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Tag: battle

  • Battle for Anambra enters critical stage

    Battle for Anambra enters critical stage

    Following the emergence of candidates for the November 18 Anambra State governorship election, Associate Editor, Sam Egburonu, takes a look at issues that will shape the next stage of the battle for the Government House in Awka and the parties’ chances.

    The calibre of those who emerged as candidates of the leading parties in the Anambra State governorship primaries have further given a hint on how the electorate would likely vote in the November 18 election. Before the primaries, there were reports of intrigues within the big parties where influential and rich aspirants contested. By the end of last week, after most of the parties held their primaries, observers said some of the big politicians analysts thought would emerge, failed to make it. Others, who were not tipped to win, emerged victorious. According to Dr. Ephraim Okonkwo, a political analyst, “this has not only altered some informed permutations but has also raised fresh issues that would help to determine the likely result of the election in November.”

    The results from the primaries of some of the leading parties showed that the candidates include Governor Willie Obiano, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Tony Nwoye, All Progressives Congress (APC), Oseloka Obaze,  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Osita Chidoka, United Progressives Party (UPP), and Godwin Ezeemo for the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA). In APGA however, another candidate, Chief Ifeanyi Igwebuike, emerged from the Chief Martin Agbaso faction. This, and other issues, according to Okonkwo, has raised fresh puzzles that may alter political equations before the election.

    APGA:  Obiano vs Igwebuike

    Given the emergence of two governorship candidates from factional primaries in All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), it seems the intrigues in the ruling party is even worse than what is currently playing out in other political parties in the state. Notwithstanding that Governor Willie Obiano, from Anambra North Senatorial District, had been elected as the candidate of his party, the faction loyal to Chief Martin Agbaso, organised its primary elections and chose Chief Ifeanyi Igwebuike as its candidate.

    Addressing newsmen on the election, Chief Azubuike Iloh, factional Chairman of the party in Anambra, said “Agbaso remains the legal and authentic chairman of APGA and is the only one to produce the candidate of the party for the election.

    “Whoever emerges as candidate from other faction is a nullity as only Agbaso’s leadership is recognised under the law at the moment.”

    In his acceptance speech, Igwuebuike thanked the party members for nominating him as their candidate.

    He said the party was sure to retain the state government if everybody support him in the race.

    With such a division, observers say APGA’s votes may also be divided amongst the two candidates.

    APC and Nwoye

    Although he is not a neophyte in Anambra State governorship race, not many analysts predicted that Tony Nwoye, who flew PDP flag in the last governorship election, will emerge the candidate of APC in the November election. Described as a grassroots person, this medical doctor from Anambra North, however emerged the party’s candidate, beating influential aspirants like Senator Andy Uba from the South.

    Given the demand by many for the ticket to be given to the North, his emergence may be described as being positive to the zoning sentiment but his challenge and that of the party may be the allegation that he is being sponsored by one of the old political godfathers, a development many fear would enslave the state again. Since his emergence, commentators and critics of APC have repeatedly levelled this allegation.

    For example, a commentator, Echezona Okechi, alleged that Nwoye’s major backer is multi-millionaire Arthur Eze. His cuties have given reasons why such a support is not acceptable to them.

    So, the fear currently expressed by APC stakeholders in the state is if the party and the candidate would be able to disprove this allegation. Describing allegation of existence of a godfather as ‘a baggage we can’t afford now,” they said if APC and Nwoye hope to get the votes of ordinary people in the state and if they hope to dislodge APGA, they may have to convince the people that Nwoye is his own man.

    Besides this, another major challenge would be to retain the support and cooperation of the influential aspirants and their supporters who either withdrew at the last minute or lost out at the primary.

    It would be recalled that by June this year, about 20 influential politicians were linked with the ambition to pick the party’s ticket. Apart from Nwoye, others linked with nursing the ambition to fly the party’s flag included Senator Andy Uba from Anambra South; Dr. Chike Obidigbo, from Anambra North; former Senator Uche Ekwunife, who served in the Senate on the ticket of the PDP; former PDP governorship aspirant, Dr. Obinna Uzor; APC National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu, Engr. Barth Nwibe, among others. After the primary election, some of them have  levelled allegations against the candidate and the process that threw him up. Resolving this will be APC’s major challenge.

    PDP and Obaze

    Born in Ogbaru, PDP’s candidate, Dr. Oseleke Obaze, is a native of Ochuchu Umuodu and the son of a local government administrator and a school teacher mother.

    A product of Christ the King College, Onitsha, he studied Political Science and International Relations and have had an interesting career in Diplomacy.

    Between 1991 and 2012, he was in the UN, working  mostly on the African Dossier.

    Between 2012 and 2015, Obaze served as the Secretary to State Government (SSG) in the then Governor Peter Obi-led Anambra State Government.

    He emerged PDP’s governorship candidate after polling a whopping 672 votes in the party’s primary election held on August 28, 2017. But although he defeated his opponents overwhelmingly, including the second runner-up, Alex Obi-Ogbolu, who scored 190 votes and Ifeanyi Ubah, who polled 94 votes, sources confirmed to The Nation that the party still has so much to do to resolve the internal wrangling that may affect its fortunes in November.

    Even before the result was finally announced, it became obvious that many stakeholders are not satisfied with the outcome of the primary election. For example, at the middle of the primary election, Ifeanyi Ubah grabbed the microphone and protested the result, alleging that the election was marred by irregularities.

    He said the delegates list was only given to the aspirants two days to the election unlike what obtains in other parties where the aspirants got their lists about four weeks before the primaries.

    Obaze’s critics are also alleging that former governor Peter Obi is the power behind his emergence. How this will impact on his fortunes remains to be seen.

    UPP and Chidoka

    The United Progressives Party’s candidate, Chief Osita Chidoka, was a former Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and later Minister of Aviation. Although he reportedly enjoys support of youths and some elders, arising from his acclaimed successes while he served in FRSC, the intrigues that trailed the party’s primary election may pose a challenge in his quest to emerge as the state governor. No doubt, his party, led by Chief Chekwas Okorie, has achieved visible popularity in Anambra State. But the unfortunate death of one of the delegates during the party’s primary election have generated a major controversy that would need to be carefully resolved if he hopes to emerge successful.

    It would be recalled that Chidoka’s opponent at the primary, Hon. Chudi Offodile, had, in a press conference, after the primaries, described the August 19 primary as “a sham,” stating that “the party had derailed from its objectives.”

    Announcing his resignation from the party, he had said, “I have noted the willful and corrupt manipulation of the party delegates list by Chief Chekwas Okorie, but it is the display of gross insensitivity to the life of a party member that has made me reconsider my membership of the UPP. Responding to the allegations, the party leadership said the former lawmaker was “just playing true to type,” adding that he “wants to reap a political fruit without sowing the seeds.” Instead, the party said that the events that led to the delegate’s death could be traced to the confusion allegedly caused by Offodile’s supporters.

    PPA and Ezeemo

    Born June 20, 1954, Godwin Chukwunenye Ezeemo, the candidate of Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA), is a native of Umuojogwu-Amanasaa, Umuchu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State. He was the first aspirant to emerge a candidate of his political party for the November governorship election.

