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  • 12 for governor in Oyo APC

    12 for governor in Oyo APC

    No fewer than 12 chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are struggling to succeed Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi as the state warms up for election. Correspondent BISI OLADELE examines their strengths, weaknesses and chances at the primary.

    Politics is in the air in Oyo State. Twelve party chieftains are eyeing Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s job.  They belong to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). They include senators, commissioners,  former commissioners,  other appointees and professionals. While some of them are major contenders, some are minor contenders, judging by their political weight.

    The aspirants include Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN); Minister of Communication, Barr. Adebayo Shittu; Senator Adesoji Akanbi; Sen. Fatai Buhari; Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Mr Bayo Adelabu. Others are Prof. Adeolu Akande;  Commissioner for Lands, Housing and Survey, Mr Ajiboye Omodewu; his Health counterpart, Dr Azeez Adeduntan; former Commissioner for Works, Yunus Akintunde;  former Commissioner for Health, Dr Babalola Owolabi, renowned newspaper editor, Debo Adesina and a former Permanent Secretary, Engr Aderemi Olaniyan.

    The aspirants are traversing the length and breadth of the state. They are soliciting the support of individuals, groups and communities. The party primary will determine who ascends the hilltop Agodi Government House.

     

    The party

    APC regained power in Oyo State in 2011 when Ajimobi defeated his two predecessors, Senator Rashidi Ladoja and Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala to emerge the seventh civilian governor. He contested and won on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which transformed to the APC in 2015.

    Since then, the party has been gaining more popularity, in spite of the criticism of the opposition. Ajimobi’s historic victory in the 2015 election enabled the party to consolidate on its popularity. He is the first governor to win a second term in the state. But, that was not without a drop in the party’s popularity in Ibadan, the state capital, due to its urban renewal project. It gained more popularity in Oke-Ogun and Ibarapa areas in the last election. Now, Ogbomoso is added to its base, given the defection of Alao-Akala and his followers to the ruling party.

    Yet, candidates of Ibadan origin are still believed to be in an advantaged position to win governorship election due to its population strength of the city. It accounts for about 50 per cent of the total votes in the sate. As the next election draws nearer, however, analysts believe that individual candidates will wield more influence than the party’s. This is because of the cris-crossing of politicians across parties which has generally eroded the ideological basis used to classify political parties. Many Nigerians also believe that the APC has not fully lived up to expectation at the federal level in view of the flip-flopping economy since President Muhammadu Buhari took over mantle of leadership in May, 2015.

     

    The aspirants

    Akintola (SAN)

    An erudite lawyer and a native of Iddo Local Government of Ibadan, Akintola has played an important role in progressive politics for about three decades. He was the Deputy Speaker, Oyo State House of Assembly in 1993. He has also handled many cases for the Alliance for Democracy (AD), Action Congress (AC), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the APC.

    The legal icon is popular with top political leaders and traditional rulers across Southwest. He hopes to leverage on this to climb the governorship ladder in the elections.

    Akintola has been engaging stakeholders in the last one year, assuring them that he would sustain the legacy of Ajimobi, if elected. He has repeated at different fora that he has a second address, if he does not get the ticket or win the election, meaning that he is not desperate to be governor.

    But, it is unclear if the lawyer is popular enough among party members to win the primary.

    Shittu

    Shittu is the Minister of Communication. He hails from Saki in Oke-Ogun area of the state. He is a former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly and a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

    He was the governorship candidate of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in the 2011 election. But, he joined the APC during its formation in 2014.  It is widely believed that his emergence as the CPC governorship candidate in 2011 brought him close to Buhari which culminated in his appointment as minister in 2015 to the surprise of the party in the state. He had challenged Ajimobi’s emergence as the APC governorship candidate in court in 2015 but withdrew at a stage.

    Shittu has been trumpeting his ambition at every forum, assuring that he would succeed Ajimobi. Their relationship has degenerated. The inauguration of the Southwest Buhari/Osinbajo re-election office in Ibadan last week was poorly attended due to the obvious crisis between him and the governor. The idea is being spearheaded by Shittu.

