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  • Kwara governorship: Ahmed, Ajibola set for showdown

    Kwara governorship: Ahmed, Ajibola set for showdown

    In Kwara State, ruling All Progressives Congress and Peoples Democratic Party are set for an epic political battle in the February governorship election, reports Assistant Editor, Dare Odufowokan

    AHEAD of the February governorship election in Kwara State, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), are poised for what many observers say would be an epic political battle.

    Although there are about eight governorship candidates in the race to the Government House, political analysts claim the Kwara gubernatorial contest is a two-horse race between Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of the APC and his main opponent, Senator Simeon Ajibola, the PDP candidate.

    Also, the contest is peculiar in that the two candidates are from Kwara South Senatorial District. Ahmed is from Igbomina. Ajibola is Ekiti. Pundits say the election would be won and lost outside the southern district as the two of them are expected to pull some weight at home.

    “Both Ahmed and Ajibola are very popular in the southern district. The political situation today is such that two illustrious sons of the district are at each other’s throat politically.

    “As we speak, it is obvious that they both enjoy wide followership at home. But the election will be won outside the southern district. This is where the APC will have an advantage. Ahmed has been governor for four years; a performing governor at that.

    “So, his wider political network and popularity will deliver the votes for APC in the north and central senatorial districts. With that, I see APC winning the contest in the long run,” Bode Oyedepo, State coordinator of the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG), told The Nation.

    Aside the said advantage, pundits say the state of the Kwara State chapter of the PDP may also work against Ajibola’s aspiration in February.  The party primaries were rancorous. It had to be done twice. The first one in December was inconclusive. All hell was let loose as aspirants alleged that some Abuja politicians wanted to impose a particular candidate on the party.

    Ajibola and ten other aspirants raised alarm. The party leadership was accused of undue interference and there was pandemonium. Eventually, the primary was repeated and Ajibola won. But there was no rejoicing over his victory as it appeared that most party leaders preferred someone else.

    Many thought the initial coldness from party leaders towards Ajibola’s candidacy was a matter of time. But it wasn’t to be as it refused to go away even few weeks to election. Observers of the politics of the state say the PDP campaign in the state is not as expected.

    And with the Saraki structure solidly behind Ahmed, analysts say it will be a difficult task for Ajibola to defeat him. The same Saraki structure gave Ajibola the senate seat he currently occupies.

     Alhaji Ajani Waheed, former Vice Chairman of the PDP in Asa Local Government Area said Ajibola is no match for the APC. According to him, “the Saraki structure is tested, trusted, strong, steady and capable of effectively warding off threats from the opposition. The opposition can only ignore the potency of the structure to its peril.”

    “Kwara PDP died the moment the Saraki structure left it. Ajibola and others who stayed back lost their followers who moved with their real leaders to the APC.

    But debunking insinuations that his party is divided, Ajibola said: “We are all winners in the last primary election as there is no victor, no vanquished. We are all together and working together to ensure that our efforts translate into winning Kwara for PDP.”

    But, Ajibola, analysts say, is banking largely on the support of the Presidency to emerge victorious in the election. This explains his confidence in a race many would vow has been lost before it started.

    “The federal might is giving Ajibola confidence. We are going to be telling the people why they should not allow anybody to drag us from the centre to an opposition state. Jonathan is winning the presidency and we cannot afford to be in opposition.

    “Kwara people are not daft. They know the implication of that and they will not be fooled. The PDP too will not fold its hand and lose Kwara. We are winning the election here in February and Ajibola is the next governor,” another source, a former commissioner in the state said.

    The political war is already generating serious tension as the two leading candidates engage themselves in heated issue-based exchanges over their performances in their current offices.

    Responding to recent claims by Senator Ajibola that he contributed money towards projects like Baruten Road, the Ilorin Cargo Terminal and the International Vocational Centre, Ajase Ipo, the governor dismissed the assertion as blatant lies, stressing that the said projects were funded from federal allocation, internal sources and bank loans.

    He challenged the Senator to provide proof of his financial contribution to the projects in question, which he insisted were funded by the state government. Ahmed expressed disappointment that Ajibola displayed ignorance about how state government projects are funded despite aspiring to govern the state.

    Ahmed further challenged Ajibola to reveal how many federal government projects he has attracted to Kwara State and which bills he has sponsored in the Senate stressing that the Federal Government’s Ajase Ipo to Erin Ile Road remains in serious disrepair despite being a major road in Kwara South which Ajibola represents in the Senate.

