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Tag: Bello

  • Ambode, Ganduje, Abubakar, Bello, others to face direct primaries

    THE National Working Committee (NWC) of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has approved direct primaries for Lagos, Edo, Kano and 14 other states as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    Kaduna and 18 other states are to conduct their primaries through indirect mode.

    With the development, the fate of four second term-seeking governors of the party will now be determined through direct primaries.

    Those affected are Governors Akinwumi Ambode (Lagos); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi) and Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger).

    Others, who might be subjected to direct primaries, are the favoured candidates of Governors Rochas Okorocha, who is presenting his son-in-law, Uche; Abdulaziz Yari; Ibikunle Amosun; the Minister of Women Affairs Hajiya Aisha Alhassan and Mr. Nsima Ekere, who is the anointed choice of ex-Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    But with the adoption of indirect primaries, some governors and party leaders, desirous of second term ticket or imposing their successors, might take advantage of the party structure for easy ride.

    These are Simon Lalong  (Plateau); Jibrilla Bindow (Adamawa); Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna); Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa); Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina); Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi); Umar Tanko Al Makura (Nasarawa); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Kashim Shettima (Borno) and Ibrahim Geidam (Yobe) among others.

    The details of the outlook of the primaries are contained in a statement by the APC Acting National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Yekini Nabena.

    The statement said: “The NWC of the APC has approved the mode of primaries for Saturday, September 29th, 2018 governorship primary elections scheduled to hold across the 36 states of the federation and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “Resolution on mode of primaries to be adopted: Abia (Direct); Adamawa (Indirect);  Akwa Ibom (Direct);  Anambra (Direct); Bauchi (Direct); Bayelsa (Direct); Benue (Indirect); Borno (Indirect); Cross River (Direct); Delta (Indirect); Ebonyi (Indirect); Enugu (Indirect) Edo (Direct);  and Ekiti (Direct).

    Others are Gombe (Indirect); Imo (Direct); Jigawa (Indirect); Kaduna (Indirect); Kano (Direct); Katsina (Indirect); Kebbi (Indirect); Kogi (Indirect); Kwara (Indirect); Lagos (Direct); Nasarawa (Indirect); Niger (Direct); Ogun (Direct); Ondo (Direct); Osun (Direct); Oyo (indirect); Plateau (Indirect);  and Rivers (Indirect).

    Also affected are Sokoto (Indirect); Taraba (Direct); Yobe (indirect); Zamfara (Direct) and FCT (Direct).

    “The NWC has banned the Adamawa State Working Committee from participating either as delegates or superintendents over the governorship primaries holding in the state. This is due to the fact that the Adamawa State Working Committee was prejudiced in favour of a governorship aspirant.”

    Speaking with our correspondent last night, Nabena said: “We did not impose the choice of primaries on any state. The State Executive Committee of APC in each state wrote to the NWC on preferred model and we looked at their reasons and we adopted what they wanted.

    “The NWC looked at the reports from each state and acted accordingly. There was no imposition.”

  • Bello: Kogi second most peaceful

    Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello has described the state as the second most peaceful state in the country.

    He spoke at a rally organised in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria (AAN) and Participation Initiative for Behavioural Change in Development (PIBCID) to mark the International Peace Day in Lokoja.

    According to him, Kogi, which was known for robbery and communal clashes, emerged the second position from 36.

    He said: “Once upon a time, Kogi was the headquarters of kidnapping and highway robbery, but this has become history. Today, Kogi is adjudged the second peaceful state in Nigeria from a position of 36. Without doubt, in the next year, we shall be number one.

    “In progress is where you see quality and affordable healthcare delivery, especially for the vulnerable in the society – women and children, in progress is where you see security and tranquillity.”

    Bello, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Edward Onoja, hailed the organisers of the rally, stressing that peaceful coexistence is for the interest of all. He advocated for peace and unity of the country.

    Board Member of AAN Dr. Stella Adejo called for more support from the government to create an enabling environment for the youths to thrive.

    She promised to strengthen collaboration with the Kogi State government to create lasting peace.

    Vice Chairperson of Kogi NGO Network (KONGONET) Mrs. Eunice Agbogun called on the youths to remain focused rather than being used wrongly.

    She said: “Peace is a very important component to the development of any state or country, and that is why today, we are joining the youths to project the message of peace. Peace is very important because without it you cannot have an enabling environment that will thrive for development, give you space for education, health amenities and so many empowerments.”

    AAN Ambassador Mark Angel praised the government’s peace, saying “I have gone through the state to inspect the level of peace and I am impressed with what I saw, compared to what it used to be.”

  • Why I followed Shekarau to APC, by Bello

    One time senator representing Kano Central, Muhammad Bello, has said he followed Ibrahim Shekarau to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to strengthen the party’s capacity to win the 2019 presidential election.

    Shekarau recently defected to APC from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), following the dissolution of the state structure by the national body.

    Some of his loyalists, including Bello, decided to join him in APC.

    Bello, after collecting his membership card at his Fagge (A) ward in Fagge Local Government Area, vowed not to contest for any position in APC. He promised to support the party and strengthen it to win all electoral positions in 2019.

    He said: “I joined APC to add value to the party. Looking at this crowd, you will have the impression that our support base is capable of adding strength to APC’s capacity in Kano State.

    “We have decided to move to APC due to the injustice meted to us in PDP. We hope the injustice will not be replicated in APC. From all indications, APC would do justice as the party adheres to its manifesto of internal democracy.

    “I will not contest for any position now, but I don’t know what the future holds. I am just in APC to contribute my quota towards its success.”

    Ward chairman Jamilu Isyaku was happy to welcome Bello in the party. He hoped he would contribute a lot to its success in 2019.

