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Tag: governorship race

  • Governorship race: APC disqualifies Shittu, Alhassan

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday disqualified two ministers from contesting tomorrow’s governorship primary.

    The Minister of Communication, Adebayo Shittu and Minister of Women Affairs Hajia Jummai Alhassan, are among the six aspirants who were disqualified after screening.

    One aspirant from Yobe State withdrew from the race after filing his nomination, while 166 others were cleared to contest the shadow poll.

    The report of the screening panel indicated that Shittu was disqualified for not possessing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) certificate.

    The communications minister confirmed that he did not participate in the mandatory youth service because he went straight from the university to the old Oyo State House of Assembly as the youngest elected member in 1979.

    He claimed that his service in the Assembly is equivalent to national service.

    No reason was given in last night’s statement by the APC National Working Committee (NWC) for Alhassan’s disqualification. Eleven aspirants were cleared to contest in Taraba State.

    Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Dr. Obafemi Hamzat were cleared to contest.

    Governors of Niger, Kebbi and Jigawa are unopposed as their opponents were not cleared to contest.

    Former Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, was cleared to challenge Governor Jubrila Bindow for Adamawa State ticket. Also to contest for the ticket is Mahmood Halim Ahmed.

    Borno State has 21 aspirants, the highest.

    Zamfara State has nine aspirants for the ticket and Nasarawa has 11.

    Six aspirants were cleared to run in Ogun State. They are: Jimi Lawal, Dapo Abiodun, Bimbo Abiodun, Adegbenga Kaka, Adekunle Akinlade and Abayomi Hunye.

     

  • HOW GOVERNORSHIP RACE IS SHAPING UP IN STATES (1)

    The desire for gubernatorial mandate has refreshed politics at the state level nationwide. In this piece, YUSUF ALLI, Managing Editor, Northern Operation re-examines the shape of things in 29 states.

    IN barely two weeks, the governorship primaries would have been over for serious and pedestrian aspirants. Like twins, the two dominant parties(the All Progressives Congress) and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) have both fixed September 25 and 26 respectively for gubernatorial primaries. Expectedly, the states are in a campaign frenzy dotted by the good, the bad and the ugly. The battlegrounds for 2019 governorship race are in 29 out of the nation’s 36 states having excluded Osun whose poll is fixed for next week. ADAMAWA The battle is apparently between the incumbent Governor Jibrilla Bindow and others in either APC or PDP including ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar who has a preferred candidate. Silently, the First Lady, Hajiya Aisha Buhari is said to be pulling the strings for his brother while trying to decode the mood of President Muhammadu Buhari. The political intensity has led to mudslinging, conspiracy, and barefaced opposition against Bindow, whose emergence as a governor from a minority tribe (Njanyi) in a state with 87 officially recognized ethnic groups and 32 underrated, was a mystery. Apart from ethnic sentiments, the performance of the governor has redefined the politics of the state leading to more hurdles for his opponents. The elites are angry with Bindow for not sharing largesse like some of his predecessors.

    Notwithstanding, those seeking the ticket in APC against the governor include Dr. Mahmoud Halilu, who is a brother to the First Lady and a former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, whose sterling records are internationally acclaimed till date. Modi’s choice might prove an albatross for Buhari whose anti-corruption preachment is against godfather politics. In PDP, the gubernatorial cloud is thicker with ex-VP Atiku in between anointing his banker son-in-law, Adamu Modibbo and godson, ex-Commissioner for Lands and Survey, Yayaji Mijinyawa who defected with him from APC to PDP. Others in the race in PDP are a former Acting Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmed Fintiri, who has been funding PDP before Atiku and others defected; Jamilu Waziri, who was a former protocol officer to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan; Saad M. T. Tahir(ex-Deputy Governor) and ex-Governor James Bala Ngilari. Although the two parties might experience some tremor from the gubernatorial primaries, the impact will be felt more in PDP. If Atiku’s candidate loses intra-party primaries and goes ahead to fall at the governorship poll, he would have become a proverbial prophet without honour at home.