    But speaking to The Nation, Ajibola insisted that he contributed the sum of N1. 5 billion to capital projects in the state. The governorship candidate said the contribution was made to Kwara State National Assembly Joint Project. He said part of the N1. 5 billion was used to construct the Baruten road, Cargo Terminal at Ilorin and the Vocational Centre, Ajase-Ipo, among other contributions he made to the state development.

    He however said he did not believe in blowing his trumpet and in engaging in media hype like the APC-led government in the state. “Without being immodest, I have over the years been able to influence and directly facilitate numerous capital projects in Kwara South Senatorial District,” Ajibola added. The Senator listed his intervention in the area of education in Kwara South District to include construction of classrooms in Isapa, Ijagbo, Babanloma, Oke Oyan, Okeya-Po.

    With the two candidates and their parties determined to clinch the governorship position next February, it is left to be seen where the pendulum will swing when actual voting begins.

  • Ahmed, Ajibola differ on Kwara projects

    Ahmed, Ajibola differ on Kwara projects

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Simeon Ajibola, have disagreed on the execution of capital projects in the state.

    Ajibola said he contributed N1.5 billion into the execution of capital projects.

    The PDP candidate said the contribution was made through the Kwara State National Assembly Joint Project.

    But Ahmed, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, argued that his opponent was not telling the truth because he was desperate to impress the people that he had performed as the Senator representing Kwara South.

    Ajibola said he contributed to the construction of Baruten Road, the Ilorin Cargo Terminal and the International Vocational Centre at Ajase Ipo.

    But the governor dismissed the assertion as blatant lies, adding that those projects were funded from Federal Allocation, internal sources and bank loans.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr Muyideen Akorede, the governor challenged the Ajibola to prove his financial contribution to the projects.

    Ahmed said he was disappointed that the senator displayed ignorance about how state government’s projects.

    The governor said it was ironical that Ajibola did not understand the workings of the state he aspired to govern.

    On the two-kilometre road in Isapa, which Ajibola claimed to have executed, Ahmed said the state government spent over N200 million on the project, at the senator’s request.

    The governor also challenged the senator to reveal how many Federal Government projects he attracted to Kwara State and which Bills he sponsored in the Senate.

    He said the Federal Government’s Ajase Ipo to Erin Ile Road remained in serious disrepair, despite being a major road in Kwara South, which Ajibola represents in the Senate.

    Ahmed explained that his administration had rehabilitated 400 blocks of classrooms in primary and secondary, including the School for Special Needs, Ilorin; GSS, Agbamu; GSS, Omode; GSS, Afon; GHS, Ilorin; Mount Carmel, Ilorin and CSS, Lade, among others.

    Ajibola, who spoke through the Director of Administration and Logistics of his campaign organisation, Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju, said part of the N1.5 billion was used to build Baruten Road; the Cargo Terminal at Ilorin and the vocational centre at Ajase-Ipo.

    He said: “Without being immodest, I have over the years been able to influence and directly facilitate numerous capital projects in Kwara South Senatorial District.”

    The senator listed his intervention in education in Kwara South District to include the construction of classrooms in Isapa, Ijagbo, Babanloma, Oke-Oyan and Okeya-Po.

    Ajibola said: “I pay a monthly stipend ranging from N10,000 to N20,000 to about 120 Kwara South indigenes while about 60 communities have benefitted from me on self-help development projects.”

  • Ahmed, Ajibola differ on Kwara projects

    Ahmed, Ajibola differ on Kwara projects

    Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Simeon Ajibola, have disagreed on the execution of capital projects in the state.

    Ajibola said he contributed N1.5 billion into the execution of capital projects.

    The PDP candidate said the contribution was made through the Kwara State National Assembly Joint Project.

    But Ahmed, who is the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, argued that his opponent was not telling the truth because he was desperate to impress the people that he had performed as the Senator representing Kwara South.

    Ajibola said he contributed to the construction of Baruten Road, the Ilorin Cargo Terminal and the International Vocational Centre at Ajase Ipo.

    But the governor dismissed the assertion as blatant lies, adding that those projects were funded from Federal Allocation, internal sources and bank loans.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Communication, Dr Muyideen Akorede, the governor challenged the Ajibola to prove his financial contribution to the projects.

    Ahmed said he was disappointed that the senator displayed ignorance about how state government’s projects.