  • Defeating El-Rufai won’t be big task – Bello

    Dr. Mohammed Sani Bello, a former Kaduna State Commissioner for Science and Technology and one time ECOWAS Financial Controller is a leading gubernatorial aspirant under the platform of People’s Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with Abdulgafar Alabelewe, Bello who holds the traditional title of Mainan Zazzau said defeating incumbent Governor El-Rufai won’t be a big task for him. Excerpts

    WHAT inspired you to join the Kaduna gubernatorial race? Two things basically inspired me to join the race. Number one; before the 2015 general elections, I happened to be one of those who really had the vision for the coming of APC as a party. As I said, I was in the ANPP, after the 2011 general elections, I remained in the APC. By late 2011, I wrote a memo, which I entitled ‘The imperative of merger of opposition parties in Nigeria’. My thinking then, was the need to have a strong opposition that will be working side by side with the PDP just as we have in the case of United States, where you have the Democrats and the Republicans. I submitted it to the Board of Trustees of the ANPP; I happened to be a member of the BOT representing Kaduna State. They considered the memo and approved it. Subsequently, I made presentation of the same memo with little amendment to the President Muhammadu Buhari and he bought into it. That was how the issue of merger started. I was part of the resource persons during the entire merger process. I was the one who suggested the name APC, that we should name the new merger APC. My vision was anchored on the popular pain reliever in the 80s; that people use to take for body ache. If you remember between 2011 and up till the time of 2015 general elections, there was outcry against impunity by the PDP; that the party was not doing well in terms of governance and so many things. So, I now said, let us name our party APC, like the body aching and you need pain killer to deal with it. So, during the merger process, the APC I suggested was All People’s Congress, that is a party that will be people centered. But during the discussion, that name was changed to All Progressives Congress. So, by progressive, APC had started to become exclusive for some people, because it is not everyone in the society that goes with the tag ‘progressive’. Though, I don’t have anything against people who call themselves progressives, but they are not the majority. Majority of people, you either call them conservatives if you must classify them or just leave them like that; they are human beings. They are citizens; they are politicians who want to contribute their quota to national development any necessarily going with that tag ‘progressives’. By ‘progressives’, it means, it is not people oriented. And that went contrary to my own vision of All People’s Congress. The acronym APC was retained, but the fact that, ‘People’ was substituted with ‘Progressives’ made the APC not to be a party of my dream. Because, the PDP as you can see, in spite of that people say about it, is people-focused; People’s Democratic Party. My former party was All People’s Party (APP). So, you can see, I have been consistent with belonging to a party that is people-focused. So, from the time the name All Progressives Congress came, I began to develop some resentment.

    So, by 2014, I decided to register with the PDP without making any noise about it because as a public servant working with an international organisation, I didn’t have the time and I didn’t even have to be in active politics, but I was following events. So, because I had moved to the PDP, in 2015, I supported the PDP candidate in Kaduna State and my reason was not just because of the fact that I was a PDP member, but because I believe the PDP candidate then would do better than the APC candidate, because many people didn’t understand the APC candidate, who eventually was elected governor. I was a PDP member and I have never been involved in anti-party in the history of my political career. So, I supported vigorously the PDP candidate.

    One of the policies that the El-Rufai’s government is criticised for is the sack of 21,780 primary school teachers. As a university teacher, how would you have handled a case of unqualified teachers?

    Well, a case of unqualified teachers is relative. What made them to be unqualified in the first place? They were adjudged unqualified because a certain examination was administered on them and a certain cut-off mark was set for them, that anyone who does not make that cut-off mark is unqualified; that is against the norm. In the first place, these teachers were recruited a long time ago, over a period of time. So, if you want to correct any anomaly regarding teachers who have been recruited, there are two credible ways of doing it: number one, if the recruitment process was faulty, then, make sure that in the next four years, you only recruit those who are good to be teachers; that way, you can correct the process. It is within the competence of the government to do it and it can easily be done with every stakeholder carried on board.

    Secondly, those who have already been recruited, there are policies and rules guiding their recruitment, train them, train them. Because if they have gone to school in the first place to earn a certain certificate, which was the basis for their recruitment, then it means you can train them. Of course, that does not mean that, there would not be those that are untrainable; there could be those who are untrainable, but you have to train them first, then as an aftermath of the training, you can conduct a certain test, and in doing so, you have to use qualified teachers to conduct such exercise. Then, you will do it simultaneously, and then you will now find those who are left behind. Some of those left behind may even be asked to go back to school. It has happened in other states, where they discovered unqualified teachers, they were sent back to school. That is how I would have handled that.

    This brings us to the issue of school feeding. That is also a bad policy. Who among the stakeholders suggested that there should be school feeding programme? Is it the teachers that teach or is it the parents, or the pupils?

    I think school feeding programme is in the APC manifesto.

    What is APC manifesto? In coming up with your manifesto, you need to connect with the people. No parent will send his child to school just on the account that the child is going to be given a bowl of rice, after all, what of the uniform? Is the government taking care of the uniform? Is the government taking care of the books? Is the government taking care of the sanitation? Is the government taking care of transportation?

    How do you plan to get the ticket of your party since about 10 other strong aspirants are also fighting for the same seat?

    Well, that is an issue, but let me tell you, among all the aspirants, none of them, apart from my humble self was around when PDP, as a party, was in dire need of support.

  • Kogi senators, Reps allege harassment by Bello

    EIGHT federal lawmakers from Kogi State at the National Assembly yesterday alleged harassment and intimidation by Governor Yahaya Bello against them and their constituents.

    The federal lawmakers, in a joint statement, claimed that Bello had allegedly continued to “terrorise and intimidate” them.

    They urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call the governor to order in the interest of survival of democracy in the state and the country.

    The statement was signed by Senators Dino Melaye (Kogi West), Ahmed Ogembe (Kogi Central), Atai Aidoko (Kogi East) and five of the nine members of the House of Representatives.

    They chronicled alleged acts of “terrorism and intimidation”, which they claimed the governor unleashed on them and their supporters in the last one year.

    According to them, the latest of such actions was the prevention of Senator Ogembe from entering Okene last Saturday by suspected thugs.

