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  • How Tinubu led ACN to reclaim lost states in 2007, by Osinbajo

    VICE President Yemi Osinbanjo went down the memory lane yesterday to relive the role played by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in reclaiming states lost by the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after the 2007 elections.

    Osinbajo, who represented President Muhammadu Buhari as Chairman of the 11th Bola Tinubu Colloquium, told the gathering how the APC stalwart hired 63 fingerprint experts from the United Kingdom (UK) police to help prove cases of over voting in the 2007 elections.

    He said with the help of the experts who worked hard for six months, it was discovered that while it takes an average voter about five minutes to conclude his voting process, it took the PDP agents less than five seconds to thump print the ballot that were counted in their favour in 2007.

    The vice president said it was the political dexterity of the former Lagos state governor that ensured that the ACN reclaimed Edo, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states, adding that the last to be won through that process was Osun.

    He praised the role played by the APC leader in the success of APC in this year’s elections, adding that the choice of the phrase “Next Level” as a campaign slogan was simply to tell Nigerians that the country was moving to the next phase of development.

    He said: “We celebrate a man who has spent the last 30 years of his life in creative and catalytic public service. He is not a lawyer as many of us know, but there are few Nigerians who have provoked so many legal controversies and constitutional challenges resulting in several landmark judicial pronouncements, especially in the area of federalism and what today is loosely described as restructuring.

    “Many of us know that he is not an engineer, but a lot of his vision is what is responsible for what we see today in Lagos – the BRT, the Lekki Free Trade Zone, even the Eko Atlantic Project and, of course, the reform in the tax system of Lagos State. Today, Lagos, as we know, earns more revenue, more IGR, than 31 states of Nigeria put together. That began in 2001.”

    Speaking on the Next Level campaign slogan, Osinbajo said: “As you know, the expression Next Level, itself, is our political campaign slogan in this last election.  And what we were saying was simply that there was a next phase to what our country has seen.

    “There are many who will say that there are many things that were promised in 2015 which have not yet been realized.  I think the best way of putting it is to say that our country, for the first time, is witnessing the type of leadership that is bound to lead us to where it is that we are proposed ourselves as a government.

    “In my view, the honest leadership, leadership with integrity of our president, President Muhammadu Buhari, is a very important component of getting anywhere at all in all of our development plans.  I said before at the last colloquium that Nigeria’s main problem is not the lack of ideas, it is not the lack of projects and programmes.

    “It was most of the time, especially the leadership in the past, and corruption in particular, was the reason why we were finding it difficult to make progress.

    “I explained that that’s why we earned $383 billion in four years, the highest ever in the history of our country, and yet Lagos-Ibadan Expressway was not done.  The Lagos-Kano railway – and all that is being done today – was not done then.  We cannot point to a single major infrastructure project that was completed in the 10-year period, despite the high earnings, including power.

    “So, a government coming after so many years of waste must be a government, first that emphasises fiscal prudence, a government that emphasises integrity in public finance so that it would manage the little resources to achieve the maximum that can be achieved.  And that is what President Muhammadu Buhari set out to do.  As I keep saying, the President has never claimed to be an orator.  He just gets things done.

    “It was under President Muhammadu Buhari that three of the four refineries that we have today were built, when he was Minister of Petroleum.   About 3500km of pipelines were built by him as Minister of Petroleum in a three-year period.

    ”So, there is a track record not of talking, but of just getting things done.  And this is what we have seen in the past four years. That is why we were able to set aside money for the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.  And that is going on at present.  That is why we opened up the first phase of the Lagos-Kano Railway that was commissioned a couple of weeks ago, the Lagos-Abeokuta-Ibadan phase of that project.

    “The Itakpe-Warri Railway, now completed after 35 years of being on the books.  The Light Rail project here in Abuja started in 2005, budget after budget, never completed was completed also at the end of 2017.  We now have that light rail from the airport to Idu.  Same as several other infrastructural projects. Mambila Hydro has been on the cards for 40 years.  We have just put together resources to begin that project and we will complete that project.

    “For us, infrastructure is critical at the Next Level.  You cannot have the situation where you have the kind of power situation we have today and expect transformative progress.  That is why we are focused on power and other infrastructure.

