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Tag: ambition

  • Motivational speaker Durotoye unfolds presidential ambition

    Motivational speaker Durotoye unfolds presidential ambition

    Renowned management consultant and motivational speaker Mr. Fela Durotoye yesterday joined the Alliance for New Nigeria (ANN) in Lagos, where he received the membership card from the coordinator, Mr. Onome Ojigbo.

    Noting that he has taken a decisive step as a critical change agent and mobiliser, he said his foray into politics would not threaten his avowed commitment to time-tested values and principles, which are required for great leadership and good governance.

    Accompanied by his wife, Tara, the technocrat-turned politician was received at the party’s temporary secretariat in Surulere, Lagos by members of the state chapter, including Mr. Jide Okoya, Mr. Olu Olumide, scores of party officials, youths and women.

    Durotoye urged Nigerians to embrace the party, saying the platform will guarantee internal democratic process, unlike older parties, which are predisposed to “selectocracy.”

    Giving hints about his presidential democracy, the politician said he was not too young to run for office, secure power and ensure good governance.

    Durotoye said good governance is critical to the achievement of national potentials, adding that people must be organised to participate in the governing process through voting.

    He explained that he decided to enter politics, instead of staying outside to criticise the government and the political class.

    Chiding the older parties for not living up to expectation, Durotoye said despite their formidable grassroots structures, they lacked the capacity to give birth to a new Nigeria.

    The coordinator, Ojigbo, described the ANN as an assemblage of technocrats dedicated to the cause of a new Nigeria.

  • Ekiti 2018: Oni’s, Fayemi’s ambition will divide APC, says Oluyede

    Ekiti 2018: Oni’s, Fayemi’s ambition will divide APC, says Oluyede

    An All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ekiti State, Dr. Wole Oluyede, has said that the ambition of former Governors Segun Oni and Kayode Fayemi will divide the party, ahead of the July 14 poll.

    He advised the two politicians to emulate their senior colleague, Otunba Adeniyi Adebayo, by playing the roles of leaders and statesmen.

    Oluyede said the unity of the party and its success at the poll should be paramount to Oni and Fayemi, warning that joining the race would reduce them to “aspirants and not leaders.”

    Oluyede, who spoke with reporters in Ikere-Ekiti, his home town,  said the party would face some challenges, ahead of the primary. While Oni, who served as governor between 2007 and 2010, has  declared interest, Fayemi, who was in office between 2010 and 2014, is yet to throw his hat into the ring.

    Oluyede said: “I want the two former governors (Oni and Fayemi) to recognise themselves as leaders, they did their best. I wish our two eminent leaders, Engineer Segun Oni and Dr. Kayode Fayemi will remain as leaders and keep their national offices.

    “The signs are there that we may not win the net election if we present any of them as our candidate in the election and their participation in the primary will aggravate our division and their non-participation will make them better men.

    He added: “If they win in the primary, are will sure we will win the main election? If they come to the field, they will reduce themselves to aspirants and not as leaders.

    “Their presence in the race will also deepen the divisions and relinquishing their aspirations for the sake of the party will notmake them feel less in any way.

  • Ekiti 2018: Adewale unfolds ambition

    Ekiti 2018: Adewale unfolds ambition

    A Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant, Otunba Segun Adewale, has kicked off his mobilisation in Ekiti State  with distribution of electronic gadgets to empower residents.

    Adewale, who has commenced his ward-to-ward visit, ahead of the primary and the 2018 election, said his main policy thrust is to banish poverty from Ekiti land.

    He said the stomach infrastructure policy of Governor Ayo Fayose is “portraying Ekiti people as hungry and poverty-stricken,” adding that “the people deserve more a kongo of rice and cash stipends.”

    Adewale, who was a senatorial aspirant in Lagos West District of Lagos State, is a former PDP Chairman in Lagos State. He hails from Ipoti-Ekiti, Ijero Local Government Area in Ekiti Central Senatorial District.

    The politician popularly called “Aeroland” who has kicked off his familiarisation visit to wards in Ekiti with distribution of smart television sets, motorbikes and smart cell phones, promised to eradicate poverty through massive skills acquisition scheme and provision of enduring  social amenities, inspired his ambition to become the governor of the state in 2018.

    “Rather than giving kongos of rice, we are giving motorbikes, flat screen television sets and smart phones to the people as our own Christmas gifts and Stomach Infrastructure for them.

    “The moment you give them rice, you are not dignifying Ekiti, you are saying that is their worth, but we are saying they can get better deals in TV sets, phones and others.

    “This is to wake them up that they can get better things. If I have never held any political position in my life and can give these items out of my private pocket, imagine what I would do when I become the governor.

