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Tag: elected

  • Day Lagos APC elected its new executive

    The state congress of the Lagos All Progressives Congress (APC) was held last Saturday at the party secretariat, Ikeja amidst pomp and ceremony. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN reports that the new executive committee is taking over the leadership of the party at an auspicious time and that the expectations of members are high.

    THE Lagos State secretariat of the All Progressives Congress (APC) was a beehive of activities last Saturday, when the chapter held its congress to usher in a new leadership, to manage the affairs of the party in the next four years. As early as 7.30am, delegates had started trooping in for accreditation which commenced by 9 am. The security operatives allowed only bona fide delegates, party leaders, reporters and observers to enter the party secretariat to ensure orderliness and smooth session.

    The sitting arrangement for the delegates was on local government basis. This enhanced smooth accreditation, as they were accredited on their seat by the congress officials. The aspirants too also had their seats.

    The congress generated a lot of excitement, because it was an open secret that change was imminent. It had become evident three weeks ago that imminent that a change in leadership was in the offing, when National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, announced at the end of its stakeholders meeting that executive members that have served three or more terms would not be allowed to re-contest.

    The congress which was conducted by the Electoral Committee headed by Senator Uche Ekwunife was monitored by the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), men of the State Security Service and the police. The congress was peaceful and all officers were returned unopposed.

    The programme started with a welcome address by the out-going chairman, Chief Henry Ajomale, who recognised the presence of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, and other party chieftains at the epoch-making event. He got a loud ovation when he described Ambode as “Governor General of Nigeria and governor of the most impressive state”.

    Ajomale made it clear that he was not making a valedictory speech. He equally made it clear that he remains a member of the APC family in Lagos and that he would continue to contribute to the progress of the party, even after leaving office. He said: “We are part and parcel of the APC membership; we will continue to serve the party.”

    He also admonished the incoming executive members: “The mantle of leadership that would be bestowed on you today is a challenge that you will be able to do better than what we are leaving behind. We have done our best. You should improve on our performance. You should remember that Lagos is the light of the APC; Lagos produced the Chairman of APC Chairmen. You must maintain that.”

    Thereafter, Ekwunife took over to perform the business of the day. In her remarks, she expressed her delight in being appointed to head Lagos State Electoral Committee, by the National Working Committee (NWC). She also commended Ajomale for holding the party together in the state for the past 12 years.

    She added: “Lagos is politically stable. The party is growing in the state. I commend the chairman for his zeal and commitment in growing the party in Lagos State. Thank you for giving Lagos that kind of leadership.”

    Apparently, reacting to information making the rounds that a parallel congress was holding somewhere in Ikeja, Ekwunife said: “This is the only legal committee set up by the national headquarters of our great party, the APC, to conduct state congress in Lagos State. Any other congress is illegal and an exercise in futility. As I am talking to you, we have in our midst INEC officials, DSS operatives and the police who are here to monitor the proceedings and also prepare their reports. This is the only congress recognised by the National Working Committee.”

    Although provisions had been made for delegates to cast their ballots, Ekwunife said since there was one aspirant for each position, there was no need to conduct the exercise. She said the committee had resolved to adopt voice vote in electing the new executive members. The committee chairman said the APC constitution allows election by affirmation.

    Then she called out the only aspirant for the chairmanship position, Alhaji Tunde Balogun and presented him to the delegates. He was returned unopposed. Similar procedure was applied in returning the other officers. They include: Deputy Chairman, Chief Sunny Ajose; Vice Chairman (Lagos West), Mr Funsho Ologunde; Vice Chairman (Lagos East), Ashipa Kaoli Olusanya; Vice Chairman (Lagos Central), Mr Hakeem Bamgbala; Secretary, Dr Wale Ahmed; Assistant Secretary, Femi Saheed; Treasurer, Mrs Olasunbo Ajose; Assistant Treasurer, Johanna Adebobuyi; Financial Secretary, Oluyinka Osinubi; Publicity Secretary, Mr Joe Igbokwe; Assistant Publicity Secretary, Mr Abiodun Salami; State Organising Secretary, Mr Abdullahi Enilolobo; and Assistant Organising Secretary, Mr. Muftau Kadiku.                                                             Others are: Legal Adviser, Mr Ademola Sadiq; Assistant Legal Adviser, Toke Benson; Welfare Secretary, Alhaja Ramota Bankole; Assistant Welfare Secretary, Alhaji Olorunfunmi; Auditor, Wale Ariyibi; Assistant Auditor, Mr Ismail Azeez; Women Leader, Mrs Jumoke Okoya-Thomas; Assistant Woman Leader, Kehinde Babalola; Youth Leader, Mr Tayo Sanyaolu; Assistant Youth Leader, Ms Busola Akeredolu; and Youth Organising Secretary; Mr Idris Aregbe.

