The Nation Newspaper

Tag: APC

  • Remember us at Offin Ile

    Remember us at Offin Ile

    GOVERNOR Babatunde Raji Fashola of Lagos State is a great man. He has done a lot to transform the state. We shall never forget him.

    His party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and its National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, have also done much for Lagos and Nigeria. We shall always remember the good deeds of this former Governor of Lagos State.

    But I want to draw the attention of the governor to Offin Ile. We lack amenties in this locality. We don’t have good roads, electricity and secondary schools.

    We need these urgently, and we are sure our good governor will provide them.

    Ifedayo CDA,

    Offin Ile,

    Lagos State.ac

  • Fayose: probe APC’s claim on my office

    Fayose: probe APC’s claim on my office

    The Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation (AFCO) has urged security agencies in Ekiti State to investigate the claim by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Mr Ayo Fayose, planned to burn his campaign office.

    The Director-General of AFCO, Chief Dipo Anisulowo, in a statement yesterday, said: “APC members are noted for accusing other people of planning to do what they are plotting to do.

    “For Governor Kayode Fayemi and his APC people to have made such an allegation, it means that they have facts and they must be made to come and substantiate it.

    “The police and other security agencies in the state must, therefore, investigate the allegation because it is obvious that the allegation is just a diversionary tactic.”

     

  • APC urges Ekiti people to shun agents of violence

    APC urges Ekiti people to shun agents of violence

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged Ekiti people to shun agents of violence.

    The party said: “We call on all well-meaning Ekiti indigenes and Nigerians to prevail on these harbingers of retrogression to desist from their evil ways as the collective interests and well-being of Ekiti is greater than all.”

    The party added that “the APC-led government under Governor Kayode Fayemi is peace-loving and this explains why the state has been peaceful in the last three and a half years”.

    The party’s plea was a result of what it called plots by the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayo Fayose, and Labour Party (LP), Opeyemi Bamidele, to sponsor acts of violence.

    The APC said Fayose planned to burn his campaign office at Adebayo Road, Ado-Ekiti, the state capital and blame it on the ruling party.

    The party’s statement reads: “We gathered from reliable sources that Mr. Ayodele Fayose, who is known for such stunts in the past, will any moment from now set his campaign office on fire and rush to the press to blame it on APC.

    “Few weeks ago, he planned with his thugs to be shot so as to gain sympathy of the electorate and this explains why he started wearing bullet-proof jacket to his campaign rallies. He only dropped the idea when he realised it has leaked. He would have blamed the premeditated shooting on the APC and Dr. Kayode Fayemi.”

    It urged Fayose to tell the Ekiti electorate what he wants to do better than Fayemi rather than playing pranks.

    The party also said: “We have also gathered that the Labour Party has opened a camp ground for its thugs in Ondo State who are to be ferried to Ekiti State in the last week to the gubernatorial election.”

  • Who succeeds Fashola?

    Who succeeds Fashola?

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola will bow out of office next year after completing his two terms of eight years. The succession battle is gaining momentum. Governorship aspirants on the platforms of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) have begun consultations. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the issues that will shape the election in the Centre of Excellence.

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) will complete his second term in office next year. Ahead of the next governorship election, the two major political parties-the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-have returned to the drawing board. Eyes are on the parties as they prepare for the primaries. More importantly, Lagosians will also beam a searchlight on the aspirants gearing up to succeed the governor.

    By 2015, the progressive bloc will have dominated power in the Centre of Excellence for 16 years. As the APC seeks the renewal of the mandate, the achievements of former Governor Bola Tinubu and his successor, Fashola, would be the party’s armour. While the PDP and the LP would be soliciting for votes, based on their promises to Lagosians, the APC, now a tested party, will request for a fresh mandate by tendering the feats of the two governors and making new promises.

    In the APC, there is no shortage of competent politicians and technocrats to take over from Fashola. The aspirants include Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Hon. Yemi Ikuforiji, Dr. Leke Pitan, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and Mr. Gbolahan Lawal.

    Others are Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Mr. Ayo Gbeleyi, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and Mr. Akinwumi Ambode. Of the 10 contenders, nine are disciples of the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinibu, and beneficiaries of his political philanthropy.

    PDP aspirants include Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State for Defence, former Health Commissioner Dr. Segun Ogundimu, and Chief Tunde Daramola.

    Party sources said that the camp of the party leader, Commodore Olabode George (rtd), may sponsor a candidate who will slug it out with these aspirants at the primaries.

    In the LP, Lagos politician Mr. Jimi Agbaje may be the candidate, if he does not defect to the PDP. Other smaller parties may field candidates for the poll. But, their impact will not be felt.