    The same thugs were said to have chased away the senator from his constituency in March this year during an empowerment programme for his constituents in Okene

    The statement said: “This cry has become imperative because persons holding contrary or alternative political views with Governor Bello can no longer move freely within the state, neither can they hold political meetings or conduct political activities such as town hall meetings, constituency empowerment programmes without violent interruptions by the state government and its agents.

    “The governor has muzzled the state legislators, flagrantly disobeyed the judicial pronouncements of the courts and acting as Lord unto himself and no one else can challenge him in any manner whatsoever despite our constitutional democracy and its well-entrenched time-tested principles of checks and balances.

    “If as legislators, we are prevented from constituency visits, and our empowerment programmes are violently disrupted by the governor, and his agents, one wonders how it would be possible for elections to hold without violence in 2019.

    “Enough is enough. We hereby call on Mr. President to instruct the police and other security agencies to be neutral politically and call the governor to order.”

    The aggrieved lawmakers also called on the international community to take note of the happenings in Kogi State in the country’s interest.

    Others who endorsed the statement included: Karim Sunday, Yusuf Ayo Tajudeen, Egwu Emmanuel, Benjamin Okolo and Omale Hassan Atayoma.

     

     

     

  • Saraki, Ambode, Sani-Bello, Okorocha, Bello congratulate Ekiti, Fayemi

    SENATE President Bukola Saraki, Governors Akinwunmi Ambode (Lagos State), Abubakar Sani-Bello (Niger State) and Oluwarotimi Akeredolu  (Ondo State) yesterday congratulated the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Kayode Fayemi.

    Others were Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum Rochas Okorocha and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

     

    Saraki to Fayemi: use your second coming to continue people-centered policies

    Saraki, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yusuph Olaniyonu, stated that the governor-elect should use his second coming to continue the people-centered policies and programmes of his first term.

    He urged him to also work to grow the state’s economy to leave behind a sustainable legacy.

    He said the victory was a sign that the people of Ekiti State still have confidence in the former minister’s ability to provide good governance and render efficient service to the state and its people.

     

    Ambode: victory is sign that APC electoral value has not waned

    Ambode, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Habib Aruna, hailed President Muhammadu Buhari, APC leadership, members and its supporters for the hard-fought victory.

    He added that it was a testament to the fact that the electoral value of the party has not waned.

    The governor praised and congratulated the governor-elect for his hard fought victory and wished him well as he prepares to take the mantle of leadership for a second time.

    He also urged Fayemi to use his second coming to build on its previous achievements and forge ahead with the quest to unite the Yoruba nation, especially through regional integration and economic transformation of the Southwest geo-political zone and justify the confidence the Ekiti electorate have reposed on him.

     

    Victory well deserved,

    says Sani-Bello

    Sani-Bello congratulated Fayemi on his victory and described the triumph as well deserved and demonstrated the people’s acceptance and confidence in the APC.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, Sani-Bello expressed optimism that Fayemi’s  second coming as the governor would transform Ekiti State and bring it to an enviable level among its peers.

     

    Okorocha congratulates Fayemi, Tinubu, Oshiomhole

    Okorocha described Fayemi’s victory as a “convincing and resounding victory”.

    The governor also hailed the people of Ekiti State “for preferring truth to falsehood” by voting Fayemi in the Saturday’s election.

    Okorocha added that “with the election of the APC candidate, the Southwest has reminded those who might have forgotten that they were progressives to remain.

    He congratulated the APC leaders in the Southwest, including Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former APC interim National Chairman Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Oni and the APC governors in the geo-political zone for closing ranks to ensure victory for APC and Fayemi.

    The Imo State governor lauded APC National Chairman Comrade Adams Oshiomhole for the victory, stating that there was no doubt that “with Oshiomhole, all the lost grounds by APC will be regained”.

     

    It’s a pointer to what 2019 ‘ll bring, says Bello

    Bello said Fayemi’s victory was a victory for democracy and a sign that the people of Ekiti State were ready to join the fold of the progressives.

    The governor noted that under Buhari, elections continue to be free and fair, “a pointer to what 2019 will bring”.

    “In a democracy, the wishes and desires of majority trump over those of the minority  and only a true democrat like President Buhari would respect that time and time again,” he said.

    Congratulating the Ekiti people for making the right choice, he praised them for their peaceful conduct during the elections.

     

    Why APC candidate

    won, by Akeredolu

    Akeredolu, in a statement by  Ondo State Commissioner for Information and Orientation,  Yemi Olowolabi,  attributed Fayemi’s victory to ” sterling record in public service, tenacity of purpose, exemplary values, stupendous goodwill and abiding  grace of God”.

    He welcomed  the governor-elect to a familiar terrain, where he “will quickly consolidate on his legacy of good governance, which hallmarked his first tenure as the Ekiti State Governor “.

    Acknowledging the enormity of the task ahead of the new helmsman, Akeredolu is optimistic that Fayemi’s rich experience,  far-reaching contacts, resourcefulness and robust intellectual capacity  would undoubtedly help his iron cast resolve to restore hope in Ekiti State”.

    Akeredolu also extended courtesies to Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State, whose party’s candidate,  Prof. Kolapo Olusola Eleka, was defeated in the Saturday July 14 governorship election.

     

     

     

  • Can Bello get second term?

    All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains in Kogi State are up in arms against Governor Yahaya Bello, who they accuse of bad governance and intolerance of opposition. Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu and JAMES AZANIA examine the style of the governor that has drawn the ire of Kogites.

    Yahaya Bello, governor of Kogi State, is the youngest governor in the country. However, he is arguably the most controversial governor.

    In the last three years, he has been in the news. Bello assumed the reins in a controversial manner. According to observers, he came to reap where he did not sow.

    The death of the All Progressive Congress (APC) flag beareer, Prince Abubakar Audu, rendered the 2015 governorship poll inconclusive. Instead of allowing his running mate, James Faleke, to complete the process, Bello was asked to replace him on the supplementary ballot.

    After succeeding former Governor Idris Wada, observers said he turned himself into a thin god. He shunned the option of reconciliation and adorned himself in the garment of a warrior. Bello has not been interested in an all-inclusive government, but a winners takes it  all.

