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  • 20 for governor in Ondo

    20 for governor in Ondo

    In October, next year, the governorship election will hold in Ondo State. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be on the popularity weighing scale. Aspirants have begun consultations and mobilisation across the three senatorial districts. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the contenders and the issues that will shape the exercise.  

    The next governorship election will hold in Ondo State next year. Ahead of the exercise, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have returned to the drawing board. Governor Olusegun Mimiko’s priority is to hand over to a successor from his party when his second term expires. Thus the slogan of the ruling party in the Sunshine State is continuity.

    However, the All Progressives Congress (APC) has a different agenda. Its Publicity Secretary, Prince Abayomi Adesanya, said the progressives are working assiduously to install new government. “Power must shift from the PDP to the APC in Ondo State. We are not relenting.”

    The two main parties have their challenges. Former PDP Chairman Mr. Ebenezer Alabi, who spoke on the party’s preparations for the poll, said the party must put its house in order to retain power. He said the ruling party has tentacles across the 18 local governments. But, he acknowledged cracks on the wall, saying that the governor is in a position to mend it in the interest of the party. “The election is next year. We are trying do proper integration in our party. The PDP and the Labour Party (LP) merged last year. The merger process was badly managed. The intra-party election has come and gone, but we need to cement it. Governor Mimiko must open his government to accommodate more old members of the PDP. The party has to also accommodate them in its leadership structures. When that is done, we will prepare for the election,” he said.

    But, according to the APC, the people are yearning for change. Peeping into the future, Adesanya said the party has an unfinished business in the Southwest. “We are warming up for the election. For the APC in the Southwest, it is a very crucial election. Out of the six states in this zone, two states-Ekiti and Ondo-have PDP governors. The people of Ondo State look forward to the installation of an APC government next year. Progressives are working towards it. There are challenges. But, we will overcome,” he said.

    The APC Chairman is Hon. Isaac Kekemeke. But, few months ago, former Deputy Governor Ali Olanusi became the leader of the party, following his defection from the LP. In next year’s election, he will lead the APC forces against his former boss, Mimiko, on the field.

    The recent general elections revealed that the APC has a bright prospect in Ondo State. The party won two senatorial seats, five House of Representatives slots and five House of Assembly seats. Thus, the party is strong in Akure, Akoko, Idanre Ifedore, Owo/Ose, Ikale and Ilaje. But, the election will not a walk over. If the PDP resolves its crisis, it may become stronger. The party has a senator, some House of Representatives members and many state legislators. It also enjoys the power of incumbency wielded by Mimiko.

    PDP aspirants from the North Senatorial District include Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, Mr. Tokunbo Modupe and Dr. Olu Agunloye. A source said that community leaders may also drag Senator Bode Olajumoke into the race. In the South District, the ruling party has three contenders. They are Hon. Kingsley Kuku, Hon. Sola Ebiseni and Mr. Pius Osunyikanmi. In the Central District, no chieftain has indicated interest.

    APC aspirants from the North include Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN), Prof. Ajayi Boroffice, Chief Jamiu Ekungba, Hon. Victor Olabimtan, and Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose. Others are Mr. Niran Sule, Akinsehinwa Awodeyi Apata, Chief Bukola Adetula, Segun Abraham, and Chief Segun Ojo. Aspirants from the Central District are Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Prince Derin Adesida and Mr. Tunji  Ariyomo.

    Aspirants from the South include Dr, Paul Akintelure, Chief Olusola Oke and Mr. Femi Agagu.

    The distribution of the aspirants underscores the party’s geographical spread and influence. It also reveals the fact that the party has no solid position on zoning, which is often exploited as a tool of propaganda. Shedding light on zoning, the Publicity Secretary said: “Zoning is not in the APC constitution. We are going to take a cue from the APC presidential primaries. Members will choose the flag bearer at an open and transparent primaries.”

    But, Adesanya explained that, although zoning does not exist in the party’s constitution, there is a general feeling and understanding that the APC candidate should come from the North. A party chieftain, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the choice of a candidate will also influence the choice of the running mate. “What can benefit the APC is to choose a sellable candidate. From the look of things, the aspirants are fairly old. If the candidate is from the North, then, the running mate should come from the South and he should be younger. Both of them must be popular. They must have grassroots appeal. They should not be imported from other states.”

    Also, a chieftain from Akure said: “APC is becoming more popular in Ondo State. The feeling is that Mimiko may not groom an acceptable candidate. But, APC must be careful. Party members will not tolerate imposition of candidate. It will only spell doom for the party. Only transparent primaries devoid of rancour, controversy and dispute will augur well for the opposition party.”