    The task before the APC is raising another competent politician and astute administrator as Fashola. Tinubu and Fashola have set enviable standards and, for Lagosians to vote for continuity, the flag bearer must have a track record of performance, integrity and honour. Since Lagos State was created in 1967, Lagosians have participated in seven governorship elections – 1979, 1983, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011. In those polls, except that of 1991, Lagosians voted along similar and predictable lines. The 1991 exception was due to the inability of the progressives in the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) to put their house in order.

    Many issues will shape the contest. The first is the incumbency factor. The size and strength of the parties and their perception by the people will also play a role. The APC controls the House of Assembly, which is made up of 40 members, and 57 local councils. The three senators and 24 members of the House of Representatives belong to the ruling party. But, next year, there will be a clash of incumbency power and federal might, which the PDP usually relies upon in the Southwest.

    In 2015, indigeneship will not be a factor in the megacity, unlike 2007. But, religion and zoning may be weak factors. In the last one year, some Christian leaders have been calling for a Christian governor, although they acknowledge that the two Muslim governors — Tinubu and Fashola — whose wives are committed Christians, have never marginalised any religious sect in governance. There is no evidence that the Christian leaders agitating for a Christian governor enjoy the active support of their congregations, whose main spiritual motive is the kingdom of God and not any political kingdom on earth.

    Reflecting on the agitation, APC chieftain Oludare Raji, a House of Representatives aspirant in Osodi/Isolo Constituency, said: “It is a non-issue. Christians and Muslims in Lagos State have co-existed harmoniously without friction. We have had more Muslim governors than Christian governors, but it is mere coincidence. In the Southwest, religion has never shaped our politics.”

    Raji, the former Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), said that Lagosians looked forward to a successor who will sustain the tempo of performance, and not a governor thrown up by a religious sect. “Lagos is home to many Nigerians. They come here and they don’t return. There is population explosion. Many youths are looking for jobs in Lagos and there is pressure on social amenities, schools, water, and roads. There is the security challenge. Lagos needs a governor who will be a problem solver and not a religious irredentist or bigot,” he added.

    During electioneering, the lessons of the mystery of Lagos politics is always lost on the aspirants. Historically, it is difficult to predict that a particular aspirant will emerge as the flag bearer of any political party. Lagos State is dynamic. Therefore, the contest is always unpredictable. The history of governorship contest in Lagos is replete with the emergence of candidates who were never in reckoning before the polls.

    In 1979, Alhaji Lateef Jakande became the candidate of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). The ambition of other aspirants, including Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, who later became the National Chairman of the defunct Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), the late Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu and the late Chief Akanbi Onitiri, crumbled. Onitiri was a favoured for the job. But, he was lured into the NPP by people who promised to make him the presidential candidate, after convincing him that Zik would not run. He later died in an auto crash.

    In the Third Republic, Chief Dapo Sarumi and the late Prof. Femi Agbalajobi struggled for the ticket. They were banned by the military government. In the subsequent shadow contest between Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, the candidate of the Jakande Group, and Yomi Edu, who was backed by the Primose, Edu won. But, he lost to the less popular National Republican Convention (NRC) candidate, Sir Michael Otedola, at the election.

    In 1999, Tinubu was warming up for the Senate. But, he was advised to vie for the governorship by the Afenifere leaders — to the consternation of the late Dawodu, who favoured the late Mr. Funso Williams for the slot. If Dawodu, fondly referred to as the god of Lagos, had signified his intention to run, he would have emerged as the candidate. Tinubu became the candidate. During the election, he defeated the PDP candidate, Dapo Sarumi.

    In 2007, the AC had 14 aspirants, including Agbaje, Ogunleye, Solomon, Oyinlomo Danmole, Tola Kasali, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Femi Pedro, Tunde Fanimokun, Bayo Ajisebutu, Kaoli Olusanya, Omotilewa Aro-Lambo, Remi Adikwu-Bakare, and Fashola. At the primaries, the former Chief of Staff secured the ticket.

    In 2011, Fashola was retained as the candidate of the ACN. He beat the PDP candidate, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, who was principally sponsored by George. That year, the LP was briefly promoted by some aggrieved ACN leaders loyal to Fashola. The rebellion was short-lived. Since then, the party has remained on the waiting list as a borrowed platform.

    For the APC, the slogan is continuity. In fact, it has kicked off preparations for the next election with the successful conduct of its state congress last weekend. The Chairman, Chief Oladele Ajomale, said that his priority is to mobilise Lagosians to endorse his party’s candidate at the poll. Many defectors from the PDP, including Dr. Yomi Finnih and Dr. Aganga Williams, witnessed the congress.