    BORNO The contest is between the locals led by Governor Kashim Shettima and Abuja-based politicians including ex- Governor Ali Modu Sheriff who is fast becoming alienated from the grassroots. Like every incumbent, Shettima is interested in installing his successor to preserve his legacies but his traducers in Abuja have a plot to impose their candidate. As at press time, Shettima controls the party’s structure and the Abuja politicians scavenge with much hope on the APC National Secretariat for succour. The adoption of indirect primaries by APC stakeholders gives the governor the Sword of Damocles to anoint his favourite. Another factor which may interplay in Borno State is the agitation for power shift to Borno South. The last time the zone almost ruled the state was when Mohammed Abba Gana of the defunct GNPP won the race in 1983 but his election was upturned by the Election Petitions Tribunal in favour of NPN candidate, Asheikh Jarma. The third issue is the much-vaunted power swap deal between the governor and his friend, Senator Kaka Bashir Garbai (Borno Central).

    The governor is interested in seeking Borno Central ticket in the Senate and in exchange, he might favour Garbai. The deal is the talk of the town and a novel politics in Borno. Checks however revealed that close to 12 aspirants have obtained forms for APC ticket. They are the Minister of State for Works, Baba Shehuri; Nigeria’s Ambassador to China Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda; ex- Deputy Governor Adamu Dibal; Senator Kaka Bashir Garbai (Borno Central); the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Borno State, Kaka Shehu; the Commissioner for Resettlement, Professor Babagana Zulum; Senator Abubakar Kyari (Borno North); the Commissioner for Works, Adamu Lawan Zaufanjimba, and a former commissioner, Mohammed Makinta.

    The PDP in Borno is managing to survive but it boasts of Mohammed Imam(Millionnaire) and Grema Terab as its aspirants so far. YOBE Except for the latest spat between Governor Ibrahim Geidam and his predecessor, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim over senatorial seat, Yobe State has always been politically homogenous with APC still the rave of the moment. Following consultations with APC stakeholders, the governor has announced the National Secretary of the party, Mai Mala Buni as the consensus governorship candidate of the party. And to pave the way for Buni, the governor engaged in tactical maouevre by conceding automatic senatorial ticket to the Senate Leader, Dr. Ahmad Lawan and the Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Abubakar Ali. But some aspirants and stalwarts of the party have rejected the allegedly contrived consensus by the governor to assert his grip on APC. The choice of Buni will preserve the dominance of Zone A in the state and it will be holding power in the state for about 20 out of the state’s 27 years of existence. Although there was power shift to Zone B in 2007 with the election of late Governor Mamman Bello Ali, it was shortlived due to his death in 2009. Up till now, Zone C is yet to earn the privilege of leading the state.

    Three aspirants in APC, who have refused to be intimidated are a former Treasurer of the FCT, Ibrahim Bomoi, a member of the House of Representatives from Zone C, Yakubu Sidi Karasuwa and Aji Kolo. With the exit of ex-Minister of Police Affairs, Adamu Maina Waziri from governorship battle and the defection of a former Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Lawan Ngama from PDP to APC, the opposition party is virtually dead in Yobe State. Holding the governorship flag for PDP in Yobe State however is Umaru Ilya. KWARA For Kwara State, it is still a battle between the hegemonists in the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) led by the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki and the resisters in the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is the first time, since Bukola Saraki seized power 18 years ago from the late Governor Mohammed Lawal that he is facing a major opposition from within and without.

    Behind his presidential shuttles is the political headache at home on how to reestablish link between him and the electorates in the state; put APC in check; smoothen rough edges in his camp and pick a credible candidate among many to succeed Governor Abdul Fatah Ahmed. The number of aspirants in PDP is as much as those of APC underscoring the fact that the scramble will be for the toughest. How the two parties will walk over the landmines is what an average Kwaran is interested in. When on Wednesday, the Minister of Information, Alh. Lai Mohammed told the National Chairman of APC, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole that the party

  • Ekere gets boost for Akwa Ibom governorship race

    The five local governments that make up the old Abak Division organised a grand reception to honour the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Nsima Ekere. At the occasion, the people invited Ekere to throw his hat in the ring and contest the 2019 governorship election. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI reports.