    The zonal women leaders are Mrs Kofoworola Ajayi (Lagos West); Mrs Fausat Gbadebo (Lagos East) and Mrs Fadekemi Otitolaye (Lagos Central). Those who emerged as zonal youth leaders are: Lukman Jimoh (Lagos West); Alhaji Bashir Adekoya (Lagos East) and Ahmed Olanrewaju (Lagos Central). The ex-officio members are: Abu Akilapa, Princess Obiageli Onu, Alhaji Ibrahim Patako and Mr Bode Oyedele. Mr. Israel Akiode was returned unopposed, to represent the physically-challenged.

    The Secretary to the Electoral Committee, Alhaji Kabiru Ibrahim, congratulated the new executive members, saying they emerged through due process. He noted that Lagos is always first in party affairs and urged the new executives to maintain the status quo.

    The new chairman promised to take Lagos APC to the next level. He also expressed his appreciation to Asiwaju Tinubu for his selfless services to the party. What makes a leader to be successful, he added, is the ability to promote leaders among his followers. This, he said, was the secret of Tinubu’s success as a leader. He equally hailed Ajomale for his tireless effort in making Lagos APC what is it today.

    Party chieftains that attended the event tried to set an agenda for the incoming executives. Ajomale advised the Balogun-led executive to come up with a new role for the youth, so that they would be involved in party management. He said the youths form the bulk of the party membership and that they should be engaged, because they are the future leaders. He added: “They should start learning the rope as youths, so that when they assume the position of leadership, they would have been prepared for it.”

    The deputy governor, Adebule, charged the new executive to promote unity among the members of the party. She said every member, irrespective of their disposition, should be carried along in party affairs. The unity among the rank and file, she stressed, would strengthen the party further.

    Perhaps the greatest challenge before the new executive is the parallel congress held by some members which produced a parallel executive headed by Mr Fouad Oki, who was the Vice Chairman of the out-going executive. Oki had earlier called for the cancellation of the ward congress.

    A chieftain of the APC who spoke on condition of anonymity told our reporter that the matter would be resolved amicably. He said Oki like every member of the party has the right to disagree on any issue. He said the former vice chairman and his group had exercised their right of expression, adding: “I know that the leadership of the party would not gloss over their complaints. Remember our leader Asiwaju Tinubu is gifted in resolving political crisis. I am sure he and other well-wishers of the APC in Lagos State would swing into action and settle the matter in a family way. My advice to the new executive is that they should not treat Oki and his supporters as dissident or rebel group. All hands must be on deck. We should not create the impression that Lagos APC is divided. He also advised members to discountenance the speculation that Oki was playing out the script prepared by some Abuja-based politicians.

    But, a youth leader, Mr Waheed Bamgbose from Ifako/Ijaye, blamed Oki for allowing himself to be used by few disgruntled members. He said having made his observation known as a disciplined party man that Oki should not have indulged in anti-party activities.

    He added: “What does he stand to gain from the melodrama staged at the Airport Hotel? He had succeeded in calling attention to himself. To whom will he submit the report of his kangaroo congress? I believe he and his sponsors are trying to create distraction for the new executive.”

    Balogun and his team should not be bugged down by the antics of the tiny minority, adding: “If they want to come back, they should be allowed. With what transpired here today, I can say unequivocally that Asiwaju is in control in Lagos State.”

    Senator Oluremi Tinubu said the success of the congress had proved that the APC is a party that believes in the rule of law. She advised the aggrieved members to apply the party’s internal mechanism in seeking redress.

    The congress was attended by Governor Ambode, Senators Oluremi Tinubu, Gbenga Ashafa, Solomon Adeola, Musiliu Obanikoro, and Ganiyu Solomon. Others dignitaries were the Speaker, Lagos House of Assembly, Hon Mudashiru Obasa; the Southwest APC Women Leader, Mrs Kemi Nelson; the Secretary to Lagos State Government, Mr Tunji Bello; Cardinal James Odunmbaku; Hon. Abike Dabiri; Chief Alabi Macfoy; Members of the House of Representatives and State Assembly, Chairmen and councillors of the 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas.

