (GDI). Through this, a lot of industries will be set up to complement the major industry that will support the government policies and programmes. For example, if we are rehabilitating schools, industries will be set up to provide roofing sheets and other education infrastructure. We are going to set up People Demand Industry (PDI). Right now, 80 percent of what our people need are brought in from outside. We will set up small scale industries along under PPP. We will provide part of funding, training and good and services depot that will supply the populace at a very reduce rate so that they can have economic value on their income. We will integrate our secondary schools with international schools through the World wide libraries.

    What is your position on the agitation for power shift by the people of Akure and Akoko?

    The agitations for power shift in Ondo State are legitimate. Our party, the APC, will promote equity, fairness and justice.

    What is the assurance that you will beat other aspirants during the primary?

    My good work will speak for me. With God’s support and my work speaking for me and the people that God will use, my victory at the primary is assured.

    What gives the APC the boldness that it can sack the PDP from Ondo State?

    The PDP is dead in Ondo State. It only needs to be buried. The PDP is in comatose. People are leaving the PDP for the APC. The former deputy governor is now in the APC. Commissioners, special advisers, forger governorship aspirants are defecting. What remains is the carcass. People are leaving the PDP in droves.

  • When Roberto met Abraham: 

    Anyone who watched scenes of blatant patronage politics employed to end slavery and win the civil war in the United States, as depicted in the 2012 film Lincoln, might well question if corruption is necessarily the nemesis of the progression of basic human freedoms and rights.

    The movie gave me a crisis of conscience. In Berlin, a stalwart anti-corruption activist from Transparency International Estonia tried to reassure me that there’s always another way. But I couldn’t help question that, maybe sometimes, is corruption good.

    Then I got a call, in early 2013, via Skype. It was from Roberto Berardi, who at that point was only on house arrest in Bata, Equatorial Guinea.

    Why was he arrested? Because he was in a position to provide firsthand evidence to US courts of massive thieving by the ruling family in Equatorial Guinea, a small but oil rich country on the west coast of Africa.

    Roberto Berardi is an Italian businessman who entered into a joint venture with Teodorin Nguema, the son of the president of Equatorial Guinea, and the country’s second vice president. When the jointly owned company was identified in papers filed by the US Justice Department in proceedings to seize assets in the US acquired by Mr. Nguema, including a California mansion and Michael Jackson’s Bad tour glove, Mr. Berardi asked questions. Soon thereafter, he was arrested, tried for fraud and misappropriation of corporate assets in a trial for which there are no written records, and was detained, mostly in solitary confinement, in a Bata, Equatorial Guinea prison for years, until finally released on July 9.

    Human rights groups and his family reported beatings, untreated illness, extreme weight loss and denial of access to needed medical attention, and suggested he’d remain detained and suffering until the case in the US concluded and he’d effectively be precluded from bringing evidence to light. And, this is exactly what happened: the case settled in October last year, and eventually, this month, Berardi was released home to Italy, despite President Obiang’s promises to tend to the humanitarian concerns in Brussels, at the European Union-Africa Summit, well over a year ago.

    The connection between corruption and human rights could not be made any clearer, whether impacting individuals like Berardi, or en masse populations like in the countries hit by Ebola, where long histories of thieving from the public treasury resulted in inept healthcare systems unable to stop a deadly epidemic.

    In an intellectually robust endeavor, Dr. Kolawole Olaniyan makes the case forcefully that human rights law and tribunals are a needed response to grand corruption. He argues compellingly in 362 rich pages that the human rights movement must take into account the underlying roots of the degradation of systems of governance via widespread corruption which in turn results in systemic rights abuses.

     

    After examinations of national and international legal contexts, highlighting Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea and Angola, Dr. Olaniyan’s book, Corruption and Human Rights Law in Africa, concludes that national criminal law approaches to countering corruption are needed but inadequate.

    Turning to international human rights norms of universality and acto popularis, empowering all “spirited citizens” to bring complaints of abuses, Dr. Olaniyan culls refreshingly supportive statements from former commissioners of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights recognizing the importance of considering corruption in the human rights cases it hears.

    This is a positive step forward from the denial of admissibility the Commission issued in a case filed by the Open Society Justice Initiative in 2007 against Equatorial Guinea, alleging that massive theft from the public treasury was a violation of Article 21 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights – a provision which protects the peoples’ rights to natural resources, wealth and development.

    In that case, the Commission decided that complainants would have to exhaust domestic remedies before approaching the continental forum. The denial of admissibility was not only a setback for people in Equatorial Guinea who have limited options for pursuing accountability for corruption domestically – according to lawyers in the country, the court system is entirely controlled by the executive, and in practice, the military, and a presidential decree is necessary to approve meetings of five people or more – but for would be anti-corruption activists generally, and others like Roberto who find themselves as potential witnesses to the crime.

    It evinced unapologetic disregard for the real security risks posed to those who dare challenge such overpowering, all-encompassing oppression machines.

    In many places, not just in Bata, people pay with their lives for the cost of corruption. Health crises wreak havoc. Livelihoods and food and water sources perish. Perspectives are silenced. Information suppressed. Basic services are denied, and avenues for recourse can be mere facades of justice, at best.

    Dr. Olaniyan is right to suggest legal actions challenging corruption should enjoy the same open notions of standing of complainants that the human rights movement has forged.

    He concludes also with a set of more specific recommendations, including around trust funds for victims of corruption, legal reform to enhance accountability of banks and other firms involved in laundering stolen assets, and mechanisms for peer review of anti-corruption conventions.

    I wondered how many options Lincoln had in his day. We have quite a few more.

     

     

    • Razook is Legal Officer, Anti-corruption, Open Society Justice Initiative, United States