    IF current developments in Akwa Ibom State are anything to go by, the next governorship election in the state promises to be a stiff contest between the two major parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The above indication came to the fore recently at the occasion was a grand reception organised by the Abak 5 Redemption Movement to honour the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Akwa Ibom State, Dr. Nsima Ekere.

    It was a day the people of the five local government areas that make up the former Abak Division invited Ekere to throw his hat in the ring and contest the 2019 governorship election in Akwa Ibom State. It was a call to service; the people of Abak, Etim Ekpo, Ika, Oruk Anam and Ukanafun local government areas, popularly known has Abak 5, left no one in doubt that they had endorsed Ekere as their standard bearer for the 2019 governorship race.

    This was confirmed by the Akwa Ibom State APC Caucus Chairman, Atuekong Don Etiebet, who chaired the occasion. He added that the people of Abak 5 had resolved to purchase the party’s governorship nomination form for Ekere, because he has done well for them. Etiebet said: “He is not yet governor, but he has already intervened in the problems of Abak people. As you know, performance does not hide.”

    Former Minister of Women Affairs, Obong Rita Akpan said she was overwhelmed by the unprecedented gathering of the young and old people that that converged at the Government Technical College, Abak, Akwa Ibom State, to witness the event. She said: “People usually talk about sea of heads, but this is an ocean of heads. I have never seen this kind of crowd before. This must emanate from a wave of the burning desire of the people to bring change to their political and economic situation. These are people who say they can no longer continue to endure the pains and deprivations of living under tattered umbrellas that hardly shield them from the vicissitudes of life.

    “Looking at the faces of the crowd, one could easily discern that they were yearning for change and they already had their eyes set on a political beacon to chart the way forward. The diverse groups, some in colourful uniforms, were ceaselessly singing and dancing to all kinds of music, brass bands, local drums and blasting loud speakers.”

    Galvanised by the overwhelming acceptance of Ekere, Obongunwana Emmanuel Ukoete, a member representing Ukanafun/Oruk Anam Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, moved a motion for the endorsement of the former deputy governor to contest the 2019 governorship election. The motion was seconded by the former member representing Abak/Etim Ekpo/Ika Federal Constituency, Obongemem Ekperikpe Ekpo. At the end of the day, it was unanimously endorsed.

    An APC chieftain and Managing Director of Oil and Gas Free Zones Authority, Mr. Umana Umana, said long before the Abak 5 people took the plunge, the entire Akwa Ibom Northeast Senatorial District had resolved to purchase the APC governorship nomination form for Ekere because of his outstanding performance at the NDDC.

    Umana added: “We have come here to support and show solidarity with the people of Abak 5, who have taken the right decision to honour Obong Nsima Ekere for his outstanding performance as the Managing Director of the NDDC. We have come here to say that this honour is well-deserved.

    “I know his ideas about Akwa Ibom State. His programmes for Akwa Ibom State will not be about promises and ground breaking. There is nothing as traumatic as somebody will come and break your grounds and after two years the site will be overgrown with weeds. We are here to align with the people of Abak 5 that things cannot continue like this in Abak 5. And we have a capable hand that will make our party proud. Has he not made our party proud? We thank the President who found him worthy. Our brother, you have done well and the reward for hard work is more hard work. We are very happy with you.”

    Umana dismissed media reports of a rift between him and Ekere, saying, “Those who continue to write in newspapers that Nsima and Umana are fighting, tell them that there is no fight. We are one. Our party is one and united.”

    A former Special Assistant to Governor Udom Emmanuel on Electoral Matters, Chris Okorie, who chaired the event planning committee, explained that the reception was organised to appreciate Ekere for “standing by us to rebuild the bridge that has brought change to Abak 5 and indeed the entire state”.

    He enumerated NDDC projects facilitated by Ekere in the five local government areas to include construction of Hospital Road, Abak, and adjourning Obot Street, construction of Spring Road, Abak, and Mercantile Bank Road in Ekparakwa, Oruk Anam and renovation of school buildings in 20 schools, expressing delight that all the projects were executed by indigenous contractors.

    Okorie added: “Ekere epitomizes the saying that a good friend is better than a bad brother, son or son-in-law.”