    From 1999 to 2011, the selection process in the progressive camp followed a similar pattern. However, times are changing. Certain forces are emerging to press for internal democracy. It is indisputable that the culture of imposition is being resisted. The advocates of guided primaries are being challenged. This is a major challenge. However, when the party opted for direct primaries at its inaugural ward congress in Lagos, it was chaotic. Party leaders immediately retraced their steps. In subsequent local government and state congresses, consensus was adopted and there was peace.

    Another issue that may shape the contest is zoning. But, there are puzzles: Should zoning be based on the five divisions of Lagos, Ikeja, Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu? Should it be based on the three senatorial districts? Analysts have questioned the merit of the rotational formula in a state where people of all tribes cohabit peacefully. Those canvassing zoning based on the three senatorial districts lack convincing argument to support it. The critics of the idea point out that many residents and indigenes of the West District have enjoyed political opportunities in the Central and East districts and vice versa.

    The first civilian governor, Jakande, son of the Oluwo of Lagos, is from the Central District, although he lives in Ilupeju, West District. His grandfather was from Omu-Aran, Kwara State. His deputy, Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo, hails from Ile-Ife. The second elected governor, Otedola, hails from Epe, East District. The third, Tinubu is from the Central District. But, he represented the West in the Senate in the Third Republic. The fourth, Fashola, is from the Central. In 2007, Ikorodu elders, led by an eminent lawyer, Babatunde Benson (SAN), pressed for power shift to Ikorodu, East District, claiming that, out of the five divisions, only Ikorodu and Badagry have not produced the governor. It was a legitimate crusade.

    However, zoning can be manipulated, undermined and subverted, if it is projected as a strong factor. In 2003, Afikuyomi, a senator from Lagos Central, emerged as the AD senatorial candidate for Lagos West. In 2007, Solomon from Mushin, Lagos West, claimed that he hailed from Ipakodo, Ikorodu, to benefit from the agitation for power shift. His paternal grandparents had their roots there. In 2011, Ikuforiji from Epe, Lagos East, won election into the House of Assembly in Ikeja Constituency, Lagos West District.

    Perhaps, the strongest factor is mutual agreement among the party leaders. A party chieftain said that some forces in the ruling party are canvassing the doctrine of mutual consent by the controlling leadership. “The party expects brainstorming session involving Tinubu, Fashola, Ajomale and his executive committee, party elders, and members of the Gubernatorial Advisory Council. These eminent leaders will vet the aspirants, moderate the selection process and ensure that the right candidate emerges,” he added.

     

    The aspirants

    Despite the feeling that the APC has zoned the ticket to the Lagos East, aspirants are coming from the three zones as a matter of fundamental right. It is not clear whether the proposed guidelines for the primaries would translate the imaginary zoning into reality.

     

    Solomon

     

    The only party chieftain who has publicly declared his interest is Solomon. He is son of the eminent politician, the late Chief R.B. Solomon, a Second Republic leader of the UPN and an ally of Jakande. The senator is a former Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area and member of the House of Representatives. Solomon is very popular. He is a crowd puller in Mushin and Lagos West. He became a senator in 2007 when Tinubu declined to contest for the Senate. He was re-elected as senator in 2011. Two days ago, Solomon set up his campaign office at Ikeja. The event was witnessed by his supporters.

    Pitan

     

    He is a successful medical doctor from Agbowa, Epe Division. He served as Commissioner for Health and Education for eight years in Tinubu Administration. A disciple of the party leader, the easy-going politician contributed to the success of the Tinubu Administration. He is also popular at home. Many youths see him as a role model, mentor and father figure. He is intelligent and hardworking.

     

    Ashafa

     

    Ashafa is a retired Permanent Secretary from Ibeju-Lekki. He became a senator in 2011. When he was the Permanent Secretary, Land Bureau, he did not abuse the privilege. He did not soil his hand. As a senator, he has set up some empowerment programmes for the benefit of his district.

     

    Ikuforiji

     

    A native of Epe, Ikuforiji is described as a loyal politician. He became a member of the House of Assembly in 2003. He was re-elected in 2007 and 2011. He is the longest serving Speaker of the House. He has had the privilege of representing two constituencies in two separate districts in the House of Assembly. Ikuforiji is answering charges of corruption in the court. His supporters allege that he was framed up because he has a governorship ambition.