    Analysts believe that the minister is counting on Buhari to influence his emergence as the APC candidate.

    Though battling Ajimobi makes his name resonate all the time, it is difficult to say that the lawyer is popular within the party or that he is acceptable to the general public. However, he trudges on in his quest to succeed Ajimobi.

     

    Akanbi

    Akanbi hails from Ibadan North West Local Government. A former federal legislator and businessman, Akanbi’s name has been associated with governorship since he joined the race in 2011.

    Given the massive grassroots constituency projects he undertakes, it is clear that the politician is serious about his ambition to become the number one citizen of the state.

    A close associate of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Akanbi hopes to leverage on his goodwill within his current Oyo South Senatorial District and among top APC leaders to make it to Agodi Government House.

     

    Buhari

    Buhari is a former federal lawmaker and commissioner. He hails from Ogbomoso South Local Government of the state. He currently represents Oyo North Senatorial District covering the 10 local government areas in Oke-Ogun and three others in Ogbomoso.

    Buhari, a grassroots politician, is well connected with the people. He is popular because of  his generousity and simplicity. He was one senator that pulled a great surprise in the last election by defeating his rivals in other parties. He was really underestimated because he hails from Ogbomoso whose part formed a minor area in the senatorial district. But, his personal qualities and the platform earned him the electoral victory.

     

    Akande

    A professor of political science at Igbinedion University, Okada, Akande was a media strategist to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Chief of Staff to Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    Akande, who hails from Otu area of Oke-Ogun, is also sustaining his handshakes across communities, groups and other stakeholders.

    He plans to use agriculture to revolutionise the economy of the state. Akande believes that his experience as a journalist, academic and politician will make accomplishment of his vision for the state easy. But he has a long hurdle to cross within the party.

     

    Olaniyan

    A former Permanent Secretary in the state and an astute businessman, Olaniyan hails from Igboho in Oorelope Local Government Area. A grassroots politician, he hopes to latch on the belief that the party will offer a level-playing ground for all aspirants. His Oke-Ogun origin may also play a role as the area hopes to enjoy the push for zoning. The engineer has a long hurdle to cross to achieve his goal.

    Adelabu

    Adelabu is the Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). He is the grandson of the late famous Ibadan political juggernaut, Adegoke Adelabu (aka Peculiar mess), Adelabu hopes to leverage on his grand father’s fame in combination with his rich background in the finance world.

    He has the ears of Ibadan elders and other critical stakeholders in Oyo politics. His youthful age may also be an advantage when considering the need for generational change. But, he faces a tough hurdle in the party. It is also unclear if the  private sector guru is prepared for the rough world of politics.

     

    Omodewu

    Omodewu is the Commissioner for Land, Housing and Survey. A native of Otu, Itesiwaju Local Government, he is one of the closest politicians to Ajimobi. It may also account for why he has been serving with the governor since inception. He was reappointed twice when the governor sacked his cabinet.

    Omodewu has been working hard to pick the APC ticket since he returned to office in 2015. He is a strong party man and a committed follower of the governor. His name resonates every time Ajimobi’ successor is considered. He said: “Governor Ajimobi is my boss. He is my leader. I wish to succeed him, but if he asks me to stand down, I will honour him. So, it is not a do-or-die thing.”

     

    Owolabi

    Owolabi is a medical doctor. He was the Commissioner for Health during the tenure of Alao-Akala.  Now an APC member, Owolabi, who hails from Ibadan, is working hard behind the scene to emerge as the party’s flagbearer.

    He has experience as a professional and a politician. He is able to connect with the people. He is brilliant. He is well travelled and has consulted for several international organisations. But it is not clear if the party will favour him.

    The aspirants are many. The lucky one is being awaited as the APC and other stakeholders in the state make their choice for the 2019 election.

     

    Adesina

    A reputable journalist, Adesina is a former Editor of The Guardian. He is one of the longest serving editors in Nigeria. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief of The Guardian.