     

  • Buhari was elected to govern

    Buhari was elected to govern

    The reappearance of long queues at filling stations with thousands of Nigerians desperate to spend the Christmas and new year holidays  with their loved ones, stranded at motor parks across the country and the recent release of some 1,488 names including ‘dead appointees’, to fill vacant board positions are all symptoms of absence of governance. The president admitted this much with his apology to Nigerians during his New Year address four days ago. He told Nigerians that he was “saddened to acknowledge that for many, this Christmas and New Year holidays have been anything but merry and happy”, blaming  everything on our compatriots who, “Instead of showing love, companionship and charity, chose this period to inflict severe hardship on us all by creating unnecessary fuel scarcity across the  country.” He promised ‘to get to the root of this collective blackmail of all Nigerians and ensure that whichever groups are behind this manipulated hardship will be prevented from doing so again.”

    For several days before this apology, it was a blame game. The Senate asked us to hold NNPC and independent marketers responsible for our sufferings. This was followed by buck-passing between NNPC, Independent Petroleum Marketers of Nigeria (IPMAN) Petroleum Products Marketing Company (PPMC). Then followed the theatrics of Dr. Maikanti Baru,   the NNPC-Group Managing Director as he spoke of attempts to arrest tankers trying to cross the borders in the north, or agonised over those diverted from Abuja to south-east or personally sealing off defaulting fuel stations. On his part, Ndu Ughamadu, the NNPC spokesman was asking no one in particular questions which he and his boss could answer such as why our daily consumption of 30million litres of fuel suddenly jumped to 50million litres. As in the many times we passed through this familiar path in the past, government officials’ diversionary tactics did not bring relief to desperate Nigerians searching for fuel for their cars or to power their generators.

    And why is absence of governance a betrayal of sacred trust between the government and the governed? It is because thinkers all over the ages discovered that of all God’s creations, man is the most evil. They are fortune-seekers who often want freedom for themselves while abridging freedom of others. The privileged who often live on the blood of the weak and poor want freedom without responsibility.  Because of man’s inhumanity to man, life was nasty, brutish and short. To cage man who more often than not is insane, thinkers settled for government. And to head the government, they recommended not a righteous man such as a pastor or an imam but a Leviathan-a huge fearful sea monster whose authority cannot be questioned once we promised our allegiance and traded our freedom for his protection of our lives and properties.

    For his honesty and patriotic zeal, Buhari earned our trust. We therefore in 2015 elected him to replace Jonathan who instead of governing allowed his party men and ministers to convert our commonwealth and national patrimony to personal use. We equipped Buhari with awesome apparatus of state power starting with the police, secret police, soldiers EFCC, ICPC etc. to hunt down well known evil men among us such as armed robbers, kidnappers thieving governors, budget padding senators and assembly men, some NNPC and PPPRA officials and their fronts-the oil marketers. We didn’t ask Buhari to appeal to man’s conscience because we found that to be a scarce commodity among enemies of state. We had expected his government to take protective and pre-emptive actions when the stability of state is threatened but Buhari chose not to govern.

    For instance, this column like other concerned Nigerians has in the last two years appealed to him and his APC to constitute the boards of some of the over 500 small government his administration needs to execute his programmes. Instead of hearkening to our plea, he chose to put his fate and by extension fate of Nigerians in the hands of members of his self-serving incompetent kitchen cabinet and institutions like NNPC and PPPRA.

    If a further proof of absence of governance is needed, it would be in Garba Shehu, the president’s spokesman’s claim that “the president’s trips for medical attention slowed down completion of the process,” of appointing board members. If the president was away, there was an acting president. And that no one cross-checked the list to ensure round pegs are not put into squared holes is sufficient evidence that the list was released not for the purpose of implementing party policies but probably to forestall a backlash from disgruntled party members in 2019 which is just around the corner.