    “We are focused on fixing the infrastructure in the country and we believe that if we fix the infrastructure, the roads and the rail, and especially power, we will be able to make significant progress.

    “Today, our rail project starts from the Apapa Port so that we are able to clear the congestion in that port because the Lagos to Kano railway starts from the Apapa port.  And we can start taking out cargo from the Apapa port using rail as an alternative means.

    “The same is true of agriculture; and we just heard our partners from Brazil talking about the next phase of our agricultural development and we are committed to that project because we believe that is what will transform the agro-industrial phase of our planning and that is what will transform agriculture in this country and create additional jobs.

    “It is enough to have farmers everywhere; we need the refining capacity; we need the processing capacity and that is what our partnership with the Brazilians will provide for us.

    “On the reforms we are making in education and healthcare, today the emphasis is on digital literacy; the emphasis on training our teachers to be able to train the next generation of children in school.

    “And we are focused on doing so using some of the methods we have described very comprehensively not just in the ERGP but in our next level document.

    “So, we are focusing on STEAM, not STEM; we are focusing on training young people on digital skills, critical thinking and some other skills that are necessary for the kind of jobs that the 21st century will provide. Our focus on healthcare is on National Health Insurance because we cannot finance healthcare by the budget alone.

    “Again, at the Next Level, we will expand our social investment programme; at the moment, the programme is the biggest of its kind anywhere in the African continent.”

    The Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), U.G. Mohammed, who spoke on using the power sector to propel industrial growth, said that the power sector privatisation in the country was an ambitious venture embarked upon by Nigeria, saying the mistakes made through the exercise must be acknowledged and corrected.

    Mohammed also said the country still does not have the capacity to distribute all the power currently being generated, adding that his agency has stopped connecting generating companies to the national grid to avoid damaging the system.

    He also disclosed that the country has not been able to complete many projects in the sector because such contracts were not awarded to be executed

    The TCN managing director said that since his assumption of office as the head of TCN, he has stopped such award, and ensured that projects awarded were completed.

    Read also: Buhari not an orator but action man, says Osinbajo

    According to him, when he came on board, the TCN had over 800 containers at the port, many of which had been there for over 15 years. The company has so far recovered over 730 of such containers.

    Mohammed advocated the recapitalisation of the Distribution Companies (DisCos) with government providing 40 percent of the equity. Such capitalization, he said, will ensure a good tariff regime, which will not be expensive.

    In his welcome address, Lagos State Governor and the chief host of the event, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode praised Tinubu for spear-heading the party’s victory in the general election.

    Ambode described Tinubu as “a man of high political dexterity, a dogged leader and a man of undaunted courage and expressed confidence that the APC was spreading its progressive tentacles further into the country while Nigerians are looking forward to moving to the next level.”

    He said the theme of the colloquium:  ”Next Level: Work for the People”, was chosen to coincide with the times when the country was on the threshold of greatness.

    Those who attended the colloquium include: Prof  Osinbajo and his wife Dolapo; APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole; Governors Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano); Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi); Simon Lalong (Plateau); Ambode’s wife Abimbola; Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Abdulaziz Yari (Zamfara); Gboyega Oyetola (Osun); Edo State Deputy Governor Phillip Shuaibu, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and former APC Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande.

    Also there were: ministers Musa Mohammed (FCT); Senator Chris Ngige (Labour & Employment); Okechukwu Enelama (Trade & Investment) and Lai Mohammed (Information & Culture).

    Others include: Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan; former Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wammako; Lagos State Governor-elect Babatunde Sanwo-Olu and his deputy Obafemi Hamzat; Senator Shehu Sani; former APC Deputy National Chairman, (South) Segun Oni; Voice of Nigeria Director-General Osita Okechukwu and Senator Smart Adeyemi, former Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio, former President of the Newspaper Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN) Samaila Isa Funtua; Vanguard Publisher Sam Amuka-Pemu; Senator Khariat Gwadabe, Senator Gbenga Ashafa; former Lagos State Information and Strategy Commissioner Dele Alade and Comptroller-General of Customs, Col. Hamid Ali.