  • Ex-Kebbi governor, deputy, PDP members defect to APC

    Ex-Kebbi governor, deputy, PDP members defect to APC

    Former Kebbi State Governor Saidu Dakingari, his deputy Ibrahim  Aliyu with over 267,000  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Kebbi state have finally decamped to the All Progressive Congress  (APC).

    The state APC Chairman, Alhaji Attahiru Maccido, formally received the decampees  at a  Haliru abdul Stadium in Birnin Kebbi,  the state capital. 

    According to the APC  Chairman,  the defectors did not give any condition for their decision to join the APC fold in the state.

    He however said  they defected as a result of leadership style of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Atiku Bagudu, especially in the areas of security, agriculture and economic sectors.
    He assured the decampees that they would be accorded equal opportunity and privileges  in the party, adding that “the doors of the party are still open for others to join.”
    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, former Governor Dakingari said the defection was a result of deep thoughts in the past three years since he left power.
    “ I joined the APC not for gain but for what President Muhammadu Buhari and Atiku Bagudu have been doing at the federal and state levels respectively for progress,peace and unity.
    “I call on all those I have offended to forgive me and I forgive those who offended me too,” he said.
     
    In his remarks, Governor Bagudu said the state would continue to move forward with the coming of new members into the party. 
    “Our state is blessed with  mineral resources but improper coordination had been the stumbling block toward exploitation of the resources.
    “With the cooperation we have now, we will achieve greatness. If we are truly committed to our aims and objectives of moving our state to greater heights,” he said.
    The APC North -West National Chairman, Alhaji Inuwa Abdulkadir, congratulated the defectors for joining the party. He  said the successes recorded by Governor  Bagudu was monumental.

  • Akwa Ibom 2019: Kinsmen urge Ekere to run for governor

    Kinsmen of Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom  Emmanuel from Onna Local Government Area have urged  the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Nsima Ekere, to contest for governor in next year’s  election.

    The ward chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Onna said they were satisfied with with Ekere’s performance since he assumed office 13 months ago.

    In a letter of felicitation to him,  the ward chairmen said the NDDC boss has accomplished so much for the Niger Delta region and  Akwa Ibom State.

    They said: “All over the state, the name of Obong Nsima Ekere resonates with love and admiration and we congratulate you on this feat.”

    Urging Ekere to contest, they assured him of their unalloyed support as “major players in the change agenda of Mr. President and advocates of good governance.”

    They added: “As a visionary leader, we pray the Almighty God to give you more courage and grace to accept our appeal.”

    The ward chairmen also commended the NDDC Commissioner representing Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Samuel Frank, and the Special Assistant to the NDDC Managing Director, Mr. Anietie Ufot,  for their contributions to the development of the state by the NDDC.

    The letter was signed by 11 of the 12 Onna APC ward chairmen, including Akwaowo Duff Peter (Awa 1), Isaac Peter Ebia (Nung Ndem 1), Akaninyene Akpan Evans (Oniong West 1), and Samuel Akpabio (Awa 4).

    Others are Ekong Sunday Uko (Oniong West 3), Ekong Harrison Afia (Awa 2), Nsikan Etuk Jack (Nung Ndem 2), Udeme Sunday Udo (Oniong East 2), Ifiok Ibanga Etukudo (Awa 3), Timothy Udo Enoch (Oniong West 2) and Rufus Udo (Oniong East 1).

  • Governor, Ofeimun for Bola Ige lecture Saturday

    Governor, Ofeimun for Bola Ige lecture Saturday

    The Bola Ige Centre for Justice is organising the 16th year Bola Ige memorial symposium.

    Two lectures, titled: Lagos Forensic Centre and Future of Crime Prevention on African Continent and Increasing Ethnic Agitation: A Call for Restructuring or Devolution of Powwer? will be delivered by Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and a literary giant, poet and columnist, Odia Ofeimun, on December 30 at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, the Osun State capital, at 11 a.m prompt.