    “We are giving 1000 telephones per ward in 177 wards in all 16 local government areas, 10 television sets per ward, and 10 motorbikes for each of 16 local government areas.  When we do this, people will now believe in themselves.

    “We will work with Chinese investors to come and start producing their phones here in Ekiti and we will give them all the incentives to make the project a reality.

    “For us to overcome poverty, we must change our people’s orientation, and establish technology and give adequate power.

    “We will give huge grants to department in universities to generate power for the state and sponsor many other productive ventures in the schools.”

    Adewale said he was saddened that an average Ekiti man has been impoverished by successive governments and made to believe that his miserable condition cannot be made better.

    He added: “I am here to change the perspective of the people, their minds have been conditioned to poverty, successive governments have also stamped it that poverty is in Ekiti. So my people see that and resigned to fate.

    “We will start by changing their mindsets which had been bastardised for years that they can be educated and still be poor.

    “We will now convert the knowledge to wealth, we will make sure that you are not only educated, but you have a trade that guarantees you wealth.”

  • Atiku: In pursuit of a life time ambition

    Atiku: In pursuit of a life time ambition

    Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC). His next point of call is unknown. Will he return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) or form a new party to acualise his presidential ambition? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the struggle of the Turaki Adamawa for the presidency. 

    It was not beyond expectation. Yet, it was the most important political event of last week. The decision was predictable. The ruling party was not caught unawares. Now that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), the question is: what next?

    The eminent politician has kept Nigerians guessing. Will he retrace his steps to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which he deserted, ahead of 2015? Will he take a refuge in one of the smaller parties? Will Atiku form a new party, nurture it and contest on its platform for the presidency in 2019?

    Although the former vice president has called it quits with the APC, many of his supporters are yet to follow suit. Some of them may not eventually go with him. But, Atiku indicated that there are many aggrieved chieftains planning to jump ship. The Turaki Adamawa was bitter. He vent his anger on the platform and the Federal Government it midwifed. He alleged that the APC has let Nigerians down, referring to a memo written to President Muhammadu Buhari by the diminutive Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who had complained earlier about the politics of exclusion in the party. The former number two citizen said he has an axe to grind over three main issues: the draconian clampdown on forces of democracy by the APC and its government, the penchant for sidelining the founding fathers and top leaders of the party and the marginalisation of youths.

    Atiku’s move appears to have polarised the polity. Mixed reactions have trailed his resignation from the APC. El-Rufai described him as a serial defector, saying that he was living to the billing of a political prostitute. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said he was driven by interest, adding that interest is a great motivation in politics. Other commentators said Atiku left because he had realised that he cannot get the party’s presidential ticket in 2019. They doubt if all his supporters will defect along with him.

    An Ekiti State politician, Wole Olujobi, said Atiku’s electoral worth may have been over-exaggerated. “Does he control Adamawa politics as people would want us to believe? If he were that powerful in Adamawa, why did he lose the state’s votes to Buhari during the presidential primary in Lagos? Why did his faction of the APC in Adamawa fail to produce the governorship candidate in the primary that produced Bindow, who eventually emerged as governor?

    “Three weeks ago, topmost politicians that control the grassroots more than Atiku in Adamawa State, including Senator Jonathan Zwingina and the Speaker of Adamawa House of Assembly, led topmost politicians  in the state to declare support for Buhari for second term to spite Atiku. Is it somebody that is suffering this home humiliation that we are dressing in borrowed robes as a colossus? Is it the man that a lowly Kwakwanso humiliated in the presidential primary that is being elevated to the height incongruous to his political relevance. I believe the man is already reaching the autumn of his political career. The twilight of his political career is on the horizon,” he added.

    However, some Nigerians are also unperturbed by the resignation. To them, Atiku has the liberty to change parties at will, if he realises that the platform cannot get him to the promised land. Defection, in their view, is not new, adding that it is typical of Nigerian politics and politicians. Others have hailed his courage, saying that he has the energy and the strong will to forge ahead, despite past disappointments.

    Between now and the next election, supporters of Atiku may be enveloped in anxiety. If he forms a new party, it will be dwarfed by the bigger parties. If he join an existing small party, its structures may still be weak to withstand the heat and rigour of presidential election. If Atiku joins the PDP, he faces two hurdles. He will apply for a waiver before he can join the presidential race. The party appears to be in turmoil over its proposed national convention. If the APC is divided as has observed, the PDP is also polarised. Also, the former vice president will meet presidential aspirants on ground. They include the Caretaker Committee Chairman and former governor of Kaduna State, Senator Ahmed Makarfi, former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido and Gombe State Governor Ahmed Damkwabo. They still nurse grudges against Atiku for ditching the party twice. Will they jettison their ambitions and step down for him at the primary?

