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Tag: dislodge

  • Stakeholders move to dislodge illegal settlers

    Barely 24 hours after a pro-environment non-governmental organisation, Safe Habitat called on the Lagos State Government and relevant stakeholders to show serious interest in the activities of aliens from neighbouring countries and criminals fleeing from other parts of the country in some riverine communities in the state, there are strong indications that efforts are on to dislodge them and remove their shanties any moment from now.

    The group with focus on environmental safety had in a statement by its Executive Director, Ade Williams on Saturday said “we are concerned about information reaching us that some aliens and criminals fleeing from law enforcement agencies have formed the habit of creating illegal settlements and shanties in some water front communities especially in Eti-Osa local government area of the state, where they constitute environmental nuisance and launch criminal attacks against residents of Lekki, Ikoyi, Victoria Island and others.”

    Williams said the earlier government and other stakeholders take decisive action against such settlements and shanties the better for the environment, lawful residents and business development of the area and the state as a whole.

    In a follow up statement on Sunday, Safe Habitat said “we are glad to update members of the public that further information reaching us after our statement on Saturday indicates that both the state government and the relevant stakeholders in Eti-Osa local government area of the state have started taking steps to remove the shanties in Ebute Ikate Elegushi to stop the entrenchment of environmental nuisance and security threats coming from the community.”

    While commending Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, the Elegushi Royal Family and the Ikate Elegushi Residents Association for rising up to the challenge, Safe Habitat noted that the Lagos government had taken similar action last year to rid Ikoyi and Victoria Island of such environmental nuisance.

    Williams said past government in the state had equally summoned the same will to cleanse Kuramo beach of criminal activities in 2007 by dislodging illegal settlers erecting shanties there.

    Williams said: “We are aware that the prompt response by the state and the relevant stakeholders is to disallow fleeing Boko Haram insurgents dislodged from the North East, Niger Delta militants and other criminal elements from neighbouring countries from having a foothold in Eti-Osa and indeed Lagos state. We indeed commend this and urge all stakeholders to mobilise support for the effort.

    “We can also remember that sometimes in September 2014, a fight reportedly broke out at the shanties at Ebute Ikate, Ikateland between rival groups of Delta/Eastern extraction on the one hand and their Egun counterpart on the other as a result of which one Ogosu, the Egun cult leader allegedly killed one Daniel Edet who belonged to the rival group; but due to the timely intervention of policemen from Ilasan Police Station, the clash was prevented from escalating into a full-fledged internecine, tribal war. These are just a few of the several incidences of environmental nuisance in that part of the state we can mention now, in addition to the current security threat these shanties constitute to the entire state at the moment.”

  • Lagos 2015: PDP strategises to dislodge APC

    Lagos 2015: PDP strategises to dislodge APC

    As 2015 governorship election draws closer, Assistant Editor, ‘Dare Odufowokan, reports that Jimi Agbaje has emerged a beautiful bride, currently wooed by the two leading opposition parties in Lagos State.

    The Peoples Democratic Peoples Party (PDP) in Lagos State is teaming up with the polarised pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, to oust the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state, during the forthcoming 2015 gubernatorial election.

    The move, party sources said, is part of a grand plot to ensure the victory of the opposition party at the 2015 general elections. Currently, the state is a stronghold of the APC. The PDP had suffered massive defeats on the four previous occasions it had entered political battles against the ruling party in the state.

    “The resolve to reach out to Afenifere by our party in Lagos State is to further position the PDP as the party of the people ahead of the 2015 election. For years, the people have been made to see ours as a party of outsiders. Sincerely this has affected the performance of the PDP in elections in Lagos State.

    “Now that we are heading towards another election year, we are making effort to solidify our position as a grassroots party and this is one reason we are in talks with eminent Yoruba leaders under the auspices of the Afenifere,” a member of the party’s State Executive Committee (SEC) told The Nation during the week.

    Also, the party is wooing former governorship candidate of Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) in the 2007 election, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, to join its rank and be picked as the party’s standard bearer for the 2015 governorship election.

    Agbaje, who was defeated by incumbent governor Babatunde Fashola in the keenly contested 2007 gubernatorial election, is seen by many analysts as a strong contender for the governorship position given his popularity and widespread acceptability in the politics of the state.

    Recently, it was rumoured that Agbaje, who is the CEO of Jay Kay Pharmacy, was set to officially declare his intention to contest the 2015 governorship seat in the state. Sources claimed then that pressure was being mounted on him from some quarters to join the guber race.

