The Nation Newspaper

Tag: governorship

  • Activist joins Lagos governorship race

    Activist joins Lagos governorship race

    A lawyer and civil rights campaigner, Adetokunbo Wahab, has joined the race for next year’s election in Lagos State on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Wahab, who hails from Epe, Lagos East Senatorial Zone,  said his decision was in  response to the clarion call by youths, elders and elites adding that he has also consulted the leadership of the party.

    Wahab lamented that  old politicians have continuously failed to bring the desired change, which they have endlessly promised.

    Wahab said the desire to bring “definitive change,” was one of the reasons why he accepted the challenge to offer himself for service.

    The 42 years old aspirant, also bemoaned the space allowed youths in governance. He said his emergence was a bold and decisive response to this deficit.

    According to the civil liberty lawyer youths accounts for nearly half of the five million eligible voters, whose voice and impacts are never commensurately rewarded.

    The politician said he had come to galvanize the electoral strength of the youths for the purpose of placing them in the right leadership space where their democratic power could be adequately recognised and rewarded.

    While acknowledging the presence of many vibrant and elderly fore-runners in the race, Wahab noted that certain exceptional criteria stand him out among the crowd. He said he has  fresh ideas anding that he stands for a paradigm shift in governance.

  • Forum backs governorship candidate

    Enugu State chapter of the Nigerian Councillors’ Forum has backed the consensus governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Enugu State, Mr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    The development has reduced the tension between Governor Sullivan Chime’s and Ike Ekweremadu’s factions, which are struggling for the control of the party structure.

    The councillors supported the zoning of the governorship seat to Enugu North.

    The forum made its view known in a statement by its Chairman, Hyginus Makata and Secretary, Francis Ani, a lawyer.

    It said: “We support the leadership of the party in the state on the zoning of the governorship seat to Enugu North, in the spirit of fairness and equity.

    “We thank Governor Chime for the programmes he has been putting in place to ensure a smooth political transmission.

    “We are not just supporting the endorsement of Ugwuanyi, but are also part of his endorsement by the state caucus of our party and the stakeholders.”

  • Senator withdraws from Bauchi governorship race

    Senator withdraws from Bauchi governorship race

    Mixed reactions have trailed the withdrawal of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed from the governorship race in Bauchi State.

    For three and half years, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain has been holding consultations with stakeholders on the ambition.

    When ministers who have ambition resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Mohammed did not resign, fueling suspicion that he has stepped down from the race.

    There was enthusiasm among the people that a people-friendly politician would take over from Governor Isa Yuguda. They felt the minister would bring his wealth of experience to bear on governance in the state.

    For his kinsmen, who believe he would emerge as the flag bearer, the withdrawal is worrisome.

    A 70 year-old indigene,  Haruna Usman Duguri ,who lost two sons to snake bites on his farms in 2013, described the withdrawal as an ill-wind.

    He said: ’’My sons  Abba  26 and Abdullahi 20 years had gone to harvest sugarcane and pick beans, were bitten by snake and they died because of lack of medical attention.  But, we have all along been thinking that, when our son, the Kauran Bauchi, becomes the governor, he will build a hospital for us or find a way of killing the snakes so that we can return to our farms again.

    “But, we are disappointed now that he can’t be our governor, and we don’t think any of the aspirants will help us,if he wins the election, even if come out here in Duguri District to vote for him”.

    Another indigene, Alhassan Ibrahim, who is from Shafa village, said: “We are all devastated because, you only benefit from government project today, if you have a ‘’big man’’ in the government who belongs to the influential group and who attract  the benefits of democracy. I

    “ was particularly hoping that, if Kauran Bauchi wins the governorship, he will help us get compensation or some form of relief from Yankari Game Reserve management for the massive destruction done to our water mellon, sugarcane, corn and other farm products by elephants yearly, since he is from here.”

  • Ex-Kebbi PDP chair joins governorship race

    Former Kebbi State People Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Alhaji Mansur  Shehu has said that political foes are peddling falsehood about his him to edge him out of the governorship race. He refuted the allegation that he did not resign properly from the Nigeria Custom Services.

    He told reporters in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State Capital , that the allegation was meant to dent his image and reduce his chance at the poll.

    Shehu said that he is a pensioneer because he retired with dignity.

    He said: “I retired from the Custom Services since October. I have my documents here with me.”

    Shehu that he voluntary retried from the service, adding that his resignation followed the due process when he retired 15 years ago.

    He reiterated his determination to run the state and offer a credible leadership.

    Shehu added: “Now, if my people later decide not to support me, I have no choice but to withdraw for anybody who they so wish.”

    He therefore, appealed to the contenders to prepare for primaries, adding that there will be no imposition.

    Shehu promised to work for the economic transformation of the state, promote and an open door policy and create job opportunities for people.

     

  • 16 aggrieved Pdp governorship aspirants head to court

    16 aggrieved Pdp governorship aspirants head to court

    Sixteen aggrieved governorship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in Rivers State, led by Lancelot Anyaya, are to seek redress in court on the ward congress of the party at the weekend.