    A party source said at the weekend that, although the PDP governors will welcome Atiku to the fold, but they may not be keen about his presidential ambition. The source added: “Both PDP and APC see Atiku as an inconsistent person. If Atiku had stayed in the PDP, may be, he may not have rivals at the primary. He will need to really convince the governors to support him because they may have their own agenda too. Some people are working assiduously to reorganise and reposition the PDP now. Will they want a defector to come and reap the fruits of their labour where he did not sow?”

    Septuagenarian Atiku is a veteran presidential aspirant; focused and always hopeful. Early in the year, he picked up the gauntlet and started sharpening his arrows. Ahead of likely presidential contenders, he has returned to the drawing board. Atiku knows his onions. He has resources to mobilise and sponsor political battles. His pastime is building new bridges. His target is the presidency. He is wealth. He has achieved fame. But, according to observers, unless he becomes the president, self-actualisation is elusive.

    When he declares for the presidency next year, it will be his fifth attempt. In the last one year, he has been holding consultations with APC and PDP stakeholders across the six geo-political zones. Atiku has many fans. But, he also has many foes. His past battles have made him an experienced politician. In the face of odds, he is not a man to desert the battle field. On many occasions, he is the beautiful bride; often courted and later dumped. He is attractive to potent platforms. He is ready to add value to political parties. But, after his sojourn in the parties, certain circumstances often compel him to jump ship, to the consternation of compatriots.

    Atiku is sensitive to the public mood. He is always eager to threat the path of populism. In utter sensitivity to popular yearning, he has become an advocate of restructuring and devolution of powers, which the Obasanjo/Atiku administration avoided like a plague between 1999 and 2007. His aambition may have split the Buhari’s cabinet. Few months ago, his presidential bid was endorsed by the Minister of Women Affairs, Aisha Alhassan. Her public endorsement, according to observers, has kick-started the race for 2019.

    Also, Atiku has not relented in firing salvos at the president and the ruling party. The repeated outburst signaled the parting of ways. Noting that he contributed immensely to Buhari’s victory at the poll, he said his marginaliasation in the party was wrong. He said: “After the formation of government, I was sidelined. I have no relationship with the government. I have not been contacted even once to comment on anything and in turn, I maintained my distance. They used our money and influence to get to where they are, but three years down the lane, this is where we are.”

    Atiku also set the tone for 2019 campaigns. Beaming a searchlight on the Buhari administration, he said: “The ruling government has failed in many fronts.” He blamed the president for not completely winning the anti-terror war. Last week, he maintained that the APC-led Federal Government has failed to halt th suffering of Nigerians. Atiku intensified his criticisms of government when Buhari, who was critically ill, returned from a 103 day-medical trip in the United Kingdom. Before and immediately after he resumed work, the debate on his fitness and succession plan, if he will not run on 2019, came to the front burner. But, President Buhari may have since overcome his medical challenge, making Atiku to feel that, for the APC, a vacancy does not exist in Aso Villa.

    Since he entered politics in the Third Republic, Atiku has not looked back. He has always positioned himself as a factor that cannot be ignored. He is acknowledged a consummate politician, great mobiliser and crowd puller. The politician from Adamawa is generous. He always has good manifestos that are captivating. His mentor was the late Major General Shehu Yar’Adua, the founder of the Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), who brought him to politics. He was drafted into the presidential race in the Third Republic by the Tafida Katsina, following his ban by former military President Ibrahim Babangida. At the Jos convention of the proscribed Social Democratic Party (SDP), slugged it out with the late Chief Moshood Abiola and Ambassador Baba Gana Kingibe. At first ballot, Abiola got 3, 617 votes; Kingibe 3, 255 and Atiku 2, 066. For the run off, Yar’Adua directed Atiku to step down for Abiola, who emerged as the flag bearer. Although he was also a vice presidential aspirant, his candidature was rejected, following pressures on Abiola by the SDP governors and state chairmen who insisted that Kingibe should pair with the SDP presidential candidate.

    In 1999, Atiku became the governor-elect of Adamawa State on the platform of the PDP. Owing to his political antecedents as a confidant and dependable ally of Yar’Adua, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, the presidential candidate, made Atiku his running mate. As the Vice President, the he was the de facto President and the Controlling Minister of the Economy. To get things done, politicians must curry Atiku’s favour. But, the Obasanjo/Atiku romance did not last. He ran into turbulence. An administrative panel inducted him. He was salvaged by the court.