    Most of the small governments whose boards Buhari is now trying to belatedly constitute have been in the hands of his political opponents in the last six years. For instance, PPPRA was a creation of PDP as a response to artificial fuel scarcity they created at the beginning of the fourth republic with a bill passed into law by NASS in February 2003 and assented to by Obasanjo in May 2003.  Before Buhari took over reins of power, this was “an agency with staff strength of 249, supervised by an unwieldy 22-man strong board, earning a scandalously whopping salaries and allowances of N57.9 billion per annum”. Its mandate: To “liberalise the downstream sector of the petroleum industry, privatise the refineries, deregulate and liberalise the imports of petroleum products and, generally, make the products available at reasonable prices”. Incidentally, this mandate happened to be a mere duplication of that of Pipelines and Product Marketing Company, (PPMC) which was set up in 1988 to “profitably and efficiently market refined petroleum products in the domestic as well as export markets, especially in the ECOWAS sub-region, provide marine services and also maintain uninterrupted movement of refined petroleum products from the local refineries.”

    The staffs of PPPRA were the greatest defenders of Diezani Alison-Maduekwe, the former minister of petroleum, now facing money laundry charges in Britain. They once told Nigerians that “the minister of petroleum resources has put measures in place that consistently prevented corruption in the downstream sector of the oil industry” even at a time a house committee report confirmed that a theft of N1.7 trillion occurred in PPPRA in 2011, when Col. Ahmadu Alli served as chairman of the body.

    What, if one may ask, is the relevance of these parasitic bodies two and half years into President Buhari’s administration?

    In his intervention on the fuel scarcity crisis, Prof Wole Soyinka, our elder-statesman reminded us that faced with fuel scarcity crisis in 1977, Buhari as minister for oil had back then assured Nigerians it would be over in one year. That was 40 years ago and two and half years as President doubling as oil minister. It is Soyinka’s belief that Nigerians as “a people, are surely credited with the most astounding degree of patience and forbearance on the African continent – except of course among themselves, when they turn into predatory fiends”.

    But has it not be said that, a people deserve the government they get? Buhari might have not been able to properly articulate our crisis of nationhood, but the successes he has recorded in his anti-corruption crusade, Boko Haram insurgency war and the battle against economic saboteurs are clear demonstrations of his commitment to the nation. The question at this critical period in our nation’s history therefore is – if not Buhari who else? Can we conceive of Saraki, Ekwerenmadu, Dogara, Dino Melaye El-Rufai, David Mark or any of those former ex- governor turned senators’ presidency today?

  • ‘Elected chairmen ‘ll complement Ambode’s achievements at grassroots’

    ‘Elected chairmen ‘ll complement Ambode’s achievements at grassroots’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Hon. Adebowale Collins is the Patron of Liberal Minds Grassroots Forum in Lagos State. He spoke with EMMANUEL OLADESU on the recent councillorship and chairmanship primaries and preparations for the local council polls.

    Lagosians are warming up for the local government elections. What are your expectations?                                      

    I believe that it is going to come out well. But, there are some interests and issues the party and its members need to address. People are ready for the local government elections on July 22. But, there are some issues that need clarifications. Today, we still don’t have the final list of candidates. People are brandishing all kinds of names. But, our party has not released the final list of candidates who will be running in few weeks time.

    But, the party said the list will be out after the conclusion of screening by the LASIEC…

    Yes, normally, by now, the list should have been out. And campaigns should have been started and candidates would have been reaching out to voters to vote for them. They would need three or four weeks to do it. Election is a battle. There are some people that are agitating. They believe that they are the ones that should represent their areas. You are right to an extent. But, the time is very short. People need clarification.

    Is the list not partially out, in view of the fact that 18 chairmanship candidates are being returned unopposed?

    Even with that statement, we have conflicting information. I believe that among the 18, may be, some of them may be substituted. There are rumours. That’s why we need clarifications. Even with that in place, nothing is automatic really. We have heard that some will get a second term. Until the list is out, everything is still speculative. Until our party comes out a list I can read and verify, I am still a little bit on the sideline on who will actually come out on the final list.

    Does this scenario not suggestive of post-primary crisis?

    To an extent. There are areas that have issues, not all the local government have issues. Not all of them have peculiar problems. But, there are quite a number of them that have unresolved issues. I will not use the word crisis. It is a little bit heavy. It is a bit of exaggeration. There are areas where the candidates have no problem. There are some areas where some of the candidates are not popular as some might think. We need to address that because at the end of the day, the voice of the people needs to be heard. That’s why I believe that our party should address these concerns.

