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  • Jonathan: APC can’t win in Bayelsa

    Ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has said the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State lack the political presence to win the November 16 governorship election.

    Jonathan, who spoke at the PDP Elders Advisory Council meeting at the Government House in Yenagoa, explained that the large number of PDP aspirants showed the party’s dominance as a preferred platform for the election.

    A statement by Governor Seriake Dickson’s media aide, Fidelis Soriwei, said Jonathan noted that PDP had the requirements to win at the poll.

    The ex-President praised Dickson; PDP Chairman Moses Cleopas and critical stakeholders, including the 21 aspirants, for working to stabilise the party.

    He noted that it was important for PDP to get its act together so it would not create room for opportunistic platforms to steal its victory.

    He said: “I need to plead with all the aspirants and all political leaders that there should be no mudslinging. We must free the space and eschew rancour because finally one person will become the candidate of the party and other aspirants must work for that one person for the party to win the election.

    Read Also: Nobody will take Bayelsa PDP primary to another state, says Dickson

    “It is only our unity that can give us victory; if we are not united, they (APC) can get away with it. For example, it took the unity of the people of Rivers State, including women who were resolute against soldiers, to get the PDP victory. If that had not happened, the opposition would have taken it.

    “For us to secure this state for PDP, we need maximum unity and that is why all the 21 aspirants are important to us; we must have that maximum unity and not create division or discrimination. At the end of the day one person will emerge and all of us will work for whoever emerges as candidate of the party.”

    Dickson stressed the need for members to be united to maintain their dominance, starting with the council poll on August 10.

    The governor called on members, particularly the governorship aspirants, to work for the party’s victory for all positions in the council election.

    He said: “When people say 21 aspirants are too many, I disagree. In 2006, we had close to 11 aspirants, and for a party that is strong, a party that has strength, attraction and connection, a party which is the dominant political platform, it is expected.

    “It’s not completely out of order as a ruling party, with all that we have done and with the way we have decapitated, decimated the other party because they virtually don’t exist in this state. So it is normal for any serious-minded person who wants to serve our people to think of doing so on our dominant platform which we have led and all of us has built and made stronger even in the face of very serious opposition. So, my leaders, there is nothing to lose sleep over.”

  • Kogi APC Stakeholders Sue NWC Over Indirect Primary

    Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC)  stakeholder, have sued the National Working Committee (NWC) over the adoption of indirect primary for the selection of the flagbearer for the November 16 governorship election.

    The stakeholders said the party may be heading for the Zamfara experience, if it is not  stopped.

    In the Originating Summons filed by their lawyer, Oluwole Aladedoye, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the plaintiffs are asking the court to halt the indirect primary proposed by the NWC.

    The plaintiffs, who are members of Haddy Ametuo-led faction are the Ex-officio, Destiny Eneojoh Aromeh; Organising Secretary, Mr. Isah Abubakar; Zonal Youth Leader, Noah Aku, and Zonal Women Leader, Mrs. Joy Onu.

    The stakeholders in the notification of the suit sent to the APC National Legal Adviser, Babatunde Ogala, urged him to advise the party to respect court processes and halt any action on the proposed indirect primary.

    Among issues for determination are whether having regard to the pendency of suit filed by Haddy Ametuo, Salam Adejoh (suing for themselves and on behalf of other members) of the SEC elected on May 19, last year, the APC can adopt the indirect primary.

    Other issues are: “Whether the involvement of persons claiming to be members of the Kogi SEC during the pendency of the suit in the nomination of the governorship candidate would not amount to interference with the judicial process and run against the principle of subjudice which would render the outcome of such primary illegal, null and void.

    “Whether the defendant can ignore the suit which seeks to determine the authentic members of the Kogi SEC, who constitute the delegates by adopting the indirect mode of the primary.

    “Whether it is not an act of disrespect for judicial processes for the defendant to adopt the indirect mode of primary in nominating its governorship candidate having been made a party to the suit, which seeks to determine the authentic members of the Kogi SEC, who will constitute the bulk of the delegates to participate in the indirect primary mode for the nomination of the governorship candidate.

    The letter reads: “We Are Counsel to the Plantiffs in the above matter, which has just been filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja today. We are by this letter forwarding to you a filed copy of the originating summons filed by our clients. This summons speaks for itself.

