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Tag: Gladiators

  • Lessons from Suleja’s royal gladiators (I)

    On 1993, the commercial gateway city and baptismal-mother of ‘Abuja’, namely Niger State’s Suleja, was embroiled in one of the fiercest royal succession tussles in the history of Nigeria. By the way, Suleja was originally ‘Abu-ja’, named after one of its earliest Zazzau (Zaria) kings, ‘Abu’ (nicknamed ‘the red one’ or ‘ja’ for courage). ‘Abuja’ ceded its name in the 70s to General Murtala Mohammed’s dream Federal Capital, and since then adopted ‘Sule-ja’, after another of its ‘red’ kings, ‘Sule’, or Sulaiman Barau. Following the demise of the last but one Emir, Ibrahim Dodo Musa in 1993, Suleja was engulfed, for years, in a bloody succession crisis after self-serving State powers attempted to tamper with the Emirate’s succession laws to accommodate a certain preferred candidate-prince who, legally-speaking, had no right of contest under the Kingdom’s Native Laws and Customs.

    Reportedly, most members of the emirate’s Kingmakers’ Council and a majority of the people of Suleja supported morally and materially by the city’s huge Igbo community- wanted Bashir Sulaiman Barau, an unassuming, not-too-eminent retired Federal Civil servant, to succeed his uncle Dodo Musa under the alternate, partially-primogenital rule of succession historically adopted by the emirate’s two recognized royal Houses of ‘Abu-Kwaka’ and ‘Abu-Jatau’. Both Awwal and Barau were from the ruling Abu-kwaka house whose turn it was to produce the king. And since the rule was that princes eligible for contest must descend directly from the last Emir in the ruling house whose turn it was to produce the next king, the not-too-eminent retired civil servant, Bashir virtually had everything going for him: he was favored by the Kingmakers, preferred by the people and descended directly from a father, Sulaiman Barau (the Sule ‘ja’) who was the penultimate king from the candidate-ruling house.

    But the then Niger State civilian Governor, Dr. Musa Inuwa, allegedly in deference to the preference of Generals Ibrahim Babangida and Gado Nasko, was openly on a mission to install Bashir’s cousin Awwal Ibrahim – a more educationally exposed, more politically-experienced and connected former civilian governor of the State under the Shagari administration. In all fairness although he was favored by the influence of his two ‘General’ friends, Awwal was nonetheless the more eminently qualified of the two contenders. And by the way, even Dr.Musa  Inuwa’s National Republican Convention (NRC) Governorship seat was said to owe to the god-fatherly discretion of IBB and Nasko; in addition to the fact that the Governor was Nasko’s own lecturer-clansman surreptitiously pulled out of UDUS classroom only a few weeks to party primaries. Helping Awwal to the throne would be Inuwa’s first opportunity to repay his liege-ships for their patrician favor.

    “The blood more stirs to rouse a lion” Shakespeare said “than to start a hare”. It was also alleged that the attempt to use state power to interfere with royal prerogatives in Suleja was also to test the waters for an upcoming task, namely the creation of an emirate back home in Nasko District where General Nasko’s District Head elder brother was scheming for the upgrade of his little borough into a fiefdom. Plus, it was alleged also that the Emir of Minna, Faruk Bahago, who was a lone supporter of the State on Suleja, was hoping too, that State power could help him pull a royal chestnut out of the fire of an adverse succession rule under his emirate which favored the seven Gbagyi District heads over the lineage of a demised king. So now the irony was that, whereas Bashir had everything going for him except the support of the State, the State’s preferred candidate, Awwal Ibrahim had a fundamental legal handicap. Although he was from the same ruling house as Bashir, he neither descended from the last but one king, nor was he even descended from a father who was a king.

    Like Kano’s Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, only Awwal’s grandfather, Mamman Gani was king. And just like Lamido’s grandfather-king suffered a politically-motivated deposition and banishment, Awwal’s too did not die on the throne of his forefathers. They said that he was deposed and banished to Kaduna in politically-motivated circumstances. Meaning that the only thing going for Awwal was the anointing of his two powerful military friends, and the zealotry of a sitting Governor. He had neither the law nor kingmakers who would implement the law on his side. Plus he faced a strong plebeian opposition on the streets of Suleja. All the same, in a letter to the kingmakers authorizing the commencement of the selection process, Governor Inuwa was categorical, that the State expected nothing less from them than Awwal’s name making it, at least, to the list of three nominees that the Council was expected to recommend to the governor and from which the prerogative would be his to choose one. And so, not to take any chances, he had appointed two directors from his office and two loyal LG chairmen to serve respectively as Secretary to the Council, supervisor and observers of the selection process. Plus the governor had earlier communicated the trimming down of the 7-man kingmakers Council to 4.

