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Tag: governors

  • ‘Why crisis persists in Governors’ Forum’

    ‘Why crisis persists in Governors’ Forum’

    Bayelsa State Governor Seriake Dickson spoke with reporters on the activities of his administration, the crises rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, and how to tackle insecurity in the country. EMMANUEL OLADESU reports the exerpts.

     

     

    What are the challenges confronting you as the governor of Bayelsa State?

    The challenges are enormous. We knew in this state that things were not right. There was the absence of governmental structures and core values. We have a mindset to build. Don’t forget that this area, Bayelsa, was the least developed part of Rivers State when it was created. The governors of the old Rivers State were mainly from Bayelsa, but they were not parochial people. Ijaw man is not parochial. So, they concentrated critical development in the old Rivers State. So, when Bayelsa was created, the challenges were many. You now have limited resources that cannot match the cost of developing this very difficult terrain. Yes, we earn more than other states. That is what a lot of people look at. But they don’t look at the challenges and match it. Because when God gave this place oil resources, God also knew that our problems-the cost of developing this area-is more than some other parts of this country. So, because of that dislocation, we have issues of funding, which we are addressing. That is why people call me ‘tight hand governor’ because we have to manage the available resources prudently and be very clear on our priority that is what we are doing.

    What is your position on the proposed amnesty for the Boko Haram sect?

    I want to commend the President for his large heartedness in proposing amnesty, even for Boko Haram members. Of course, what is driving Boko Haram is different from what was driving the Niger Delta militants. Whereas the insurgency in the Niger Delta was premised on economic isues, rights and deprivation of rights; the one in Boko Haram is religious fundamentalism. I think we should give amnesty a chance. Those who say amnesty should not be extended to Boko Haram members also have a very strong point on account of the mindless, criminal, despicable and wanton destruction of property and lives. And even now, from what we are reading, they seem to say they have not done anything wrong and they are rejecting amnesty. But the President has done well by proposing amnesty. Let that not be the excuse for not getting all hands on deck to address that issue. Let us not politicise anything and everything in this country, particularly something as critical as national security. We are going through very serious trying moment in this country and I get bothered when senior political leaders and opinion leaders in this country, because they want to get an advantage, they want to play politics, even with amnesty, Boko Haram and national security.

    What is the implication of the intra-party crisis in the PDP, especially in the face of the on-going merger of opposition parties and the birth of the APC?

    Crises and conflicts are inevitable in politics and in a big party like the PDP. In politics, you are managing, not just a clash of ideas and vision, but there will also be clash of ego. So, democratic politics promotes diversity and diversity sometimes generates conflict and tension. But the democratic system must be managed in such a way that democracy and the rule of law will prevail. . On the APC, I want use this opportunity to urge the leaders of the opposition to work hard to bring about a virile, effective and viable opposition; an opposition that will play by the rule, an opposition that will be in a position to confront the ruling party in a market place of ideas and vision. We are looking forward to virile debates on various issues; on the economy, on national security. If they are viable as a party, we want to engage then and let us see the alternative viewpoints that are contending for the minds and hearts of our people beyond issues of religion, ethnicity and zoning. The whole political engagement is all about grandstanding, manipulation, positioning and it sickens me, really. I’m not speaking for my party. But I will be very happy to see a very virile, effective and well organised opposition because a democracy without an opposition is dictatorship. There must be a viable opposition in democracy. Instead of rumours, blackmail and propaganda, I look forward to an engagement; an organised opposition that can confront us and then present an alternative vision. We have to develop that tradition in this country. I’m not a spokesman for the PDP. I don’t see any reason why anybody in the PDP is supposed to be scared of the APC. We just need to focus on what we are doing and, at the end of the day, if the electoral process is free and fair, and Mr. President has always promised Nigerians that, Nigerians will decide who wins power.

    Why did the PDP come up with the PDP Governors’ Forum?

    The governors’ forum is primarily a mechanism for peer review of governors who are equal. You do not have to be a member of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to be a governor. It is just like your association, the NUJ. Whether you are there or not, you are functioning. So, the Governors’ Forum is a platform for peer review mechanism. It is a platform for collaborating with the federal government on the critical issues of development, national security and other challenges that come up. The Governors’ Forum is not and should not be a platform for the control of national politics because we are not elected to run the country. We, as governors, are elected to manage our states. So, the Governors’ Forum cannot be allowed to go on as a trade union. Of course, that is wrong. What has happened is that people are taking advantage of the development and discontent in our system to manipulate it to suit their individual whims and caprices. But what is wrong is wrong. Look at the United States Governors’ Forum where we even copied it from, you don’t see Governors’ Forum there coming to tell President Barack Obama what he should and what he should not do. We are provincial players, governors because our mandates is to lead our states, not to run the federation. Those who have a mandate to run the Federation are the President, Vice President, the elected members of our National assembly and the political leadership of the parties. Those are the people who have a platform. And, if as a governor I have any strong view on the things that go on at the federal level, we have avenues; informal, formal. We have the National Economic Council. Over the years, I think what has happened, particularly in the PDP, and it is very unfortunate. It is unfortunate that it is rubbing off on the governors from the opposition parties. What has happened over the years is that governors of the PDP who became chairmen of the Governors’ Forum attempted to use it as a platform for playing national politics; a platform for occupying the national political space. It is wrong. It shouldn’t be allowed. That’s why the idea of the PDP Governors’ Forum became necessary. You see things being manipulated as if anybody is disturbing anybody, instead of saying no, this thing you guys are doing is wrong. People are saying as if there is a crisis and somebody does not want somebody. No. The Governors’ Forum is simply a peer review mechanism; no more, no less. PDP governors have the right to have their own group because the associative right is a first thing in a democracy. ACN governors and others, even councilors, have associations. There is so much focus on what goes on in the PDP. If you are in the PDP, you will meet at the structure of the PDP to resolve problems, if you are not in the PDP, you concentrate on your party and work hard to defeat the PDP. You don’t operate outside the PDP and control the PDP or want the PDP to do things according to your own wish. But people want to stay in PDP and still play the role of a political opponent. That is indiscipline. If you cannot be a good PDP member, you will not be useful, even to any opposition party and these opposition party leaders are very experienced politicians. I had the honour of playing politics with most of them. I have a lot of regard for them. They know what they are doing. They are serious Nigerians. They mean well for this country and they also know the charlatans.