    The roll call also includes the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, who led other royal fathers to grace the occasion; National Assembly members and members of the APC National Working Committee (NWC) as well as members of the diplomatic corps.

     

  • Tinubu: A kingmaker at 67

    All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is 67 tomorrow. A colloquium with the theme: ‘Work for People’ is holding in Abuja today to mark the ceremony. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the struggles, battles and exploits of the statesman, who has remained relevant in national life, 12 years after vacating office as governor of Lagos State.

    Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Third Republic senator, former Lagos State governor and All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, may have become the main issue in Nigeria’s politics. Twelve years after leaving the corridor of power as governor, he has remained relevant in national life. As he celebrates his 67th birthday this week, the eminent politician is again on the front burner.

    Not only has the annual colloquium in his honour become a powerful tool of political mobilisation, it has also offered the country a veritable opportunity to always reflect on the journey so far and make realistic projections for the future. The theme of this year’s discourse holding at the International Conference Centre, Abuja, is: ‘Next Level: Work for People.’ It underscores the people-oriented ideas, struggles, battles and exploits of the pro-democracy crusader, seasoned administrator, progressive arrowhead, statesman and citizen of the world. It is the 11th edition.

    For his party, it is another time for reassessment and sober reflection. The ruling party survived the plot of retired Generals, who are major political principals and principalities. It won some states. It lost others in the polity. As APC chieftains gather for Tinubu’s birthday, they may have to also brainstorm on the way forward on the sidelines of the colloquium. How will the party handle the election of principal National Assembly officers to avoid the mistake of 2015? Will there be party supremacy and discipline? How will APC resolve the Zamfara debacle? Has post-election reconciliation not become compelling? Will the party henceforth put its house in order?

    In post-Bola Ige era, Tinubu has remained the most outstanding Yoruba political megastar with a large following. Across the six regions, he is being perceived as a rallying point and national asset, whose contributions were critical to the enthronement of the first post-1999 humane and progressive government at the centre.

    Tinubuism encapsulates the time-tested philosophy of service premised on the evergreen Awoist theme of “Freedom for All, Life More Abundant,’ and driven by the permanent and non-negotiable devotion to the creed of progressive welfarism in a polity still struggling to resolve the multiple crises of nation-building, conflicts of political participation, illusion of hope for gainful employment, contradictions in education, insatiable quest for social welfare,  and thirst for the restoration of sanctity of the ballot box.

    The former governor is a man of many parts, although his political profile has now dwarfed his rich resume as boardroom guru, strategic economic planner and socialite. Former House of Representatives member and Senior Presidential Assistant on the Diaspora Abike Dabiri-Erewa described Tinubu as a dynamic leader, consummate politician, consistent democrat, towering progressive arrowhead, seasoned administrator, financial surgeon, great organiser, powerful mobiliser, master strategist, tested and trusted visionary leader, courageous fighter, man of foresight, defender of the oppressed, apostle of rule of law, foremost philanthropist, and man of the people.

    It is incontrovertible that Tinubu is a dynamic leader, who is always bubbling with energy, zeal and enthusiasm. This may have been the bedrock of his successes in his chosen fields of endeavor. There is no evidence to show that he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth. He has thread the long, narrow and tortious path to limelight, and survived through the dint of hard work and divine grace.  But, the stress and strains of the past, which he had to pass through as a struggler, are hardly taken into consideration by detractors who are envious of his indomitable status.

    Tinubu is a consummate politician. The Lion of Bourdillion understands the language of politics, which, is a great deal of competition and struggle. The ultimate goal is the attainment of power, which in his view, is not served a la carte. His incisive wit, power of foresight and strategic thinking are vital assets. Although the Federal Government waged war against him as governor, he survived. While the political earthquake swept across the Southwest in 2003, Tinubu became the last man standing. If Tinubu had slept on guard in 2003, Nigeria would have become a one-party state under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He resisted the intimidation by former President Olusegun Obasanjo and converted his weak position as an opposition figure to a position of strength. From Lagos, the battle to reclaim the Southwest begun. Ironically, one of the states, Oyo, may have gone back into conservative captivity.