    Yet the kingmakers, whether in deference to the succession rules or so not to take chances too, not only excluded Awwal’s name, but all three of their nominees were sons of the late Emir Sulaiman Barau, – with the favored eldest one, Bashir’s top on the list. Expectedly this was rejected outright by the governor on the grounds, ironically, of improper constitution of the king-making council. Thereafter, a desperate Governor Inuwa now resorted to a most despicable self-help measure: he requested the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers headed then by the Etsu Nupe Umaru Sanda Ndayako to assume the king-makership and select an emir for Suleja. It was as ridiculous as when President Jonathan, a Bayelsan attempted to influence the choice of an emir for Kano; and just as it will be too if the Sultan of Sokoto, – following pressure now mounted on him – were to arrogate the right to interfere with the creation of new emirates in faraway Kano.

    Dr. Inuwa in a memo to the Etsu Nupe Council had cited sundry ridiculous reasons for inviting it, including the fact that the Suleja Kingmakers had openly demonstrated bias in favor of a particular candidate, and that their insistence on applying the rule of direct lineage was more discriminative than it was altruistic. And short of expressly demanding the nomination only of Awwal, the governor had said that given Suleja’s strategic entrepot location, it required a ‘more educated, more competent and more experienced’ emir than the Suleja kingmakers were ready to admit.

    Suffice it to say that almost immediately, the Etsu Nupe had rallied all the State’s First Class emirs – less only Minna’s, who was embedded with the State – to communicate their outright rejection of the idea that they should be involved in the desecration of the time-honored Kingmaking institution from whence they all came. They observed that since the role of traditional rulers in modern times was essentially one of ‘advise’, ‘mobilization’ and ‘public relations’, it was Inuwa’s unsolicited prioritization of so called ‘good education’, ‘exposure’ and ‘experience’ that was unrealistic, – because they said ‘acceptability’ and ‘goodwill of the people’ are the most crucial requirements for the making of kings, not necessarily ‘education’ or ‘experience’ which are preconditions to the making only of mere potentates. In any case the Council also argues that Bashir too was above average educationally, and that having retired as a very senior Federal Civil Servant, he was modestly ‘experienced’ and ‘exposed’ enough to be king.

    If Governor Inuwa and his military godfathers thought they could ride roughshod over the royal prerogatives of Suleja emirate, with this baptism of fire they now knew this ‘game of throne’ would not only be ‘battle royal’, it would require a ‘war room’ and a ‘war chest’ to prosecute. Just as Kano’s Ganduje too, must be realizing by now, that the race is not after all to the swift; or the battle, to the powerful.

    • To be concluded
  • Dickson versus Sylva : Forces behind the gladiators

    Dickson versus Sylva : Forces behind the gladiators

    Today’s governorship election in Bayelsa State will put to test the political weights of the godfathers and opinion leaders in the state. The two major candidates, Timipre Sylva of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Seriake Dickson of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), both boast that grassroots support will see them through at the poll. LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the strength and influence of their backers.

    Sylva

    The candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in today’s governorship election in Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, was the governor of the state between 2007 and 2011. His attempt to seek re-election failed as former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife endorsed their protégée, Seriake Dickson (the incumbent governor) for the governorship primary of the PDP. The PDP governorship primaries ended up producing Dickson as the candidate,

    But that was not the end of his travails as he was subsequently hounded by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) over alleged corruption charges. A political activist in Bayelsa State said Sylva’s humiliating disqualification from the PDP primary election was a product of a well-orchestrated plot by some de facto godfathers in the state who at that time were not comfortable with Sylva. Many believed that his political career had come to an end and that his political dynasty would crumble. It was especially so after Sylva went on a self-imposed-exile from the politics of Bayelsa.

    The activist noted that Sylva had perfected plans to oust Dickson with the tactical backing of key political juggernauts in what could be termed a ‘revenge mission’. At a parley with elders of the state, including traditional rulers and founding fathers recently, Sylva explained to the gathering that his ambition was not inordinate but was based on the conviction that his aspiration is based on true justice. He insisted that since he was denied a second term, he must complete his own second term before Dickson’s.

    Sylva’s strength lies in the people. The gale of defection of prominent politicians and members of the PDP in Bayelsa State since Sylva emerged as the APC governorship candidate is unprecedented. According to observers, the best thing that has happened to APC in Bayelsa State was the resolve of former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Company (NDDC), Chief Timi Alaibe, to work for the electoral victory of Sylva. Alaibe, who defected from PDP to APC had declared interest in the party’s ticket but later decided to step down for Sylva.