    What effort is being made to reconcile President Goodluck Jonathan and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi?

    You press people should not equate a provincial player with the elected President of the Federal Republic. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria cannot have misunderstanding with a provincial player as a governor of Rivers State or any other governor for that matter. As governors, we are elected to run our states, no more, no less. If you want the mandate to run Nigeria, you contest an election for it. Don’t do it through the back door. If you want to be a leader of opposition, you go to the opposition. What is happening is that people are taking advantage of our weak institutions and our fledgling democracy such that sometimes, you don’t even know who belongs to where. I’m not aware of any misunderstanding between the President of Nigeria and a provincial player like myself who is a governor of a state. You are demeaning the Presidency and you shouldn’t do that in this country. He brings in the President as if he is at the same level or at par with the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Whether that is right or not, Nigerians will talk. But what we know is that, for you to be a good leader, you must be a good follower first.

    Rivers State and Bayelsa states have not resolved the dispute over oil wells. What is the situation now?

    People are playing politics with critical issues that can explode. They play politics with anything and everything. This thing you talked about has been in existence for long, even before the creation of Bayelsa State. Even when these two local governments were in the old Rivers State, commissions of enquiries were set up. As a governor, your responsibility is to use the existing institutions to solve problems. What I have been doing is to call for peace and I’m using our existing channels, both within the Ijaw system, because these people are all Ijaw people in case you don’t know; the Kalabari are Ijaw people, the Nembe people in Bayelsa are Ijaw people. Just because of the way the country came into being and states were created and today, we now find ourselves, some in Rivers and some in Bayelsa, they are not enemies.

     

     

  • Egbe Omo Yoruba partners Southwest governors

    Egbe Omo Yoruba partners Southwest governors

    A 13-member delegation of a pan-Yoruba socio- cultural group, the National Association of Yorùbá Descendants in North America (Egbé Omo Yorùbá) is in Nigeria to partner with Southwest governors on economic development.

    The delegation is in the country to partner the governors, industrialists and traditional rulers on how to contribute to the development of the region.

    It consists of some members of the Executive Council, the president, past presidents, secretaries and some chapter members of the association.

    The association’s National Secretary of Public Affairs, Dr Ayodeji Famuyide, said its new focus is economic empowerment, community development, education and improvement of other sectors, adding that the association has been around for the past 22 years.

    “If government could channel its resources and support foreign investors, it will be worth-while,” he said.

    National President of Egbe Omo Yoruba, Honourable (Yèyé Àfin) Monílólá Tènabè explained that the association is creating an awareness that Yoruba descendants across the world are in communion with one other, which is the idea behind the formation of the Egbe Omo Yoruba. She said the association which is trying to keep the legacy championed by the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

    She said the association, with its headquarters in Washington DC, is non-partisan and believes in true federalism, adding that the main agenda is the Yoruba agenda, which is paramount.

    According to the delegation, the main objective of the visit is to make an “on-site” analysis of the present socio-economic and political situation in the Southwest region (Yorùbá states), with the aim of proposing and presenting logistics for government/private partnership that would be needed for development programmes for the region, while having first-hand knowledge of the “red tapes” for the involvement of the Yorùbá in the Diaspora.

    A statement issued by the association noted that it would examine ways of enhancing collaborative relationships among the Southwest states in the implementation of service and manufacturing-based programmes across the states. Also to be examined are logistics in setting up youth empowerment programmes, health and human resource education.

    The visit is part of the resolutions reached at the first quarter meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of the association held at Houston, Texas, US in February, where issues on socio-economic development of Southwestern region and marginalisation of Yorùbá in Nigeria were extensively discussed.

     

  • Governors not in touch with Boko Haram, says Shehu Sani

    Rights activist Mallam Shehu Sani has said Northern governors cannot play any role in the ongoing effort by the Federal Government to get members of the Boko Haram sect to embrace amnesty.