    When he picked the ticket, the founder of Orient Group of Companies called on the electorates to shun money politics and be guided by their knowledge of the candidate’s antecedent and not just because of the political party.

    “The electorate should now choose their candidate, who they want to vote for according to who that candidate is and not according to what his political party is.

    “Because we have followed this routine in the past and that is the reason why we are held up in the forest.

    “But in our own, we are not buying the electorate. We appeal to the conscience of the electorate for them to make a choice between us and some other persons that are in the race. So, they know that their association is not based on the money they have collected. Do you understand that?”

    “My appeal to the electorate is for the electorate to start to look at candidates now from the point of view of their antecedence, from the point of view of what they have done in the past, from the point of view of who they are, what they have been able to do in the society at large.”

    Fear of desperate multi-millionaires.

    As the candidates and their parties now move out to campaign to the electorates, it remains to be seen if the people will adhere to Ezeemo’s advice against money politics. The Nation investigation however shows that though some aspirants with deeper pockets failed to emerge as their party’s candidates, all the aspirants that eventually emerged as candidates are currently linked to very wealthy sponsors. This confirms the fear that, as has always been the case, this year’s governorship election in Anambra State will be another power game of desperate multi-millionaires.

  • Battle for NLNG’s soul

    Battle for NLNG’s soul

    I knew it would not just pull through without a fight. But, I never knew the fight would be this epic. The battle for and against the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited is gaining supporters by the day. The latest entrant to the ring is Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. NLNG Limited’s operational base is in Bonny Island, Rivers State. Wike believes NLNG deserves to be protected and he is mobilising for it. This means there are chances of seeing other governors from the region queuing behind Wike to join NLNG Limited’s squad against the National Assembly.

    It is all about the move to amend the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited Act. The Rivers governor does not believe there is any need for the Act to be tampered with. He plans to stop the amendment, which has already received the blessing of the House of Representatives. All eyes are now on the Senate, which is yet to concur.

    Wike’s position is not shared by the Traditional Rulers of Oil Mineral Producing Communities of Nigeria (TROMPCON), which wants the amendment concluded as soon as possible.

    The monarchs from the nine crude oil-producing states have berated the NLNG Limited for kicking against the amendment.

    The TROMPCON members, in their position paper read by the National Chairman, HRM Eze Akuwuez Ikegwuruku, the paramount ruler of Mgbirichi/Abakuru land in Ohaji/Egbema Local Government Area of Imo State, enumerated what they considered the benefits of the amendment.

    “The NLNG, as a gas-processing company, must be made to comply with Section 14 (1) (b) of the NDDC Act, which stipulates that 3 per cent of the total annual budget of any oil producing company operating onshore and offshore in the Niger Delta,  including gas processing, under which NLNG is supposed to be, goes to the NDDC.

    “While we acknowledge the fact that Section 2 of the NLNG Act gives NLNG what is called a tax-relief period, the fiscal incentives are very clear in terms of their duration, as they are purely for a period of ten years. NLNG has enjoyed the incentives for almost 18 years, without paying levies, because the law says the incentives commenced on the commencement of first operation. We all know that the first train came into operation in September 1999.”

    As far as Wike is concerned, the monarchs can tell that to the marines. Speaking  on Tuesday night at the Government House Port Harcourt during a visit by the management of the NLNG Limited, Wike said the state government would mobilise the  state’s representatives at the National Assembly to ensure that the amendment fails. He also wants the Federal Government to work against it because of the negative multiplier effect it would have on the economy.

    The Act, which started out as a military decree, has been in existence for close to 30 years. If the amendment is allowed, our jewel of inestimable value and Bonny Island’s dearest will never be the same again.

    The amendment aims to end the company’s status as dollar denominated, which was agreed on to protect the company against Naira’s flip-flop. The National Assembly also seeks to make its subsidiary, Bonny Gas Transport Company, pay tax in Nigeria. It also plans to make NLNG pay three per cent of its annual revenue to the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), pay three per cent of gross freight on international inbound and outbound cargo to NIMASA, pay two per cent of contracts performed by companies engaged in cabotage and pay one per cent of any contract award upstream to the government.

    Bonny Island, where NLNG is located, was without form until Shell the light. Mobil saw it later. The Nigerian LNG Limited saw it over two decades ago when work started on Africa’s largest LNG plant. They all liked the place and the promise there. The Federal Government, which has interest in all of these ventures, too knows what the country stands to gain from Bonny Island, which hosts the country’s only port of origin.

    Of these companies in Bonny, NLNG seems dearest to the indigenes. It is their pride. Through it, they enjoy uninterrupted power supply, among other dividends. For Nigeria, it is both our pride and cash-cow.

    You will understand better what NLNG means to Nigeria if you listened to Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) Group Managing Director (GMD) Dr. Maikanti Baru  some months back on an NTA programme.

    To Baru, the Bonny NLNG is one of the biggest success stories of the oil and gas industry. This company, Baru said, has generated $90 billion revenue, $30 billion dividends and contributed four per cent to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Baru believes this move against the NLNG Act has dampened the optimism of investors in the industry.

    “The review of the NLNG Act by the National Assembly is causing a challenge for the Federal Government and the IOCs and it is sending wrong signals to the international community about how business is done in the country,” he said.

    The NLNG has been a darling and should be allowed to remain so. Let me cite this particular example: When President Muhammadu Buhari came in, the Federal Government initiated a bailout package for states owing their workers. The bulk of the money which made up the N400 billion package came from proceeds from the Bonny Island, Finima, Rivers State-based company.

    This darling, which was incorporated some 30 years ago but its first cargo of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) did not leave the Bonny Port until ten years later, rose so fast that it became the fourth largest supplier of LNG. The company has also paid over $5.5billion as Companies Income Tax, Tertiary Education Tax, WHT, VAT and PAYE. Regulators’ levies and other fees have led to the company coughing out over N51billion.

    Former Coordinating Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala visited the NLNG Plant on Bonny Island, Rivers State on November 15, 2013. She described the NLNG as an asset to Nigeria, a shining example of a successful company and a beacon of hope for a better Nigeria. She described the NLNG as the most successful Nigerian company with 49 per cent government ownership.

    The planned seventh train of the NLNG plant will bring in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) estimated at over $8 billion, help reduce flared gas and improve the country’s revenue profile. With Train 7, the NLNG, said industry watchers, would provide about 10,000 jobs. Since it opened shop in Bonny, NLNG Limited has provided over 2,000 jobs each construction year and 18,000 jobs at the peak of construction. The government, they said, will also reap an additional $2.2 billion annually in dividend.

    This Act under threat is a contract between the Federal Government and the NLNG shareholders. The thrusts of this contract include incentives, concessions, guarantees and assurances, which were reaffirmed in Letters of Assurance to lenders for the Nigeria LNG Trains 4 and 5 expansions by the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice and the Central Bank.