    A former Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Uwem Udoma, described Ekere as the real deal for Abak 5, assuring him of the support of the people of the area. He attributed the clement weather that characterised the day to divine intervention.

    Others who delivered goodwill messages at the event were a former State Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otu Ita-Toyo; a former PDP State Women Leader, Lady Victoria Mel-Udoh; a former Deputy Majority Whip of the State House of Assembly, Obonganwan Mabel Udongwo; a former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Dr. Emem Wills; a representative of the APC in Diaspora, Dr. Abasiubong Udofia; and a computer mogul, Mr. Inibehe Otoho.

    At the occasion, Ekere was presented with a symbolic sword of authority and a native cow by the people of Abak 5. The NDDC boss expressed appreciation to the people for what he called their show of love and confidence and promised to react to their call at the appropriate time.

    Ekere said Akwa Ibom State deserved better governance. He said: “I want to respond by saying that this call by Abak 5 has been taken note of, and I will consider it very seriously. For, today, I am still the Managing Director of the NDDC. I have a job to do for the Niger Delta people. I have a job to do for Akwa Ibom people.

    “Mr. President showed confidence in our capabilities and gave us this appointment. We are committed to delivering on our mandate with everything that is in our fabric. We shall do it. When the time for politics comes, when the time for election comes, I will come back here and I will remind you of this resolution that you passed today.”

    The NDDC chief executive officer seized the opportunity to move a motion for the endorsement of President Muhammadu Buhari for a second term, stressing that the President had demonstrated uncommon love for Akwa Ibom State, particularly in terms of appointments.

    He commended Buhari for the enormous support to the NDDC, especially his approval for the harmonisation of outstanding remittances from the Federal Ministry of Finance and release of outstanding funds due the commission for the development of the Niger Delta region.

    On a sad note, however, Ekere decried the disruption of NDDC projects by agents of the Akwa Ibom State Government, reasoning that it was counter-productive because “the money NDDC is using to develop Akwa Ibom State is our own share of money for the development of the Niger Delta”.

    Ekere said the commission was not competing with the Akwa Ibom State Government or any other state in the oil-rich Niger Delta region in the execution of its mandate. He said that the state government was antagonising the commission as evident in the disruption of its activities in the state by agents of the state government. The state Commissioner for Works, Akparawa Ephraim Inyang-Eyen, had told reporters that the state government chased out NDDC contractors because of poor execution of work.

    But Ekere said: “In the last several months, the NDDC had witnessed disruption in its project sites in Akwa Ibom while trying to intervene to make life more useful. NDDC is not in competition with Akwa Ibom or any other state. NDDC is here to make life meaningful.

    “The money NDDC is using to develop our state is our own share and if you stop us, that means you don’t love the people. The state should support development partners, rather than disrupting the work of the partners. We will engage all the state governments so that we can bring development to our people.”

    The NDDC boss promised that the commission will continue to seek ways of constructive engagement with all governments in the region “so that we can bring development to all nooks and crannies of the Niger Delta”.

    Ekere urged the people of Akwa Ibom State to vote for the APC to end “bad governance” in the state. He added: “President Muhammadu Buhari has shown uncommon love for the people of Nigeria. Never in the history of Nigeria has Akwa Ibom benefitted so much.”

     

  • Osun finance commissioner joins governorship race

    •Omoworare pledges economic growth, human capacity development

    The Osun State Finance Commissioner, Bola Oyebamiji, yesterday joined other 28 aspirants vying for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket.

    Also, the senator representing Osun East Senatorial District on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the National Assembly, Babajide Omoworare, has joined the governorship race in Osun State.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fixed September 22 for the governorship poll in the state.

    Elders in Ikire and Apomu in Osun West Senatorial District, who procured intention form for Oyebamiji, said it was the turn of the district to produce the next governor of the state.

    Chief Falana Muritala, the Aare of Ikire, who led other elders to the party’s secretariat in Osogbo, the state capital, described Oyebamiji as a man of integrity.

    Muritala said the residents were vigorously rooting for him, with determination to support him to victory.

    He added: “We never informed him before taking this step, just as in 1999, when Chief Bisi Akande never had the intention of contesting but his community pushed for him and gave him the needed support.