    “We trust that as a seasoned legal practitioner with several years of active legal practice, you will appropriately advise your party on the need to respect court processes and halt any action on the proposed indirect mode of primary for nomination of the Governorship  candidate for Kogi state in the forthcoming election pending the determination of this suit”.

    Speaking with our correspondent,  A party cheiftain, Timothy Faniyan, said “There are two parallel  excos in Kogi APC, one faction has gone to court to be recognised as the authentic exco, so by law it will not be advisable to use any of the exco for the primary election”.

    “We want Nigeria to know there is a case in court and the APC cannot go ahead and do indirect primaries as the party constitution unequivocally states that direct primaries will be held in any state there is dissension or factional excos. But from the look of things, APC is heading towards the same thing that happened in Zamfara”.

    Mohammed Audu, one of the governorship aspirants said the Kogi state government, led by Governor Yahaya Bello is afraid of direct primaries because he is not popular among APC members in the state.

    Audu, who is the eldest son of Prince Abubakar Audu, a former governor of the state said Governor Bello is jittery because if there is direct primary where every member of Kogi APC is allowed to participate, the governor cannot secure the party’s ticket for the election.

    “I personally think that the present government is afraid of opening the process of selection and that is why they have chosen to go by the way of indirect primary”.

    “The indirect primary is closed. If you are a politician and a true democrat, you will want everyone to participate in the process of selecting you and I dare the government to say they are going by the way of direct primary today, I am sure they will bid the people farewell.

    “If they do direct primary that every Kogi person that is a member of the APC is allowed to participate, no doubt we will come top”.

  • Bauchi Assembly resolves crisis as aggrieved lawmakers take oath of office

    SIXTEEN aggrieved lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) led by factional Speaker, Bauchi House of Assembly, Kawuwa Shehu Damina have finally  taken oath of office and allegiance.

    The Nation gathered that the aggrieved lawmakers were inaugurated at a special session held on Friday night at about 8:00 pm at the Assembly complex.

    The special session was presided over by the Deputy Speaker of the House, Danlami Ahmed Kawule.

    Earlier, two speakers had emerged at the inauguration of the House of Assembly.

    Abubakar Suleiman was elected by 13 members with the clerk presiding over the sitting on the floor of the Assembly complex on June 20, while  the factional Speaker, Kawuwa Shehu Damina, was elected outside the Assembly complex by 18 members under the symbol of a Mace.

    But the crisis seems to have been amicably settled with the Kawuwa faction said to be loyal to former governor of the state, Abubakar Mohammed, taking a bow.

    Applauding the development, Governor Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, who was also present at the inauguration, said the victory was for the people of the state.

    Read Also: Bauchi Governor swears in 20 LG Caretaker Chairmen

    Mohammed praised the members for settling their differences.

    He disclosed to journalists that the state government resolved the crisis through seeking intervention of relevant stakeholders notably traditional rulers.

    The APC is the majority in the house with 22 members, while the PDP has eight while the New Nigeria People’s Party is left with only one member.

     

  • No Kogite alive voted for Yahaya Bello – Audu

    Prince Mustapha Audu, popularly called Mona by his supporters and admirers is one of the numerous aspirants jostling to unseat Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello. Even though there has been speculation that three of them from the Prince Abubakar Audu family were interested in the governorship seat, he is the only one who has paid the N22.5 million needed to obtain the nomination and expression of interest form for the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with Tony Akowe, he speaks on why he wants to govern Kogi State.

    WHAT exactly do you have for the people of Kogi State? We will focus on three major things. We know that a lot of sectors are lacking in Kogi State right now, but we need to have a focus. Our major focus will be human capital development, the youth and women empowerment. That does not mean that we will not focus on other areas. We honestly believe that any government today focusing on constructing roads, water, health care is not really a serious government because these were the same promises our grandparents gave to us, the same promises our parents gave to us. So, we cannot be giving out these same promises, but we know that they are very important. But with technology and new means of doing things, we believe that we can build roads, hospitals, schools, provide electricity quickly and efficiently in a sustainable manner.

    You are going into the race with an incumbent governor. Considering the fact that the party has approved indirect mode of primary, what are your expectations?

