The Nation Newspaper

Tag: APC

  • Nigeria needs a change, says Lagos APC

    The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has said the celebration of independence in the face of increasing poverty, corruption, insecurity,   impunity and bad governance is a proof that the country has been assailed by bad, corrupt and visionless leadership.

    It said the nation needs a change.

    The party said for the United Nations to rank Nigeria, the sixth largest producer of oil, as the third poorest country in the world, is worrisome, especially with the rank revelry and masking, which the present government has brought to replace purposeful and good leadership.

    In a statement in Lagos by the Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, APC lamented that when Nigerians should be celebrating the dividends of freedom, they are saddled with a blind and visionless government, which has failed in all facets of leadership.

    It said the majority of Nigerians are regretting the flag independence the nation got in 1960, which has decimated rather than improve lives.

  • 1,000 PDP members join Edo APC

    One thousand members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Urhonigbe North ward of Orhionmwon Local Government Area of Edo State.

    They were received by Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, who assured them of equal treatment with other APC members.

    The deputy governor, who visited the Okaeubo of Urhonigbe, Igie Aimuyo, said the former PDP members would not regret their decision.

    Odubu advised party members to keep their temporary voter cards in preparation for permanent voter cards.

    The defectors’ spokesman, Friday Osazee, said their decision followed the unprecedented performance by the Adams Oshiomhole-led administration.

  • ‘APC encourages internal democracy’

    An aspirant contesting for Oyo state House of Assembly on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Wasiu Olatunbosun Akere has praised the party for encouraging internal democracy compared to some other parties in the state.

    He made this known at a press briefing where he declared his intention to contest for the state assembly in Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1.

    According to him, the internal democracy of APC that allows a level playing ground encouraged him to want to contest for the assembly seat considering his best performance of rendering service to humanity.

    He said part of his service to humanity include associating with market women to improve on their trade and helping youths to get employment among others saying that if he is giving the opportunity he will do better.

    Akere maintained that politics runs in his family as his father had once been a bigwig in the state politics adding that Akere family is well reputed in Orita-Merin in Ibadan and across for Local governments in the state.

    He said if he is voted into the House of Assembly, he will focus on Labour and industrial law to improve standard of the state economy and also to encourage more participants in enhancing a good policies.

    He further enthused that his strong influence in grassroot politics coupled with his reputation of rendering service to humanity will earn him the chance to become a member of Oyo state House of Assembly come 2015.

  • ‘Ekiti APC ‘ll bounce back’

    ‘Ekiti APC ‘ll bounce back’

    Hon. Ranti Adebisi is the Chairman of the Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission. The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant in Ekiti North District spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU and  RAYMOND MORDI on his ambition, the transition in Ekiti and implications for the APC’s future.

    Why do you want to go to the Senate?

    Ekiti North Senatorial District comprises of 11 councils. It used to be five local governments, but with the creation of additional Local Council Development Areas, the number has increased to 11. Ekiti North Senatorial District also comprises of two federal constituencies-the Oye-Ikole Federal Constituency I and Moba-Ido/Osi-Ilejemeje Federal constituency II. Currently, the incumbent senator is from Ido/Osi Local Government and we have never had a senator from Ikole Local Government, which is where I come from. Ikole local Government is the largest the local governments in the senatorial district. The last senator from that area was in the 1950s, which was before I was born. Apart from the fact it is our turn to produce the next senator, I believe that I am a grassroots person and I have worked diligently well. I have been a progressive since I came into politics. I was once a governorship aspirant in the state; I contested for the governorship with the incumbent governor at the primary level.  The moment Dr. Kayode Fayemi was picked as the party’s candidate, other aspirants defected to other political parties. I was the only governorship aspirant that remained in the party, out of the 16 of us that contested.

    What  is the greatest problem facing the people of your constituency?

    It is lack of good representation. In spite of the various levels of representation, Tip O’Neill, former United States Speaker, said all politics are local. That is, you have to come down to the grassroots. What we have now, is what I would call an elitist representation that does not really work with the people. We have a senator in the Red Chamber that is very articulate, like an average Ekiti man. When you have a senator representing the people who only appears during the electioneering season, then, it is no longer representation.

    We are lacking a lot of federal presence in our senatorial district. I’m hoping that with my exposure, and with the level of interaction that I would be able to create at the national level, I would be able to bring federal presence.

    The result of the June 21 governorship election shocked many Nigerians. Are you not afraid of a bandwagon effect in next year’s elections?

    There is nothing like bandwagon effect in Ekiti right now. Yes, the result was very shocking, but I’m on ground. That is one of the reasons why we’re asking for a level-playing field for all aspirants to come out, if they are sure of themselves. For me, my popularity cuts across political parties. I’m a household name in Ekiti State. When it comes to what happened on June 21, many people are thinking it was against our party, the APC. But, it is not necessarily so. Governor Kayode Fayemi has performed creditably well, in terms of infrastructural development. We were hearing all these new coinages such as stomach infrastructure. It’s an insult to Ekiti people and those of us in the APC believe that we still have a firm grip of the political terrain in that state and we are not afraid of contesting. There is nothing like bandwagon effect in Ekiti politics. The politics in Ekiti now is the politics of personality. Ayodele Fayose won the election not because he belonged to the PDP. He supposedly won the election because he could identify with the grassroots. Many people have been questioning why our governor conceded the election. We are actually working on our party congress right now. You will be surprised to see the overwhelming enthusiasm from our members. You may be forced to ask, is this a party that just lost an election? But, I would tell you that we never believed we lost an election. We lost the election on technical grounds, which we are going to unravel in the next few weeks.