    “We would only implore the people of Osun to support Oyebamiji. He is the only one who perfectly fits into the shoe that would be left behind by the incumbent governor.

    “He is a technocrat and an honest man. For the whole community to have done this for him, it means he is loved by all.”

    Omoworare visited the party’s secretariat yesterday in Osogbo, the state capital, with thousands of his supporters where he declared his intention to run for the governorship seat.

    The senator reeled out his programmes and policies to take the state to the next level.

    He said: “We must appreciate the infrastructural foundation laid by the outgoing administration. We must improve on it and maximise same to grow the economy.

    “Small and medium scale enterprises, cottage industries, technological hubs, farm settlements and a host of other initiatives to create employment, wealth and economic prosperity for the people will be given priority.”

     

     

  • Ex-Olubadan’s son joins Oyo governorship race

    Prince Musbaudeen Asatola Ashanke, a son of the late Olubadan, Oba Yessufu Oloyede Ashanke, yesterday said money or financial strength will not be a major factor in determining who becomes the next governor of Oyo State.

    He said Nigerians had learnt to choose the politicians who have their interest at heart.

    Addressing reporters yesterday in Ibadan, the state capital, on his intention to join the 2019 governorship race, Prince Ashanke said the welfare and care of the people propelled him into action.

    The prince pledged to make Oyo State economically independent so that its indigenes could return home from different parts of the country and Africa to seek opportunities, as it is happening in Lagos State.

    Ashanke, a finance manager who resided in the United States of America (U.S.A) for about two decades, offered consulting services to oil firms.

    He was also said to have been offering free consulting services to the Oyo State government in the past five years.

    The prince said he had empowered the poor, especially youths, through his entrepreneurial ventures.

    According to him, he will take over the job from where Governor Abiola Ajimobi is going to stop.

    He said: “On the issue of financial resources, it is not going to be the finance or money per say that will determine who becomes governor of Oyo State in 2019. Money is important though, but this is the kind of orientation we should have that it shouldn’t be money politics that we should be talking about now. We should be thinking of what we can give back to the people. We don’t want to give them N1 or N2 for their life.

    “We should be able to manage the situation that will better their lives. Many of us would always think of becoming better, like America and other advanced economies, but why can’t we be thinking like them in terms of politics as well?

    “Instead of thinking of using money to win an election, it shouldn’t always be about money. We shouldn’t be thinking of selling ourselves out before we get out rights. It is our right to select whoever is the best, whoever will give us back and the person who has us on mind.

    “We should not be thinking about who is the highest bidder in terms of money. That is not the politics we should be thinking about in this very age. With my experience and my exposures, I have some ideas that if I become the next Oyo State governor, there are some services and businesses that are not even in Africa yet and that will make Oyo State to be the hub of business economy…”

  • Ajimobi backs Oke-Ogun for 2019 governorship race

    Ajimobi backs Oke-Ogun for 2019 governorship race

    Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has reaffirmed his support for the aspiration of Oke-Ogun indigenes to produce his successor in 2019.

    In 2016, the governor expressed his support for their ambition to produce the next governor while addressing guests at the burial of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Okeho.

    He reaffirmed the same position while addressing a crowd of supporters and beneficiaries of an empowerment programme organised by the senator representing Oyo North Senatorial District, Fatai Buhari, in Iseyin.

    Ajimobi, who extolled the virtues of Oke-Ogun indigenes, recalled that he got the highest number of votes from the area in the last election.

    The governor said Oke-Ogun indigenes are reliable and loyal to worthy causes.

    He added: “I love Oke-Ogun people because they are extremely loyal and grateful. I think we should all support Oke-Ogun governorship candidate in the 2019 election. I know you have many qualified candidates. Just make sure you pick the best among them and work with Ibadan and other zones. I will support Oke-Ogun cause but if you don’t work with Ibadan, you may not realise your ambition.”

    Underscoring the importance of Oke-Ogun to the state and Nigeria, Ajimobi said the area accounts for about 60 per cent of the land mass of the state, adding that it could serve as the food basket of the state and the South.

    He also acknowledged that the population of the area is about 20 per cent of the state, making it compulsory for the residents to work with other zones to realise its governorship ambition.

