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Tag: governors

  • Governors without character

    Governors without character

    Precisely because President Jonathan fights with might and means and because PDP is notorious for undermining the spirit of our laws including its own constitution, I predicted a few weeks back that Governor Rotimi Amaechi, despite his acclaimed superlative performance in office, the goodwill of his people and the support of the opposition was not likely going to survive the combined forces of an unforgiving president and a party that loathe the democratic process. That came to pass this Monday when Amaechi, an elected governor, was suspended by his party. This was coming shortly after the suspension of elected members of his state legislature.

    PDP and its elected or selected governors despise the democratic process in spite of their professed commitment to democratic rule. Their reaction to Amaechi’s victory in the NGF election and his subsequent suspension from the party has only but confirmed this lack of faith in the democratic process. Beyond this, the PDP governors have by their irresponsible outbursts, infantile lies and unnecessary heating up of the polity just to please the president, demonstrated their weakness of character.

    The story was that election for the position of chairmanship of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), was held in which 35 governors participated. The communiqué after the election by the NGF Director-General, Asishana Okauru, confirmed that “The governors of the 36 states of the federation at the sixth meeting of the year elected … for the next two years: chairman, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi, governor of Rivers State; and vice chairman, Alhaji Abullaziz Yari, governor of Zamfara State. All the governors present participated in the election except the governor of Yobe State who was not present”, Okauru concluded.” He later told journalists that Governor Amaechi won the election with 19 votes as against 16 votes scored by Governor Jang. He also stated that Governor of Zamfara State Abudlaziz Yari was elected vice-chairman of the forum after Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko stepped down for him.

    But without invalidating Okauru’s claims, PDP governors who as we have always said, behave like gangsters, told journalists that 17 governors had chosen Governor Jang as chairman of the NGF while Mimiko would serve as the vice chairman. Their crooked logic was that before the election, Jang had been endorsed by the 19 northern governor’s forum. These bad losers cannot even see the parallel in the triumph of Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the current speaker of the Lower House over the South-west PDP endorsed candidate for the position, ably supported by ex- President Obasanjo and President Jonathan.

    Tragically, the battle to discredit an election in which they actively participated was led by Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, the governor of Ondo State who himself has credibility problem. Critics of the very resourceful governor elected on the platform of Labour Party but now openly wears the cloak of PDP, speaks of his serial betrayal having dumped his benefactor, Adefarati, played Brutus on Dr Olusegun Agagu and used Tinubu to retrieve his PDP stolen mandate, only to cross over to President Jonathan, the highest bidder who was in a position to deploy the IG, an army battalion and a contingent of police to Ondo to ensure his victory during his re-election bid last year.

    He caught a pathetic picture as he tried to justify the perfidy of desperate PDP men trying to play on the intelligence of Nigerians. According to Mimiko, “Amaechi did not step down as chairman before the election in which he was a candidate; he produced some papers that he called ballot papers, there was no way we could trace the source, we don’t know whether they were pre-marked or whatever”.

    Mimiko’s attempt at misleading Nigerians is not in the character of forthright and proud people of Ondo he leads and who are known for calling a spade by its name. But more damaging to Mimiko’s testament is the testimony of his good friend, Dr Kayode Fayemi of Ektit who confirmed the election as free and fair, describing, with his usual grace and depth the outcome as ‘a vote for democracy’ and not as an endorsement of Amaechi or a vote against the president. Nigerians are more likely to believe Fayemi’s account of events than that of those the Yoruba call ’ko se eku, ko se eiye’ (neither rodent nor bird). Above all, the voting process during the NGF election, as shown by some television stations did further damage to the credibility of Mimiko and his PDP forum of bad losers.

    The graceless outing of Jonah Jang of Plateau also probably explains why he has for about eight years supervised bloodletting in his state. He knew he lost ‘fair and square’, yet demonstrating ecstasy after being declared winner by 17 governors on Saturday, he told journalists on arrival to Jos his state capital that “As far as I’m concerned I have been given an assignment and by the grace of God I will do my best to unite the forum and make sure the forum provides the right leadership for the people of Nigeria…”.