    A lot of people worry about the power of incumbency because of the power to influence the delegates. But we are not worried whether it is direct or indirect because we know that we have won. This is because our own approach to finding out the way forward is completely different from others. We believe that good leadership and good government is about the people. So, rather than spending our time carrying delegates and putting them in one hotel and giving them stipends like every other aspirant will be doing now, we have taken a different approach. We believe that we should be out on the field and we have been going from village to village, meeting delegates in their environment, trying to fix their problems. We are about to provide water to some communities in the central zone. We believe that this is the most efficient method of reaching the delegates. We don’t have as much money as the state government because they have not used the money given to them to do what they are supposed to do; salary payment, the schools, infrastructures in the state is worse than it has ever been because the government is trying to save the money they have towards election. So, for every one naira you give to a delegate, the government can afford to give them one thousand more. So, because you cannot match them, your strategy has to be different. We believe that the way to accomplish this is by appealing to the heart of the delegates by seeing them in their environment, understanding their problems and helping them to overcome such challenges. They will understand that a government that looted all their money and give some of it back to them is just looking for their votes and that it will be one day in four years that such will happen. They will come to the realisation that you need a government that understands your problems and has seen your environment and is willing to bring people from your community on board and develop your environment. That is the real government which is all inclusive. This is the first time that Nigeria is actually having an all-inclusive government. That is why we adopt a simple and plain strategy and we are confident. That is why we tell everybody our strategy. Majority of the aspirants are too old and if they try to do what we are doing in one week, they will die. We know that we are the only ones in position to accomplish this and we are doing it on a daily basis. We have been on the field doing just that.

    What has been your pedigree in politics or are you trying to rely on the popularity of your late father?

    First, a lot of people have asked what I have to offer and whether I want to ride on the glory of my late father? The truth is that I am an individual; according to the Nigerian constitution, I have met all the requirements to run for office. It is also an unavoidable truth that the greatest leader ever to come out of Kogi State is Prince Abubakar Audu. I will not shy away from what is strength because I have had tutelage under the greatest leader Kogi State has ever produced. I am aware of the plans he made for the state and his relationship with a lot of people. So, we will use this to the advantage and benefit of the people. But I am my own person; I have my own principles. I hope to build on the legacies of the late Prince Abubakar Audu. I will not deny that I come from that legacy. If we see something that is great, we should have the habit of building on it rather than saying it should be a disadvantage. I will not deny that he has left some legacies which have projected me. Other than that, I am not his only hair because we are a huge family. What differentiates me from others is what I have learnt from him and the ability to understand the grassroots, being able to go there and understand the resources available there and being able to carry a lot of people on board. It is also knowing the right person for the right job and empowering them to do the job. That is what leadership is and that is the qualities that I have learnt over the years. In addition to my professional experience, I am an entreprenuer and has worked in different areas. That has enabled me to understand the difference between the private sector and the government and why government fails to accomplish its tasks. A lot of people in government have not been in business and so don’t understand the challenges that people in business face. We have built international networks over the years that will enable us harness the resources in Kogi State. So, we are ready because we have the experience, the tutelage and believe that when we set our mind to a task, in spite of the challenges, we will accomplish it.

    The incumbent is of your youth bracket. If you have to access him, would you give him a plus and what do you think you can do better than him?

    Yes, the current governor is a young man, but he is not our representative. The current governor is a man. No one said that men cannot rule. It is unfair to say he is a representative of the youth because no young person selected him and said this is our representative. No Kogite voted for him. There is no single Kogite alive or dead that voted for the current governor. The governor accidentally, through an act of God and providence made it there. Unfortunately, because he did not understand what was needed to get there and was not part of the people who brought this victory, he was not part of the people who fought the incumbent for this; he misused the opportunity. He got rid of all the people that worked for it. In life, there is a simple rule. If you don’t work for something, you don’t know the value of it. This is exactly what has happened. He didn’t work for it and so, he does not understand the value. Now, the young have gathered together and picked one person and we know that Kogi State is our last chance. If you don’t get it right in Kogi State, the door will forever be shut to every young Nigerian because they are going to use Kogi State as an example on why young people shouldn’t be in leadership. If you talk about young people in government, people will tell you, look at Kogi State. Something as basic as salaries, he could not pay for over 40 months. But this is not a consequence of being young. We have a lot of people under our employment and we pay them. There are quite a number of young people around the world who employ people and pay them. This is the function of somebody who is not prepared for leadership and we are ready to change him and we are going to change him shortly. We will be ready to replace him, but will welcome him back to the fold because we believe that the era of witch hunting the previous administration should stop. We are ready to give him amnesty if he returns a lot of the missing money from the Paris Club refund and the bailout funds and other resources of the state that have gone missing. If he is willing to return them, we are willing to give him free passage because we are not after jailing anyone.