    What’s your assessment of the entire selection process?

    My personal opinion is that it could have been done more constructively. The setting was definitely not good. The security provided at the venue was not adequate. They should have been a little bit more transparent. When people engage in a democratic process, they need to be heard. The procedure in some areas could have been better than that.

    Why did the aggrieved aspirants not make use of the opportunity provided by the Appeal Panel headed by Otunba Olufemi Pedro?

    Because by doing that, some of them thought they will be giving legitimacy to something that was not properly handled. For example, in Lagos Mainland, some candidates raised issues about the procedure. They said they did not know the delegates used. The information was not freely shared. Some raised the allegation that some people claimed they were the anointed candidate. You hear all these things during primaries. People peddle rumours. They used the names of people as launching pads to intimidate other candidates. Even, they coerce people to drop their ambition. So, when you have two or three names floating around, that this person is the chairman, that person is the chairman, they start peddling the rumour that a particular person has been endorsed from the top. It makes the environment tense. The issue right now is to address those concerns and make sure that the people’s candidate should emerge. If someone is popular and he can win and we can keep that local government, the party should nominate the person. If the primary is transparent, the candidate will carry along the co-contestants and promote team spirit and prepare for the main election. We should harmonise and work together as one party. The grievances and issues need to be addressed in a judicious manner.

    Is the brewing tension not also a function of communication gap between the party leadership and the bulk of aspirants and party followers?

    That’s a good and very interesting question. Some people believe that the process has been tainted. Some people believe that they were not given a fair chance when they showed interest. You have supporters agitating that the so-called anointed candidates are not popular. So, we have to listen to the pulse; the heartbeat of our people. We have to look at it prudently; we have to look at it very well. The timing is ripe for us to address the issues in those few areas that are heating up our system right now. Until a very clear mandate is given to a popular candidate to represent the party, the tension will still be there.

    In particular, what are the grievances been expressed in your own local government?

    In my area, one of the issue is the winner-takes-all mentality. We all belong to one party. We are one big family. A handful of people are the ones are dominating Mainland politics. So, in a situation like that, I think our leaders need to call stakeholders together and forge unity so that we can have an inclusive approach, instead of being sectional. After 17 years of the democratic dispensation, we can never afford to have a system that leave some people behind. People feel that, as a party, we have grown to a stage where we need young people with energy and vigour, fresh mind, and an inclusive party. In the midst of this, we need to address everybody’s issues, questions and interests. There should be no winner-takes-all.

    Unlike before, is it not curious that, despite these grievances, there have been no defections from the APC to other parties?

    The people truly believe in the manifesto of the APC. I am a loyal party member. I believe in the party. I may voice out one or two issues. I believe that is the beauty of democracy. There are some grievances. I believe some of them are valid points. But, when people feel that there is no hope or when people left out, it can happen when people looks at the alternative approach. That’s when defection or inter-party activity can occur. But, we are not close to it, if it is handled properly. I will hate to experience what happened to us in Mushin where Kako Are defeated us because he was a popular and a grassroots man. People are enlightened now. He went to the Accord Party and won. We should address these issues and whoever can deliver should be given the opportunity. We need an inclusive arrangement where there will be harmonisation.

    How can the party avert the 2015 scenario whereby it lost some seats to the opposition?

    As a party, we are mature. Our leaders are leaders of integrity. They are good leaders. The leaders need to listen more to the youths. The youths are a bit more structured now. With the social media, there is information flow. There is generational issue. We should address the issue of people that are left out so that we don’t have that experience again. Lagos State is working. Governor Ambode is doing a fantastic job. The governor’s performance has given people hope. People who truly want to serve believe that they can work with him at the grassroots.

    Would you call for a poll postponement so that the party can address these issues and prepare for the election better?

    Time is very important. People have been waiting. The masses have been waiting to exercise their right to choose leaders to run the affairs of their local governments. People feel that the caretakers have actually overstayed their welcome. They want to have an election. They want to have their own local government chairmen and councilors. I won’t call for an extension of the date. But, if our leaders feel like it is in the best interest of the party and for peace to reign, I will definitely support it. But, if the party responds to the concerns of the aspirants and candidates, we can resolve them amicably.

    What’s is your advice to Lagosians as they prepare for the elections?