    But charity begins at home. Jang, who was not graceful enough to accept defeat, is obviously also deficit in tolerance and compromise, the two most important ingredients of democracy. He needs these attributes to stop the bloodletting between the Fulani and their chief hosts, the Berom. The Fulani have nowhere else to go. Asking them to go back to the Futa Jallon area where their great forbearers migrated from over 200 years ago is like asking the Jews and Arabs to go back to Ur in Iraq, where Abraham their great grandfather was given a vision of a land flowing with milk and honey. Even when in God’s mysterious ways, the land turned out to be hilly desert full of craters and valleys of death, rather than abandon the land to the Philistines its owners, they have turned it to a land flowing with blood of their children. What Plateau need to avoid such fate is compromise and Jang by his actions has proved he is deficit in honour.

    As for the chairman South-east Governors Forum, Peter Obi, “we in the South-east have always worked together as governors… the South-east together supported the candidacy of Jang.” Of course the position of the leadership of the South-east is well known to Nigerians. Their leaders often worked for themselves, feathering their own nests while shouting from the roof top about marginalization of the Igbos after trading off the presidency.

    The Chairman of the South–south Governors Forum, Governor Liyel Imoke said: “As chairman of the South-south Governors Forum, we also participated in the process that led to the emergence of Governor Jonah Jang. “Of course” the South–south has always stood behind this administration…” Imoke ‘s freudstian slip confirmed what everyone knows-that the PDP governors attempt to turn the truth on its head is all about president Jonathan 2015 ambition.

    The vice chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Governor Gabriel Suswam, also confirmed the adoption of “a new leadership led by Jang and supported by Governor Mimiko, the Iroko” during a meeting of northern governors. But Suswam did not make mention of the earlier election in which he participated.

    Governor Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State said: “we were contestants but stepped down for Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State to be our consensus candidate of the 19 Northern Governors Forum.” But except under feudalism, such an act cannot automatically transform Jang to NGF chairman.

    The chairman of the PDP governor’s forum, Governor Godswill Akpabio said: “Yesterday (Friday, it was agreed the chairmanship of the NGF be zoned to the PDP which is the party with the largest number of governors in the forum.” Since Amaechi won the election as a PDP governor, his suspension three days later, meant the script was written well in advance. And finally, if we stretch Akpabio’s logic, what then qualified Mimiko, the only Labour governor, as vice chairman when there are parties with higher number of elected governors?

  • When governors go gaga

    When governors go gaga

    THEY were in an unusually foul mood. Puffy faces. Red eyes. Lips firmly wedged together in a desperate bid to block the anger threatening to tear through their stomachs and the dam of tears battling to burst through their eyes.

    Why would governors be in such a mournful mood, like kids whose lollipops have been snatched by a discourteous elder? One of them was facing a battery of reporters, blubbing, blabbing and swearing that their man had been rigged out of the Governors’ Forum election. The others surrounded him. They were like an overrated school soccer team that had just lost a crucial match, lining up behind their captain to get some whacking from a distraught headmaster. Humbled. Hobbled. Humiliated. The governors were outfoxed by their own foxy indiscretion in a simple exercise that required the spirit of sportsmanship and not a do-or-die affair as advocated by their elders.

    For this set of governors, it was indeed a time to mourn. But they were not short of ideas. They suborned Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, a honourable man, to humbug the public by insisting that he won the election in which the incumbent, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, carried the day.

    The script was clear. There was to be no election to prevent Amaechi from retaining the seat. But Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio, another honourable man, the engine room of the massive anti-Amaechi scheme that turned awry, in his stark naivety, assured the Presidency that all would be well. He was armed with a list of 19 governors whom he said had voted for Jang – sorry, His Excellency Jang. It turned out that the list had been compiled in April when governors were summoned to the Villa to extract from them a commitment to back the President’s candidate. Now, there are claims of forgery to which Akpabio and his gang are yet to reply. A governor who was absent was said to have been part of the process. How? Even if indeed 19 had put pen to that paper, was it in anyway an indication of how they voted?

    Like flood victims desperate to salvage their belongings, the losers, with bold faces, presented Jang to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership as the chair of the Governors’ Forum, the winner of the much coveted prize. If you thought the comical road show would tail off, you were wrong, damn wrong. Jang returned home to Jos with his questionable prize, waving excitedly to a small crowd of people who had come to welcome him. He spoke of a national assignment – to use the Governors’ Forum for the benefit of all, and stormed a church to thank God, with the congregation singing high praises for what He had done. Merciful God!