    Historically, despite the lack of constitutional backing for zoning, political parties have always adopted it as a matter of convention. In 1979, when the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin emerged as the first elected governor, his running mate, the late Chief Akin Omoboriowo, was from the Ekiti axis.  Both were chieftains of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    In the Third Republic, the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) produced Evangelist Bamidele Olumilua from Ekiti as governor. His deputy, the late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, came from the South.

    In 1999, the late Chief Adebayo Adefarati, who was from the North, assumed the reins. A chieftain of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) from the South, the late Afolabi Iyantan, was the deputy governor.

    However, power shifted to the PDP in 2003 when Agagu displaced Adefarati. Agagu was from the South. His deputy, Bolanle Oluwateru, is a native of Akure, Central District.

    In 2008, the LP candidate, Mimiko succeeded Agagu, following a protracted legal battle. His deputy, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, who recently defected from the LP to the APC, is from the North.

    Three years ago, Mimiko became the second governor to have won a second term. His challengers-Akeredolu of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Oke of the PDP-are from the North and South respectively.

    The general feeling in the APC is that the next candidate should come from the North. That may have informed the high number of aspirants from the zone. Top on the list is the former university don, Borrofice, the Asiwaju of Akokoland. He was elected as a senator on the platform of the LP in 2011. However, he defected to the ACN. In 2012, he was an ACN governorship candidate. During the recent election, he was re-elected. Boroffice’s activities in the party have made people to swarm him. He is perceived as a committed, popular and grassroots politician. “Unlike his colleague in the Senate, Senator Tayo Alasoadura, Prof. Boroffice has respect for the party. He has respect for the party leadership because he believes in the party supremacy. Eyes are on him,” said a chieftain from Akoko.

    Party sources disclosed that Akeredolu (SAN) has also begun consultations with stakeholders. He was the ACN candidate in the 2012 election. He was defeated by Mimiko. In fact, the legal luminary from Owo came a third in the exercise, trailing behind Oke, who ran on the platform of the PDP. Akeredolu is perceived as a successful lawyer, patriot and activist at the bar. He is the former President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA). But, despite being a successful lawyer, he has not been able to enact the same feat in politics.

    Another aspirant is Mrs. Anifowose, former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. She was the former ACN Chairman. She is only woman aspirant. Anifowose is the daughter of the venerable nationalist, Ajasin, the last President of Egbe Omo Oduduwa and Second Republic governor. In 2012, she was also an aspirant. But, she later stepped down for her kinsman, Akeredolu.

    Ojo, former Finance Commissioner, left the ACN for the LP when Akeredolu emerged as the flag bearer in 2012. He criticised the selection process, saying that it was unfair. But, recently, he retraced his steps. When he defected to the APC, he fired salvos at the governor, saying that he has personalised power and rubbished those who assisted him to remain relevant during the last election.

    Ekungba, a banker, is from Owo Local Government. He was among the aspirants in 2012. When he was not picked as the flag bearer by the party, he expressed reservations. But, after much persuasion, he decided to stay in the party, full of hope for a brighter future. Party leaders have acknowledged his loyalty. His first hurdle is to secure the ticket. If he succeeds, he will be the first Muslim to govern the state.

    Niran Sule was, until defection to the APC, an associate of the governor. He left the governor, following irreconcilable differences. While in the PDP, he was said to have sponsored some APC candidates for the House of Assembly elections. He is nurturing his structure, ahead of primaries.

    Other aspirants from Owo are Awodeyi and Adetula. While Awodeyi is a businessman, Adetula, a lawyer, is the son of the Second Republic member of the House of Representatives, Chief Zoka Adetula.

    Mimiko is from the Central. Thus, many people are of the opinion that aspirants from the zone should not vie. But, the people of Akure are making a strong case for an “Akure governor.” In their view, Akure has been sidelined for long in the context because of the sentiment that it is the state capital. No Akure indigene has governed the state under the civilian rule, despite the fact that it has the largest number of voters.

    Alasoadura is trying to ride on the back of the popular sentiment to power. He is a former Commissioner for Finance. Following a rift between him and Mimiko, he defected to the ACN. He was the Coordinator of the APC Governorship Campaign Committee in 2012. During the recent elections, he was elected senator. However, controversy has trailed his activities in the Senate. Some APC chieftains have criticised his decision to support candidates for principal offices of the National Assembly who lacked the blessing of the party. Among those who took him to task was former House of Representatives member Hon. Ifedayo Abegunde. Some chieftains also called for disciplinary action against him, saying that he is not a loyal party man.

    Ondo South APC parades chieftains with intimidating credentials. The zone has the second highest number of voters. In the last seven years, it has been the stronghold of the LP and the PDP.