    Many stakeholders were sidelined. Then, hostility broke out. Other APC chieftains cried foul, saying that the governor had become a lord of manor. Instead of promoting peace in the troubled chapter, Bello only believes that, once he reiterates his loyalty to President Muhammadu Buhari and he has the backing of the national chaimran, Chief John Odigie Oyegun, all is well in Kogi APC.

    More worrisome is the governor’s style of governance. Inputs from stakeholders in the academia, labour, industry and other sectors have been resisted. Since the governor did not have solid campaign promises, his blue print is suspect.

    Cries of despondency fill the air in the Northcentral state. Infrastructure battle has collapsed. The heterogenous state is agonising across the sectors. Like many states, the governor is unable to pay salaries of workers promptly.

    Today, Kogi is one of the most risky states. Insecurity is the order of the day. The number of Nigerians that have been kindnapped along Lokoja-Abuja road is a testimony.

    Fed up with the derailment, prominent indigenes have cried out. Venting his anger, Faleke said the government lacked a meaningful direction. “Kogi has abundant human resources. The governor has refused to tap them. And he lacks expereince”, he said.

    Faleke said Bello is killing Kogi State. He said: “The political situation in Kogi State is very dicey for our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) because of the various happenings; the claim by civil servants about the non-payment of salaries, the counter-claim of the governor that he has paid all. As at today, tertiary institutions are closed, according to their workers, for non-payment of salaries and arrears.

    “As at today, health institutions are in comatose for lack of salaries to the workers. Unfortunately, Kogi State is a civil service state. There are no industries. So, the moment the salaries of those civil servants are not paid, it means that the economy of the state will be in comatose. So, I can clearly tell you that our party has a problem in the state.”

    The federal legislator also said the governor has marginalised many APC chieftains. The governor is the governor, but he has refused to be father of all. This governor has appointed as at last count over 200 staff, from commissioners to SSAs and out of 286 staff, only 43 are original APC members. You can just imagine that the rest are PDP. That’s is the crux of the matter.

    “You engage sole administrators and virtually all your sole administrators, except very few, are original APC members. If our people and party members went to the poll against the PDP members and you now engage those PDP members we opposed at each polling unit, they are now the ones dictating the affairs of the state, you know psychologically, the APC members will not be happy and that’s what exactly is happening.”

    Lamenting that Bello is against reconciliation, Faleke said: “Since he became governor, he has not called me. I think the governor lacks maturity. He lacks maturity in his handling of the affairs of the state. He was not prepared. It was a gift given to him. Unfortunately, because he didn’t work for the gift, he does not know how to go about it. He can’t do it well.”

    Elder stateman Gen. David Jemibewon has also decried the governor’s activities, saying that he lacked focus. He said the challenge of governing the state has overwhelmed him, urging the people to show him the way out during the next election.

    Kogi APC is a disunited chapter. The governor’s style has further polarised the party.

    At a time many states were cautious about the farm grazing proposals, Bello quickly embraced it, to the consternation of his people who feared that it could be a prelude to disaster.

    Recently, the recall of Senator Dino Melaye failed. It was alleged that the process was intigated by the governor. The failed recall was interpreted as a vote of no confidence in the governor.

    The question is will Bello secure a second term in Kogi?

    Kogi APC is ebbing away. For the state, divides of democracy are scanty. Yet, there is no prospect of liberation in the nearest future.

    The chapter has been weakened by litigations aggrieved party members. Many APC chieftains bade farewell to the state, over alleged ‘one-man show’ by the governor.

    Embattled chairman of the party, Alhaji Haddi Ametuo, and a sizeable number of officers have been to be labelled ‘Diaspora APC’, by those that were to supplant them in Kogi, while erstwhile APC chieftains, including former acting governor Clarence Olafemi, were to retreat.

    The well-worn and yet running encounter with Senator Dino Melaye (Kogi West), one time ‘man Friday’ to the governor, has escalated.

    As the crisis between the governor and Melaye veered towards the dangerous, observers recall the latter’s role during Bello’s inauguration as governor in January 2016, and shortly after.

    Besides, battles with the leadership of the House of Assembly and aggrieved members of the party, have also left their strain.

    There were allegations that the governor appointed people that had no hand in the victory of the party at the governorship poll.

    Ametuo said that the governor got the mandate through the grace of God, after the demise of Audu, the original candidate of the party, who was already coasting to victory before his sudden death. He said party members who toiled for the victory were left out ‘in the cold’.

    He alleged that over 80 percent of the appointments were made by the Chief of Staff to the governor, Edward Onoja.

    He said: “This governor has appointed over 200 aides– from commissioners to SSAs and out of the 286, only 43 are original APC members. You can imagine that the rest are PDP. That is the crux of the matter”.

    Ametou explained that over 80 percent of those in Bello’s cabinet were a mixture of the PDP and non-party members, adding that the composition was not sustainable for  2019.

    Analysts of the inner workings at the Lugard House, the seat of government, opine that Bello and his Chief of Staff, are but two sides of the same coin, a view that the governor himself has on many occasions unwittingly validated, with his description of the latter as his “Siamese twin brother”.

    One of Bello’s earliest political war front in Kogi was at the House of Assembly and the removal of the then Speaker, Momohjimoh Lawal of the PDP, which at the time was in the majority, replacing him with Umar Imam of the APC. The task was achieved with the help of five members; the G-5 lawmakers.

    As his administration forged on, amidst policies that attracted more critics, especially the controversial workers’ screening and verification exercise, tax reform and beautification and landscaping work in the capital, Lokoja, Bello asserted that he has the singular record of having the “most malicious opposition in the history of the Fourth Republic in Nigeria”.

    He said even those who dreamt of becoming governor had developed unholy romance with the ‘cup of hatred and bitterness.” It does not matter to them that Kogi State belongs to all of us’, he added.

    Bello said “their antagonism merely gives” his government more reasons to work harder to prove them wrong.