    Shouldn’t comedy have its limits and limitations even in a country that has been a long running theatre of the bizarre, where reality is often blurred by the inanities of its leaders? Anyway, not so here. The Amaechi camp warned the “dissenters” to take it easy or face the ignominy of having the election shown on television. Apparently hooked on their mission to self-destruct, they kept fuelling the charade.

    And there it was on Tuesday, the counting of the ballots and the announcement of the winner, Amaechi, right on television. It was exciting. Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi had hinted of the contents of the video, saying Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan – please, feel free to add the prefix His Excellency – was the Returning Officer. Uduaghan, a doctor and a honourable man, denied that he played such a lowly role. It turned out – thanks to the revealing video – that His Excellency was right. He was no Returning Officer. He was the Supervisory Officer. Or better still, the Presiding Officer. His Excellency stood by the Returning Officer, Asissama Okauru, while the counting and sorting of ballots were on. When it was all over, he walked away dejectedly. Poor guy.

    Ondo State Governor Segun Mimiko – sorry, I keep forgetting the prefix, His Excellency; you may wish to put it before the name too – and Jang’s running mate let us all into the world of governors running a 36-man election. He said the tension was so high that only providence averted a fisticuff. Oh no; c’mon gents; that’s not good enough; you should have gone all the way. Isn’t it all part of the system? Ever seen a Nigerian election without blood, blows and bullets? Aren’t they the badges of a great election, which you all proudly wear?

    That was a great disservice to Nollywood. Imagine an Akpabio – bulgy tummy, cheeks and all – facing an athletic Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, a physical exercise freak, in a no-holds-barred session, with all the other Excellencies by the ring side. Imagine. That would have been an instant box office hit, premiered on Democracy Day. I was told that Akpabio objected to Aregbesola filming the show, but the Osun governor, as inventive as ever, told Akpabio to stay off his camera and found a way of bringing what has been a huge success on YouTube and the local television stations.

    The Presidency, apparently seeing that it had backed a misbegotten mission, washed its hands of it, saying President Goodluck Jonathan had no interest whatsoever in the matter. Haba! They can say that a million times, but who will believe them? Who?

    Now when governors pray at their meetings, will they find it easy closing their eyes and not feeling that somebody will draw a dagger?

    The Villa made no pretence about its objection to Amaechi’s vision for the forum. He insisted on true federalism and fiscal responsibility as well as strict adherence to the rule of law – a much abused concept on which this administration anchored its image, but which has become an irritant sloganeering – and became a thorn in the flesh. He was persecuted. His state’s aircraft has been grounded on questionable excuses. Some Rivers oil wells have gone to Bayelsa on grounds that are still being contested. The PDP leadership in the state has been changed in rancorous circumstances. The House of Assembly has suspended a local government’s officials for alleged fraud, but the PDP has blamed the action on Amaechi. He has been suspended. Is he the Assembly?

    It is all part of the growing fratricidal war in the PDP in the run-up to the 2015 election. The self-acclaimed biggest party in Africa is obviously jittery that many of its leading lights may have seen the light and would not want to be on the wrong side of history. So, they are jumping ship to the fledgling All Progressives Congress (APC).

    For the PDP, the cycle seems to be closing. Most of the 36 governors belong to the party. They have just shown the world how they have been winning elections, but even the best of magicians, tricksters and pranksters know that no show can last forever. The PDP, by overheating the polity and confusing governance with politics in a country that is so desirous of great leadership, is writing its own obituary.

    Nigeria, a country that seems to be perpetually at war – Boko Haram, corruption, hunger, disease and decaying infrastructure, among other ailments – deserves a better leadership, considering its situation.

    Many have questioned the rationale behind the formation of a Governors’ Forum. They say it has no constitutional backing and nobody should lose sleep over its leadership. In official circles, it has been derided as a mere trade union, like the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). Whichever way we look at it, the crisis has elevated it to a big prize, a smashing beauty desperately desired by the Presidency, yet so far from its long reach.

    To some, it is all part of the huge joke that our leaders are turning Nigeria into. Consider this sent to me by a friend: “New movie premiere. How three PDP governors ‘ported’ Akpabio. Now showing at Nigeria Governors’ Forum. Action-packed. Don’t miss it. Tickets free, courtesy of Aso Wreck Inc.”

    I do not believe the governors should apologise for causing so much embarrassment to us all. Where is our sense of humour? After all, was it not all in the spirit of Children’s Day?