    In rallying support for Sylva, Alaibe urged his loyalists to remain committed to the change mantra of the APC. He said: “I stepped into the race to give further bite to my burning desire to extricate Bayelsa from abysmal leadership failure. The decision to withdraw from the race may have attracted various meanings across Bayelsa State and beyond with some understandably expressing misgivings and disappointment. All the same, it had been done for purposes I had clearly indicated to be in the overall interest of the APC and Bayelsa. We retreated to have the opportunity to further test our acceptability, which we believe is still wide and solid, in the future.

    “My dear friends, supporters and loyalists, my previous forays into the political arena ended amicably on the negotiation table. The negotiations were not of particular pecuniary benefits to me alone. So many people have become senators, members of the House of Representatives, state commissioners and so on. This time around, we beat a tactical retreat because of the tempestuous conditions capable of overheating the APC in Bayelsa State and consequent loss of innocent and valuable lives. We believe strongly that no personal ambition is worth the spilling of blood.

    “Following the primaries, ex-Governor Timipre Sylva emerged as the flag bearer of the party. We congratulate him and applaud his doggedness. The national leadership of our party has enjoined all groups to close ranks and work for the unity and success of the APC on December 5, 2015. In this regard, Chief Timipre Sylva deserves our maximum support as the governorship candidate of our great party. I therefore enjoin you to come out one and all and work assiduously for APC and our flag bearer, Timipre Sylva. I am convinced that it is only our collective effort that can bring about the much needed change in Bayelsa State.’’

    Analysts believe Alaibe’s resolve to withdraw from the governorship race and endorse Sylva is a boost for the chances of the APC and its candidate in Bayelsa State.

    Also in Sylva’s camp are notable ex-militant leaders and their lieutenants. These include Eris Paul popularly known as ‘General Ogunboss’, Ebikabowei Victor-Ben a.k.a. Boyloaf and many others. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had dissociated itself from the purported endorsement of Governor Dickson in today’s poll. The group’s spokesperson, Jomo Gbomo, refuted the statement credited to one Prince Amaibi Horby, aka General Busta Rhmes, declaring support for Dickson.

    To clear the air on MEND’s position, Jomo Gbomo said: “MEND wishes to state categorically that we do not endorse or support Governor Seriake Dickson in any way, shape or form and strongly urges the media to disregard any such statements to the contrary, as it did not emanate from us.”

    The group accused Dickson of paying thugs to use the name of MEND to endorse his ambition in a desperate attempt to be re-elected governor of the oil-rich state.

    Outside Bayelsa State, the candidacy of Sylva is supported by the national leader of APC, Senator Bola Tinubu. The leader said: “I want him to contest the governorship election because of his proven leadership qualities and our belief that he can bring change to the state. It is time for Bayelsans to unite and support a person who can effectively enhance unity, provide opportunities for all and lead the people in a different direction.”

    Tinubu also called on the people of Bayelsa to ensure that Sylva becomes the next governor of the state by voting for him in order to place the state on the right path. He expressed total and unreserved support for Sylva’s aspiration to clinch the party’s ticket and governorship seat.

    He mandated APC leaders and members in Bayelsa State to support his choice, saying: “If you want change, if you are unhappy with the direction of Bayelsa State, then you must join the governorship race and change the state for the people.’’

    Dickson

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Patience and the late Chief D.S.P. Alamieyesegha who is the first civilian governor of the state, and a handful of other prominent politicians had thrown their weights behind the second term bid of Governor Seriake Dickson. Jonathan said he endorsed Dickson for second term to enable him consolidate on his achievements in Bayelsa State. As former president, he said: “I had the privilege to travel all the 36 states including Abuja, but I had taken notice of remarkable performance of Dickson’s restoration administration within three and a half years in office, considering the critical terrain and dwindling resources of Bayelsa State.”

    Jonathan said he was impressed that Dickson was able to clear debts owed by past administrations in the state, regular payment of workers’ salaries and pension, as well as achievements in areas of security and sustainable development. He acknowledged the fact that Bayelsans with governorship ambition, whether in PDP or APC, were credible enough to govern the state, but from what Dickson had done, he deserved a second tenure to consolidate on his restoration agenda.