    Sani, who is the President of the Kaduna-based Civil Rights Congress (CRC), said none of the governors has access to the sect’s members, and, therefore, cannot help in stopping the insurgency.

    The activist warned the government against disbursing the tax payers’ money to enrich some people in the name of amnesty, more so that the group has rejected the amnesty offer by the government.

    Speaking with reporters in Kaduna, Sani said members of the sect never demanded money from anybody, adding that the government was only playing to the gallery with the constitution of a committee on the insurgency.

    Drawing a line between the activities of militants in the Niger Delta and those of Boko Haram, Sani said the militants made monetary demands, which the Boko Haram group never did.

    He said: “I don’t think it is true that Northern governors are in touch with Boko Haram. If it is true, Boko Haram members will even acknowledge that they are in touch with them.

    “But the leader of Boko Haram has made it very clear that they are opposed to amnesty. So, anybody who wants to use amnesty for his own pecuniary gain is quite different.

    “The fundamental issue is, you cannot give amnesty to people who do not want it. You want to give something and somebody said he doesn’t want, and so what happens? I think we have failed in this amnesty deal because of the wrong steps taken.

    “First of all, they set up a committee and nobody knows who the members of the committee are. If you set up committee with people of high-level and don’t have access to the leadership of Boko Haram, you are simply wasting your time.

    “I am using this opportunity to call on Nigerians not to let tax payers’ money be used in the name of settling insurgents. Let tax payers’ money not be used on amnesty issue. Boko Haram has never made any financial demands. I believe they are not opposed to the issue but approaches.

    “Money cannot solve the problem of Boko Haram. They have not made financial request and, secondly, they are not fighting because they need money.

    “Those wanting to use cash to quell this insurgency are those working to profit from the case. If we think we can apply and adopt the amnesty that was used in Niger Delta to what is happening here, I think we have misread the situation.”

  • ‘Why some governors want Tukur to go’

    ‘Why some governors want Tukur to go’

    The insistence by some state governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on the removal of the national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, for peace to reign in the party has been attributed to the struggle for the party’s 2015 presidential election ticket.

    A chieftain of the party from one of the Southsouth states told The Nation on condition of anonymity that the governors involved in the plot are actually locked in the stifling battle with the chairman over his perceived favourable disposition toward President Goodluck Jonathan flying the party’s flag in 2015.

    It was learnt that most of the governors elected on the platform of the party are clearly averse to the ‘moves’, which seem to indicate the intention of the President to scheme for a second term, although he is yet to openly declare his ambition.

    “The national chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, is strongly in favour of the President flying the party’s ticket and he has been doing everything to drum support for him at every opportunity. For instance, the chairman has not allowed the governors to seize the control of the party in their states; he rather thinks the Presidency should take absolute control of the party, no matter whose ox is gored.

    “It is this iron cast position of Alhaji BamangaTukur that has locked him in a battle of wits with the PDP governors. This is novel. It has never happened in the history of this party before. The governors want Bamanga sacked so that they can take absolute control of the party and its soul so that they can dictate to the President and frustrate his ambition of having a go at the Presidency in 2015. After all we know those who are bent on succeeding the President by hook or crook among the governors” the party stalwart said.

    When reminded that the President has not told anybody he is interested in 2015, he dismissed it as ‘political naivety’ to say that the President is not interested in 2015. According to the source, all was well between the governors and the national chairman of the party until he came up with the idea of the Presidency having full control of all the organs of the party. For him, it is the only guarantee for the President is to succeed with his 2015 agenda.

    “Initially, when information filtered out about the plans of Alhaji Tukur taking control of the national organs of the party for the sake of the president’s ambition, most of the governors considered him as a joker because the National Working Committee (NWC) and the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party are populated by nominees of the governors.

    “However, following a court decision on the congresses of the party in the Southwest as illegal and the swift reaction of the national executive of the party to the court decision, and replacement of the National Secretary of the party, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, then the eyes and ears of the governors in the party executive, got the governors to climb down on their high horses. The battle line was drawn and part of the plot is to get Bamanga Tukur out at all cost,” the source revealed.

    The source named the recent revelation of the alleged agreement signed by the President to do only one term and the prominence given to the crisis in the Adamawa State chapter of the party as some of the immediate reactions of the governors in their bid to “harass and brow beat the chairman are all part of the strategy of giving a dog a bad name in order to hang”.

    But the embattled national chairman is said to be enjoying the confidence and backing of the Presidency. “What those who are against the leadership of Tukur has failed to realise is that any revolt or opposition against Tukur is an open declaration of supremacy war on Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 ambition.

    “Clearly, all the so called transgression of Tukur for which they have vowed to get him removed are all to the benefit of the President. Therefore, he has all the support he needs from the Presidency to take on those opposed to the desire of Goodluck Jonathan to contest in 2015,” the source said.

     

  • PDP crisis: Tukur begs governors

    PDP crisis: Tukur begs governors

    • Opponents rally state chairmen, want PDP boss’powers diluted

    The embattled national chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, has jettisoned his tough stance against governors elected on the platform of the party.

    He is now wooing them, members of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) especially the G-84 comprising state chairmen and federal legislators ahead of the planned NEC meeting.

