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Tag: Bisi Akande

  • Tinubu: Atiku’s return is good for democracy

    Tinubu: Atiku’s return is good for democracy

    •Excitement as Akande, Nyako, Marwa, others unite for APC in Adamawa

    Yola, the Adamawa State capital, was agog with political excitement yesterday when the state’s top political leaders and national leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) launched the party.

    In attendance were former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Governor Murtala Nyako; former Lagos State Governor Buba Marwa; former presidential candidate Nuhu Ribadu and Senator Mohammed Bindow Jibrila – all Adamawa indigenes.

    They were joined by the leaders of the party, led by its Interim National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande and National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

    The party chieftains were supported by other APC leaders from parts of the country, including Senator Ali Modi Sheriff, Senator Danjuma Goje, ex-Bayelsa State Goverbor Timpreye Sylva, Senator Sani Yeriman Bakura, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and Dr Audu Ogbe.

    The host was the Interim State Chairman Kobis Aris Thimnu. He received the party’s flag from Chief Akande.

    The APC reaffirmed its objective of winning the federal elections next year.

    Akande, who formally received Atiku, following the former vice president’s defection on Sunday, said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had been rested.

    He urged Adamawa interim state executive to ensure that the registration of members was not by allocation or proxy but by physical registration.

    Tinubu urged Nigerians to celebrate the ousting of the PDP .

    The foremer Lagos State governor advised Nigerians to sweep away the dirt and social vices of the PDP with APC’s broom.

    The APC leader described the return of Atiku to the progressives fold as a giant stride that would enhance democracy.

    He hailed Nyako’s efforts at resolving the internal crisis in the party in the state.

    Nyako said the PDP had died and Nigerians should await its final interment.

    He said: “The PDP has gone for good for the reign of impunity. The party is dead. Nigerians should rally round to bury it.”

    Sylva apologised to Nigerians, on behalf of the people of Niger Delta region, for mobilising them to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in 2011.

    He regretted that the President had failed to deliver democracy’s dividends to Nigerians.

    Sylva said: “In 2011, I was in Yola to mobilise the Adamawa people to vote for our son, Dr Goodluck Jonathan. You kept to faith by voting for him as president of Nigeria. In 2014, I am here to apologise to Adamawa people for the failure of our son, Goodluck Jonathan.”

    The former governor said he was in the state to team up with the North so that they could salvage Nigeria from the pangs of deprivation.

    “The country is not performing. The ship is sinking due to poor leadership,” he said.

    Ribadu spoke on unity of the party at all levels, saying unity and mutual respect were the sure roads to success.

    The former EFCC chairman said the APC had grown into a formidable force that could uproot the PDP.

    Marwa said the power squabble within the party had been resolved to make the state better.

    Jibrila, who spoke on behalf of defected senators, assured that after the elections, the APC would form the government at the centre.

    Nyako thanked Atiku for joining hands to fight the bad leadership of the PDP.

     

  • APC directs Amaechi, Ikimi to resolve Bayelsa crisis

    APC directs Amaechi, Ikimi to resolve Bayelsa crisis

    The national leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has directed Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and former Minister of External Affairs, Chief Tom Ikimi, to resolve the crisis in the Bayelsa State chapter of the party.

    It was learnt that Amaechi and Ikimi were asked to meet the warring factions and end the crisis.

    Loyalists of former Governor Timipre Sylva, who joined the party from the dissolved new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), have been at loggerheads with the founding members of the APC.

    Following the crisis, Governor Seriake Dickson appealed to the national leadership of the party to intervene.

    It was learnt that the interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande, asked Ikimi and Amaechi, leaders of the party in the Southsouth, to intervene.

    Sylva’s former security adviser, Chief Richard Kpodo, who has been laying claims to the chairmanship of the party, confirmed the development.

    He said: “Amaechi and Ikimi are leaders in this zone and they have been mandated by our national leadership to intervene.”

    Kpodo urged them to prevent the escalation of the crisis.

    Former youth leader of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Mr. Miriki Ebikibina, also confirmed the development, saying APC was committed to internal democracy.

    “What the party is doing is to ensure that there is internal democracy at the state and national levels,” he added.

     

  • Shekarau to Kwankwaso: I’m open to dialogue

    Shekarau to Kwankwaso: I’m open to dialogue

    Presidential candidate of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) Ibrahim Shekarau yesterday in Kano said the “rift” between him and his successor, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, will end soon.

    Both have been embroiled in a crisis over the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

    The former governor spoke when the 44 local government chairmen and secretaries of the defunct ANPP visited him.

    He said: “I am ready to offer myself to resolve the leadership crisis of APC in the state.

    “I am ready to dialogue with Kwankwaso, but on the condition that it would be on a neutral ground.

    “I have no ill feelings or grudge against any member of the party, but what I seek is justice, where party members are given opportunity so that the party can move forward and wrest power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.”

    Shekarau said the party’s Interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande must be present at the meeting.

    The former governor recalled how he worked for the merger of the legacy parties.

    He said: “I headed the 21-man ANPP committee, shuttling between Kano and Abuja for six months during the merger process, but it seems there is still disharmony among members.”

    Shekarau decried the party’s lukewarm attitude in taking action on the petition he presented at the party headquarters.

    In the petition, he rejected the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the five defecting PDP governors and some APC leaders that the governors are the automatic party leaders in their states.

    The spokesman of the vistors, Mukhtari Bagudu, said: “We shall be in support of whatever decision you take in respect of the APC leadership tussle in the state.”

     

  • ‘What politicians should learn from Akande’

    ‘What politicians should learn from Akande’

    At 75, the Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, is a rare example of leadership. With a rich antecedent in the corporate world and politics, he remains a mentor and role model to those who strive for value. In his old age, his life preaches modesty and disdain for avarice. Akande has earned respect, not because he is wealthy, but because he has a good name.