    The governor said it was ironical that Ajibola did not understand the workings of the state he aspired to govern.

    On the two-kilometre road in Isapa, which Ajibola claimed to have executed, Ahmed said the state government spent over N200 million on the project, at the senator’s request.

    The governor also challenged the senator to reveal how many Federal Government projects he attracted to Kwara State and which Bills he sponsored in the Senate.

    He said the Federal Government’s Ajase Ipo to Erin Ile Road remained in serious disrepair, despite being a major road in Kwara South, which Ajibola represents in the Senate.

    Ahmed explained that his administration had rehabilitated 400 blocks of classrooms in primary and secondary, including the School for Special Needs, Ilorin; GSS, Agbamu; GSS, Omode; GSS, Afon; GHS, Ilorin; Mount Carmel, Ilorin and CSS, Lade, among others.

    Ajibola, who spoke through the Director of Administration and Logistics of his campaign organisation, Prince Shuaib Olanrewaju, said part of the N1.5 billion was used to build Baruten Road; the Cargo Terminal at Ilorin and the vocational centre at Ajase-Ipo.

    He said: “Without being immodest, I have over the years been able to influence and directly facilitate numerous capital projects in Kwara South Senatorial District.”

    The senator listed his intervention in education in Kwara South District to include the construction of classrooms in Isapa, Ijagbo, Babanloma, Oke-Oyan and Okeya-Po.

    Ajibola said: “I pay a monthly stipend ranging from N10,000 to N20,000 to about 120 Kwara South indigenes while about 60 communities have benefitted from me on self-help development projects.”

  • Ahmed, Ajibola, Omotoso battle for Kwara Govt House

    Ahmed, Ajibola, Omotoso battle for Kwara Govt House

    As Kwara State warms up for the governorship election, eyes are on three candidates-Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed(All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Simeon Ajibola (Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Dr. Mike Omotoso (Labour Party). Correspondent ADEKUNLE JIMOH writes on their strengths and weaknesses as well as the issues that will shape the contest.

    The race to Kwara State Government House has begun. The contest is between Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Senator Simeon Ajibola of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    The two candidates are from Kwara South Senatorial District. Ahmed is from Igbomina. Ajibola is Ekiti.

    Before the emergence of Ajibola as the standard bearer of the PDP, his party was enmeshed in a crisis. The party primaries were rancorous. The first shadow poll, which took place in December last year, was inconclusive. It was alleged that some powerful forces wanted to impose an anointed candidate. Eleven out of 12 aspirants cried foul. Ajibola, who has been elected senator thrice, was more vociferous. The aspirants accused the leadership of the party of scheming to impose a lawyer-turned politician on the chapter. However, when Ajibola emerged as the flag bearer, there was no jubilation in Kwara. The people did not take him serious.

    To observers, Ahmed has a bright chance at the poll. His structure-the Saraki structure-is solid and waxing stronger. Ajibola had rode on the same machinery to the Senate. When he deserted the structure, he was also deserted by the people. In fact, many people believe that the election is a litmus test for the Saraki Dynasty. The governor, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, said the structure is tested, trusted, strong, steady and sturdy, adding that it is capable of effectively warding off threats from the opposition. The opposition can only ignore the potency of the structure to its peril.

    However, Ajibola is optimistic. He defeated other aspirants at the primaries. These are former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Senator Suleiman Ajadi (107 votes), former Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Prof Shuaib Abdulraheem (58), ex-Minister of Transport, Alhaji Bio Ibrahim (45), son of late governor Mohammed Lawal, Hakeem (33), Deacon John Dara (27), Jani Ibrahim (16) and Sunday Babalola (three votes. Others are former Land and Housing Commissioner Kale Belgore  (one vote) and Alhaji Abdullahi Sanusi (nil). The Chairman of the Electoral Panel, Governor Gabriel Suswam of Benue State, said the outcome of the primary was a demonstration of internal democracy in the PDP.

    Accepting the ticket, Ajibola said: “We are all winners in this election as there is no victor, no vanquished in this Governorship Primary and indeed, in all primaries of PDP in Kwara.I urge that we should all work together to ensure that today’s victory translate into winning Kwara for PDP.”

    In the ruling party, Ahmed had no rival at the primaries. Thus, his attention was not diverted by party intrigue. His party supported him for a second term. Kwara APC chieftains said the governor has lived up to expectation by implementing people-oriented programmes.