    Chairman of occasion is Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, the Araba of Osogbo; the special guest of honour is All Progressives Congress (APC) stalwart, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the guest of honour is Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    Father and Mother of the Day are: Olooye Lekan Alabi, Agba Akin Olubadan of Ibadan and Princess Bisi Sangodoyin, an Ibadan-based gender activist.

    The chief host is Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, while the principal hosts are Ogun and Ondo State Governors Ibikunle Amosun and Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

    This celebration of life, which was first staged on December 17, 2002 and last staged on December 20, 2016, at Western Hall of the Oyo State Secretariat at Agodi in Ibadan and the Banquet Hall of Lagos Airport Hotel in Ikeja, is organised by hundreds of the mass-based youths’ organisations within and outside Nigeria, under the aegis of Progressive Youths’ Alliance (PYA).

    In line with its vision since December 2004, The Bola Ige Centre for Justice  has been consolidating and building upon the laudable legacies and ideals of the late Attorney General and former Minister of Justice, Chief Ajibola James Idowu Ige (SAN).

    The centre has also been serving as an international centre for youths’ development.

  • I’ve no preferred candidate for governor, says Amaechi

    I’ve no preferred candidate for governor, says Amaechi

    The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has said he has no preferred candidate among members of All Progressives Congress (APC), who want to be Rivers State governor in 2019.

    He said a level-playing field would be ensured during the primaries.

    Amaechi, the leader of APC in the state and Southsouth, spoke in Port Harcourt while meeting Kalabari leaders of the party from Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru and Degema local governments.

    He said: “Believe me, I have no preferred candidate. When the time comes, we will hold a free and fair primary election. Whoever wins, his/her allegiance should be to the party faithful.

    “Most politicians at my level have shifted their attention to national politics. 2019 is not about me, it is about you.”

    The leaders used the occasion to reinforce their resolve to work with Amaechi and APC, to remove in 2019, the “terribly-wasteful Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government.”

    Sources at the meeting said there were two highlights, namely the constitution of the novel Pan-Kalabari Elders’ Council and the leadership committees of the three councils.

    It was disclosed that the elders’ council had Chief Bekinbo Soberekon as chairman, Beks Dagogo-Jack, an engineer, as deputy chairman and Prince Tonye Princewill as secretary.

    Members of the council cut across the three Kalabari local governments. They include Levy Braide, an engineer, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Lolo Ibieneye, Dumo Lulu-Briggs, Charles Ijuye, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, Mrs. Joeba West, among others.

    The sources gave the names of chairmen of the local governments’ leadership committees as Ojukaye Flag-Amachree (Asari-Toru), Sokonte Davis (Degema) and Christian Don-Pedro (Akuku-Toru).

    Amaechi was quoted as saying that APC faithful must learn to make sacrifices and resist the temptation of material benefits, if they want to win the 2019 elections.

    He noted that the time was overdue for leaders on the Kalabari axis to unite and rise up against the effects of militancy and criminality, especially in terms of education, economic activities and quality of lives.

    The minister said while he did not believe in upland/riverine politics, after 20 years, the riverine areas should be given an opportunity to produce the next governor.

    He enjoined the leaders to spread their voter base across Kalabari towns and villages, to build a united mass movement in support of APC for 2019 elections, saying a united Kalabari formation was critical to realising their aspirations.

    The Director-General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Dakuku Peterside and the representative of Rivers Southeast Senatorial District, Senator Magnus Abe, are the leading governorship aspirants.

     

  • Lagos immortalises ex-deputy governor with Park

    Former Lagos State deputy governor, the late Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo, has been immortalised by the government. Last week, Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s administration named the renovated Shasha recreational park after the late Jafojo, who served with the first civilan governor, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande.

    Ambode, who was represented by the Commissioner for the Environment, Dr. Babatunde Adejare, said it was in line with his government’s idea of recognising leaders that have contributed to the meaningful growth of the state, making it first choice destination among the states.