    In the district, Oke, a lawyer, is a household name. He is from Ilaje Local Government. In 2012, he was the PDP candidate. The vocal politician came second. Few days to the presidential election, he defected to the APC. Sources said that he was not comfortable with Mimiko’s defection to the PDP. His grouse was that the governor was among those who weakened the party in the past. Besides, he explained that he was given a bad treatment by the PDP leaders who refused to carry him along during the discussion with Mimiko over the defection.

    Oke, who is the former National Legal Adviser of the PDP, has structures in many local governments. He was among the unsuccessful SAN applicants. A source said that, if the candidate comes from the North, Oke may be selected his deputy.

    Akintelure, a medical doctor and a prominent member of the APC from Okitipupa Local Government, is also setting up structures, ahead of primaries. He is a former House of Representatives aspirant. in 2012, he was Akeredolu’s running mate. But, the ACN failed woefully in Ikare and Ilaje areas.

    Elegbeleye is from Akoko North East. He is a former House of Representatives from Akoko North East/West Constituency. After he left the House, he served as the Chairman of the National Sports Commission (NSC).

    Modupe is the former Coordinator of the Jonathan Campaign Organisation in Ondo State. among those who have shown interest in the race. He is from Ose Local Government Area. The voting strength of his local government is negligible.

    Agunloye who is from Akoko Northeast. He is a retired university don. He made history as the Chief Road Marshall. In 1999, he was Special Assistant to the Minister of Power and Steel, the late Chief Bola Ige. He later served as minister. After leaving the Federal Executive Council, he defected from the PDP to the LP. In 2011, he dumped the LP for the ACN. When Akeredolu became the candidate, he returned to the LP. Later, he defected to the PDP. Agunloye was a senatorial aspirant. But, he failed to get the ticket. The party’s distribution formula did not favour him because he was categorised as an old member of the PDP, who should give new members a chance. The ticket was given to Olajumoke. Agunloye later joined forces with the businessman, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, to protest Mimiko’s defection to the PDP.

    Party sources disclosed that Ibrahim is still interested in becoming governor. He is from Okitipupa. Since 2003, he has been nursing the ambition. He left the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) for the PDP. But, he lacks a formidable structure.

    Former Presidential Adviser on Niger Delta Affairs Kuku is an Ijaw from Ese-Odo Local Government Area. He is a loyal party chieftain, who has invested much in the growth of the PDP. A student activist, he narrowly missed being the President of the Student Union at the Ekiti State University in 1994/95. The university authority insisted that the election should be put on hold. But, after graduation, he won election into the House of Assembly. He was not a bench warmer. He is very articulate, bold and brave. As a presidential adviser, he contributed to the success of the amnesty programme. He kept the Niger Delta boys in check. Militancy reduced during his tenure. However, Kuku faces certain odds. He is from the minority of minority in Ondo State. He does not enjoy a tentacle of influence across the state. His influence is limited to the riverine communities.

    Ebiseni, the Commissioner for Environment, is a veteran politician. He is popular in the state. He is a grassroots politician. He was the Chairman of Ilaje/Ese-Odo local government.

  • Governor hails Buhari over air chief

    Governor of Bauchi State, Mhammed A. Abubakar
    Governor of Bauchi State, Mhammed A. Abubakar

    Chairman of Arewa Lawyers Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Mhammed A. Abubakar has praised President Muhammadu Buhari over the appointment of Air Vice Marshal Sadiq Abubakar as the Chief of Air Defence.

    Gov. Abubakar said: “ The appointment reflects the sense of  professionalism and leadership we found in him, and also demonstrates commitment to end the lingering insecurity crises in the North Eastern part of the Country.

    A statement signed by the Director, Press Bauchi Government House, Ibrahim Sanni  reads in part: “The Governor also congratulated the new Chief of Defence Staff  AVM Sadiq Abubakar  over the appointment and assured him of the people of the state will continue to follow him up in prayers  for  success in his new  national assignment. “ He expressed confidence that the new Air Defence Chief would  exhibit his wealth of experience  and sense of discipline in his new assignment

  • Governor Ayade’s baptism of fire

    Governor Ayade’s baptism of fire

    Prof. Ben Ayade no doubt came on board as the governor of Cross River State with lofty plans. From his ambitious plans for a new seaport and a 240-kilometre superhighway to massive industrialization and creation of jobs, it is obvious that the governor has big ideas for indigenes and non-indigenes. But the menace of robbery, kidnapping and other crimes are threatening to jeopardise his ambitious programmes.