    Our party will do well. The APC is the party of the day. We believe in the mandate of change. Anybody that lives in Lagos can see the change. Lagos is working. Lagos is the pacesetter for Nigeria. If we have the right people at the local government, the achievements of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode will be more noticeable at the grassroots. As the patron of the Liberal Minds Grassroots Forum, Lagos is on the right track. Ambode has demonstrated that, truly, government can work. The people looks forward to a peaceful election. They are ready for the election.

  • Why Buhari was elected, by wife 

    Why Buhari was elected, by wife 

    THE President’s wife, Mrs. Aisha Buhari, yesterday urged Nigerians to emulate her husband’s doggedness  by never giving up on their cherished  aspirations.
    Mrs. Buhari said after several failed attempts, her husband became the nation’s president, following his persistence and compassion for the masses.
    The First Lady spoke in Abeokuta at the launch of a book, titled: “Buhari vs Yar’Adua: Facing the future,” written by Mr. Opeyemi Soyombo, Special Assistant on Media to Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun.
    Mrs. Buhari, who was represented by Amosun’s wife, Olufunso, hailed the author for documenting the legal struggles of Buhari regarding his election petition challenging the victory of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua in 2007.
    She said record-keeping or documentation was vital to the life of people or nation, adding that without it, history stands the risk of being distorted.
    The President’s wife noted that there were lots of lessons to learn from the life of her husband, who contested the presidential election for four consecutive times before he eventually won in 2015.
    Mrs. Buhari said: “His victory has paid off considering his passion to help the masses and most importantly, the successes recorded in the anti-corruption war of his government.
    “I commend the efforts of the writer for documenting the  presidential election suit between the candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and President Umaru Yar’Adua of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2007.
    “This shows that the author has been following with keen interest elections held in the country and the petitions arising from them.
    “In most recent shared views and writings on human and societal development, the investment made on other people gives tremendous yields; thus the facts and authenticity of the book are invaluable.”
    Also speaking at the book launch,  a retired judge of the state high court,  Justice Ademola Bakre, expressed worry over Nigeria’s future.
    Bakre lamented the rot in the Nigerian judiciary and warned against interference and undue pressure in the affairs of judges.
    He said the citizens should work out a better Nigeria of their dream, stressing that they must change and desist from demanding bribe.
    The author, who spoke with reporters later, said he was motivated to write the 179-page book to cast light into the issues of election rigging with a view to pricking the nation’s conscience to forestall rigging in future.
    Soyombo said Buhari was short-changed in the 2007 presidential election, adding that the book canvassed measures to “ensure that we have credible, free and fair elections and to ensure that the judiciary, either by design or default, would endorse electoral robbery”.
    The book was reviewed by Mr. Kayode Oyede of the Department of Public Private Law, Faculty of Law, Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos.

  • Why we elected first-timer as Cross River Speaker, by lawmaker

    Fresh facts have emerged on why a first-time lawmaker, Aniekan Ukoh, was elected Speaker of the sixth House of Assembly of Akwa Ibom State.

    Ukoh’s emergence has been generating negative reactions after the Assembly failed to agree on two other lawmakers with requisite experience for the position.

    But one of them, Imeh Okon, has said the emergence of Ukoh, who represents Ibesikpo Asutan, was for political exigencies.

    Okon said: “Myself and another person were interested in being the Speaker. But at the end of the day, someone, who wasn’t in the picture, was picked as the Speaker. That’s because of the exigencies of the time. We were all satisfied.

    “The important thing is that we want the Assembly to be stable; we wanted a House that will serve the people, not necessarily who the Speaker or his deputy is.

    “Order 6, Rule 2 (1) of the Standing Order of Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly provides that preference shall be given to members with cognitive legislative experience. It is a parliamentarian convention all over the world because, for one to perform effectively, he must have experience.

    “But then, there was a clamour for Uyo Federal Constituency that, even though the speakership was zoned to Uyo Senatorial District, that within Uyo Senatorial District, you have some federal other state constituencies.

    “There was a clamour for sub-zoning, like Itu Federal Constituency has a serving senator and Etinan Federal Constituency has a party chairman. But there was nothing for Uyo Federal Constituency.

    “There was the clamour that what was left for Uyo Senatorial District should be given to Uyo Federal Constituency. So, we had to agree so that we could move forward.”