     

    Ambode

     

    Ambode is a technocrat from Epe. At 21, he obtained a degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos, Akoka. At 24, he earned a Masters Degree and qualified as a chartered accountant. He has worked in over 15 councils as a treasurer before he was transferred to the state civil service. He was the Auditor-General for Local Governments. In 2012, the Fullbright scholar retired voluntarily as the Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, at 49. He was the first Permanent Secretary to have done so in the history of the Lagos civil service. When the Federal Government withheld allocations to Lagos councils, Ambode designed the blueprint for the financial survival of the councils. His colleagues in the civil service describe him as a man of character and competence.

     

    Cardoso

     

    Eyes are also on the brilliant technocrat and former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Yemi Cardoso. He is not a politician. When he was being considered for the post in 2007, it leaked out. The following day, he was surprised when party followers invaded his residence, hailing him as the governor. On the advice of his wife, he travelled abroad. Reflecting on that episode, a first class monarch in Lagos described him as a “run away governor.” Cardoso has never nursed any political ambition. But, some party leaders believe that he will make a good governor.

     

    Hamzat

     

    Hamzat is the Commissioner for Works. He is the son of the party leader, the Olu of Afowora, Ogun State, Oba Olatunji Hamzat. His father was a legislator and commissioner in the Second Republic. His mother is from Lagos State. Hamzat, who holds a doctorate degree, is an easy-going professional and good manager of men and resources. He is very close to Fashola, who has confidence in his ability.

     

    Banire

     

    Banire is the Interim APC Legal Adviser. He holds a doctorate degree in Law from the University of Lagos, where he was a teacher before he was appointed commissioner. He spent 12 years in the Lagos State Executive Council as Special Adviser, Commissioner for Transport and Commissioner for Environment. He is from Mushin, Lagos West.

     

    Dabiri-Erewa

     

    Dabiri-Erewa is a household name in Nigeria. She is a broadcaster. By next year, she would have spent 12 years in the House of Representatives. She was first elected to represent Ikorodu Constituency in 2003. She was re-elected in 2007 and 2011. In the Lower Chamber, Dabiri-Erewa is not a bench warmer. She is the Chairperson of the Diaspora Committee. She is very popular in her district and beyond. She may have been drafted into the race by the agitators for power shift in Ikorodu.

     

    Gbolahan

     

    Gbolahan is the Commissioner for Agriculture. He is a retired police officer. He was the chief security officer to Tinubu.

     

    Gbeleyi

     

    Gbeleyi is the Commissioner for Finance. He is an associate of the governor.

     

    Gbajabiamila

     

    Gbajabiamila is the Minority Leader in the House of Representatives. The lawyer is a firebrand legislator from Surulere Constituency. He is seen as intelligent, bold and courageous.

     

  • PDP ‘can’t win Bayelsa’

    PDP ‘can’t win Bayelsa’

    Bayelsa State All Progressives Congress (APC)  chieftain Comrade Timi Frank spoke with JOHN OFIKHENUA,  on the activities of the party in the oil-rich state and preparations for the national convention.

    Has APC found its feet in Bayelsa State?

    Well, all I can say is that the APC is very strong in Bayelsa because that is where I come from. That is where is former Governor Timipre Sylva also comes from. I think that, with the kind of foundation we are laying in Bayelsa, by the grace of God, come 2015, we have a better stand than ever in Bayelsa.

    How can you have a strong APC in Bayelsa where the incumbent, president comes from ?

    Whether the incumbent, president is from Bayelsa or not does not stop the electoral process. It does not stop the people at the grassroots to decide what they want. I can tell you that, with what on ground, it is not going to be easy for the PDP in the state to just rig the election. The truth is that, if it is going to be by one man, one vote, the president will lose in Bayelsa in 2015. I will tell you very clearly that there are more aggrieved people than Timi Frank in Bayelsa. There are so many people that are aggrieved in Bayelsa, but the problem is that it is not everyone of them that have the opportunity I have to air their view.

    It is not all of them that have the resources to come out and speak their minds. And it is not everybody that has the guts to come out and express himself. Some of them believe that they don’t need to shout and that they don’t need to talk, but on the day of election, the day that their votes will count, if truly that their votes will count, that is the day you will see their grievances. So, I have no fear that the president is from Bayelsa because his presidency has no impact in Bayelsa. The people of Bayelsa have not felt the dividends of the President. So, I can tell you clearly that, being the president today does not mean that he is going to win Bayelsa. It depends on what we are offering Bayelsa and it depends on what we are offering the people of Niger Delta that will determine the fate of the APC in Bayelsa or in the Niger Delta.

    What are the people’s expectations that President Jonathan has not met in Bayelsa?

    The people expected so much from him. They believe that the president of this country, being the son of Bayelsa and Niger Delta, they should have benefitted from his government in many ways or the other as it has happened in other areas where the people felt the impact of the president because he came from their state or zone. But, in this case, there is nothing to show that Bayelsa State has produced the president.

