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Tag: General

  • Lagos Solicitor-General deplores impunity

    Lagos Solicitor-General deplores impunity

    lagos State Solicitor-General, Lawal Pedro (SAN) has expressed concern over the increasing level of impunity in the society, lamenting that ‘’impunity appears to have become our way of life’’.

    He spoke at a briefing on the Annual Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch at the Bar Centre, Old Secretariat, Ikeja GRA. The theme is, ‘Curtailing the culture of impunity in our national life’.

    He noted that no one is exempted from the problem.

    Pedro, who is the chairman of the Law Week Committee, said: “Our challenge is the seeming acceptance of impunity as our way of life. Our worry is the lack of condemnation of instances of impunity by the society. It appears that our society has ‘normalised’ acts of impunity. We appear to have accepted that impunity is part and parcel of our society.’’

    “Rather than outright condemnation, we now appear to be glorifying disobedience to law and order. We celebrate corruption and applaud perversion of law,” he further said.

    He cited “elementary driving against traffic, failure to pay taxes, extra judicial killings, failure of governance, bribery and corruption, electoral manipulation, lack of access to judicial system as well as inordinate delay in the justice administration”as some instances of impunity.

    He said lawyers and judges, as officers in the temple of justice, have now become endangered specie as prosecution for corrupt practices was being regarded by the society as persecution.

    He explained that it was for this reasons that the Ikeja branch of the NBA decided to place impunity under its legal microscope and forensic x-ray emphasising , “the time has come to critically interrogate the role of lawyers in the society. Unlike other professions whose bottom-line is profit, legal practice has an additional responsibility of being the guardian angel of rule of law”.

    Pedro said there must be a change of attitude on the part of Nigerians. “We all know that a fundamental principle of rule of law is that of equality before the law. This principle is underscored by the provision of section 17 (2) (a) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which provides that every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law,’’ he added.

    On the Law Week, he said it would take off on Sunday with a church service at the Archbishop Vining Memorial Cathedral, Ikeja GRA, followed by a visit to the prisons and Law Clinic yesterday and today.

    He said the yearly Alao-Aka Basorun Memorial lecture would hold at the Bar Centre tomorrow, including the Variety Night at same venue.

    A lecture is slated for Thursday, May 14 at the auditorium of the LTV8, Ikeja; a Jumat Service would hold at the Old Secretariat Central Mosque and a dinner at Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja on Friday.

  • Salute to the General

    There may be controversy over whether he is a gentleman or not. This would be resolved when his government takes form and effect. What cannot be controverted now is that Muhammadu Buhari, a retired General and former Head of State, has done what perhaps only Chief MKO Abiola nearly accomplished in 1993. The man Buhari certainly deserves a good study by a historian or biographer. This is beyond the scope of this piece. What has caught my attention is how the man has become a living legend even before assuming power.

    By his political exploits, he has shattered many myths. Myth 1. There is a permanent dichotomy of interests between the North West and the North East. By the result of the 2015 presidential election and the other elections that followed, owing largely to the Buhari appeal, this myth has exploded. Not only did the General personally win in the seven North West states, but also in five of the six North East states. Going by the final figures, he recorded a landslide victory in both geo-political zones.

    When contrasted with previous elections, it is a significant feat. In the First Republic, the Action Group, through its ally, the Bornu Youth Movement, made waves among the people of the North East, while the North West was largely located on the conservative orbit controlled by the Northern Peoples Congress. The story was similar in the Second Republic when the people of the North East identified with the Great Nigeria Peoples Party established by a son-of-the-spoil, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim. He controlled Gongola and Borno States, conceding only Bauchi to the National Party of Nigeria.

    In the North West, the NPN held sway, save Kano and Kaduna States. Even then, control of Kaduna was shared between the NPN and Peoples Redemption Party. While the NPN had control of the state legislature, the PRP controlled the executive.

    In the “Third Republic”, the National Republican Convention held sway in the North West, while the Social Democratic Party was largely in charge at the North East. It could be said that the SDP only had control of three of the five states- Borno, Yobe and Taraba, but a careful study of the political structure in Adamawa would show that both parties were strong there and the SDP would have had the upper hand but for bickering within the party. Only Bauchi stood out and even then, the SDP for the first time won more than one-third of the votes cast there in the presidential election.

    In the recent elections, Buhari swept away whatever remained of that myth. If the votes were put into compartments of the old Borno, Bauchi and Gongola States, Buhari won in all. The suggestion that the people of the North East, particularly those of the Kanuri stock and those sympathetic to them loathe the Hausa-Fulani could not withstand the Buhari hurricane. The point is significant because the dichotomy could not be explained away by religion as both Borno and Yobe States are predominantly Muslim.

    Myth 2.There is a North West-Middle Belt dichotomy. This has also melted. Buhari won with ease in Benue and Adamawa. He lost narrowly in Plateau and Taraba. . It was not surprising that Plateau came into the basket in the state elections, while disputes over the Taraba governorship election resylt would be resolved at the tribunal. It would have been unthinkable in ages past.

    Myth 3. In the North Central States of Niger, Kwara, Kogi,and Benue States, Buhari sang the victory song, and were it a race, he would have taken the lap of honour. Only in Plateau and Nasarawa States did he narrowly lose to Prersident Goodluck Jonathan. It was, for him, on the whole a landslide victory in what used to be a strange territory.

    Myth 4. There used also to be a political dichotomy between the North West and the South west. It appeared that they were parallel lines that would never meet. But, in Buhari, they have met. While Buhari stamped his authority on the North West, only Ekiti State in the West resisted the change he had promised. Even Ondo State where Governor Mimiko coordinated the Jonathan efforts in the zone did  the APC candidate lose. He unusually raked in raked in votes in the presidential and National Assembly elections. By his performance in the West, the president-elect has broken the myth that prominent politicians of both zines can only operate at opposite angles.

    The only remaining CHALLENGE IS THE OLD Eastern bloc. It hitherto found it natural to team up with the North, thus isolating the West. Bur, now, the old East (South South and South East) is naked and in the cold. Unfortunately, whereas the West was used to standing alone in opposition and cultural empowered to stand the consequences because it was undergirded by principle, the current  Eastern experience is borne out of a costly miscalculation.. Since this is not the focus of this piece, it would be addressed another day.