    Tinubu can also be counted among the consistent democrats and progressive arrowheads who have never jumped ship. Having placed his hand on the plough, he has not looked back. As governor, there were occasions when he had to bow to suggestions on governance by his cabinet of talents. The political leader has always honed his skills of negotiation, consultation, and reconciliation. His associates often allude to the fact that he has never claimed to have a monopoly of knowledge. He is always willing to bow to superior arguments.

    As a leader of the progressive bloc, Tinubu’s greatest under the banner of the APC is the installation of a progressive government at the centre in 2015 and 2019. The defining moment was 2015 presidential election.  It is to the credit of Tinubu that the Southwest agreed to participate in mainstream politics and the zone has not regretted it. Unlike under the Jonathan administration, the Buhari administration is giving the Southwest a sense of belonging.

    In the Third Republic, the celebrator became a man of the future. He had taken the politics of the populous Lagos West by storm. He won the highest vote as a senator in 1991 on the platform of the proscribed Social Democratic Party (SDP), defeating Mrs. Kemi Nelson of the banned National Republican Convention (NRC). The bulk of the votes came from Alimoso sub-zone, which has since been referred to as ‘Tinubu country.’ Tinubu shone like a star in the Upper Chamber. Yet, his senatorial career was not insulated from vicissitudes. The all-civilian National Assembly had a military president, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, to contend it. When the transition programme finally failed as designed by the Evil Genius, Tinubu’s career as a federal legislator was aborted by the Abacha regime, which sacked the elected leadership.

    His boss at Mobil Oil Company, Chief Pius Akinyelure, had advised him to retrace his steps, if politics became hotter. The financial surgeon was the treasurer of the company. But, Tinubu never went back to the boardroom. He returned to the drawing board to politically strategise for the future. He joined the pro-democracy movement, National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), to fight for popular rule. By the time civil rule was restored, the symbol of the struggle, Chief Moshood Abiola, had died mysteriously in detention.

    Although Tinubu wanted to return to the Senate in 1999, fate decided otherwise. He was elected governor on the platform of the Alliance for Democracy (AD). As governor, he presided over an administration that was a model between 1999 and 2007.

    To observers, Tinubu became a key player in national politics, following his success at state and regional levels. For him, charity should begin at home. He had a 24-year development plan for the transformation of Lagos State.  Tinubu years in the Centre of Excellence were remarkable for progress. As governor, he jerked up the internally generated revenue from the N600,000 monthly to billions of naira. Today, Lagos can boast of over N33 billion monthly IGR. The implication is that the state can survive without federal allocation. Also, Tinubu fought the infrastructural battle in the city state. He constructed roads, built hospitals and schools, created opportunities for employment and re-energised the transport sector. He initiated the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project. The judiciary reforms he introduced were legendary. Tinubu pioneered the payment of NECO and WAEC fees for students.

    The former governor also created additional 37 local councils, based on popular demand. When the allocations to the councils were seized by the Federal Government, his team of experts invented a creative financial engineering that made the councils to survive the federal onslaught. As governor, Tinubu contributed to the debate on the national question as an apostle of true federalism and restructuring. He was also an electoral reforms curator. To him, the sanctity of the ballot box is critical to the survival of democracy.

    Tinubu handed over to Babatunde Fashola (SAN) in 2007. After the expiration of his two terms of eight year I 2015, the lawyer-turned politician handed over to Akinwunmi Ambode, an accountant. On May 29, Ambode will pass the baton to Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    Reflecting on his achievements, the Lagos State APC Governorship Advisory Council (GAC), observed that Tinubu succeeded in raising worthy successors. “What you celebrate today is the reality of unprecedented, steady and consistent progress in the Centre of Excellence, the foundation of which you laid as the first Fourth Republic Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.

    “It is gratifying to note that, in this dispensation, you have led the way in raising a crop of quality, devoted, dynamic, focused and result-driven leaders, who have continued to sustain the progressive vision at the state and national levels. Your strength lies in your powers of ideas, risk-taking, courage, resilience, vision of a welfarist society and leadership by example,” it added.

