The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Opposition

  • Zuma celebrates 74th birthday amid growing opposition

    Zuma celebrates 74th birthday amid growing opposition

    South African President, Jacob Zuma, celebrated his 74th birthday on Tuesday, amid growing calls for his resignation, mostly from the opposition.

    “My birthday wish is to see South Africa increasingly becoming a better place for all,’’ Zuma said in a message to the nation.

    Presidential spokesperson, Bongani Majola, said that Zuma would spend the day with his family in Pretoria.

    The president is embroiled in a series of scandals, notably improper state spending on his rural home and the Gupta business family’s alleged undue influence over his government.

    South Africa’s top court in late March ruled that Zuma violated the constitution by ignoring orders from an anti-corruption body for him to repay public money improperly used during security upgrades at his private home in Nkandla.

    The opposition has failed in a bid to impeach Zuma in parliament following the ruling.

    It has also accused Zuma of his links with the Indian-South African Gupta family after some sitting and former officials alleged the Guptas offered them ministerial posts.

     

  • I ‘ll play opposition role in Abia, says Otti

    I ‘ll play opposition role in Abia, says Otti

    Abia State All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governorship candidate Dr. Alex Otti yesterday said that he will play an effective opposition role by scrutinising government activities and canvassing the alternative route to good governance.

    Urging party members to be calm over the recent Supreme Court verdict on the governorship poll, he said his followers should embrace the reality that the judgment of the apex court is final.

    Otti, who spoke with reporters in Lagos, was silent on his political future. He said: “We will go back to the party and wait for the collective decision. The next election is 2019. We will not talk about that so that we will not distract people.”

    However, the flag bearer said that he will always be associated with the push for change by the people. He said: “We will provide a virile opposition in Abia. The era of “carry go” politics is gone for good in the state. We will not be an opposition without an agenda. We will give kudos for things that are right and criticise bad policies and programmes of the government.”

    Otti said although the Supreme Court judgment is final, he has reservations because of the court’s lack of emphasis on the use of card readers as prescribed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    He also said that the judgment on Abia election had followed a similar pattern with the Supreme Court’s pronouncement on Lagos, Ebonyi, Rivers, Delta, and Akwa Ibom states, adding that it smacked of a band wagon effect.

    Alluding to President Muhammadu Buhari’s remark about the judiciary, Otti said: “If you don’t fix the judiciary, every other thing will fail. We need an independent judiciary that should do the right thing.”

    Reflecting on the electioneering, the APGA candidate said democracy will be in jeopardy, if steps are not taken to enhance the sanctity of the ballot box.

    He stressed: “A lot of things must change. We have a long way to go. A situation whereby somebody wins an election and it is given to another person should not happen. We need to look at the process whereby some people are called politicians. We need to set the criteria. People are after what they called blood tonic which I did not promise. The cabal should give way.

    “INEC should not allow itself to be compromised. INEC officials should not hide the authentic result sheets and tender fake ones. We need legislations that will tackle electoral offenses so that we can have a more transparent and enduring process.”

    Otti thanked the party leaders and stakeholders who supported his bid, urging them to remain calm despite the court’s verdict. He also said that he will not tolerate any victimisation and repression of his supporters by the government.

    Otti added: “For us in Abia, we thank God for the opportunity to offer ourselves for service. We have accepted the judgment of the Supreme Court, although we do not agree with the judgment. The judges are human beings and they can make mistakes. They are not infallible. It is a matter that cannot be pushed beyond this level.

    “We have programmes that attracted votes. What is at stake is the welfare of the people. As a party, we will allow sleeping dog to lie. We believe strongly in God. We thank our people in Abia. We call on them to be calm and ensure that the state moves forward. I also called on the government to avoid anything that could lead to the breach of peace and stop the intimidation of our party members.”

  • Whither opposition within ruling parties?

    SIR: Whenever yearly budgets are sent to the state Houses of Assembly, they are passed speedily. There are almost always, no inputs from stakeholders and the citizens for whom these budgets are drawn up for. They do not get the chance to debate them and choose programmes necessary before they are passed. If governance is truly meant for the people, then the chance for the people to express themselves by demanding accountability on issues impacting on their welfare shouldn’t be disparaged to the dust bin of irrelevance.