    Buhari has achieved feats no politician before him could. He had to scale hurdles and overcome obstacles. It came as reward for diligence, resilience, determination and commitment to a cause. But, what lies ahead is a huge challenge. He is now the man dancing at the market square. He has won the war, is he equipped win the peace?

    For now, I cannot resist this salute to an unusual General

  • Beyond 2015 General elections: Delivering election promises

    Beyond 2015 General elections: Delivering election promises

    In 2009, not less than N2.1 trillion was committed by the CBN in collaboration with the Federal Government into key economic schemes for economic development.

    The benefitting schemes include the Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (NGN69billion); Commercial Agricultural Credit Guarantee Scheme (N200billion); the Nigerian Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NGN200billion); Small and Medium Enterprises Credit Guarantee Scheme (N200billion). the SMEs Restructuring and Refinancing Scheme (N200billion) and Power and Airlines Intervention Fund (N300billion). In defending the release of the funds to the rich the CBN claimed that “The Federal Government of and CBN instituted the intervention programmes to enable key players in the economy have access to finance adding that access to credit remains important to agricultural value-chain” . (Mrs Sarah Alade, CBN Acting Governor, MSME News March 3, 2014).

    It is on record that the privileged beneficiaries of the aforementioned loans and other huge loans procured from the commercial banks were unable to liquidate them. As the banking system was going to collapse the CBN had to bail out the banks with a loan of N600 billion. As if that was not enough, the Assets Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) was quickly established to take over the toxic debts of the rich worth trillions of naira. In an article titled: “Waiver for the rich, hard labour for the poor”, a respected economist, Mr. Henry Boyo, said: “Although AMCON purchased the stockbrokers’ toxic assets at a discounted price of about N42billion, in reality, the current value of the underlying assets or collaterals is only about N19.6bn, according to the minister. Consequently, AMCON’s over N2tn incursion in the money market may, in reality also, be worth less than N1tn at current valuation; thus, AMCON may ultimately have flushed another N1trillion public funds down the drains.” (The Punch, December 1, 2015.)

    The candidate of the APC has said that the economy will be private sector driven. Pray, which private sector is the General talking about? The beneficiaries of contract bazaars, duty waivers? Or the beneficiaries of amcon waivers? Or the importers of fuel products and oil thieves? Or the buyers of public assets in the name of privatisation and liquidation? Or currency speculators and round trippers? Essentially, the private sector is an extension of the public sector in Nigeria. Since 1999, the economy has been mismanaged by the private sector constituted by rent collectors. In the process, the national economy has been ruined completely.

    According to an enquiry conducted by the House of Representatives the Obasanjo Administration wasted $16 billion on the power sector. After injecting several billions on the sector the NEPA was eventually privatised almost two years ago without any noticeable improvement.

    Shamefully, Nigeria is the only oil producing country which imports petroleum products for domestic consumption. In 2011, the National Assembly appropriated N245 billion for fuel importation but the Central Bank released the sum of N2.3 trillion on the recommendation of the Federal Ministry of Finance. Since then, not less than N1 trillion has been earmarked for fuel importation annually in addition to billions of dollars spent on the turnaround maintenance of the nation’s refineries. At a public hearing held by the Senate in 2012, the Comptroller General of Customs disclosed that the nation had lost

    N604 billion due to indiscriminate duty waivers granted by the Federal Ministry of Finance within a period of nine months.

    Sequel to the crash in the price of crude oil the Federal Government announced that austerity measures would be imposed on the hapless Nigerian people. Because of the gross mismanagement of the economy by the government and its allies workers are now salaries for months. After the elections the people are going to be made to bear the brunt of the looting of the treasury and costs of running the government.

    But in spite of the grinding poverty in the land Nigerian legislators are said to be the highest paid in the world. The country’s public officers equally receive the highest estacodes in the world. With over 10 aircraft Nigeria has the largest presidential fleet among the developing nations in the world.

     

    The dollarisation of the economy

    Under Section 16 of the Central Bank Bank Act, 2007 the power to fix and determine the exchange rate of the Naira is exclusively vested in the central bank. But the CBN has abdicated that statutory duty to the so called market forces. For instance, the Monetary Committee of the CBN fixed devalued the national currency in November last year by fixing the exchange rate at N168 to a dollar. But market forces have increased the exchange rate to over N220 to a dollar while the International Monetary Fund is insisting that the Naira be further devalued. In justifying the reckless devaluation of the Naira last November, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria blamed it on the falling price of oil in the international market. However, the CBN governor has asked Nigerians to accept that devaluation would come with pains but would lead to benefits in the long run. This is a reminder of the mantra of the discredited Ibrahim Babangida junta when it accepted the prescription of the International Monetary Fund to devalue the Naira under the dubious Structural Adjustment Programme in 1986.

    Although Mr. Emefiele did not explain why some other oil producing countries have not devalued their currencies he has publicly admitted that the factors causing the continued fall in the value of the Naira are beyond the control of the Central Bank and the Federal Government. Contrary to official claim on cause of the devaluation of the Naira the policy was largely induced

    by the illegal dollarization of the neo-colonial capitalist economy of the country. In utter violation of the Central Bank Act rents are fixed and collected in dollars in the high brow areas of Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt and other cities in Nigeria. Some institutions charge tuition fees in dollars. On a daily basis, traders are allowed to buy millions of dollars to pay for all manners of goods including toothpicks imported from China, United Arab Emirates, Turkey etc.

    No doubt, the pressure on the dollar has recently increased due to unprecedented demand from politicians in preparations for the 2015 General Election. Hundreds of millions of dollars were bought from the forex market to purchase votes during the congresses and primaries of political parties.

    A particular candidate has been linked with the distribution of dollars to traditional leaders and other influential groups in the country in a desperate bid to win the presidential election. In a bid to dollarize the economy and destroys the Nigerian economy the CBN supplies millions of dollars to the foreign exchange market on a weekly basis.

    Although Nigeria has become the largest importer of the United States dollars in the world neither the International Monetary Fund (IMF) nor the World Bank has ever questioned the reckless devaluation of the economy. Even, the National Assembly which is debating the 2015 Appropriation Bill has not deemed it to consider the deleterious effects of the increasing devaluation of the national currency on the implementation of the Budget.