    Eminent Nigerians, who showered encomiums on him during his birthday ceremony in Lagos, highlighted those virtues of statesmanship peculiar to the former Osun State governor. At the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, the venue of the event, statesmen, government officials, traditional rulers and politicians were unanimous that Akande is a man of honour and integrity.

    The major highlight of the ceremony was the lecture titled: ‘Developing a new leadership: An imperative for national development in Nigeria.’ The two speakers were Prof. Olu Obafemi of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, and Prof Akin Oyebode of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos, Akoka. The two scholars urged the political class to emulate the celebrator’s style of leadership.

    A former Member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mrs Tejuoso, described him as an incorruptible politician. “I was closed to him. Because of that, my colleagues asked me to go to him to request for money for legislators. He said that he had heard what I said, but, he asked me to ask from them under which sub-heading will the money come. That was the end”, he recalled.

    As the governor of Osun State, the Asiwaju of Ila-Orangun and Igbonna politely put his house in order. He politely told his wife, Omowumi, who clocked 70 recently, that she will not be permitted to parade herself as the First Lady. Akande’s explanation was that that nomenclature does not exist in the constitution. Throughout that four years, the governor’s wife was in the background. Her duty an an unofficial first lady was restricted to entertaining her husband’s guests with foods and drinks in the State House or private residence at Ila.

    Akande shunned corruption while in office. He was obedient to the advice of his mentor, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, that a public officer should not lead a life of opulence he cannot sustain outside power. Thus, when the Oyinlola Administration, which displaced his government instituted a probe against him, it paled into a wasted effort. Nothing incriminating was found against his administration.

    His legacies as the governor are evergreen. In four years, Akande, like former Governor Lateef Jakande of Lagos, completed the State House and secretariat projects. The State House is named after his former boss, the late Chief Bola Ige. The former governor did not succumb to the temptation to inflate contracts. He adopted ‘value engineering’ approach, which is a creativity model geared towards cost reduction. He insisted on standard. Since the contractor knew that the governor could not be bribed, they resolved to do a neat job.

    The same method he applied to the construction of classroom blocks. “He was able to execute over 500 projects”, said Aderemi Idowu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who added: “While the Federal Government under Gen. Obasanjo was awarding a one-room classroom project for an average of N1.5 million, Akande was doing the same standard of classroom for half-a-million naira”.

    Akande also took some cardinal decisions which were perceived as unpopular steps by the people, especially the teachers. In later years, the university don, Prof. Akin Oyebode, confronted him over that policy of sacking a huge number of teachers. He defended his actions, saying that the teachers were not adding value to the teaching service at that time. This, in Oyebode’s view, was a mark of seriousness and determination to govern well.

    Ige, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice was murdered in 2001. His killers are still at large. In 2003, former President Obasanjo was said to have requested Akande to serve in the regime as a minister. He declined because he was not covetous, despite his political misfortune of missing a second term. To wade off the presidential pressure, he travelled abroad. He did not return until the composition of a new Federal Executive Council. He returned to rebuild the progressive platform, a mission Ige could not fulfill, following his gruesome murder.

    Obafemi, who lamented what he described as the “leadership deficit” in the country, said that hope is not lost. He paid tribute to Akande, saying that, if many politicians had behaved like him while in power, the polity would have been saved from decadence.

    The don gave reasons for the leadership decay. “A structure for good leadership does not exist in Nigeria”, he said, urging the people to ponder on its effects. “A leader must know the way, toe the way and take the people through the way. Great leaders are far ahead of their time. Such leaders are in short supply. A leader must have a vision and mental picture of his destination. We need new leaders for a new vision for Nigeria; courageous, patriotic leaders to build democratic institutions,” Obafemi added.

    His colleague, Oyebode, shared the same thoughts. He observed that Nigerian is in misery and making progress in reverse direction. The legal scholar also pointed out that many Asian countries who were on the same pedestal with Nigeria at independence have left it behind. Oyebode lamented that political and economic transformation have not been accomplished because it is business as usual in the corridor of power. He chided the leadership for poverty of ideas, stressing that when a country is saddled with clueless leaders, there will be retrogression.

    Oyebode urged Nigerians to reject hypocritical leaders and replace them with trusted, tested and incorruptible leaders. “Where leadership is in the hands of venal, opportunistic, corrupt and self-serving elements, all the people would get is a lot of motion without movement, just like the potter’s wheel,” he added.

  • Osun celebrates Akande’s wife at 70

    Osun celebrates Akande’s wife at 70

    The Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress(APC), Chief Bisi Akande, yesterday played host to many dignitaries from all walks of life at the 70th birthday of his wife, Mama Omowunmi.

    Chief Akande described his wife as the pillar behind his success.

    Those in attendance at the birthday ceremony at the Akande’s country home in Ila-Orangun, Osun State included Osun State governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; his deputy, Chief (Mrs.) Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori; the Osun State Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti and late Chief Bola Ige’s son, Muyiwa, who is Osun State Commissioner for Lands and Physical Planning.

    Others were Afenifere Renewal Group chieftains, Wale Oshun, Kunle Famoriyi and Ayo Afolabi; the Interim Chairman of the APC in Osun State, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo; Senators Ajayi Borofice, Sola Adeyeye and many others.

    Aregbesola, who noted that Mrs. Akande was instrumental to her husband’s achievements, extolled her virtues.

    He said the achievements recorded by her husband in politics could not have been possible but for the support the celebrator gave her husband.

    He stressed that the septuagenarian had also contributed tremendously to the growth and development of the state considering her support for Akande when he was the governor of the state from 1999 to 2003.