    Besides, Ambode said the transformation of the state is one of the cardinal policies of his administration, adding that his administration is committed to transform Lagos into Africa’s smart and industrial haven where individual economic and social aspirations can be met always.

    The governor, while inaugurating the Park, explained that the state was  embarking on massive landscaping and greening projects, as well as establishing more recreational parks and gardens with the ultimate desire to establish parks and gardens in all the 57 local government areas in the state.

    In a similar vein, Special Adviser to the Governor on the Environment, Mr Babatunde Humpe, described Shasha Recreational Park inuaguration as another landmark achievement of the present administration aimed at consolidating the smart city status of the state.

    According to him, the hustle and bustle experienced by the residents within the metropolis   daily  require that the state evolves a strategy to improve the general well-being of the people to reduce  stress that people go through while searching for their daily bread.

    Hunpe gave an insight into the features of the park.

    “Shasha Recreational Park occupies approximately a total land area of 15,447 square meters with soft and hard landscaping and recreation facilities for basketball, children playground, gazeboes, and water fountain and commercial stand, among other facilities.

    Also adorning the facility are ornamental plants, palms, garden seats, trees of various types, rotunda, garden lights, gazeboes with seats, multipurpose court, children playing ground, irrigation facilities, toilet facilities and parking area.

    The administration, he said,   emphasises on the need to implement policies and programmes that would enhance the aesthetic of the environment and promote health and wellbeing of the citizenry.”

    The Special Adviser said the objectives of the new Environmental and Urban renewal laws, including the campaign on tree planting, are designed to achieve a serene, healthy, beautiful and conducive environment and reduce stress on the citizens.

  • Lawmaker to governor: leave Buhari out of double registration saga

    Lawmaker to governor: leave Buhari out of double registration saga

    Why we can’t prosecute Bello now, by INEC

    FOR the second time within a week, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday spoke the double registration allegation involving Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.

    INEC Chairman Mahmood Yakubu explained the commission’s challenge in prosecuting the governor for double registration.

    Prof Yakubu explained the commission’s handicap in Abuja at a National Stakeholders’ Forum on Elections, organised by a coalition of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), under the aegis of the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room.

    The electoral body, on Thursday last week, confirmed the double registration allegation against the governor and announced the sack of its officials found wanting in the controversy.

    Yakubu said despite the fact that INEC has established that Idris registered twice, “the body is currently handicapped in moving against him because, as a sitting Governor, Bello was covered by immunity.”

    “The governor of Kogi State has immunity. There is nothing INEC can do for now. After his tenure, the issue can be revisited.”

    KOGI State Governor Yahaya Bello yesterday got a piece of advice on his double registration controversy.

    He was told by House of Representatives member and the deputy governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 gubernatorial election in Kogi State, James Abiodun Faleke, to stop dropping the names of President Muhammadu Buhari in defending the double registration

    Faleke, who was the Lagos State Campaign Coordinator for the Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation in 2015, described as unfortunate that governor continued to deny his involvement in saga when the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already dismissed three of its officials involved in the illegal action.

    The electoral body last Thursday confirmed the double registration allegation against the governor and said it would have prosecuted him but for the immunity clause.

    But, the governor, who featured in a programmed on the African Independent Television (AIT) on Monday, denied his involvement in the criminal act, telling his audience that he has so far operated above board in the discharge of his official duties being under regular mentorship of President Buhari.

    Faleke, however, joined issues with the governor for bring in the name of the President into an issue he described as “unbecoming of a state’s chief executive officer.”

    He said: “Buhari could not have mentored the governor as the President is a direct opposite of what the governor stands for. Yahaya Bello should stop using the President’s name to commit illegality. I make bold to tell the governor that he has disgraced the good people of Kogi with his criminal act of double registration.

    “I can confirm that governor Bello did his first registration in Abuja on January 30th, 2011 while he did the second illegal registration on May 22nd, 2017 in Government House, Lokoja.