    Since by virtue of section 16 of the Central Bank Act, 2007 the currency notes and coins issued by the central bank shall be legal tender in Nigeria at their face value for the payment of any amount it is illegal to dollarize the economy in any manner whatsoever. Indeed, undersection 20 (5) of the Act any person who refuses to accept the Naira as a means of payment for

    any amount in Nigeria is guilty of an offence and liable to be prosecuted and if found guilty shall be fined N50,000 or 6 months imprisonment. In Chief Gani Fawehinmi v. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria (2007) 14 NWLR (Pt 1054) 275 the plaintiff challenged the policy of In the Olusegun Obasanjo Administration of paying dollar salaries and allowances to Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Ambassador Olu Adeniji, the ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairsrespectively. The federal high court struck out the case for want of locus standi on the part of the plaintiff.

    But the Court of Appeal disagreed with the lower court. In upholding the locus standi of the appellant to maintain the action the Court held the payment of salaries of any public officer in dollars was contrary to the provisions of the Certain Political, Public and Judicial Office Holders

    (Salaries and Allowances etc) Act No 6 of 2002. In declaring such payment illegal and unconstitutional the Court directed both ministers to refund to the Federal Government the money paid to them in excess of the salaries and allowances approved by law. Based on the decision of the Court of Appeal and the relevant provisions of the Central Bank Act the management of the CBN should stop the further dollarization of the economy.

     

    Conclusion

    From the foregoing analysis it is undoubtedly clear that the neo-colonial capitalist economy has continued to increase misery and frustration in the land. But while harsh economic conditions are imposed on the people the unjust socio-economic system has set aside loans and waivers that run into several trillions of naira for members of the ruling class. Since the government is

    required by the Constitution to control and manage the economy in such manner as to secure the maximum welfare and happiness of all citizens the Nigerian people should get organized and demand for the redistribution of the commonwealth from the political party that wins the forthcoming election.

    However, there is no indication that the election will hold. If the INEC goes ahead with the conduct of the elections there are fears that the exercise may be sabotaged by anti democratic forces. If the election holds the results may be rejected leading to a post-election violence which may threaten the corporate existence of the nation. In the circumstance, an interim government may be established and be saddled with the task of preparing the country for another political transition. In the alternative, a coup de tat that may be staged by the top echelon of the armed forces under the pretext of restoring law and order and fighting the menace of insurgency. The military wing of the ruling parties succeeded in Mali and Burkina Faso. But having fractionalized the country along ethnic and religious lines the masterminds of the politicalcrisis are not likely to profit from the perfidy. Therefore, the Nigerian people should be prepared for a long drawn out battle for the liberation of the country from political and economic predators.

     

    •Concluded

  • PDP: Wobbling on to general elections

    PDP: Wobbling on to general elections

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dreams of ruling for the next 60 years. The ruling party is likely  to be in unrealistic  dream, going by its recent travails. President Goodluck Jonathan’s public rating seems to be dropping geometrically. Five weeks to the general elections, many states’ chapters are battling with post-governorship and parliamentary primary crises, thereby jeopardising the party’s chances at the March 28 and April 11 polls. Scores of aggrieved chieftains are defecting to the opposition. But, more dangerous are stalwarts plotting to work against the party without defecting.  Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the agony of a party going into critical polls as a divided house.

    For 16 years, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has grown from strength to strength. It appears the ruling party is now yielding to the law of diminishing returns. In 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011, it won the presidential elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Four years after its last victory, the confidence appears to be  waning, in the light of President Goodluck Jonathan’s avoidance of the presidential election previously scheduled for February 14.

    Many PDP chieftains acknowledge that all is not well with the self-acclaimed biggest party in Africa. Some of them now perceive the President as a weak candidate. Yet, the party is helpless. More worrisome is its plight across the states. The chapters have not recovered from the rancorous governorship and parliamentary primaries, which have polarised the fold.

    The chapters that have been relying on federal might for survival are now enveloped in anxiety. At the centre, the confidence of the party is shaky. Reconciliation in some states has been futile: no thanks to the  escalation of the post-primary crises. According to analysts, the shifting of the polls notwithstanding, PDP may go into the contest as a divided house.

     

    Delta

    Delta State is perceived as one of the strongholds of the PDP. But, observers have predicted a tough battle in the Southsouth state on March 28. The governorship primary was the turning point. The governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, lost his senatorial ambition to the squabbles. He could not also anoint a successor. The governor had taken his preferred candidate, Fekix Obuh, to Aso Rock for presidential blessing. Later, the table turned against him. Instead of the governor, a government contractor, Government Ekpemupolo (aka Tompolo), an acclaimed Niger Delta freedom fighter, started calling the shots. When it appeared that Obuh would not fit into the calculation again, Uduaghan settled for Edevbie. But, he was also rejected. Thus, apart from forfeiting his senatorial ambition, the governor’s muscle failed him when the choice of the flag bearer and his running mate was being considered.

    Today, Urhobo are not happy with the emergence of Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, an Igbo from Udokwa.

    Besides, other ethnic groups have cried out that only the Ijaw are savouring democratic dividends in Delta. The Itsekiri alleged that the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) project was relocated from its area to Ijaw, despite pleas, The Urhobo is also angry that it has been marginalised as the majority tribe. The tribe had expected that, having lost the governorship, the deputy governorship would be zoned to the ethnic group. It lost both.  Now, its leading lights are eyeing the All progressives Congress (APC), which has picked its governorship candidate, Chief Otega Emerhor, from Urhobo.

     

    Akwa Ibom

    Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio is fighting battles on many fronts. When the President visited the state recently, he was embarrassed by the extent of the internal strife. The governor has come under attack for insisting on the candidature of the banker-turned politician, Mr. Udom Emmanuel. Following the exit of Umana Umana as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Emmanuel, a former Executive Director of Zenith Bank, was appointed as as Umana’s replacement, before his  eventual emergence at the governorship primariesas as the flag bearer. Many PDP leaders in the state have objected to his candidature, alleging that he was imposed by the governor. They have vowed to take their pound of flesh from the PDP at the polls.