    The late Alamieyesegha described the battle for Dickson’s re-election as an Ijaw affair which every Ijaw man had to fight. He urged the electorate not to be deceived by the gale of defections to APC as the PDP has been the only party the Ijaw man has been associated with since 1999, adding that most of them who defected from PDP to APC were persons that the party had groomed and received patronages from them in many ways.

    Jonathan’s wife, Patience, who was initially opposed to Dickson’s second term bid, turned his pillar of support. She promised to mobilise the entire womenfolk in Bayelsa State to come out en masse to vote for Dickson. According to her, Bayelsa women have been empowered by the Dickson-led administration by adhering to 35 per cent affirmation with four women elected into the State House of Assembly and appointment of more women in various categories.

    Dickson believes he will win because his government in the past four years has performed creditably in terms of provision of infrastructural facilities, maintenance of peace and order in the state. He said with the array of Bayelsans on his side, he was confident of defeating any other party at the poll.

    The leader of Niger Delta People Volunteer Force, ex-warlord Alhaji Mujahideen Asari-Dokubo, vowed that the Ijaw nation would exploit every available means to ensure that the PDP governorship candidate, Dickson is re-elected as the Ijaw ethnic nationality has never been conquered and would not allow any party to conquer PDP in Ijaw land.

  • Sashay in gladiators

    Do you know that you can be comfortable and versatile with gladiator sandals? Believe me, it will be the best sandals worn ever. Gladiator sandal has been modified into many different ways, including less straps and softer angles. Brightly coloured gladiator sandals will swamp the outfit and draw all the attention to your feet.

     

    Tips on how to rock it

    • Match low gladiator sandals with jeans and longer dresses or skirts. Short sandals can also go with short skirts.
    • Plain brown, short gladiators would go really well with a white dress.
    • Wear medium to knee-high length gladiator sandals with shorter dresses, especially dresses that sit above the knees, short skirts and shorts.
    • Select a simple black, white or other single colour outfit that is short in length and allows the length of the sandal to shine.
  • Gladiators and their 2015 calculations

    Gladiators and their 2015 calculations

    From all indications, the year 2015 will go done in history as a decisive year for Nigeria. The general elections scheduled for the first quarter of the year will to a large extent, decide the  country’s fate. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN profiles the major personalities whose actions will shape the year.

    Nigerians have associated the year 2015 with so many things. For instance, it is the year following the centenary of the amalgamation of the country, which will witness, according to  some scholars’ prediction, the break-up of the country. It is also the year of the much-talked about general elections that may make or mar the country’s future. The elections will hold between February 14 and 28, based on the time-table released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Nigerians are looking forward to the elections, very optimistic of the opportunity they offer for democratic consolidation. There are also calls for postponement of the polls by some prominent Nigerians – a suggestion that was been widely condemned as a coup against the constitution.

    The elections promise to be historic for many reasons: They will be the fifth  since the return to civil rule in 1999; they will offer another opportunity for transfer of power in many states and at the centre; and an opportunity for a remarkable improvement over the 2011 elections, deservedly considered as the most credible Nigeria has ever had.

    This year’s election is particularly significant because it will be the first keenly-contested poll featuring a viable opposition. It will be a straight fight between the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC). Below are some major actors who will help to shape political events during the year.

    Goodluck Jonathan

    President Goodluck Jonathan has been a very lucky man. He has held several positions since the return to civilian rule in 1999, but has never contested an election except the 2011 presidential election. He started as deputy governor and became governor when his principal Diepreye Alamieyesigha was impeached. He was Vice President to late President Umaru Yar’Adua, but was elevated to the position of substantive president, following the death of Yar’Adua on May 5, 2010.

    Jonathan stood for election for the first time, after he emerged unopposed as the PDP presidential candidate at a national convention held in Abuja. Even though critics argue that he has not done well enough to deserve a second term, his supporters and loyalists think otherwise. His declaration for second term has been embroiled in controversy. Some argue that it has been stated explicitly in Section 137 that the maximum years anybody can serve as the President of Nigeria is eight years. Jonathan’s critics argue that if he is returned in the February 14 presidential election, he would have spent nine years by the time he completes his tenure in 2019.

    The President is less popular now than when he was in 2011, when he received a massive endorsement from all parts of the country. This is perhaps due to his perceived failure to deliver significantly on his election promises. His performance approval rating stood at an average 42 per cent in 2013 and it is believed to have reduced drastically to about 35 per cent in 2014.