    Ajimobi said his belief in Oke-Ogun and its people was the reason his administration was directing investors in agriculture-related areas to the area.

    The governor stressed the need to ensure that his successor is also a member of the APC, saying it would help to sustain developmental efforts in the area and other parts of the state.

    To further strengthen harmonious relationship in the area, Ajimobi said he would convene a meeting of traditional rulers and to make them work together. Buhari hailed Ajimobi and party leaders in the state for holding the party together.

  • Massive security in Ekiti as ex-minister joins governorship race

    Massive security in Ekiti as ex-minister joins governorship race

    There was a heavy security presence yesterday in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, as a former Minister of State for Works, Prince Dayo Adeyeye, declared intent to vie for the governorship seat.

    Adeyeye, who intends to run on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), condemned alleged attempts by the state government to stop the declaration.

    He accused Governor Ayo Fayose’s administration of ordering some television stations not to cover the event.

    Adeyeye’s campaign office at Coca-Cola area of Ikere Road and the open field on the opposite side, where the declaration was held, were cordoned off with heavy security presence.

    A police armoured personnel carrier, two vehicles belonging to security agencies and battle-ready armed policemen were on the ground to avert likely breakdown of law and order.

    There was a massive lockdown on the busy Ado-Ikere roas as Adeyeye’s supporters resorted to trekking to the declaration venue.

    The former PDP national spokesman said he was joining the governorship race to give good governance to Ekiti residents and make life better for them.

    Adeyeye, who was joined by his wife, Adetomilola, accused the Fayose administration of inflicting hardship on the people.

    He promised not owe civil servants, teachers, local government workers and pensioners, as being witnessed in the state.

    The governorship hopeful promised to repair Ekiti, which he said had been damaged by bad governance.

    Adeyeye said he would invest in agriculture, create jobs and give economic empowerment to the people.

    He urged Ekiti residents, who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to do so to enable the exercise their franchise on Election Day.

     

  • Supporters urge Fayemi to join governorship race

    Supporters urge Fayemi to join governorship race

    Loyalists of former Ekiti State governor and Minister of Mines and Solid Minerals, Dr Kayode Fayemi, have urged him to join the 2018 governorship race.

    They sent a letter to the minister to seek the nomination of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to contest next year’s governorship poll.

    Acting under the aegis of the Just Keep Following Group (JKFG), the former governor’s loyalits said their call was predicated on what they called “enviable track record in governance recorded by Fayemi while in the saddle between 2010 and 2014”.

    Members of the group submitted the letter to Fayemi penultimate weekend at his home at Eyi Yato Villa in his hometown of Isan-Ekiti in Oye Local Government Area.

    In a copy of the letter, which our reporter obtained yesterday, JKFG said its members had carried out a survey in the three senatorial districts of the state, claiming that the people still love and cherish Fayemi’s leadership.

    The letter was signed by Bisi Dada (Coordinator), Victor Irewolede (Publicity Secretary), Mike Awopetu (Programmes Director), Bisi Adesua (Secretary), Sina Ogunleye (Finance Director), Adeoye Aribasoye (Legal Adviser), Princess Olowolagba (Mobilisation Director) and Deji Ajayi (Assistant Secretary).

    Fayemi has not declared intent to take another shot at the state’s number one seat he vacated over three years ago but is believed to be under pressure to join the race.

    The letter reads: “The Just Keep Following Group is hereby inviting you to contest the 2018 governorship election in Ekiti State.

    “Our move to formally invite you is borne out of the fact that the people of Ekiti State in their present deplorable condition – having tasted your performance between 2010 and 2014 – are requesting that you formally show interest to contest the 2018 election.

    “We have carried out a strategic survey in all the three senatorial districts of the state and we have discovered that the people still love and cherish your leadership.

    “Your Eight-Point Agenda, while you were in the saddle, tremendously impacted the lives of the people of the state, vis a vis: health, education, social security, youth empowerment, tourism and infrastructural development.

    “Today, all the legacies you left behind in 2014 have been bastardised by the current government. It is now our hope that you will yield to the clarion call of the people of the state to contest the 2018 governorship election.