    When the PDP became hot for him, Atiku sought refuge in the defunct Action Congress (AC). In 2007, he was the party’s presidential flag bearer. Unlike in 2003, when he had an opportunity to secure the PDP’s ticket, Atiku has always laboured in vain for the presidency. PDP governors and other big wigs were rooting for him at the 2003 primary. But, he failed to seize the moment. A crafty Obasanjo, an Army General and civil war hero, was said to have prostrated for Atiku to get his nod for re-nomination at that critical midnight. After assisting Obasanjo to get a second term ticket, the former president branded him a corrupt and disloyal partner, saying he no longer has confidence in him.

    In 2010, he went back to the PDP. That was the genesis of the suspicion between him and former AC leaders. They were taken aback. Yet, his ambition hit the rock in 2011 as he was stopped by former President Goodluck Jonathan, who wielded the power of incumbency, although he defeated former military President Ibrahim Bababgida at the unofficial Northern regional shadow poll.

    Ahead of the 2011 poll, Atiku ran to Abeokuta to make peace with Obasanjo. But, it was counter-productive. The journey did not lead to reconciliation and renewal of ties. When he later unfolded his plan to contest for the Presidency, Obasanjo objected to it, saying: “I dey laugh o.” Obasanjo teamed up with Dr. Jonathan to plot Atiku’s electoral failure at the primary.

    However, the defeat did not dampen the spirit of the colourful politician. He tried to review his strategy by weighing some options. Atiku braced up for the tempestuous journey to 2015.  He realised that the road was laced with thorns. His supporters thought about floating a new party. When the PDP crisis reached the peak, Atiku exhumed the carcass of the PDM. But, it could not fly.  The former PDP Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman, Anenih, a founding member of the PDM, cried foul, saying that Atiku could not single handedly transform the political group into a political party without wide consultations and the collective endorsement of the surviving members. Later, he defected from the PDP to the APC.

    As Atiku was gathering his armies, Obasanjo, his tormentor, dropped another bombshell. At a lecture in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, the former president said he refused to hand over to him in 2007 because he could not vouch for him.  Atiku has developed a thick skin. Predictably, he unfolded is presidential ambition on the platform of the APC. Justifying his eligibility for the highest office, he said: “I have always fought against military rule. I have also fought for internal democracy. I have always fought against one-party state because it leads to dictatorship.” Besides, ego was also at work. Atiku’s supporters believe that those who succeeded Obasanjo-Yar’Adua and Jonathan-were not better than him in terms of experience and competence.

    Atiku chided critics who raised some issues bothering on his credibility. He said no allegation of corruption has been proved against him, adding that detractors were fueling the wrong perception. He added: “I am not a corrupt politician. Have I been indicted in any way for corruption? I served under an administration that has waged war against corruption,” he stressed.

    Atiku projected himself as a time-tested democrat, promising to preside over an all-inclusive government. He sought to profit from zoning to the North, like other gladiators in the race, including Gen. Buhari, Kwankwaso and Publisher Nda Isaiah. But, he was demystified at the primary. He emerged a distant second runners up, trailing Kwankwaso, who came second.

    Atiku contested for the presidency in 1993, 2007, 2011 and 2015. Will 2019 be different? Will the long distance runner triumph this time around? If he defects to the PDP, what is the assurance that he will get the ticket? If the PDP fields Atiku for the presidency, can he spring a surprise? Can the PDP defeat the APC at the poll?

  • APC slams Fayose over declaration of presidential ambition

    APC slams Fayose over declaration of presidential ambition

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has criticised Governor Ayo Fayose for declaring his intention to contest the 2019 presidential election while he is owing workers in the state salaries and allowances ranging from six to eight months.

    The party described the governor’s action as the height of insensitivity to the people’s plight and an “irresponsible conduct to behave as if Ekiti State treasury is a personal estate for private comfort.”

    In a statement issued in Ado-Ekiti by the Publicity Secretary of APC, Taiwo Olatunbosun, the party flayed the governor for “being blind to the sufferings of workers while pursuing self-promoting presidential ambition.”

    He said it was unconscionable for the governor to keep deceiving workers on the state’s poor finances to endure suffering while he enjoyed full life with his family and pursue mundane fancies without sparing a thought for the sufferings of the people.

    Olatunbosun said: “It is the height of wickedness for Fayose to always call teachers to meetings like he did this week to brainwash them on the state’s poor finances and later give them N1,500 pittance for transport until the next brainwashing session with these teachers on empty stomachs while he enjoys full life misapplying state’s money for his fancies.

    “This is more condemnable against the backdrop of facts available to Ekiti people that Fayose has been awarding contracts at over-bloated costs to his friends outside Ekiti State, contrary to his promise to patronise indigenous contractors during his campaigns.