    A number of interest groups from Ijaw nation, his ethnic group, have come out to declare their support for him for a second term.  A former militant leader, Asari Dokubo has threatened that if Jonathan was not re-elected this year, there will be war in the country. It is curious that the President has not come out categorically to distance himself from the former militant’s utterances and similar ones from his other supporters. He has however promised a violent-free election at several occasions. But, his promise to deal decisively with trouble-makers has been interpreted as a euphemism to use the security forces to harass and intimidate members of the opposition parties before, during and after elections.

     Mohammadu Buhari

    Gen. Mohammadu Buhari is the flag bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the February 14 presidential election. While his opponent in the election, President Jonathan, was the sole candidate of his party, Buhari slugged it out at the APC primary with four other aspirants. Buhari’s victory was overwhelming as he garnered a whopping 3, 430 to emerge as the candidate of the party.

    Both the critics and opponents of Buhari agree that the former Head of State ranks one of the best among the elites, in terms of integrity. Analysts believe Buhari is one man who has sustained an unblemished character in Nigeria, because of his ability to say no to corruption. There is no gainsaying the fact that his anti-corruption stance is his unique selling point in this year’s election. As military Head of State, he justified the seizure of power in 1983, by reprimanding the civilian administration headed by former President Alhaji Shehu Shagari, which he described as exceedingly corrupt. As a corrective measure, the Buhari regime launched “War Against Indiscipline (WAI) campaign, through which it attempted to set a new roadmap for the country’s politics. It also introduced strict economic and political policies that have been described by some intellectuals as “Buharism”.

    Though Buhari does not have the financial wherewithal to fund his campaign, his supporters across the country have been contributing to ensure that his quest to rule the country this time around is not marred by lack of funds.

     David Mark

    Senate President David Mark is a fourth term senator. He has picked the ticket to contest for the Benue East seat again this year on the platform of his party, the PDP. He is a confidant of President Goodluck and a strategist in President Jonathan’s bid to secure a second term mandate. Mark incurred the wrath of some PDP senators who lost their tickets to vie for a return to the upper legislative chamber. The aggrieved senators are insisting on the removal of Mark for not doing enough to protect them against their party’s leadership in the run up to the December 8 primaries across the nation. He was the head of the panel mandated to integrate contending groups in the Southwest PDP to ensure cohesion in the party and its success at the poll in February.

     Aminu Tambuwal

    The defection of the Speaker, House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal from the PDP to the APC has diminished the ruling party’s fortunes in Sokoto State and to a certain extent, in the Northwest. Tambuwal is seen as a team player by his colleagues in the House. He was drafted into the APC presidential race by his associates that cut across party lines in the House. Out of sheer love and respect they obtained nomination form for him. He was prevailed upon to withdraw from the presidential race. Subsequently, Tambuwal picked the Sokoto APC governorship nomination form in less than a month to the governorship primary and defeated seven other aspirants with wide margin of votes.

    Many believe that Tambuwal has what it takes to battle the PDP in the governorship election in the Northwest in particular and the country in general. According to political observers, he is endowed with good leadership qualities, charisma, humility and the war chest to prosecute the elections.

     Bola Tinubu

    Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu has remained the arrow head of the opposition since 2003. He was the only governor of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) that survived the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) take-over of the Southwest in 2003. He played a prominent role in the merger of the opposition parties that culminated in the formation of the APC. Before the arrival of the APC, he felt that the opposition parties were too weak to wrest power from the ruling party at the centre on individual basis.

    Upon realisation that Tinubu commands powerful political followership, the Presidency and the PDP had embarked on “smear campaign” against his emergence as the running mate to Gen. Buhari. For instance, the PDP stoked the fear of a Muslim-Muslim ticket within the APC. Tinubu said he turned down an invitation to be the party’s vice presidential candidate in order to maintain his position as the leader of the party. He stressed that as a leader, he would be able to act as a bridge builder across all divides, as well as further the party’s interests and campaign ahead of the general elections. More so, he declared at the formative stage of the APC that the leaders of the legacy parties have sacrificed whatever personal ambition or interest they may have to save Nigeria.

    “I helped to build this party, giving no thought to seeking an elected office because of it. My contribution to the party was never based on the expectation of a later political handout. Nigeria is in trouble and we are well past the moment for such narrow, selfish games,” the APC leader stated.

    Attahiru Jega

    Prof. Attahiru Jega is the one saddled with the responsibility of conducting free and fair elections this year, as the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The confidence rating of the commission and its chairman was probably at its lowest after the November 16, 2013 governorship election in Anambra State. Prof. Jega’s readiness to organise free and fair general elections this year was called to question, following the lapses observed during the Anambra election. But, the INEC chairman was humble enough to admit that there were irregularities and malpractices in certain constituencies. This led to the conduct of supplementary polls in several local government areas. But, INEC was able to redeem its image through the subsequent governorship elections held in Ekiti and Osun in 2014, which were considered credible by several observers.