    “We are convinced that the people will support you to have a resounding victory in the election.”

     

  • Ekiti 2018: How Ado agenda ‘ll shape governorship race

    Ekiti 2018: How Ado agenda ‘ll shape governorship race

    Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has endorsed his deputy, Prof. Kolapo Olusola from Ikere-Ekiti, as his successor. But, some interest groups in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, are weighing options to realise their dream of producing the governor. ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA reports.

    On October 4, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), led by Prof. Mahmoud Yakubu, rolled out the timetable for the  Ekiti State governorship election. According to the electoral umpire, the people of the Fountain of Knowledge will go to the polls on July 14, next year to elect a new governor.

    Since the pronouncement, the two main political parties, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other minor parties have been trying to either consolidate their hold on the state. Unfortunately, this came at a time the PDP is deeply embroiled in a crisis due to the adoption of the deputy governor, Prof Kolapo Olusola, as the “sole candidate.” This adoption, which had drawn the ire of other contestants, was done by a section of the party loyal to Governor Ayodele Fayose.

    It will be tantamount to self-delusion for Fayose to claim that all is well with the PDP  when heavyweights like former Minister of Works and party’s National Publicity Secretary, Prince Dayo Adeyeye; Senator representing Ekiti South Senatorial district, Mrs. Biodun Olujimi and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to Canada, Chief Dare Bejide; are expressing deep resentment and opposition to the action, branding it as a serious constitutional infraction that must be condemned by lovers of democracy.

    A Fayose’s protégé and immediate past Commissioner for Justice, Owoseni Ajayi spoke against the action and had since kept mute over the matter.

    Former Deputy Governor Sikiru Lawal, has not spoken openly over the contentious issue, but taking the situation with equanimity could be akin to that wise-saying ‘silence is golden.’

    There seems to be a cold-war between Ado Ekiti indigenes and Governor Fayose over the way he unilaterally imposed the deputy governor without wider consultations.

    A member of the Ado Progressives Union (APU), frowned at how the governor jettisoned what he called an ‘Ado Agenda,’ which was a secret pact between Fayose and some indigenes before 2014. This has caused serious anxiety.

    A source said Ado Ekiti should produce the governor, 21 years after the state creation. Before Olusola suddenly came to the  power game, former Commissioner for Works, Mr. Kayode Oso, an indigene of Ado- Ekiti, was already tagged the ‘governor-in-waiting.’ Oso, who musters no political relevance at home, has been the one running the state on governor’s behalf, attending to issues that were considered sensitive.

    The governor was said to have changed the gear because of zoning agitations by the South Senatorial District. It was widely rumoured that it was the governor who impressed it on Oso to resign in 2016 as a Commissioner. The main reason behind this was to prevent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from denting his image, so that he can approach the election with unblemished records. By all indications, the aggrieved Ado Ekiti people seem neither persuaded nor placated by the governor’s intention to cede the deputy governorship slot to the capital city.

    The permutation now is that the town may swing its support towards a contestant of Ado Ekiti origin with immense acceptability when he defects to other fairly popular party and contest the election.

    Prominent indigenes of the town like  Dr. Lawal and Special Adviser on Political  Matters to the President, Mr. Babafemi Ojudu, had plunged into the race.

    The aggrieved APU members, including influential chiefs, whose voices can not be disparaged, are awaiting how the APC primary will unfold before taking their destiny into their hands.

    Findings also revealed that proponents of this plan B option may persuade Dr. Lawal,  to defect to another platform to realize his ambition. The fact that he is a Muslim and the Baba Adini of Ekiti land further buoyed his chances and relevance.

    Lawal has always comported himself as a team player and loyal party man, taking cognisance of his smooth and hitch-free relationship with his former boss, Segun Oni during their stint in the Ekiti Governor House. But, due to his Spartan and principled nature, Lawal may be difficult to sway into this defection project.

    Ojudu had earlier won election to represent Ekiti Central in the Senate in 2011, but in spite of the record, some insiders in APU preferred Lawal because of his humility,  temperament and robust network with the civil service, being a former Local Government Sole Administrator and retired Director, who narrowly missed his elevation to the position of Permanent Secretary before he finally bowed out of the service. But, the only snag has been his prudent lifestyle, he doesn’t spend recklessly like traditional politicians. In spite of this, the odd favours him for the Ado Ekiti Plan B Project.