    He added: “It does not matter to them that the fire they kindled among our tribes and zones today will burn them if they ever arrive at Lugard House in the future. They do not care that the young people they give arms today or indoctrinate with hate to make Kogi State ungovernable for Governor Yahaya Bello will become the security threats of their own period if they ever become governor.

    “It does not matter to them that the investor they scare away with their lies today is an employer of labour and a taxpayer they will not have in their own time, assuming God gives them the opportunity to lead the state. It is now a proven fact that they can have no joy in whatever does not paint Kogi State as the ‘Hobbesian’ society of continual fear and danger.

    “It pains them to hear of our electricity projects. Their heart is broken to hear labour has called off their strikes and our children can go back to schools and our people can get attention in the hospitals. They want to die when they hear that we have concluded the screening exercise and have nearly completed payment of salaries and arrears, because it removes the only talking point they have against us.

    “Unfortunately, what they have is a lifestyle disease, which no doctor can help them with unless they are willing to change. We will leave them to either purge their own consciences of evil motives, or continue to boil in their own hatred”, he said.

    The administration has counted the completed Kogi Revenue House, ongoing renovation work at the Government House, environmental work in the capital, roads construction/rehabilitation and sundry other developments as part of its achievement in office.

    But, as Bello continues to reiterate his commitment to serving Kogi, his critics, including the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), maintain that there is nothing on ground to show for his almost three at the helm of affairs.

  • No compromise on ports efficiency, says Bello

    The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) is committed to ensuring efficiency at the ports to enable them compete with those in neighbouring countries, its Executive Secretary, Hassan Bello, has said.

    Speaking during his visit to three shipping companies, Maersk Line, Grimaldi Shipping Line, and CMA-CGM, in Lagos, Bello said the government would ensure that the ports remained attractive and competitive.

    He said importers and clearing agents had petitioned his office, accusing shipping firms of not refunding their container deposits within the days stipulated by the government.

    Bello said automation of the ports’ services was necessary to drive the change to reform the sector to attract more cargoes into the country. He said ports automation and the establishment of the Truck Transit Parks would increase efficiency and decrease waste, adding that openness would facilitate cargo clearance.

    He said:  “If it is five days in port A and it is one day in port B, I will rather go to port B because it is the economies of scale that determines which port is used. We have made it possible for us to make that comparison within the sub-consciousness of the national discourse on the economy.

    “It is important for our ports to be efficient and our ports are picking up now. Corruption is what we have been talking about and there are many ways to kill corruption and one of them is automation because the moment you have automation, corruption will just disappear. With the introduction of their electronic payment platform, what took place in six days then, now takes place in six seconds.

    “Some of the delays have been eliminated by NPA and the agency is also trying to introduce other electronic system of doing things, the same thing with Customs.’’

    The NSC boss urged the government to take a deliberate action to address many challenges confronting the port system through consistent and predictable policies. He said that investors needed certainty and ease of doing business in Nigeria which could be brought about by government intervention, especially in the gridlock at Apapa.

    According to him, no matter how efficient a terminal is, if you don’t have the road to evacuate cargos, how can you do it? So, there must be some level of intervention, he added.

    “The ideas are to have an electronic passage to ensure that a truck is only in Apapa when it is needed to pick or drop cargo. Then the tank farms, we don’t need trailers tanker to go to tank farms because we have the pipeline which is also a means of transportation.

    “The moment we have these pipelines pumping to Mosimi and other flow stations, then we don’t need tankers in Apapa.

    “We cannot rely only on one access like road; port should be accessible by road, rail, inland water ways and pipelines because the port is not a storage place for cargo at all,’’ he added.

    Bello also said NSC was also establishing Truck Transit Parks along major highways to help address the challenges of trucks parking on major road. He said the project was Public-Private Partnership (PPP) aimed at reducing incidences of road congestion and loss of cargos due to indiscriminate parking by truck drivers.

    The executive secretary explained that the council, in partnership with state governments, would build modern parks that would have hotels, restaurants, filing stations and garages for repair and maintenance of vehicles.

  • Justice summit to honour Mahmoud, Bello, Okowa, other jurists

    The Nigerian Bar Association NBA) Criminal Justice Reform Committee has unveiled plans to honour leading jurists and other stakeholders, who have distinguished themselves in promoting criminal justice reform in Nigeria.

    Among those to receive the awards at the forthcoming NBA Criminal Justice Reform Conference in Asaba are all past chairmen of the NBA Criminal Justice Reform Committee, including NBA President, Mr. Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN).

    A statement by the Head of Publicity Sub-committee, Mr. Emeka Nwadioke, listed the honorees to include Justice Ishaq Bello, Chief Judge of FCT High Court and Chairman of the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee; former NBA President, Mr. Joseph Daudu (SAN), and Dr. Garba Tetengi (SAN).

    Others are renowned criminal justice reform advocates including Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey, Prof Deji Adekunle (SAN), Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), Mr. Chino Obiagwu, and frontline prison reform activist and Executive Director of Prisoners Rehabilitation and Welfare Action (PRAWA) Dr. Uju Agomoh.

    Also to be bestowed with the awards are Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, MacArthur Foundation as well as the Yar’Adua Foundation for their support to criminal justice reform initiatives in the country. Delta State is hosting the criminal justice reform conference for an unprecedented second time. The state is also hosting the dinner for conferees. The dinner/awards will draw the curtains on the conference scheduled to hold at the Asaba Convention Centre between April 24 and 27, 2018.

    The theme is: Criminal justice reforms in Nigeria: The journey so far. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) is expected to deliver the keynote address, while leading jurist and former Director-General of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), Prof. Epiphany Azinge (SAN) will deliver the dinner speech.

    Other dignitaries expected at the ICLE-certified conference are Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki; House of Representatives Speaker, Mr. Yakubu Dogara, and Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), among other jurists.

    The criminal justice committee had unveiled the official website (https://www.nba-cjrc.org) for the conference. The portal incorporates a payment platform for potential conferees to register.