    Aregbesola prayed that God grant Mrs. Akande long life and good health to enjoy the works of her labour while he advised women in the society to emulate her.

    In his sermon at the ceremony, Elder Olayiwola Folahan, who drew inspiration from Psalm 98, said Chief Akande and his wife have reasons to be grateful to God for their lives.

    He urged the celebrator to move closer to God even as he urged her to dedicate her life to the service of God and humanity.

  • APC’s burden of reconciliation in Kwara

    APC’s burden of reconciliation in Kwara

    The recent defection of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains to the progressive camp has imposed new challenges of reconciliation in the Kwara State All Progressives Congress (APC). Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the task before the harmonisation and reconciliation committees in the state.

    The crowd at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat, Ilorin, capital of Kwara State, was huge on that historic day. Something strange was about to happen. Some party stalwarts turned up with brooms, the symbol of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and they were not molested. For many party members, it was a moment of suspense.

    But, the cloud of anxiety fizzled out when the leader, Senator Bukola Saraki, arrived at the venue. Accompanied by the governor, Alhaji Abdulfatah Ahmed, members of the State Executive Council, many lawmakers and other party officers, the former governor broke the news. “We have resolved to join the APC,” he told the gathering. There was wild jubilation. Party chieftains danced to talking drums. Although there were dissenting voices among the few PDP ‘federal politicians’, who objected to the defection, it was evident that the PDP had suddenly become a ghost of itself in Kwara State. The ruling party instantly became a struggling opposition platform facing the prospects of extinction.

    But there are some hurdles for the APC to cross, despite the enlargement of its coast. The defection has polarised the chapter. The sudden re-alignment of the progressive and conservative blocs jolted many out of the delusion that Saraki could seek refuge in a party that is fundamentally opposed to his political ideas and the orientation of his illustrious father, the late Second Republic Senate Leader, Dr. Olusola Saraki. While the APC chieftains from Kwara, including the Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, exuded happiness, the camp of the former governorship candidate, Mr. Dele Belgore (SAN), has demonstrated caution.

    Whenever the APC reconciliation train rolls into Kwara, the old APC members and the defectors will have the opportunity to articulate their concerns and ventilate their grievances before the peace committee led by former Edo State Governor John Odiegie-Oyegun. The committee is busy with a similar task in Kano and Sokoto states.

    Party leaders, who expressed delight at the realignment, agreed that a sort of political adjustment was required on the part of the foes-turned allies. “Both have to accept the reality of compulsory cohabitation for political growth and survival, and the compelling need for the management of the achievement,” said the Southwest APC leader, Otunba Niyi Adebayo.

    The challenge of adaptation, observers point out, relates to the non-negotiable fact that the leadership of the APC may shift from Belgore to Saraki/Ahmed clan, judging by the numerical strength of the defectors to the party. The old and new chieftains must see themselves as members of a family, forgive and forget the past. A PDP defector, Hon. Bolarinwa Bashir, said that, for old and the new members, the Kwara APC is now a joint enterprise, adding that the task before the harmonisation committee is to approach its work with diligence and patriotism.

    For true progressives, it is a new dawn in the Northcentral state. From the days of the foremost leader, the late Chief Sunday Olawoyin, and his compatriots, Alhaji Sule Maito and Chief Bello Ijumu, the progressives have never attained power in the old Kwara axis. They have only operated from the sidelines of power as opposition arrow heads. In a state where politics has been shaped by ethnicity, religion and poverty, the Saraki political dynasty has been a great factor. Although a handful of people in Ilorin, the capital, and majority of the Igbonna and Ebolo ethnic nationalities have always followed the footpaths of Awolowo in politics, their combined efforts have not reduced the growing influence of the strongman, the late Waziri Saraki, since the Second Republic.

    To analysts, the crisis of confidence between the two antagonistic camps in Kwara is not beyond expectation. It is similar to the crisis brewing in Sokoto State between the old and new APC members, led by former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa and Governor Aliyu Wamakko. It is the same trend in Kano State, where the forces loyal to former Governor Ibrahim Shekarau and Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso are at war. But, the point of departure is that, while Wamakko and Kwankwaso are governors, Belgore is a former governorship candidate.

    In Kwara, although Saraki and Belgore have aristocrat backgrounds, they have operated from opposite political camps. Saraki and Belgore were political foes in 2011 during the governorship election. The governor, who had emerged as the undisputed leader of the PDP family, even when his father was still alive, worked for the victory of Ahmed during the governorship contest. It was a bitter contest between Ahmed and Belgore. When the electoral commission declared Ahmed as the governor, Belgore said the poll was rigged.

    The acrimonious relationship continued between Belgore’s men and the PDP in the post-election period. The former Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) flag bearer became the opposition leader in Kwara. He challenged every action and step taken by the governor, saying that they were not in the public interest. During the recent local government polls, Belgore and Saraki’s men clashed. Although the ACN claimed that it won the Ofa Council chairmanship, the state electoral agency declared the PDP candidate as the winner. Hell was let loose. But, the PDP chairman assumed office.

    The dust generated by the controversial council poll had not settled when the news that PDP chieftains were on their way to the APC was broken. The APC interim chairman, Rev. Bunmi Olusona, complained that, during the negotiation with the PDP defectors in Kwara, the chapter was not consulted. Party sources said that this was debatable because many of the negotiations and consultations between the APC and the new PDP were done in a hurry. But, Olusona also rekindled the old rivalry, saying that Saraki, who “oppressed“ the opposition as the governor, has now become the leader of the larger APC family. He also alleged that Ahmed has not lived up to expectation, but he did not tender proofs.