    Umana, who defected to the APC, in protest, is now the opposition candidate in the oil-rich state. Analysts have predicted a tough battle. Although Akwa Ibom is predominantly a PDP state, there is division in the chapter. Prominent PDP leaders, including Akpabio’s predecessor, Obong Victor Attah and former Petroleum Minister Chief Don Etiebet, have publicly objected to the governor’s style, warning that it may be a prelude to electoral doom. Unless there is a serious reconciliation, the contest will be tough for the PDP.

     

    Sokoto

    The dust generated by the governorship shadow poll has not settled. The deputy governor, Alhaji Mukthar Shagari, was embittered by its outcome. He had been penciled down for the slot in 2007, when he was asked to step down for incumbent Governor Aliyu Wamakko. When his boss defected to the APC, he remained in the party. But, following the defection of former Governor Attahiru Bafarawa from the APC to the PDP, the calculation changed. The PDP national leadership transferred the party leadership to the former governor. Up came Ambassador Wali as a major contender for the governorship. He defeated Shagari at the primaries. But, the deputy governor’s supporters have insisted that Wali was drafted into the race in bad faith. APC is a formidable platform to contend with. The defection of House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal from the ruling party and the fact that the Speaker will be flying the banner of the APC on March 28, will further affect the PDP. Coupled with the internal strife and rancour in the PDP, the race will be tougher for the PDP.

     

    Anambra:

    PDP held sway in Anambra State between 1999 and 2003. Even, when the PDP was in power, it was in deep crisis. When former Governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju, called the shots, the party was utterly divided. He was consumed by the imbroglio. His second term ambition was truncated. His successor, Dr. Chris Ngige, could not finish his term. Godfathers demanded returns on their political investments, and when Ngige called their bluff, the state became ungovernable. Later, the mandate was restored to Mike Obi, who flew the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) flag for the eight years his two-term tenure lasted. He dumped the party that brought him into political limelight for the PDP shortly after leaving office.

    Since then, the PDP has been making frantic efforts to bounce back, but without success. The party leaders only take solace in victory at the parliamentary elections. But, the scramble for parliamentary tickets has now polarised the crisis-ridden chapter.

    In Anambra Central Senatorial District, the post primary crisis escalated last week, following the replacement of Chief Chris Uba with his elder brother, Andy, as the senatorial flag bearer. The two brothers have been making antagonistic claims to the ticket, following the parallel primaries held in the district. Chris had earlier said that he was the authentic candidate, pointing out that his name has been submitted to INEC. But, Andy’s name appeared on the INEC website as the flag bearer for the zone, to the consternation of his younger brother, who is said to be in control of the party structure.

    Also, for the Anambra North, the name of the House of Representatives member, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife  appeared on the website as the senatorial candidate. Mrs. Ekwunife and Senator Annie Okonkwo have been at loggerheads over the ticket after the primaries. Okonkwo’s supporters are kicking against Mrs. Ekwunife’s emergence as the candidate. In  Anambra South, where former Aviation Minister Stella Oduah’s name appeared as the flag bearer, there are also protests.

     

    Ogun

    The greatest tragedy that has befallen Ogun PDP is Tuesday’s resignation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo from partisan politics.   Obasanjo, who has not hidden his opposition to President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term bid, will not throw his weight behind the governorship candidate, Gboyega Isiaka, after shredding his membership card. Although the two factions of the party in the Gateway State managed to reach a truce before the primaries, the shadow poll became another trigger for passion. According to party sources, some governorship aspirants have also refused to give their commitment to the flag bearer. In Ogun East senatorial district, many are uncomfortable with the choice of Prince Buruji Kashamu as the senatorial candidate. His supposed rival at the primaries, former Governor Gbenga Daniel, had backed out of the race when he realised that he would be defeated. Many traditional rulers, political leaders and youths are of the opinion that a politician without a lorry-load of baggage would have been more acceptable to the zone, instead of Kashamu, who is perceived as a controversial politician. Kashamu is rich, but to the people of Ijebu/Remo, a Senatorial Zone once represented by former Afenifere leader and National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) patriach, the late Pa Abraham Adesanya,  the contest is not totally about financial muscle. According to sources,  the pendulum of victory may swing towards the direction of the APC candidate, Dapo Abiodun, who has been endorsed by many stakeholders, groups and associations in the district.

     

    Edo

    Edo PDP is confronted with a big obstacle. The ruling APC is waxing stronger. Governor Adams Oshiomhole has justified the confidence reposed in him as a leader liberator. Therefore, the possibility of the PDP displacing the APC is remote. Although the PDP has succeeded in wooing some chieftains, including cabinet members, the defections have not altered significantly the geo-political calculations.

    PDP is suffering from self-inflicted crisis. At its recent rally in Benin City, the state capital, controversy over N1.5 billion mobilisation money broke out. A cleric-politician is said to be at the centre of the controversy. Many youths, who turned up for the rally at the Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium, cried out that they were short-changed. The dust has not settled. The controversial politician denied that he embezzled the money. The youths were, however, not satisfied with his clarification. To them, the actual amount has not been declared. The controversy rages on. Besides, many party members are still protesting the outcome of primaries in many constituencies.

     

    Oyo

    Before the primaries, many thought that the Oyo PDP had a bright future. But the shadow poll compounded the problems of the chapter. There are now four PDP factions in the Pacesetter State. The first is the mainstream PDP, which produced Senator Teslim Folarin as the candidate. The second is Accord Party (AP), led by Senator Rashidi Ladoja. The third is the Labour Party (LP), which is fielding former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala as the flag bearer. The fourth is the Social Democratic Party (SDP), which has Seyi Makinde as its candidate. Ladoja, Alao-Akala and  Makinde are PDP chieftains in disguise.

    The polarisation has implications for the PDP. It is now more weakened than it was four years ago. Therefore, there is no evidence to show that it can withstand the APC candidate and incumbent Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the polls.

     

    Bayelsa

    Bayelsa is the home state of President Jonathan. The governorship election will hold in the state next year. Ordinarily, next month’s general elections should be a walkover for the PDP but certain factors may make it impossible. The rift between Governor Seriake Dickson and President’s wife Dame Patience, has continued to fester. Mrs. Jonathan, who resigned as Permanent Secretary from Bayelsa State Civil Service, is not in talking terms with the governor. In fact, there were allegations that her  foot soldiers were pushing for the impeachment of the governor. During his recent visit to the state, the President clarified that he is an avid supporter of the governor. The declaration has doused the tension in the party. Unless there is a genuine reconciliation, the cracks on the wall may become widened and PDP may play into the hands of the opposition.