    Tukur wants the party men and women to forgive his sins and support him in riding through his biggest crisis yet as chairman of the party.

    But many of the governors are said to be adamant.

    They want him out or as a compromise have his power curtailed.

    Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State and Chairman of the Northern States Governors Forum (NSGF) recently decried what he called Tukur’s style of administration

    He accused him of running the party as a personal business.

    It was gathered last night that Tukur and members of the PDP National Working Committee (NWC) have started reaching out to governors and aggrieved stakeholders with a view to persuading them to sheathe their swords.

    But some of the governors are insisting on Tukur’s exit or at least his powers and breaches curtailed to move the party forward.

    They believe the 2015 poll is too close for Tukur to continue to flounder.

    The last NEC meeting was held in July 2012 whereas the PDP constitution stipulates that it should meet quarterly.

    Tukur has been reluctant to convene a meeting of the NEC for fear of being voted out of office.

    Following protest by the governors and members, however, the National Working Committee on Wednesday decided to convene NEC meeting on or before the end of April.

    Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the National Chairman of PDP and NWC members have started reaching out to the governors and members of NEC to stave off vote of no confidence and his removal.

    Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State and chairman of the PDP Governors Forum is said to be anchoring the battle to save Tukur’s job.

    A member of the NWC, said: “I am aware our chairman and some NWC members have started reaching out to aggrieved governors and NEC members to give peace a chance. They are promising to put things in order in the party, especially respect for the constitution of the party.

    “One of the governors assisting Tukur is Akpabio. They believe that Tukur has realised his mistakes or shortcomings and the party will be better for it.

    “I think there are signs we my get out of the crisis if the chairman is ready to respect the party’s constitution and ensure fairness.”

    However,a northern governor said: “Well, the situation at hand borders on either Tukur’s removal or checking his arbitrary powers or constitutional breaches. The NEC will determine which way to go.

    “At a time some parties are merging against PDP, our chairman cannot be ruling the party with an iron hand and be damning aggrieved members as if he can go it alone.”

    Responding to a question, the governor said: “It is true that Tukur is reaching out but the ball is really in his court.”

    Another party source said the governors, who failed to get the nod of President Goodluck Jonathan in their bid to oust Tukur, may have decided to use chairmen of the state chapters of the party against the embattled national chairman.

    President Jonathan during the week reportedly rejected pressure from the governors to sanction the removal of Tukur.

    It was gathered that the President did not see any reason to axe the national chairman. Rather, he appealed to the governors to forgive the many iniquities of the party boss in the interest of the party.

    Said the source:”The governors were not oblivious of the possibility of the President sticking out his neck for Tukur. They had another plan should that happen. So when they couldn’t get Jonathan to move against Tukur, they reverted to their second plan which is to mobilise the state party leaders against him.

    This will not be difficult given the meddlesomeness of the national chairman in the affairs of the state chapters. Also in his handling of the crises that rocked the party across the states, he angered many of the party functionaries in the states.”

    A chieftain of the party in the Southwest who confirmed to The Nation that the governors are already reaching out to the state party leadership concerning the plot, said the recent statement by Tukur that the party is planning fresh congresses for the zone has further annoyed members of the party.

    He said:””This is why we are in support of the call for a NEC meeting. There are many things we need to remind Tukur and his gang. They have forgotten that they are products of the same process that produced Oyinlola and the other southwest officials removed by them.

    “Now he is talking about fresh primaries or congresses in the Southwest. Was Oyinlola elected by only delegates from the Southwest? Was it not at the same venue Tukur and Oyinlola were elected. At the NEC meeting, we will be able to tell ourselves if something can stay on nothing.”

    A Senator also speaking on the crisis said: “One of the issues the governors are going to address at the NEC meeting is how to curtail Tukur’s excessive powers, including the management of a parallel NWC.

    “The governors and party leaders are disturbed that many activities of the party are being done outside the PDP Constitution. You must have seen the list of breaches compiled by stakeholders. Can a party like PDP survive with such a divided house?

    “This is why the governors are determined to check Tukur and asked him to abide by the constitution of the party.

    “This is necessary to avoid tyranny and ruling the party by an individual like a fiefdom. The constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is quite different from that of PDP in matters pertaining to administration of the party.

    “While the President has the power of hire and fire over members of his cabinet, the PDP national chairman is not in office in an executive capacity and has no such powers to remove any elected official unilaterally because members of the NWC were all elected from the national convention. They can only be removed in accordance with the party’s constitutional provisions.

    “It is indeed time for introspection by the party. Where did things go wrong and at what stage did the national chairman start being overbearing in his approach? Is it true that Bamanga Tukur came into office with the mindset that state governors were ‘’toddlers’’ when he was governor of old Gongola state in 1983?

    “Is it true that Tukur has clearly been misguided by his ‘’parallel’’ working committee in whom he believes than members of the national working committee? Is it true that functions of NWC members have been consistently usurped illegally by the hangers on? What is the justification for shifting the PDP headquarters to the Wuse residence of Tukur? Is it true that the national chairman by utterances and conducts has continued to encourage fragmentation of PDP?

    “These are issues to be considered before the Anenih committee and all well-wishers of the PDP to put the party on course again.”