    How would APC members, including  those holding offices, work harmoniously with a governor who is from another party?

    We are all stakeholders in Ekiti project. Our political system is evolving. Gradually, we would start maturing in our democratic process. For instance, the office that I hold presently, the chairman, Ekiti Local Government Service Commission, has tenure. That means I’m not going with the governor on October 16. Don’t forget, we have a majority in the House of Assembly, which has 25 APC members to one PDP member. So, it might be an opportunity for us to test the constitution. For those of us in the various commissions in Ekiti State, whose tenure has not expired, I believe we can work with the incoming administration because what matters is Ekiti; we are all stakeholders. We would have to work with each other, whether we like it or not.

    What is the assurance that some members of the House of Assembly would not defect to the PDP?

    Well, I will give them the benefit of doubt. It is true, even when there is no crisis; people are defecting on daily basis in Nigeria. It is part of the teething problems we are having in our democratic process. Gradually, things would start changing, but the various parties in the country need to start working on ideological principles. That way, we would begin to see the difference between the APC and the PDP, and the progressives and the conservatives. The way things are now, you will see many progressives in the PDP and many conservative elements in the APC. Very soon, water would find its level.

    What have you done to deserve the position of a senator?

    Well, in my senatorial district, even beyond my senatorial district, I have done so much, working with the grassroots, helping the jobless people and assisting those people who have problem paying their tuition fees. I’m a software engineer by profession. I have trained many people in the areas of developing software programmes. With my performance in the local government system, I have made a mark. When I came on board, the whole system was in shambles. My workers see me as the man who has come to revive the system. I pride myself as the only chairman since the creation of Ekiti State that has always been in his office every day. Most of the previous chairmen were coming on part-time basis, even though they were full-time chairmen. Within 15 months, I have been able to clear the backlog of promotion arrears for 10 years. I conducted promotion examinations that people refused to participate in before I came in. Now, when I call for promotion examinations, my workers are happy. Do you know what I did to accomplish that? Before I set the promotion examination, I usually give them what I would call a seminar, prepare materials for them. The essence of the examination is not to fail them. It is test their ability to understand what is going on, the changes that are taking place within the system. Today, we have conducted more than three promotion exams within a span of 15 months, to clear the backlog. You know, Ekiti is a civil service state. We have also been able to clear the backlog of people waiting for advancement; you know when go for further studies, they expect to be elevated after their studies. We had serious crisis with the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), but today we have cordial relationship with them because of my intervention. Even with the meagre resources available to us, I introduced in-house trainings; on a monthly basis, we conduct two trainings. We have sent some of them on overseas training, which is something that has not happened before. So, we have built the confidence of the workers; people now come to work. We have eradicated ghost workers in the local government system in the state. Currently, what we are working on after the creation of the new LCDAs is the deployment of staff. Within two/three weeks of their creation, we have been able to deploy staff to the new councils. This is because we want it to stay because it is the yearnings and aspirations of Ekiti people. We have equally reached out to the communities, to make sure that these councils survive because the local government system is the closest to the people. We have made sure that the communities have taken ownership of these councils, by donating buildings, materials and money, so that they can augment whatever resources the government has for the take-off of these councils. These are some of the things that I have been able to do that has given me the confidence that I can give a good representation to my people and my party at the national level.

     

  • ‘PDP can’t beat APC in Kwara’

    ‘PDP can’t beat APC in Kwara’

    Kwara South All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant Anu Ibiwoye, in this interview with ADEKUNLE JIMOH, speaks about the Ahmed Administration and why the governor deserves a second term.

    Why are you contesting for the Senate?

    All of us are political beings and we look at what goes on in our environment. I have developed interest in politics when I was a banker and when I was Special Assistant to the Minister of Women Affairs and Youth Development. From that platform, I have become interested in what is going on in my community. I have realised that we do not have the kind of representation that we should have, particularly in the Kwara South. And when you look at the politicians on the field, I felt we needed to come out boldly to say we can improve on the quality of representation and we came into politics as a direct response to the gap that was obvious in our representation in Kwara South.

    I also believe there is the need to provide mentorship for our youths; young people that we can identify with, young people who can identify with us and who we could correct and channel their energies into constructive use. We felt that gap was there and they needed somebody who will be committed to the people in getting result.

    Do you think you have the wherewithal to delve into the murky waters of politics?

    I may not have the kind of money that people throw around in politics, but I have been able to achieve everything I needed to do. I am not playing money politics. I am not buying people. Of course, you need money to run your programmes, and projects, but I am not buying the people’s conscience.