    The commission has requested N93 billion to conduct this year’s elections. The figure is 10 per cent less than the amount expended by the commission during the last general elections in 2011. But, there is a possibility this figure might be further increased by the legislature in a bid to ensure that the commission has adequate resources to conduct the polls. Owing to the lapses with the distribution of permanent voters’ cards (PVC), many Nigerians are becoming apprehensive over INEC’s preparation to conduct hitch-free general elections this year. Millions of eligible voters across the country are yet to collect their PVCs. The commission has said categorically that people who do not have their PVC would not be allowed to vote.

    Will the Jega-led INEC disenfranchise millions of voters because the commission failed to deliver the cards to them? The argument is that if INEC failed to deliver PVCs to the electorate, after three and half years of preparation, how would it cope with other logistics on the day of election. Jega has no reason to compromise the integrity he has built over the years. Observers say Prof. Jega and his team should work round the clock to improve on the 2011 election, which was adjudged to be the first fairest and credible election in the history of the country. They have enjoined Jega to make the 2015 general elections a parting gift since it will be the last he would conduct during his tenure.

    Rotimi Amaechi

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State is one of the five former PDP governors that deBefore then, the Presidency, the First Lady Dame Patience Jonathan and former Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike had engaged him in battle of supremacy for the control of the party structure in the state. The crisis was rooted in the ambition of President Jonathan for a second term. After spirited efforts to patch up the relationship between him and the First family ended abysmally, they parted ways when Amaechi defected to the APC, alongside four other colleagues.

    Today, Governor Amaechi is a key member of the APC. Indeed, he is the Director-General of Gen. Buhari Presidential Campaign. He has the responsibility to deliver states across the country for his principal. But, particularly, the party would be looking up to him to break the perceived solidarity for the President in the Southsouth. In 2011, the PDP candidate polled 1.8 million votes from the region. Amaechi has promised to perform the same feat this year when he declared after the APC governorship primary in Rivers that: “We showed that there could be another party in Rivers State. Last time they (President Goodluck Jonathan and his PDP) had 1.8 million votes in Rivers State. They should come and have it now. Those who make legitimate change impossible will make illegitimate change inevitable.”

     Rochas Okorocha

    The Governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, was a pioneer member of the APC. He was elected governor in 2011 on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). He has endeared himself to the people of Imo through the transformation in the state last four years. His free education policy and pocket money for primary school pupils have relieved parents from the burden of educating their wards. Being the lone voice from the Southeast in the progressives fold, Okorocha has vowed to make record by ensuring that he delivers his state for the APC this year. He was a presidential aspirant, but he lost gallantly. He explained that he contested the APC presidential primary to give a sense of belonging to the Igbo people.

     Rabiu Kwankwaso

    Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State is an experienced politician whose influence transcends his home state. He was the arrow head of the PDP governors that were opposed to Jonathan’s re-election. Since his defection to the APC, Kwankwaso has vowed to work assiduously to ensure the defeat of Jonathan at the poll this year. He came second in the APC presidential primary. Kwankwaso has pledged his unalloyed support for Gen. Buhari, the party’s standard bearer. He has picked the Kano Central senatorial ticket of the APC.

     Babangida Aliyu

    Ebullient Niger State Governor, Babangida Aliyu, is a controversial politician. He had in 2013 declared his ambition to contest this year’s presidential election. He was in the forefront of the campaign for power shift to the North. It was he that disclosed that President Jonathan signed an agreement with the PDP governors from the North that he would serve one term as a condition for endorsing his candidacy for the 2011 contest. Aliyu was among the seven PDP governors that were expected to defect to the APC. But, while Amaechi, Kwankwaso, Aliyu Wamakko, AbdulFattah Ahmed, Murtala Nyako eventually defected to the APC, Aliyu and Sule Lamido of Jigawa state made a u-turn and returned to the PDP. He will complete his second term as governor in May. He has already secured the ticket to contest Niger East senatorial seat.

     Sule Lamido

    Governor Sule Lamido is an experienced politician. He would be completing his second term as governor of Jigawa State in May. He drew the ire of President Jonathan over his unannounced presidential ambition. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had tactically thrown his weight behind Lamido’s ambition. He was among the PDP governors that staged a walkout from the party’s convention in 2013, for what they described as lack of internal democracy in the party. But, he failed to take the leap, when his five other colleagues defected. He returned to the fold with Aliyu unexpectedly. He is loved by his constituents because of his people-oriented projects.