    Spokesman of the aggrieved aspirants, Mr Soalabo West, explained that “to be clear, there were no elections in the various wards in Rivers State, even though attempts were later made at some secret locations to stage-manage what was a Grassroots Democratic Initiative (GDI) ward congresses”.

    West, who spoke last night in Port Harcourt, the state capital, said the sore points the aggrieved parties would table in court is that the five-man panel set up to conduct the ward congress did not show up at the party’s secretariat.

    He also alleged that the team went to the home of  a former minister, where they were lavishly entertained and wrote the results and concocted reports on Friday night”.

    According to him, the panel “surprisingly” returned to Abuja  same Saturday.

    The spokesman said the aggrieved aspirants  would tell the court that no electoral material was distributed at the various venues.

    He said this made party faithful to wait in vain.

    West added that in some cases, like in Asari Toru Local Government Area, some aspirants were allegedly attacked by GDI supporters.

    Listing the names of the five-man electoral panel and the Electoral Appeal Panel, which the national executive committee of the PDP set up for the state, West claimed that the people had personal relationships with former Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike.

    The spokesman said it would amount to a waste of time if the aggrieved aspirants tabled their grievances at the PDP appeal panel.

    West alleged that ward delegates, who bought forms for the exercise, were not allowed to return their forms at the PDP secretariat, despite  meeting the deadline to return the forms.

    The spokesman said the aggrieved aspirants would also tell the court that there had been fundamental breaches of the PDP constitution and guidelines, adding that the party failed to follow its constitution and due process in line with the constitution of executive committees in wards and local governments.

    One of the aspirants, Prince Tonye Princewill, faulted the exercise.

    He urged the PDP’s national executives “to avoid anything that will distract Mr. President and resolve the Rivers State issue, before it gets out of hand”.

    In a statement in Port Harcourt yesterday, Princewill said:  “The congress has already been done. The panel  has been settled and the electoral umpire has been compromised. All their planning was in vain. For them, the congress was just an opportunity for the masses to fight and destroy things. They do not care if Rivers people die, as long as they win. We do. We care; that’s why we steered clear.

    “The Wike-led PDP exco, does not realise that we are several steps ahead of them; none of the key aspirants was involved in the congresses. That should be a signal for the party. Our silence will speak louder than our words. In the end, PDP will either sit up and address this sham or it will lose us and lose Rivers State. Nothing is impossible.”

  • Twist in Imo governorship poll as Agbaso joins race

    Twist in Imo governorship poll as Agbaso joins race

    There was a twist in the race for Imo State governorship at the weekend, with the entrance of the elder brother of the impeached Deputy Governor, Chief Martins Agbaso, who has dumped his party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and joined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Agbaso’s intention to contest the governorship election on the PDP platform has altered the party’s calculations ahead of next month’s primaries.

    His return to the PDP, The Nation learnt, was not unconnected with the resolve of the national leadership of the party to field a “strong candidate, who has the capacity to wrest power from Governor Rochas Okorocha.”

    Another reason, which might have influenced the PDP leadership’s decision to draft Agbaso into the race, was the role he played in ousting the PDP administration in 2011 and bringing in an APGA government.

    Speaking at the party’s secretariat when he led thousands of his supporters, including youths, traders, artisans and members of professional bodies to formally declare his interest to join the race, Agbaso, who was received by members of the state executive led by the Chairman, Sir Nnamdi Anyaehie, said he was in the race to deliver Imo from a “clueless administration.”

    He said his return to the PDP family was inspired by President Goodluck Jonathan’s style of leadership and humility, adding that “he is my role model.”

    Agbaso said he got a waiver from the party to compete with other aspirants, noting that PDP would be a better platform to pursue his governorship ambition.

    His words: “I feel PDP is a bigger and better vehicle to pursue my career next year. The man I admire so much, President Jonathan, has inspired me. No matter the provocation, he keeps quiet and strives to achieve. His temperament is what we need now. People have said a lot about him, but he remains focused. I understand his vision. Most visions materialise with time. I joined the PDP to give him my support.” Dismissing the insinuation of his likely emergence as a consensus candidate, Agbaso said he would emerge after a highly competitive primary election.

    He said: “I believe in competition. I have the pedigree to repeat the feat we achieved in 2011 when we defeated the incumbent governor. I did that with APGA, a party I built from nothing to challenge and defeat the ruling party. This strength is what I am bringing to the table.”

    The aspirant said if elected, he would create 250,000 jobs in the first two years, adding that the state’s challenges, such as unemployment, healthcare delivery, education and security could be surmounted with the right leadership.

  • Ex-minister joins Imo governorship race

    Former Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory Chief Chuka Odom indicated yesterday his interest in the  governorship election in Imo State.

    He said his decision was based on the determination to chart a “sustainable and forward-looking initiatives, to drive growth.”

    Odom said he declared his intention because the indigenes have not enjoyed the dividends of democracy.