    The incentives, concessions, guarantees and assurances are not uncommon in the global LNG industry. They are used in countries, such as Qatar, Oman, Malaysia, Angola and others to support and grow their LNG plants. The guarantees are to assure foreign investors that their investments will be protected.

    These alterations planned by the National Assembly are against the guarantees and assurances Nigeria entered into with the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and others. The National Assembly needs to forget its feeling that the NLNG is enjoying a rare privilege. Firms in free trade zones enjoy almost absolute exemptions from taxes and levies. NLNG enjoys partial exemptions. Since 2010, it started paying Companies Income Tax, because its exemption from this expired in 2009.

    My final take: The sponsors of the amendment believe the NLNG has cheated the people of the Niger Delta by not contributing to the purse of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). I do not share this sentiment because even the bulk of the money released for the development of the region has ended up in private pockets. There are also reasons to believe that the brains behind the amendment are into it because of what they have gained and what they still stand to gain.

  • Presidency,NIA and anti-graft battle

    Since his suspension three weeks ago, perhaps the greatest shock of his career, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Ambassador Ayodele Oke has been traumatised and subjected to a series of drilling.

    There was no doubt that the move by President Muhammadu Buhari caught him unawares. As a result, he has been quizzed by the Presidential Investigative Panel headed by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo for the better part of the two weeks duration of the work of the committee.

    His problem started when he laid claim to the $43m recently discovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a residential apartment at Osborne Towers, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    It will be an understatement to say that President Buhari was ruffled by the discovery as he was deeply shocked that such a large sum of money could be found in a residential apartment and linked to an official of government.

    He never expected that any government official under his administration, known for zero tolerance for corruption, will have what some Nigerians have described as slush fund hidden in a residential apartment.

    To get to the root of the matter, the President swiftly directed his deputy to investigate the matter along with the allegations against the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal.

    As he was giving the Panel the deadline to submit report of the investigation in two weeks, he also immediately ordered the suspension of the two officials from office to prevent any interference with the work of the committee.

    As soon as the investigation began, Oke was confident that he would be able to explain himself out of the problem.

    The greatest defence Oke was relying on was that the relevant agencies of government were aware that the money meant for NIA operations was in his possession.

    He had informed the panel, which has the National Security Adviser (NSA), Babagana Monguno and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami as members, that Monguno was duly briefed of the existence of the money.

    He instantly became something of an orphan who had nobody to fight for him, when the NSA disowned him and claimed that he was not aware of the money at the point the present administration came on board.

    While the investigation was going on behind closed doors, a presidential source had disclosed that President Buhari was kept completely in the dark concerning the money at the inception of the administration and that the NSA only stumbled on it during another probe his office carried out.

    The source had said: “The NSA was not told that NIA had this lump cash stashed away in the place it was eventually discovered by EFCC.

    “In any case, extant rules are clear that such monies ought only to be placed in the NIA headquarters or in CBN vaults.

    “So let us even assume that the NIA DG wanted to keep funds in Lagos for the Lagos based projects, he did not need that much for the total of the Lagos projects at all. And apart from that it is completely untenable to stash away agency money in a private apartment instead of keeping it with the CBN or inside the NIA head office where the money would be well-secured and its disbursement well protected.” the source added

    With the thickening storm against him, Oke had no choice but to declare that he will leave everything in the hands of Almighty God, who knows the truth about every situation on earth and in heaven.

    The onus fell heavily on Oke to prove that NSA was aware of the existence of the money right from May, 2015, when the administration came on board.

    Unless Oke has any document that will expressly support his claims, it will be an harculian task to prove that the NSA or the Presidency or any other agency of government was aware of the money’s existence.

    If other heads of government agencies could easily deny knowledge of the money, that will not be the same for the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefuele, because he has been in office since the tenure of former President Goodluck Jonathan. He definitely should know something about the money.

    The foreign currencies could possibly have been paid through the CBN under Emefuele”s tenure during Jonathan’s government.

    With the invitation to appear before the panel, it is really hoped that Emefuele had helped the committee by shedding light on the true source and the purpose of the money.

    Because hiding any part of the information or not painting the true picture of the source of the money and what it was meant for will amount to sentencing an innocent man to death.

    While the Osinbajo’s Panel was expected to submit its report by yesterday, it is very important that the recommendations in the report are fair to all.

    All those who deserve to be punished should be punished, while those who have not done any wrong should be cleared to continue in office.

    Even though accusing finger was pointed at a member of the committee, the Panel should be able to stand for the truth and do everything possible to uncover if the NSA was actually aware of the money at the inception of the administration while the President was kept in the dark or if it was just a defence strategy to rope more government officials into the matter.

    But the job of the panel would have been neater if none of its members was accused in any way in the two cases before the Panel.

    Because it will not be morally or legally right for an accused to be a judge in his own case.

    Being fair to all will go a long way to show that the administration is not selective and very serious about the anti-graft battle.

    It should be fearless and be able to take hard decisions against anyone found on the wrong side of the law,  irrespective of how highly placed the person is.

  • Battle for Anambra Government House

    Battle for Anambra Government House

    Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU examines the preparations of the political parties for the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State. 

    The governorship election in Anambra State is gathering momentum. Although the political parties have not conducted their primaries, some of them already have ‘candidates.’

    For now, only six political parties are in the governorship race, while others are still peeping.

    Major parties in contention are the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), the All Progressive Congress (APC), People’s Redemption Party (PRP), the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) and the United Progressive Party (UPP).

    Governor Willie Obiano is expected to emerge as the APGA candidate, a chieftain, Dr Elo Aforka, has said that he will also contest.

    Also, the PPA has Mr. Godwin Ezeemo as its candidate without any primary. Dr Stephen Obiorah Mbah is expected to emerge as the PRP candidate. The APC has eight aspirants. The PDP has four. APC aspirants are the National Auditor, Chief George Moghalu, Dr Obinna Uzor, Hon Tony Nwoye, Sir Paul Chukwuma, National Youth leader of the party. Others are Barth Nwibe, an engineer, Chief Johnbosco Onunkwo, Senator Andy Uba and Dr Chike Obidigbo.

    In the (PDP), Chief Osita Chidoka has indicated interest. Also in the race are Dr Alex Obiogbolu, Mr. Oseloka Obaze and Zeribe Ezeanuna.

    The APC has assembled some political eggheads in the Southeast into a committee to deliver Anambra to the party on November 18. The Anambra State Gubernatorial Election Planning and Strategy Committee of the APC is chaired by Senator Jim Nwobodo, the first civilian governor of old Anambra State. Other members are the former governor of Abia State, Chief Orji Uzor Kalu, vice chairman, Senator Emma Agboti, secretary,  Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, Senator Nkechi Wogu, Chief Madugba Cosmas and Chief Gbazueagu Nweke Gbazueagu.

    The committee is to monitor the political environment and report to the party leadership, evaluate the aspirants in the party, raise funds and advise on zoning. The decision was reached during the Southeast APC meeting in Alor, the home town of Senator Chris Ngige. In a communiqué by the zonal publicity secretary, Hon Hyacinth Ngwu and the National Vice Chairman, Hon Emma Eneukwu, party members were urged to gird their loins, ahead of the poll.