    Calabar, the Cross River State capital, is generally regarded as the people’s paradise. Besides its serene nature, it has also earned a reputation as the safest and most peaceful state in the country. In fact, some people have wittily turned the city’s name into acronym for ‘Come And Live and Be At Rest’. Until recently, crime and other anti-social activities were near absent in the South-South state. Even during elections when the pressure to keep the peace is stretched to the limits, the state was usually free of the violence that characterised others around the country.

    Unfortunately, the foregoing was not the situation the Ayade administration inherited. The serenity that characterised the city has since given way to a wave of crimes that has shaken it to its very foundation. Now, resident are anxious to see an end to the trend which first reared its ugly head in the middle of the second term of the immediate past administration in the state.

    Some of the problems the new Ayade administration would have to battle with include cultism, robbery, kidnapping as well as the menace constituted by a group known as Skolombo Boys. This dreaded group, whose members actually include young girls, move around Calabar in large numbers with different kinds of crude weapons, collecting phones, money and other valuables from people they run into in the streets. There have also been reports of robbery operations carried out by members of the group, the oldest of which are teenagers. They consist mainly of homeless children who had previously been roaming the streets.

    Also worrisome has been the audacity of some of the perpetuators of these criminal activities. For instance, a couple of months ago, the city was held hostage by a gang of daredevil robbers for about two hours as they robbed in several locations in broad daylight. More recently, a pastor with Living Faith Church (Winners Chapel), located on IBB Way opposite the Margaret Ekpo Airport in Calabar, Pastor Seyi Adekunle, was abducted by gunmen who stormed the church while Adekunle and other pastors were having a prayer session in preparation for Sunday service. Not long after the incident at the Living Faith Church, the news broke that suspected militants had attacked facilities of the Marine Police Station located on Marina Road in Calabar, to steal weapons.

    The Ayade administration, realising that the trend needs to be halted before it gets out of hands, has sent an executive bill to the Cross River State House of Assembly, seeking death penalty for convicted kidnappers in the state. He has also set up a security task force codenamed Operation Skolombo. The outfit, an addition to the already existing Quick Intervention Squad and Rapid Response Squad,

    is saddled with the task of ridding the state of criminals. Ayade appointed Brig-Gen. Mannix Nyiam (rtd) as the Chairman of the task force, with Lawrence Alobi, a retired Commissioner of Police; Col. Ekanem Ikpeme (rtd); Bassey Inyang, a retired Deputy Commissioner of Police and Inyang Yibala, a security consultant, as the other members.

    Ayade, who said the state prides itself as the most peaceful in the country, said the reports of incidents hitherto unheard of in the state informed the constitution of the task force and other measures taken to ensure the security of lives and property in the state.

    Addressing officers and men of the state’s Quick Response Squad, the governor emphasised his war on criminals, vowing to strengthen the security agencies in the state. He assured that the state government would provide all the logistics needed by security agencies to ensure that the state remains the safest in the country.

    State Security Adviser, Mr Jude Ngaji, said the Ayade administration was re-jigging the security architecture in the state to specifically deal with some of the threats already identified.

    Ngaji said: “He has set up a security task force to go after all the criminals that have been creating problems across the state. The composition of the task force speaks volumes of the intentions of the government. It is headed by a retired general and others with cognate experience in crime fighting.

    “The governor understands that he needs security to realise his promises. Until recently when we started experiencing this little challenge, Calabar and Cross River were described as the safest.

    “So, besides nipping this issue in the bud, we also want to maintain our status as the safest and most investor-friendly state in the country.”

    “In the short time that this administration came in, we have engaged with the service chiefs to improve security. We are working with a pool of personnel from the Army, Air Force, Navy, Police and other security agencies. They are to be given special training approved by the governor.

    “When they are done with it, some of them would be at our signature projects, airports, boundaries and city centres for quick intervention and rapid response to any security issues. Basically, we are ahead in terms of security.”

    The Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Henry Fadairo, said the force was doing everything possible to ensure that peace reigns supreme in the state. Speaking through the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Hogan Bassey, he said the job was however not for security agencies alone but the entire populace.

  • Due Process: NGO praises Akwa Ibom Governor

    A non-govermental  organisation (NGO) in Uyo, Policy Alert has commended the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel,  for appointing a Senior Special Assistant on Technical Matters and Due Process.

    “This is a welcome development, an important first step towards enthroning a culture of due process in governance in the state,”  Tijah Bolton, said.  “For years we have been advocating for a clearly defined policy framework on public procurement and fiscal responsibility in this state. We see the appointment of a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor with clear mandate on Due Process as one of the  early wins of our advocacy on this issue,” he said.

    The organisation urged the state government to take the next important step towards promoting a culture of due process in the state by initiating an executive bill on public procurement and ensuring independence for the unit.