    Go to Bayelsa today. there is no federal presence in Bayelsa. I can tell you that every development that is going on in Bayelsa State is done by the state government. Anyone can prove me wrong by saying that the Federal Government has started or completed one project under Jonathan that will be given to the people of Bayelsa. So, what is the impact? Even, in my own Odi community in the Kolopokuma Local Government, we are all aware that there was a court judgment that was given that Federal Government should pay N37 billion to the Odi community. Under Jonathan Government as a Bayelsan, we expected that, since that judgement came; the Odi people did not beg him for money since a competent court of justice gave them a judgement, he should have obeyed and by now paid the compensation to the Odi people. But as we speak, the same Federal Government under Jonathan went to seek stay of execution on that same case. And the court still told the government to go ahead and pay the money. The same government again refused and went for an appeal. For God sake, how do you want an Odi man or woman to be happy with him because he is from Bayelsa .

    How did you conduct the APC congress in Bayelsa State ?

    Well, the congress in Bayelsa went very well. Bayelsa is one of the states where we sat down we choose to come together, we choose to follow the proper democratic process to elect ward and local government officers and so on. We did this in a very quiet manner without crisis. I can tell you clearly that what we did in Bayelsa is something you expect every zone to do. What are we even fighting for? It is in areas where you see interests and so on.

    But, I don’t need to fight to get structure with my former governor who is the leader of the party in the state or any other person who is also a leader of the party. I don’t even need to fight with anybody and I think by the grace of God, what I am looking for is different from what my former governor is looking for.

    It is also different from what the some other person is looking for. Today, I am working to become the national youth leader of the APC. That is my problem. So, that is all I am concentrating on right now. I am making a lot of consultations to see how the party can zone the national youth leadership to the Southsouth to enable me run as the national youth leader of the party.

     

    Based on this reason I believe I cannot have clash of interest with anyone. I think Bayelsa has done well for this congresses and that by the grace God, we are expecting to do the state congress this Saturday. I think we are going to follow the same process we did the ward and local government congresses.

    Do you think you merit the position of the national youth leader of the APC ?

    I can tell you clearly today that my antecedents, my programmes will sell me to all delegates all members of APC to vote for the national youth leader. My advice to my party the APC, I think I am the best person that can be the national youth leader of the party because of my fearless nature. I have done so much to promote APC. I have done so much to promote the Nigerian youth. I have done so much to fight against impunity in this country. I have done so much to fight against corruption in this country. Indeed, I have contributed much to merit the position . Today, to sell the party, you need a strong and fearless national youth leader because the future of this country is in the hands of the youths. You don’t need a man of forty years to be the national youth leader. As at today, I am 34 and I am still young and vibrant. I have done so much and till tomorrow, will still do more. Without fear or favour, what APC needs today is to have a vibrant national youth leader that can confront the government of today because I will tell you that 2015 is going to be a battle that Nigerians must fight to ensure that there is a change . And it takes the youth and not the elders for that to happen.

    The elders will only be there to encourage us. In fact, we need a national youth leader that can be in the forefront and say no to impunity, rigging and injustice. And if we don’t have a youth leader that can do that, then we are in trouble. I think that being a son of the Niger Delta, it will be very wise for my party to bring the position to the South – South. Today, the national youth leader of the PDP is from the north.

    So, we should be able to bring ours from the south. There should be a balance. As at today, the national interim youth leader of the APC is also from the north. That of the PDP is also from the north. Both of them are even from the same Niger state. And that is not democratic enough therefore, I think that the party should do something different to take it to the South South to enable me to come and deliver my good will and my best to Nigeria. I bet you that if I become the national youth leader, I will do everything to protect the right of APC youth and that of the entire Nigerians.

    You can see that the present government does not value the youth. You can see them being killed like chickens on daily basis. For example, look at the school children that are being adopted. Also, look at the youths who died during the Immigration recruitment.   I am even disappointed that even till date we have not been able to do what is right. These are the types of issues that I will fight. We must not be scared of anything. We will do everything lawful to protect the right of the youth.

    What will you do to develop the youth should you become the national youth leader?

    I have so much to do to develop the youth. I have my strategies. Before today I have been doing so much and if I am the national youth leader, I am not only going to be the national youth leader of APC but that of Nigeria to reform most of the issues that are currently against youth development. I will ensure that whatever is due for the youth in my party and even those of the entire country is given to them. Today, President Jonathan has appointed a former governor as the minister of youth. How can you make a former governor who is over 50 the minister of youth. Are we moving forward or backward in this country? These are the kind of things that I will put an end to. Anything that belongs to the youth the beneficiaries should be from one to 35. Should I win, I will ensure that a lot of youth contest for political positions. We must have a lot of youth that will contest to go to the National Assembly, we must have youth as governors. They should also be political office holders. My dream for the youth is more that what anybody can imagine.