    Apart from APGA, PPA and APC, no other party has begun full preparations for the election.

    The Chief Willie Obiano Support Group, led by Sir Jude Emecheta, has traversed the nooks and crannies of the state selling the governor’s candidature.

    Despite moves by the APC to wrest power from APGA, the PDP is not relenting in its bid to re-capture power. Its arrowhead is former Governor Peter Obi. PDP aspirants have been moving round the state to sell themselves to the people. The party lost power to APGA in 2006.

    But, the crisis in the PDP has been a major blow to the aspirants and their followers. Indeed, the PDP is divided in Anambra State.

    As a result, many PDP chieftains have either defected to the APC or the APGA, while Prince Ken Emeakayi, the chairman, is fighting hard to reposition it.

    Recently, Emeakayi raised the alarm that about 12 cases instituted in various courts in the state by various groups and individuals have hampered the progress of the troubled chapter. The members are confused on whether to align with Obi or follow the aspirants.

    On its part, the UPP said it has put machinery in motion to battle other parties. Its Publicity Secretary, Uchenna Amaku, told The Nation that the chapter will not allow those he described as political hawks to hijack the political space in Anambra.

    He said such people had deceived the state and the zone in the past, adding that the UPP will battle them to a standstill.

    The anger of UPP, according to Amaku, stems from the fact that the youths in the Southeast are being killed and the political leaders are aloof.

    The aspirants across the parties are as follows:

     

    Tony Nwoye (APC)

     He is a former Chairman of the PDP in Anambra State. He was the party’s governorship candidate in 2014. Nwoye is a member of the House of Representatives representing Anambra East and West Constituency.

    He hails from Nsugbe, Anambra East. He is from the same local government with Obiano.

    Not only a dogged fighter, but a great mobiliser, the former student union leader is determined.

    The only obstacle to Nwoye’s ambition is that he defected from the PDP to the APC. He is not a foundation member of the party.

    His major strength is his closeness to the grassroots and his philanthropist activities. One of his major supporters is Prince Arthur Eze, an oil magnet.

     

    Stephen Obiorah (PRP).

    He has said that his main objective is the reconstruction of Anambra State. Dr Stephen Obiorah is a political feather weight in the politics of Anambra. He may not make any head way during the election.

    Besides,  the PRP has no footing in the state. He told The Nation that the party has given him a platform to pursue his ambition. He was briefly in the APGA, but found the party too tough and dumped it in last year.

    Mbah said APGA does not give people chance to lead. He also alleged that the party does not believe in the ability of any other person, except those around the government.

    An Awka indigene, Obiorah is not a threat to anybody in the race.

     

    Osita Chidoka (PDP)

     Osita Chidoka was the Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and former Minister of Aviation under former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The only strength he has is the position he held and his romance with members of his political party.

    He hails from Obosi in Idemili North local government area and stands a chance of defeating other contestants at the primary.

    Some members of his party have described him as a snub and arrogant person. But, the primary of the party will tell.

     

    George Moghalu (APC)

    Moghalu is the National Auditor of the APC. Hehails from Nnewi North local government area.

    He had contested for the governorship on the platform of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) in 2003.

    After the contest, he went into political oblivion because his party did not make it. He was the only face of the ANPP in Anambra.

    One thing going for Moghalu is his simplicity and maturity, which had endeared him to the people, despite his lack of a deep purse.

    Some APC members are saying that he should be given the ticket for his loyalty. Besides, The Nation gathered that Nnewi kinsmen are investing heavily on his ambition.

    Moghalu is somebody that can call you by your name any where he sees you just like Senator Chris Ngige, Tony Nwoye and few others. He is unlike those who see themselves as demigods.

     

    Osekola Obaze (PDP) 

    He is the former Secretary to the State Government (SSG) under the administration of Obi. Obaze is simple, intelligent and easy going. Despite his position, he was in the shadow of his younger brother, Dubem Obaze, who is the former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, who was the de-facto- governor.

    Today, Oseloka Obaze wants to govern Anambra state and he is seen as Obi’s favourite in (PDP).

    He hails from Ogbaru local government area but his main undoing is his selective and discriminatory attitude.

    He is a political neophyte. He relies on Obi and his younger brother Dubem for relevance and victory.

     

    Ifeanyichukwu Okonkwo (UPP)

    According to observers, Okonkwo is not a lawyer, but he seems to know the law more than the lawyers, judging by his references to the law at each turn. He hails from Nnobi in Idemili south local government area.

    Though not seen as a strong contender because his party, the (UPP) is perceived as a party on the fringe, the party has the backing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other agitator.

    This is not the first time Okonkwo is contesting for governor. He may not have the financial muscle to challenge others in the race.

    But, because of his eloquence and background as a rights activist, he may get the blessing of the founder of the party, Chief Chekwas Okorie.

    The UPP Publicity Secretary, Uche Amaku, said other aspirants have indicated interest in the ticket. But, their posters are not yet out.

     

    Godwin Ezeemo (PPA)

    He stormed out of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) because of the disagreement he had with the party leader, Ngige, over the ticket in 2014.

    Ezeemo joined the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) to pursue his ambition. He came fourth. Since then, he has not looked back in his bid to be governor. He has made PPA stronger in Anambra with his philanthropy.

    The aspirant is perceived as a gentleman by all and sundry, and a man with meek of kindness. His major problem is that his party is a small party. It can hardly compete with the APC, the PDP, and the APGA in the state.

    Majority of the people in the state see him as a good material for the position, but those around him are not interested in what he is doing. Sources said they are around him to get his money and disappear.

    Ezeemo has the wherewithal to prosecute his ambition. But, a major obstacle he is facing now is that he has another aspirant from the same Umuchu community in another party. People in the state see him as one who the cap fits.

     

    Willie Obiano (APGA) 

     He became the governor through the instrumentality of Obi, his predecessor. The former governor had insisted that Anambra North, which had been marginalized, should produce the governor in 2014.

    The sentiment worked. Obi made Obiano governor. He got former president Goodluck Jonathan, who abandoned his PDP, to support him.

    Since Obiano came into power, he has not really faced any opposition as the political juggernauts have rallied round his government.

    However, trouble started when Obi defected to the PDP because of their disagreement over the purported 75 billion naira bond the former governor said he left in the state purse when his tenure expired.

    Obiano’s sins, according to the people, are many. Although he has some good works to his credit, some people want to have a pound of flesh during the election.

    Some opposition politicians believe he runs a government of deceit. But, he is not cunning. He is a honest politician.

    His strength lies in his support base. The people of Anambra North are behind him. He has been accused of concentrating his projects and appointments in the area.

    The governor is shielded by a cabal. Although he is a good administrator, he is surrounded by hawks.

    An APGA chieftain, Dr Elo Aforka, is challenging Obiano at the primary. It will be a futile effort. A source aid APGA is ready to prosecute the electoral project with billions of naira.

     

    Barth Nwibe (APC)

    Barth Nwibe is a strong contender in the APC. He has been in the political family from the days of he defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (CAN).

