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  • New orbit galvanising steel plant to save billions in FX, create jobs — Audu

    New orbit galvanising steel plant to save billions in FX, create jobs — Audu

    The federal government says the newly commissioned Orbit Galvanizing Steel Plant in Ikorodu, Lagos, will save Nigeria billions of naira in foreign exchange and generate hundreds of local jobs.

    Minister of Steel Development Shuaibu Abubakar Audu stated this during the official commissioning of the state-of-the-art galvanising facility, a project of the African Industries Group (AIG).

    “With this plant, Nigeria will now produce more galvanised steel locally, cutting down our overreliance on imports. This is a major breakthrough for our steel industry,” the Minister said.

    According to him, the project is a direct response to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aims to grow the economy to $1 trillion by 2030 through strategic industrialisation and local content development.

    “This facility will not only conserve our scarce foreign exchange but will also empower our citizens through job creation. Over 350 Nigerians have already been employed directly, and many more will benefit through the value chain,” he added.

    The new plant has the capacity to produce 50,000 metric tonnes of galvanised steel structures annually—about 25 percent of Nigeria’s total tower fabrication demand. Products from the facility will be used in sectors like telecommunications, oil and gas, energy, and construction.

    “What we are witnessing today is a strong statement of confidence in Nigeria’s potential,” Audu said. “This plant aligns perfectly with our vision to make Nigeria self-sufficient in steel production.”

    He applauded the leadership of African Industries Group, Chairman Raj Gupta and Group Managing Director Alok Gupta, for their commitment to industrial development and backward integration.

    “AIG has shown once again that it is a true partner in national development. This plant will help us reduce the over $4 billion spent annually on steel imports,” he noted.

    Audu said the federal government is currently reviewing fiscal policies around raw material imports to ensure that local manufacturers receive better support than importers of finished steel products.

    Read Also: Man jailed one year for possession of fraudulent documents

    “We are also working on a Metallurgical Industry Bill that will provide fiscal incentives for investors in this space,” he revealed. “But even before the bill is passed, we’re engaging the Ministry of Finance and other key agencies to fast-track these support systems.”

    The commissioning attracted stakeholders from the federal and Lagos state governments, the private sector, and traditional rulers from the Ikorodu and Igana communities.

    In his remarks, AIG Director Cooperate Affairs, Taiwo Okewo thanked the federal government for its support, assuring that the company remains committed to Nigeria’s economic growth through sustainable manufacturing.

    The minister closed the ceremony by officially commissioning the Orbit Galvanising Steel Limited and Orbit Fabrication Works Limited, describing them as “symbols of hope, progress, and industrial rebirth for Nigeria.”

  • No Kogite alive voted for Yahaya Bello – Audu

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  • Bello, Audu, Dichie and struggle for Kogi APC ticket

    No fewer than 42 aspirants are struggling for the governorship ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State. Who becomes the flagbearer for the November 16 poll? Correspondent JAMES AZANIA examines the intra-party contest.

    Eyes are on the Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) as it prepares for the governorship primary billed for next month. No fewer than 42 aspirants are in the race. According to the Independent National Electoral Commission, the election will hold on November 16.

    Unlike in the ruling APC, where the mode of primary has become contentious, between those rooting for direct primary and advocates of indirect primaries, not much noise has emanated from the PDP mode of primary to be adopted. However, the frenzy and jostling for parties’ tickets has has taken off.

    Governor Yahaya Bello has unfolded his second term ambition. His supporters are already on the field. His rivals-Admiral Usman, Yahaya Audu, Tim Dichie, Hadiza Ibrahim- are challenging him to a duel. The primary will be tough.

    Bello

    Despite widespread vilification, Bello appears the most formidable of the lot. Not only is he presently in the saddle the Lugard House, he appears to hold the magical wand, just has he has eaten deep into the psyche of the people, to the extent that virulent criticisms hauled at his administration have not deterred him or his zeal for a second term.

    Bello has as his foot soldiers political appointees and the sole administrators of the 21 local government areas who are expected to deliver for him, when the time comes.