    “Agbaje will soon declare his intention to vie for the governorship position again. He is under immense pressure to declare. I can assure you he will run. There is even overtures to him from the PDP to join the PDP so as to run for governorship.

    “The Labour Party too has been putting pressure on him to be their flagbearer. So, Agbaje will contest the election either on the platform of the Labour Party or the PDP,” an aide of the politician told The Nation few weeks back.

    Investigation by The Nation also revealed that the politician revived his old political machinery weeks back after consulting widely among prominent stakeholders and politicians across party divides in the state.

    “His close aides, political associates and friends have also been meeting with politicians across the state on his behalf to test the waters concerning his political aspiration. We want to test the pulse of the people who are the ones to determine his fate at the polls.

    “I cannot say much about which political party he will be joining to contest the election. For now, what we are doing is listening to all those calling on him to join the race; afterwards, we will sit down to decide on the platform to use,” a close associate of the politician said.

    Also, the ongoing clamor for a Christian governor by a section of the political class in the state, according to sources, is responsible for the near consensus choice of Agbaje as the next guber candidate of the opposition PDP in the state.

    “Agbaje is a Chrisitan. The people are clamouring for a Christian governor from the east. Agbaje has his roots in Ikorodu in the east. So, his choice is a clincher anyway. That is why we are reaching out to him to join the party and pick the ticket to confront the APC candidate,” a chieftain of the PDP said.

    Although he is believed to still be weighing his options, findings by The Nation suggests that Agbaje may have made up his mind to throw his hat into the contest in 2015.

    Indications to this effect emerged when his name popped up among people who notified a screening committee set up by a group of eminent personalities in Ikorodu division, of their intentions to contest the 2015 governorship race in the state.

    “Agbaje is one of the many sons of Ikoroduland who has indicated interest in contesting the governorship election in 2015. He informed the committee of his interest and he is one of the aspirants we are going to screen as we decide on who to present as our consensus candidate,” Chief Kabir Shotobi, the Odofin of Ikorodu, told The Nation.

    We however learnt that the politician is yet to indicate the political platform he will be contesting on. “In spite of the fact that we asked them to indicate their party, I can tell you that Agbaje is yet to tell us his political party. Of course, we will ask him that question during the screening,” our source said.

    But sources said the PDP may not find it easy getting Agbaje to fly its banner in 2015 as the politician currently enjoys a good relationship with national leaders of the Labour Party.

    Sources claim Agbaje has been meeting regularly with the Ondo State Governor in recent time and their discussions bother on the 2015 governorship race in Lagos State.

    “The Labour Party is also wooing him. In fact, arrangements may have been concluded between Mimiko and Agbaje on how to hand over the leadership and control of the Labour Party in Lagos State to the latter. If this happens, then the PDP will have to search for another candidate,” a leader of the Labour Party in the state said.

    Agbaje’s emergence as a much sought-after candidate is not unconnected with his brilliant showing at the polls in 2007, when, contesting on the platform of the little known Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) he made a huge success of touring the nooks and crannies of the state to sell his candidacy to the people.

    “Many Lagosians still believed that he could have won the 2007 governnorship election but lost because he contested on a less popular political party, the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA).

    He is remembered for his colourful campaign, beautiful brand and charismatic presentations at public debates. All these endeared him to many Lagosians in spite of the fact that he eventually came third in the election behind Fashola and the PDP candidate, Senator Musiliu Olatunde Obanikoro,” Kunle Olowooribi of the Independent Poll Monitors (IPM) said.

    His entrance into the race at a crucial time like this in the politics of the state will no doubt affect the chances of the ruling party at the general election. He is charismatic and popular. He is definitely a contender,” he added.

    There are claims that PDP leader in the state, Chief Olabode George, was the person who came up with the idea of fielding Agbaje, as the party’s standard bearer for the 2015 governorship election. The idea was widely accepted by a good number of party leaders.

    Consequently, George and some other PDP leaders are said to have opened discussions with Agbaje to join the PDP as a first step to flying its flag in the election. The idea was also sold to President Goodluck Jonathan.

    It was also gathered that chairman of the Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Mr. Ezekiel Olajida Adeniji, recently took Agbaje to see the President in company of George. At the meeting, Agbaje was said to have insisted that the only reason he could join the PDP was if he was assured of the party’s ticket for the election in 2015.

    George is not alone on the Agbaje candidacy as other PDP topnotch like his estranged friend, former Minister of Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, and Chief Mrs. Remi Adiukwu-Bakare are said to have been working independently on the Agbaje candidacy.

    The party and the  Afenifere faction, led by the former Commissioner for Finance in Ondo State, Chief Rueben Fasoranti, are currently in talks over the forthcoming election. Agbaje is a prominent member of the Fashoranti-led Afenifere.