    “The struggle of the progressives in Kwara all these years has been about the liberation of our people from the clique that sees Kwara as a fief and its people some sorts of serfs to be exploited. The dream of winning this struggle is about to be killed through the handover of the APC structure to Bukola Saraki, who is the face of this oppression,” said the interim chairman.

    But, a Kwara politician said at the weekend: “There is no permanent enemy in politics, but permanent interest. Even, Pa Olawoyin and Oloye Saraki embraced politically in the Third Republic.”

    Olusona also took an exception to the alleged remarks of his former counterpart, Ishola Balogun-Fulani of the PDP, who has now defected to the APC, that the APC had no structure before the defection. “This statement has created so much disenchantment,” he fumed. Despite Balogun-Fulani’s denial of the statement, Olusona is still combative as he holds on to the allegation. He made references to the 2011 governorship results to show that the ACN was a party to reckon with. Olusona recalled that while PDP scored 252,803 votes, the ACN had 154,434, adding that, if today another election is conducted, the APC will defeat the PDP.

    According to sources, the pre-defection APC leaders are gripped by the fear of the future. “The number of defectors has overwhelmed the old members. During the party membership registration, the defectors will have an upper hand and they may be in a position to elect party chairmen and other officers at the ward, local government and state levels”, said an APC chieftain from Ilorin.

    Belgore’s followers also fear that, in 2015, Saraki’s group may insist on producing the governorship candidate for the election. The fear is accentuated by the fact that the senatorial seat in Kwara Central may also not be vacant as Saraki is interested in keeping it. Saraki and Belgore are from the same senatorial district. Thus, in the senatorial contest, Belgore has a slim chance. Olusona maintained that the old APC will not accept Saraki’s leadership. Many APC members have dissociated themselves from this remark.

    A party stalwart, who craved for anonymity, cautioned against making inflammatory statements about the defection, instead of applauding the efforts of the interim APC leaders, who have worked tirelessly for the realignment of forces nationwide. He appealed to the aggrieved APC members for understanding. He urged the old and new members to work together in harmony for progress. The chieftain clarified that the majority of the APC members in Kwara are happy about the defection. He described it as part of the strategic processes that will lead to the attainment of federal power by the APC in 2015.

    “We need to make sacrifices. Our national leaders are making sacrifices. We need to make sacrifices too at the state level. Three parties fused to become the APC in Kwara ACN, ANPP and CPC. The old ACN does not make up the APC. Therefore, we should not create division. We know try to make sure that we use this opportunity of defection to soar to progress,” he added.

    Following the defection of the New PDP, the APC Interim Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, promised a level playing field for all, saying that the APC will be a party of equal founders and joiners. Echoing him, Adebayo said: “Nobody will oppress anybody in the APC. The party will be in control of the party machinery. There is the party constitution and the leadership will emerge by the will of the people.”

    When contacted on the phone, Odigie-Oyegun expressed optimism that all is well in Kwara APC. He said the priority of his committee is the reconciliation of party chieftains in Sokoto and Kano states. He however, said that he is in touch with the Kwara APC leaders. “We have the belief that that challenge can be solved locally in Kwara,” he added.

  • Jonathan: From wasted expectation to heightened hope

    Jonathan: From wasted expectation to heightened hope

    A year ago, President Goodluck Jonathan unfolded his 2013 plan. Today, he has unfolded another plan for this year. But, what has happened between then and now? The challenge is marrying expectation with reality. Many agreed that it was increasingly difficult for the embattled Commander-In-Chief to live up to expectation. This year, will the transformation agenda bear good fruits?

    In his new year message last year, Dr. Jonathan raised the hope of Nigerians. He said that government will improve security and power supply, fight the infrastructure battle, upgrade the national rail network, create jobs and wealth and foster public confidence.

    Beaming a searchlight on the administration, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, described Dr. Jonathan as a kindergarten President. The remarks polarised the polity. Some agreed with the former Osun State governor, pointing out that the President lacked charm and carriage of a leader and the poor achievements of his dull government does not speak for him.

    But, government officials, including the Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, painted a picture of a growing economy. She said the atmosphere is investment-driven. Her evidence is that inflation is kept at bay. Power supply has improved and roads are being rehabilitated.

    The “improved economic climate” projected by the minister has not heralded a high standard of living for citizens. They economic miracle is an achievement on paper without bearing on the life of the people. Two days ago, the Organised Private Sector (OPS) warned that political crises may create more economic hullabaloos. The President has not presided over a peaceful country. Despite the heavy investment, the security situation has not improved.

    The Boko Haram insurgency is insurmountable, although the state of emergency in the three Northeast states of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno has been extended by another six months. There is panic. Terrorism has become a major threat to peaceful living and socio-economic activities. In regions where people are insulated from the menace of Boko Haram, kidnappers and armed robbers are on the prowl. In fact, kidnapping has become a lucrative business in the South. Peace also eluded the polity because of the activities of major actors. The crisis in the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) engulfed the nation. Attention shifted from governance to crisis management.

    The anti-graft war suffered during the year. There was a shallow commitment on the part of the administration. . Alarmed at the trend, House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal chided the President for encouraging graft. He lamented that the resolutions of the House on corruption were ignored by the Presidency. There was also a controversy over the handling of the SURE-P Programme. There were allegations that the money ended in the purse of party chieftains. The ordinary citizens were left in the cold.

    Job creation has been a mission impossible, although government claimed that it has facilitated the creation of employment through funding for some creative activities in the agricultural sector. But, experts have argued that the solution to unemployment lies in the activation of the power sector. The revitalisation of the critical sector would have aided the resuscitation of the moribund manufacturing sector. The sector is on its knees. The cost of production has made some of its operators to seek refuge in the neighbouring Ghana and Republic of Benin, where electricity is stable.