    His critics accuse him of non-performance, non-payment of backlog of workers’ salary, sidelining of party chieftains and other alleged infractions. But, the Ebira born governor remains a moving train that is determined not only on picking his party’s ticket, but being returned for a second term. Barring any unforseen circumstances, Bello may be the man to beat.

    Admiral Usman Jubril (retd).

    A former Chief of Naval Staff, Jubril, since his entrance into the race, has presented himself as a formidable challenger for the ticket. Hr is believed to have the backing of powerful chieftains, who see him as an alternative to Bello. During his tenure as the naval chief, he engineered the citing of the Navy Secondary School, in Okura, Kogi East, where he hails from.

    Jubril has not been seen selling his aspiration in Kogi, and not much of him has been seen by the people. But, his myriad of support groups and others that have endorsed him continue to swell.

    In one of the endorsements, Youths of Dekina/Bassa Local Government of Kogi State described him as the best man for the job.

    The youths in a statement by Mohammed Abdullahi, president of the Bassa/Dekina Youth Progressive Union for Good Government, said Jibril is well equipped to rescue Kogi State and restore its glory.

    According to them: “The liberation of our people and society has become imperative, since in place of authorities over the years could not do little or much to help salvage our lands from the status of backwardness and underdevelopment. It is on this assertion we the youth of Dekina/Bassa LG deem it necessary to support our amiable, purposeful, pragmatic, God sent leader and to ask him to contest for the position of governorship of Kogi State, come November 16, 2019.

    “This is in view of his immense contribution to the people and society at large. Every society or people must discover its own mission; its either betrayed or fulfilled. We believe Usman Jibril shall fulfill the desire, yearning and aspirations of our people by 2019. He is a detribalized Kogite, whose friendship and acceptability cuts across frontiers of age, sex, religion or tribe. He shall attend to the needs of our people. We therefore want to usher him as our sole candidate for the job.

    Read Also: Of Kogi’s “bread and butter” royal fathers

    “We believe that he has the credentials and the experience in the management of the affairs of Kogi State, and removing from out of the woods”.

    Jubril stands a bright chance of getting the ticket.

    Prince Yahaya Audu

    Audu, younger brother of the late Prince Abubakar Audu, the flagbearer  in 2015, is said to have garnered the support of some political appointees in the cabinet of Governor Bello. About six commissioners and other aides of the governor are set to join Audu who aspired for Kogi East Senatorial seat during the last election.

    Those purportedly teeming up with him are said to have adduced the failure of the governor to pay workers and pensioners and hardship faced by some of the appointees, as some of the reason for so doing.

    Audu’s cannot be ignored.

    Tim Nda Dichie

    Not a few were taken by surprise when Dichie, a former member of Bello’s cabinet, resigned as Commissioner for Agriculture, when he was barely a year in office.

    From the minority Bassa–speaking tribe of Kogi East, Dichie is an experienced politician, philanthropist and business magnate. He was one of the aspirants during the 2015 primary.

    The Basange high chief who prides himself as a “symbol of unity between the majority/minority dichotomy at the moment, for the state,” has articulated his motivation for the contest. He said God has positioned him to be next governor of Kogi, and that the financial strength of other aspirants would not change God’s plan.

    He is seen as one of those that may spring a surprise.

    Sank Lulu, a former chairman of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFA), Mona Audi, Gen. Patrick Akpa (retd.) and Saidu Mohammed Ogah, from Kogi East and Hadiza Ibrahim, are other APC governorship aspirants.

    The main opposition PDP, ousted from power in 2015, parades no less than a dozen aspirants, including former Governor Idris Wada and Abubakar Ibrahim, son of former Governor Ibrahim Idris (Ibro) and a woman, Hajia Halimat Alfa.

    Others include Ibrahim Wada, Senator Dino Melaye, Dr Victor Adoji, Ameh Joe Erico, Hassan Adamu Enape, Emmanuel Omebije, Aminu Abubakar Suleiman, Mohammed Shaibu and Zakari Alfa.