    There are about three or four Audus from the same family that have indicated interest to contest the governorship seat. Why so many of you from the same family and don’t you think that is a minus?

    At the end of the day, we had a strategy because we realised that a house divided against itself cannot stand. When you appear weak and divided, the opposition becomes comfortable. As you can see, only one Audu has picked the form, there is only one Audu form. That form that I picked up is for every single Audu and every single Kogite and every civil servant that has been unpaid, every taxi driver in Abuja that is a graduate and from Kogi State. That form that we picked is the only form that truly represents all of us. Unfortunately, there is also propaganda from the opposition who specialises in projecting that the family is in disarray. They are projecting that some people desperately wants it. But that is not the case because since I picked the form, no other Audu has picked the form. What you have been following is propaganda, but it’s ok. The opposition should continue to focus on us while we will continue to focus on the task ahead. At the end of the day, we hope to get victory.

    Your late father had an idea of getting the state House of Assembly to pass a law institutionalising rotational governorship among the three zones in the state. What is your view about this?

    I will give you a little history that many people are unaware of. When Kogi State was created, before Prince Abubakar Audu became the governor, four people came together from the west and said that the west has had power in Kwara State as well as the central and the only people who has not had power was the east. So, there was a pact for the west to support the east on condition that power will return to the west. That was the original plan. Unfortunately, the military came and truncated the Third Republic. When the Fourth Republic started, the pact was again put in place, but before his tenure was completed, the old PDP had its way in collaboration with INEC and again, it was truncated. In 2015, he had the same arrangement, promising to deliver power to the minority and gave his life to accomplish that. Unfortunately, it wasn’t how it was agreed to, but power shifted all the same. Now, we have to re-enact similar pact now that we have an incumbent. As honour bound my father, so will honour bound me to my commitment to the west. I believe that Kogi State stands on a tripod and two out of that tripod has benefited and now, it is left for the third to benefit. Now, in enacting a law to institutionalise power shift, honestly, I believe that there has to be a better way for future generational leadership. I think that this country has not grown leaders. I don’t want to call names, but the gentleman that contested for the presidency and didn’t win is spending billions in court today. Why not spend those billions on training young leaders and preparing them for the battle of leadership.  No one is doing that and because they don’t do that, it has been challenging. We only have one leader in Nigeria who has really empowered young people and that person is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I wish we have more leaders like that who will empower the next generation of leaders. So, rather than a law that states that you should transfer power based on region, we can set a law that will take people from the three regions into an institution that will train them to attain leadership position. But I think we should go for quality rather than geographical location. It is however not something I can sit down here and say I will enact because a law takes many things into consideration; one of which is that people will have to sit down and agree on the modalities. So if I tell you that I am going to enact a law, that means I am not being truthful. Any law that has to be enacted and has to do with power shift cannot originate from me. I will support anything that help power shift. I will try myself to take deputy from the west and make sure that power is transferred to the west. However, whether it is four or eight years is left for the people of the state to decide. If you look at the history of Kogi State, you will discover that we had a governor who did nine years while Audu did four years. His four years is far better than the nine years. So, it is not the duration of time you spent in office that manners.

    You seem to be non-challant about the mode of primary when some aspirants are kicking. What is your take on this?

    Whether direct primary, indirect primary or consensus, come August 29, we believe that we have won. We have already defeated the current governor and every other APC aspirant. I am very sure about this and it’s simple. You can see that the current governor has not been involved in any governorship election before.

  • APC accuses Atiku of felony

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of felony, saying the PDP presidential candidate has been carrying himself as an alternative President.

    The party reminded the former Vice President that the constitution is clear on how to deal with criminalities, stressing that the Muhammadu Buhari administration will not be found wanting where it is required to take decisive actions.

    APC National Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa Onilu said, in a statement yesterday, Atiku had been making statements reserved for sitting Presidents or his appointed representatives on matters of national security and foreign policies.

    The APC also reminded him that the constitution does not provide for a parliamentary system of government where you have a parliamentary, but a presidential system where there can be only one President.

    Atiku was told that he has since lost the 2019/presidential election and should face reality.