    Since last week, members of the party from all the 16 local governments have been besieged the Government House in Ado Ekiti to conduct the primaries to elect the chairmanship and councillorship candidates for the December 23 local government polls.

    Some members said the step taken by the governor was a flagrant usurpation of the statutory duties of the PDP State Working Committee. The primaries were supposed to be conducted in the 16 local government headquarters for the chairmanship and the 177 wards for the councillorship slots.

    Most demeaning and disturbing to party stakeholders was how the members were stranded, making them to sleep on the grasses, platforms and under the bridge in the state capital when they could not make the journey back to their towns at night.

    Fayose had justified his action. The governor, in his reply to the barrage of attacks against him, said: “We want a transparent process to select our candidates and we don’t want to have serious issues as fallout of the exercise. If a person loses and sees that there was a level playing field, his complaints and grievances would be minimal.

    “To ensure fairness in accreditation of those to vote, you have to come with your party membership card and voter card. Apart from that, party executive in each ward as well as aspirants are at the gate to identify voters before they come in. Any situation those people cannot identify a voter as being a member of their wards, such a person is not allowed in.”

    But, Adeyeye and Bejide have seen the action as more of the governor playing god and muzzling the party’s constitution, saying his defence was weak and flimsy.

    A statement by Director of Media and Publicity of Prince Adedayo Adeyeye Movement (PAAM) chided the governor for allegedly dehumanising the party members by making them to travel several kilometers to hold  primaries that were supposed to hold in their localities in the Government House.

    “In the first instance, Governor Fayose created his own constitution by fixing the maximum age for Chairmanship candidates at 50 years while maximum age for councillorship candidate at 30 years against the provisions of Nigerian Constitution. There is nowhere in the constitution that stipulates maximum age for any elective position.”

    Bejide said the governor may end up destroying the party before 2018, if party fail to act fast.

    Bejide said: “Most worrisome was that this came barely one month Governor Fayose illegally assembled some party stakeholders and came up with the devilish adoption of the Deputy Governor, Prof. Olusola as the sole candidate for 2018 governorship election.

    “For PDP to win the poll, Senator Makarfi and his team must resolve all contentious issues surrounding the governorship and local government primaries, besides the PDP may end up becoming history in Ekiti.”

    The fear being entertained by some party members is how the governor will wriggle out of these myriad of crises. They feared that it might be dangerous for the party to underrate what Ado people can do because of the high concentration of voters in the council.

    Fayose has proved that he has electoral value, but it would be disastrous for him to underrate the voters in the next battle that will decide whether he will be politically relevant or will go into obscurity after office. The people are patiently waiting on how the governor will play his game without being hurt or scathed in 2018.

  • Ekiti monarchs, teachers adopt Olusola for governorship race

    Some teachers and traditional rulers in Ekiti State yesterday adopted Deputy Governor Kolapo Olusola as their preferred candidate for the 2018 governorship election.

    They made the resolution at the Government House in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at a luncheon for stakeholders to celebrate the state’s coming first in the National Examinations Council (NECO) examination for two consecutive years.

    Speaking on behalf of the monarchs, the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, Oba Oluwole Ademolaju, said Olusola, who oversees the Education sector, was instrumental to the NECO feat.

    The monarch, who is also the Oloye of Oye-Ekiti, said: “Nothing was bad in allowing Olusola to continue from where Fayose will stop on October 15, next year.”

    The Deputy Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Ipinlaye Oludele, noted that with continuity under Olusola, the gains in the sector would be sustained.

    Governor Ayo Fayose said putting teachers on the driver’s seat was responsible for the tremendous improvement in the sector since he assumed office.

    The governor said the secret of the state coming first in NECO and improving in the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) performance was because of the priority given to teachers to drive education policies.

    He said: “Cynics said our performance last year was a fluke, but we have proved them wrong. We are also going to put more efforts at sustaining the gains. I am confident that my deputy would carry on from where I am stopping.”