    “I challenge him to go to court on this. It is an incontrovertible fact. The governor ought to have known that for a body like INEC to come up with such a decision, it must have gotten its facts right.

    “After the registration, the governor’s camp in wild celebration to prove that the governor had succeeded in registering in Kogi State at last went to town with pictures of the registration process backed by a press release signed by the Director–General of his media team, Kingsley Fanwo, explaining why the governor had to re-register in Kogi.

    “I hereby produce an abridged version of Fanwo’s statement. In the press statement, Fanwo said ‘the governor’s efforts to transfer the card from Abuja to Kogi has not been successful, hence the need to seize this golden opportunity to get registered in Kogi State. The governor has to register to be able to move his PVC to Kogi State. He urges every Kogite of the eligible age of 18 and above, who had not registered to seize this opportunity by registering in order to be able to participate in the processes that lead to the choices for who to lead or represent them.’”

    Faleke wondered why the governor, who gleefully defended his action to register in Kogi State within the Government House through a press release widely published in the media, would suddenly turn round to deny such.

    He continued: “On May 23rd 2017, the governor travelled to Dubai. So, for the governor who is claiming mentorship of President Buhari to capitalise on the date as announced by INEC to deny a registration he did and his director-general issued a public statement to defend why he did it is extremely mischievous and Un-Buharilike.

    “It is very unfortunate that the governor even went ahead to induce some INEC staff to remove the hard-drive from the computer used in committing the illegal registration in order to hide his criminal intensions. I have my facts and I also challenge him to go to court on this.

    “President Buhari is known all over the world for his virtues of incorruptibility, honesty, discipline and Spartan life style while Yahaya Bello is known for his unbridled extravaganza and indiscipline. No, Buhari couldn’t have mentored you.

    “Till date, President Buhari still lives in a modest bungalow in Daura, his home town while Governor Bello, his ‘supposed godson’ prefers to live in a multi-billion naira Castle in Okene, his home town which he just commissioned as a sitting governor.

    “President Buhari has made it a policy not to owe workers’ salaries and Pensions but Governor Bello owes Kogi workers several outstanding salaries and pensions ranging from 15 to 22 months.”

    Congratulating INEC for the courage to expose the governor’s impunity, Faleke urged the agency not to be cowed nor intimidated by the Kogi helmsmen’s antics.

    He enjoined President Buhari to call Bello to order by asking him to stop dropping his name at every opportunity to cover his inadequacies in order to forestall more embarrassing moments for the ruling party and government.

  • Chidoka: I’ve faith of becoming Anambra governor

    Former Minister of Aviation and ex-Corps Marshal of Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) Osita Chidoka has said his experience in the November 18 governorship election gave him hope that he will govern the state one day.

    Chidoka, who contested the election on the platform of the United Peoples Party (UPP), said yesterday that God’s time is the best

    According to him, his ambition to govern the state had been rekindled with the encouraging experience garnered during the poll.

    He spoke at an interactive session with members of his campaign organisation and people of his community in Obosi, Idemili North, to thank them for their support.

    Chidoka said the journey to Anambra Government House had just begun, insisting that there will be ‘no retreat, no surrender’ until the objective was achieved.

    He said: “God’s time is the best and what I am asking from God is to give me what is due to me. Whatever God has destined must come to pass. The journey we have started will continue and I want to assure Anambra people that they will not be disappointed in our next outing.

    “I am optimistic that I will win the next governorship election because that election will be determined by a lot of factors. After the 2019 general elections, we will begin to work for the 2022 election in earnest, and the experience we gathered this year will be our guide.

    “What we should do to move forward is to return the secrecy of balloting. That is to say that the voting point should be in a secluded area so that the voter would not be influenced.

    “We also have to reduce the impact of money in our electoral process because money was widely used in the Anambra election, and that was because there was no secrecy.

    “There is also need for more voter education, for people to learn that money collected during elections will ultimately affect governance.”