     

    Rivers     

    Between 1999 and last year, PDP was the dominant party in Rivers State. But, the tide changed, following the defection of Governor Rotimi Amaechi to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), now APC. The APC has been growing in leaps and bounds in the state. But, the internal challenge to Chief Nyesom Wike’s candidature is almost proportional to the threat posed by the APC candidate, House of Representatives member Dakuku Peterside. Rivers is reputed for its four million bloc vote. Under the two-party system, the feat is difficult. Manipulation will be very difficult now that voters are more vigilant.

    PDP has a hurdle to cross. It is the challenge of zoning. The perception is that the opposition party has violated the principle. Amaechi, an Ikwerre, had proposed power shift to the lowland area from the upland area in the spirit of fairness and justice. In his view, power shift to the area that has not enjoyed the slot for 16 years will give the area a sense of belonging. The APC has now taken up the challenge of zoning based on equity by fielding Peterside, who hails from the lowland area. This may work for the PDP at the polls.

    Ondo

    The PDP in Ondo State has been in pains since 2007 when it was disgraced at the polls. The late Governor Segun Agagu was defeated by the Labour Party (LP) candidate, Dr.  Segun Mimiko. Since then, the PDP has not been insulated from crisis. Despite Mimiko’s return to the PDP, the crisis has not abated. Instead, his return has aggravated the crisis.

    Following disagreement with the governor, some aggrieved LP chieftains had defected to the PDP. However, when the governor defected, they were back to square one. The distribution of elective offices during the primaries was based on the dichotomy  of the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ PDP.  Many old PDP members who had hoped to vie for parliamentary positions were compelled to sacrifice their ambitions to the defectors. In fact, the defectors led by Mimiko had upper hand because of their perceived numerical strength. In anger, some old PDP members hurriedly jumped into the APC tent. Aggrieved chieftains who have not defected are still fighting for their future. Reconciliation has been futile.

     

    Cross River

    In Cross River State, there is a gulf between Governor Liyel Imoke and other PDP gladiators. The governor has been accused of deliberately frustrating his colleague at the bar, Senate Leader Victor Ndoma-Egba, who had planned to return to the Upper Chamber. Senate President David Mark, who had anticipated the danger to Ndoma-Egba’s ambition, had offered to broker truce between the governor and Senate Leader, who are from the same senatorial district. Two days to the primaries, Mark sent his friend, Senator Tunde Ogbeha, a retired Brig-General, to Calabar, the state capital, to beg the governor. But, Imoke disagreed. The governor, sources said, was annoyed at the activities of some politicians who wanted him dead when he was hospitalised abroad. Also, the running battle between the two lawyers assumed a new dimension during the governorship primaries. Ndoma-Egba was allegedly rooting for Jeddy Agba for the slot. But Imoke and his predecessor, Donald Duke, preferred Prof. Ben Ayade.  The primary election is still generating ripples. Besides, many Cross River elders are unhappy with President Jonathan for the role he placed in the ceding of some oil wells from the state to Akwa Ibom State.

     

    Kwara

    The weakest PDP chapter is the Kwara. Following the defection of Senator Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed and other big wigs to the APC, the party became a shadow of itself. There is acrimony in the decimated chapter over the emergence of Senator Simeon Ajibola as the governorship candidate. Many PDP leaders believe that his candidature cannot fly. In fact, the senator rode on the back of the Saraki political family to fame. Since his emergence as the candidate, other aspirants slowed down on their mobilisation for the party.

     

  • MUSWEN’s General Assembly

    Have you not seen how Allah has presented the parable of good deed like that of a fruitful tree which roots are firmly planted in the earth while foliage sprout gorgeously into the firmaments of the sky, yielding (edible) fruits every season by Allah’s permission? Allah addresses humans in parables that they may be mindful (of their deeds)”

    Qur’an 14 verse 24.

    It was a gathering of who is who among the Muslim leaders of the Southwest Nigeria last Sunday. The venue was the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan. And the event was that of the General Assembly, the first of its kind since the body came into existence seven years ago. Present at the Assembly were leaders and delegates of the Muslim State Councils /Communities, Muslim traditional rulers, representatives of the League of Imams and Alfas, including the Chief Imam of Ibadan as well as the Chief Executives of all prominent Muslim Organisations and professionals in the region.

    Chaired by the Acting President of MUSWEN, Justice Bolarinwa Babalakin JSC (rtd) CON, CFR, LLD who officially declared the whole day session open, the Assembly considered some important issues affecting the Ummah and summarised such issues in a communique that captured the thoughts and feelings of the Southwest Muslims about Nigeria thus:

     

    Communique

    “The first General Assembly of the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria was held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, under the Chairmanship of MUSWEN’s Ag. President, Justice Tijani Bolarinwa Babalakin JSC (retired), CON, CFR, LLD.

    MUSWEN is the umbrella body for all State Muslim Councils/ Communities, Muslim Organisations and Muslim professional bodies in the Southwest of Nigeria.

    The General Assembly was well attended by eminent Muslim men and women leaders from the six states of the Southwest Region.

     

    Observations

    Given the current economic, political and religious situation in Nigeria, MUSWEN, through an appraisal at its first General Assembly observed as follows:

    •That the Southwest of Nigeria has a preponderance of Muslim population which forms a great workforce that helps in maintaining the perennial peace of the region despite constant unwarranted

    provocations from certain quarters.

    •That the situation of insecurity in the country today has reached such a dangerous stage where some ethnic groups and individuals are openly threatening the already fragile peace in the land without minding the implications and consequences of such threats.

     

    Religious leaders and politicians

    •That some religious leaders in the country who are supposed to use their good offices to douse any religious tension  as ordained by our various faiths refuse to live above board by clandestinely fueling unnecessary antagonism and mutual suspicion among the populace through their inflammatory utterances to the detriment of peace and tranquility.

    •That the public conducts of some politicians especially in the Southwest of Nigeria has become a serious embarrassment and big threat to the peaceful coexistence of the people in the region.

    •That majority of Nigerian youths, today, especially those of the Southwest, who possess qualitative education  and physical ability to contribute meaningfully to the region’s economic fortune are jobless for no fault of theirs.