    The faction enjoys the backing of the Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, who is strongly opposed to the APC. Between 1999 and 2003, Afenifere did not open its door to the chieftains of the PDP, which they perceived as a conservative party but today, the party, according to sources, is willing to work with the PDP against APC in Lagos State.

  • ‘PDP, LP can’t dislodge APC’

    ‘PDP, LP can’t dislodge APC’

    The Director General, Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation, Hon. Bimbo Daramola, is a member of the House of Representatives from the Ekiti North Constituency 1. He spoke with Sulaiman Salawudeen the proposed election and other issues.

    How far with the campaigns?

    The Dr. John Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation has not started any form of campaigns. We are waiting until INEC blows the whistle. If you see posters out there, billboards on Facebook, they are from people who are eager to translate or to give expression to their beliefs and convictions that we collectively nurture. They have chosen to do that via all kinds of mediums; some have used posters, others billboards, and so on. But let it be known that the Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation has not officially flagged off campaigns.

    What is the much-talked about Fayemi phenomenon really all about?

    I would give you a picture of the man Fayemi. One, I have the privilege of going to the same secondary school with him; he was three years my senior in Christ School, Ado-Ekiti way back to 1978. I was in class one when he was in class three. From there, we got to know ourselves and later more intimately as ex-students of Christ’s School, Ado-Ekiti. Two, I have also come to respect the man, the personae of the man called Kayode Fayemi on the basis of what he has also done outside of government and I lay claims to the fact that as an intellectual, he has proved himself where it mattered and matters. Don’t forget, by digression, this is one Governor that the world also celebrates. If he is a man who does not have content, nobody would invite him to come and present speeches at those fora abroad. Even though some people in opposition have said he (Fayemi) is always traveling, they have also forgotten that those things have a way of attracting values. When people know that this man who has just presented a speech that is bordering on development and his government has been giving expression to that. Are you now surprised that UNDP and other international donor agencies have returned to Ekiti. It is on the basis of the reputation that he has built over the years. Again, note that if he is an empty barrel, nobody would invite him to come and present speeches to knowledgable people out there; sharing platforms with the likes of Bill Clinton. So, it is also a pride to us that our governor is not a governor who the world is afraid of associating with and embracing.

    On the basis of all these, he has earned my respect.

    How did Fayemi arrive on the political scene in Ekiti?

    The story would be told one day that it was indeed Otunba Niyi Adebayo who actually headhunted Governor Kayode Fayemi not any other person. When I leave government, this is the kind of a person I want to succeed me, Adebayo was credited to have said. So, the credit that KayodenFayemi has today could also be attributed to Otunba Niyi Adebayo.

    Coming back to the preparations towards the election, what is your assessment of INEC’s registration?

    To speak about the registration at this point in time, I placed an advert on radio recently because I kept on getting feedbacks that ‘Oh, in some wards they got 291 cards, and this and that. I attended the INEC engagement session presided over be Prof Attahiru Jega, and one of the things that he said, or alluded to, did actually come in to play. For example, the impression I came off from that meeting was that the number of cards that would be available would also be number of those whose names would be in the register and whose pictures would be pasted for all to see. But, it turned out that the number of cards that came unto the filed did not match the number on the voters’ register.

    Does this not raise fears, as we have witnessed in previous elections, that INEC may not match words with action once again?

    I am not too sure that there is an applause for INEC at this point in time.

    Are we saying we already have grounds to fear that things may go wrong with the Ekiti election?

    No. I don’t want a situation where people would say, oh yes it’s an APC thing, to cry the wolf when there was no wolf in sight. Let me safely say that there is still room to correct existing lapses. But, the point is this: Jega, before he announced the date, is he not aware of the fact that there are steps to be taken? If you want pounded yam, you know it won’t just land in front of you to be eaten. You will have to go to the farm or the market and get the yam, peel it, boil it, pound it and then serve. You went ahead, naming the child still at conception. So, what I am saying is that in as much as Prof. Jega gave us a date for the exercise that is going on, he should have the presence of mind to ensure that every intention of the commission does not cast aspersions on the process. Our greatest fear in this election is not with the people. By the grace of God, John Kayode Fayemi and Ekiti people are on the same page of the same book, vis-a-vis where they want to go, how they want to see themselves in another four years. That is not in contention. We have crossed that border. Even the guys who have not made up their minds are already getting to know that we are not just looking for second term as a fashion or as a fad. But we are obligated to to let the people of Ekiti know that the only threat or one of the threats that may compromise the process would be the institution that has relevance regarding this election, including INEC and the police.