    The ex-minister, who spoke to reporters in Owerri at a news briefing, said: “The people have endured deprivation, insecurity, poor infrastructure, inadequate and poor healthcare facilities, disrespect for the rule of law, military-style democracy and other problem.”

    He went on: “We have got to a peak in what I call deceptive governance. The time has come to redress your regrets. It is time to put round pegs in round holes. This daily whitewash can no longer hide our tooth decay. The time has come for a real change.”

    Odom assured that if elected, his administration would not abandon the good policies and projects of the previous administration, adding: “Real change can only be achieved when we work together as a team and not when governance is turned into a one-man-show, depriving the state of the strengths, which lie in each of us.”

    Expressing optimism about his emergence as the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the lawyer-turned- politician noted that “all the people you are seeing today as frontrunners will soon become backbenchers. It does not matter how many people are in the race because experience has shown that underdogs win governorship elections in Imo.”

    He dismissed the insinuation of a consensus candidate or endorsement of any aspirant, stressing that the party had learnt from its past mistakes and would not toy with the idea of handpicking a candidate.

  • NGOs endorse governorship aspirant

    NGOs endorse governorship aspirant

    The governorship ambition of a Peoples Democratic Party  (PDP) aspirant,  Dr. Michael Adegbola Dominic  got  a boost last week as two non-governmental organisations  (NGOs) declared their support for his candidature.  The two NGOs,  Action Against Impunity  and Corruption in Governance  (AACIG) and  Women  Development Initiative  for  Freedom  said the PDP in Lagos will do itself  a lot of good if it fields Dominic as its standard  flagbearer, adding that he stands out among other aspirants  who have shown interest in the ticket in all ramifications.

    President of AACIG,    Austin  Emmanuel, who  made their position known on the forthcoming  governorship election in Lagos,   said  he has followed Dominic’s track record as a politician and medical  practitioner for over a decade and has come to  the conclusion that he is a honest and unblemished  politician whose sole aim of vying for the highest office in  Lagos is to “establish justice and create an enabling  environment for the downtrodden masses to thrive in  Lagos.

    “We urge Lagos and non-Lagosians who want true change to  support his ambition for the realisation of the Lagos of our  dream. Most especially, we urge the PDP to consider him as  their candidate because he towers above all the other  aspirants in terms of experience, maturity and pedigree”, he stated.

    In her reaction, Director of Women Development  Initiative,  Angela  Dada- Johnson said her group decided to support Dominic’s ambition because they believe he will give equal representation to women if he eventually  becomes the governor of the state.

    “Dr. Dominic has done a lot for women through his  profession. Testimonies abound of how he has given succour  to  lots of women, especially widows  who visited  his Santa Maria hospital without a kobo and he attended to  their needs free of charge. Many of these people told us that  they are alive today because God used this man to save their  lives. This is the kind of man we want at the helm of affairs in Lagos so he can do much more” she said.

  • Ministers to resign for governorship race

    In the next few weeks, many ministers are expected to resign from the Federal Executive Council (FEC) in order to run for the governorship elections in their states in 2015.

    While some of them have started to put structures on ground towards the elections, others are still undecided whether to go or keep their juicy portfolios in the cabinet.

    Among the names being thrown up for resignation are Labaran Maku to contest in Nasarawa State, Nyesom Wike for governorship position in Rivers State, Bala Mohammed to contest in Bauchi, Taminu Turaki for Kebbi State governorship race, while Samuel Ortom is expected to slug it out for the Benue State governorship slot.

    While Maku is not hiding his ambition as his campaign vehicles could be spotted in the Federal Capital Territory and Nasarawa State, Bala Mohammed, who was said to have earlier indicated interest to contest the Bauchi governorship race is now said to have lately shelved the idea.

    Among the ministers that had resigned their appointments this year for governorship ambitions include former Minister of  Niger Delta Affairs, Godsday Orubebe and former Police Affairs Minister, Caleb Olubolade, who lost the Ekiti PDP governorship primary to Ayo Fayose.

    The truth about all those interested in governorship race and other political ambitions in the present cabinet will come to surface in the next few days and weeks.

  • Chairman joins Plateau governorship race

    The Chairman of Mikang Local Government Area of Plateau State, Hon. Daniel Kungmi, has joined the governorship race.

    His entry into the race has increased the number of aspirants from the Southern Senatorial Zone to 12.

    Kungmi was elected as the Chairman in February for three years. Sources said that the state government has frowned against his bid.

    The campaign posters of Kungmi are visible in Jos, the state capital, and Mikang, his local government headquarters. Although the council boss has not made a formal declaration, his political associates said he had the plan to contest for the number one position before the council election.

    One of his political associates, Mr. John Maigari, said: “Kungmi is a very popular politician in the state. His people want him to serve them in higher capacity at the state and I think he has taken the right decision to accept the call by his followers to serve.”

    He added: “Kungmi will get massive support of people at the grassroots.”

    Kungmi is yet to speak on his posters flooding the streets of Jos.