  • ‘PDP can’t bounce back in Ekiti’

    ‘PDP can’t bounce back in Ekiti’

    The Chairman of Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s preparation for the June 21 governorship election in Ekiti State and issues that will shape the exercise.

    What are the issues that will shape Ekiti governorship election?

    There are a number of issues. The performance of Governor Kayode Fayemi is the main issue. That is the first thing of substance. That will be the thrust of the campaign. We are going to have a campaign that will be issue-driven and agenda setting. My candidate , the campaign organisation and, by extension, the people are not just angling for a second term for the sake of second term. In the last three and half years, Governor Kayode Fayemi has laid a good template. That is an issue that would shape the campaign and the election . I know that the opposition is also there rearing their heads. As a political party, they want to expand their territory and I am inclined to assume that, between 2003 and 2007, they were in power and the train that moved from Lagos hit Edo , ran through Ondo and berth at Ekiti and Ekiti and then, moved to Oyo and eventually closed in on Ogun State.

    You will also agree with me that, may be, it may not be nice that one of us who used to be a member of the family said he would be at the ballot for this election. All of these will shape this election by all intent and purposes. There is nothing you can do about that. You cannot run away from these facts. Elections are won on the basis of political parties and driven by individuals and the people ultimately have their way and every other thing will key into this.

    In the last registration, Ekiti APC registered about 200,000. Do you think that your candidate stands a chance of defeating the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party?

    The APC registered members in excess of 200,000 and the total registered voters in Ekiti is about 649,000. Elections are won on the basis of so many factors. It would have been a completely different thing, if we did not have an incumbent or all the candidates are running as fresh candidates. But, the truth of the matter is that the strength of the party is a factor. But, strength means nothing. It is just like trying to ascribe power to the size of a dinosaur, which today is facing extinction because the size of dinosaur may not be helpful. They have said that the PDP is the largest party in Africa and all that jargon. But, we also know that the party is depreciating and decimating as we speak . I don’t want to bench mark the success of our elections on the fact that we are driven by population. Dr. Kayode Fayemi has been able to do many things for Ekiti in three and half years .

    I have said that at different times that up to now, there is no one coming into the election with tangible assets as my candidate. He is not coming into the election with promissory notes. He is coming into the election to say that he has done some things and that he will do more, if re-elected. You do not mouth reputation. You earn reputation and the performance and reputation of delivery and good governance have added value tangibly to the lives of Ekiti people . It is something on the streets that no one can deny and I will expect that those people who are direct beneficiaries of the impact of his good governance in the past three and half years will not fold their hands and entrust their fate and fortune into unsteady and shaken hands. They will rather entrust their fate and fortune into a steady hands and consolidate on the good work in the past three and half years.

    Why is the governor insisting on second term in office?

    There is no insistence on second term. We are saying, if you have a family or mechanic who has been attending to you or a mechanic who has been fixing your car over the ages and he has been doing it well, it is likely that you will trust him much more when challenges arise. My candidate has tried in the last three and half years to justify the mandate the people gave him in 2007 . My candidate and my party are products of adversity . We are all students of history. We all know how we got to this point. Thank God, today, my candidate has turned our adversity to prosperity. What he has done justifies the fact that people were behind and beside him during the period of adversity and travail. I am sure all of those things will come into reckoning. I don’t think the people will suffer selective amnesia. It is the officials that suffer amnesia, not the people. If the people suffer amnesia, nobody will give credit to Chief Obafemi Awolowo today for his free education programme.

    Why is the governor expressing fears about rigging?

    I am not aware that my governor is expressing fears. In any case, there is the fear of the unknown. As human beings, we wake up , step out of our homes , committing our lives into the hand of God. There is always the fear of the shadowy. But, the truth of the matter is that we have to confront our fears because we will soon know that they do not exist .We have seen it before. Don’t forget that we are Ekiti people, that we do not brook cheating, we do not brook injustice. Dr. Kayode Fayemi was not in office when Ekiti people stood by him head to head, toe-to toe and did not blink. We were not in government. But, we pursued the mandate and, by the grace of God, it was eventually delivered into our hands. He has treated that mandate with so much sanctity. The recognition of that alone will aid the resolve of our people to stand beside him and by him to ensure that, no matter what the electoral marauders are trying to do, they will not succeed.

    In concrete terms, what are the fears?