    He contended that the money the state had collected since the governor assumed office was enough to make the people happy if he had applied the money honestly and transparently, adding that Thursday’s declaration of his presidential ambition was meant to distract the people from alleged funds mismanagement in pursuit of a selfish ambition.

    “The presidential declaration is a distraction to keep Ekiti busy from keeping attention to his illegality in the application of Ekiti money for selfish purposes and a ploy to embark on whipping up sentiments to escape justice in his misapplication of Ekiti money.

    “We urge the EFCC to be meticulous in their investigation into how the governor misapplied bailout of N20b, CBN’s N2b loan for small-scale enterprises, N10b loan for projects, N2.8b UBEC/Subeb counterpart fund (which was not matched by the state government), monthly allocation from the Federation Account to Local government councils and Paris Club cash that he has diverted to his ill-motivated projects for selfish motives while Ekiti people go to bed on empty stomachs.”

  • Amosun’s Chief of Staff urges support for governorship ambition

    Mr Tolulope Odebiyi, the Chief of Staff to Ogun

    State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, has begun consultations with various political groups and party chieftains in the All Progressives Congress (APC), especially in Ogun East Senatorial District ahead of the 2019 governorship election.

    Odebiyi met earlier with the Chief Mobiliser of Amosun for Second Term Project, Otunba Babatunde Onakoya (aka Debasco), as well as other party chieftains for their support and blessings to realise his ambition.

    He sought the blessings and support of the APC leader in Leguru Local Government Council Area (LCDA) and Odogbolu Local Government Area.

    The governorship seat has reportedly been zoned to Yewa-Awori in Ogun West Senatorial District.

    Odebiyi noted that success might be hard to achieve, if an aspirant does not consult people widely on the matter.

    On the political significance of every senatorial district in the state, the governor’s aide, who is also the son of the late Senator Jonathan Odebiyi of Iboro-Yewa in Ogun West Senatorial District, hailed Onakoya for his usual support.

    The aspirant urged the APC chieftain to double his efforts ahead of the 2019 governorship poll.

    He said: “I am at home. There’s no division in Ijebu and Yewa. I belong to (the late) Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s family, which makes me a part of Ijebu. The likes of (the late) Baba Bisi Onabanjo, Onasanya, among others, testify that I belong to Ijebu as well. I have fathers here; so, I have no doubt that I am in the midst of my people.

    “I want you all to know that we are working to achieve the best in the standard mission of Governor Amosun’s administration.

    “We have been in the system, we know where the shoe pinches, and I am using this medium to clamour for continuity in Ogun State.

  • ‘My ambition is a project of conscience’

    ‘My ambition is a project of conscience’

    All Progressives Congress (APC), National Deputy Chairman and former Ekiti State Governor Olusegun Oni is a governorship aspirant in the Fountain of Knowledge. Can he overcome the hurdles at the primary? Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu examines his chances at the shadow poll.

    At 63, Olusegun Oni, engineer and Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), says he has an unfinished business in Ekiti State Government House. “It is not a project of glamour. It is not about Segun Oni wanting to be governor. He has been governor before. What else does he want? But, this is a project of conscience. We must be the flagship of a new social and economic order,” he told reporters in Lagos.

    Since he declared his intention, many people have taken him serious. He seems to have an edge. He can flaunt experience, knowledge and understanding of Ekiti and has government works. His supporters have described him as a candidate to beat at the primary and general election. His campaign manager, Hon. Ife Arowosoge, a former member of the House of Representatives, described him as the most competent contender, who has the right attitude for the job. Also, another former federal legislator, Oyetunde Ojo from Ekiti West Constituency, said Oni cannot lead Ekiti astray. He observed that he has indicated intention to serve again at a time people are clamouring for change and qualitative leadership. “We know Oni as a politician without guile. His candidature will be acceptable to all Ekiti,” he said.

    Another supporter, Biodun Akin-Fasae, said “Oni is on a mission of redemption,” adding that his candidature will boost the APC’s opportunity to win power in a state “that is hugely populated by PDP sympathisers.” The aspirant’s former aide, Kolawole Igandan, said civil servants, local government employees and retirees are rooting for the former governor because they believe he will build on his legacy of good governance. In the opinion of Senator Bunmi Adetunmbi from Ekiti North District, if Ekiti wants change, Oni is the answer.

    But, his entry into the race has also stirred controversy. Critics have advanced two arguments against his ambition. Oni has been described as a defector from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hoping to reap where he has not adequately sowed. They wonder why the national deputy chairman, a party elder and gerontocratic monitor, should be struggling for the ticket with younger contenders. Some sare asking: what did Oni forget in the Government House in 2010?