    Of the lot, Wada appears to have more weight, but that is only on paper, as not a few lay the blame for the party’s ouster at the last election at his feet.

    A gentleman and silent achiever, Wada while in office allowed some of his aides to run riot, resulting in the sinking of the PDP ship in 2015, after over eight years in the saddle.

    Other aspirants that parade themselves, to borrow from the parlance of the pro Bello APC supporters, can at best be described as Diaspora politicians, who have lost the verve to truly challenge for the position, despite the presence of core and diehard PDP members that abound in Kogi, coupled with the watered down impact of the state party executive, which is very much unlike the days of Hassan Salawu on the saddle. It would appear a long short for the Kogi PDP to return as landlord at Lugard House, four years after departure.

  • Audu won in 2015, says Kwankwaso

    The immediate past governor of Kano State, Senator Rabiu Kwakwanso, has said the late Prince Abubakar Audu won the 2015 Governorship Election in Kogi State, but that God in his mercy decided that he would not come back to continue from where he stopped in the state.

    Kwankwaso, a serving senator, said this yesterday at the first annual lecture held to commemorate one year of the late political icon’s demise, held at his ancestral home, in Ogbonicha, Ofu Local Government, and called for the sustainability of his development legacies in the state.

    Kwankwaso said the late Audu’s death is a lesson to Nigerians, pointing out that the two-time governor gained the maximum support during his electioneering campaign but is no more to fulfil all the promises made to his people.

    While eulogising him for his remarkable achievement between 1992 and 2003, he noted that his name will forever be written in gold, not only in Kogi State, adding that a bridge was named in his honour in Kano State.

    He added that if the late Audu were to be alive as governor, Kogi State would have been wearing a new look, charging leaders in the state to immortalise him for all his achievement in education, health, youth empowerment, and housing.

  • Audu: A year after the ‘Quintessential Leader’

    Audu: A year after the ‘Quintessential Leader’

    It is a year today after Prince Abubakar Audu, the former All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer in last year’s Kogi State governorship election passed on. Expectedly, his kinsmen, political associates and supporters would remember him. His running mate James Faleke recounts his relationship with his quintessential leader, reports BUNMI OGUNMODEDE reports.

    BUT for the cold hands of death that snatched him away in the wee hours of November 22, last year, Audu Abubakar, a prince of Ogonicha, headquarters of Ofu Local Government Area, would have returned to the Lord Lugard Government House for a record third time.

    He was coasting to victory, having polled 240, 867 to defeat other contenders, including incumbent Governor Idris Wada, who was the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) flag bearer.

    Since his demise, his running mate, James Abiodun Faleke, a House of Representatives member, has been keeping the political family together.

    Having tried from the Governorship Election Petititions’ Tribunal, through the appellate court to the Supreme Court, to activate the late Audu’s mandate (being a joint beneficiary), following the declaration of the election as inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC), Faleke resolved to sustain the legacy left behind by Audu.

    He told the world that the electoral umpire erred by its declaration of the election as inconclusive and that calling for a supplementary poll amounted to returning the mother to the antenatal clinic after she has been delivered of the baby.

    With 240,867 votes and his closest rival, Wada, trailing with 199, 514, conducting a supplementary election in 91 polling centres was unnecessary.  Only 25,000  of the 49, 953 registered voters in the areas cancelled by INEC had Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Even if all the 25, 000 voters had given their ballot to Audu’s closest challenger, he would still be trailing him by 16,353 votes. Audu was leading Wada by 41, 353 votes by the time INEC declared the process inconclusive.

    In a letter to the APC leadership, Audu’s running mate  urged the party to reject the supplementary poll, which he called INEC’s “Greek Gift”. He said the expected votes from the purported supplementary poll would be inconsequential even if won by the runner-up.

    Members of Audu’s political family have seen a new leader and a rallying point in Faleke, who the late Audu preferred above others, to be with him on the joint ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Speaking of his relationship with the late Audu, Faleke said it would be a betrayal of confidence and trust for him to leave the political family rudderless after the demise of a leader and confidant.