    Are politicians in the houses of parliament under pressure and are they arm-twisted by administrators to do their bidding? How is it, that anyone who criticizes a government or an administrator is seen as either paid to do a hatchet job, dances in the dark or is acting out a paid script? If in the same party, then they are “anti party.”

    How come a row within parties must always be seen in the context of a problem not as an opportunity to develop the polity? Some believe that following the herd instinct stops dissent and, shore up support amongst members of the ruling party and wins more allies to their side. The palpable gains notwithstanding, bowing to the pressure of group-think eventually removes the thrills of varying complicated political settings, the clash of bureaucracy, and the huge task around an office which calls for quick wits.

    Over the past years, political actors have always engaged in the blame game and of always pointing accusing fingers at the other party for all failures but their party and party men have likewise, engaged in the hoary tactics of not challenging party men even when they step out of order cashiering monies, in ways not in sync with national ethos. This seems to be part of Nigeria’s national political identity. This development is dangerous, because the right by parliamentarians and by party men to call leaders to question is being subordinated and many have put a reason to it: because they do not want to be seen as the proverbial black sheep, “who readily collude with the demons.”

    It was John F. Kennedy who said, “The hottest part of hell should be reserved for all those who keep quiet in the face of moral crisis.”

    When party men choose to become liberal democrats and do not criticize the wrongful use of power, do not give voice to issues of social contract that binds citizens to rulers, then it is fair to say that our democracy undermines the opportunity for real political development of state.

    Who then will fight for the masses; inspire pride and serve as the anointed Ombudsman for development?

    The danger in towing the line always, not rocking the boat, is the false impression that spirited criticism necessary for nation building is the handiwork of Major-Domos on a mission to destroy the credibility of principals.

    No democracy is free from criticisms and all stakeholders today in the democratic stake want an open and transparent government, and if democrats in Nigeria mean well to drive policies of state for growth, then they must refrain from serfdom that has destroyed Nigeria’s democracy.

    One wishes, that the political class in Nigeria will strengthen party politics like it is done elsewhere; political office must be seen as a sacred responsibility that must be discharged with utmost candour and selflessness.

    It should be clarifying for those who believe that Nigeria is a force politically due to the seamless transfer of power in the last general elections. She is not.

     

    • Simon Abah,

    Port  Harcourt, Rivers State.

  • How not to play the opposition

    Looking closely at the current socio-political and economic situation, it will be an understatement to say that the growth and image of the country have been greatly battered by the mismanagement of the pasts. It is not surprising to see the pervasive and alarming rate of insecurity, unemployment, corruption, infrastructural decay, political intolerance, moral decadence and other societal vices that have eaten deep into the system. Though, the present administration is battling tooth and nail to tackle the problems head-on, it will require the highest level of patriotism/commitments and contributions of all and sundry to make headway and positive impact. However, misplaced priority and irrational criticisms on the part of those that form the oppositions are major issues that are capable of throwing spanners on the wheel of progress. It will be very difficult (if not impossible) for any government to achieve much progress if the opposition adopts unpatriotic and inconsiderate tendencies in their desire to take over power.

    In a democracy, the common priority of the opposition is to replace the people in government. Therefore, they employ different types of tactics and measures in the course of achieving their aim. Though, there is nothing wrong in forming opposition to government if this priority is reasonably, objectively and patriotically pursued; it becomes a problem and undesirable if dubious, criminal, unreasonable, wicked and unpatriotic tendencies are devised in their pursuits. In other climes, the people in opposition put the interest of the country and citizens foremost in their criticisms and other activities against the government. They constitute themselves as checks to forestall the ruling party from derailing in governance. They study the policies and programs of government and devise ways of improving on them and presenting same as manifestoes to swerve the electorates’ votes in their favour in subsequent or future elections.

    In the Nigerian context, opposition is seen as an avenue to pull down the ruling government and take-over governance. The politicians are known for pursuing their selfish interest not minding the negative effects such actions will have on the country and the masses. Every steps and policies of government are condemned or made to look worthless and appalling in the eyes of the electorates just to justify their sentimental and selfish aim of pushing the rulers out of power and take over control. This trend is synonymous with our democracy and it has persisted since independence which explains the numerous military interventions in the country’s politics. The efforts put-in by all patriotic and well meaning Nigerians and the international community before democracy was eventually restored cannot be quantified. With the coming of the Fourth Republic, one would have expected that the people have learnt their lessons and handle things more naturedly by drastically curtailing, if not permanently eradicating the trend, but, reverse is the case as the situation is getting worse by the day.