     

     

     

     

  • Governors to elect chair Friday

    Governors to elect chair Friday

    The Nigeria Governors Forum(NGF) will on Friday elect a new chairman.

    The contest will be between the incumbent Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and either Governor Ibrahim Shema (Katsina) or Isa Yuguda of Bauchi State.

    The Presidency is to back either Shema or Yuguda.

    Pro and anti-Amaechi supporters are lobbying the Northern Governors Forum for support.

    As part of steps to form a united front for the poll, a meeting of the Northern Governors Forum will hold tomorrow in Abuja.

    A notice has been sent to all the 36 governors on the election, which will hold between Friday night and Saturday morning.

    A source said: “Although the tenure of Amaechi will end on May 29, 2013, the election has been slated for Friday.

    “All the parties have intensified lobbying of NGF members, especially those in the Northern Governors Forum with 19 votes.”

    The Director-General of the NGF, Mr. Asisana Okauru, said: “The governors are meeting on Friday and election is part of the agenda.The election is for Forum members.”

    As at press time, investigation confirmed that the two sides had intensified their lobbying.

    “In fact on Monday, the anti-Amaechi forces led by the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Governor Gabriel Suswam met with the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, Dr. Babangida Aliyu on why Amaechi should be eased out of office.

    “Soon after they left, those for Amaechi also had an audience with Aliyu . There is no doubt a serious jostle for Northern votes. This is the case because Southern governors have been highly polarised.”

    It was learnt that the Northern governors will meet on Thursday in Abuja to take a position on who to back.

    Another source said: “ The Northern governors will meet to weigh options and X-ray the candidates.”

    But a former Chairman eof the NGF, Senator Bukola Saraki has intervened to ensure that the poll does not divide the Forum which he put on solid footing.

     

    The notice of Friday’s meeting and its agenda was made available last night by the secretariat of the Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF).

    Director General of the NGF, Asisama Okauru, announced the notice of the sixth meeting of the NGF in 2013 saying:

    “The chairman Rt. Hon, Rotimi C. Amaechi has requested for a meeting of all members as follows: Date: Friday24th May 2013.

    “Time: 400pm prompt, Venue: Rivers State Governors Lodge, Abuja. Address No. 5 Justice Mohammed Bello Street,

    “Agenda: 1, Election of forum officials: Chairman, Vice Chairman, Vacant Seats on the Board of Trustees NC1, NE1, NW2, SW 1, SE1

    “For members of the executive committee representing geopolitical zones (the chairman and vice chairman automatically represent their zones)

    “2. AOB

    “Notice of intent to run for these positions should kindly reach the secretariat before May 24, 2013. Thank you.”

     

  • Tukur urges PDP governors to prepare for 2015 polls

    Tukur urges PDP governors to prepare for 2015 polls

    The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has urged the governors elected on the platform of the party to begin preparations for the 2015 elections.

    Tukur spoke yesterday when he hosted some former members of the National Assembly in his Abuja home.

    He warned PDP governors not to fall prey to the antics of those he called praise singers, adulators and grovellers milling around them.

    Tukur hailed the PDP governors for what he called their landmark achievements, adding that he had been assessing the progress of the governors in their states.

    He advised them not to ascribe the glory of their achievements to themselves but to the party which he said offered them the platform to serve.

    Tukur said: “Most of the PDP governors have indeed been implementing the party’s manifesto on education, infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, power generation, transformation, aviation and others.

    “After a thorough review of developmental initiatives by state governments across Nigeria, I have come to the conclusion that PDP governors remain the best with landmark achievements.

    “The best performing governors are in PDP, no doubt. I took note of this during the reconciliation tour we made. I also got reports on their day-to-day performances. To me, we must give the PDP the credit.

    “If you are performing and everybody acknowledges it, it is not you who should take the credit, but the PDP. It is the party that gave you the platform to serve and so the party’s name, like a label, must be attached to every achievement you made”.

     

  • Group hails governors on performance

    A group, the Oduduwa Youth Council (OYC), yesterday said Governors Rauf Aregbesola (Osun) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) have performed beyond expectation in their two-and-a-half years in office.

    It described the performance of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governors as “unprecedented”.

    In a statement by its National Coordinator, Mr. Festus Omoniyi-Bello, the group said the governors are a blessing to the Yoruba race.