    The lawmaker also disagreed with the insinuations that the new Speaker lacks the capacity and experience to lead the Assembly.

    Okon noted that since Ukoh had served as a lawmaker at the local government level, he had acquired enough legislative experience to succeed as Speaker.

    He assured that the older members of the Assembly would support him to ensure that the House remains focused and independent.

    On the allegation that former Governor Godswill Akpabio bribed some lawmakers to elect Ukoh, Okon said the insinuation was laughable.

  • Four Nigerians elected into British parliament

    Four Nigerians elected into British parliament

    Four Nigerian-born Britons  were yesterday elected as members of the British Parliament.

    They are Chuka Harrison Umunna, Helen Grant, Chi Onwurah and Kate Osamor.

    Umunna, the  Labour Party Shadow Business Secretary was re-elected to represent  Streatham .He is aged 36 and was first elected in 2010.

    Grant, 53, is also returning to the parliament  but on the platform of the Conservative Party.

    She is representing  Maidstone and The Weald in Kent and the current Minister for Sport, Tourism & Equalities. Grant is the Conservatives’ first female black MP.

    Onwurah  was re-elected  by her constituents in Newcastle upon Tyne Central  on the  ticket of the  Labour Party.

    She was  first elected in 2010 to replace Jim Cousins, who decided to step down .

    Osamor is also of the Labour Party  and she is representing   Edmonton constituency in London.

    Meanwhile, another Nigerian-born Dr.Benjamin Ola.Akande was yesterday named  the 21st president of the 164-year-old Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri,USA.

    He will take office July 1, succeeding Dr. George B. Forsythe, president since 2008, who is retiring after 10 years at Westminster.

    “We’re proud to introduce Dr. Akande as president of Westminster College,” said Wallace L. Head, chairman of the Westminster Board of Trustees. “We’ve achieved our year-long goal of finding the most qualified person to lead Westminster and to continue executing our strategic plan.

    “It includes developing leaders for a global community by establishing one of the country’s most internationally diverse colleges, and maintaining a graduate placement rate that exceeds 95 percent,” he added.

    Dr. Akande, who is an  American citizen, serves as a professor of economics and Dean of the George Herbert Walker School of Business and Technology at Webster University in St. Louis. He also leads Webster’s global Office of Corporate Partnerships.

    Dr. Akande  moved to the U.S. to attend Wayland Baptist University in Plainview, Texas , where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. He earned his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Oklahoma, and completed his post-doctoral studies at Harvard and Oxford.

    Head said Dr. Akande was selected for his academic and administrative qualifications and because “he’s a results-oriented leader with strategic vision and proven experience in the areas of global strategy, marketing, and leadership.”

    Akande said he proudly accepted this new challenge and looks forward to continuing Westminster’s mission.

    “Westminster offers a distinctive destination for undergraduate education focused on student achievement and diversity, which are critically important,” he said. “We must prepare graduates to live and work in a world that is far more diverse and richer in new opportunities than ever before.”

  • ‘Omoworare was properly elected as senatorial candidate’

    ‘Omoworare was properly elected as senatorial candidate’

    Insinuations that Senator Babajide Omoworare was imposed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola on the  as the  Osun East senatorial candidate has been described as a tissue of lies.

    The Director of Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, made the clarification while reacting to allegations by an aspirant, Mr. Sola Lawal. He said  Lawal’s allegation lacked substance, adding that it was a a fabricated to deiscredit the shadow poll and dent the image of the governor.

    Okanlawon described Aregbesola as an advocate of democratic ethos, noting that Lawal’s accusation paled into a failed attempt to rubbish his democratic credentials.

    He said, since Lawal started his media war triggered by his imaginary victory, he has not spared any party leader from his virulent attacks.

    Okanlawon said that, contrary to Lawal’s claim that he polled 17 votes to defeat Omoworare, who, according to him, scored just three votes, those who voted were more than the 37 people.

    He said there was no way the voters at the primaries who came from Ife/Ijesa axis could be reduced to 37.

    Okanlawon added:  “Some leaders in the senatorial district were saddled with the responsibility of screening aspirants for the senatorial seat. How can the screening become a party primary? How can 20 people dictate who will represent the people?