    He contested for House of Representatives under the CAN. He lost his deposit. He is a close associate of Ngige. He is a party financier.

    Before now, some people used to see him as a political neophyte and an arrogant. But, Nwibe is humble, intelligent and he is a good listener.

    If the APC holds a free and fair primary, the Igboukwu-born politician may make a statement.

    He is wealthy. It has been alleged that he is preferr4ed by Ngige, the APC leader.

     

    Elo Aforka (APGA)

    Dr Elo Aforka may be a jester in the race. He cannot withstand the Obiano machinery. According to observers, it will be difficult for him to get the ticket at the primary where the governor is the strong contender.

    He is one-time Special Assistant to Obiano on Political Matters. He is believed to be Chief Victor Umeh’s apogee. But, one thing is clear; he is in the race to spoil the fun for Obiano.

     

    Andy Uba (APC)

    The three-time senator from Anambra South was once elected governor of Anambra State in 2007 in error. He spent  17 days before the Supreme Court booted him out. The verdict was that Obi’s tenure had not expired.

    Uba was in the PDP from where he defected to the APC. He said he left the PDP because of its protracted crises. Uba has paid his dues in Anambra politics. He is a disciple of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    But, he has started battling opposition in his native Uga, Aguata local government area. His younger brother, Chief Chris Uba, regarded as the political godfather, is bitter that his brother deprived him of the opportunity to be a senator in 2015.

    His kinsmen see him as somebody who has not done enough in the Senate to warrant being a governor. Some have even agitated for his recall.

    Uba may not get the APC ticket, having joined the party recently. According to an APC chieftain, “APC does not behave like other parties; we do things according to hierarchy.”

    Furthermore, some politicians in the state have christened Uba as a use-and-dump politician.

    His closeness to Obasanjo may continue to give him hope. Also, if money is the deciding factor, he is a strong contender.

     

    John Bosco Onunkwo (APC)

     He is a rich politician. The young politician hails from Umuchu in Aguata local government area.

    His father was Ngige’s teacher and that closeness with the family has made some people believe it is his turn.

    Onunkwo’s philanthropy has endeared him to the people, especially the youths who believe that there is the need for a generational shift. He is a loyal party man, who has shown commitment from the days of the ACN. He has stronger contenders, including Moghalu and Nwibe, to contend with at the primary.

     

    Paul Chukwuma (APC)

    He hails from Umeri, a neigbouring community Obiano’s village in the Anambra East Council Area.

    Not much is known about the young man with tremendous wealth. He is the Southeast Youth leader of the APC.

    Nobody knows where he draws his strength, but he is close to manyAPC big wigs.

    One APC chieftain who pleaded anonymity told The Nation that Sir Paul Chukwuma is being used to play spoiler’s role in the governorship game.

     

    Zeribe Ezeanuna (PDP)

     He is an unknown quantity. The only time his name was heard was some years back in a protest.

    Zeribe Ezeanuna is not a serious contender.

    Though from Aguata local government area, he is based in Onitsha. He does not possess that political clout like other contenders. Indeed, he is a pretender.

     

    Alex Obiogbolu (PDP)

    The people of Anambra believe that Dr Alex Obiogbolu will behave like Obi, if he becomes the governor.

    He is a loyal party man, having been in the  PDP and gone through thick and thin, unlike others who jump from pillar to post each time one appointment or the other elude them.

    Obiogbolu is a former Chairman of Anambra State Local Government Civil Service Commission and also a former chairman of Anambra State Environmental Protection Agency (ANSEPA).

    He is an orator and a gentleman.

    He comes from Onitsha North Local Government Area in Anambra North. The zone has been protesting its marginalization from the scheme of things. The aspirant is close to Obi and Senator Stella Oduah. But, will Obi allow him to gain upper hand against Obaze?

     

    DR OBINNA UZOR (APC)

    Dr Obinna Uzor is a man of many parts. He is a successful business man from Ihiala local government area.

    The only thing working against him was his outspokenness. In 2003, he said he was coming to clear the mess of former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju. Both are from the same area.

    Uzor contested that governorship election on the platform of National Democratic Party (NDP) and lost.

    He had built a Catholic church for his people and he engages in philanthropy.

    The people of Anambra say he does not have the clout of a governor and it will be difficult for the APC to give him the ticket, despite his closeness to Ngige.

    One thing is clear about Uzor;  he is a good man with a good heart. But, he is perceived as a serial defector. Indeed, moving from one political party to another has eroded the trust and confidence of the people.

     

    Chike Obidigbo (APC)

    Dr. Chike Obidigbo gave Obiano and Obi a run for their money during the 2014 contest.

    The disagreement and controversy that trailed the selection process made him to drag the party to court where he lost.

    After the court judgment, he decided to team up with the APC.

    Obidigbo is from Umunya in Oyi local government area. He is not seen as a grassroots man. But, he has a deep purse.

    He was derided as political neophyte when he joined APGA. He is now perceived as a political heavy weight.

     

    Zoning:

    However, it is now obvious that three persons are contesting the election from Anambra South; Moghalu, Uba and Uzor.

    The Central Zone parades eight Nwibe (APC), Onunkwo (APC), Ezeanuna (PDP), Mbah (PRP) and Okonkwo (UPP).

    From the North, six persons are in the race with Obiano (APGA) leading the pack. Others are Nwoye (APC), Obidigbo (APC), Obaze (PDP), Obigbolu (PDP) and Chukwuma (APC).

    But, is zoning a factor? Time will tell.

  • MTV Base screens Lip Sync Battle

    MTV Base screens Lip Sync Battle

    The management of music channel, MTV Base Africa, on Tuesday, treated guests and stakeholders to a teaser of its forthcoming programme, Lip Sync Battle which premieres tomorrow.

    Welcoming guests to the screening, which took place at the Genesis Deluxe Cinemas, Lekki, Senior Channel Manager, MTV Base Africa and Senior Creative Director, Viacom, Katung Aduwak said that basically, Lip Sync Battle is all about having fun while giving people an opportunity to express themselves.

    “This season is a step above the previous. We’ve actually taken it to another level with our Lip Sync Battle Challenge. It is an amazing format. The second season is going to be bigger, it’s going to be better,” he said.

    Explaining further, Katung said that the Lip Sync Battle Challenge offers viewers the chance to send a 60 seconds lip syncing of their favourite artiste and stand a chance to win N1million and a VIP experience for two at any MTV award ceremony.

    Also speaking, Vice President of MTV and BET, Monde Twala described the show as an entertaining format that speaks to lifestyle in terms of what the channel stands for.

    “If you go through what we achieved last year, it was quite a Nigeria/South Africa kind of based format. And I think it went well but this year, we have spiced it up by adding other regions from Africa. It really speaks to what young people are doing on a day to day basis around the music genre,” he said.

    Lip sync, he said, wouldn’t be possible without all the talents. “It’s really about the talents that come on board to help. This is one show where you can just let loose, be yourself and try something you probably have never tried before,” he added.