    Meanwhile, a fresh row has broken out over the reasons given by the National Working Committee for not convening NEC meeting of the party.

    The National Publicity Secretary of the party, Chief Olisah Metuh, had on Wednesday cited the delay in electing a new chairman for the Board of Trustees of the party as a major factor for the lateness of the NEC session.

    But a highly-placed party source faulted the NWC’s position.

    The source said: “There is nowhere in the PDP constitution where it is stated that the meetings of the BoT and NEC must hold consecutively. Part VIII of the PDP constitution is explicit on the mode of convening meetings of both the NWC and the National Caucus. Chapter IX deals with the functions and related matters of the Board of Trustees.

    “It could be a matter of convention rather than the rule as PDP NEC meetings have been held in the past without being preceded by meetings of the National Caucus and the Board of Trustees.

    “These are three different organs of the party and NEC cannot justifiably be held down on account of anything having to do with BoT meeting.

    “The simple truth is that Tukur’s refusal to convene a NEC meeting in accordance with the PDP constitution is illegal.

    “And to have done that with impunity is criminal. That is why the PDP constitution allows for checks and balances which authorize two-thirds of NWC members to convene their meeting should the chairman refuse to approve.

    “The law also allows two-thirds of NEC members to call NEC meetings if the chairman fails in his duties to act constitutionally. Never in the history of PDP has any chairman adopted this type of style.”

  • Southwest governors urged to tighten security

    Southwest governors urged to tighten security

    Southwest governors have been urged to keep terrorists out of Yorubaland. This was contained in a statement issued at the end of the first Annual Yoruba International Convention held in Dubai, the United Arabs Emirate (UAE).

    The convention was organised by the Yoruba Global Coalition in the United Kingdom (UK) and hosted by the Yoruba Forum in the UAE.

    It was presided over by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111.

    A copy of the statement was given to reporters in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, by the Alaafin’s media aide, Mr. Fehintola Azeez.

    The governors were urged to ensure that Yorubaland remains safe for both residents and investors.

    The statement reads: “The six governors in Yorubaland are requested to facilitate the immediate takeoff of the projects proposed by the foreign investors, so as to encourage other foreign investors, who may want to invest in Yorubaland.

    “Some foreign investors earlier indicated their desire to start an airline. We urge Southwest governors to collectively approach the Federal Government for an aviation licence for the proposed Oduduwa Airline.

    “We call for an economic cooperation between Yorubaland and the UAE, particularly Dubai, so as to take advantage of the robust informal trade between Nigeria and the region.

    “We also call for the opening of Oduduwa Trade Missions in advanced countries. Such outlets would forge an economic cooperation between such countries and Yorubaland. The missions should be jointly promoted by the six Yoruba states and supervised by the Central Association of Yorubas in such countries.

    “Yoruba associations worldwide should set up special economic development bodies in their respective countries of domicile to facilitate development and advise the governors regularly.”

    Oba Adeyemi hailed the organisers of the programme and maintained that the Southwest remains one of the safest zones in the country.

    He said: “This is one of the reasons we have rapid growth.”

    The convention featured presentation of development programmes by Yoruba intellectuals in the Diaspora and foreigners willing to invest in Yorubaland.

     

  • Governors condemn non-conduct of council polls in states

    The Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) has condemned the non-conduct of local government elections in some states.

    The Director-General of its Secretariat, Mr Asisahna Okauru, yesterday in Abuja told reporters that the non-conduct of the elections in some states is an aberration.

    He said the issue should be addressed, as stipulated in the Constitution.

    The media briefing was organised to intimate reporters with NGF’s State Peer Review Mechanism (SPRM) findings and recommendations in Anambra and Ekiti states.

    The exercise was concluded recently.

    Okauru said civil society groups in Nigeria have a role to play in ensuring that the polls are conducted in the affected states.

    He noted that there is need for sustained pressure from the media and civil society groups to check governors of the affected states.

    The NGF chief said the forum’s peer review mechanism was a laudable initiative, adding that the media should help the forum to project it as well as its other activities.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the NGF peer review mechanism was conceived to assist states’ accelerated development.

    It ensures periodic reviews of progress in the implementation of states’ development policies, plans and programmes.

    It is expected that through their participation in the process, governors will learn new innovative and good practices from one another.

    Dr Afeikhena Jerome, the National Coordinator of SPRM, urged Anambra and Ekiti governments to urgently conduct council polls.

    According to him, this will enthrone good leadership and ensure that true representatives of the people are elected at that tier of government.

    Jerome, however, said Anambra State Government was doing well in some aspects, but there was need for the government to reform its budget process.

    He said this would require making the state’s budget comprehensive to capture all revenues from its development partners and the state’s counterpart contributions and inter-governmental transfer.

    Jerome noted that the Anambra Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) base was low, and there was a need for the state government to proffer ways of boosting it.

    He said the state Board of Internal Revenue needed to be professionalised and be well funded.

    “The government needs to recognise and strengthen its revenue collection machinery, especially the board of internal revenue which is not professionalised and poorly funded,’’ Jerome said.

    He, however, added that the state could learn from other states, which have relative fiscal independence.