    I am using the little that I have to project my message and appeal to the people. So far, God has been able to meet my needs. I have not borrowed or done any launching. I have not been begging. I have people who have supported me with their resources. I have people supporting me with their time and energy.

    There are different categories of people. There are people who are out to do a contract. We are going to pay them for the services they are rendering. There are other people who see themselves as partners in this project; that this thing we are doing belongs to all of us. It is not about monetary gains, but a commitment to what we want to achieve. Politics is not about money. Some people have money and they are throwing it around. But, you also find out that it is not how much you spend that determines what you get; it is about how well you are able to connect to the people.

    Politics in Nigeria has been monetised because of poverty and  deprivation. We hope we can get more people to do empowerment programmes to alleviate poverty in addition to what government is doing. So, it is something that we all must collectively to move this country forward.

    What is the assurance that you will emerge as the senatorial candidate at the primaries?

    I am happy that the party has said there is no automatic ticket for anybody. It means everybody will go to the electorate to canvass for votes. That is a right step in the right direction. At least, it is a departure from imposition. In 2011, I also had the opportunity to do what I am trying to do now and you will also see that we are course. We ran election in 2011 and even, when we did not win, we did not leave Kwara.

    We didn’t leave the people. We have continued on the course and  we have metamorphosed into the APC. We have been building the party; working with leadership and government to ensure that the dividends of democracy are delivered to the people. You find out that government is now more responsive, more proactive and it is more committed to delivering dividends of democracy to the people. So, this for me, is not only about position, but it is about getting a better society for our people through representation.

    You are from the South. What is your view on the second term ambition of Governor Ahmed?

    Naturally, the South should be allowed to have a second shot at the governorship. I think more importantly, I would support the governor for a second term. This is necessary to ensure stability and enable him complete his programmes. The governor has done well and he has good intention for the people, particularly people of the South. I have interacted with him personally and I was with him while on tour of project sites in Kwara South. We saw rural electrification and roads under construction and more importantly, he had an opportunity to get a feedback from the people.

    I am a committed supporter of his second term because I believe that that will afford him the opportunity to complete those projects he has started.

     Is Kwara better under the APC administration?

    Certainly, Kwara will fare better under the APC. One of the problems we are facing is that the Federal Government has not been accountable to the people. They have always relied on the federal might. Now, you have a government that is in the opposition at the national and state levels. We have seen in Nigeria today that it is possible for an incumbent to lose an election. We saw that in Ekiti. We have also seen in Osun that it is possible for an incumbent to retain power, if he is in touch with the people at the grassroots and delivering dividends of democracy.  There is no federal might that can displace you. Now, more than ever before, the people have become the centre of the activities of government. So, there is change and it is clear.

    PDP is banking on the federal might to wrest power from the APC in Kwara. What is your view?

    They should go and learn from Osun. The federal might will not deliver anything to the PDP. It is a misplaced priority and I think they should go and work to get popular votes from the electorate. The federal might will not deliver anything to anybody in Kwara. This government is with the people. The people have decided to stay with the APC and there is no federal might that canh change anything in Kwara. We have made our choice and the APC is our choice.

    What is your reaction to Saraki’s defection to the APC

    My interpretation of what had happened is that it has become very clear that Nigeria needs a rescue mission and Saraki is a very influential politician. He has been a major supporter of government; a major stabiliser. He was the Chairman of the Governors’ Forum for almost four years and that forum brought stability to governance. And, at a critical point, when late President Yar’Adua died, the forum brought stability in a transition.

    Some governors insisted that the Federal Government should do the right thing and when they refused to do that, a few of them took a decision to join the progressives to salvage the country. His defection to the APC was a bold step at rescuing Nigeria from the crutches of people who currently run the country; who have no will to rescue Nigeria from the myriad of problems confronting the country. These problems include insecurity, corruption, unemployment and power outage. This is the time when like-minded people should come together to rescue the country so that we can move forward. And I believe that Senator Bukola Saraki is leading that group of people to chart a new political course for this country.

    What is your advice to Kwara youths?

    The future belongs to the young people and, as long as they do not brace up for the challenge, things that are important will continue to elude them. There are opportunities for many young people in Nigeria. Dr Bukola Saraki was a governor as a youth and it is very clear that he has laid the foundation for greatness in Kwara. A generation of young people is running this country. We must get our young people prepared to take responsibilities because, if theydo not focus and channel their energies to constructive use, these opportunities will continue to elude them. I am a young man and I have come this far by dint of hard work and commitment and I believe we should harness the potentials of our youths and channel their energies to constructive use so that they can truly be the leaders of tomorrow.

     

     

     

  • ‘Ekiti APC ‘ll bounce back’

    ‘Ekiti APC ‘ll bounce back’

    Hon. Ranti Adebisi is the Chairman of the Ekiti State Local Government Service Commission. The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant in Ekiti North District spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU and  RAYMOND MORDI on his ambition, the transition in Ekiti and implications for the APC’s future.

    Why do you want to go to the Senate?