    Another addition to the show this year, according to organisers, is energetic show host, Denrele Edun who replaces music artiste D’banj as host while the show still retains Pearl Thusi.

    Reliving his experience as host, Denrele said that taking over from Dbanj was no joke. “It has been an amazing experience for me. Pearl Thusi and I were dynamites. The fusion was crazy. And over all, my energy was over the roof,” he stated.

    Also present at the screening were some of the Season 2 contestants, DJ Exclusive and sultry singer, Simi.

  • Our anti-recession, growth battle strategy, by Buhari

    Our anti-recession, growth battle strategy, by Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday renewed his administration’s commitment to delivering on the electoral promises of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the launch of the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP).

    He said the rolling plan (2017 – 2020), which was unveiled at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa in Abuja, will not only take Nigeria out of recession but place the economy on the path of growth.

    According to him, his administration has recorded some  gains in the fight against corruption and national security.

    The President said: “As we all know, this administration inherited numerous challenges. Our political campaign was based on the recognition of the difficult situation Nigeria was in and the need to bring positive and enduring change. And we remain committed to our electoral promise to change our way of doing things and to change Nigeria for good.

    “We are committed to delivering on the three key areas that we promised – that is improving security, tackling corruption and revitalising the economy. Security in the Northeast and other parts of Nigeria is significantly better today than when we came in.

    “With regards to our fight against corruption, as you all know, our law enforcement agencies are prosecuting very many cases of corruption. Our successes in these two areas are clear for all to see.”

    Buhari assured all that his administration was handling the economic challenges with the same commitment demonstrated in the fight against corruption, against terrorism and militancy.

    “The ERGP,” he said, “brings together, in a single document, all sectoral plans for agriculture and food security, energy and transport infrastructure, industrialisation and social investments.

    “It builds on the Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) and sets out an ambitious roadmap to return the economy to growth; and to achieve a seven per cent growth rate by 2020.

    “Our aim, simply put, is to optimise local content and empower local businesses. We seek not just to take the Nigerian economy out of recession but to place it on a path of sustained, inclusive and diversified growth.

    “We are determined to change Nigeria from an import-dependent country to a producing nation. We must become: A nation where we grow what we eat and consume what we produce. We must strive to have a strong Naira and productive economy.

    “The Plan I am launching today therefore sets out what we, as Government, are committed to do, to create the enabling environment for business to thrive.”

    According to him, state governments have critical roles to play to ensure the success of the plan, which he described as a national programme.

    He urged states to draw inspiration and strategic direction from the ERGP to articulate their economic programmes, particularly in the development of the real sector.

    The President urged Nigerians to support the administration to attain its objectives, pointing out that the ERGP contents were no longer alien to a cross-section of Nigerians because it was developed in consultation with stakeholders, including the National Assembly, state governments, the business community, labour unions, academia, civil society groups and development partners.

    “I am pleased to present this ERGP for use by the Nigerian people, our friends and partners and to guide our development efforts over the next four years”, Buhari stated.

    The Minister of Budget & National Planning, Udoma Udo Udoma, said that the Plan has 60 interventions and initiatives to be implemented in the next four years.

    Udoma, however, said that the government would be focusing on five of the interventions.

    His words: “Right from when he (Buhari) was campaigning, he has shown single-minded commitment to change Nigeria in a fundamental way.

    “He promised three things – first, to restore security, particularly in the Northeast; second, to fight corruption, and third, to repair the broken economy. And the cabinet was sworn in in November, 2015, he gave us our marching orders.

    “This ERGP is therefore a fulfillment of his promise to re-invigorate the economy. Whilst the ERGP is being formally launched today, its implementation is not starting today.

    “This is because the plan puts together in one place, for easy access, all the sectoral plans that the government has been working on, from inception, including the Strategic Implementation Plan for the 2016 budget proposals which were submitted to the a National Assembly in December last year.

    “The broad objectives of the ERGP are to restore growth, invest in our people and build a globally competitive economy. As our President has repeatedly said, our hope is to build a self-reliant economy; a country in which we can grow what we eat, use what we make and produce what we consume.

    “…A country which embraces the world of technology; ideas and investment from everywhere but domesticates these ideas for the use of the people; a country which produces high quality goods, not just for our own consumption but enough to export to our neighbours, and, indeed, the world.

    “Our aim is to create a culture where Nigeria continuously seeks ways to add value to the resources we have been blessed with. In short, our aim is to change Nigeria, and change for good.

    “To achieve this, the plan articulates up to 60 interventions and initiatives, that must be executed and/or completed within the next four years to tackle, and to remove, impediments to growth; to make markets function better; and to leverage the power of the private sector.”

    He, however, said that it will be archived without compromising the core values of the nation, such as discipline, integrity, social justice, self-reliance and patriotism.

    “And, of course, all the initiatives in the plan will be implemented in such a manner as to continue to strengthen and promote national cohesion and social inclusion.”

    The minister listed five areas of priority as: stabilising the macroeconomic environment; achievement of agriculture and food security; expansion of energy infrastructure and driving industrialisation principally through local and small business enterprises.

    Delivering a goodwill message, the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, said that the plan is not only important to the Federal Government, but also to the state governments because of its inclusive growth.

    He assured that governors would take ownership of the plan at the state level.

    Senate President Bukola Saraki said: “We must make it work, it has to work.”

    House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, pledged the support of the lower chamber to the implementation of the plan.

    Dogara said: “I have no doubt that if successfully implemented, it will usher in the turnaround we all desire.”

  • The battle between Senate and SGF

    The battle between Senate and SGF

    The Senate last December urged President Muhammadu Buhari to suspend and ensure the prosecution of the SGF for alleged breach of the law in handling contracts awarded by the PINE.

    The Senate’s resolution followed the presentation of the report on the humanitarian crisis in the Northeast by the ad-hoc committee.

    A firm, Rholavision Nigeria Limited, one of the companies indicted by the committee for allegedly benefiting from the alleged inflated contracts  awarded by the PINE, is linked to Lawal.

    It allegedly got a N230 million contract to clear “invasive plant specie” in Yobe State.

    The committee claimed that as of the time the contract was awarded last March, the SGF was still Rheolavision’s director and that he only resigned in September. The SGF has denied any wrongdoing.

    According to the Senate, Lawal’s directorship of the firm while being a public official contravened the Code of Conduct for public officials as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution.

    The lawmakers found that the company was incorporated in 1990 to carry out ICT services, but it got a contract to clear grass in 2016.

    But Lawal said the Senate was victimising him and trying to “rubbish” his personality.

    “The Senate is talking balderdash; it has developed the habit of bring-him-down syndrome.

    “I have the report of the Senate committee in which it was said that I didn’t resign from Rholavision Nigeria Limited. Let me tell you, Rholavision was formed by me in December 1990, and it has been a company that was run very successfully.

    “Now, when I was appointed SGF, I resigned from that company on 18th August 2015. I can’t see that in their report, they are talking about 2016. I don’t know where they got their facts.

    “By the way, it is very instructive that when the committee was sitting, no effort was ever made to invite me to come and make submission.