    Read also: Mass failure in General Studies at Sokoto Varsity

    Among the leaders that have been raised by Tinubu are Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), former Lagos State Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Fasola, Ambode, Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed, former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola,  one-time Finance Commissioner Wale Edun, Babatunde Fowler of Federal Inland Revenue Service, and Opeyemi Bamidele.s

    Tinubu and other compatriot floated the Action Congress (AC) in 2007. The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) reclaimed the Southwest, although the battle shifted from the ballot box to the court.

    However, 2015 was the turning point. Tinubu’s gospel of strength in unity paid off. Reflecting on the 2015 calculations, one of his associates said he re-invented the theory of the slaughter’s slab to suit the collective aspiration of the opposition. In Tinubu’s view, there will be no going back for the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), led by Buhari, and Prince Tony Momoh,  the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), led by Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, the ACN, led by Chief Bisi Akande and a section of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), led by Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, if they agreed to merge together into a single party.

    The merger, he explained, would lead to the permanent withdrawal of their certificates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Tinubu, the acknowledged party financier, provided selfless leadership and the quantum of resources for the novel project. He urged his colleagues to take the risk and be optimistic about the future. The struggle heralded President Buhari’s success at the poll and the abortion of PDP’s dream of ruling for the next 60 years.

    Party faithful have also hailed his contribution to the President Buhari’s second term challenge. As the Chief ‘Reconcliator’ and Co-chairman of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, APC won a resounding victory in the just-concluded poll. Also, the party under his leadership retained Lagos State for APC and produced Governor-elect Sanwo-Olu, who defeated Jimi Agbade of the PDP at the poll.

    In politics and private life, Tinubu is reputed for philanthropy. His abode is a Mecca of sorts. He is a cheerful giver, benefactor, godfather and defender of the oppressed.

    Tinubu holds honorary titles from many towns across the country. He is the Jabagan of Borgu Kingdom, Aare of Ile-Oluji and Aare Ago of Egbaland.

    But, there are many aspects of his life that may not be known, until he opens up in his autobiography. When the autobiography is written, it will inspire the future generations.

    Many stakeholders believe that Tinubu still has a lot to contribute to national greatness.

    Paying tribute to Tinubu, House of Representatives member-elect and former Lagos State Works Commissioner Ganiyu Johnson said he is a talent hunter. “Your greatest strength lies in your ability to raise a crop of leaders who are building on the progressive foundation laid by patriotic pathfinders of history,” he added.

    An APC youth, Toyin Balogun, described Tinubu as a source of inspiration to the younger generation. He said: “Your pedigree, sagacity, tenacity of purpose, hard work, resilience, courage and loyalty to worthy progressive causes have continued to serve as sources of inspiration to the younger generation in the vineyard of people-oriented, welfarist politics.”

    Lagos APC secretary Dr Wale Ahmed, who described Tinubu as an oak tree offering protective shield to progressives nationwide, said he has no equal in mentoring and role modelling. Ahmed, a former legislator and Special Duties Commissioner added: “God has equally blessed you with a good wife, Distinguished Senator Oluremi Tinubu (OON), who share your vision of greater good for the greatest number of our people.”

    To House of Representatives member James Faleke said Tinubu’s name will continue to resonate in he hearts of lovers of democracy, urging other politicians to emulate his virtues.

    Hailing the celebrator, Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa said: “Your consistent struggle, selfless and constant sacrifices over the years have continued to define you as a true and worthy leader. You are indeed, an epitome of hard work, discipline, and patriotism. Without doubt, this generation is highly blessed to have your personality as a great mentor and trail blazer.”

  • APC suspends BOT member over statement against Bello

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Niger state has suspended one of the Board of Trustees (BOT) members Alhaji Abubakar Magaji over a derogatory statement against Governor Abubakar Bello.

    Magaji is a member of the Board of Trustees in the state and one of the founding fathers who led the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) to form APC.

    In a statement by the party’s secretary, Alhaji Mohammed Liman in Minna on Thursday, Magaji was accused of making derogatory statement during a meeting chaired by the Governor on Monday.

    According to the statement, Magaji when speaking asked: ‘Who is Party?’ a question which members termed as embarrassing to the Governor.