    It said due process is a culture, it is an ecosystem, and it requires other important elements to work, adding that one of these is a procurement law regime which would help the administration to achieve its set goals by institutionalising best practices in price intelligence and public procurement” he added.

    “The share of states and local governments in public expenditure currently stands at around 52 percent of total federal collectable allocation. This tells us that states have more work to do in terms of reforms. So due process at this level is really crucial especially at this time when state governments need to plug expenditure leakages in the context of declining overall revenue flows.

    “All public procurement systems are known as one of the biggest drivers of public sector corruption. Therefore by expanding the remit of the Bureau of Technical Matters to cover due process issues, the governor has given an early signal that his administration will be reform oriented. As civil society, we have reason to be hopeful that in the shortest possible time our advocacy on procurement reforms will yield further results,” he added.

  • ‘Akwa Ibom governor won’t be distracted by propaganda‘

    ‘Akwa Ibom governor won’t be distracted by propaganda‘

    Former Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information Aniekan Umanah has been re-appointed by Governor Udom Emmanuel. He spoke with Kazeem Ibrahym on the challenges before the administration and other issues.

    Would you shed light on the controversy surrounding the list of commissioner-nominees in Akwa Ibom State?

    When former Governor Akpabio came on board in 2007, a large chunk of people who started with him were also people who worked together with him in the Attah administration. For instance, the deputy governor, Mr Patrick Ekpotu, was a commissioner in Attah’s administration; the SSG, Obong Umanah Okon Umanah, was the Commissioner for Finance in Attah’s administration; Dr Chris Ekong was a commissioner; Dr Ebebe Ukpong was a commissioner and many others. Government is a continuum; no matter how you look at it. The nominations, Governor Udom Emmanuel made are in order because, out of the 22 persons – normally, exco should be about 24 –about 10 were those he worked with when he was the Secretary to Government. These are people he had dealt with; worked with and understood their capacities. He needs to set up his administration and take off properly and also ensure that he runs sustainability plan towards broadening the economic fortunes of Akwa Ibom State. So, you don’t just call in green horns 100 per cent. It doesn’t happen that way; you can’t take off that way. You take off gradually and then you consolidate. So, I don’t know why the fury; there is nothing new. I can give examples even from other states; from 1999, there are people who served as commissioners from 1999 and today are secretary to government. So, you are talking of 16 years. You don’t fry experience and knowledge. And Dr Akpabio has always said that he would never sacrifice experience and knowledge on the altar of politics. So, Governor Udom Emmanuel is on the right track; he wants to succeed; so he has programmed his administration so that he takes off and consolidate properly, that is how I see it.

    It is expected that the governing style of the Governor Emmanuel will be different from that of former Governor Akpabio. How will you manage the switch?

    No two people are the same, even twins from the same womb. No two people are the same, in terms of the way they approach their own things. The question of switch or no switch is not even an issue; the issue there is pursuing set goals and objectives. If you have a job to do, you get the job done. For instance, if you need to clear a mess at Nwaniba street, the idea is to clear the mess. Whether you have to trek or run there, you have a deadline to clear the mess and that deadline, you want to make sure that that mess is cleared. I do not really see any issue here because clearly, it is about getting things done. Governor Udom Emmanuel also worked with the former governor and his style cannot be new to some of us that had the opportunity of working with him as the Secretary to the Government. We understand that he is a result-oriented man, a focused man, and he stays on target. Those are the same attributes that former Governor Godswill Akpabio also has because when he wants something, he makes sure he gets results. So, you see, Akwa Ibom will continue to progress. Governor Udom Emmanuel has started well.

    The APC has said that he governor is recycling old commissioners to consolidate Akpabio’s regime…

    No, they are not right. I totally disagree and fault the APC on this claim because the APC is one party that runs on a consolidation method. So, how can they blame governor Udom Emmanuel for nominating competent people, who also served in the previous administration? Such statement is inconsequential and makes no sense. It shows the ineptitude and the lack of knowledge or how bereft they are. If the APC wants to blame Governor Emmanuel for making nominations, they should completely blame the totality of the APC administration everywhere in Nigeria because we have people who served as commissioners since 1999 and today, they are Secretary to Government. They are people who moved from cabinet and became governors in some states. They are the ones who have moved from one cabinet to another and gone to the National Assembly and they continue to broaden and consolidate their coast. We will not allow the APC to thwart the PDP consolidation process in Akwa Ibom State. We will maintain our consolidation method, we will support Gov. Emmanuel to take off properly and consolidate, we will strengthen the political process and, of course, the administrative machineries to enable him succeed as a governor. For me, the statement by the APC is a rabble.