    Aliyu Wamakko

    Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko is a key member of the APC in the northwest. He was among the five PDP governors that pushed for reforms in the party. The governor is popular in the Northwest zone. When the PDP suspended him for anti-party activities, the entire zone rejected the punitive measure meted out to him. The suspension was a sort of popularity test for the governor. Former PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur and President Jonathan saw the handwriting on the wall and retraced their steps. The suspension was lifted without delay.

    Nasir El-Rufai

    Nasir El_Rufai is a fiery politician and a thorn in the flesh of the Jonathan administration and the ruling PDP. He is the APC governorship flag bearer in Kaduna State, the home state of the Vice President Namadi Sambo. At his declaration of interest for governorship ticket, Gen. Buhari said the people of Kaduna State need El_Rufai to rescue the state from bad leadership and decay. Buhari said: “I am here to ask deliberately for your support for El_Rufai; he is the right man to fix Kaduna State. He is courageous and has what it takes to perform. He is the solution to your problems; you need sincere and competent leaders like him.”

    El-Rufai said he consulted widely with people — from traditional rulers, respected elders and public officials, as well as ordinary people who have no voice, but rely on someone to speak for them. “I was shocked by the level of neglect by the state government. Poverty has become worse; unemployment has become more pervasive, agricultural productivity has declined; internally generated revenues are too low to pay salaries. The picture is indeed very bleak.”

    The former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory is critical of the Jonathan Presidency’s handling of the economy, and the deliberate infusion of religion and ethnicity into Nigerian politics. According to him, Nigeria under Jonathan has earned the highest revenue, but has converted this oil revenue to personal wealth when the country’s educational system is collapsing, its hospitals not functioning and basic infrastructure are in total disrepair.

     Yemi Osinbajo

    Professor Yemi Osinbajo might not have been a household name in Nigeria prior to his nomination as vice presidential candidate of the APC, but he is not a new comer to Nigerian political scene, having been actively involved in strategic thinking, policy formulation and implementation for the past 25 years. Between 1992 and 1999, he was a constant face in the movement for accountability and good governance. As corruption was getting further endemic in the mid-1990s, Osinbajo and others strategized and established counter measures. They created and positioned integrity as a platform to demand accountability in public spaces and sought the elimination of corruption in the private sector. As Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, the Lagos State Ministry of Justice emerged as a champion for the peoples’ rights.

  • MTN LAGOS STREET SOCCER: New street gladiators to emerge in round of 32

    MTN LAGOS STREET SOCCER: New street gladiators to emerge in round of 32

    eason seven of the MTN Lagos Street Soccer is set to produce the major contenders for the coveted trophies in the three categories of the soccer tourney as the championship enters its round of 32 this weekend.

    Out of the over one thousand teams across the local government and local council development areas of Lagos State that registered and participated in this year’s edition, 32 teams are set to compete for decisive positions in the knock-out stages of the competition.

    The male categories seem to be most competitive as the trio of defending champions, ABS Street Team, Mosan Okunola LCDA, season 4 winners, Lawal Akapo Street, Apapa and the season 4 runner-up, Ajao Jimoh Street, Igando-Ikotun have all qualified for the round of 32.

    After keenly-contested matches in the round of 64, and impressive show of talents and fierce competition among the participating teams, it is believed that the knock-out stages will be filled with drama, suspense and upsets.

    Speaking about their chances to make it to the finals, Kunle Abioye the chief coach of the defending champions said the team is more prepared than last year when it won the championship.

    “I can say with confidence that we are well-positioned to successfully defend the cup we won last year. Although we understand the challenges, the fact that we also understand the benefits of being a winner has made us to work very hard to ensure that we take the trophy back home,” he declared.

    MTN Lagos Street Soccer is an initiative that provides a veritable platform for youths at the grassroots level to showcase their talents and skills in the game of football and also reward their efforts by empowering them with the necessities to take charge of their future in the game of soccer. The championship is in three categories, male, female and the Under-15.

  • Rivers: Gladiators at war

    Rivers: Gladiators at war

    The battle for the Brick House in Port Harcourt, Rivers State is touted to be one of the major reasons behind the political crisis in the oil-rich state which climaxed with the judgment by an Abuja High Court sacking the Governor Rotimi Amaechi-backed Peoples Democratic Party executive of Godspower Ake replacing it with the Felix Obouah-led executive.