    While young lawyers of between 1-7 years post-call will pay N5,000, non-lawyers and mid-level lawyers of eight years and above post-call will pay N15,000.

    Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Benchers and Judges will register with N50, 000.

  • APC NEC: Why El-Rufai, Akeredolu, Bello, others are backing Oyegun

    •Six issues which will dominate APC NEC meeting
    •Buhari, APC leaders set to determine Oyegun, others’ fate

     

    Fresh facts emerged yesterday that some governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and some party leaders are adamant on the retention of the National Chairman of the party, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the National Working Committee (NWC) because of some personal reasons including survival for the 2019 polls.

    The governors are: Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna); Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo); Yahaya Bello (Kogi); Mohammed Abubakar (Bauchi); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); and Simon Lalong (Plateau).

    Governor Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano) who used to be pro-Odigie-Oyegun, allegedly changed his mind at the March 27 National Executive Committee meeting.

    Others linked with Odigie-Oyegun are some leaders of the National Assembly; Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and the National Legal Adviser of APC, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN).

    But following the President’s advisory, Amaechi has opted for elective convention too.

    Sources close to some of the governors said they are afraid that the congresses could be rancorous and that this can have a negative impact on the APC in next year’s election.

    Extensive checks however show that this is a smokescreen.

    The real motive is the fear that due to their dwindling influence, they may not produce the next executive committees of the party in their respective states.

    Some of the governors are said to be upset that President Muhammadu Buhari was allegedly conceding to some national leaders of the party, especially Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Their calculation is that they are already losing out in Buhari’s kitchen cabinet.

    The pro-Odigie-Oyegun governors are not happy that having invested so much in the APC national executive members they may not be there for them in the build-up to the 2019 elections.

    Some NWC members were said to be seeking favours from a few of these governors and leaders including juicy contracts and trips abroad.

    A highly placed source, who spoke in confidence, said: “Some of those governors rooting for Odigie-Oyegun and NWC members have virtually hijacked the structure of APC and thoroughly compromised the leadership.

    “The rot began gradually as soon as the NWC led by Odigie-Oyegun was inaugurated and a thanksgiving was done.

    “This was why the NWC was helpless on some issues including the now resolved June 2015 stalemate in the National Assembly over the choice of principal officers.

    “Some governors have also allegedly influenced decisions of the NWC on the legality of their State Working Committees.

    “There is more to the backing of Odigie-Oyegun than meets the eye. It is a case of he who pays the piper dictates the tunes. Many times, two Northern governors have bailed out the APC National Secretariat by paying the salaries of staff which is about N17million monthly.”

    For instance, findings confirmed that El- Rufai is Oyegun’s favourite. Many APC watchers don’t understand the basis for the cosy relationship.

    It was gathered that at a stage, Odigie-Oyegun was always using every opportunity to sing the praise of el-Rufai who he once described as “an achiever” to the envy of others.

    A source said: “If you look at Odigie-Oyegun, he is fond of putting el-Rufai in strategic committees of the party. He believes that as a favourite of the President, el-Rufai is a way to Buhari’s heart.

    “All interventions in Kaduna APC by the National Secretariat were mere cosmetics because el-Rufai is Odigie-Oyegun’s anointed political loyalist.  It is an open secret.

     

    El-Rufai

    “And el-Rufai in turn takes undue advantage of the party to seal the hope of his opponents, especially Senators Shehu Sani and Othman Hunkuyi.

    “As long as Odigie-Oyegun remains in office, el-Rufai will control APC machinery in the state and his second term ticket is assured. So, it is a case of survival in 2019 in Kaduna

    “With his loyalty to the President and backing for Odigie-Oyegun, el-Rufai can be likened to a polygamist managing two wives. He was one of those instrumental to the February resolution by NEC on tenure elongation for Odigie-Oyegun and the NWC.

    “The same el-Rufai dealt with the National Vice Chairman (Northwest) of APC, Inuwa Abdulkadir to check any attempt to use the zone to undermine his political aspiration.”

    A source in el-Rufai’s camp however said el-Rufai’s support for Odigie-Oyegun was meant to keep the APC united for the 2019 re-election bid of the President.

    The source said: “El-Rufai does not do things in half measures. He is only being a party man to the core by serving Odigie-Oyegun led NWC at any time.

    “He suspects that those who want to wreck the party were behind the elective congresses and National Convention so that APC will be in turmoil before the 2019 polls.

    “He also detests the attitude of some of his colleagues. For instance, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Rochas Okorocha and the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum, Abdulaziz Yari invited el-Rufai and his colleagues to a meeting without any agenda on the invite. He only got to the meeting only to be confronted with the options of either tenure elongation or elective congresses and convention. He felt bad.

    “All I know is that he has no differences with the President. He is not opposed to the idea of the president on the conduct of state congresses. He will not be on a different wave length with the President.”

     

    Yahaya Bello

    For his part, Governor Yahaya Bello’s second home is the National Secretariat of the party since he became the governor.

    Having secured the confidence of Odigie-Oyegun and his team, the governor relates with only a factional APC in the state led by Ibrahim Ahovi.

    In spite of a pronouncement by the National Working Committee, the authentic state chapter of APC being headed by Hady Ametu has been operating largely from Abuja.

    It was gathered that the governor invested in the splitting of APC because of alleged desperation for a second term ticket.

    Another source said: “Left to Bello, he prefers Odigie-Oyegun’s retention in order to be able to take total control of the party’s structure in the state and seal his second term ticket.

    “Apart from assisting the party, the governor recently renovated the Press Centre in the APC National Secretariat. The renovation is causing ripples as those in the administration felt sidelined. But no one knows how much Bello gave to the party till date.

    “Bello is close to the first family but he has spread his tentacles to APC secretariat in order to cage his opponents who may have to look for another party. His only challenge is how to win his re-election bid because Kogi East, with a huge voting strength, is waiting in the wing to reclaim the mandate conceded to it through the late Prince Abubakar Audu.”