    The seeming obstacle to Ahmed’s second term bid is the avowed determination of the Presidency to “recover” Kwara State from the APC.

    But, APC leaders have predicted that the federal might will collapse in Kwara. They explained that the Saraki Dynasty will survive by winning the election as a tribute to its founder and the strongman of Kwara politics, the late Dr. Olusola Saraki. Like his illustrious father, Dr. Bukola Saraki has not relented in paying prompt attention to peoples’ welfare like his father did when he was alive. Also, APC leaders have also endeared themselves to the populace by always making themselves available, whether there is election or not, thereby ministering to their needs.

    Senator Bukola Saraki has been sponsoring both Christians and Muslims in large numbers on pilgrimages to Israel and Saudi Arabia, apart from empowering women with fridges, grinding machines, and cash to enable them start small businesses. Recently, Saraki also committed N80 million to the provision of Ramadan gifts to Muslims in the state, irrespective of ethnic and political affiliations.

    Kwara has become a huge construction site under the Ahmed Administration. There were also monumental infrastructural projects executed by Saraki during his eight-year tenure as state governor. The former governor had turned Ilorin, the state capital to a modern and commercial centre. Ahmed has kept the vision alive by empowering transporters, students, youths, artisans and farmers. He has also tried to create employment opportunities for youths.

    The recent introduction of “Quickwin” Programme through which thousands of youths were engaged bears testimony to  this claim. Before the end of last year, government had planned to engage over 8,000 youths under this scheme. Many indigenes have hailed the initiative.

    The landmark achievements of Governor Ahmad between 2011 and now include employment of 10, 200 youths, empowerment of 41, 000 small business owners, provision  of  100 taxis to transporters, fees reduction at the state university, abolition of tuition fees in Senior Secondary Schools,  free notebooks for senior secondary students, 13 General hospitals equipped and 42 Primary Health centres rehabilitated, construction and rehabilitation of urban and rural roads.

    The governor has also expanded water supply. He has created a new generation of commercial farmers, connected 400 communities to the national grid and extended a globally-applauded community Health Insurance Scheme to cover about 80,000 Kwara indegenes.

    In the opinion of many stakeholders, Ahmed is a youth-friendly governor. He is perceived as a focused administrator. He started earning those credentials within weeks of taking office, with the engagement of 2,000 youths through Kwara Bridge Empowerment Scheme (KWABES).

    Not only did the government engaged 5, 000 youths under the scheme in three years, 2,000 of them are now in permanent employment in the civil service. It is on record that the state government has never defaulted in the payment of salaries since its inception.

    Despite the shortfall in the federal allocation to the state, the government is still able to pay civil servants and pensioners their monthly salaries promptly on the 25th of every month.

    The Ahmed Administration has also established International Vocational Centre in Ajase-Ipo, Kwara South,s to train youths on various vocational skill that could make them self-employed and employers of labour after the completion of their courses.

    The Harmony Advanced Medical Diagnostic Centre, the International Aviation College, both in Ilorin, and the New Nigerian Commercial Farming initiative in Shonga, Edu Local Government Area are also worthy of applause.

    The governor recently announced plans to upgrade 59 traditional institutions in the state. He also said that plans are in the offing to create local government development councils areas out of the existing 16 local governments. If the governor makes good his promise on the upgrading of traditional stools and the creation of more local government councils, that will give APC bloc votes from Kwara South and Kwara Central districts.

    While the grading of traditional rulers are of paramount importance to the people of Kwara South, the people of Kwara Central have been yearning for the creation of additional councils out of the existing five councils in Ilorin Emirate. According to an observer, Ahmed worked and is still working as if he will not have a second chance. He added that, for every hard work, there is a reward.

    But, Ajibola would have to depend largely on the support of the Presidency to make any appreciable impact in the election. The PDP candidate has never won any election without the support of the Saraki dynasty.

    At a rally, Ajibola assured the people that his government would not discriminate against non-indigenes. He promised to liberate them from what he described as bondage under the Saraki hegemony. He said indigenes and non indigenes would be given equal rights and treatment as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution. “Whatever PDP government does for the state indigenes, would also be done for non indigenes”, Ajibola said.

    Ajibola promised free education, old age security trust, and welfare for all. “Our free health service to children below the age of five years and free pre and post natal treatment for pregnant women would include non Indigenes in the state”, he added.