    It said it was convinced that Fayemi and Aregbesola would be reelected because of their outstanding performance.

    OYC said: “We are happy that the era of gangsterism is gone in the two states, as well as other Southwest states.”

    It chided the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Communications, Dr. Doyin Okupe, for his comment that ACN National Leader Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari were liabilities to the country.

    The group said: “Tinubu is the architect of the transformed Lagos State. He is a pacesetter and great achiever. Buhari is a statesman with zero tolerance for corruption, which has become endemic in the country.

    “In 2015, we will know if Okupe can win his unit in Ogun State for President Goodluck Jonathan with his boasting. Then, the people will determine who is a political liability.”

     

  • Governors seek 25% price-reduction to acquire INEC’s machines

    Governors seek 25% price-reduction to acquire INEC’s machines

    GOVERNORS yesterday got the nod from the National Economic Council (NEC) to acquire the 78,701 laptops and webcams used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for public schools in their domains.

    The NEC monthly meeting, comprising 36 governors, Ministers of National Planning, Finance, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Governor of Central Bank (CBN), is chaired by Vice President Namadi Sambo.

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who briefed reporters in the company of other NEC members, said the states should negotiate a 25 per cent for the old machines and 10 per cent for the new ones with INEC.

    With Oshiomhole were: Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo, Niger State Deputy Governor Ahmed Musa Ibeto and Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Dr. Abraham Nwankwo.

     Oshiomhole said: “Council further discussed and supported INEC’s proposal at the last NEC to sell-off a total of 78,701 excess laptops and webcams to the states for distribution to secondary schools for the promotion of computer literacy.

    “Council agreed that states are going to buy the machines and INEC should give discount of 25 per cent for the old machines and 10 per cent for the new ones. Further negotiation on the mode of payment will be finalised by the committee with INEC.”

  • Governors: no to emergency rule

    Governors: no to emergency rule

    Governors kicked yesterday against the alleged plan by the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in three troubled northern states – Borno, Yobo and Nasarawa.

    Although the Federal Government has denied the plan, saying no decision had been reached on the matter, governors said President Goodluck Jonathan should not heed the call for emergency declaration.

    The states’ helsmen issued two statements – by Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in his capacity as the chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) and Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi on behalf of the newly formed Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF).

    The NGF said: “We urge the Federal Government to continue to support affected states in the bid to check violence. The Federal Government should remain focused and continue to provide leadership until every part of Nigeria is rid of violence and insurgency.”

    “We also call on the Federal Government to ignore the ongoing agitation for a state of emergency in some parts of the country. These requests are being made by people who do not wish our country well and who are bent on plunging the country into a deeper crisis.

    “The Federal Government should not allow itself to be distracted from our collective goal of curbing the insurgency in some parts of our country once and for all.

    He went on: “We in the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) hereby condemn the recent violence and killings in some parts of our country – Borno, Nasarawa, Benue, Adamawa and some other states. We also commiserate with the people and government of those states, our security agencies and the families of the victims and pray God to give them and indeed every Nigerian the fortitude to bear the loss.

    “While urging security agencies to continue to do their jobs as professionally as possible, we appeal to all aggrieved individuals and groups in Nigeria to appreciate the fact that violence can never be a solution to any problem. We have no other country to call home and it is important that we understand the danger and futility of destroying our land in the pursuit of a selfish agenda.

    “It is gratifying that government – Federal and State – are working hard to get to the root of the killings and nip this orgy of violence in the bud. We are impressed by the magnanimity of the Federal Government, which has demonstrated an uncommon love for the country by setting up a Committee to explore the possibilities of granting amnesty to the members of the Boko Haram sect.

    “It is also a good step that government has agreed to cooperate fully with the National Human Rights Commission in the investigation of the killings in Baga.

    “We also commend our security agencies for the selfless sacrifice they are making in the interest of us all to restore calm to all parts of our country.”

    The PGF said: “The Progressive Governors’ Forum unequivocally condemns the breach of peace and mindless bloodletting in the states and empathises with our brother Governors Alhaji Kashim Shettima, Alhaji Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, Alhaji Ibrahim Geidam and the good people of Borno, Nassarawa and Yobe states, as well as the people of other states affected. We equally extend our sympathies to the families of the gallant soldiers, policemen and men of the State Security Service (SSS), that have lost their lives in the course of duty.

