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Tag: Babatope

  • George, Babatope respond to legislative snafu

    George, Babatope respond to legislative snafu

    Of all the responses to last Tuesday’s National Assembly leadership elections debacle, the most hysterical, and probably the most mystifying, must be those of Bode George, former military governor and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Ebenezer Babatope, former leftist politician, pamphleteer, ideologue, minister and now also a chieftain of the rightist PDP. While virtually everyone saw the debacle from the angle of the continuing contest between the APC and the PDP, and in terms of what was alleged to be the disproportionate reward system erected by the ruling party for its so-called legacy parties, the two PDP chieftains preferred to analyse the disaster in terms of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the national APC leader of their jejune obsession. On Saturday, former Works minister, Adeseye Ogunlewe added his own pained and impetuous voice.

    What took place on the floors of the upper and lower chambers of the National Assembly was of course a consequential political development, and Asiwaju Tinubu was not too far from its epicenter. The winners of the contests for the nation’s top legislative positions were Bukola Saraki, a former governor of Kwara State and two-term senator, and the Bauchi-born Yakubu Dogara, also a two-term member of the House of Representatives, lawyer and teacher. As if their elections were not complicated and complicating enough, given the manner of their emergence against the will of their party, Senator Saraki managed to win only by conceding the position of Deputy Senate President to the PDP’s Ike Ekweremadu, a ranking PDP senator and one-time deputy to David Mark, the former Senate President.

    Had both Messrs George and Babatope merely dispassionately examined the general implications of the defeat of APC’s anointed candidates, rather than personalise the outcome, few would have seen their positions as either extraordinary or outlandish. Instead, Chief George focused on the APC national leader, Asiwaju Tinubu, and like he did before and during the last polls, proceeded to pronounce a sentence on his political career. Chief Ogunlewe followed suit. On his own, Chief Babatope opted to go spiritual, attributing the cohabitation in the Senate to the hand of God. They are at liberty to pass any sentence of their desire, and could even speak with the eloquence and definitiveness of the gods. But by virtue of their positions in the society, and on account of their self-acclaimed maturity, wisdom and integrity, they owe it to their publics to embrace deeper reflections.

    For Chief George, Asiwaju Tinubu is a monstrous and dictatorial opportunist. Said he: “You know I predicted weeks ago that the APC is just a congregation of strange bedfellows. The most beautiful thing about what has happened is that Bola Tinubu’s political influence in Nigeria is coming to a sunset and it is about five minutes to midnight for him. If he cannot see this now, then it will be foolish of him. He brought in the APC national chairman and the vice-president and he thinks Nigeria belongs to him. So, he thought what he did in Lagos was what he could replicate at the national level and they have shown him that he cannot continue to be the lord of the manor…”

    Chief George could still have made a robust argument without personalising it, whether he was right or wrong, though he is by nature seldom right on anything. As his involvement in the Lagos State PDP governorship primary showed, Chief George was an asset to his party and a restraining, redirecting and moderating influence. If he is capable of the ratiocination that often comes with age, but of course not ineluctably, he would bring his vast administrative experience to bear not only to advance narrow partisan interests, as he seems always poised to do even in the most mundane matters, but also to promote altruistic national goals.

    “We pray for the new leaders,” enthused Chief Babatope with the disguised zealotry of a closet PDP fanatic. “That is democracy at work; we now have the APC and the PDP sharing power in the Senate. I personally love Gbajabiamila, he’s an orator. I wanted Gbajabiamila to win, but you can see democracy at work. We, in the PDP, are going to cooperate with Buhari. I can see the hand of God in all this.” When President Muhammadu Buhari won the March 28 poll, Chief Babatope saw neither the hand of man nor that of God in the poll because his party lost, nor still did he see any celestial input in the massive APC sweep of the subsequent April polls.

    It is surprising that the full import of the NASS debacle appears to escape the three PDP chieftains. The democracy they speak so glibly about will indeed begin to take root only when leading party officials and well-known national leaders transcend personal interests in their understanding and handling of national issues. Alas, there is nothing in any of these leaders, including many in the APC, that gives hope of a great and noble tomorrow.

     

  • Babatope, Na’Abba, Kure, others tipped for minister

    Babatope, Na’Abba, Kure, others tipped for minister

    A gale of protests is trailing the short-listing of ministerial nominees by President Goodluck Jonathan for the 12 vacant slots in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).

    Before the sack of nine ministers recently, there had been three vacancies.

    Former Minister of Defence Mohammed Haliru Bello and former Minister of Youth Development Inuwa Abdulkadir were relieved of their jobs. Minister of State for Health Dr. Ali Pate resigned.

    The President is believed to have short-listed some names for ministerial appointments, especially in some of the states being controlled by the Group of 7 (G-7) governors, who have been locked in a bitter struggle with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership for its control.