    But Bello on Wednesday made a volte face when he said: “I am an ardent supporter of President Muhammadu Buhari who has said that we must stick to the 1999 Constitution and APC Constitution. If Buhari asks me to jump into fire, I will not hesitate to jump into it.”

     

    Simon Lalong

    For Governor Simon Lalong, who is interested in a second term, he has been following the footsteps of his godfather, Rotimi Amaechi (the Minister of Transportation) who backed his election. Amaechi, who feels comfortable with any of the camps in APC, is only interested in a united APC and he wants to have a say in the party affairs to protect the interest of the President.

    A source close to Lalong said: “The governor has no personal commitment to Oyegun other than being a party faithful. He has no problem to be cringing at the doorsteps of either the APC National chairman or NWC members.

    “Lalong was for tenure extension to avoid the friction that comes with congresses and National Convention. He believes tension associated with elective convention can lead to bad blood which may cause the exit of some party leaders.

    “He said in an election year, no party can afford a convention crisis. He also said since it was a general decision in February to extend the tenure of Odigie-Oyegun and others, it is better to abide by it.”

    Responding to a question, the source added: “There is no intra-party crisis in APC in Plateau State to warrant Lalong shuttling to Abuja for party protection. We had a noise maker who everybody ignored.”

     

    Mohammed Abubakar

    Concerning the Governor of Bauchi State, Mohammed Abubakar, it was learnt that he initially supported Odigie-Oyegun because  President Buhari was backing the man.

    A reliable source close to him said:  “My understanding which may be limited, the governor is a firm believer of Buhari and he was with Odigie-Oyegun because the president was also supporting him. It makes political sense to align with Buhari because the political climate here has shown that the President is still massively being followed. What will following Odigie-Oyegun fetch Bauchi State or the governor?

    “Locally there is a strong opinion that the state chairman of the party must go but people close to the governor want the status quo to remain. They are power brokers. A lot of people want to be party chairman but the current holder was the governor’s school mate.

    Amaechi

    Investigation revealed that Amaechi initially backed Odigie-Oyegun for continuity because as the Director-General of Buhari’s Campaign for 2019, he does not want any rumpus in the party.

    “But immediately the President stamped his feet on elective convention, he withdrew his support for tenure elongation”.

    Asked if Amaechi opted for Odigie-Oyegun to control the party structure in the state, the source added: “It is indisputable that the Minister is the leader of the party in the state.

    “What we are doing is to reunite everyone including Sen. Magnus Abe who felt aggrieved at some point.”

      Akeredolu

    Governor Akeredolu’s preference for Odigie-Oyegun  is described by a source, as a case of “one good turn deserves another.”

    Having gone through stiff opposition to secure the party’s governorship ticket, the governor is said to be overwhelmed by the “fairness of Odigie-Oyegun and the NWC.”

    The source said: “You know he contested for governorship primaries without the control of the party’s structure. He believes he owes the party leadership some support.

    “Also, Akeredolu and his strategists feel that it is time to consolidate their grip on APC in Ondo State more so when there are still issues in court by one of the gubernatorial aspirants, Dr. Segun Abraham, at the September 3, 2016 governorship primary election.

    “He believes some leaders of the party are behind the lingering court case on the primaries and he has to lean on the national leadership of APC in case of any upset.”

     

    Amosun

    To Governor Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), who is a close political ally of the President, there is no need changing Odigie-Oyegun’s NWC. He strongly suspects the anti-tenure elongation agenda is being floated by some leaders from the South-West.

    A party leader said: “Although efforts were made recently by the President to reconcile Amosun and some aggrieved South-West leaders, it is still a cat and mouse game.

    “His ultimate objective is to anoint his successor and he thinks the status quo can make it a reality. If a new leadership emerges, it can be a different permutation.”

    Six issues which may dominate APC NEC meeting

    Six issues will largely determine the course of events when the national executive committee (NEC) of APC convenes tomorrow in Abuja on the future   of Odigie-Oyegun and other members of the national working committee (NWC).

    President Buhari, whose intervention seems to have punctured the move to give Odigie-Oyegun a tenure extension, will be joined at the all important meeting by other top wigs of the party.

    Notwithstanding, last minute consultations are continuing by Odigie-Oyegun supporters, led by some state governors, to save the day for him.

    Party sources hinted yesterday of a plot by some APC members who feel threatened by Odigie-Oyegun’s possible exit to dump the party and form a New APC.

    The Nation gathered yesterday that Buhari’s speech at the last meeting of the APC NEC in which he drew attention to the illegality of tenure extension for Odigie-Oyegun and others will form the basis of tomorrow’s deliberation.

    The meeting, according to party sources, will also revolve around the report of the Governor Lalong-led Committee on tenure elongation and constitutional matters; the power of the NEC to establish a committee; the composition of the National Convention Committee and the timetable for state congresses and National Convention and whether or not Odigie-Oyegun’s NWC members will be asked to resign.

    Buhari at the March 27 meeting had said: “I have taken time to review and seek advice on the resolution and what I found is that it contravenes both our party’s constitution and the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. While the APC constitution in article 17(1)  13.2 (b) and  limits the tenure of elected officers to four years, renewable once by another election, the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) in section 223 also prescribes periodic election for party executives at regular intervals which must not exceed four years.

    “Furthermore, Article 31 of our great party’s constitution provides that any principal officer wishing to re-contest, or contest for another post, must resign from his current post at least one month before the election. In this circumstance, what is expected of us, is to conduct fresh elections once the tenure of the current executives approaches its end.”