    Jerome decried the deplorable state of federal roads in Anambra.

    He urged the government to lobby the Federal Government to refurbish the roads.

    The SPRM chief also said the state government could alternatively reach an agreement with the Federal Government on how to undertake the resuscitation of the roads through the State Road Maintenance Agency.

    On the findings of the NGF state peer review mechanism in Ekiti, Jerome said there was the need for the government to take steps to address the growing unemployment rate in the state.

    “Against the background of growing unemployment, the government is encouraged to pursue with vigour the various strategies and measures geared towards generating employment opportunities,’’ Jerome said.

    This, he said, would open up the state economy, especially in the private sector.

    The DFID-State Partnership for Accountability and Capacity was partnering with the NGF to drive the SPRM.

    Dr Jeo Abah, DFID National Programme Manager, said the SPRM was an honest assessment of states strength, weaknesses, opportunities and treats.

    He said the review brought about useful experiences from other governments and the international community to commend states for what they did well, and highlights those things they needed to do better.

    He urged governors to focus their efforts on those issues that had been identified in the SPRM report and for development partners to tailor their support to the real needs of states.

     

  • Why governors shunned PDP’s peace meeting

    Why governors shunned PDP’s peace meeting

    Anenih in rescue mission to Kano

    Tukur: it wasn’t for governors

     

    LEADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have launched a desperate battle to put its peace moves back on track.

    Many governors shunned the grand finale of the party’s peace tour on Sunday in Abuja because of National Chairman Bamanga Tukur’s refusal to convene the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, The Nation learnt last night.

    It was also learnt that the governors – 16 of them stayed away from the meeting – are unhappy over the lukewarm attitude of the party to their problems, especially the insecurity in Kano State.

    But sensing danger, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, yesterday launched a rescue-PDP-mission to appease the aggrieved governors.

    Anenih, apparently realising that Tukur’s reconciliation tour had left the party more divided, met with Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso yesterday in Kano.

    According to a governor, who pleaded not to be named, the governors are opposed to the breaching of the party’s constitution by Tukur.

    The source said: “Part of our grouse is that the National Chairman has refused to call a NEC meeting since July 2012. Instead, he is trying to bully or whip everyone into line, as if we are school boys.

    “We do not know why the party leadership has refused to comply with the provision of PDP Constitution on NEC. We learnt that Tukur is afraid that we might use the NEC to pass a vote of no confidence in him.

    “We will not honour him, until he abides by Section 12.74 of the PDP Constitution.”

    The section reads: “The NEC shall meet at least once in every quarter at the instance of the chairman or at the request of two-third of its membership, who shall notify the chairman at least seven days prior to the meeting and an emergency meeting be summoned by the National Chairman having regard to all the circumstances of the agenda.”

    The governor also alleged that PDP under Tukur had “lukewarm attitude to the problems in some PDP controlled states, especially the security challenges in Kano State.

    “We are all unhappy with Tukur’s leadership but our national leader, President Goodluck Jonathan, appears to be more at home with him because of the 2015 presidential election.”

    Anenih met with Kwankwaso in company of a former President of the Senate, Chief Ken Nnamani; three former national chairmen of PDP- Chief Barnabas Gemade, Senator Ahmadu Ali, and Dr. Haliru Bello Mohammed – Chief Ebenezer Babatope and Air Vice Marshal Larry Koinyan(rtd).

    A party source said: “With the failure of the reconciliatory tour of the National Chairman of PDP, Chief Tony Anenih has now been saddled with the responsibility of salvaging the party from collapse.

    “As a matter of fact, Anenih conceived the reconciliation programme but while he was trying to implement his vision, Tukur emerged from nowhere with the failed reconciliatory tours.

    “Most PDP governors, stalwarts and members boycotted Tukur’s tour because it was not well-intended.

    “I think we may have good reasons to listen to Anenih, who does not mind to call a spade a spade.”

    The failed reconciliation marked the second challenge Tukur would face in one year.

    The G-84 members in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had on January 9, 2013 written President Goodluck Jonathan, claiming that the party was stinking.

    The G-84 comprises eight deputy members of the National Working Committee (NWC), 24 ex-officio, 37 state chairmen of PDP and some former leaders of the party.

    They alleged that the National Working Committee (NWC) was becoming cultish, with the total exclusion of elected officers of the party.

    They urged President Jonathan, as the national leader, to save the party from brinkmanship.

    The issues tabled before the President by the G-84 are:

    •breach of PDP constitution by not holding National Executive Committee(NEC) meeting;

    •wrongful and consistent misinterpretation of PDP constitution;

    •management of the party in a cultish nature;

    •exclusion of elected party officers by NWC;

    •Wasting of party resources on personal events, functions, and chartering of aircraft;

    •Fixing of wages and allowances by NWC members to the detriment of other elected officers; and

    •arbitrary sharing of honourarium both in cash and kind.

    The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, yesterday said he did not boycott the meeting.

    Tambuwal, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media, Alhaji Imam Imam, said he was away in UK.

    “The Speaker was in the UK on a visit when the meeting was held. He has not returned to the country,” Imam said.

    Also yesterday, Tukur rose in defence of the governors who failed to attend the Abuja parley.