     

    Resolutions

    Consequent upon the aforementioned observations therefore, MUSWEN’s

    General Assembly, resolved as follows:

    1.That the Muslim Ummah of Southwest Nigeria totally condemned the bloody and destructive activities of Boko Haram insurgents who are masquerading under the garb of Islam to perpetrate unprecedented atrocities in some parts of the country. Islam stands for peace in all its ramifications and the perpetrators of such atrocities can only be called renegades as their actions are grossly antithetical to the tenets of Islam.

    2.That the Federal Government should quickly devise a means not only of addressing the fundamental causes of insecurity in the land (i. e joblessness, poverty and corruption) but also of rescuing the Chibok children criminally abducted by Boko Haram insurgents and thereby bring relief to the distressed parents of those children as well as all the internally displaced people in the Northeast region.

     

    Special prayer

    3.That all Muslims in the Southwest region should organise a special prayer in all Mosques on  Sunday, February 1, for a successful conduct of the forthcoming elections and peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians now and in future.

    4.That all Muslims in the Southwest region should endeavour to obtain their permanent voter cards in order to participate effectively in the current democratic process through the forthcoming general elections.

     

    Self-arrogated groups

    5.That certain non Muslim groups in the Southwest who have been parading themselves as the representatives of the region under different names and disguises to the exclusion of the multitudinous Muslims, (as demonstrated in the case of nomination of delegates to the last National Confab where Muslims were totally marginalised) should stop such arrogation henceforth in order to sustain the existing peace in the region.

     

    Dwindling economy

    6.That in view of the current dwindling income from Nigeria’s mono economic standing represented by petroleum, a veritable and effective agricultural policy aimed at engaging millions of idle Nigerian youths as a way of curbing unnecessary restiveness among those youths becomes a matter of urgent necessity.

    7.That to further advance the country’s economic tentacle, both the federal and state governments should immediately embark on massive training and provision of tools for Nigerian youths of various categories to enable them become entrepreneurial in their own right through artisan-ship thereby propelling their economic wherewithal if only to minimise the spate of idleness that engenders insecurity in the country.

     

    INEC’s neutrality

    8.That the Independent Electoral Commission (INEC) should maintain neutrality in the coming general elections and ensure impartial conduct of those elections starting with distribution of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) while politicians should cooperate with INEC by maintaining peace and tranquility in the country before, during and after the elections.

     

    New leadership

    9. That the General Assembly of MUSWEN has elected the erstwhile acting Deputy President, Chief (Dr.) Saka Olayiwola Babalola, CON, FFP, DSC (Honoris Causa), popularly known as Chief SOB, as MUSWEN’ substantive President for a renewable three years tenure. Some Committee Chairmen were also elected while the ratification of the Board of Trustees and membership of the Central Working Committee (CWC) was also done along with the affirmation of the adoption of MUSWEN’s constitution. All the Chairmen, Secretaries of Muslim Organisations as well as the elected and ratified Committee Chairmen are automatic members of the CWC.

     

    Departed souls

    10.That in its deliberations, the General Assembly of MUSWEN remembered and prayed for the souls of the Muslim leaders who have departed this world, including Professor Aliu Babatunde Fafunwa (the first President of MUSWEN); Alhaji Abdul Azeez Arisekola Alao (the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland and Deputy President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) who was also a trustee of MUSWEN; Sheikh Mustapah Ajisafe, the President of the League of Imams and Alfas in the Southwest region as well as a host of other demised prominent Muslim leaders. The communique was jointly signed by the new President, Chief (Dr.) S. O. Babalola, CON, DSC and the Executive Secretary, Professor D. O. S. Noibi, OBE, FIAC, FISN.

     

    About MUSWEN

    For those who did not know, Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN) is the umbrella body for all Muslim organisations and institutions operating in the Southwest geographical zone. This is the area comprising the present Ekiti, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo, Osun and Oyo states.

    The idea of forming MUSWEN as the umbrella body for the Southwest Muslims started in March 2004 at the instance of ‘The Companion’, a Lagos based Organisation of Muslim business and professional youth elite. The body was inaugurated in Ibadan on August 10, 2008 with the attendance of virtually all the front line Muslim Obas and Chieftains.

    His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto was the Special Guest of Honour on that occasion where all Muslim organisations in the Southwest were duly represented not as guests but as full members. Their presence indicated their commitments.

     

    Vision

    MUSWEN’s vision is of a united and effective voice for Muslims in the region under a strong, veritable and collective leadership. This had eluded the region for a very long time but the right time has come.

    The overall aim is not just to raise the profile of the Muslims in this part of the country but also to imbue the Muslim youth of the region with the necessary Islamic ethics that will enable them live as true Muslims as ordained by the Qur’an and Sunnah.

    The present situation of Muslims in which youths are still largely not educated at a benefiting level is quite unfortunate and intolerable. It is in order to end this gloomy situation and ignite a glow of hope that MUSWEN came to life as a formidable platform for the Muslims of the South West to prove their mettle.

    But why is MUSWEN so named and why is it restricted to the Southwest of Nigeria?

    The history of Islam and the conditions of the Muslims in the Southwest Nigeria are so unique that they require a special and appropriate attention. The presence of Islam among the Yoruba people who inhabit the area now called Southwest that even extended to the present day Kwara and Kogi dates back to centuries before the advent of Christianity and the coming of the British colonialists in 1842.

    Islam, being a religion of literature and education, had thus brought civilisation to West African for the first time, which tremendously impacted on the language and culture of the Yoruba people. At that time, Yoruba language was committed to writing in Arabic alphabets.

    Arabic, therefore, became the language of literacy and the medium of communication and scholarly discourse among Yoruba Muslim scholars.

    It is rather a matter of concern and even an irony that the same Muslims are now far behind their Christian counterparts in Western education. How did this irony come about? How can it be reversed?

    These questions will be answered in this column at another time In sha’Allah.

  • General sues Army for ‘unlawful retirement’

    General sues Army for ‘unlawful retirement’

    A Federal High Court has fixed February 3, 2015 for mention in a suit alleging unlawful retirement of an officer, Brig-Gen. Abdul Qadir Abubakar, from the Nigerian Army.