    The state was also described by the APC 2as a ship without a captain. What is your take on this?

    It is totally faulty. How can you say it is a ship without a captain? There is a governor in place and government is not about one person; you have an arrow head, but you have stakeholders, you have people who work around government to make things happen everywhere in the world. As far as I am concerned, the APC had thought that the PDP administration in Akwa Ibom will come with what they call neophytes so that they will begin the process of shredding the administration into pieces. No serious administration sacrifices experience because you must ride on it and continue to consolidate, expand, add and broaden. That is how it works.

    We are not ready to allow the PDP wobble; we will hold it and hold it strong, irrespective of what anybody is saying. But, coming back to your issue, how can they blame Gov. Udom Emmanuel for pronouncing the stadium in honour of former Governor Akpabio? It was the Akwa Ibom state house of assembly that passed the resolution, naming that stadium so. What the governor did was a pronouncement of the resolution of the representative of the 4.9m people of Akwa Ibom State. The governor acted in order because he couldn’t have acted against the position of the 4.9m people of the state represented by their representatives in the house of assembly from the various state constituencies. So the statement of the APC holds no water. I think they should just sit down and lick the wounds election failures and allow the PDP government in Akwa Ibom State to consolidate and move forward.

    People believe that  Akpabio is still in control of the state…

    As a former governor and a PDP stakeholder and stalwart in the country and a senator of the PDP, why should he should not be interested in the governance of his state that he just left and he should not also be interested in the success of the administration that succeeded him? It would be foolhardy for one to think that a former governor should not be interested in the success of his successor. So for me, the role Akpabio should be seen to be playing is supporting and ensuring the success and the consolidation of the PDP administration in Akwa Ibom State under Governor Udom Emmanuel. That is what I think is right. That is what he should do and that is what every stakeholder should do and so on. In 2007, even when there was no succession, and you all know that the former governor did not support him to become his successor but people from the cabinet of Obong Victor Attah were the same set of people that started the administration of Godswill Akpabio. Have we forgotten so soon; Akwa Ibom people, why have we forgotten so soon? This is how to move. You do not expect a government to get up and then, you get up from the blues. You have projects that you must pursue and complete, you have ideas that you must consolidate and continue to pursue.

  • N13b missing from Katsina treasury, says governor

    N13b missing from Katsina treasury, says governor

    Katsina State Governor Aminu Masari has said N13 billion is missing from the account of the Ministry of Finance.

    He spoke yesterday in Katsina at his maiden news conference.

    Masari said: “We are investigating the whereabouts of this staggering sum in the document handed over to the Transition Committee.

    “The Ministry of Finance has failed to account for this whopping sum of money.”

    The governor said there was a huge gap from the records the former administration handed over to the Transition Committee.

    He said government had set up a panel to go through the financial records, which the former administration handed over to his government to know the position of things.

    Masari said N700million got missing from the account of the Primary Education Board within one year.

    He said the government had directed the Chairman and Executive Secretary of the board to go on a compulsory leave.

    According to him, his administration would carry out investigation in order to be fair to all.

    The governor urged the people to be patient, as government was determined to provide more dividends of democracy to them after the investigation.

  • Lucky Igbinedion vows to anoint Edo next governor

    Lucky Igbinedion vows to anoint Edo next governor

    Eight years after keeping mute on the political scene since he left office as Governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion has bounced back vowing to anoint the next governor of the state when Oshiomhole’s tenure ends next year.

    Chief Igbinedion noted that being a high ranking member of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state, he was in the prime position to anoint who will be the next governor of the state.

    He said he would play a prominent in the process of picking the PDP governorship candidate when the time comes.

    The former governor spoke at the birthday reception of former Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG), Pastor Osagie Ize-Iyamu and his wife.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu who shared the same birthday with his wife served as Chief of Staff and Secretary to the State Government during Lucky’s administration.

    Chief Igbinedion said that there was no iota of doubt that he is well loved by the people of the state and asserted that till date he was the only governor whose victory at the polls was never challenged in any court of law.

    According to him, “Whoever is going to be the next governor of Edo State must be one of the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party in the state. And must also be a member of the ‘family”.

    The birthday party was attended by Chairman, Daar Communications, Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Senator Domingo Obende, Chief Dan Orbih, Hon Sergius Ogun amongst others.

    Pastor Ize-Iyamu who is a strong contender for the PDP ticket would be battling against Senator Ehigie Uzamere, Chief Solomon Edebiri, Matthew Iduoriyekemwen, and Mike Onolememen.