    “It is therefore surprising that they devoted a whole session at maligning me, claiming what is not true without even giving me the chance to come and put my own case before them.”

    The President also wrote a letter declining to prosecute or remove Lawal and urged the senators to withdraw their request that he should sack the SGF. The President’s letter cleared him of the allegation.

    But the Sani-led committee brought back the issue with another invitation extended to the SGF.

  • Battle Royale: Female traditional rulers accuse male monarchs of suppression

    Battle Royale: Female traditional rulers accuse male monarchs of suppression

    Female traditional rulers in the country are accusing their male counterparts of ‘assault’ and an attempt to suppress them. This follows the suspension of a planned event to host them by the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose. Oseheye Okwuofu writes.

    In another dramatic event in the quest to end suppression and discrimination against female traditional rulers, female rulers in Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo and Kwara states again raised their voices, seeking for the attention of members of the National Assembly to give legal instrument to the age-long traditional institution.

    According to the monarchs, the ongoing suppression by their male counterparts is against the spirit of the laws of the land and an assault on humanity.

    The coordinator of the female traditional rulers, and a researcher, lecturer and faculty member in the Department of Local Government Studies, Faculty of Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Professor Fatai Olasupo, who has been championing the cause of the female monarchs, described the continued suppression of female traditional rulers in Nigeria as a total disregard to the cultural heritage of the people.

    Most recent of the alleged assault against female monarchs, he said, was last week’s cancellation of the planned hosting of female traditional rulers by the Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, who in recognition of the historical role of the female rulers in Nigeria, had agreed to fete the monarchs.

    He explained that it was shocking to know that the male counterparts rose against the programme even when the female monarchs have spent so much in preparation for the event. They had gone to market to buy everything, including the aso-ebi before the news filtered in that the programme had been cancelled following a protest by the male traditional rulers.

    He said “This is great injustice against the female folks and nobody seemed to be talking, whereas female traditional rulers have been in existence for centuries in Yorubaland and other parts of Nigeria. It is very disturbing that some male monarchs want to distort history and the culture of our people because of power and selfish pursuit.”

    Prof Olasupo, who is well known for his research and numerous publications on African Studies, recalled his visit to a powerful female traditional ruler in Ijesaland, Yeyerise of Ijesaland, Her Majesty, Felicia Modupe Obiwole, which he noted presented a tantalizing example of female traditional rulers in not only Yorubaland, but in Nigeria as a whole.

    This fact of history, according to him, was attested to by His Royal Highness, the cerebral Dr Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijeshaland, who accorded the highest respect to the female traditional ruler of Ijeshaland.

    To further buttress his argument, the varsity don said “For instance, on the day of the grand finale of every Iwude festival, a procession is kicked off by Oba Aromolaran II, during which he paid routine visits to traditional palaces in Ilesha to offer prayers, and the palace of the female king, Yeyerise, is the first palace His Royal Highness touches before visiting other palaces e.g Obaala, Sawe, Lejoka and Salotun.”

    He urged other male monarchs to emulate the sterling qualities of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland, adding that this should serve as template to other traditional rulers in the country.

    Delving further into history, the varsity don said dating back to sixteenth and seventh centuries, Ijesha women have been taking shots at traditional rulership in Ijeshaland not as Obabinrin (female Kings) but as full Owa Obokun of Ijeshaland.

    “According to Atayero S.A (1972), in a book titled “A Short Story of the Ijeshas,” not less than six female Owas reigned in Ilesha the capital city of Ijesha people.

    This book by Atayero S.A, listed the six female Owas as follow: Yeye Ladegba (A.D 1646-1652), 6 years in office; Yeye Ogunrogbo (A.D 1652-1653), 1 year in office; Yeye Waji A.D (1691-1692), 1 year in office; Yeye Waiye (A.D 1692-1693), 1year in office; Yeye Wayero (A.D 1698-1712), 14 years in office; Yeye Ori (A.D 1734-1749), 15 years in office,” he stated.

    Also, in her book titled “Women and Politics in Nigeria”, Professor Bolanle Awe attested to the age-long presence of female traditional rulers in Yorubaland, when she said of a female warrior, Efunsetan Aniwura, after her (Efunsetan’s) death travelled back to her “home town in Ilesha and rise to become the ruler Ataiyero”.

    While seeking the voice of well-meaning Nigerians in the quest for support for the female monarchs, Professor Olasupo wondered why male monarchs take delight in suppressing their female counterparts with separate kingdoms, subjects and regulations governing their domain.

    Commenting on the ugly development in Ekiti, Professor Olasupo said the time has come for Nigeria to accord honour to female traditional rulers and prevail on the National Assembly to enact laws to protect female monarchs from suppression, intimidation and assault from male counterparts.

  • Battle for soul of Taraba PDP

    Battle for soul of Taraba PDP

    In this piece, Inuwa Salihu examines the battle of supremacy between home based politicians in Taraba State and “Abuja politicians” and its implications for unity in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Every state in Nigeria has its own version of the problem foisted by a group of people that have gradually increased in number and become a lot more visible for their nuisance value over the years. They are the Abuja politicians. Their homes and villages in the states are the same as yours and mine but they don’t live there. They have not lived there for several decades. They don’t even visit there either as regularly as you and I do. Some of them do not even know the names of their local chiefs and community leaders and have never made any useful contribution towards the provision of those modest water and electricity facilities which members of their local communities are currently enjoying. But they claim to represent us – yes you and I – and they speak for all of us and about us as if they are our true representatives.

    The case of Taraba State with Abuja politicians is no less different. Many of them are spent political forces with expired home addresses and have no real electoral value. They have the best houses in Abuja, Lagos and Kaduna but have none they can be proud of back home in Taraba. Their investments are in ventures located in other Nigerian towns and cities but none back home in Taraba to provide employment opportunities and other ancillary benefits for our children.

    Yet their voices are loudest in condemnation of the government back home for not bowing to their whims and caprices in the decisions it makes or for not placing funds belonging to the state on the table to be shared by them.

    The government that does not enjoy the support of Abuja politicians is doomed to their political boxing ring. It will be pummelled beyond recognition. No project, no matter how relevant to the needs of the people and how well executed is recorded in favour of the government as an achievement unless it has the stamp of approval of the Abuja politician or made some personal financial gains from it. The government that insists on doing things the proper way is always tarred with the brush of blackmail. That is the way of the Abuja politician.

    To them, it means nothing if the state is eternally in crisis and the people are daily killing themselves. Why will it matter? They don’t visit the state. Immediate members of their families don’t live in the state either. They don’t have investments in the state that will be at risk in times of crisis.

    That is the reason they don’t consider the efforts of the government that have saved the state from the inferno of ethno-religious crises as an achievement. But millions of Tarabans who have experienced the fire of crisis, who have lost loved ones and valuable properties, experienced the social and psychological trauma from the unfortunate situation that prevailed before the coming of Ishaku as governor, have not stopped giving testimony in churches and mosques for the peace that God has used the governor to achieve.