    The issue of oppositions’ misplaced priority is not an ideology of a particular party, ethnic group or religion; most politicians are guilty of this anti-democratic and progress-killing activity. In as much as this piece recognizes the fact that in politics, there are no permanent friends or foes but, permanent interest, our politicians have misconstrued this principle to mean personal and selfish ambitions/interests.  As a result, the permanent interest of the people in opposition is to pull down the government in power at all cost not minding the damage or pains it will inflict on the innocent masses and the growth of the nation. The people in government also see the opposition as enemies of the nation who should not be trusted come rain or shine. The situation is so bad that even if it is obvious to the whole world that something is white, the opposition will always see that thing as red, blue, black, green or any other colour (but not white), so as not to be perceived as agreeing or giving credence to the policies and activities of government in power. In such situations, it will be difficult (if not impossible), for a nation to progress because mutual suspicion will pervade the polity.

    When the issue of Boko Haram started, the government and opposition played politics to the gallery until it got out of hand to becoming a mountainous problem that has gulped billions of naira and wasted several innocent lives. If the issue had been handled with all sincerity and patriotic zeal (by all and sundry), those billions would have been used for developmental projects (if not transferred to private pockets) and most of those deaths, averted. No wonder, the whereabouts of the Chibok girls is still a mystery.

    Today, a lot of sensitive issues are springing-up and our people are still handling it with levity and in the usual mannerisms. The ongoing anti-corruption war; secession agitation in the East; Soldiers/Shiites’ clash in Zaria; persistent fuel scarcity; election violence and alleged malpractices in Southern Ijaw; political imbroglio in Kogi and numerous others deserve unwavering commitments and co-operations of all well-meaning Nigerians to tackle. Expectedly, the masses continue to suffer endlessly and instead of the opposition to join hands with the present government to fight the problems and find lasting solutions, they are trading blames and accusations. Their relationship is still like that of cat and mouse.

    It is obvious that the people do not seem to have learnt any lessons from the past and are gradually walking into another tight corner. We must not allow this to happen again for the sake of the nation’s survival. Consequently, the aim of this piece is to prick the conscience of those concerned and remind them that there is need to have a rethink and embrace national interests in place of misplaced priorities which have done us greater damages than good. All hands must be on deck to handle issues objectively and patriotically without fear or favour. There is no gainsaying the fact that the efforts of the present administration are gradually yielding results hence the need for all well-meaning Nigerians to come on board so that the dividends of democracy will be fully brought to bear on the lives of the masses.

    The government on its part should also handle all issues with patriotic zeal and must not apply political sentiments. They must go to equity with clean hands. Criticisms and advice of the opposition should be perused to determine those that will be beneficial to the generality of the people. We should forget about political affiliations in this fight for total freedom from poverty and all societal vices. Interestingly, it is only names, symbols, ideologies and manifestoes of political parties that differ; the members are citizens of this country. Parties will come and go; governments will come and go; politicians and administrators will come and go; people will come and go; but, the country will remain. The country gained independence in 1960 (55 years ago), and we have less than 40% of our population in that age bracket today. Possibly, in another 50 – 60 years that generation would have been completely wiped off but, the country will remain. So, let us put in our best for the benefits our today and posterity.

     

    • Oise-Oghaede, a public policy commentator, writes from Surulere, Lagos.
  • ‘PDP should face reality of being in opposition’

    ‘PDP should face reality of being in opposition’

    Hon. Toba Oke is a chieftain of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC). In this interview with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE, he speaks on moves by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to resist the anti-graft crusade and other issues.    

    What is your assessment of President Muhammadu Buhari so far?