    Artisans, peasants and operators of small and medium scale enterprises suffer from power outage. They often resort to the noisy generating sets, spending huge sums on petrol and diesel. Many of them have been forced to close down. Thus, there may be a relationship with soaring unemployment and high crime rate, which the government may have ignored to national peril.

    How can government also create wealth without stable power supply and good roads. In Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the improved rail network is being felt. Outside the choice city, transportation is still a nightmare. The East/West road may still take a long time to complete, despite reapeated assurances. The piecemeal rehabilitation of federal roads appears to be another cosmetic measure designed to make it appear that the Federal Ministry of Works cares . The Soutnhwest, which has complained of marginalisation with proofs, is unhappy that the Lagos/Ibadan Expressway is still an abandoned construction site, despite the renewal of the road concessioning.

    For over five months last year, the universities were under lock and key, no thanks to the lecturers’ strike. A semester was lost to the industrial dispute. The polytechnic teachers were also on strike. But, they called it off without any agreement with the Federal Government. Now, medical doctors are on warning strike nationwide.

    Will this year be a clean break from the sordid past? The rhetoric is being repeated. President Jonathan has wished Nigerians a happy amalgamation anniversary. The mistake of 1914, in his opinion, is a blessing. He has called for unity in a country divided by the bitter struggle for the Presidency between the North and South. He made allusions to the 2013 budget, avoiding the judgment of failure passed by many federal legislators. He said his administration is focused. But he did not point to any proof. He said that 1.6 million jobs were created last year and that more will be created this year.

    This year, the President promised more funding for education and health sectors. He also promised to cut the cost of governance by reducing frivolous spending on unwarranted foreign trips. He promised housing through mortgage, support for the electoral commission to uphold the sanctity of the ballot box and commitment to the proposed national dialogue to enhance national unity.

    The President has made a lot of promises at a time many doubting Nigerians are weary. His performance this year is critical to the chance of his party at the next year’s poll. Already, the APC has described itself as the government-in-waiting. Will the Presidency and ruling party wake up from their slumber this year? Time will tell.

  • 2015: I’m on Jonathan’s watch list, says Amaechi

    2015: I’m on Jonathan’s watch list, says Amaechi

    Buhari, Akande, Tinubu, Masari, Jaja, others storm Port Harcourt

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi joined yesterday the raging controversy sparked by former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s letter to President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The former President accused Dr. Jonathan of training snipers and putting 1,000 Nigerians on a watch list ahead of the 2015 elections. Jonathan denied it all, saying Obasanjo should prove the allegations.

    “I’m number one on the list. They want to kill me,” Amaechi told a huge crowd at the Liberation Stadium in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

    It was at an exciting rally organised by the Save Rivers Movement – a political group backing Amaechi’s stand on the state’s political future.

    Amaechi dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Listening to Amaechi were many APC leaders, interim National Chairman Chief Bisi Akande; former House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Bello Masari, who is the party’s interim Deputy National Chairman; interim National Vice Chairman (Southsouth) Chief Tom Ikimi and Dr. Sam Sam-Jaja.

    Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was represented by his deputy, Dr. Pius Egberanmwen Odubu. Also there were the interim National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed; two senators from Rivers State – Magnus Abe (Rivers Southeast) and Wilson Ake (Rivers West)- as well as a member of the House of Representatives from Rivers state, Dakuku Peterside (Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro constituency). There were many other eminent personalities.

    One of the leaders, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari described the Jonathan’s administration as “lawless” vowing that the main opposition party will deliver Nigeria democratically in 2015.

    Gen. Buhari, a former Head of State, also promised that he and other stakeholders, especially of the APC, would do everything constitutional, to ensure the 2015 elections were credible.

    Another national leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, said the party would sweep away evil, corruption and abuse of power from Rivers State and other parts of Nigeria.

    Amaechi, who is also the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) chairman, said: “Today (yesterday), I am not declaring. I said I would declare at the new stadium. The reason for gathering today is to remind Nigerians that the current Federal Government is carrying on with impunity. There is no rule of law in Nigeria. They are using police to molest us. Where police fail to molest us, they are using thugs to shoot dynamites and guns against innocent people.

    “I read the President’s (Jonathan’s) letter and he said ex-President Obasanjo should prove the 1,000 names on the watch list. I am number one on the list. They want to kill me, but they have no God. The God we worship will protect me. Before the end of the year, I will address the state.

    “They will shoot you. They have no fear for your blood. They want the position at all costs. Whether you all die, they do not mind governing just the land. You must know that if you read the story of revolution, you must sacrifice. Somebody said my son should come to the front. If you want my son tomorrow, I will produce him.

    “If I have surrendered myself and I am ready to be in front, let them shoot. Anytime you start a street march and you do not see me in the front, you must know something must be wrong and you must know that they have arrested me. I am not a big man governor. I am a governor that is on the streets with his people.

    “One other thing that is bothering me is that all those who are on the other side, saying they want Southsouth President, I agree with them, they want Southsouth President. In politics, you are not here today (yesterday) because you like Amaechi; you are here because of your own political interest. If a Southsouth President refused to give you water, you will push him out.

    “We gave the President (Jonathan in 2011) nearly two million votes, let him tell us one project he has done for us. I have challenged the President that I belong to the APC. If he wants Rivers people to vote for him, let him give Kalabari people back their oil wells and I will come back (to the PDP). He cannot. The President cannot. Instead, he will take more.”

    Amaechi also admonished the people, especially his teeming supporters, to be prepared for the struggle ahead, stating that on elections’ days, the “oppressors” would come with tanks and policemen, but urged them to stand and watch their votes.