    The statement reads: ‘The All Progressives Congress (APC) strongly condemns the 2019 presidential candidate of the oppositions Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who has now made it a pastime to make public statements on issues, which constitutionally should be reserved for the duly elected head of government or his designees.

    Read also: Buhari’s CoS Kyari to court: Atiku wasn’t born Nigerian

    “As a Party, we would have thought that Alh. Atiku who in the past occupied such high office as the country’s vice president would clearly understand the workings of government, particularly as it bothers on national security, foreign policy and our international engagement.

    “We have noted Alh. Atiku’s incessant habits of releasing statements on public issues as if he were an alternative President of this country and with a clear intention to undermine President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC-led government.

    “In recent times, Alh. Atiku has demonstrated lack of regard for the sovereignty of the office of the President and Nigerian government through condescending statements. He has made several of such statements regarding the activities of the Nigerian military, issues of national security, and international relations.

    “The latest of such statements is the one he made on the emergence of Mr. Boris Johnson as Prime Minister of Britain even when our duly elected President, who has the responsibility of making an official statement on such matter, has made the position of our country known.

    “We note with serious concern that Alh. Atiku has been throwing himself around as a shadow President of Nigeria. We would like to state clearly that such position could only be found under the parliamentary system. It does not exist under the Presidential system of government that we practise in Nigeria.

    “Alh. Atiku, like every Nigerian citizen, should understand that being a candidate for an elective office, including that of the President, does not confer on him a sovereign status. Alh. Atiku’s continuous portrayal of himself as a shadow President under our system borders on felony and makes him a patent impostor.

    “There can only be one democratically elected and legitimate government at a time in this country. That clearly is the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari. It is important to remind Alh. Atiku that issues of national security, foreign policy and international engagements are not matters to be exploited to achieve mischievous political ends.”

    An aide to Atiku on media, who craved anonymity, berated the ruling party.

    The aide said: “It is a reckless and an unguarded statement to make in a democracy where there is freedom of association and of speech. It is unimaginable that people in government and members of the ruling party will be talking of repressing someone is expressing his private opinion.

    “That is the character of the APC. The party lacks respect for the rule of law.”

  • Akeredolu to Senate: Shun faceless group against Alasoadura’s nomination

    Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu has reinforced his support for the nomination of Senator Tayo Alasoadura as a member of the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    The charge became imperative following the purported position taken by a faceless group, APC Solidarity Stakeholders, against the nomination of the Akure born senator of the Eighth National Assembly.

    A statement by his Chief Press Secretary(CPS) Segun Ajiboye emphasised that the so-called group is not just faceless, but a divisive aberration unknown to all legitimate organs of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    It said” To say the least, the group merely exits in the hallucinating minds of a few individuals who have surrendered themselves to ignoble self-abnegation.

    Read Also: Ondo Assembly lauds Buhari over Alasoadura’s ministerial appointment

    “Mr. Governor considers the call for the withdrawal of Alasoadura’s nomination as a contrived distraction which stands logic in the head. For the records, Alasoadura, who served meritoriously as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is one of the few enviable brains behind the Petroleum Industry and Governance Bill (PIGB) which currently awaits Presidential Assent.

    “As a Chartered Accountant of over 30 years experience who doubled as chairman of the Finance Commissioners’ Forum for six years while he served as Finance Commissioner in Ondo State, Mr. Governor believes strongly that not only APC, but the entire citizenry in the State will derive maximum benefit from his stay at the Federal Executive Council.

    “There could not have been a better ministerial nominee from the APC in Ondo State than Alasoadura at the moment”, he said.

  • APC: Fresh calls for resolution of crises in states

    Six years after the All Progressives Congress (APC) came into existence as a political party; it has not been an easy ride for the party. Although it has been able to capture power on two occasions, it has gone from one crisis to the other. In this report, Tony Akowe examines the crisis that has threatened the very foundation of the governing party

    SIX years in the life of the All Progressives Congress as a political party, it is still evident that the body is yet to properly constitute itself into a strong political party with one common agenda. The party, which came together from three different bodies, has held on to their different ideologies, thereby making it extremely difficult to have a closely knitted political party. Until and unless the various groups within the party harmonise their differences and learn to put party interest first, the future of the party may remain bleak. There are those who believe that it is President Muhammadu Buhari and his political leadership that is holding the party together and that once he leaves office, the party may be doomed. Party members across the country tend to confirm this position from their actions and inaction before, during and after the last general election.