    Ekiti North Senatorial District comprises of 11 councils. It used to be five local governments, but with the creation of additional Local Council Development Areas, the number has increased to 11. Ekiti North Senatorial District also comprises of two federal constituencies-the Oye-Ikole Federal Constituency I and Moba-Ido/Osi-Ilejemeje Federal constituency II. Currently, the incumbent senator is from Ido/Osi Local Government and we have never had a senator from Ikole Local Government, which is where I come from. Ikole local Government is the largest the local governments in the senatorial district. The last senator from that area was in the 1950s, which was before I was born. Apart from the fact it is our turn to produce the next senator, I believe that I am a grassroots person and I have worked diligently well. I have been a progressive since I came into politics. I was once a governorship aspirant in the state; I contested for the governorship with the incumbent governor at the primary level.  The moment Dr. Kayode Fayemi was picked as the party’s candidate, other aspirants defected to other political parties. I was the only governorship aspirant that remained in the party, out of the 16 of us that contested.

    What  is the greatest problem facing the people of your constituency?

    It is lack of good representation. In spite of the various levels of representation, Tip O’Neill, former United States Speaker, said all politics are local. That is, you have to come down to the grassroots. What we have now, is what I would call an elitist representation that does not really work with the people. We have a senator in the Red Chamber that is very articulate, like an average Ekiti man. When you have a senator representing the people who only appears during the electioneering season, then, it is no longer representation.

    We are lacking a lot of federal presence in our senatorial district. I’m hoping that with my exposure, and with the level of interaction that I would be able to create at the national level, I would be able to bring federal presence.

    The result of the June 21 governorship election shocked many Nigerians. Are you not afraid of a bandwagon effect in next year’s elections?

    There is nothing like bandwagon effect in Ekiti right now. Yes, the result was very shocking, but I’m on ground. That is one of the reasons why we’re asking for a level-playing field for all aspirants to come out, if they are sure of themselves. For me, my popularity cuts across political parties. I’m a household name in Ekiti State. When it comes to what happened on June 21, many people are thinking it was against our party, the APC. But, it is not necessarily so. Governor Kayode Fayemi has performed creditably well, in terms of infrastructural development. We were hearing all these new coinages such as stomach infrastructure. It’s an insult to Ekiti people and those of us in the APC believe that we still have a firm grip of the political terrain in that state and we are not afraid of contesting. There is nothing like bandwagon effect in Ekiti politics. The politics in Ekiti now is the politics of personality. Ayodele Fayose won the election not because he belonged to the PDP. He supposedly won the election because he could identify with the grassroots. Many people have been questioning why our governor conceded the election. We are actually working on our party congress right now. You will be surprised to see the overwhelming enthusiasm from our members. You may be forced to ask, is this a party that just lost an election? But, I would tell you that we never believed we lost an election. We lost the election on technical grounds, which we are going to unravel in the next few weeks.

    How would APC members, including  those holding offices, work harmoniously with a governor who is from another party?

    We are all stakeholders in Ekiti project. Our political system is evolving. Gradually, we would start maturing in our democratic process. For instance, the office that I hold presently, the chairman, Ekiti Local Government Service Commission, has tenure. That means I’m not going with the governor on October 16. Don’t forget, we have a majority in the House of Assembly, which has 25 APC members to one PDP member. So, it might be an opportunity for us to test the constitution. For those of us in the various commissions in Ekiti State, whose tenure has not expired, I believe we can work with the incoming administration because what matters is Ekiti; we are all stakeholders. We would have to work with each other, whether we like it or not.

    What is the assurance that some members of the House of Assembly would not defect to the PDP?

    Well, I will give them the benefit of doubt. It is true, even when there is no crisis; people are defecting on daily basis in Nigeria. It is part of the teething problems we are having in our democratic process. Gradually, things would start changing, but the various parties in the country need to start working on ideological principles. That way, we would begin to see the difference between the APC and the PDP, and the progressives and the conservatives. The way things are now, you will see many progressives in the PDP and many conservative elements in the APC. Very soon, water would find its level.

    What have you done to deserve the position of a senator?

    Well, in my senatorial district, even beyond my senatorial district, I have done so much, working with the grassroots, helping the jobless people and assisting those people who have problem paying their tuition fees. I’m a software engineer by profession. I have trained many people in the areas of developing software programmes. With my performance in the local government system, I have made a mark. When I came on board, the whole system was in shambles. My workers see me as the man who has come to revive the system. I pride myself as the only chairman since the creation of Ekiti State that has always been in his office every day. Most of the previous chairmen were coming on part-time basis, even though they were full-time chairmen. Within 15 months, I have been able to clear the backlog of promotion arrears for 10 years. I conducted promotion examinations that people refused to participate in before I came in. Now, when I call for promotion examinations, my workers are happy. Do you know what I did to accomplish that? Before I set the promotion examination, I usually give them what I would call a seminar, prepare materials for them. The essence of the examination is not to fail them. It is test their ability to understand what is going on, the changes that are taking place within the system. Today, we have conducted more than three promotion exams within a span of 15 months, to clear the backlog. You know, Ekiti is a civil service state. We have also been able to clear the backlog of people waiting for advancement; you know when go for further studies, they expect to be elevated after their studies. We had serious crisis with the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE), but today we have cordial relationship with them because of my intervention. Even with the meagre resources available to us, I introduced in-house trainings; on a monthly basis, we conduct two trainings. We have sent some of them on overseas training, which is something that has not happened before. So, we have built the confidence of the workers; people now come to work. We have eradicated ghost workers in the local government system in the state. Currently, what we are working on after the creation of the new LCDAs is the deployment of staff. Within two/three weeks of their creation, we have been able to deploy staff to the new councils. This is because we want it to stay because it is the yearnings and aspirations of Ekiti people. We have equally reached out to the communities, to make sure that these councils survive because the local government system is the closest to the people. We have made sure that the communities have taken ownership of these councils, by donating buildings, materials and money, so that they can augment whatever resources the government has for the take-off of these councils. These are some of the things that I have been able to do that has given me the confidence that I can give a good representation to my people and my party at the national level.