    The Rivers governor said: “They said Buhari is not a Christian. Buhari is a Muslim. We are not preaching religious politics. Everybody in Nigeria has the right to worship where he wants to worship. I am a Catholic and I will worship Christ. I will die a Christian, but do not bring politics into good governance.

    “It is only when there is bad governance that they begin to look for who is an Ikwerre man, who is an Ijaw man, who is an Hausa man, who is a Yoruba man. If there is good governance, you will be talking about schools. Have I told you I am an Ikwerre man? I told you I have done schools, health centres and roads. I am facing power. They should tell us what they are doing. We are prepared for a debate with them.

    “In Etche, they have taken our 41 oil wells across (to Abia State). They are denying us our rights. We have suffered enough. I was a students’ leader. I learnt in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) that nobody should trample on your rights. If I did not fight for my rights, I would not have been governor. I suffered and my children suffered, but today we are in government.

    “If you listen to them closely, our brothers, who are on the other side, they are hungry. They have been out of power for nearly eight years. If you vote them into power, what will happen? They will steal all the money. They are broke. The ones that are not broke, that are in government, they are busy stealing and building mansions everywhere. They have no fear. I have never seen corruption like this in Nigeria before.

    “President Jonathan said in his letter that former President Obasanjo should apologise on the issue of $49.8 billion. Right on television, a debate between the Minister of Finance (Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala) and the CBN (Central Bank of Nigeria) Governor (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi). The CBN Governor said they had reconciled, but they had not found $12 billion, but the Minister for Finance said it was $10.8 billion. Even if it is $1 billion, it is stealing. $1 billion is N170 billion. There are some states that their budget (annually) is N130 billion. Bring our money. I have never seen corruption like this.

    “They are busy pursuing us with the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission), they have never pursed any federal agency with EFCC. I will quote the Governor of Edo State (Comrade Adams Oshiomhole); he said if you write examination and you score 26 per cent, have you passed? If you score 52 per cent, have you not passed? The Federal Government is holding 52 per cent of our money. EFCC should pursue the 52 per cent and leave 26 per cent. If EFCC succeeds in doing that, have we not succeeded?”

    Amaechi also stated that President Jonathan, in his reply of ex-President Obasanjo’s letter said the African Development Bank (AFDB) was carrying out the process of giving Rivers peoples water.

    The NGF chairman said: “Tell Mr. President that World Bank, not AFDB. Two banks are involved. One is AfDB’ the other is World Bank. We were told by the staff of the World Bank that they are ready. Tell the President (Jonathan) to give us our water.

    “If it is the President, I can understand, because the President has not served in any international organisation, but what about the woman (Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala), whose job it is to sign off, to give the water project.

    “The Minister of Finance has refused to sign off, despite the fact that she served in the World Bank. She wants you (Rivers people) to die of water-borne diseases, in the name of politics. Holy Ghost fire.

    “They are quarrelling with Amaechi and they want you (Rivers people) to die the death of Amaechi. I will not die. I drink bottled water. You do not drink bottled water. So, the best I can do for you and the best that the President can do for you, because he is your President, is to ask the World Bank, we hereby sign this document, that in 40 years, Rivers State will pay you your money, but they have refused to sign, just because of politics.

    “If they tell us that it is AFDB, tell them I said it is both AFDB and the World Bank and we have completed everything we need to complete. All parties are ready, including the AFDB and the World Bank. They do not want to sign. They want you to die of water-borne diseases.”

    The Rivers governor spoke also of the metaphor of the broom – Amaechi studied Literature at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) – stressing that the broom would sweep out dirt, but while sweeping, the sweeper must bend down.

    He noted that the sweeper must suffer a bit and in suffering, the broom would be sweeping, but at the end, the house would be clean. He urged his teeming supporters to prepare to suffer under the current government, but assured them that come 2015, things would get better.

    Amaechi said: “One of our sons, a Kalabari son, said that the oil wells were taken under Rufus Ada-George (former Rivers governor, from Okrika). Tell him I said he is lying. He has never been in government.

    “I served in Rufus Ada-George’s government. There was no oil well taken from Rivers State. I served in Dr. Peter Odili’s government. The oil wells were taken in 2006. They put the money in an escrow account.

    “By 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010, they took all the money from the escrow account and gave to our brothers (in Bayelsa State) and they converted Soku to Bayelsa. My friend and brother in Bayelsa (Governor) said we do not want Soku, we just want the oil wells.”

    The Rivers governor also stated that he was determined to continue to develop the state, adding that truth would prevail at the end.

    The Chief Felix Obuah-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, through the Special Adviser to the Chairman on Media, Jerry Needam, however, alleged that Amaechi was no longer relevant in the Niger Delta state’s political calculation.

    Gen. Buhari said: “I congratulate the people of Rivers State for moving to the APC. The fundamental thing is one Nigeria. In spite of our differences, we have found ourselves as one people. Nigeria is a country with tremendous resources and talented people, but we are unable to organise ourselves to raise this country.

    “The efforts we are making is for Nigeria. We have to put the party firmly on the ground. We will do everything constitutional to make sure that 2015 elections are credible.

    “We are in an extremely difficult position, where a government is lawless. Courageous Amaechi has done well. Let us support him. We are behind his government. We are going to deliver our country democratically come 2015. Nigeria will survive.”

    The interim National Chairman of the APC (Akande) also stated that the last time the leaders of the opposition party were at the Government House, Port Harcourt, they came to persuade Amaechi to join the APC, while describing Rivers as an APC state.

    Akande also presented the opposition party’s flag to the interim Rivers Chairman of the party, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya, a former Rivers Commissioner for Special Duties, while asking him to ensure that the PDP became totally dead in the state.