    In his tribute, Faleke writes: “I promised to be loyal and I remain loyal to you even in death. When you picked me as your running mate, the only request you made of me is my loyalty and I promised to be loyal to you. And I was loyal to you in the struggle to liberate our people. I took and pursued the bid to claim the people’s mandate to the apex court in the land. I will continue to be loyal to the cause.

    “The political family you bequeathed unto me remains intact and indivisible. You introduced and exposed me to Kogi politics. You raised the stake with your involvement in the last governorship election.

    “The APC ticket on which you were the principal partner had convincingly won the governorship seat before ‘the powers that be’, decided to annul the peoples’ mandate. Those who are afraid of their shadows may have succeeded in denying the people of their free choice, their conscience will continue to prick them. Posterity will be the judge.

    “Your plan was to reinvent people-oriented governance and restore the glory of the Confluence State. We remain committed to these noble and lofty ideals. Again, be reassured that no overture from usurpers and those reaping from where they did not sow would be allowed to crack the political wall you left behind.

    “Those of us you left behind will keep the flag flying until Kogi is enlisted in the club of developed states, where there is peace based on justice and equity. We will take the struggle to liberate our state from the fierce grip of internal impersonators and external collaborators.”

    To many, Audu saw tomorrow in his choice of the Ekinrin Adde-born lawmaker as his running mate. His political family has remained one, 365 days after he passed on.

    During Faleke’s first political visit to his country home in Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State, he told a crowd of loyalists that the mandate given to the Audu/Faleke ticket was lost to political treachery.

    He said: “It is unfortunate that we lost our right to Lugard House owing to high level of treachery, both at the state and at the national level.

    “It’s a common saying in Yoruba land that enemies without would always find it hard to defeat you without the support of the enemies within.

    “Shortly after the news filtered in that Prince Abubakar Audu – our leader – had died, a senator from Kogi moved in and pressed INEC not to announce the final result  because the senator did not want anybody from the West Senatorial Zone to be governor in the Northcentral state before him.

    “The senator called the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, some pliant leaders and governors to tell them of the political consequences of allowing Faleke to inherit the votes and become governor.  Besides jeopardising his own future governorship ambition, the senator said he would not allow the party’s leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to control Kogi and from there make an inroad to other states in the North.

    “To him, everything must be done to abort the Audu/Faleke mandate.  Thus, he told the leaders that Faleke must not be allowed to be governor in Kogi, a northern state. The senator thus invited his fellow hawks to scuttle the process and deny the 240, 867 voters who endorsed the Audu/Faleke ticket through the ballot on November 21, last year. The senator sold the wishes of his people for his personal ego and greed.

    “Though we lost the battle to reclaim our mandate at the Supreme Court, but we won the heart of the people who voted overwhelmingly for the Audu/Faleke ticket. The roles played by the leadership of our party were unfortunate, uncharitable and unbecoming.

    “No doubt, a year has rolled by after the demise of the Ogonicha prince, his struggles live on. Someday, the liberation of the people he lived and died for will be actualised.

    “I implore our people to remain peaceful, prayerful and more dedicated to God, believing that one day, our suffering in Kogi will come to an end.”

    BUT for the cold hands of death that snatched him away in the wee hours of November 22, last year, Audu Abubakar, a prince of Ogonicha, headquarters of Ofu Local Government Area, would have returned to the Lord Lugard Government House for a record third time.

    He was coasting to victory, having polled 240, 867 to defeat other contenders, including incumbent Governor Idris Wada, who was the Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) flag bearer.

    Since his demise, his running mate, James Abiodun Faleke, a House of Representatives member, has been keeping the political family together.

    Having tried from the Governorship Election Petititions’ Tribunal, through the appellate court to the Supreme Court, to activate the late Audu’s mandate (being a joint beneficiary), following the declaration of the election as inconclusive by the Independent National Electoral Commission  (INEC), Faleke resolved to sustain the legacy left behind by Audu.