  • 2015: Power shift agitations divide Delta PDP

    There is division in the Delta State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the agitation for power shift to the North Senatorial District. An ethnic group, Urhobo, is spearheading the clamour for zoning. But, other ethnic groups are agitating for primaries for governorship aspirants from the three districts. Correspondent POLYCARP OROSEVWOTU writes on the clash of interests. 

    The agitation for power shift to the Delta North Senatorial District started in 2011, shortly after Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan begun his second term in office. In the last three and half years, politicians from the zone have intensified the campaign for zone, based on the principles of equity, fairness and justice.

    However, other zones have been indifferent to the agitations. Stakeholders from Central and South districts are of the view that the North is a permanent beneficiary of the creation of the state because it hosts the state capital. Besides, they point out that many Deltas from the North had benefitted from major appointments at state and federal levels.

    The three districts are mounting pressures on the governor, but for different reasons. Urhobos from the North have urged him to support the agitation for power shift. But, the other zones are insisting on an-all inclusive approach, saying that aspirants from the three zones should compete for the slot at the primaries. Uduaghan is said to be reflecting and brainstorming on these antagonistic demands by the different ethnic groups.

    Few months ago, there were speculations that the governor was projecting some aspirants as his likely successor. But, a source said, they were dropped, following objections by some influential leaders. Aspirants from the zone include former Secretary to Government Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, Victor Ochei and Chief Tony Obuh.

    Following his declaration of interest, eyes have been on Obuh, the retired Permanent Secretary. His campaign train has rolled into the three districts.  Prominent associates of the governor, including the Speaker of House of Assembly, Chief Ovuozorie Macaulay, Chief Ayiri Emami, the Majority Leader, Hon. Monday Igbuya, Majority leader, and Jaro Egbo, have been selling him to party chieftains.

    Recently, the Ijaw national Leader, Senator Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, also sent a strong message to the governor. He Uduaghan cannot single handedly shape the succession process. When he hosted some aspirants in Kiagbodo, Burutu local government area, he said the next governor will be the product of all stakeholders.

    However, events since then have taken a new dimension. At Uvwie, the home of the PDP chieftain, Hon. Henry Baro, Chief Imami disclosed that the Obuh is the choice of the governor. The legislator from Sapele Constituency, Hon. Monday Igbuya, and many chieftains were present there.

    Many PDP leaders were taken aback by the disclosure, which has not been confirmed or denied by the governor. To them, Uduaghan has started to project a puppet or a stooge as his successor, without consultations with the leaders of diverse ethnic nationalities. They also frowned at the attempt to establish the Ibori/Uduaghan dynasty, warning that the implication is that only few leaders would be foisting their agenda on the state.

    Sources said that the governor may have settled for Obuh, following a sober reflection. “He is interested in continuity of his people-oriented programmes and policies. He believes in the competence of Obuh. But, it cannot be said that he has totally made up his mind. I don’t think he can anoint a successor without carrying the leaders along,” he added.

    Since the Third Republic, elections in Delta State have been a fierce battle. Before Chief Felix Ibru, Chief James Ibori and Uduaghan could breast the tape, there were titanic struggles. Also, the slot had always been competed for by the three zones, with the ruling parties providing a level playing field for aspirants.

    In the Third Republic, under the proscribed Social Democratic Party (SDP), Ibru from the Central and Chief Austin Egbo from the North contested at the primaries. There was no agitation for zoning. Also, Ibori contested in 1999, Chief Obielu from the North and Dr Mike Chigue from Delta South equally contested with him. In 2011, Uduaghan from the  South, Okowa from the North, Omo-Agege of the Central and others contested with him.

    According to politicians from the South and Central, zoning has never shaped the selection process in the PDP, adding that it has always been a battle for the survival of the fittest. But,the Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) disagreed with stakeholders from the two zones.

    Politicians from the North and Central have maintained that the North, particularly Anioma, is not marginalised. Apart from hosting the state capital, the North has produced big wigs who are beneficiary of major appointments. They include Ambassador Joy Ogwu, the Nigeria Ambassador to the United Nations, Prof. Sylvester Monye, the Special Adviser to Mr. President on Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation, Mrs. Ngozi Olejeme, the National Social Insurance Trust Fund Chairman, and Mr. Peter Idabor, the Director-General of the National Oil Spill, Detection and Response Agency.