    The development led to the parting of ways between Amaechi and one of his closest political associates, Ezebonwo Nyesom Wike, the Supervising Minister for Education and Amaechi’s Chief of Staff and the Director General of his Campaign Organisation for the 2011 election.

    Wike, who is now leading the opposition onslaught against Amaechi, is allegedly interested in succeeding the latter despite the fact that they both hail from the Ikwerre ethnic nationality.

    Beside Wike, there are also other aspirants angling to takeover from Amaechi, who is rounding up his second term next year.

    In the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Magnus Abe representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District at the National Assembly and Hon. Dakuku Peterside, Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), are the leading contenders in the race.

    What has made the race for the APC governorship ticket even more unpredictable is the close relationship existing between the two lawmakers and the governor.

    Unconfirmed speculations have it that Abe may be favoured above Peterside based on his age and experience.

    The immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abe resigned in early 2011 to contest for the Senate which he won by a landslide.

    A staunch ally and supporter of Amaechi, Abe despite being a first timer in the Senate, has been very vocal on a wide range of national issues especially the downstream oil and gas sector.

    From the Ogoni ethnic nationality-a section of the state that has not produced the governor of the state since it was created in 1967-not a few stakeholders in the state believe that the odds really favour him to clinch the position.

    The snag, however, is that Ogoni is an upland area of Rivers state whose politics was usually considered along upland and riverine dichotomy before the emergence of former Governor Peter Odili, who in his eight years as the governor, allegedly made nonsense of the upland/riverine political dichotomy.

    This made it possible for him to produce as successor Celestine Omehia, an Ikwerre man from the upland area of the state before the landmark Supreme Court judgment of October 25, 2007 that removed Omehia and replaced him with his cousin, Amaechi, also from the same upland Ikwerre ethnic nationality.

    It is feared that if the old order of the upland/riverine political dichotomy is to form the basis of selection of who eventually runs as governorship of the state, then Magnus Abe may be a loser.

    Hon. Dakuku Peterside

    The lawmaker representing the Andoni/Opobo federal constituency like Abe was a member of the kitchen cabinet of Governor Amaechi in his first term where he served as Commissioner for Works.

    Peterside is widely touted to be interested in taking over the mantle of leadership in Rivers State from Amaechi come 2015 though it is not clear whether he enjoys any support from the governor.

    But judging from the mindset of Nigerian politicians, political watchers in the state are saying that Peterside might be standing as Amaechi’s plan B for governorship slot, assuming the riverine area succeeds in its quest to produce the next governor of the state.

    Sekibo, Wike, Princewill lead the race in PDP

    Though he is yet to declare his interest in the plun seat, Senator George Sekibo who currently represents Rivers West Senatorial district is alleged to be putting structures in place for the battle ahead.

    He is considered a strong contender based on the alleged support of Nigeria’s First Lady, Patience Jonathan, his Okrika kinswoman, who, according to presidency sources, is determined to have a say in who succeeds Amaechi in 2015.

    Precious Abiye Sekibo

    The former Minister of Transport under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration has never hidden his ambition to govern the oil-rich state since coming into political limelight in the era of former governor Peter Odili who he served as Secretary to State Government from 1999 to 2003.

    He was one of those that contested the PDP governorship primaries in Rivers State which Amaechi won in 2007.

    Sekibo also contested the 2011 governorship election under the umbrella of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) where he came a distant third polling only 60,241 and losing to Amaechi at Okrika local government, his local government area and supposed stronghold.

    His return to the PDP is believed to be deft political move to position himself for the governorship race once it became clear that Governor Amaechi will defect from the party to the APC.

    Celestine Omehia

    He is Amaechi’s cousin and the runner-up in the 2011 governorship election on the platform of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) like many of the other contenders has not made public his desire to contest in 2015. But sources say the lawyer-turned-politician is considering contesting for the seat he vacated following a Supreme Court ruling in 2007, which sacked him and declared Ameachi as the validly elected governor of Rivers State.

    Tonye Princewill

    The Kalabari crown prince was the governorship candidate of the  defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the April 2007 election and  contested the emergence of Omehia, the PDP candidate before the Supreme Court upturned his (Omehia’s) victory.

    He withdrew his case against the PDP when the Supreme Court ruled in favour of his friend, Chibuike Amaechi. Thereafter, he remained the leader of the ACN, then the leading opposition in the state until his return to the PDP following the footsteps of his political mentor and former Vice- President Atiku Abubakar before the 2011 general elections.

    He, like others, has been silent about his plans for 2015 but analysts say he is only bidding his time and that it would not be surprising if at the right time, he emerges as one of the contenders for the top job.