    For the avoidance of doubt, it must be said that the crisis rocking the party across the country right now dates back to the formation of the party. Even though there was a decision that the three legacy parties collectively choose their leaders at the various levels, the harmonisation was only properly done at the national level. Some people have argued that the parties came together without a proper agenda on how to forge ahead. They had the sole aim of edging the PDP out of power, but did not know what to do with the power. Those who belong to this school of thought believe that if the APC had a proper plan of what to do with power, they will not be making the same mistake the PDP made in the 16 years they were in power prior to 2015.

    Signs of what to expect at the general election emerged earlier in 2018 when some leaders of the party decided on a tenure elongation for the executives of the party at all levels. Even though the then John Oyegun-led leadership had been accused variously of inaction, state chairmen and secretaries of the party decided to back a tenure elongation that was being put forward by several governors who wanted a rubber stamped executive that could pave the way for them and their anointed candidates for the election. The excuse of the proponents of tenure elongation was that changing the leadership of the party so close to the general election could have a negative effect as crisis may arise that could rob the party of electoral victory. They were taken aback when President Muhammadu Buhari turned his back on the proposal and everybody immediately fell into line, but kept their game plan close to their chest. In states where the party had sitting governors, it was obvious that they were going to do everything possible to have their way while other stakeholders will have to battle hard to have their way. In states where the party had no governors, it was also obvious that it was going to be a straight battle between the ministers from such states and other stakeholders. This was the scenerio in which the party began its ward, local government and state congresses which threw up parallel leadership in about 22 states of the federation. In some cases, congresses were either not held in some places, held twice on the directive of the National Working Committee or two different congresses took place on the same day. This was the scenerio in places like Cross Rivers, Imo, Enugu, Kaduna, Zamfara, Kogi and many others. Only a few of the states had congresses that were not contested by stakeholders. Members began to file cases in court as the party failed to deal with issues arising from the congresses. In some states, the then Oyegun-led leadership dissolved the elected leadership and put in place caretakers while others were left to their fate. Credit must however be given to the party leadership that stamped their feet, accepting only the leadership thrown up by the congress committee set up by the leadership.

    In Imo State, the party failed to deal with the issue as the state went into the National Convention in Abuja with the then governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, leading one faction, while the then National Orgainsing Secretary, Senator Osita Izunaso was leading the other faction.

    Immediately it came into office, the Oshiomhole-led National Working Committee, which now include Emma Ibediro, Okorocha’s candidate for the job on board, dissolved the state executive put in place by the Oyegun-led leadership and put in place a caretaker committee made up of Governor Okorocha’s men. The party also did the same thing in Ogun and Cross River states. So, when the National Executive Committee of the party asked states to adopt their own mode of primary from the list of the three methods recognised by the constitution, many knew there was trouble in the air. The first state to take a position was Ogun, led by ex-governor Ibikune Amosun.

    Similarly, it has consistently become obvious that the legacy parties that gave birth to the APC were yet to discard their ideologies. The three main blocks have continued to hold on fast to their divisions. The inability of the leadership of the party to resolve the differences brought about by these parties have also largely contributed to the crisis that has continued to rock the party. After the merger of the parties and the agreement to involve all stakeholders in the leadership of the party in the various states, many of them failed to fully integrate into the leadership. In Kaduna for example, the leadership of the other parties outside the CPC were never fully integrated into the leadership, leading to the emergence of the Akida APC early in the life of the government. Rather than have the PDP to contend with in the state, the party was at war with itself, leading to the exit of many stakeholders as the general election approaches. Even though the party won the elections, it has infighting within the PDP and the Buhari mentality to thank for its victory in the election. The differences among major actors within the party in several states and the quest for power at all cost by these interest groups cannot be over emphasised. Rather than put the party first, various actors, some of whom were holding power within the government, contributed to the defeat the party suffered in some states where they could ordinarily have made some inroad. In Adamawa State for example, the likes of wife of the President, Aisha Buhari, former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal and former Lagos State Governor, Buba Marwa, fought the state governor, Jibrilla Bindow to a standstill until the party lost the state. These big wigs of the party in Adamawa State failed to utilise the advantage given them by the national leadership of the party to get the party governorship ticket from Governor Bindow. While the state chapter of the party, in line with the NEC decision, decided to hold indirect primary, the Aisha Buhari group kicked and the party over ruled them, giving them the direct primary option which the Bindow group accepted without complain. The National Working Committee also suspended the state leadership of the party, preventing them from supervising the primaries based on the allegations that they were working for the governor. In spite of the obvious advantage given to them by the party leadership, they failed to collect the ticket from the governor and also failed to join the party in the campaign. Majority of the party candidates of the party in the state lost their election because the group working against the governor also worked against all its candidates who emerged from the direct primary conducted by the party. Interestingly, this group that worked against the party, in the name of not wanting Bindow, never challenged the process that threw him up as the party candidate.