    Others are Prof. Epiphany Azinge, Director-General of the Institute of Advanced Legal Studies, Dr. Cairo Ojuogbo, Chairman, Export and Processing Zone, Calabar, Dr. Eugine Juwah, Executive Vice Chairman/CEO Nigeria Communication Commission, Dr. (Mrs.) Esther Uduahi, Chairman of the Board of National Commission for Mass Literacy, Adult and Non-Formal Education, Engr. Gabriel Amuchi, Managing Director of the Federal Roads Maintainers Agency (FERMA), Mrs. Mariam Ali, Special Assistant to the President on Inter-Government Relation, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Dr. (Mrs.)  Ngozi Okonjo Iwela, the Minister of Finance and Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy.

    However, UPU said argued that the North deserved the slot as compensation for its bloc vote for President Goodluck Jonathan. In 2011, the president garnered over 800,000 votes from the area.

    Besides, the group pointed out that the Urhobo from the North have not produced the governor since 1999. Ibori is from the Central and Uduaghan is from the South.

    According to observers, if the North succeeds in its agitation for power shift, it may not be able to prevent the imposition of the candidate for next year’s election. The endorsement of Obuh may not go down well with other aspirants, including Okowa, Ochei, Dr. Festus Okubor, Prof Sylvester Monye, Hon. Elumelu, Chief Ubielum, and Chief Peter Okocha.

    A source said that these aggrieved aspirants are not indifferent to the power of the governor to install a successor. But, they may gang up against him at the primaries and attempt to frustrate his ambition. For example, Okowa believes that he should be the next candidate because he was prevailed upon by Ibori to step down for Uduaghan in 2007.

    At the weekend, some party chieftains warned against imposition, adding that it may create a crack on the wall. “We now have an opposition party in Delta State and, if we don’t handle our primaries well, the APC is there. We should put our house in order.”

    Another chieftain said: “There is agitation for zoning. There is also another agitation against zoning. The PDP has structures. We have elders. We have a national leadership. Already, it can be said that crisis is brewing. But, the there will be a solution, if we are ready to embrace truth, fair play, reconciliation and justice. Times are changing and we should be sensitive.

  • ‘No zoning in Rivers Pdp’

    Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Chief Ferdinand Alabraba has declared that the governorship ticket will not be zoned to any senatorial district or ethnic group.

    Alabraba said the “no-zoning principle” is consistent with the position of the state executive committee of the party. Members of the committee include the chairmen of the 23 local government chapters, lawmakers, and other leaders.

    Alabraba said, based on this position, the slot would not be zoned to  any ethnic nationality, local council and district.

    Alabraba, who spoke in Port Harcourt, the state capital, added:  said: “It is not in the best interest of our party to zone or limit the selection of a governorship candidate to any zone, district or ethnic nationality. We must ensure that the party gives aspirants a level playing field.

    “The prevailing circumstance demands that the party should put its best candidate forward and the only democratic avenue that is available to the PDP is to conduct primaries for aspirants.”

    The PDP chieftain acknowledged the existence of an unwritten riverine/upland arrangement, which gives the ethnic groups opportunities for representations in elective offices. But, he insisted that the arrangement will deprive the PDP the chance of beating the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.

    He said that the PDP is in a trying time, adding that members neveranticipated the defection of Governor Rotimi Amaechi from the party.

     

    Alabraba praisedhe Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, for leading the party, following the exit of the governor.

    He said Amaechi, his aides, pro-government contractors and friends were the PDP financial war chest before the defection.

    Alabraba said: “Without Wike, the PDP would have become extinct in Rivers State. Governor Amaechi took the structure of the PDP with him to the APC. When it happened,  PDP members were dejected, but they did nothing, until Wike rose up to the challenge.

    “How can you run on the platform of a party without contributing to the growth and development of the party? They forget that we are in party politics. For anyone to run on the platform of the party, he or she has to identify with the party. How can they achieve their ambition, if they do not identify with the party?

    “My advice to them is to come close to the party, identify with the part, contribute to the party, and mobilise support for the party so that the party can be stronger to enable them actualise their ambitions. They should also support the leadership of the party as it is today. Clearly, Wike has demonstrated unparalleled leadership that has taken the PDP to where it is today in Rivers State”.

    Alabraba said next year’s elections will not be violent, contrary to fears in

  • APC: Jonathan playing politics with Chibok girls

    APC: Jonathan playing politics with Chibok girls

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Federal Government of seeking to negotiate the timing of the release of the Chibok girls to create a public relations boost, rather than out of a genuine concern for the girls. They are in their sixth months in captivity.

    In a statement yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the clearest evidence of the government’s manipulation of the girls’ release came during President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to New York to attend the UN General Assembly.

    “Apparently assured, somehow that the girls were about to be released, the administration set up an elaborate publicity event in New York, rented the necessary crowd and booked back-to-back interviews with the international media to enable the President luxuriate in the girls’ release. This event was billed for the five-star Pierre Hotel in Manhattan, close to the UN headquarters.