    “While it might be argued in some quarters that the Presidency is well-intentioned with the reported intended course of action aimed at restoring sustained peace to the affected states, we would like to draw the attention of Mr. President to historical perspectives and contemporary conflict resolution methodologies for consideration before taking such a far-reaching decision.

    “We find the reported course of action incongruent with the posturing of the Presidency which has been reported to be pursuing dialogue with the non-state actors reportedly responsible for the breach of the peace in those states. Less than three weeks ago a Presidential Committee was empanelled to look into the issues and deploy mediation among other measures and make recommendations to Mr. President; why then would the Presidency want to pre-empt the work of the committee by declaring state of emergency in the affected states.

    “We note that the Federal Government under the leadership of former President Umaru Musa Yar’adua, was able to successfully contain the Niger Delta crisis by creating the space for credible dialogue with the aggrieved militants, within the framework of a period of amnesty. More importantly, the government at the time worked assiduously with all stakeholders to address the socio-economic issues that catalysed such unrests especially youth unemployment.

    “In view of the foregoing, the Progressive Governors’ Forum implores Mr. President to be consistent with the combination of dialogue and mediation which he has already set in motion, and stay action on the planned declaration of State of Emergency in the affected states, which we believe would be counter-productive. It is also suggested that the Presidency, in addition to the committee, consults extensively with the leadership of the Christian and Muslim Communities as well as Eminent Traditional rulers across the country pursuant of a critical path to sustainable peace in the country.

    “Already, the international community has condemned the excesses of our security forces in their recent campaigns that recorded widespread human rights violations – a state of emergency would precipitate the conditions for the escalation of such excesses.

    “Mr. President is further encouraged to step-up the criminal intelligence gathering machinery of our security forces with a view to pre-empting the wanton destruction of lives and property. This, in our opinion, is in tandem with contemporary statecraft which focuses on preventive rather than reactive responses to breaches of peace and tranquillity in any state.

    “We believe the presence of the Joint Task Force (JTF) in the affected areas is capable of restoring peace, if properly coordinated. Thus, any attempt to declare a state of emergency would be seen as a mere excuse to remove the governors by every means.

    “Lastly, it is in our collective interest for the Presidency to concentrate efforts on addressing the socio-economic issues that catalyse crime in any society as well as ensuring equity and justice in the administration of our great country, Nigeria. In other words, an economic-cum-security strategy would yield more enduring dividends than a law and order response. This, in our view, is the surest way to achieve peace and progress.”

  • 23 governors to join APC

    23 governors to join APC

    Eight pro-All Progressive Congress (APC) governors and political heavy weights yesterday converged on Owerri, the Imo State capital, for the fledgling party’s maiden sensitisation and awareness rally in the Southeast.

    The Heroes’ Square venue of the rally, was jammed as early as 8am. Party chieftains, politicians, captains of industry, traders and artisans defied the scorching sun to listen to the message – change.

    At the rally were Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); Adams Oshiomhole (Edo); Rauf Aregbosola (Osun); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo); Kashim Shetima (Borno) and Tanko al-Makura (Nasarawa).

    Speaking at the packed rally, which coincided with the Imo Freedom Day celebration, host Governor Rochas Okorocha disclosed that 23 governors have joined the newly formed APC. According to him, the governors are waiting for the right time to publicly declare for the party. He said their decision to wait was for obvious reasons.

    Okorocha, however, noted that his party – the All Progressives Grand Alliance, (APGA) – is neither joining any political party nor going into any alliance but in a merger with others to form a new party, APC.

    He said it was a matter of time for the APC to take over every level of governance, adding that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has failed the people in the 13 years of return to democracy, stressing that Ndigbo are for APC.

    The visiting governors, who were visibly impressed by the massive turnout at the rally, took turns to deride the PDP leadership style. They restated APC’s commitment to giving Nigeria a better leadership.

    Fashola, who drew a resounding ovation from the cheerful crowd, described APC as a great train of change. He said: “We have set about a course that is irrevocably committed to giving power back to the people. We believe that Nigeria needs a change and APC will bring about that change.”

    Taking the floor after Fashola, Ajimobi noted that the PDP had gone from bad to worse. He said the only option left to salvage the nation is the APC.

    Shetima said the exceptional performance of the pro-APC governors are testimonies of how great the country would be if the party became the ruling party. He urged the people to support the party for the good of the land, adding that the party is out to redefine governance.