    While also speaking, Tinubu, a former Governor of Lagos State, described the Rivers governor as a “wonderboy,” while disclosing that it was only on Sunday that Buhari was communicated about yesterday’s journey to Port Harcourt, while he (Buhari) was in Lagos, but rushed back to Kaduna to have a change of clothes and was in the Rivers State capital yesterday morning, ahead of most leaders of the party.

    Tinubu also stated that Akande planned to travel, but because of yesterday’s rally of the APC, he decided to postpone the journey, while lauding the leaders of the party, particularly the members of the House of Representatives, whom he said at the threat of the fraudulent declaration of their seats vacant, pulled the courage together and were strongly determined and got into the progressives camp, for the progress and good of Rivers State and Nigeria.

    The former Lagos governor assured the people that members of the House of Representatives who defected to the opposition party that they would “never” regret joining the APC.

    Tinubu said: “The great quality of leadership is the ability to convince his followers and admirers that courage and determination are omnipotent. Amaechi, thank you. Few weeks ago, we came and we said we wanted you in our party, because of your courage, achievements and strong determination to liberate humans from the shackles of oppression, mismanagement and misgovernance.

    “Thank you, for overcoming the primordial blackmail, all the plans and punishment available in the rank of the oppressors. We salute Rotimi Amaechi, because without your courage, determination, perseverance, degree of honesty and the prominent level you are, we will not witness today (yesterday) in Rivers State. You are no chicken; you are an eagle.

    “The great people of Rivers State, the Save Rivers Movement and many other movements, today is the launch of the broom revolution. We want to sweep the evil away from Rivers State. We are here to sweep corruption away from Rivers State. We are here to sweep the abuse of power away from Rivers State.

    “We are here to be with you, to help you clean the cobweb of lies, the cockroach of destruction, the termites of democracy, the enemies of progress and usurpation of power. Your courage is the answer.”

    The APC leader (Tinubu) also urged members of the opposition party in the state not to submit to intimidation, stressing that he had experienced it before, but he is a very proud man today.

    The ex-Lagos governor reiterated that the APC now has 16 governors. More will join the camp of the progressives and the challenge would be for the leaders to liberate the people, he said.

    Ikimi, who is also a patron of the Save Rivers Movement, in his remarks, noted that Amaechi was fully in charge of Rivers State and had taken a giant step forward, while embracing change.

    The national vice chairman, Southsouth, of the APC, stated that the NGF chairman had given Nigerians the opportunity of having an idea of what would happen in the country in the next few months, declaring that there would be fundamental change in Nigeria, describing the APC as a true national party.

    He assured the people that more states in the Southsouth would soon be taken over by the APC, to bring about the desired change in Nigeria, thereby putting an end to misgovernance in the country.

    Ikimi declared that persons parading themselves as leaders of the Southsouth were hangers-on and impostors, who were deceiving and taking money from President Jonathan, while asking him (the President) to chase them away.

    The APC’s national vice chairman, Southsouth, later inaugurated the 37-member interim executive of the opposition party in Rivers State, with Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya as the chairman, while urging them to ensure that the opposition party was firmly rooted in the state.

    Ikanya, earlier in his welcome address, stated that Amaechi’s entrance into the APC had brought the entire Rivers State into the opposition party, while declaring that the PDP no longer existed in the state.

    The chairmen of the 23 local government areas of Rivers State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Rivers chapter, Chimbiko Iche Akarolo, came with thousands of their supporters to the stadium, and were singing, drumming and dancing.

    Akarolo, who is also the Chairman of Port Harcourt Local Government Council, described Amaechi as the symbol and pillar of democracy in Nigeria, assuring them that the people would continue to support him.

    The Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Save Rivers Movement, Igo Aguma, stressed that the Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) was to secure the future of Rivers people, while insisting that Soku is in Rivers State.

    Aguma noted that he and other leaders of the PDP decided to move to the APC to get the Soku oil wells back to Rivers State, while lamenting that the Amaechi’s administration had so far spent N130 billion on Federal Government’s roads in Rivers State, without refund, while similar funds were being refunded to other state governments, describing it as double standard and injustice.

    The Save Rivers Movement boss also lamented the refusal of the Federal Government to release the $1 billion for Ogoniland’s development, recommended by the United Nations’ Environment Programme (UNEP), in view of the four LGAs’ (Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme’s) years of pollution and marginalisation.

    Aguma described the list of injustice done to Rivers State and its people as very long, while assuring that they would continue to support Amaechi and fight with him.

     

     

     

     

    The Rivers PDP, yesterday in an online statement, titled: “Port Harcourt APC Rally: An Eye Opener To Amaechi – PDP,” alleged that the near empty stadium that greeted the Rivers governor’s guests, whom it said were mobilised to witness his official declaration for the APC, was enough counsel that Amaechi was no longer relevant in the Rivers political calculation.

    The PDP said: “The poor turnout of supporters that marked the APC’s rally, which left the only 14,000 capacity stadium yawning for occupation, should be a source of worry to Governor Amaechi, who had earlier boasted of over 40 million crowds.

    “Even with the scanty turn-out, those that attended the rally were mainly a rented crowd, who were pad N30,000 each by Amaechi’s council chairmen under duress.

    “The surprise package has forced a bewildered Amaechi to claim that today’s event is no longer a declaration rally, but to announce that the Federal Government is ruling with impunity.

    “Is mere observation or announcement of one’s assumption enough reason to bring the national executive of the APC, including a former Head of State, to Rivers State, for a rally at this busy period of Christmas?”

    The Rivers PDP also described as a contradiction, in 2011, while Amaechi was addressing a political rally in Port Harcourt and openly declared that those who were carrying brooms were night soil-men and juju priests, stating that a juju priest should have no place in a Christian state like Rivers.