  • Governor Bello, let common-sense prevail

    Governor Bello, let common-sense prevail

    SIR; These past days, the internet and social media have been awash with news and pictures of the newly built mansion of Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State in his home town of Okene. Some news platforms have alleged that the expensive house is worth billions of naira, while others have described it as an architectural masterpiece of the century.

    The question I asked some of the governor’s critics is: when and how has it become a sin for a sitting governor to build a house? If a similar house was built by a performing governor, would it have attracted the kind of reaction, condemnation and bashing that the palatial mansion has received so far?

    It has since dawned on me that it isn’t really about the house, which some persons have described as a heaven on earth, but the timing, the funfair, extravagant ceremony and the unnecessary flaunting of the magnificent edifice by the governor’s praise singers and clueless appointees who go about posting and celebrating the mansion as if it is a sort of a dividend of democracy and a gift to the people of Kogi State.

    Common-sense demands that since the governor is doing little or nothing to ameliorate the sufferings of the masses of Kogi State, he would stop doing things that will further increase their pain and frustrations. Erecting a gigantic multi-million naira mansion and rubbing it on the faces of the hungry masses is tantamount to dancing on the graves of those who have lost their lives to accidents while travelling to participate in the more than one year screening exercise that the administration embarked upon with no tangible result to show for it. It insults the patience and sensibilities of the workers who have endured hunger and humiliation as a result of the hardship imposed on them by the Yahaya Bello administration.

    The families of those who have committed suicide as a result of the economic hardship in the state wouldn’t smile at the mansion whenever they walk past it. Aside the fact that many of the governor’s appointees have allegedly become so rich that they are also building mansions of their own in choice areas across the state and beyond. The only thing they seem to be good at is haul insults at constructive critics, using gutter and garage languages. It is said that a sensible leader selects the best of the best and empower them to deliver on set goals and objectives.

    Our dear governor, you were not wrong to have built a house of your own in your home town, but the timing was wrong and so was the funfair and publicity it attracted. It makes no iota of common-sense that while President Muhammadu Buhari was away in Kano State commissioning state-of-the-art hospitals, roads and factories that has the capacity to employ more than 5000 unemployed, you were commissioning your mansion amidst hungry and poor Kogites.

     

    • Hussain Obaro,

    Lokoja, Kogi State.

  • 2019: Imo lawmakers endorse Okorocha’s son in-law for Governor

    2019: Imo lawmakers endorse Okorocha’s son in-law for Governor

    •A week after Okorocha appointed sister into cabinet

    Some Imo State lawmakers yesterday endorsed Mr. Uche Nwosu, son in-law to Governor Rochas Okorocha, to succeed him in Government House in 2019.

    Nwosu currently serves as the Governor’s Chief of Staff.

    Spokesman for the lawmakers, Mr. Henry Ezediaro, said yesterday that Nwosu qualifies to take over from Okorocha on the strength of “his humility and ability to fit into the shoes of the Governor.”

    Ezediaro who represents Oguta Council area said the decision to endorse the Chief of Staff was reached “after majority of the members met and declared him the best to run for the position.”

    Ezediaro who doubles as the Director General of the Ugwumba Mandate, one of the Nwosu’s campaign structures, added: “after a meeting of members of the House, we agreed, irrespective of party affiliations to endorse Ugwumba Uche Nwosu as our best choice for the governorship of Imo State in 2019.

    “We urge him to contest and if he does, we will produce him as governor in 2019.

    “Too many projects are going on in the state now at the same time. The governor may complete some. We need someone who can complete all and that person is Uche Nwosu.”

    He cited Okorocha’s free education policy, saying: “without Nwosu, the policy may die and that is why we want him to continue from where the Governor will stop.

    “His project has become our project.”

    He pledged to contribute “in line with what I did in 2015” twenty-seven buses and cash to support him.”

    The endorsement came barely a week after the governor swore in his younger sister, Ogechi Ololo, as Commissioner for Happiness and Couples’ Fulfilment.

    She was, until now, Deputy Chief Of Staff (Domestic and International Matters).

    The appointment has been criticized in many quarters as morally wrong.