    Brig-Gen. Abubakar sued the Armed Forces Council, Nigerian Army Council, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff and the Ministry of Defence before the court, challenging his retirement from the Nigerian Army without completing the normal mandatory period.

    The retired Army officer, in the suit filed on his behalf by a Kaduna-based lawyer, Tajudeen Oladoja, is asking the court to set aside his purported retirement from the Army by the defendants.

    He also asked the court to reinstate him back into the service with all his rights and promotion to the rank of a Major-General.

    The suit alleged that the defendants, without looking into his appeal, carried out the retirement against Section 178 (2) of the Armed Forces Act, CAP A 20 Laws of the Federation, 2004.

    Counsel to the plaintiff said a letter from the second defendants dated  December 11, 2014, in which the plaintiff was advised to apply for voluntary retirement not later than  January 31, 2014, so that the Army Council would not consider him for compulsory retirement, was against justice and fair hearing.

    According to the lawyer, while the plaintiff’s appeal was pending for redress and yet to be determined by the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, the second defendant met on April 10, 2014 and approved the plaintiff’s retirement.

    In the Writ of Summons, the  counsel is urging the court to give an order directing the second defendants to review the Nigerian Army 2011-2013 promotion exercise concerning the plaintiff and to grant him elevation to the rank of Major-General as well as restore his promotion, rights, privileges and statutory career at the age of 54 years.

  • Army retires 15 generals

    The Nigerian Army has retired 15 Generals from the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (NASEME) Auchi, Edo state from active service.

    Of the 15, 10 are 10 Brigadier Generals while five are Major Generals.

    The Major Generals are Edem Ekwo, Thompson Oliomoghe, Richard Maduegbunam, Friday Airende and Abass Adekanye , while the Brigadier Generals included Idi Adamu, Patrick Oviaghase, Samuel Ayo, Peter Aremu, Jacob Amao, Joshua Ibilaye, Ibrahim Alawode, Samuel Adesogan, Chukwuka Ani and Abel Okpeki.

    Speaking at a pulling out parade held in honour of the retirees on Friday, the Corps Commander of NASEME, Major General S Labaran said that the retired officers served the country meritoriously

    Labaran wished them well in their various endeavours.

    One of the retired Generals, Thompson Oliomoghe who spoke on behalf of others thanked the Nigerian Army for the opportunity to serve the nation.

  • 80-gun salute for the General

    80-gun salute for the General

    General Yakubu Gowon turns 80 on October 19th (today). A couple of things stand out when you meet him for the first time. Firstly, he is a people person. His gregarious nature is such that you know he loves good company, though he does not seek to dominate proceedings. Secondly, he can be disarmingly humble, offering you his handshake in a respectable rather than condescending manner as some of our “very important personalities” tend to do. Thirdly, the General can be wickedly funny. He would make fun of you, but not before he has poked fun at himself. Once in a while I hold my breath until the punch line is delivered. I have myself been at the receiving end of his barbs particularly as regards my height or my silver hair.

    I first met General Gowon in October 1980 at Warwick University where I had enrolled for a master’s degree while he was pursuing a doctoral programme in Politics. To be candid, I did not know what to expect. After all, the last time I saw him was about six years before in Kaduna at a public function which I covered for the New Nigerian. Then, as Head of State, he had the panoply of Nigerian officialdom, the ceremonial outriders, the security detail and the equipage. As a reporter among my colleagues, I think the best we got was a smile, his trademark grin, towards us. At Warwick what would be the story? How do you relate to your former Head of State now turned fellow student? Would he be friendly? Do you keep punctuating your discussions with “Your Excellency”?

    If only I had known that with Gowon such thoughts, no matter how felicitous were unnecessary. Firstly, he actually left a word for me that he was on campus from his base in London. Secondly, he insisted on being on first name basis like every other student. So, if you cared, call him Jack. If my memory serves me well, I believe we had tea together on the ground floor of the University library. Any lingering doubts that Gowon had adjusted after a nine year stint as Nigeria’s military head of state, all were blown away by his unaffected simplicity and charm.

    There were no nostalgic references to “when I was in power”, nor did he seem to miss the trappings of it. Of course you cannot forget his patented “honestly” or “sincerely” as he spoke. We drank from disposable plastic cups with the obligatory plastic spoons. He would stand up to greet fellow students, engage in small talk about the weather, the train ride from Euston Station to Coventry and whatever was of interest. He took in good spirit, criticism of his regime, displaying a loyalty streak to his much-criticised subordinates, particularly most of the governors.

    On a personal level, Gowon reminisced about times with my maternal uncle, the late Mr Abdul Aziz Atta, who had been Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance and later Secretary to the Federal Government under him. He would also ask after my elder brother, Mr W. O. Baiye ,who was his French interpreter and translator. For the one year I was at Warwick we saw each other fairly often. And when it seemed too far between, he would call or leave a note in my carrel or at the department. His capacity to relate very well has spun many a yarn and will still do, but a few factual encounters will be adequate.

    Once, a friend, Mohammed Sagagi (a doctoral student in Economics), and I were in the supermarket on campus.  Then, we saw Gowon across several aisles in the shop. Our concern was that no matter how hard we tried, Gowon would not let us carry his basket to the till. So, to avoid the embarrassment of not being seen to be courteous and helpful to a former head of state and an elder at that, we opted to feign ignorance of his presence. Unfortunately, we did not reckon with those giant mirrors in the supermarkets. Gowon not only identified us, he walked towards where we were! After pleasantries he not only insisted on carrying our items to the cashier’s till, he offered to pay. His action had very little to do with the state of his cash flow; it spoke much about his generosity of spirit, something those who have been much closer to him can adduce copious evidence of.

    On another occasion, Gowon was on a visit to Nigeria sometime in the mid-80s. I went to visit him at the State House, Marina where he was lodged. He apologised for not ever inviting me to visit their home in London. While I was trying to negotiate my way through an apology, Mrs Victoria Gowon rightly handed me a rebuke for not visiting as she believed that a formal invitation was not necessary. I am sure I would not be the first to say that the charming, thoughtful, and warm-hearted Victoria is a straight talker. After the visit, Gowon saw me to the car, waited till we drove off and waved goodbye. My driver was so chuffed by the fact that the Gowon he had heard about so much came to the car to greet and see us off. So carried away was Alabi the driver that I had to advise him to calm down and focus on the traffic!