    In a statement from his office, the chairman said the parley was not meant for the governors in the first place. According to him, some of the absentee governors were not in the country during the event.

    However, the programme of events circulated at the venue indicated that the governors were expected to arrive at 2.15pm.

    Only the governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio and his Kogi State counterpart, Idris Wada, attended the event. Four others sent their deputies.

    Tukur said: “Many of the governors were absent from the rally mainly because they were part of the reconciliation meetings in their respective zones, and had made useful contributions during the visit by the National Working Committee members, a reason it was never compelling for them to be in Abuja.

    “Some of the governors were not in Nigeria during the weekend event while others contacted the national headquarters about their inability to be in Abuja for the rally with stated reasons.

    “The reconciliation meetings across the zones and Abuja were meant for members, most especially those who were estranged, and not necessarily for state governors who had played their parts meaningfully in the party’s reconciliation agenda at the zonal level.”

    The statement also quoted Tukur as describing the reconciliation initiative as a huge success.

    “We were in the southeast zone and the governors turned out. When we visited the southsouth, Governors Uduaghan, Akpabio and Amaechi came to welcome us and made useful suggestions.

    “Indeed, the Rivers State governor spoke to us on behalf of all the PDP governors. Bayelsa State governor, I reckoned was busy with a special task, while the same story of success trailed our visit to the north”, the chairman added.

    Tukur appealed to the media to show a deeper understanding in the party’s efforts to promote democracy, inclusiveness and a sense of harmony among members.

    According to to him, the party remains the best political instrument for deepening democracy in the country.

    He said the PDP would always be ready to partner with the media in the task of nation building, appealing to the media not to give a chance to those he described as pseudo-democrats whose sole agenda is to pull down the PDP while having nothing tangible to offer Nigeria.

    Tukur continued: “This is the first time in the history of democracy in Nigeria that the NWC of a party would embark on a nationwide tour on reconciliation drive.

    “This is the first time that the leadership of the party went out of comfort to have a feel of what has been happening to our members at the grassroots. This is the first time that we are making conscious efforts to return the party to the owners; the ordinary members.

    “Who should appreciate these kind of efforts, if not you people in the media? If we are making efforts to promote peace in national interest, no right thinking person or group of persons should make attempts to promote hate and cause disharmony.

    “I think the media should not join the pseudo-democrats, the demagogues and treacherous fellows who always love to reap from chaos and crises. This is why we require media support in our desire to re-invent politics and recreate Nigeria.”

    The party chair said the PDP would never succumb to blackmail, coming from those he described as virulent opponents of the party whose desire is to paint a picture of a PDP being at war with itself.

    He stressed that the PDP has always been in a healthy accord with its members and all its governors, as evident by the encouraging outcome of the reconciliation tours across the federation.

    Tukur was quoted to also have said that the PDP had realised that imposition of candidates during elections had been the root cause of the misunderstanding within the party.

    The party, he said, has been fashioning out agenda to promote internal democracy and transparency in future elections, as a means of earning the confidence of its members.

  • North Governors can’t stop Jonathan, says Clark

    North Governors can’t stop Jonathan, says Clark

    Prominent leader of the South-South, Chief Edwin Clark yesterday inferred that President Goodluck Jonathan remains the sole candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and cannot be stopped by the Northern Governors Forum.

    Recalling the practice in the United States, he said “an incumbent remains the sole candidate of a political party if he or she is willing to contest for a second term”.

    Clark spoke at his residence in Abuja where he addressed journalists on the open letter to Niger Governor and chairman of Northern Governors Forum, Babangida Aliyu.

    The elder statesman lambasted Aliyu for insisting that Jonathan entered an agreement with the North Governors to serve for only one term.

    He also said he was embarrassed by Aliyu’s interview published in some national dailies that it is only him (Clark) an those who will benefit that are campaigning for Jonathan to contest in 2015.

    The octogenarian said the remarks against him “is most unfortunate and ridiculous”.

    Recalling the pedigree of the governor as an accomplished civil servant before retiring into politics, he cautioned the governor against making “inflammatory and provocative statements” that can divide the country.

    Expressing belief in one Nigeria, Clark said no group will allow itself to be subjected to a cause by another.

    “What do they expect me to explain to my own child; that you have no right to aspire to the highest post even if you have the qualification”.

    Responding to a question, the Second Republic Minister of Information said Jonathan would make his position on the 2015 election known next year.

    He recalled that the president had embargoed campaign for 2015 adding, “it will be stupid of me to ask him if he would contest now”.

    To Aliyu on his remarks, Clark said “It is, however, unfortunate and disappointing that you could engage in such bare-faced lies and false propaganda simply because of your inordinate ambition to seek election as President of Nigeria come 2015, and the only qualification you think you have over the incumbent is that you are a Northerner who must rule at all time”.

    “As a rebuttal to your statement, I wish to repeat that there was no agreement between the Governors of the 19 Northern States and President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. You are a very well educated person, but it appears you do not understand the correct meaning of agreement”.