    He told the world that the electoral umpire erred by its declaration of the election as inconclusive and that calling for a supplementary poll amounted to returning the mother to the antenatal clinic after she has been delivered of the baby.

    With 240,867 votes and his closest rival, Wada, trailing with 199, 514, conducting a supplementary election in 91 polling centres was unnecessary.  Only 25,000  of the 49, 953 registered voters in the areas cancelled by INEC had Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs). Even if all the 25, 000 voters had given their ballot to Audu’s closest challenger, he would still be trailing him by 16,353 votes. Audu was leading Wada by 41, 353 votes by the time INEC declared the process inconclusive.

    In a letter to the APC leadership, Audu’s running mate  urged the party to reject the supplementary poll, which he called INEC’s “Greek Gift”. He said the expected votes from the purported supplementary poll would be inconsequential even if won by the runner-up.

    Members of Audu’s political family have seen a new leader and a rallying point in Faleke, who the late Audu preferred above others, to be with him on the joint ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Speaking of his relationship with the late Audu, Faleke said it would be a betrayal of confidence and trust for him to leave the political family rudderless after the demise of a leader and confidant.

    In his tribute, Faleke writes: “I promised to be loyal and I remain loyal to you even in death. When you picked me as your running mate, the only request you made of me is my loyalty and I promised to be loyal to you. And I was loyal to you in the struggle to liberate our people. I took and pursued the bid to claim the people’s mandate to the apex court in the land. I will continue to be loyal to the cause.

    “The political family you bequeathed unto me remains intact and indivisible. You introduced and exposed me to Kogi politics. You raised the stake with your involvement in the last governorship election.

    “The APC ticket on which you were the principal partner had convincingly won the governorship seat before ‘the powers that be’, decided to annul the peoples’ mandate. Those who are afraid of their shadows may have succeeded in denying the people of their free choice, their conscience will continue to prick them. Posterity will be the judge.

    “Your plan was to reinvent people-oriented governance and restore the glory of the Confluence State. We remain committed to these noble and lofty ideals. Again, be reassured that no overture from usurpers and those reaping from where they did not sow would be allowed to crack the political wall you left behind.

    “Those of us you left behind will keep the flag flying until Kogi is enlisted in the club of developed states, where there is peace based on justice and equity. We will take the struggle to liberate our state from the fierce grip of internal impersonators and external collaborators.”

    To many, Audu saw tomorrow in his choice of the Ekinrin Adde-born lawmaker as his running mate. His political family has remained one, 365 days after he passed on.

    During Faleke’s first political visit to his country home in Ijumu Local Government Area in Kogi State, he told a crowd of loyalists that the mandate given to the Audu/Faleke ticket was lost to political treachery.

    He said: “It is unfortunate that we lost our right to Lugard House owing to high level of treachery, both at the state and at the national level.

    “It’s a common saying in Yoruba land that enemies without would always find it hard to defeat you without the support of the enemies within.

    “Shortly after the news filtered in that Prince Abubakar Audu – our leader – had died, a senator from Kogi moved in and pressed INEC not to announce the final result  because the senator did not want anybody from the West Senatorial Zone to be governor in the Northcentral state before him.

    “The senator called the party’s National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, some pliant leaders and governors to tell them of the political consequences of allowing Faleke to inherit the votes and become governor.  Besides jeopardising his own future governorship ambition, the senator said he would not allow the party’s leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu to control Kogi and from there make an inroad to other states in the North.

    “To him, everything must be done to abort the Audu/Faleke mandate.  Thus, he told the leaders that Faleke must not be allowed to be governor in Kogi, a northern state. The senator thus invited his fellow hawks to scuttle the process and deny the 240, 867 voters who endorsed the Audu/Faleke ticket through the ballot on November 21, last year. The senator sold the wishes of his people for his personal ego and greed.

    “Though we lost the battle to reclaim our mandate at the Supreme Court, but we won the heart of the people who voted overwhelmingly for the Audu/Faleke ticket. The roles played by the leadership of our party were unfortunate, uncharitable and unbecoming.