    “How can there be a primary to choose a senator from a district where the governor hails from and the governor was unaware of such a primary election? How did 20 people arrive at the decision without any of the 11 APC local government party chairmen, 11 Local Government Executive Secretaries, all members of the executive council from the Ife/Ijesa Zone and all other stakeholders across the senatorial district taking part?”

    The spokesman explained that the screening were done for aspirants by leaders from each of the senatorial districts before primaries were conducted.

  • Obembe elected NMA president

    Dr. Kayode Obembe, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, has been elected the President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA).

    Obembe, from Oyo State, was elected yesterday at the 54th annual delegates’ conference of the association in Benin, the Edo State capital.

    Following his election, he said the new executives would deliver their duties with vigour, enthusiasm and singleness of purpose.

    The new NMA president expressed appreciation to members of the association for electing him.

    Obembe said his administration would operate within two guiding philosophies of LOVE, the acronym for Let Offences Vanish Entirely.

    He said the second philosophy was to ensure that every Nigerian got covered by the National Health Insurance scheme (NHIS) through its Universal Health Coverage Scheme for all.

    The outgoing President of NMA, Dr Osahon Enabulele, in his handover speech congratulated the association’s new leadership and urged it to keep its dreams alive.

    He called on members of the association to support the new administration, saying that it was the only way the association would continue to make progress.

    Enabulele commended the NMA for its enthusiasm, love and support during his tenure, saying that the past executives would always be there to provide advice and support to the new administration.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that members of the new executive include: Dr Titus Ibekwe (First Vice-President) and Dr Okoro Chukwu Bartty (Seconnd Vice-President).

    Others are: Dr Adewunmi Alayaki (Secretary-General), Dr Chuoka Ossai-Abaninwa (Deputy Secretary) and Dr Abubakar Abdulrahman (National Treasurer).

  • Minister elected Knight President

    THE Minister of Foreign Affairs, Prof Viola Onwuliri was at the weekend elected President of the Knights of St. John International, Supreme Subordinate Ladies Auxiliary, Nigeria.

    With this development, Prof Onwuliri becomes the leader of over 8,000 Catholic Lady Knights of St. John, a Catholic Knighthood in Nigeria with its headquarters in the United States (U.S.).

    The election, which took place at the bi-ennial Convention at the Daughters of Divine Love Retreat and Conference Centre in Enugu, began on Thursday and ended yesterday. It was attended by Knights from across the country for the convention with a theme “Knighthood and the Year of Faith”.

    Prof. Onwuliri, who until her election, was the national treasurer.

    She is expected to bring her experience as an Ambassador of Peace of the World Union of Catholic Women Organisation, Ambassador of Mary National Awardee, Ezinne Catholic Women Organisation, District Respected President of Ladies Auxiliary, Knights of St. John International amongst others, to bear on her new position.

    Prof Onwuliri urged all to be prayerful and live exemplary lives as Lady Knights of St. John.

  • Journalist elected Rotary Club president

    A journalist and public affairs analyst, Otunba Yomi Olomofe, has been elected the 11th President of Rotary Club of Ajara in Badagry, Lagos.

    His investiture will hold tomorrow at the Hunwaji Apartments and Event Centre, Badagry. The Board of Directors will also be inducted and a fund raiser held for the club’s community projects for 2013/2014.

    Olomofe was chairman and public relations officer of the club for the 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 Rotary Years. He was also the club’s secretary for the same period. He actively served in numerous committees at club level including club administration, club service project, district governor’s visit and new generations’ committees.

    He was also a member of the District 9110 2013 embrace peace conference committee, the district’s books project committee as well as the district’s multi-club committee.

    The club’s director of public relations, Rotarian Patrick Ntadi, said the club was poised to execute service projects in at least four of the six core areas of the Rotary focus.

    The club, he said, would furnish the L.A primary School in Akarakumo Village, Topo Badagry with teachers’ tables and chairs; renovate the head teacher’s office, provide a 15KVA generator for the use of the Maternity Ward at the Ajara Primary Health Centre, adding that sanitary, food and beverages would be donated to orphanages in the town and the Republic of Benin.

    Rotarian David Victor Dimka, the Customs Area Comptroller, FOU Zone C will chair the investiture, while Chief Oluwole Taiwo, Chairman/CEO Summit Hotels and Suites will be special guest of honour/chief launcher.

    Dr M.I. Alawode, Deputy Director-General, Nigeria French Language Village, will deliver the keynote paper.