    The fear is not be too far-fetched. We have seen the seeming incompetence and lack of capacity of some of the institutions responsible for the conduct of elections in the country. We have seen time and time again how INEC has been apologising to Nigerians for the failure in Anambra and Delta. It will be in the interest of President Goodluck Jonathan and his party to ensure that they play fair and ensure that the will of the people prevails in the election. It will be the fairest thing to do. We know that this country is been tugged out at every corner, regardless of the talking session in Abuja . The true test of the direction of the conference will be determined by elections in Ekiti because the election is about allowing the people to exercise their civic responsibility.

    What do you think was responsible for the high number of aspirants in the PDP, ahead of the primaries?

    It is a sad spectacle and I am too sure this is one of the eternal legacies of the Fayemi Administration. By the grace of God, before the end of the second term of Governor Fayemi, those aspiring to Okebadeke in Ekiti State will not find it very comfortable anymore. Dr Fayemi would have sufficiently raised the standard such that anybody that aspires to lead Ekiti State will, first of all, benchmark himself. People will point to him that, having seen the legacy and credential that your predecessor has left, you are or not competent to fit into these shoes. Some of the things they have said about Governor Fayemi is that he is not governor ‘jule’ or a governor who goes to eat ‘bole’ on the street, market place or doing things that are populist. He is not building stomach infrastructure. He has no character of a governor who goes to the streets to buy bole and groundnut from the woman on the street. That may not be bad. But, can you compare that to a governor who ensures that 25,000 senior citizens get a stipend of N5,000 monthly and subsidies their healthcare. In the long run, people are better off than a governor given to emotional sentiments and goes to the street to say how much is your ‘bole’ and pays N5,000 for it and that is where it ends. You don’t wish to just be a leader. You must earn it. You must possess some qualities. One of them is the clear vision of where you want to take your followership to. You must have an agenda that will be driven by the people.

    The leader must take the lead. This is a governor that provided 30,000 laptops for students and another 18,000 laptops for their teachers and trained them. This is because he knows that there is no profession that does not have ICT components in it. The world is not waiting on Ekiti and we cannot afford to play catch-up anymore. Governance all over the world has a goal and the ultimate destination is to ensure that the quality of life of the people gets better. That is the essence of governance. Anything that is short of that is defeatist. If a governor has imbibed that and manifested that sufficiently enough and the people are saying, if we have entrusted our mandate into your hands for three and half years and it turned out this well, you deserve another term. For instance, the Ikogosi Spring laid prostrate for 21 years under the successive governments.

    It never caught their attention. It took Dr. Kayode Fayemi to reverse the trend and created jobs for people. Ikogosi t played host to the Nigerian Media Merit Award. In December, last year, 20,000 people went to the place. If everyone of them spent N200, that would have developed the economy of Ikogosi, which eventually would have robbed off on the economy of the state. This is what a leader should do. But, the only governor who had the mind that something good could come out of Ikogosi was Otunba Niyi Adebayo. If your child has performed well, the next thing is to promote him to the next class. We have a candidate the Ekiti people believe have earned it.

    The opposition is saying that the governor has been completing the projects of the previous administration. What will the governor do differently in his second tenure, if re-elected at the poll.

    The argument is a bad one. You spent public money to repair roads in Ekiti and you didn’t finish the roads and another governor came out to do the right thing. Is that not a laudable achievement?

  • APC chieftain advocates politics without bitterness

    APC chieftain advocates politics without bitterness

    LAGOS State All Progressives  Congress Hon. Kola Okesanjo  has advocated for politics of peace and accommodation as the country prepares for 2015 general elections.

    He said political thuggery is an ill-wind that does not blow anybody any good.

    Okesanjo spoke with reporters in Lagos on the recent APC ward and council congresses.

    He said although politics could be challenging as a result of conflicting interests, political differences should be settled amicably.

    He said: “I’m optimistic that our leader will look into it and all affected members will be accommodated. I do know that a peace committee will be set up to reconcile the aggrieved members.”

    The politician chieftain pleaded with APC members to maintain peace and resist any incitement against the party.

    He added: “It is important too that we de-emphasize politics of winner-takes-all. It is not good enough winners must show magnanimity by embracing everybody, which I think is healthy for our collective interest. we must do everything to disallow politics of bitterness, realising that APC is a party for all and designed to cater for all interests.”

    Okesanjo enjoined members to show greater commitment to the APC, saying it is the party that will save the nation.

    He said: “APC is a party for the people and the momentum is waxing stronger across nations. From 2015, we hope to see the enthronement of democracy and development which will be fostered through our great party that is sure to win and form the next government in the country, so as members we must continue to be dedicated and loyal to the leadership and the party’s core ideals. APC will transform the nation.”