     

  • Governor sets up 10-man committee to boost trade, investment 

    Governor sets up 10-man committee to boost trade, investment 

    •Appoints Head of Service

    Kaduna State Governor Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai has set up a joint committee with the Nigerian American Chambers of Commerce to boost trade, investment and create job opportunities.

    The committee, which is expected to have five members from each of the partners, is headed by Deputy Governor Bala Barnabas Bantex.

    It is expected to come out with a blueprint by September on the projects proposed by the chambers, such as power generation, setting up of hatchery, providing 500 hectares at the Millennium City for Kaduna American School and rebuilding the Zaria and Kafanchan markets.

    Addressing a delegation of the Nigerian American Chambers of Commerce led on a visit to Sir Kashim Ibrahim House by its President, Mr. Sheriff Balogun, El-Rufai lamented that there were over three million unemployed youths in the state, adding that the high number of unemployed youths in the country led to insurgency and other problems.

    He has announced the appointment of Mrs. Alisabatu Dada-Onazi as the new Head of Service.

    El-Rufai made the announcement yesterday at a civic reception organised in honour of his deputy, Mr. Barnabas Bala-Bantex, in Kafanchan.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that before her appointment, the new head of service was the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

  • FC Taraba beg Governor Ishyaku for funds

    FC Taraba beg Governor Ishyaku for funds

    Despite having only 18 players available for their final  training sessions and without three regular players who are nursing injuries and in national team camp, the head coach of FC Taraba, Tony Ogharanduku has told SportingLife that he has a team to face El Kanemi Warriors on Sunday.

    FC Taraba sold Olabisi Samuel to Gabros International FC while there are still issues with the future of some other first team players asthey are still owed backlog of debts but Ogharanduku has assured that the club would rebound under the administration of the Governor, Dr. Darius Dickson Ishyaku.

    The Jalingo side trained without Yau Hassan who has been recuparating from malaria illness. Meanwhile, whereabout of Abdulmalik Mohammed has been unknown since he sustained a knee injury against Dolphins in the last match while Usman Mohammed is with the U-23 national team.

    Ogharanduku told SportingLife that the current situation in the camp of FC Taraba is not all gloomy as they are very confident that Governor Ishyaku would bring back smiles to the faces of already dispirited Jalingo based side.

    “We are happy with the new administration of our  governor, Darius Dickson Ishyaku who we believe will get us working again. The immediate past administration had only done so in acting capacity but Governor Ishyaku has executive powers. I believe he will be able to address our needs.

    “Some of my players are injured and we still have one in the U-23 camp. We are very certain that we have players to face El Kanemi Warriors and our other foes in the league,” Ogharanduku told SportingLife.

    Part of the 18 players that took part in the training sessions few days ago included Abel Bobby, Kelvin Njoku and three goalkeepers, Ikechukwu Obilor, Chinedu Kawawa and Akombo Terherma among others.

  • Governor NEW’s shockers

    Governor NEW’s shockers

    It was in the presence of the Lord. A post-inauguration thanksgiving service, with men of God in attendance, should not but be anything close to the Almighty. Port Harcourt, the city of oil, was the venue of the thanksgiving. But it really got interesting when His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike (GNEW), mounted the podium.

    Listening to him speak were some men of power in the immediate past government. David Mark, Emeka Ihedioha and Hope Uzodinma were attentive when Governor NEW was making his shocking revelations. The kernel of the shockers from the executive bucal cavity was that his successor, Rotimi Amaechi, was a vandal and someone with skills in pilfering even the minutest of things.

    GNEW said he inspected the Government House, Port Harcourt, where he is supposed to live. Bullet proof doors, furniture, cars, crested carpets, curtains and even windows, he submitted, were stolen by the former administration.

    “As I speak with you, everything has been vandalised.  I will not enter the Government House in the next two or three months,” said His Excellency.

    He is not done: “There is no vehicle in Government House, not even one. Yet the former governor talks about corruption.”

    His Excellency’s revelations were news to the former Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha. He described GNEW’s claim that the facility was vandalised by the Amaechi administration as false. Okocha added that the property in the Government House were intact before the immediate past administration left.

    On Monday, GNEW followed up by leading some PDP leaders round the Government House.

    Well, we will come to the theft and vandalisation matter later.

    Last Friday, shortly after he was sworn in, GNEW hit the ground running. He flagged off the reconstruction of Port Harcourt roads to ease traffic in the state capital. He tagged it: “Operation Zero Potholes “.  The event held after he inspected the guard of honour at the Government House, Port Harcourt.

    The flag off, which took place at Borokiri, UTC Junction and Azikiwe in Diobu, he said, was aimed at restoring Port Harcourt and making it a pride of the people.