    Dr Omotoso, a pharmacist, was adopted by the Labour Party (LP) its governorship candidate three weeks ago. He defected from the PDP, citing injustice. He complained that he was edged out of the House of Representatives primaries. He is popular for his medical mission under which no fewer than 5,000 people benefitted.

    The medical mission covered basic health solutions to improve the quality of lives of the people in the rural areas with free diagnostics, expert advice and provisions of free drugs including wheelchairs to all and sundry.

    The founder of Mike Omotosho Foundation also empowered women with N10 million micro credit loan scheme late last year. The Foundation has also trained 300 youths in Computer skills in Kwara South. But, Omotoso is perceived as an inexperienced politician. He lacks a rich political pedigree.

    However, it is being insinuated in some quarters that Dr Omotoso has connection with President Goodluck Jonathan. He was the North Central Coordinator of Jonathan Actualisation Movement (JAM). While some political analysts argued that the pharmacist is out to scuttle the ambition of his kinsman, Ajibola, who was said to be instrumental to his failure in his National Assembly primaries.

  • Kwara PDP unveils Ajibola as governorship candidate

    Kwara PDP unveils Ajibola as governorship candidate

    The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend presented Senator Simeon Ajibola as its governorship candidate.

    The primary that led to his emergence early in the month was dogged with controversy.

    But PDP State Chairman Iyiola Oyedepo said the crisis had been resolved, as he introduced Ajibola to the public at a media briefing in Ilorin, the state capital.

    Three of the former 10 governorship aspirants of the party – Prof. Shuaib AbdulRaheem, Deacon John Dara and Dele Belgore – attended the event.

    The PDP candidate also unveiled Yinka Aluko as his running mate, saying Aluko’s emergence was divine, just like his.

    Ajibola, who accepted to run as the PDP governorship flag bearer, said the PDP would defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 election.

    He hailed the aspirants for conceding the position to him, adding that he was not the best among the contestants though his emergence was the wish of God.

    Ajibola said: “The victory at the primary is not only for me but for all of us who decided or dared to put ourselves forward for public service in our effort to rescue Kwara.

    “I hereby plead with you all to put personal interests aside, respect the decision of the delegates and, above all, remind ourselves of our promises to work together for the success of the party.”

    Aluko accepted the position with a promise to be loyal to Ajibola.

    Oyedepo noted that despite the crisis over the outcome of the primary, the party had come out with a candidate who was not imposed.

    AbdulRaheem explained that contrary to the speculation that the multiple aspirants would divide the party, the party was more united.

    He said the members were satisfied with the process that produced Ajibola.

  • Ajibola, Ishaku pick Kwara, Taraba PDP guber tickets

    Ajibola, Ishaku pick Kwara, Taraba PDP guber tickets

    Tthree-term senator representing Kwara South, Simeon S. Ajibola, yesterday emerged the governorship candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State just as the immediate past Minister of State for Niger Delta, Darius Ishaku, won the governorship primaries of the party in Taraba.

    The primary election in Kwara State, held under heavy presence of security personnel, went on till the wee hours of yesterday without any hitch.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Salihu Garba, personally superintended over the security of the venue to prevent breakdown of law and order.

    The governorship primary was shifted from December 8 to yesterday following protest by 11 of the 12 aspirants alleging plan to impose a certain candidate on them.

    A total of 680 delegates were accredited out of the overall total of 709 delegates.

    Senator Ajibola polled 144 votes to emerge as the overall winner, followed by the 2011 governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), who polled 132 votes to beat 2011 governorship candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Senator Gbemisola Saraki who scored 113 votes.

    Other aspirants are former special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Senator Suleiman Ajadi (107); former chairman Federal Character Commission (FCC), Prof. Shuaib Abdulraheem (58); ex-minister of transport, Alhaji Bio Ibrahim (45); son of late governor Mohammed Lawal, Hakeem (33); Deacon John Dara (27); Industrialist, Engr. Jani Ibrahim (16) and Engr. Sunday Babalola (three votes).

    Others are former land and housing commissioner under the then Governor Bukola Saraki, Kale Belgore (one vote) and Alhaji Abdullahi Sanusi (nil vote).

    Ishaku clinched the Taraba governorship ticket after the governorship primary that was conducted on Thursday night at the PDP national secretariat, Abuja.

    Ishaku hails from Takum Local Government Area of Taraba.