    Read Also: Kwara: I’m the APC candidate known to INEC, says AbdulRazaq

    “This derogatory statement in the view of the Party (APC) as embarrassing and has brought it into hatred, contempt, ridicule and disrepute which offends Article 21 (A) (II) of the Party constitution (2014) as amended.”

    The party further stated the State working committee has set up a 5- man committee to investigate the matter and recommend appropriate sanctions.

  • Ondo APC mourns Ex-ACN Chair

    The All Progressives Congress ( APC ) in Ondo State has mourned the exit of one of its leaders, Chief Noah Adesoji.

    The late political and community leader passed on last weekend at the age of 83. He was the Ondo State Chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

    The State Chairman of the APC, Ade Adetimehin, described the death of the octogenarian as a deep blow to the State chapter, “especially at this time when he should be reaping from his years of political toiling”.

    Adetimehin, who led members of the State Working Committee (SWC) to commiserate with the bereaved family in Ile-Oluji, said the departed leader lived a rewarding life,saying he was like a father to many of them.

    He said: “Pa Adesoji was a reliable and trustworthy leader; he was a party man to the core, and a progressive till his last day on earth.

    Adetimehin prayed that God would console the bereaved family.

    He informed them that Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had assured that the State government would be deeply involved in the burial of the former progressives leader.

    Responding on behalf of the family, one of the deceased children, Kehinde Adesoji, thanked the State Government and the APC for standing by the family over the loss of their father.

    The young Adesoji said although his later father was above 80, but noted that “we never wished he should leave at this time because he remained a pillar of the family”.

  • Burying party supremacy

    Burying party supremacy

    Aminu Tambuwal, now Sokoto State governor, was re-elected member of the House of Representatives in 2011. His ambition was to be Speaker. His then party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saw no sense in his aspiration. The party’s reason was premised on the fact that the party had zoned the office of the Senate President to the North central and as such it would be unfair to have the Speaker also from the North. The party zoned the position to the Southwest and endorsed the candidacy of Mulikat Adeola-Akande. It was as though Adeola-Akande was coasting home to victory.

    But, Tambuwal was able to rally the then Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) members and with their block votes, he defeated his party’s choice and emerged Speaker.

    Fast-forward to 2015. The governing party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), did not use zoning but it endorsed candidates for the offices of Senate President, Speaker and others. Senator Bukola Saraki and Hon. Yakubu Dogara disagreed with their party and with the support of the opposition PDP, they carried the day. It was a major blow on the party on whose shoulder Nigerians have placed a lot of baggage.

    In search of peace, the party licked its wound and accepted Saraki and Dogara. It feels the best way to balance the equation and move forward was to allow its choice for Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, to become the Senate Leader. It also proposes Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who ran against Dogara, as House Leader.

    From fillers, Dogara has chosen to toe the Tambuwal path by accepting the party’s decision. Tambuwal, in deference to the party after initially rebelling against it to emerge Speaker, accepted his main challenger Adeola-Akande as House Leader.

    But, unlike Dogara, Saraki seems hell-bent on defying the party. To him, party supremacy can as well be dead. Yesterday, his actions showed clearly that he was not willing to buy the party’s idea that Lawan should be the Senate Leader. His supporters argue that the Senate rules do not say the party should decide who occupy principal offices.   They say a provision in the rules only says the principal officers will be from the ruling party and not dictated by the party.

    Today, Saraki is expected to unfold his choices for the positions. Chances are high that he will not go by the party’s decision. May be only one of the four recommended by the party will have his blessing. If that happens, then party supremacy, which APC governors argue in favour of yesterday after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari, may be on its way to the morgue. Dead.

    The consequences? They seem better imagined.

  • ‘How Ekiti APC can win elections’

    ‘How Ekiti APC can win elections’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congess (APC) in Ekiti State, Hon. Oyeyemi Smart, has said the change of the party leadership is the key to winning future elections.

    The Financial Secretary of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), who spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, said a new leadership will boost the morale of members.

    He said:  “Leadership gives direction in any organisation and, when the followers are desirous of change, it must be seen as inevitable and then accepted”.