    GNEW said: “We wish to assure you that hope has returned and Rivers State shall once again be the pride of our nation. We shall develop the right road infrastructure in the state in our effort to rebuild the comatose economy of the state.”

    Guess what? The filling of the potholes will be carried out by construction giant Julius Berger. That is another shocker, which has got not a few asking: When did Julius Berger start filling pot holes? There have been other questions, such as when was the contract awarded? Officials of the construction firm were actually present at the event. At least I saw oyinbos in the picture.

    To return to GNEW’s shockers about stealing of carpets and curtains:  In real terms, the revelations are staggering, especially when the person being accused is an ex-governor who can afford to buy container loads of carpets and curtains. Even cars and furniture.

    On a second thought though, I think GNEW needs to inspect the Government House all over again. Yes, for a third time. There might be more shockers. Something in me tells me that kitchen utensils must have been pilfered too. May be His Excellency did not look well when he went there with PDP leaders. Your Excellency, when you are touring the Government House this time around, pay more attention to details. Specifically, there is also the need to count the pillows, the bed sheets, the foot mats and the mirrors. I will be shocked if they are still complete. Just like we are told that the water bed has been replaced with ordinary Mouka foam; I suspect other foul plays.

    When you leave the bedroom sir, the next place to check is the bathroom. Count the soaps, the sponge, the towels and the shampoo. I bet you they must have been stolen too.

    Lest I forget, please don’t forget to count the gallons of water left in the reservoir. Something in me tells me some gallons would have disappeared. My instinct also tells me that you should inspect the diesel tankers. I suspect somebody has taken enough to power his private house for the next one year. This sort of corruption must not be allowed to go unchecked.

    Please this is very important: when you are inspecting the pantries, there is need to be very vigilant. It won’t be out of place to go with measuring instruments to ensure that no grain of gubernatorial rice has escaped. Efforts must also be put into ensuring that gubernatorial yams, beans, turkey, chicken and beef have not been tampered with.

    My mind also tells me that GNEW will need to take stock of fire extinguishers. Someone with clever fingers might have done away with a few. Tell the officer in charge of the inventories to cross-check what is available now with what was.

    I am convinced that chairs, tables, television sets, curtains and carpets could not have been the only thing the past administration must have stolen. So a due diligence like I have suggested will reveal that even items, such as toothpicks, tumblers, spoons, forks, toilet rolls, serviette and packs of juice must have been pilfered by the immediate past administration.

    Efforts should also be intensified to ensure all policies that could turn the state around have not been looted.

    I must also commend GNEW for giving the contract to rid Port Harcourt of pot holes to Julius Berger. Don’t mind those saying it is like killing a cockroach with a sledge hammer. For a good job, who else but Julius Berger can do it? If it is not Julius Berger, it cannot be Julius Berger.

    I will also suggest that the contract for the renovation of the Government House should be given to Julius Berger too. The replacement of the curtains, carpets, chairs, tables and all can easily be done by the construction giant.

    Personally, I am enraged that GNEW’s acts since mounting the saddle a week ago are being queried by the opposition and others. Who the hell do they think they are? Don’t they understand that Rivers is the showroom that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) needs to prove that the people could still trust it with power? Mark said that much during the thanksgiving service when he urged GNEW to wrought miracles. What better way to start the miracles than what GNEW has started? Ride on and don’t disappoint like you have promised.

    The gullible as well as the unpatriotic will always query great leaders like GNEW. There will be lots of distractions while the tribunal is trying to decide the status of his election. GNEW needs to develop a thick skin. He should not give a damn about what they say or do. If he deems it fit to award the contract for the clearing of gutters to a construction giant, the only person he needs to convince is himself. After all, he is His Excellency, another way of saying Kabio-osi (no one dare query you).

    In not giving a damn, GNEW should not bother his media team with the stress of replying to every ranting of the opposition. He should just ignore them. Public opinion does not count. Or does it?

    For no reason should GNEW break the rule of not giving a damn. Doing so will amount to lowering his status and emboldening meddlers to stir things up.

    My final take: GNEW’s forthrightness in awarding the contract for the filling of pot holes to a construction giant should be applauded. He should also be applauded for hitting the ground running. There is so much work to be done. So, why waste time? It is unfortunate that some people are taunting him, saying that he is killing a cockroach with sledge hammer. For me, he deserves a laurel and he will further win my heart when he employs Cappa Dalberto to clear the gutters and retain the services of RCC to plant flowers on the medians in Port Harcourt. He should also not forget to take stock of tooth picks and toilet rolls in the Government House. All these will earn him my respect for life.

    Ride on, GNEW! Thou art incapable of doing anything wrong!