    He commended former Lagos State Governor Lateef Jakande for the courage and tolerance exhibited during the last ward congress, describing him as an elder statesmen of repute and transparent political figure worthy of emulation.

  • Fayemi promises better life for rural dwellers

    Fayemi promises better life for rural dwellers

    •Ekiti APC launches women’s wing

    •Oni’s supporters join APC

    Rural dwellers in Ekiti State are to enjoy more dividends of democracy. Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi yesterday promised to boost the local economy.

    Fayemi spoke during his campaign tour to four communities in Gbonyin Local Government Area.

    Communities visited by the governor’s campaign train include Iro, Egbe, Imesi and Agbado where he was received by residents who promised to use their votes to return him into office.

    Fayemi said: “Nobody can intimidate you here, there is no way you can see the right way and head into the bush. There is light in Ekiti, we are no longer in darkness.

    “We are already witnessing progress in Ekiti and we will never retrogress again. We have done a lot but there is still more to do and by the grace of God on June 21, something great will happen through your votes for the APC.”

    Also yesterday, the Ekiti State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday launched APC women’s wing, attracting various women groups and thousands of women across the 16 councils of the state.

    The event, which held at the Oluyemi Kayode Stadium in Ado-Ekiti, was attended by Fayemi, his deputy, Prof. Modupe Adelabu, was to drum support for the governor.

    The governor’s wife, Erelu Bisi Adeleye-Fayemi, also launched ‘Obinrin Kete’ (All women group), a united political forum for all women in the state.

    Fayemi said he has fulfilled hispledge made while seeking the office in 2006 to ensure improvement in the lives of women, adding: “It is now law in Ekiti that 4 out of ten political posts must now go to women.”

    The governor Fayemi, who urged women to propagate APC for better reach and acceptance among the electorate, said according to a recent list of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) there were more women voters in Ekiti, adding: “whoever despises women does that at his own peril. They are the source of our strength, particularly in this government.”

    Mrs Fayemi, who described ‘Obinrin Kete’, as a non-political movement for all categories of women in Ekiti, said: “It is a movement of all women across social divides who are not really political party members but who are very passionate about the re-election of Governor Kayode Fayemi. Women should forget about their political leanings and join this movement to sustain the development in Ekiti.”

    The party also received defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), whose spokesperson, Mrs. Fajuyi, said: “It was a natural thing for people of light to be attracted to light. This is a new party now. We are saying bye, bye to jakujaku (meaninglessness and ruderlessness). Those of us here are saying the sun has risen for us in Ekiti with Fayemi. Whoever is here in the last three years, will know something great is happening here in Ekiti. Those of us just joining the party today have a leader (Segun Oni) who will show his face eight days from now.”

     

     

  • Osun APC: PDP plans to rig

    Osun APC: PDP plans to rig

    The All Progressives Congress in Osun State has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of plotting to rig the June 21 and August 9 gubernatorial elections in Ekiti and Osun states.

    A statement by the party’s Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, said the PDP plans to hack into the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) data base to corrupt the voter register by eliminating their names from the register.

    The APC alleged that the PDP in Osun was already deceiving unsuspecting voters to collect the PIN numbers of their voters’ card.

    It said the PDP had accessed the telephone numbers of the voters and are pretending to be calling from INEC’s office in Osogbo that prospective voters should confirm their voters’ cards’ PIN numbers for security purpose.

    The APC alerted the INEC of “the latest in the series of dastardly plots by the PDP to rig elections in both Ekiti and Osun states”.

    The APC urged INEC to nip the plan in the bud.

    In a swift reaction, Senator Iyiola Omisore, through his media aide, Prince Diran Odeyemi, said the APC should stop making allegations against him and the PDP. He said the party should rather discuss issues.

  • APC: we won’t allow rigging in Rivers

    APC: we won’t allow rigging in Rivers

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State has said the party is on a rescue mission to salvage Nigeria from bad governance. It said it will not tolerate rigging in 2015.

    APC Chairman Davies Ibiamu Ikanya said the party’s attention has been drawn to a petition by a lawyer, Emma Uche, who alleged that the national and PDP flags were desecrated by APC supporters.

    “It is another ploy by the defeated, disjointed and tattered PDP in Rivers State to cause mayhem in our state. This is a surprise to us. We wish to state that no member of the APC did anything like that.

    “Nigeria is our project. APC is on a rescue mission, to salvage Nigeria from bad governance. We cannot be destroying the Nigerian flag. This is another frivolous allegation by PDP people to cause trouble.”