    Is there anyway in which Nigerians can bring INEC under some form of control, so that it won’t be a situation where INEC would be at liberty to do it the way it likes?

    Let me say something to you. We would respect institutions as a party. We would respect institutions as Ekiti people. We would respect institutions as a campaign organisation. But the institution must earn the respect. You cannot expect me to respect a policeman who is drunk.

    In a way you are saying INEC has already started getting things wrong?

    It appears as if INEC would not want to learn from its past. Anambra does not do Prof. Jega any good. Delta election is a minus for him. But there is always a day of recompense. I went to New York in September last year for United Nations General Assembly (UNGAS). I stayed at Hilton Metropol. Guess who I met at the reception, waiting to get into the room, Prof. Maurice Iwu. He was all by himself alone and his God and the work of his hands. The ideal thing was to go and hug him and say this is a man who has entered into hall of fame by what he has done, just like the professor who conducted the June 12, 1993 election,aqnd who insisted that Abiola must be declared winner..

    Nwosu?

    Prof. Humphrey Nwosu. But Iwu lost the moment and I am saying this as Bimbo Daramola and as the Director General of Governor Fayemi Campaign Organisation, that Prof. Jega must quickly, in quick turn around time, he must change and make things work the way of sanity, order, fairness and progress. Ekiti election is the election of the people.

    But there are beliefs that Jega himself does not really have a final say.

    “Bi’aba fi eniyan je oye awodi, o ye k’ole’gbadie” (meaning if someone has been decked in the honour of an eagle, such must be able to dive to steal chickens). If it is not possible for him to change and make things work, he can resign.

  • ‘APC can’t dislodge PDP in Delta’

    Prince Johnson Erijo , a member representing Isoko South constituency ll in the Delta State House of Assembly, is also the Deputy Majority Leader and Chairman, House Committee on Information. He speaks with POLYCARP OROSEVWOTU on the performance of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and other issues.

    How will you rate the development strides of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan since he assumed office?

    I will score him 80 percent because if you are going to Asaba through that lsoko road, you will at least see the level of road network. In Asaba here most of the roads are well tarred, the airport is there for you to see. The man is not just sitting there for nothing, he is thinking about tomorrow, especially the Delta beyond oil initiative and all his projection are geared towards the actualization of his three points initiative.

    All the massive developmental strides being witnessed in the state are all put in place for the actualization of the governor’s initiative. I can assure you of the 80 percent score I gave him. Right from the constituency educational, health and other sectors I can tell you that he has tried. I am in a vantage position to score him; he has done so well, at the end of the tenure you will be able to see clearly what he has done. For now, some of the projects are ongoing.

    What is your take on the view in quarters that the administration of Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has not performed well?

    I will never align to that, if I am aligning to that I will never have scored him 80 percent. I can tell you from a vantage position that the man has done well. At present most of them may not be able to talk well of him, maybe after the expiration of his tenure that is when they will score him higher. Then they will sing praises of him because I know what this man has done. Even Jesus they worship today as Christians, they never gave him that time to succeed or perform but today they are all worshipping him.

    What are the chances of the PDP in 2015 with the growth of the APC?

    I have not seen anything that will remove PDP from the government of Delta state. Nothing APC or whatever can do to remove from PDP government come 2015. They may try in other parts of the country but definitely not in Delta state. PDP, as a family, is very intact and we will continue to carry on like that as a team. I have told you, I did not see it as a threat. I have not seen anywhere in Delta state where APC is prominent or will win.

    What is your view on the North’s position that President Jonathan should not contest for second term?

    The issue is not about North and South but on the constitution and what it states. It is very clear in the constitution on the number of tenure and time anybody can run in the executive arm and of cause we know very well that Mr. President is doing his first term, so if he declares his intention to run for second term, I don’t see anything wrong in it.

    How do you think democracy has fared?

    Going by the different leadership that has come and gone, coupled with military and civilian government, the assessment may be difficult in the real sense but so far so good since we have settled on a democratic government, l will say it has been fairly good.

    Does that imply that civilian government is more in place to that of military? There is no two ways about it, the worse civilian government is one million times better than that of military government. In civilian government you adhered strictly to the rule of law but in military government it is the reverse, they do what they want without considering the law and they go with it. They are aberration and not to be tolerated in any form or guise at all.

    As a lawmaker, what how do you think security challenges, issues of kidnapping and Boko Haram can be handled across the Niger Delta region in particularly and the country in general? The constitution has it clearly that the essence of government is to ensure the welfare and security of its citizenry, so as we are having security challenges across the country, it is a big challenge to the federal and state governments and in Delta state in particular, we are not leaving any stone unturned to ensure that we peace, law and order.