    Oyeyemi said the leadership change should cut across ward, local government and state levels.

    He added: “The APC is one big family. Despite our loss at the June 21 poll, the party has been together. But, we must face the reality. We members want real structural change. We must do this to move forward. If this is done, the APC will return to the headship of Ekiti State sooner than most people think.

    “We must put the loss of June 21 behind us. We must face a future which is brighter and closer than we think. In facing the future, we must also prepare for it by putting new things in place.

    “They say leaders come and go, but the situation with the APC in Ekiti is that the  leaders come and stay. The fact is that most of those we know as leaders of the party today have been there since the ACN days and even before.

  • Ope joins governorship race in Lagos

    Ope joins governorship race in Lagos

    Former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Lanre Ope has joined the governorship race in Lagos on the platform of the All Progressives   Congress (APC).

    The former legislator told reporters in Lagos that he joined the race because he has the experience to govern the state.

    Ope left the House of Assembly in 2003. He defected from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, he defected to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) two years ago. In 1994, he was a delegate to the National Constitutional Conference in Abuja.

    Urging Lagosians to vote for continuity, the aspirant said the state deserved a competent successor to Giovernor Babatunde Fashola next year.

    Ope said he looked forward to a democratic primaries where the APC flag bearer would emerge.

    The politician called for  a specialstatus for Lagos, adding that the  next governor will inherit the agitation for improved fuunding for the former Federal Capital Terrritory (FCT).

    He said: “If you are talking about the Value Added Tax (VAT), over 65 per cent comes from Lagos. Therefore, Lagos should have more VAT allocation.  In addition, as Lagos population grows, a lot of Federal Government’s responsibilities is being undertaken by the Lagos State Government, thereby overstreching facilities and this has huge security implications.”

    Ope chided the Federal Government for its propaganda on the success of the Transformation Agenda, describing it as a fable.

    He said pro-Jonathan forces are exagerrating the success of the Jonathan Administration, despite the growing poverty, squalour and insecurity in the country.

    Ope said the PDP cannot win the governorship poll in Lagos because the Federal Government has not fought the infrastructure battle in the state.

    He added: “Lagosians cannot vote for the PDP because it lacks what it takes to win the state.”

                                                    

  • Ope joins governorship race in Lagos

    Former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly Hon. Lanre Ope has joined the governorship race in Lagos on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The former legislator told reporters in Lagos that he joined the race because he has the experience to govern the state.

    Ope left the House of Assembly in 2003. He defected from the Alliance for Democracy (AD) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). However, he defected to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) two years ago. In 1994, he was a delegate to the National Constitutional Conference in Abuja.

    Urging Lagosians to vote for continuity, the aspirant said the state deserved a competent successor to Giovernor Babatunde Fashola next year.

    Ope said he looked forward to a democratic primaries where the APC flag bearer would emerge.

    The politician called for  a specialstatus for Lagos, adding that the  next governor will inherit the agitation for improved fuunding for the former Federal Capital Terrritory (FCT).

    He said: “If you are talking about the Value Added Tax (VAT), over 65 per cent comes from Lagos. Therefore, Lagos should have more VAT allocation.  In addition, as Lagos population grows, a lot of Federal Government’s responsibilities is being undertaken by the Lagos State Government, thereby overstreching facilities and this has huge security implications.”

    Ope chided the Federal Government for its propaganda on the success of the Transformation Agenda, describing it as a fable.

    He said pro-Jonathan forces are exagerrating the success of the Jonathan Administration, despite the growing poverty, squalour and insecurity in the country.

    Ope said the PDP cannot win the governorship poll in Lagos because the Federal Government has not fought the infrastructure battle in the state.

    He added: “Lagosians cannot vote for the PDP because it lacks what it takes to win the state.”

  • Appeal Court declares Ondo Rep’s seat vacant

    •Lawyers file appeal today

    The Appeal Court sitting in Akure, the Ondo State capital declared vacant yesterday the seat of the lawmaker representing Akure South/North Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Mr Ifedayo Abegunde.

    Abegunde’s counsel Segun Akanmode condemned the judgment, saying he would file an appeal today at the Supreme Court.