    Oni seems to have satisfactory answers to these questions. Rejecting the label of a defector of convenience, he said he defected, not after President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory at the 2015 poll, but during the formation of the ruling party. Oni emphasized that defection cannot be a campaign issue, recalling that the APC is made up of defectors from some parties. He also faulted the quest for generational shift by some stakeholders, saying that age is not a factor in any governorship ambition. He said his ambition is within the confines of the 1999 Constitution and the APC constitution.

    Oni added: “Some people say what did I forget in the Government House. I am not in the governorship race to pusue a selfish agenda. If there is anything I forgot in the Government House, it is this new social and economic order.”

    The former governor said he is not gambling. He told reporters that his ambition has been welcomed by vast party members and people across the three senatorial districts. “My goal is to pursue a Marshal Plan that will bring about a new economic and social order for greater benefit of Ekiti youths,” he said, stressing that the core values of Ekiti must be brought back. “The way we were raised was probably right, but it is no longer right for us to expect that that is the way we would raise our children because they are under the scourge of population growth,” he added.

    No fewer than 40 chieftains are in the race. Apart from Oni, other prominent contenders include Senator Babafemi Ojudu, former House of Representatives member Opeyemi Bamidele, Funminiyi Afuye, and Bimbo Daramola, Chief Muyiwa Olumilua, Isola Fapounda, Yemi Akerele, Yemi Adamamodu and Femi Bamishile. Sources hinted that Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, may join the race. However, some members of Fayemi camp are now members of the Segun Oni Campaign Organisation.

    Oni was a foundation member of the PDP. For seven years, he was on the board of the Education Tax Fund (ETF). He joined the race for the first time in 2006/2007. At the primary, he trailed Prof. Adesegun Ojo and Akerele. But, the decision of the Primary Panel was not final. Although Oni came third, the national leadership preferred him to the winner. It was a historic period in Ekitiland. After the election Oni was declared winner by the electoral commission. For three years, the Action Congress (AC) candidate, Fayemi, was in court disputing his victory at the poll. It was a protracted litigation. The court ordered a by-election. Then, there was the Ido-Osi debacle. At the end, Oni was deposed by the Appeal Court.

    Outside power, he was derided as an interloper. But, he earned the respect of people who hailed him for not ruling with an iron hand. He was simply described as a victim of circumstances. The former governor, unlike other colleagues, was not hunted by the anti-graft bodies.  He walked on the street as a free man. His style of governance promoted inclusiveness. Prominent Ekiti leaders testified to the fact that, while on the driver’s seat, he loathed primitive accumulation. Reflecting on his tenure, Oni said he constructed roads, equipped hospitals, established a new university, and promoted workers’ welfare.

    In 2015, the former governor defected from the PDP to the APC, following the party’s politics of exclusion. He emerged as the deputy chairman, based on the promise to give the defectors a sense of belonging. In that capacity, he has managed to avoid controversy and scandals. His assets are his gentle character, inclination to party rules and belief in politics of service, accommodation and reconciliation.

    As an aspirant, Oni is in a familiar terrain. When he unfolded his ambition in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, supporters from 120 towns and villages constituting Ekiti State witnessed the declaration. He spoke on his vision for the far-flung state, saying that it can recover the lost grounds. “Ekiti has potentials. With a better leadership, it will bounce back and its lost glory will be restored,” he added. Recently, he intensified his consultations and mobilisations across the 16 local governments. His messages are lucid and reconciliatory. Although he is busy nurturing a formidable structure, Oni has also spared thought for party unity and stability. He said since the party is the vehicle to the Government House, the platform should not be damaged by the antagonistic ambitions of contenders.

    Also, Oni is wooing the state, zonal and national leaders of the party. He said: “I have informed our leaders. I have written to all of them; Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief John odigie-Oyegun, Chief Bisi Akande, our governors, National Assembly members, top party leaders. I am intensifying my consultations with all shades of opinion in the party and the state.”

    The primary will not be a walk over for any aspirant. Many issues will shape the shadow poll. They include the people’s quest for change, past record of aspirants, their popularity in the party and state, zoning, and financial muscle. Can Oni overcome these hurdles?

    Oni said that he enjoys popularity because he is a household in the hilly state. But, he is conscious of the fact that, if he emerges as the flag bearer, he would need the support of other aspirants to win the election because they are party leaders in their own rights. He said delegates will prefer him as an experienced administrator, a reputable chieftain and a leader they can relate and work with.