    “No doubt, a year has rolled by after the demise of the Ogonicha prince, his struggles live on. Someday, the liberation of the people he lived and died for will be actualised.

    “I implore our people to remain peaceful, prayerful and more dedicated to God, believing that one day, our suffering in Kogi will come to an end.”

  • ‘Uphold Audu/Faleke mandate’

    The Lagos State branch of the Kabba Development Union (KDU) in Kogi State has urged the judiciary to uphold the Audu/Faleke mandate.

    It said the late Abubakar Audu and his running mate, James Abiodun Faleke, traversed the state to canvass votes and having made promises, the people voted for them and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The group, which spoke through its President, Princess Oladepe Omonale, at the weekend at its annual get-together in Lagos, said in the absence of Audu, Faleke was accountable and it was logical that he should be declared and sworn-in as governor.

    An APC chieftain, Adeniyi Ayodele, said Faleke would eventually get the mandate.

    He said he had confidence in the judiciary to do the right thing.

    “Audu/Faleke got our votes. What we deserve is not what we are given, but with time, God will intervene. Even with the swearing-in on Wednesday, we are not disturbed because we know truth will prevail,” Ayodele said.

  • I’ve no hand in Faleke’s, Audu’s son’s arrest, says Bello

    Kogi State Governor-elect Yahaya Bello has distanced himself from the arrest of his estranged deputy governor-elect, James Abiodun Faleke and the late Prince Abubakar Audu’s son, Muhammed, by the Department of State Security (DSS).

    The duo were detained by the DSS last Friday, but later released, for undisclosed reasons.

    Bello, in a statement by his media office yesterday, said he never sent a petition against the duo to the DSS.

    The statement, by Jude Salau, reads: “The allegation that I sent a petition to the DSS is false.

    “I did not send any petition to the security department to invite Faleke. The insinuation that I might have written a petition to push for their invitation is false.”

    He said the DSS proved to be a professional body under its leadership and could not be pushed around by an individual or a group.

    “We should strive to support the independence of our security agencies. The agencies of government related to law enforcement and judiciary must be seen as impartial in our desire to build a strong democracy.”

    Salau urged the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) members to seek the resolution of the issue “in the interest of our state.”

    Said he: “Faleke is a respected member of the APC, who has contributed to the success of our party. Instigating his arrest cannot be a part of reconciliatory moves and peace building efforts we have initiated ahead of our January 27 inauguration.

    “As we count down towards this historic inauguration of our change government, our focus remains the installation of a responsive and responsible leadership Kogi people will be proud of.

    “We are determined to deliver the dividends of democracy to our people. A new Kogi is here: peace, harmony and an all-round development.”

    Faleke is challenging the emergence of Bello as the governor-elect, following the death of Prince Audu, who was on the verge of becoming a second time democratically-elected governor.

    He approached the tribunal, seeking to be declared a replacement for the late Audu.

  • Making sense out of Kogi: The Audu/Faleke history

    Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters,” so said Albert Einstein, one of the greatest scientists that ever lived.

    Saturday the 21st November 2015, like June 12th 1993 has symbolically become an important day in the history of our democracy. There is no denying the fact that the biggest puzzle that remains unsolved by our current electoral body is the one that will remain a point of reference for so long in the land. Unfortunately, the puzzle was created by same electoral body that is saddled with the responsibility to untie the electoral bottleneck that characterised our electoral system before the advent of Attahiru Jega.

    Where is justice? What becomes of a nation if the Rule of Law is carelessly sacrificed for selfish political interests whereby the electoral body is involved as a party in the rape of justice? What precedence is the current scenario laying for our political future?

    The people of Kogi woke up on the fateful day hoping for liberation by sunset from misrule of Idris Wada of the Peoples’ Democratic Party. That wish was expressed widely via Abubakar Audu/Abiodun Faleke ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress. The people of Kogi saw freedom coming, but the ancient North Central state was openly gagged by the declaration of an already won and lost election inconclusive, following the death that struck the bearer of the hope, Prince Abubakar Audu.