    The lawmaker approached the appellate court to set aside the judgment of Justice G.O Okeke of the Federal High Court, which earlier declared vacant the seat of the legislator in May 2012.

    Abegunde, a former member of the Labour Party (LP) defected to the defunct the Action Congress (ACN). He took the LP to court, justifying his defection and claimed that his former party had crisis which led to divisions.

    While upholding the judgment of the lower court, the appellate court, presided over by Justice A.G Mishella, said Abegunde’s appeal lacked merit, saying that there was no division in his former party.

    The court then asked the appellant to vacate the seat, having violated Section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution.

    Abegunde, through his aide, Saka Yusuf-Ogunleye, urged All Progressives Congress (APC) members to remain calm, stressing that justice awaits them at the apex court.

    He said: “We have seen the judgment coming in the same direction since the last sitting for adoption of addresses by counsel to both parties. In fact, we learnt about this judgment was not issued to our lawyers and kept us guessing just in a way to ambush us from further exercising our fundamental rights.

    “We will file our appeal and other necessary things will follow to challenge this miscarriage of justice. We have decided to take the matter to the apex court and confident that we will get justice there.”

    Ogunleye noted that Governor Olusegun Mimiko has indicated interest to defect to the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) from the LP. He added that Senator Boluwaji Kunlere defected from LP to PDP a few weeks ago.

    Kunlere is the senator representing Ondo South.

    “We don’t know the moral justification why Mimiko is using tax payer’s money to pursue Abegunde, while he has abandoned his electoral promises.

    “However, our hope on  judiciary is not lost despite our inability to get justice at the lower and appellate courts. We are keeping hope alive that the apex court will right the wrongs.”

  • No to ‘stomach infrastructure’

    SIR: One addition to our national political lexicon that arose from the conduct of the Ekiti governorship election is ‘stomach infrastructure’ by which it is meant that people would rather have national or state resources shared into their private pockets than have them put to use in the provision of infrastructure in road construction, building of school blocks, provision of healthcare infrastructure, water and electricity.

    Nothing exemplifies this new trend in Nigerian politics than the recent movements by notable personages like former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Tom Ikimi and the former boss of the anti-corruption agency, EFCC, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party. It is quite regrettable that the pursuit of self-interest has become the prime motivating factor for our political leaders and office holders. It is on record that Ikimi, as a national leader in the defunct ACN, played a leading role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He remained a leading light for the new party until he failed to secure the position of national chairman at the party’s National Convention. That fact of his inability to realise his political ambition made him dump the APC for PDP.

    No doubt, Chief Ikimi has, by his decision to decamp from the APC, left room for Nigerians to question his credentials as a leader and democrat. What manner of man is a leader who would leave the party he co-founded because he failed to gain a party office?

    Is it that the pursuit of one’s belle   overrides the pursuit of the general good of the people? Is it not evident that some Nigerian politicians, who have often been characterised as selfish, self-centred and corrupt, are living out this tag?

    Nuhu Ribadu on his part decamped to the PDP to seek nomination to contest the Adamawa governorship election scheduled for November this year. All Nigerians know that Ribadu contested the 2011 presidential election on the platform of the ACN. What will Ribadu do if he fails to secure the PDP ticket to the contest the Adamawa state governorship election? If he gets the ticket but fails to win the governorship, will he next seek the chairmanship of his local government council? True and committed democrats are not known to jump from one party to the other at the slighted rumbling in their belle.

    The old order during which public funds were routinely siphoned into private pockets to the detriment of the people is over. Physical infrastructural development in roads, healthcare delivery, education, water and light, transportation, agriculture, employment and human capital development must now take centre stage in governance and the management of public funds. This is as it should be.

    As the elections of 2015 approach, the basis for the choice of office holders cannot be the ability to distribute rice, beans and cash. It must be based on the credibility of those seeking to hold office on our behalf. Those who decamp to other parties simply because they fail to secure tickets to contest should be denied the privilege by their new parties especially if they had held political offices in the past. The fact of their inability to secure tickets casts a slur on their integrity and should be asked to stay home.

     

    • Nasamu Jacobson,

    Benin City, Edo State.