    The election was conducted under the supervision of the national leadership of the party. It was delayed for almost five days, following the crisis over zoning.

    Earlier in the week, Taraba PDP leaders and stakeholders had met with the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, to inform him of the existence of an agreement signed in 2011 by PDP leaders in the state where it was agreed that the Taraba South Senatorial District will produce the PDP candidate in 2015.

    According to them, Taraba North had served for a total of 10 years while Taraba Central where the incumbent Governor Dambaba Suntai hails from will complete eight years in power in 2015.

    Following the complaint, Muazu directed the PDP leaders, who gave him a copy of the resolution, to also provide a copy of the minutes where the zoning arrangement was reached.

    He assured them that the PDP national leadership will respect their decision saying “zoning is local.”

    As a show of respect for the agreement, the former acting governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar, and another aspirant, Musa John, stepped down from the race.

  • Ajibola, Ishaku pick Kwara, Taraba PDP guber tickets

    Ajibola, Ishaku pick Kwara, Taraba PDP guber tickets

    A three-term senator representing Kwara South, Simeon S. Ajibola, yesterday emerged the governorship candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Kwara State just as the immediate past Minister of State for Niger Delta, Darius Ishaku, won the governorship primaries of the party in Taraba.

    The primary election in Kwara State, held under heavy presence of security personnel, went on till the wee hours of yesterday without any hitch.

    The state Commissioner of Police, Salihu Garba, personally superintended over the security of the venue to prevent breakdown of law and order.

    The governorship primary was shifted from December 8 to yesterday following protest by 11 of the 12 aspirants alleging plan to impose a certain candidate on them.

    A total of 680 delegates were accredited out of the overall total of 709 delegates.

    Senator Ajibola polled 144 votes to emerge as the overall winner, followed by the 2011 governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), who polled 132 votes to beat 2011 governorship candidate of the Allied Congress Party of Nigeria (ACPN), Senator Gbemisola Saraki who scored 113 votes.

    Other aspirants are former special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on National Assembly Matters, Senator Suleiman Ajadi (107); former chairman Federal Character Commission (FCC), Prof. Shuaib Abdulraheem (58); ex-minister of transport, Alhaji Bio Ibrahim (45); son of late governor Mohammed Lawal, Hakeem (33); Deacon John Dara (27); Industrialist, Engr. Jani Ibrahim (16) and Engr. Sunday Babalola (three votes).

    Others are former land and housing commissioner under the then Governor Bukola Saraki, Kale Belgore (one vote) and Alhaji Abdullahi Sanusi (nil vote).

    Ishaku clinched the Taraba governorship ticket after the governorship primary that was conducted on Thursday night at the PDP national secretariat, Abuja.

    Ishaku hails from Takum Local Government Area of Taraba.

    The election was conducted under the supervision of the national leadership of the party. It was delayed for almost five days, following the crisis over zoning.

    Earlier in the week, Taraba PDP leaders and stakeholders had met with the national chairman of the party, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, to inform him of the existence of an agreement signed in 2011 by PDP leaders in the state where it was agreed that the Taraba South Senatorial District will produce the PDP candidate in 2015.

    According to them, Taraba North had served for a total of 10 years while Taraba Central where the incumbent Governor Dambaba Suntai hails from will complete eight years in power in 2015.

    Following the complaint, Muazu directed the PDP leaders, who gave him a copy of the resolution, to also provide a copy of the minutes where the zoning arrangement was reached.

    He assured them that the PDP national leadership will respect their decision saying “zoning is local.”

    As a show of respect for the agreement, the former acting governor of the state, Alhaji Garba Umar, and another aspirant, Musa John, stepped down from the race.

  • Ajibola congratulates Shekarau

    Ajibola congratulates Shekarau

    A former Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Prince Bola Ajibola, has congratulated the new Minister of Education, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau.

    In a statement by his media aide, Idris Katib, the former minister described Shekarau as a round peg in a round hole.

    He said the former Kano State governor was the type of leader Nigeria needs in the Education sector.

    Ajibola said Shekarau is a lover of education, adding that he would make positive impact on the sector.

    The former Justice Minister hailed Shekarau for resolving the polytechnic teachers’ strike.

    He said: “Alhaji Shekarau is a consummate educationist who can turn things around in the Education sector.”