    “Nigerians will remember that on September 23, the military announced, on Twitter, the imminent release of the girls, only to retract the statement shortly after. In the intervening period, thousands of ‘supporters’ of the President gathered at the Pierre Hotel to welcome the President after the release of the girls, while media interviews were booked for him.

    “Such an occasion required prior organisation and knowledge by the government and attendees of the timing of any release of the girls. This whole episode was timed to also coincide with President Jonathan’s speech to the UN General Assembly the next day – September 24th – and to secure maximum advantage for the government. Somehow, the whole process collapsed like a pack of cards, to the chagrin of those seeking to exploit the innocent girls for political advantage,” it said.

    The APC condemned the politicisation of the plight of the Chibok girls, saying since the incompetence of the Jonathan administration led to the abduction of the girls in the first instance, it must not seek to make political capital out of their release.

    “What should be paramount is securing the release of the girls as soon as possible, not securing their release to fit with a schedule that benefits President Jonathan politically. For the girls, their parents and indeed all Nigerians, this abduction saga has been a nightmare. It is time for it to end,” the party said.

    It said the same Jonathan administration that rebuffed appeals from well-meaning Nigerians to negotiate the release of the girls in their early days in captivity, had suddenly swung into “feverish action”, sending its cronies to negotiate with the abductors and even expressing the readiness to swap the Boko Haram commanders for the girls.

    “We believe the government should do whatever it takes to secure the release of the girls. We believe nothing is too much to do to get the girls back home safely and bring relief to their parents and families. But we suspect government’s sudden effort, which is aimed at giving a boost to President Jonathan’s candidacy for next year’s presidential election.

    “This is most unconscionable, most exploitative and blatantly shameless. It confirms what we have been saying all along that the Jonathan administration knows more about the Boko Haram insurgency than it has admitted, and that the administration is exploiting the insurgency for the President’s re-election. Decent Nigerians are scandalised at this exploitative and deceitful behaviour of their government, and it must stop forthwith,” APC said.

  • ‘APC not a threat to PDP in Rivers’

    ‘APC not a threat to PDP in Rivers’

    The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State, Chief Felix Obuah , spoke with BISI OLANIYI in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid, the agitation for power shift, zoning and preparations for next year’s elections. 

    How can crisis be averted in Rivers State in next year’s elections?

    Some people are trying to heat up the polity. The major stakeholders in the game should play by the rules of the game. Rivers used to be a one party state, but Governor Amaechi decided to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), based on his personal reasons.

    During the 2015 elections, there will be opposition in Rivers State, unlike it used to be, but 2015 will come and go. With God on our side, it will not degenerate to what we cannot handle. Although, a lot of problems are associated with pollicking, what matters most is for the stakeholders to play it according to the rules of the game. The security agencies are equal to the task.

    The right leaders will emerge in 2015, because we always believe in the God factor. It is not about how high you are, the money you have or your influence. There is no power that will be, except ordained by God. So, let us not overheat the polity, because of our personal interests. God makes leaders. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan never knew he would be the President of Nigeria. He showed interest in becoming the Governor of Bayelsa State, but he became the Vice-President and later President.

    President Jonathan has surpassed all the records of Nigeria’s past presidents and Heads of State. Imagine Dr. Jonathan, an Ijaw from Bayelsa State, a minority part of the country, now the President of Nigeria. That alone is a confirmation that only God can give power. We should not be killing ourselves or carrying guns, just because we want our brothers, friends or kinsmen to emerge as candidates of the political parties or winners of elections. We should always remember the God factor. God makes leaders.

    The feeling is that President Jonathan has not performed/ Why are you suporting him?

    President Jonathan has performed very well. He is the best so far. I am supporting him wholeheartedly. Not only me, all the members of the Rivers state PDP will wholeheartedly support the re-election of President Jonathan, without dropping a vote.

    Can the PDP beat the APC in next year’s polls?

    The APC is not a threat, any day, any time and can never be. With the defection of Amaechi, how many persons have followed him to the APC, besides the people he is sharing our resources with? The local government caretaker committee chairmen and members; his House of Assembly members and his commissioners moved with him to the APC. Amaechi is almost rounding off his tenure, but no development in all the 23 LGAs of Rivers state.

    I am from Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LGA of Rivers state, very rich in crude oil and gas, but what has Amaechi done in my LGA? He will always talk about health centres and model primary schools, but forgetting that my LGA produces the resources that sustain Rivers state and Nigeria.

    Amaechi has not done well. He may be claiming to have done well in mono-rail, which is laughable. I used to like Amaechi as a brother and namesake (Amaechi). In his first tenure, when he was in the PDP, he was doing well, but his attention is now on his personal interest. Amaechi is not up to 50 years and I am moving close to 60 years. I am Amaechi’s senior in age, but I still see him as my friend.

    I am ready to welcome Amaechi back to the PDP and there will be a level playing field for everybody. Amaechi will be forgiven, upon his return to the PDP. He must realise his mistakes, plead and come back to the PDP. His reasons for defecting to the APC are uncalled for. He left the PDP that is doing very well, to support the unknown the APC.