    He went on: “Having emphasized that there was no such agreement, but in defense of the concept of agreement and for the sake of argument, if there was such an agreement, did you keep to your own side of the said agreement? Was that why you directed your State delegates at the PDP Presidential Primaries to vote for Alhaji Atiku Abubakar in the Primaries and when he lost the ticket, you and your State went ahead to vote for a rival Political Party, the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC, in the Presidential election as shown in the results outlined below?

    “Paradoxically, in the Gubernatorial Election that followed, you defeated the CPC Governorship candidate. This clearly shows your insincerity and dishonesty to the purported agreement which to my mind existed only in the figment of your own imagination and by extension a product of your obsession with the Northern agenda in Nigeria. In fact, President Jonathan won convincingly in the North Central States except your own Niger State”.

    “Just because you are interested in contesting the 2015 Presidential Election, you have been trying to impress the audience by blindly criticizing the Federal Government and attempting to give the false impression that you will do better if given the opportunity.

    I wonder what makes the issue of President Jonathan contesting the 2015 Presidency a mere speculation, according to you. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides for Two Tenure of 4 years each after two democratically conducted Elections.

    “There is no speculation that the PDP is planning to impose President Jonathan as the sole candidate of the Party in the upcoming Convention. The practice in democratic Presidential system of Government is that an incumbent President remains the sole candidate of a Political Party at the Party’s Convention, if he or she is willing to contest for a second term in office. This is the practice in the United States of America from where Nigeria copied her own model of Presidential System of Government.”

    “For the umpteenth time, it must be emphasized that Nigeria belongs to all Nigerians as enshrined in the nation’s Constitution. All Nigerian citizens are equal and can all aspire to the highest office in this country and should remain in office in accordance with the Constitution of Nigeria.

    We can no longer tolerate a situation where some people believe that they are superior to others and others are inferior citizens who must not enjoy the same privileges they enjoy”.

    “It is, therefore, unacceptable for any group of people to gang up to intimidate and frustrate him out of office by engaging in series of despicable crisis where people are killed, houses and properties destroyed. Youth Corp members maimed and killed as demonstrated in the post-election violence in Bauchi State after the 2011 Presidential Election in which my nephew Mr. Elliot Adowe whom I educated at the University of Calabar was brutally murdered along with 9 other Corp members. Today we are being harassed by politically motivated Boko Haram. Yet, I still believe in a united Nigeria based on equality of her citizens where the words of our National Anthem are obeyed and practiced.”

     

  • PDP governors get five-man security panel

    PDP governors get five-man security panel

    •Spend security votes on information, Anenih urges
    •Forum seeks review of NGF’s constitution

    The Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), Governor Godswill Akpabio, has said no PDP governor plans to join the All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Akpabio told reporters after the forum’s meeting, which ended in early yesterday, that PDP governors would rather work to strengthen the party.

    The governor said his colleagues were determined to work for the party to win more states in 2015.

    He said: “We want to reassure Nigerians who have reposed their confidence in us from 1999 to run the affairs of this nation that we are equal to the task and that we will not let them down.’’

    Akpabio said the forum had set up a five-man security committee to evaluate the country‘s security situation.

    He added that the committee, to be called the PDP Governors’ Forum Security Advisory Committee, is to be headed by Adamawa State Governor Murtala Nyako.

    According to him, the committee will suggest ways in which the forum can collaborate with the Federal Government and the public to curb crime.

    Akpabio said the forum review the constitution the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to ensure stability.

    But he assured that the PDPGF would work with the NGF, saying the PDPGF was not created to destroy the NGF.

    He said the two bodies would collaborate to ensure that governors speak with one voice for the benefit of all Nigerians and to deepen democracy.

    Akpabio congratulated Chief Tony Anenih, who attended the meeting, for emerging PDP Board of Trustees’ (BoT) chairman.

    Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan presented the interim report of the five-man PDP Southwest reconciliation committee on the crises in the zone to the forum.

    The committee, which was constituted at the forum‘s first meeting, is headed by Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema, with governors of Benue, Ebonyi and Adamawa as members.

    The BoT secretary, Chief Ken Nnamani and Chief Jim Nwobodo, a former governor of old Anambra and other PDP chieftains attended the meeting.

    The meeting was the forum’s second since its inauguration in February.

    Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi was absent at the meeting, which was attended by eight PDP governors and eight deputies. He was also not represented by his deputy.

    Anenih urged governors to use their security votes to gather information that would help curb security challenges.

    Anenih said the Federal Government alone could not guarantee security in the country.

    He said: “The market women, governors, members of the National Assembly and councillors must all be involved. Most of those who destroy houses and kill people live with us and police cannot perform miracles without information,” he said.

    “Getting information now is very expensive; so, I appeal to the governors that this is the time to use your security votes to seek information. Nobody will blame you for that.’’

    The BoT chairman urged members of the party to reconcile their differences.

    He said: “If anybody says that PDP is not on ground, he must be telling lies. The problem PDP has is the inability to reconcile. I want to appeal to all of you here present and through you to others that are not here that Nigerians want a change.”

    Anenih went on: “Our people are eagerly waiting to make sure that we take them to the promised land and it is you that will make that happen, there is no other person.

    “It is my special appeal that we must develop the spirit of give and take; we must remain loyal to the establishment and the party at all levels.’’