    But, is the participation of 40 aspirants in the primary not a recipe for chaos and disaster? Oni said if the shadow election is free and fair, it will not be rancorous and there will be no post-primary crisis. He said the onus is on the party leadership to provide a level playing ground for contenders. “We must have a free and fair primary to avert crisis. That is the only way out,” Oni said. He doubted, if all the 40 will participate, saying that many may withdraw from the race when the guidelines are out.

    Oni is confronted with the perception of the people that he will always dance to the tune of PDP supporters. But, he rejected the perception, saying that it lacked basis.

    Will zoning be an issue? Oni acknowledged the agitation for power shift to Ekiti South. He said the people behind the agitations are entitled to their rights to agitate. But, he clarified that zoning is not in the APC constitution. He recalled that he had also supported the idea of an Ekiti South governorship candidate four years ago. ‘In 2014, prominent PDP leaders asked me to contest, but I declined. I said I will support aspirants from the district, including Dayo Adeyeye, to be governor. But, zoning can only take place when there is a governor who is wielding power and authority to influence it. We will be able to do it when we get there,” he stressed.

    Oni said Ekiti South will back his aspiration because he gave the district a sense of belonging; “When I was governor, the Secretary to Local Government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly and a minister were apointed from the zone,” he added.

    Arowosoge said the quest for zoning by the district will not affect Oni’s ambition. He said prominent APC leaders from the South are supporting Oni. They include Senator Tony Adeniyi and former House of Assembly Speaker Wale Omirin.

    But, can the APC displace the PDP from power in Ekiti State, where Governor Ayodele Fayose is perceived as a formidable leader? Oni said the victory of the APC is possible, if the party works harder. He said Fayose has an inflated ego, adding that his popularity is a myth. He said apart from being dethroned in 2006, he was defeated at the senatorial election in Ekiti Central in 2011.

    Oni added: “APC can defeat the PDP in Ekiti, if we work hard. The people of Ekiti are yearning for change. They are waiting for our party.”

  • ‘Fayose’s presidential ambition a ruse’

    ‘Fayose’s presidential ambition a ruse’

    Factional Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman in Ekiti State Chief Williams Ajayi has chided Governor Ayo Fayose for announcing his presidential ambition at the non-elective National Convention held on August 12 in Abuja.

    Ajayi said Fayose’s declaration of a presidential ambition was at variance with the party’s position that the presidential ticket has been zoned to the North while the vice presidential ticket has been zoned to Southeast and Southsouth.

    The Ekiti governor’s ambition was proclaimed through banners, posters and t-shirts worn by members of Ekiti State House of Assembly and local government chairmen.

    He blamed Fayose for the free-for-all violence which erupted at the Ekiti stand at the convention, which he said, was sparked by the governor’s order that party leaders who did not wear the lemon green colour “Fayose-for-President” t-shirt. Ajayi  wondered why the governor allegedly left the VIP stand to order his security personnel and House of Assembly members to force party leaders who are not members of his caucus out of the convention venue.

    He described himself as the authentic party chairman on grounds that “the July 12 Supreme Court judgment which affirmed Senator Ahmed Makarfi as the National Caretaker Chairman did not affect his (Ajayi’s) position as Ekiti PDP boss.”

    Ajayi disclosed that the Gboyega Oguntuase-led faction is before the Court of Appeal, Ado-Ekiti challenging the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ado-Ekiti which affirmed him (Ajayi) as the valid chairman with the appeal coming up for hearing on 4th October.

    Giving account of what happened at the Abuja convention, Ajayi said:  When we got there on Saturday, it was a non-elective convention and it was all about unity and reconciliation and we in Ekiti stand were exchanging banters and hailing one other until Governor Fayose came from the VIP stand.

  • Omisore’s ambition delusional, says Osun APC

    Omisore’s ambition delusional, says Osun APC

    The  All Progressives Congress (APC) has advised the people of Osun to disregard the latest ranting of Senator Iyiola Omisore on the politics of Osun and the performance of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Omisore’s interviews published at the weekendclaimed he won the 2014 governorship election.

    Omisore, in the interviews, “produced evidence” on You Tube to show how the election was “manipulated” to favour Aregbesola.

    In a statement by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, the party described Omisore’s claim as “irresponsible, false and unbecoming of a politician of his status and experience”.

    The APC said it could appear that Omisore’s dream of becoming a governor had turned delusional.

    According to the party,  Omisore’s political career since 1999 till date has been fraught with disgraceful failure and comprehensive defeat in the hands of younger politicians like Senator Babatunde Omoworare and Aregbesola.

    The statement reads: “A politician of Omisore’s political pedigree of disloyalty, falsehood and incredible political association with violence cannot be trusted to provide the state of Osun with progressive leadership.