    The loss of the election in Imo State to the rival PDP could also be traced to the desperation for power and to perpetuate individuals in power. While many would want to blame the National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the loss of the state, it is on record that Oshiomhole condemned the primary election conducted by Ahmed Gulak that threw up Senator Hope Uzodinma, describing it as a fraud and sent another panel to Owerri to conduct another primary election which threw up Nwosu, Okorocha’s Chief of Staff as candidate. But Uzodinma was smart. He went to court and obtained an injunction compelling the party to recognise him as the party’s governorship candidate and they had no choice than to obey the order of court. Instead of challenging the order in court, Okorocha and his team decided to take on the leadership of the party in a battle. Till date, the order of court recognising Uzodinma as APC governorship candidate has remained unchallenged. A senior member of the APC national leadership told The Nation that the party was left with either giving Hope Uzodinma the governorship ticket or handing it over to Okorocha; according to him, many people in the state were against the former governor staging a comeback to governance through the back door, stressing that the agitation against him was loud enough. He said further that Senator Uzodinma also appeared as the most strategically positioned and made his moves carefully. He said “don’t forget that the Chairman dismissed the first primary that was conducted by Ahmed Gulak. But he had no choice than to go back to that primary. Also don’t forget that Senator Uzodinma rushed to court to obtain an injunction against the party conducting another primary. As we speak, that injunction has not been challenged in court and has not been vacated. So, blaming the chairman for the party’s loss in Imo is to be economical with the truth.”

    The desperation for power and lack of respect for party supremacy cost the party dearly in Zamfara State, leading to the party losing everything it worked for in the general election. Although party leaders have consistently said the Supreme Court gave the PDP what they did not work for and what they were not party to, it is evident that the Zamfara scenario is a big lesson on how not to be too strong headed over things that has legal implication. Former Governor Yari wanted to hold on to power and remain relevant in the scheme of things in the state. He wanted to choose the governorship candidate and all candidates for all other positions. The party leadership refused him the chance to do that and he refused to allow the primaries to take place in the state. Right from the days of party congresses, the party had divided into two parts, with the former governor and his loyalist holding on to one part while others opposed to the governor held on to the other. They went to court to challenge the emergence of the state executive and it was this same executive that Yari gathered at the Government House to produce a list of aspirants which the party first rejected and later held on as a consensus list. Yari refused the team sent by the national secretariat, like it did to other states to conduct the party primary.

    Interestingly, those who belonged to the Yari camp and failed to call him to order have turned round to blame the national leadership for the loss of the state. Former governor of the state, Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, blamed the entire Zamfara debacle on lack of respect for the rule of law.

    From Oyo to Cross River, stakeholders within the party claimed to be working for the president, while campaigning against the candidates of the party at other levels. They failed to distinguish between anti-party activities and party interest and this cost the part some of the seats it had everything to win. Interestingly, these party leaders have also failed to realise the folly in their action and still beat their chest today as having worked for the success of the APC during the election. A typical example is the case in Oyo State where the minister representing the state openly told the world that he will never work for the party governorship candidate and even after they lost the state, he has never shown any sign of remorse.

    The current situation in Edo State is not much different as it may affect the fortune of the party in the state if not properly handled. In the cases stated above, his critics said President Muhammadu Buhari, who is the leader of the party, never showed willingness to call the warring parties to order. This they justified with Mr. President’s speeches in Imo and Ogun states where he told voters to vote for any candidate of their choice instead of calling on voters to vote for his party’s candidate.