  • Ajibola, El-Rufai, others X-ray effects of corruption, insecurity on Nigeria

    Eminent Nigerians yesterday gathered in Lagos to discuss the state of the nation. Insecurity and corruption, two issues that have bedevilled the country for years, took the front burner.

    The frontline citizens examined the implications of the two problems over the nation’s development and proffered solutions.

    The concerned Nigerians include two former Attorneys-General of the Federation (AGFs) – Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN) and Godwin Kanu Agabi (SAN) – former Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufia; former Lagos State Commissioner for Environment, Dr Muiz Banire; Lagos lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN); former Chairman of the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Dele Adesina (SAN); Pa Tunji Gomez and son of the honouree, Segun Aka-Bashorun.

    They spoke on the topic: Law, Corruption and the Future of Nigeria, at the Alao Aka-Basorun Annual Lecture marking this year’s Law Week of the Ikeja branch of the NBA.

    The event, held at the Bar Centre, GRA, Ikeja, was chaired by Ajibola, a former President of the International Court of Justice.

    Mrs. Atinuke Aka-Basorun, the widow of the late legal luminary, Chief Alao Aka-Bashorun, and her son, Segun, attended the event.

    Ajibola said Nigeria tops the list of the most corrupt nations in the world.

    He urged the government to seriously tackle insecurity and corruption, adding: “Otherwise, the situation in the country will turn chaotic.”

    The NBA Ikeja chairman, Mr. Monday Ubani, noted that corruption has become a bane to national development because it has reduced the country from being a giant to a lilliputian.

    Erudite scholar, Prof Akin Oyebode, advocated life incarceration for those who engage in corrupt practices and other acts of malfeasance.

    The academic noted that Nigeria is at a crossroads on how to tackle corruption, insecurity and other socio-economic crises.

    He said: “There is a crying need to send the right signals to the rest of the population and the international community that we are indeed a self-respecting people, wedded to zero tolerance for corruption, opposed to impunity and dedicated promoters of equality before the law.”

    The professor of International Law stressed that “if we are truly intent on securing respect for our flag, passport and good name, we must do whatever needs to be done to join the rest of the humanity by showing the will not to condone corruption”.

    “The failure to take immediate action along these lines will only result in our being grudgingly tolerated by the rest of the world, in spite of our much-taunted status of ‘giant of Africa’ with a manifest destiny to lead Africa and the entire black race.”

    El-Rufai said Nigeria is sitting on a democratic time bomb because of the myriad of economic problems facing the country. These, he said, include corruption, insecurity and unemployment.

  • Ajibola, El-Rufai, Oyebode, urge FG to tackle corruption, insecurity

    Ajibola, El-Rufai, Oyebode, urge FG to tackle corruption, insecurity

    Emminent Nigerians on Thursday gathered in Lagos to discuss the state of insecurity and corruption that have bedeviled the country over a long period of time, nearly stalling her development and proffer solutions to the problems.

    They include two former Attorney Generals of the Federation, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN) and Godwin Kanu Agabi (SAN), former FCT minister, Mallam Nasir El-Rufia , former commissioner for environment, Dr. Muiz Banire, activist Femi Falana (SAN), Dele Adesina (SAN), Pa. Tunji Gomez, and son of the honouree, Segun Aka-Bashorun .

    They spoke on the topic: “Law, Corruption and the Future of Nigeria,” at the Alao Aka-Basorun Annual Lecture organised as part of the activities marking the 2013 Law Week of the Ikeja branch of the Nigerian Bar Association.

    The event held at the Bar Centre, GRA Ikeja, was chaired by Prince Ajibola and had Mrs. Atinuke Aka-Basorun and son, Segun in attendance.

    Prince Ajibola lamented that Nigeria now leads as the most corrupt nation in the world.

    He advised the government to seriously address problems of insecurity and corruption in the country saying, “otherwise the situation in the country would turn chaotic.”

    The Chairman, NBA Ikeja, Mr. Monday Ubani in his opening remarks said that corruption has become a bane to national development as it has reduced the country from being a giant to a “Lilliputian.”

    Erudite Professor, Akin Oyebode advocated life imprisonment for those that engage in corruption and other forms of stealing from the public purse.

    Prof. Oyebode, who noted that Nigeria is at a cross road on issues of corruption, insecurity and other socio-economic crises, said “there is need to send the right signals to the rest of the population and the international community that we are indeed a seIf-respecting people, wedded to zero tolerance for corruption, opposed to impunity and dedicated promoters of equality before the law.”