    The APC’s defence to the appointment made so far by the Federal Government is valid. It is valid in the sense that if you are taking a vehicle to the mechanic for repair, you don’t begin to dictate to the mechanic how he is going to repair the vehicle. The vehicle would have to be examined and diagnosed by the mechanic himself. People are accusing President Muhammadu Buhari of appointing northerners, but don’t forget that the people appointed so far are supposed to be members of his kitchen cabinet. He can only pick people that he trust. I don’t know why people made so much noise about it. When he appointed Ibe Kachikwu to head the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) there was no noise about it. How many people commended the President for it? Now, he took Mr. Tunde Fowler, who was like the engine room of the revenue generation in Lagos and elevated him to the federal level. He was elevated simply because Buhari was convinced that Fowler will work toward rejuvenating the country’s revenue portfolio. If you look at all the institutions that generate revenue for the country, they are corrupt.

    We should give it to Buhari; he has been there 30 years ago. He is there again, mature, grown in age and you don’t rubbish his experience. Whatever the reorganisation or house cleaning anybody wants to undertake in the Nigerian Custom Service (NCS), for instance, it has to be done thoroughly. Who among the pack in the Custom that can do the job? Check from top to bottom, the department lacks persons that could be trusted. Therefore, it is important to get somebody who is well committed to do a better job. He needs a person that believes in the gospel of ensuring corruption free Nigeria, the gospel of corruption free federal institutions and he went for Col. Hamid Ali. Honestly, that is the safest thing for him to do. Col. Ali distinguished himself as a military administrator, who believes in the democratic process. When Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen. Sani Abacha were busy truncating the democratic process, the man looked Babangida in the eyes and quit the service.

    My take on this is that Buhari has proved vigorously that the change mantra must be affected. Leaders of the party are committed to the change. They are committed and sincere about it. They have the man who is not only straight forward, principled, but upright in the campaign against graft to emulate. So, I don’t see anything wrong in all the appointments made so far. If people must complain, they should wait until all the appointments have been made.

    The opposition has accused the President of being selective in the war against graft…

    What do you expect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)? You expect them to clap for Buhari for chasing them all over the place, to recover their loots?  They won’t clap for him and of course they will be looking for excuses. They will also look for ways of scuttling the battle against corruption. They left an economy that is totally grounded to the President. What are they shouting about? They should not complain; they should rather face the reality. States and Federal Government could not pay salaries because of their misrule. These facts would not have been known, if former President Goodluck Jonathan had not left. When the media gave a breakdown of the money allocated to the state to pay salaries, it was so appalling and mind-boggling.  One could only imagine what would have happened if the last administration was not swept out. The country could have totally collapsed. So, what are they talking about? Most of the states that were not able to pay salaries are or were PDP states. The rot in the country needs total cleansing, it was even reported that the NNPC has so many illegal accounts. I don’t see anything unusual about the probe. If you are accused of being corrupt and you are given the opportunity to explain yourself, please for God’s sake clear yourself. Any minister that is accused of stealing money should come out boldly to clear himself.

    How would you rate Buhari’s administration after 100 days at the helms of affairs?

    When we were campaigning, the leadership of the party, particularly the architect of the merger that led to the formation of the APC, supported any other candidate to emerge as our presidential candidate. But, they know that the kind of change the country wanted could only be brought about by the Buhari personality. Even if he is not doing anything, just put him there, thing will work. People who know his pedigree don’t need to be advised before they begin to think and do right things. Fine, the aggressiveness of his military life has been tempered by age and maturity. That is the beauty of what is happening in Nigeria now. This is somebody who went in as military head of state, introduced War Against Indiscipline (WAI) and the monthly environmental sanitation. People know who the President is and everybody is falling in line with expectation. But, the PDP has been talking rubbish, when they were there, they were busy siphoning money. They were helping themselves with public funds as much as they could.Diezani Alison-Madueke was even bigger than the President. The President could not control any of his ministers.

    People say the Lagos State APC washed its dirty linen in public, when it published some misdeed about the last administration…

    We should look beyond party membership; being a member of the party, which is at the helms of affairs in the state or at the federal levels, should not stop the fact being established. That should not stop the fact that you can be called upon to render account. Though I was in government then, I cannot come out to say a former governor was actually corrupt or not corrupt. When the accusation was being made some people said Fashola should speak up and I believe he should. If you have been accused of misappropriating funds, it is an opportunity for you to clear yourself. Nobody is saying you are going to jail, but what people are saying is that if you are accused of some misdeed, I think you will be doing yourself a lot of good by coming out to clear your name. It is as simple as that.