    The state’s politicians in Abuja have, by choice, remained blind to the achievements of the administration in infrastructure development. They claim not to have seen or heard about the renovation and renewal of the Jalingo Airport which is now open to direct flights thrice a week from Abuja. Their eyes and minds are also closed to the expansive water projects in Jalingo and the provision of 100 water boreholes that have radically redressed the water supply situation in the town and many other towns and villages in the state. They also claim not to know anything about the numerous road projects of the Ishaku administration, either already completed or still on-going.

    They don’t know and, they don’t care either, that many hospitals and clinics in the state that were hitherto not functional due to lack of medicaments are back on track with good stuck of what they require, including drugs and running costs. They will also pretend that what the government is already achieving with the re-opening of the state’s School of Nursing and Midwifery which had remained closed for more than ten years before Ishaku became governor, hasn’t gotten to their attention. Many idle school secondary school leavers have been offered admission and will soon take their seats at the nurses’ stations in the various hospitals and clinics in the state to render the much needed medical help. They are also not impressed by the numerous efforts of Governor Ishaku in reviving several abandoned or ailing industries belonging to the government or in which it has an interest. The Kakara tea factory in Mambilla, is a living testimony. The tomato industry in Lau and several others are on line awaiting the remediation pill of the government.

    The problem with Abuja politicians from Taraba is largely their inability to subdue political sentiments in their assessment of the government of the day in the state. The tendency, unfortunately, has always been to subject every decision, action and inaction of the state government to the narrow prism of divisive and self-serving political sentiments.

    This must yield way for a more reflective attitude of appreciation for what is being achieved with the lean resources of government. Indigenes of the state living outside the state, particularly those of them who are politicians, need to kill the virus behind the “pull down syndrome” that makes them blind to the good job the government is doing in the state.

    The magic pill against this evil syndrome is empathy that is undiluted with toxic political sentiments. It is the only way government’s views, decisions and achievements can be understood from the correct perspective. It is no crime holding political views that are at variance with that of the government of the day. That, indeed, is the essence of democracy which we practice today. But that is not a license to denigrate and demonise every action of the government of the day. The peculiar character of our own Abuja politicians is not informed by lack of information about the laudable achievements of the present administration but by the deliberate distortion of such information to whip up negative and divisive sentiments for their selfish political gains. That attitude is political demagoguery and it is unacceptable.

    Taraba State is a state whose case is different from the others and, therefore, deserves the sympathy of all its indigenes. Many of its infrastructure and institutions have been in a state of decay for a long time before the Ishaku administration came on board less than two years ago. What the administration has been doing is to pull the state out of an abyss and lay a solid foundation for development at a time that resources are scarce.

    Despite this, the administration has made a lot of impact within a short time, in road construction, the provision of water, job creation, improvement of electricity supply and paid salaries of civil servants regularly.

    The huge spending on security as a result of the crises which the present administration inherited is hardly remembered by politicians on a mischief mission. Yet, the investment in the achievement of peace is unarguably the best thing the administration has done since coming into office. It is the reason the state is at peace today.

    Our Abuja politicians need to repent and renounce their ways. They must show more interest in the development of the state. Governor Ishaku, the man whom God has prepared for the remediation project in Taraba, wants all hands on deck to make the job easier. It is the only way the good things of life that our people need and are asking for can come easy and fast.

  • 16 Ibru siblings in property, paternity battle

    16 Ibru siblings in property, paternity battle

    Five months after the death of frontline businessman Chief Olorogun Michael Ibru, 16 of his children are in a legal tussle over their paternity and his multi-billion naira assets.

    One of his sons, Oboden Ibru, has approached the Igbosere High Court, Lagos, for a declaration, among others, that he and his 15 other siblings are entitled to the estate of their father.

    In a counter-claim, one of the late Chief Ibru’s daughters, Janet Ibru, urged the court to declare that only persons whose paternity are confirmed by a diagnostics centre in the United States are entitled to an equal share of the estate.

    Oboden’s suit was filed February 8 by Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) but has not been assigned to a Judge.

    The defendants are Oskar Ibru, Peter Ibru, Emmanuel Ibru, Gloria Ibru, Elaine Ibru-Mukoro, Elvina Ibru, Mamemo Ibru, Janet Ibru, Obaro Ibru, Vivi Ibru-Stankov, Edesiri Ibru, Christiana Ibru, Jero Ibru, Vikwesiri Ibru, Gabriel Ibru and the Probate Registrar, High Court of Lagos State.

    The claimant is seeking an order declaring that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of January 2, 2001 is valid as to the distribution by way of gift of the late Ibru’s assets to both “Ovuone” and “Ivetu”.

    He asked the court to declare that the properties listed in the MOU belong in their entirety to “Ovuone” being gifted jointly and several times to “Ovuone” in the lifetime of the late Chief Ibru.

    Such properties include No. 1, Marine Road, Apapa, Lagos; 47, Marine Road, Apapa; 49, Marine Road, Apapa; 52, Marine Road, Apapa; 5,7,9 Emotan Road, Apapa; 3,5,7 Ladipo Oluwole, Apapa; Daska House; Blomfield Court; 33, Michael Ibru Boulevard; 6, Louis Solomon Close, Victoria Island, Lagos and 5/7, Queens Barracks Road, Lagos.

    Others are No. 20, Queens Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos; 6, Kensington Park Gardens, London; Starcross Farm; Hillcrest Apartment; Zabadne Plot, Abuja; Maitama Plots, Abuja; Maroko Plots, Lagos; 7, Randle Close, Apapa, Lagos; all shares in Oceanic Bank; Oteri Holdings Limited’s shares in Minet Nigeria Limited; Oteri’s shares in Ibachem and the portion of Ibafon land occupied by Ibachem and Ovwian land.

    The claimant is also seeking a declaration that the judgment delivered by Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court, Lagos on April 17, 2014 remains valid and subsisting, having not been set aside by any court of competent jurisdiction.

    Oboden also asked for an order appointing himself, seventh defendant, Christiana, first defendant, Oskar and eighth defendant, Jero, as administrators of the Ibru estate and an order directing them to apply to the 16th defendant for the grant of letters of administration for the estate.

    An order of the court appointing Messrs. PricewaterhouseCoopers Limited to conduct a forensic audit of the shareholdings and assets, whether real or personal, belonging to the estate of the late Ibru in Oteri Holdings and any other company in Nigeria or anywhere such may be located, discovered or found in the world and submit such report to the Registrar of the court within 90 days of the order and the cost of such exercise be paid by the administrators so appointed herein.

    The claimant is seeking an order directing the administrators to divide the assets into 16 equal shares and that same be given to all the 16 surviving children of the late Ibru.

    But in a counter-claim, eighth defendant Janet urged the court to declare that all matters pertaining to the estate be adjudicated in Nigeria as well as a declaration that she is entitled to a refund of all expenses, including the $48,000 incurred by her in defending the law suits of the second defendant.

    Furthermore, she is seeking an order of the court directing the administrators of the estate of the late Ibru to refund to her, the expenses incurred in taking care of the late Ibru during the final year of his life.