    The Obuah-led PDP also advised persons allegedly rented to fill the empty stadium as APC’s supporters, with the promise of monthly salaries through the SURE-P, to beware of a man, who would allegedly change his statements every minute.

  • APC is on course, says Obasanjo

    APC is on course, says Obasanjo

    •Meets Buhari, Akande, Tinubu, APC governors

    •Proclaims self political father of all

    •We’re not wooing him, Tinubu explains mission to ex-president

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) got a rare endorsement yesterday from former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

    He hailed the party as being on course in enhancing democracy in the country.

    He said, “As an opposition you are enhancing democracy, you are at home, you are welcome to being at home,” Chief Obasanjo told a high power delegation of the APC at a meeting at his Abeokuta residence, last night.

    On the APC train were the party’s national chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, former military leader, General Muhammadu Buhari, APC national leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Alhaji Kawu Baraje, Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano), Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo) and Murtala Nyako (Adamawa) as well as the interim national publicity secretary of the party, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Senator Bukola Saraki, former Governor of Borno State, Alimodu Sheriff and Chief Bob Effiong.

    However, Obasanjo advised his guests to play “politics without rancour, without bitterness, with decency, that has Nigeria at heart.”

    He described himself as an ‘incurable optimist about Nigeria.’

    “I am totally committed to Nigeria and nothing will divert me from that commitment,” he said.

    He said he was honoured by the visit to “come and present your party and tell me the objectives. But let me start somewhere. I am a card carrying member of the PDP but the politics I play traverses Nigeria, Africa and world in that order. I am a democrat and one of the essential ingredients of democracy is opposition, a democracy that has no opposition built into it is not a democracy.

    “In whichever party for whatever office that a person contested or aspired in Nigeria since 1999 such a person young or old man or woman can claim to be my political child and I can claim to be by virtue of political office I have held I can also claim to be political father.”

    Chief Akande who led the visiting team said they were in Abeokuta to introduce APC, its leaders and governors among others to Obasanjo.

    Akande also said the party was in support of the 18 – page open letter the former president recently wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan, adding that he (Obasanjo) acted in the best interest of the country.

    Also speaking, Tinubu told their host: “You have come out of tribulation and held the highest position in this country. We are here because of your courage .Nobody can claim that he has information more than you. You have surmounted a number of crises.

    “Nigeria is divided (now), more than before, to realise a stable Nigeria we want to encourage you to continue to speak the truth. We’re resolved and determined to rescue Nigeria, we want you as navigator.”

    Governor Okorocha who spoke for the Progressives Governors said many of them passed through him politically and that the task to rescue Nigeria from its challenges is not only for the benefit of upcoming generations but also a task that must be accomplished.

    The APC delegation started arriving Obasanjo’s mansion on Segun Osoba Hill – Top at about 5.23pm when a convoy of three jeeps carrying Chief Femi Fani – Kayode and former anti – graft Czar, Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, came in.

    They were followed at 5:50pm by a convoy of over a dozen vehicles including buses. In the convoy were most of the governors, Chief Akande and Asiwaju Tinubu.

    General Mohammadu Buhari, followed six minutes later.

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers) drove in at 5.59 with ex-FCT minister, Mallam Nasir El – Rufai on the passenger seat with Governors Ajimobi and Amosun trailing them

    The APC leaders had arrived Abeokuta at around noon and met with Governor Amosun, at the Government House, Isale – Igbein, Abeokuta, strategising before proceeding to see Chief Obasanjo who had earlier in the day flown to Akure to commiserate with the chiefs and people of the town on the recent passing away of the Deji of Akure, Oba Adeniyi Adesida.

    Chief Obasanjo and the APC delegation emerged from their meeting at 7pm for a photo session with newsmen.

    The meeting ended at about 8pm with Asiwaju Tinubu telling reporters that the APC visit was not to woo Obasanjo but one borne out of “patriotism, dedication and commitment to Nigeria.”

    Tinubu said: “It is to be able to set Nigeria on the right path and for all men of goodwill to come together to rescue Nigeria. It is not a matter of wooing (him), an elder statesman.

    “Yes, he is a very unique person in his own way based upon the experience of life, tribulations one way or the other, he saw power, tribulations and then back to power. If you want to grasp the life of this man from zero to grace, zero again and then to grace. And then you will see what you get in such a person.

    “And you will need that wisdom not necessarily to join our partisan politics, but just to draw from the experience of an elder statesman.”

  • Bola Ige Symposium postponed to Jan. 15, 16

    Bola Ige Symposium postponed to Jan. 15, 16

    Activities marking the 12th Bola Ige Memorial Anniversary, earlier slated for Wednesday and Thursday, have been postponed to January 15 and 16.

    The two-day event includes a symposium and the showing of the film, Ofin-Ga, by renowned playwright Prof. Akinwumi Isola.

    At the symposium, Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) will speak on Impacts of unresolved political assassinations on future elections and on Nigeria’s security; and National Conference according to Bola Ige’s dream.

    Isola will chair the symposium. Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Chief Bisi Akande will be the father of the day.

    APC National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is expected as the chief guest of honour. Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola will be the special guest of honour.

    Governors, lawmakers and the Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN) are expected at the symposium.

    Inspector-General of Police M.D. Abubakar and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega will speak on assassinations, security and elections in Nigeria.

    Lead discussants are Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof. Dupe Adelabu; Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Adeyemi Ikuforiji; Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu; Southwest Chairman, Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Prince Kunle Ayantoye and Chairman, Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State Ayo Adewale.

    The events will hold at 6pm on January 15 and 11am on the 16th. The venues remain the Arts Theatre and Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan (U.I.).

    Chairman of the Organising Committee Awa Bamiji said the postponement was in response to appeals by students, who are off campus because of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) strike.

    The late Ige started his political career/unionism as a student in UI.