    Some of Amaechi’s friends, who left the PDP, have been given waivers and they are back to the PDP. I can also plead on behalf of Amaechi with the leadership of the PDP to also grant him waiver, if he repents and apologises. Amaechi is a young man and he still has hope for tomorrow.

    I have always placed emphasis on peace. I have been inviting Amaechi for peace meeting, as his elder brother, but he is claiming that I have been insulting him with the invitations. What is wrong in inviting my younger brother to a meeting to ensure peace, no matter his position? I am a man of peace.

    Amaechi remains my friend, but the truth must be said. As the governor of Rivers state, I will continue to give Amaechi all the respect, but that does not stop us from telling Amaechi where he is not doing well. Words of elders are words of wisdom. Amaechi should listen to us, as elders. PDP’s candidates will win the Rivers governorship and the presidential elections in 2015.

    Why is the PDP threatening to sanction former Minister of Culture and Tourism Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas for allegedly fraternising with Governor Amaechi over the proposed power shift to the riverrine area?

    Unlike what was the situation in the PDP, when Amaechi and Godspower Ake (ex-Rivers Chairman of the PDP, whom Obuah succeeded) were in charge and were imposing candidates and not allowing the people’s choices to prevail. That is not democracy. This time, the delegates will elect the candidates of the party, without imposition. No matter how highly placed the person is, we will not allow him/her to impose candidates on the party. We should allow the delegates and the electorate to elect their leaders.

    A particular person, because of his closeness to Governor Amaechi, cannot on behalf of the party, meet with the so-called governorship aspirants, without due regard to the party’s hierarchy in the state. After meeting with and fraternising with Amaechi, in the name of stakeholders, he will then come back and call PDP stakeholders to a meeting. We are just trying to caution that if he does not play to the rules of the game, he should not blame the party’s hierarchy for taking drastic actions against him, based on the party’s rules and regulations.

    How can the division in the PDP over zoning be resolved?

    There is no division in the PDP in Rivers State. In the PDP, we have guidelines. The PDP is going to present the best candidates for the elections. PDP is going to allow the people to choose their leaders. The zoning they are talking about is a gentleman’s agreement, but not in the constitutions of the PDP and Nigeria.

    Some selfish politicians are trying to create problems, but we will not allow them to dictate to the party. If the United States of America zoned its Presidency, maybe Barack Obama would not have been the President today. Not considering where Obama came from, he was elected the President of the USA twice and he is doing very well.

    We want the best persons to be the candidates of the PDP in Rivers state, during the 2015 elections. If the best governorship candidate is from Kalabari, Ogoni or Omoku (his hometown), we will support the person. Omoku people are also entitled to be governor, because we are feeding this nation, through the abundant crude oil and gas.

    An Omoku person has not been Rivers governor. What stopped the PDP in Rivers State from zoning the governorship to Omoku? In view of my leadership style and belief in internal democracy, I want the best hand to lead. The best candidates with the best credentials will be featured by the PDP in Rivers State during the 2015 elections.

    The Minister of State for Education fought for you to become the chairman. He is a governorship aspirant. Won’t you support his ambition?

    I have no choice candidate. I will allow the people’s verdict. If I wanted to capitalise on my relationship with Wike, I could have acted like Amaechi and Godspower Ake and imposed Wike on the people, but I am insisting that the best governorship candidate should be elected by the PDP’s delegates, no matter where he/she hails from, as long as the person is an indigene of Rivers state.

    Wike is the leader of the PDP in Rivers state. When Amaechi left the PDP, vacuum would not be allowed and a senior official in government, Wike, was chosen. Barr. Wike is doing so well. Rivers people, especially PDP members, have been calling on Wike to vie as governor in 2015. If he chooses to run and the people vote for him, what stops him? He has handled positions of trust and he has done very well. I am the father of all the aspirants. They are all my children. My role is to ensure a level playing field.

    Who is the PDP leader in Rivers? Dr. Peter Odili or Wike?

    Dr. Peter Odili is our father and leader of the PDP, the APC and other political parties, as well as non-politicians in Rivers State. Dr. Odili is also the leader of Amaechi and he (Odili) is the political leader of Rivers State and the Southsouth zone. In the PDP in Rivers state, our leader is Chief  Nyesom Wike.

    Have you and other leaders of the PDP been fair to Amaechi?

    Amaechi wanted to play smart, by denying me, the rightful leader that won the PDP primaries, of victory. He knows that I am an upright and transparent man, who will never give to cheating. Amaechi knows that as chairman of the party in Rivers state, I will not allow his imposition of candidates to prevail.

    In the 23 LGAs of Rivers state, there is no development, because Amaechi imposed all the chairmen, who will be loyal to him. The people are crying. I was a chairman of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni LG council of the state and I put in my best. The records are still there.

    When Amaechi denied me the chairmanship of the PDP in Rivers state and imposed Godspower Ake, I went to court and God restored my stolen mandate. Many politicians, who left the PDP, because of Amaechi’s highhandedness and dictatorial tendencies, are now back to the party, with my emergence as chairman.