    It was gathered that some of the nominees were being considered on political grounds to checkmate the “rebellion” of the G-7 governors, who have been sidelined in the nominations, unlike what obtained in the past when the governors were consulted.

    The list includes ex-Speaker Umar Ghali Na’aba (Kano); ex-Governor Abdulkadir Kure (Niger); Senator Umar Gada (Sokoto); a former Executive Secretary of PTDF, Alh. Hamizu Mai Rago (a loyalist of the VP), former Minister of State for Works Isaiah Balat (Kaduna); ex-Minister Aliyu Idi Hong and ex-Governor Boni Haruna (Adamawa).

    The others are a former Managing Director of Africa Petroleum (AP), Bukar Abba Gana, Hon. Muhammed Kumalia and Nicholas Msheliza(Borno); ex-Minister of Transport Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Alhaji Fatai Akinbade(Osun).

    It was gathered that a former Deputy National Chairman of PDP, Chief Olabode George and some party leaders are lobbying the President to give Lagos the Southwest’s slot, which former Minister of Foreign Affairs Amb. Olugbenga Ashiru occupied.

    According to the permutations of the Presidency, the appointment of Na’Abba, Kure, Gada (a personal friend of Jonathan), Hong or Haruna would checkmate some of the G-7 governors.

    The party structure in the seven states will also be taken away from the aggrieved governors ahead of the “final onslaught” by the new ministers.

    There have been intrigues and protests in some states, including Kaduna, Vice-President Namadi Sambo’s political base.

    It was learnt that the people of Southern Kaduna have been kicking against the appointment of a minister from Kaduna Central where Governor Ramalan Yero hails from.

    Southern Kaduna indigenes are calling for ministerial compensation, having lost the governorship ticket with the death of ex-Governor Patrick Ibrahim Yakowa in a plane crash.

    Although Sambo favours his political son, Hamizu Mai Rago, for the slot, it may backfire politically for Jonathan because of likely protest votes from Southern Kaduna in 2015, observers said.

    Some strategists were said to have drawn the President’s attention to the recent political inroad of the All Progressives Congress (APC) into Southern Kaduna.

    A source said: “The GMD of NNPC,Andrew Yakubu, is from Southern Kaduna, but the belief is that his is a professional calling”.

    “They want the President to ensure religious balance. But the VP’s camp sees Mai Rago as an asset to the President in 2015 because he is a grassroots mobiliser. No decision has been taken on Kaduna’s slot,” he said, pleading not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter.

    On Niger State, a source admitted that the President’s strategists had concluded that only Kure could checkmate the leader of the G-7 governors, “Chief Servant” Babangida Aliyu.

    Apart from ethnic balancing, Kure(from Nupe Kingdom) is said to command a large following and enjoys the confidence of ex-military President Ibrahim Babangida, ex-Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar and some political heavyweights, who have grouses against Aliyu.

    Kure’s short-listing has, however, created rumpus within the PDP in the state because his wife, Hajiya Zainab Kure, is a senator.

    Another source said: “The position of Niger State PDP stakeholders is that a family cannot occupy a ministerial seat and hold senatorial ticket at the same time.

    “If we are preaching equity, we must do with clean hands. There are others from Nupeland who are qualified to be minister.

    “There is also a security issue on Kure bordering on alleged rift between him and a one-time Federal Controller of Housing and Urban Development in Niger State, Adekoya S. Olatunji, over access road to E8 and E10 Aliyu Makama Road, GRA, Minna.

    “A petition has been sent to Governor Babangida Aliyu by Olatunji, asking security agencies to investigate alleged assault on him by the ex-governor. Some stakeholders are already capitalising on this misunderstanding to move against Kure.”

    In Osun State, Senator Iyiola Omisore’s camp is said to be opposed to Babatope’s appointment, based on age.

    Omisore is seeking the President’s nod to nominate a ministerial candidate.

    But the liberal PDP members are pushing for the appointment of Alhaji Fatai Akinbade, who is believed to be acceptable to all factions.

    The fear of PDP members in Kano is that Na’aba is a radical who may be difficult to manage.

    “Although Na’Abba can change the political atmosphere in Kano and challenge Kwankwaso, he may not be able to wrest the state from the governor,” a source said, adding:

    “Some PDP leaders have reservations on Na’aba as a radical leader. We hope the party will not end up being polarised before 2015.”

    In Adamawa, it is a straight fight between Jibril Aminu’s faction and others.

    A former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Idi Hong, is said to be Aminu’s political right hand man, but some stakeholders are rooting for Governor Boni Haruna to curtail the “excesses” of Nyako and ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

    Party leaders in Sokoto are displeased with the President’s insistence on giving his friend, Senator Umar Gada, a ministerial slot.

    They alleged that the preference for Gada might have accounted for the “disgraceful” exit of two ministers from Sokoto State.

    It was learnt that the President had wanted Gada on board since 2010, but stakeholders had always opposed his choice.