    “No matter how much he dreams or how craftily he put a new spin to an old lie, Omisore remains quintessentially a bad material for the governorship of the state of Osun,” the APC said.

    The party insisted that Omisore cannot claim that 2014 election was manipulated because everybody saw the violence which the PDP government in Abuja brought to Osun to intimidate residents to vote PDP.

    “Omisore is not in a position to understand how all the lies he produced at the tribunal, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court failed to impress the judges.

    “Osun people have become immune to the lies of PDP. And that has completely destroyed Omisore’s credibility in the state.”

  • How to deal with partner who has no ambition

    DEAR Harriet, Please, I need your counsel on how to handle a boyfriend who lacks ambition. I am in a relationship in which I seem to be pushing him always.

    This is draining me emotionally. Help!

    Name withheld,

    Lagos.

     

    Thanks for sharing your situation with us. One of the most common challenges in some relationships is the issue of ambition or no drive and this cuts across both male and female. We must commend you for being very detailed and observant. A good number of people are in a relationship with clouded vision not to be able to tell themselves the true situation of things for  the fear of the unknown.

    Your situation can be a very difficult one because on one hand, you may be in love and just want to accept your boyfriend for who he is. Yet there is also the reality side of the situation where you have to look at your expectations from the relationship.

    Everyone, man or woman, enters into a relationship with some expectations. It is always of great help to make these expectations explicit. A better way to describe the situation is to ask yourself what you truly want. However, as you think through the question, it will be nice for us to list out some of the reasons why your boyfriend may lack ambition:

    Lack of confidence to take risks and chances: Some people find it very challenging to leave their comfort zone. What they don’t know, they don’t attempt. Another factor might be that they don’t have role models to push them towards excellence.

    He might be too content with who he is. He does not want more out of life. Too many repeated failure experiences have led to a current state of complacency. He might also be the cause for his lack of ambition.

    In addition, he may not feel smart enough or competent to attempt new challenges. Other factors are laziness, upbringing and fear of success. He might have the feeling that he is ambitious,but that you are pushing him to be something he is not.

    The next step is what to do. Be honest with yourself. Ask yourself whether or not you are trying to change your boyfriend to what he is not. Don’t get me wrong. There is nothing bad to wish and want the best for your boyfriend or your spouse. The truth is that you must put a lot of things into consideration. For example, if your partner/ spouse is not strong academically, but you want him to study a particular course, you may be leading him and yourself down a path of destruction. Try to look at the person’s strength and encourage him or her instead. As a matter of fact, you will have to understand what your needs are and whether or not your boyfriend can meet them,

    In your case, the solution may lie within you, and not your boyfriend and the resolution to your frustration may need to be a change in your own expectations. Moreover, have a conversation with him about your feelings and let him know how it is affecting you in a warm and compassionate manner, not an accusatory nor blaming one since he may become defensive and nothing will be accomplished.

    You may also want to discuss some of the above possible factors that might be the reason for his lack of ambition because some people don’t know why, until they are told. May be you might just be the drive and motivation that he needs to wake up. In the process of discussing the issue, it is also very important to know how to approach the situation in terms of what to say.

    You can start your conversation by showing concern about your future together by acknowledging the fact that you both have so much going on for your relationship. Mention his strength, then encourage him on how to achieve more.

    Try as much as possible to avoid the following while discussing the issue: don’t make him / her feel inadequate or inferior. This cannot benefit him or the relationship. Avoid raising your voice in the process. It will make him defensive.  Don’t compare him with others- comparison will make him feel terrible and lower his self-esteem.

    One thing is certain. You can’t force ambition and it won’t happen by comparing him to someone else. Try not to monopolize the conversation. Learn to listen attentively to what he has to say and his perception of his drive and ambition. He may not see things the way you do. Bear in mind that personality differs and must be treated as such.

    In conclusion, if you follow this approach, it becomes evident that you care and want the best for your relationship. If your boyfriend does not take the issue serious, but gives you the attitude of this is who I am, you either take it or leave it. Then, the decision is really yours to make.

    If you decide to stay, you know what you have, that is, to say you must resolve your resentment and accept his limitations because expecting more may be unrealistic. On the other hand, it may require some serious thought and difficult decision about possibly ending the relationship.

    The truth of the matter is that you have to be honest to yourself about what you want for the future and act on it. Take care of yourself and each other.

     

    Harriet Ogbobine is a counsellor and a motivational speaker. Send your questions and suggestions to her blog; www.liwh.com.ng, text messages only 08054682598 or bineharriet@gmail.com.  You can follow her on twitter: @bineharrietj and instagram: harrietogbobine.