    But all was not lost for Kogi people because the bearer of the torch of hope passed the baton silently to the heir apparent of the mandate (moral and constitutional successor), James Abiodun Faleke.  Silently while passing on, the Prince of Igala Land whispered for justice, handed a trust to Faleke and departed.

    It soon became a funny escapade that INEC suddenly declared that election inconclusive, to submit to a cabal who would produce their anointed candidate to conclude a process he was never part of. We should have passed this indecency. Robbing a dead man is un-African; robbing off the popular wishes of the people is inhumane; and robbing peace and conscience of people that were thirsty of good governance is ungodly.

    Various schools of thoughts have argued for and against INEC’s decision but none of the arguments have defeated the underlying truth of the matter – that a Faleke under the law remains the most senior bearer of APC’s flag in the race, and as long as he is alive, he was supposed to step into Audu’s position for completion of the exercise.

    For justice to prevail, according to Edmund Burke, good men must act otherwise the evil will prevail.

    For many years, the Peoples’ Democratic Party, dominated with cabals, toyed with internal democracy; they rob Peter to pay Paul many times, daring peoples’ feelings and grievance. In the end, the people spoke and opted for a CHANGE. As the ruling party in her 6th month, can we allow interests of masked few to dominate peoples’ strong desire and throw caution into the winds? Can we pass the integrity test as model for building a new Nigeria we envisaged? Can we dare to just do it right by doing the right thing even in the face of a political temptation?

    In words of wisdom, Faleke subtly reminded the party against setting it on a path of destruction through impunity and injustice, adding that APC should learn from what happened to the PDP. He said further that the present struggle was a complex one and beyond him as he was not willing to betray the trust late Abubakar Audu bestowed on him concerning the emancipation of the people and the future of the state.

    Obviously, after said and done, the total number of votes recorded in the supplementary election was a pointer to a mischievous plan which has been daringly executed through political instruments and agents in the system. In the end, I hope the court will excavate justice wherever it might have been buried.

    Abubakar Audu had responsibility to enable power change in Kogi politics which he upheld until his death. For anyone who does not understand the moral right referred to by James Abiosun Faleke in the public address that followed INEC’s decision, a view of the bond between German spies in the 2nd World War in a film titled ‘Operation Daybreak’ tells it all. Trust is never a trust until it was upheld by its custodian after demise of the bond partner.

    There is a great lesson to be learnt from Audu/Faleke scenario though the entire message cannot unfold immediately. The road that leads to justice is laden with difficulties and trial of patience. According to Martin Luther King Jr., human progress is neither automatic nor inevitable. Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering and struggle; the tireless exertion and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.

    For Faleke, I think the walk to justice can be long and rough like the great Mandela once said, but the truth is that in the end, victory is foreseen not just for Faleke but the people of Kogi who are first victims in this circumstance.

    “Where justice is denied, where poverty is enforced, where ignorance prevails, and where any one class is made to feel that society is an organized conspiracy to oppress, rob and degrade them, neither persons nor property will be safe”,  so said Frederick Douglas.

    The rest is left for our Judiciary, the last hope of common man, to do justice to this anomaly and blatant miscarriage of justice. If we must make sense out of our democracy, the Judiciary has a role to play in this trying moment!

    – Hon SegunOlulade is a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, representing Epe Constituency II

  • Kogi indigenes must unite to honour Audu, says wife

    Kogi indigenes must unite to honour Audu, says wife

    Aisha Abubakar Audu-Emeje is the wife of Prince Abubakar Audu, the late governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kogi State. In this interview with Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo, she speaks on her late husband and the way forward for the state.

    How would you describe the death of your husband?

    His death is shocking without doubt. Prince Abubakar Audu was a shining star; and he kept shining till he left the world. Prince Audu’s death was an encounter with destiny, belief and conviction in accordance with the theological order. Prince Audu’s death is not just a loss to the family alone, but also big loss to the people of Kogi State, Nigeria and more particularly the nation’s political field where he was an active player, captain and stakeholder who was very much understood and partially misunderstood. Prince Audu left the world a true winner. He always conquered. He was a true son of Kogi State. He was an upright and focused politician who was loved by his people till the last day.