    What is you view on kidnap and the arrest of Kelvin Oniarah recently?

    It was a welcome development because Kelvin has been at the helms of most of the high profile kidnap in Delta and other neighbouring states, so his arrest will no doubt reduce drastically the level of kidnapping and social vices in the area. We are all very happy and glad that he will soon be brought to book.

    What do you say about his people asking for his release?

    For any community to think of protecting somebody who was declared wanted for killing, maiming, kidnapping and all sorts of crimes in the society is a baffling thing to be heard. I have never heard of it, it is most appalling and shameful to such community. If I am to be at the saddled with the responsibility of leadership I will allow due process takes its course. Having been apprehended by the law enforcement agents, the next line of action is for him to be tried in a law court and if he is found guilty, he should face the guilty charge as created by the anti-kidnapping law. It is clear that the maximum punishment is death.

    He will be brought here to face the law, most of the crimes were committed here in Delta state. He may have his network all over the place but Delta is the place where most of his havoc where committed.

    Is it true that you have ambition of going to the House of Representatives seat?

    I am just hearing it for the first time from you because I have not even contemplated on it because I don’t want to be like the rich fool in the bible. God will dictate my next line of action in 2015 but right now I am thinking of giving my people effective representation.

    We have someone who is performing creditably well at the Federal House of Representatives, he is actually the Deputy Majority leader of the house. He has not told anyone that he is not running, if at all it will happen I have to seek his opinion first before I will decide the next line of action to take. The more experience a legislator is the better for his people.

    As a lawmaker, how have you been able to affect lives positively in your immediate constituency?

    Well, l suppose such question will be well defined by those l represent so that it does not look as if am blowing my own trumpet but so far by the grace of God, I think I have done so many things l do not want to go into for this moment.

     

  • ‘Why PDP can’t dislodge CPC in Nasarawa’

    ‘Why PDP can’t dislodge CPC in Nasarawa’

    Nasarawa State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Mr. Emmanuel Bako has said that the party may find it difficult to dislodge the ruling Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) from power in the next general elections.

    He said that PDP can only bounce back, if its internal crises are resolved.

    The former Commissioner for Planning in Doma Administration lamented that the protracted crises had taken their tolls on the troubled chapter. He warned that its persistence may spell doom for the party in 2015.

    Bako, who spoke with our correspondent on the phone, said the party lacked a crisis-resolution mechanism.

    He added: “If they continue to turn a deaf ear to the warning, the CPC will take the advantage to dominate the political landscape in the state.

    “The party will continue to be in disarray and CPC will continue to rule. If your enemies know your weaknesses , they will take advantage of that to deal with you. If we don’t want to lose again, we must resolve the crises.

    “There was no congress in the party. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wrote to the national secretariat that there was no congress in Nasarawa State and nine other states.

    “We cannot move the party forward and remain an indivisible entity to be able to deliver by 2015, if we remain like this. If we can put our house in order now, we may capture Lafia Government House in 2015, but if we fail to do so, it will lead to the end of the party in the state”.

     

  • ‘APC ‘ll dislodge PDP’

    ‘APC ‘ll dislodge PDP’

    Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) chieftain Hon. Kayode Tinubu has lauded merger leaders, saying that they have made a sacrifice for democracy.

    He said the new party, All Progressive Congress (APC) will wrest power successfully from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015.

    The politician spoke on phone with our correspondent with on the birth of the new party and its chances of winning power at the centre.

    Tinubu, a lawyer, noted that, for the first time, progressive leaders put their slight differences away to forge a common bond of unity in the national interest.

    He described the new party as a party of ideas, stressing that the 10 governors backing the initiative are also role models in the country.

    Tinubu said: “Many of our members in Lagos received the news with joy. Our leaders have made sacrifices. I mean our progressive leaders across the four parties.

    “The party will adopt welfarist programmes. All the masses will belong to it. It will be superior to the PDP, in terms of programmes. Now, we have a broad-based party that can successfully confront PDP in the country.

    “This is a period of sober reflection in our country. The drift to backwardness should not continue. For 13 years, PDP has ruined Nigeria. I agree that it is time to salvage the country”.

    The politician urged the people to support the new party, adding that political salvation is at hand.

    He added: “The success of the merger is a pointer that the country can still be redeemed. I urge our leaders to sustain the tempo to the end’.litician spoke on phone with our correspondent with on the birth of the new party and its chances of winning power at the centre”.