    One of my time consuming habits is to read about the subject of Leadership. For me, memoirs and biographies provide the substance of that subject. Some great leaders wrote very helpful and thoughtful stuff but so did some not-so-great leaders such as George W. Bush, America’s President from 2000-8. His book, Decision Points is a readable account of his stewardship. On the contrary, former President Richard Nixon wrote that “Leaders are uncommon men. They should not try to appear to be common. If they do try, they will come across as unnatural–not only phony, but condescending.”So wrote Nixon in his book Leaders, published in 1982. Happily, Gowon has retained the common touch without being phony. That is why he deserves an 80-gun salute.

    Happy birthday, General Gowon.

     

    – Baiye, formerly Managing Editor with the New Nigerian, is a business executive based in Lagos.

  • Stop corrupt politicians, General advises students

    Students have been advised to play a vital role in next year’s general elections by using their number to stop corrupt politicians from being elected into public offices.

    Brigadier-General Oviemo Ovadje gave this advice at a symposium held at the Sport Complex of the Yaba College of Technology on Saturday.

    The event, which was organised by McNext Africa Intellectual Property, featured presentation of a book titled: Nigerian in the Global Perspective: Where we are?, written by Mark Orgu, final student year student of School of Technical Education and CAMPUSLIFE correspondent.

    The guests at the occasion included the YABATECH Provost, Dr Margret Ladipo, represented by the Dean, School of Liberal Studies, Mrs Marie Akpenyi, President-General of World Peace Unity Organisation International, Ambassador David Solomon, Head, Human Capital Management and Development of First Bank of Nigeria, Mrs Ayodele Jaiyesimi and Online Editor, The Nation, Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, represented my CAMPUSLIFE Editor, Wale Ajetunmobi.

    Others are the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Mr. O.T Raheem, a legal practitioner, Mr Chidi Nweke, and Supervisory Councilor on Women Affairs and Poverty Eradication Programme, Oriade Local Council Development Area, Lagos, Hon. Charity Ogbutepu.

    Speaking on The role of Nigerian students in 2015 election, Ovadje urged the students to resist politicians, who approach them to be used as political thugs, noting that such move would be catastrophic for future of the nation.

    He advised the students to form an alliance against corrupt leaders and stop politics of dishonesty, which he said gave birth to murderous offspring such as unemployment, corruption, ritual killing, arm robbery, kidnapping, rape and cultism. He said only students possessed a greater number to rescue the nation from bad leaders.

    He said: “Students should take the mantle of political leadership and operate above the weaknesses, political deformities and fragmentation perpetuated by the present class of politicians, who are products of mediocrity, ethnic chauvinism, tribal and religious sentiments and other forms of discrimination.

    “Students must converged before 2015 to organise themselves under a new and positive alliance, specifically to fight against electoral rascality and fraud. They must show interest in politics on their own and should not create vacuum that allows corrupt politicians to use them in achieving negative ends.”

    Ambassador Solomon urged students and the youth to vote out bad leaders, saying it was time for the youth to take over the mantle of leadership. He urged them to remain focused, dedicated and strive for excellence.

    Dr Ladipo, who spoke through Mrs Akpenyi, praised Mark for organising the symposium, which she said would make the youth to constructively engage leaders in making Nigeria a better country.

    The highpoint of the event was the presentation of the book. Reviewing the book, Dr Charles Oni, the college’s Director of Public Relations Unit, said the 11-chapter book should be opium for the youths to ask for better service from leaders.

    Some of the guests were honours with awards of excellence for their achievements. The honoree included Ovadje, Ambassador Solomon, Dr Ladipo, Raheem and Otufodunrin, among others.

     

  • APC warns against plan to postpone 2015 general elections

    APC warns against plan to postpone 2015 general elections

    NigerianS will reject any attempt by some public officials to elongate their tenure by postponing February’s election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) warned yesterday.

    The APC alleged that some elected public officials are working silently to push the election forward, claiming that the nation is at war.

    The party’s spokesman Alhaji Lai Mohammed in a statement said: ‘’Election is the lifeblood of democracy, the mechanism by which modern representative democracy operates. It is the only way for the citizenry to renew and refresh the governing process so they can get the most benefits out of democracy. Therefore, anyone that tries to sabotage this mechanism is aiming a dagger straight at the heart of democracy,’’ it said.

    The APC said the statement credited to Senate President David Mark, that ‘’there is no question of elections, it is not even on the table now. We are in a state of war,” reflects the thinking in government circles, even though the Senate President, having run into a wall of opposition over his unfortunate statement, has tried to step back from the comments.

    ‘’We in the APC saw this coming, and we have said it at several fora: That the Jonathan Administration has deliberately allowed the insurgency in the North-east, an opposition stronghold, to fester so he can cash in on it to get re-elected. Simply put, the Administration has been playing dirty politics with Boko Haram, at the expense of the lives and property of the citizenry and the well-being of the nation.

    ‘’However, the Administration is being too clever by half to think that Nigerians will reward it for its failure in its main reason for existence, which is the protection of the welfare and security of the citizens. There is just no way this government will be allowed to profit from its ineptness and its conspiracy to prolong an insurgency that should have ended a long time ago,’’ the party said.

    It said the statement by INEC Chairman Attahiru Jega, that the commission has started preparing for elections even in the North-east, represents a ray of hope, but warned the electoral body to remain steadfast and not to cave in to what will be massive pressure from the Jonathan Administration and its gong beaters to scuttle the 2015 elections.

    The APC said just like Jega has said, countries like Afghanistan and Iraq successfully held elections even though they are in a state of war, hence there is no reason why Nigeria cannot organize elections because of the insurgency in a part of the country.

    ‘’We know the Jonathan Administration is mortally afraid to face the electorate, having failed woefully to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. We know many elected officials are also aware that they will be punished by the electorate because they have failed them (the electorate). It is therefore easy for them to queue behind any plot to ensure the 2015 general elections do not hold as planned, so they can get tenure extension.

    ‘’However, we have got news for these saboteurs: Nigerians have seen through their game and will not allow them to succeed in endangering our democracy. 2015 elections must hold as scheduled. This is not negotiable,’’ the party warned.