    What would you miss about him?

    Everything! His love, compassion, sense of magnanimity and his accommodating quality stood him out. He was a man of sterling virtues, who was ever willing to help at all times.

    What are the implications of his death in the politics of Kogi State and Nigeria in general?

    Allah, who created Audu, took him away, but the vacuum created by his death predicates that the people of Kogi State must go back to the drawing board to forgive one another, close the distances, harmonise our positions and be our brothers’ keepers. We must forget about the past, because it is no longer important; we must try to learn by taking advantage of the present circumstance we have found ourselves. Prince Audu’s death, no doubt, has reconfigured the political calculation of Kogi State. Even in his life time, he was a game changer to the extent that he has always caused reversal or changes in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. This happened when the constitution was reversed to allow him contest for a second term, 10 years after leaving the same office. And this took a great deal of legal fireworks in the courts. And at the moment, the entire country is faced with a constitutional crisis triggered by his sudden death. And that is the greatness I am talking about Prince Audu.  Let me emphasise that Kogi State is one of the frontlines states in agriculture potentials, diverse cultural groupings, great intellectuals, successful industrialists, dedicated leaders, eminent and dignified statesmen, disciplined and energetic youth, and above all we are dynamic and equipped to move the state forward by continuing from where Prince Audu stopped, and his vision must be upheld in the spirit of sacrifice and continued dialogue.

    What is the way out of the present political logjam in Kogi State?

    It is important to remind the entire citizens of Kogi State that the late Prince Audu was a man of peace and goodwill; he was not a sectional or ethnic bigot. As a great man, his legacies live on. As an Ambassador of peace, I will like to call on all the indigenes, different ethnic and religious groups, and political affiliations in Kogis State to embrace peace and reject violence. A time like this in our political journey certainly demands sober reflection; we must not beat the drums of war. I call on the Igalas to uphold peace and brotherliness; let the Igbiras and the Okuns come to peace with other ethnic groups, and let our differences be swallowed by all of us coming together as one.

  • Kogi APC members insist on Audu/Faleke ticket

    Kogi APC members insist on Audu/Faleke ticket

    Some members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Kogi East and Kogi West senatorial districts said on Saturday that they would not shift grounds on Audu/Faleke ticket.

    The party leaders from Kogi East after a crucial meeting at Ayangba rejected the decision of the party’s national working committee to nominate Alhaji Yahaya Bello as a replacement for the late Alhaji Abubakar Audu.

    Prof. Isah Daniel, Vice-Chairman of the party in the zone, told newsmen at the end of the meeting that the Audu/Faleke ticket “won the Nov. 21 governorship election with or without the result of the supplementary election.

    “More than 6,000 votes scored during supplementary election are not enough to deny Audu/Faleke ticket; the mandate freely given to them before the election was declared inconclusive.

    “All stakeholders and party loyalists from the nine local government areas in Igala land have, therefore, resolved to stand on Audu/Faleke.’’

    In a similar development, traders under the aegis of the National Association of Market Women and Men of Nigeria, Kabba-Bunu Local Government, staged a peaceful protest to expressed support for the Audu/Faleke ticket.

    At a rally held in Kabba on Saturday, market leaders, Mrs Felicia Aiyeromi and Mr Stephen Oladipupo, said in separate interviews that the traders had an understanding with Faleke before the election which made them to vote APC during the election.

    They called on the leadership of the party to replace Audu with Faleke in the interest of justice and fairness.

    Also, at a meeting called by the leader of the APC in Kogi West Senatorial District, Rep. Buba Jibril in Lokoja, stakeholders and leaders rejected the nomination of Bello as a replacement for Audu.

    The leaders, in a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, resolved that although Faleke might pursue litigation against the party over the nomination of Bello, party leaders should not foreclose peaceful negotiation.