    Amosun said they were pleased to see that the performance of their Imo State colleague was real.

    Amosun said: “This is what we want and this is what the APC represents. The battle has just begun; APC must succeed for the benefit of Nigerians because there is no better platform.

    Al-Makura described Okorocha’s performance as the beginning of what the people of the State will witness in terms of development, noting that it is worth celebrating. He urged the people to support the governor.

    “You cannot salvage the country with people who are fake, people who are pseudo democrats,” he said.

    Fayemi said: “A time like this calls for visionary leaders as seen in all the states where the APC is holding sway. No amount of intimidation will deter us from working together to salvage the country.

    “No one is happy with what is going on; that is why we have embarked on this rescue mission; that is why we have embarked on the freedom journey.”

    Aregbesola, who held the surging crowd spellbound with his songs and dance steps, described the APC as a bulldozer that will crush everything on its way, including the ruling PDP.

    He called on the people to say ‘no’ to unemployment, poverty and hunger, which he said PDP has given Nigerians as a legacy.

    Oshiomhole noted that when he led a protest of workers to Imo State as a labour leader, he met a state with filthy streets, dilapidated infrastructure, “but now, everything in Imo State has changed”.

    The Edo governor described Imo as an example of what Nigeria will look like in every area of national life when the APC becomes the ruling party. He urged the people to continue to support the governor.

  • Senate justifies six-year term for President, governors

    Senate justifies six-year term for President, governors

    The Senate yesterday justified the inclusion of a single six-year tenure for the president and governors in the draft amendment to the Constitution.

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe told reporters in Abuja that the development was the outcome of public hearings across the country.

    Abaribe said the item came up for discussion during the retreat of the Senate Committee on Constitution Review in Lagos last week.

    He said the retreat collated and streamlined the presentations from the public hearings, adding that further details would be given when it comes up for discussion at plenary.

    Abaribe said: “The retreat collated and streamlined all the reports that came in from the senatorial districts and the public hearings we held.

    “We received memoranda as well as recommendations on the issue. You will recall that at the inception of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, he also made a recommendation of that nature on the topic.”

  • Governors should respond to Jibril Aminu’s diatribe

    Senator Jibril Aminu, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources, is a man of unlimited candour. That candour has served him well over the years. Not minding his age, he is certain to go on speaking his mind candidly until his last breath. Last Saturday, according to the Vanguard newspaper, he took on the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, describing them as malevolent busybodies who were undermining Nigeria’s young democracy and attempting to extend their budding suzerainty to the presidency. Said he: “The governors are against all of us and the president. They have organised to stop the government from doing what is right for this country. You can see that they have organised to stop anything functioning in Nigeria without them…Governors are the ones imposing things on the rest of us. The problem with the governors is that they meet regularly and have their way by threatening the president that they would not support him for second term…Number one, they have stopped the local government from functioning. They decide what amount to give to the local governments under their control. They decide what the LGA chairmen should spend, up to the last kobo…”

    Even though in their campaign against the President Goodluck Jonathan government, the governors have received the support of a great majority of Nigerians, it is hard to ignore the senator’s salient views. But let us ignore his sweeping generalisation that the governors are against the president and the rest of us; and let us also dismiss his contention that the governors are imposing themselves on us and preventing the country from functioning. However, there is little doubt that his observation that the governors have virtually emasculated the local governments is unimpeachable, and the governors will be tongue-tied to gainsay him.

    But Aminu was not done. Hear him: “Unfortunately, there is nobody to call the governors to order because they have already swallowed the Houses of Assembly that would have served as a check on them. Today, nobody gets any job or appointment at the state level without the approval of the governors. Even election into the National Assembly is controlled by governors. So they have super powers and nothing gets to anybody except the governor approves same. Not satisfied with the powers they have already usurped, the governors now want to extend their power to the president.” Brilliantly put, but is the president, his great idol, not even more powerful and rapacious? Did Chief Olusgeun Obasanjo, for instance, not attempt to play more than God in enthroning and dethroning public officials, including governors? It would not be a bad idea if the governors were restrained, for they have sometimes acted so impetuously and imperiously that you begin to wonder whether we are in a democracy. After all, the Nigerian president has also nearly always acted like a monarch. If governors must be restrained for democracy to survive, it is even more necessary for the president to be bound with new and strong fetters if we are not to be ruined.