    Some sections of the APC Constitution which also be discussed are:  Articles17 (1), 13.2, 3 (b); 20 and 31

    Section 13.3 says: “The National Executive Committee of the Party shall be the Principal Executive body of the Party and shall perform the following functions:

    1. Summon or convene the National Convention and prepare its agenda;
    2. Discharge all functions of the National Convention as constituted in between National Conventions;

    iii. Decision of the National Executive Committee shall be binding on all organs and all, members of the Party, except the National Convention;

    1. Consider reports from National, State and Local Government Area/Area Councils Chapters of the Party and take such decisions as are necessary to protect, advance, and consolidate the gains and interests of the Party;
    2. Exercise control and take disciplinary actions on all organs, officers and members of The Party and determine appeals brought before it by any member or organ of the Party;
    3. Create, elect and appoint any Committee it may deem necessary, desirable or expedient and assign to them such Powers and functions as it may deem fit and Proper;

    vii. Examine the actions taken or legislation proposed or passed by any Government, Legislative House or Local Government Area/Area Council and determine what further actions the Party should take;

    viii. Secure at all elections the return of as many Party candidates as Possible, so as to generally have control of the Legislative and Executive arms of Governments in the Federation, States and Local Government Areas/Area Council

    1. Raise adequate funds for the management and sustenance of the Party;
    2. Ratify the type, nature and membership of Standing Committees to be set up by the National Working Committee;
    3. Approve the national budget of the Party;

    Article 17 (i) says: “Except as otherwise provided in this Constitution, all officers of the Party elected or appointed into the Party’s organs shall serve in such organs for a period of four (4) years and shall be eligible for re-election or re-appointment for another period of four (4) years only, provided that an Officer elected or appointed to fill a vacancy arising from death, resignation or otherwise shall notwithstanding be eligible for election to the same Office for two terms.

    “No member shall serve in the same office for more than eight (8) years continuously, except a member of the Board of Trustees or a person who first came to the office by filling a vacancy.

    Article 20 reads: “All Party posts prescribed or implied by this Constitution shall be filled by democratically conducted elections at the respective National Convention or Congress subject, where possible, to consensus, Provided that where a Candidate has emerged by consensus for an elective position, a vote of “yes” or “no” by ballot or voice shall be called, to ensure that it was not an imposition which could breed discontent and crisis.’

    Article 31 borders on the omnibus provisions in APC Constitution which make it compulsory for Odigie-Oyegun and all NWC members to resign at least 30 days prior to the date of nomination or Party primary for the Office he or she is seeking to contest.

    The omnibus provisions of the APC Constitution stipulates thus  :  “Provided  always  that  in  pursuit  of  all  the  provisions  herein  contained  in  this Constitution, the following shall ensure that:

    1. No person shall be eligible to contest for any Party position, or be nominated by the Party to be its candidate at any election, if the person is not a member of the Party.
    2. All nominations into elective offices shall be supported by a specified number of  nominators  from  the  relevant  Constituencies  as  may  be  prescribed  or provided for in the Party’s Electoral Guidelines.

    iii.  Any Party office holder interested in contesting for an elective office (whether  party  office  or  office  in  a  general  election)  shall  resign  and  leave  office  30  days prior to the date of  nomination or Party primary for the Office he or she  is seeking to contest.

    The Lalong committee was set up last week to advise the party leadership on tenure elongation.

    It submitted its report on Friday but its recommendations have not been released by the party chair.

    A member of the NWC said: “Odigie-Oyegun has been cuddling the report like a baby; we have no access to even though we ought to be aware of the contents before the NEC meeting on Monday.”

    It was however gathered that the committee recommended that tenure elongation for the party’s executive committees at all levels  be jettisoned , and called for a  national convention.

    What is the third force in APC up to?

    More than anything is the quietness of some National Assembly leaders, a few former and serving governors who were instrumental to the merger of parties to form APC.

    These leaders were said to be giving tacit support to Odigie-Oyegun because they see recourse to congresses and National Convention as a ploy to edge out the defunct New PDP component from APC.

    It was learnt that those in this group have been plotting to spring surprises at the NEC session on Monday by insisting on voting or affirmation on vital issues especially tenure elongation.

    A member of the NWC said: “Some of these leaders are mobilizing to create tension which can make the meeting inconclusive or they will cause upset which will make them to walk out on Buhari.

    “We have got intelligence t that some of these leaders are out to form a New APC to portray the party as being in disarray. They are looking for excuses to defect to other parties.

    “The ability of the President and governors to manage the situation at the meeting can render such a plot a nullity.

    “Once they are frustrated, they will rely on their Plan B to protest against the outcome of the state congresses and National Convention in order to defect to another party.

    “The NEC meeting has to be devoid of ripples because of plans to overrule the President’s advice or rubbish the report of Governor Lalong Committee. They want to bank on a simple majority at the NEC session to cause confusion.”

    The APC Constitution says: “There shall be a National Executive Committee (NEC) of the Party consisting of: National Chairman; Deputy National Chairman (North); Deputy National Chairman (South) National Secretary; Deputy National Secretary; six National Vice Chairmen, one from each geo-political zones of the country (to be also known as Zonal Chairmen); National Legal Adviser; Deputy National Legal Adviser; National Treasurer; Deputy National Treasurer; National Financial Secretary; Deputy National Organizing Secretary; Deputy National Organizing Secretary; National Publicity Secretary; Deputy National Publicity Secretary; National Welfare Secretary; Deputy National Welfare Secretary; National Auditor; Deputy National Auditor; National Women Leader; Deputy National Women Leader; National Youth Leader; Deputy National Youth Leader; Special (Physically Challenged) Leader; Zonal Secretary; Zonal Youth Leader; Zonal Organizing Secretary; Zonal Women Leader; States’ Chairmen of the Party.

    Others are The President and Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who are members of the Party; the President of the Senate and the Deputy President of the Senate who are members of the Party; Speaker and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives who are members of the Party; Governors of the States of the Federation who are members of the Party; Majority or Minority Leader, Party Whip and their Deputies in the Senate and House of Representatives who are Members of the Party; Two serving Senators from each geo-political zone of the country, who are members of the Party, to be nominated by the Senators from such zone; Three members of the House of Representatives from each geo-political zone of the country who are members of the Party to be nominated by members from such zone.

    Also in NEC are six Ex-Officio members, of whom, one each shall be elected by the National Convention from each of the six geo-political zones of the country; serving Chairman, Deputy Chairman and Secretary of the Board of Trustees (BOT).