    They also complain that he also had the opportunity to call the warring parties in Zamfara to order, but he did not until things got out of hand. Now, there is a major crisis within the party in Edo State, the home state of the party’s National Chairman and despite appeals from traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the state and beyond, the President has failed to call the warring parties to order. The situation in Edo State calls for concern as even the intervention of the revered Oba of Benin has failed to resolve the issue. Right now, it is evident that the intervention of the National Assembly may not help the situation. Therefore, only a presidential intervention will put an end to the crisis. A stich in time they said saves nine. The Edo governorship election may still be further away, but the earlier the crisis is resolved, the better it will be for the party. The long silence of Comrade Adams Oshiomhole is also not helping the crisis. Oshiomhole must speak out now and douse the rising tension and allegations that he is trying to bring back godfatherism which he claimed

  • Ajimobi lauds Buhari on Dare’s ministerial nomination

    Immediate past Oyo Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi has lauded the choice of Dr. Sunday Dare as ministerial nominee from Oyo State by President Mohammadu Buhari.

    He also commended the President on the ministerial nominees, describing them as “quality choice”, considering their experience and pedigree.

    Speaking on the choice of Dare, the former governor described him as an eminently qualified individual who has contributed immensely to the fortunes of the party and the country.

    “We are happy and proud that such a quality person is nominated from Oyo State. As one of the back room organizers and engine room of the APC, he has contributed immensely to the fortunes of the party in the State and at the National levels. His political exposure and participation at the party’s highest hierarchy will prove him in good stead in the task ahead. I can confidently say that such a highly cerebral nominee will contribute further to the fortunes of the party in Oyo State.”

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    Ajimobi therefore called on APC members in the State to rally round Dare for him to succeed in the task ahead.

    He said: “He is equipped with the necessary experience and skills that will prove invaluable as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    The APC Leader also extended warm felicitation to the other nominees from the South West. He described them as accomplished and competent personage, that have contributed immensely in various ways to their states, the party and the country.

    He urged them to see their nomination as a national assignment towards raising the bar of governance and moving the country to the next level in line with President Buhari’s developmental agenda.

  • Assembly members in Edo, Bauchi undemocratic, says APC

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) says political actions of some members of houses of assembly in Bauchi State and Edo in the inauguration of the assemblies are undemocratic.

    APC National Publicity Secretary Lanre Issa-Onilu said the party would never allow such developments again and the impunity the actors enjoyed.

    He spoke to journalists in Abuja on Sunday night, noting that “it is a shame that APC controlled state would be involved in such acts with impunity.

    “I want to refocus the public through the media on what the issues are and there is one common issue for both Bauchi State and Edo — the improper inauguration of the houses of assembly.

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    “In Bauchi with 31 members of House of Assembly, no fewer than 11 members convened and purportedly inaugurated the House of Assembly; that is taking us back.

    “In Edo, you have a situation where you have nine members, some of them in knickers, who convened and claimed to have inaugurated the House of Assembly’’.

    He noted that APC ought to have dealt with issues in Bauchi State and Edo all together if not that Bauchi State is controlled by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

  • Aspirants warned against defacing city with posters 

    The Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board has warned governorship aspirants and their supporters against indiscriminate pasting and erection of campaign materials.

    In a statement by the Executive Chairman, Ebi Waribigha, told aspirants to desist from such practice.

    It was gathered that the board has inaugurated a task force to enforce the law in Yenagoa and clear some of the campaign materials.

    The statement reads: “The public should be informed that these advertorials fall short of prescribed standards and best practices, as they distort the aesthetic condition of the city, cause impediment to free flow of traffic, pose danger to pedestrians/motorists and transmit offensive and unethical messages to the public.

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    “For the avoidance of doubt, Section 35, 78 and other relevant sections of the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Law and the Regulations made pursuant to the law, accord the Board the statutory right to regulate and issue permit approvals for the location, design, display and construction of outdoor signpost, advertisement boards, electronic display screens, posting of bills/posters and other forms of outdoor advertisement.

    “The Board, therefore, warn the public that henceforth, government shall not condone these activities without authorisation from the Board. To this end, all individuals, government, political parties, aspirants and their supporters and corporate organisations should obtain a valid permit from the Bayelsa State Physical Planning and Development Board (former CCDA) on Sani Abacha Road for all existing and intending posters, signage and billboards.

    “Failure to adhere to this announcement shall attract appropriate sanctions, including but not limited to payment of fines/penalties, forfeiture and/or prosecution among others”.