    “Since all the nominees from Sokoto State have disappointed him, the President is giving Gada a priority. Actually, Gada was favoured to be the minister of FCT in 2010, but some senators persuaded Jonathan to give it to Sen. Mohammed Bala, who was from the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP),” a source said.

    Some PDP leaders in the Southwest were alleged to have queried why George should shop for a candidate.

    There were indications that the President might get at least two lists from the Lagos PDP.

    As at press time, it was unclear when the President would send the list to the Senate.

    A Presidency source simply said: “We are just fine-tuning the list. We may send it to the Senate any moment from now.”

  • Babatope, Ezeife urge Jonathan’s re-election

    A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former Minister of Transport, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, as well as ex-Anambra State Governor, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, have canvassed President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election in 2015.

    Babatope, who spoke at a lecture, titled: “Good governance as a panacea for promoting a stable and sustainable democracy”, organised by the Bayelsa State government to mark its 17th anniversary, based his argument on a prediction he said the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo made in 1982 in Bonny, Rivers State that “one day, an Ijaw man will become the President of Nigeria.”

    He said: “It was during a rally to mark the defection of my friend, the late Brig.-Gen. George Kurubo, from the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) to the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). Papa Awolowo said: ‘One day, an Ijaw man will become the President of Nigeria’.

    “Today, an Ijaw man is the president of Nigeria. The rest is history. I submit, it is right and proper that the Ijaw man, President Jonathan, completes his term in 2019.”

    Chief Babatope said the North should wait for its turn in 2019.

    He said President Jonathan deserves the support of the North in 2015, adding that there was a time the Ijaw were politically- married to the interest of the North.

    “The party that won election here during the Second Republic was NPN that had a northern leadership. One good turn people say deserves another,” Babatope said.

    He said it was ridiculous to see the 2015 presidential election as an issue between the North and the South.

    Chief Babatope described as false, an allegation that President Jonathan was promoting anti-North policies with his Presidency.

    He warned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against doing the bidding of the opposition in 2015.

    While claiming that the PDP would not rig the election, he said he feared that INEC might allow opposition parties to have their way in 2015 because of international accolades.

    Babatope urged the military not to be cajoled into intervening in politics.

    Said he: “It will never be to the interest of the armed forces if they once again allow themselves to be used to subvert or overthrow the constitution. If the armed forces should allow themselves to be used in this kind of game, then it will be a gradual movement into perfidy.”

    Dr. Ezeife said Nigeria is in danger because someone unpopular is the President.

    He said despite the determination to make the country ungovernable through the Boko Haram insurgency, Jonathan had succeeded in stabilising Nigeria.

    “Jonathan is a tool in the hands of God to implement God’s design for Nigeria. Jonathan’s tolerance, cool-headedness, fear of God and respect for people and their constitution have neutralised Boko Haram’s violence,” Ezeife said.

    Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Ghali Na’Abba described good governance as a panacea for development.

    He listed legitimacy, direction, performance, accountability and fairness as the features of good governance.

    Quoting the late literary icon, Prof. Chinua Achebe, he said: “Good governance is the palm kernel within which and with which democracy is eaten. Any democracy without good governance is only democracy in nomenclature.

    “By good governance, it is meant that the state operators are providing their citizens with what is generally referred to as the dividends of democracy.”

    Governor Seriake Dickson canvassed nationhood without which, he said, groups, such as the G-7 governors and the new PDP would not exist.

    He enjoined the political class to pursue its ambitions within the interest of a united country.

    Describing disagreements as normal in a democracy, he attributed the crisis in the country to the inordinate ambitions of some politicians.

    “Disagreements and differences in perspectives are normal. We should not shy away from disagreement because this is what democracy breeds.

    “But whether we agree or disagree, we must do so in the national interest. That to me is one missing link, as it seems people have fast-forwarded 2015,” Dickson said.

  • Arisekola, Babatope , others to honour Third Eye publisher

    Community leaders, politicians and business icons are expected to attend this year’s annual harvest in honour of

    a renowned business man and publisher of The Third Eye publications, Chief Akanni Aluko .

    Among dignitaries expected to grace the occasion are the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland , Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao and Chief Ebenezer Babatope .

    In a statement by the annual harvest Committee, the ceremony, which will take place tomorrow, will be chaired by Sir Olu Abiola and supported by eminent indigenes of Ijesa and prominent Nigerians.

    The statement added that the programme, which will begin by 9am, will be conducted by the Associate Priest, Rev. Father Anthony Adegoke and the Parish Priest Rev. Father Paul Awowole and supported by other priests.

    A special Apostolic blessings from the Catholic Bishop of Osogbo, Most Rev. (Dr) Gabriel Leke Abegunrin would be part of the activities to markg the annual festival at St. Victoria Catholic Church, along Ijebu-Jesa road, Ilesa ,Osun State.