    Why did Governor Ambode take so long to announce his cabinet?

    In 1999 when we returned to democracy, when Asiwaju Bola Tinubu became the governor, it took him some time to put together his cabinet because he wanted the best for Lagos. The best we wanted for Lagos brought out Fashola and the commissioners. They impacted in the development of the state. Some people believe that during the campaigns, they were supposed to have known those to be appointed. But, it should be recalled that they were campaigning and their focus was on the campaign. You cannot get into office and announce your cabinet, without really looking at the quality of the people you want to bring in. Part of the well thought out decision brought Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who served as the Attorney-General. If Asiwaju had not searched very well to discover talent, people who have brilliant minds, how would he discover the Vice President, Tunde Fowler, Arthur Warrey etc? So, as an elected governor, the people want you to give them the best and that is exactly what is going on now. You have to take your time to assemble a team that will deliver in line with the expectation of the people.

     

     

  • ‘Kogi can’t afford to be in opposition’

    ‘Kogi can’t afford to be in opposition’

    Hon. James Abiodun Faleke is the the Kogi State All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship running mate and the House of Representatives member representing Ikeja Constituency, Lagos. In this interview with JAMES AZANIA, he gives reasons why the state cannot afford to remain in the opposition. 

    Can you clear the air over the controversy that followed your nomination as the running mate to Prince Abubakar Audu?

    I was born on December 25, 1959 to the family of late Pa Benjamin Faleke and Mrs. Janet Omorewo Faleke of Ekinrin-Adde in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State. I schooled at Baptist Day Primary School, Ekinrin Adde and had my secondary school education at the Abdulazeez Atta Memorial College Okene, after which I proceeded to Kaduna Polytechnic and graduated in 1986. I had my Masters Degree in Business Administration from the Imo State University. Before I ventured into politics, however, how did I get to Lagos? I was posted to Lagos during the 1986/87 (NYSC) service year. We had our camp in Ile Ife, Osun State and I emerged the Camp Parade Commander out of four states put together then and of course due to my activities during the service, I was given a National NYSC Merit Award and I served in Ikeja Local Government Area. I actually served in Igbobi, but my primary assignment was in Ikeja LGA.

    I have been involved in politics from youth. My mother was the Women Leader during the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) days and of course that entrenched me into the system. The late Pa Olawoyin of Offa was one of our great fathers, a great leader. The late Kokori of Okene and Senator A. T. Ahmed of blessed memory were also my mentors politically. These were the people I followed in politics.

    However, I didn’t start politics like that; I was invited by the people of my constituency in Ikeja to serve in the capacity as the Chairman of the local government. In the process, I became the Chairman of Chairmen in Lagos State (the Conference 57). I served first and second terms as Council Chairman and everybody in Lagos knew that I am from Kogi State. I have never hidden my identity.

    I have always told Nigerians or Lagosians generally, where I come from and I am proud to come from Kogi State. I use it to campaign. I have a great honour and regard for my leader, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tiunbu. He is a detribalised Nigerian. He always allows people from other geographical areas to contest for political positions in Lagos State because the people said they want you. I want to say that the training I received as a council chairman during my days in the local government has made me a more or less grassroots politician in Ikeja area and Lagos State in generally.

    While in Lagos State, I was again elected to serve as a House of Reps member to represent Ikeja Federal constituency at the National Assembly from 2011 to 2015 and then I sought to contest for a second term and I was re-elected unopposed in my party’s primary. That was the singular honour the Ikeja people did to me. Again, that was the first time an aspirant from Ikeja Federal Constituency would be contesting the seat for the second term. No politician has ever gone for and won the ticket for a second term, but mine was not only going for the second term but I contested unopposed in my party primary. I also served as the Director-General, Buhari/Osinbajo Campaign Organisation in-charge of Lagos State. Now I am being considered to serve in the capacity of Deputy Governor of my state. I have a house in my village, Ekinrin-Adde. In 2011, I was at home on my own volition to canvass for support for Prince Abubakar Audu who was the Kogi State governorship candidate of our party. Then, we were in the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). I campaigned for him in my village and that was the first time my people will vote for him and he won in Ekinrin-Adde. The feat was achieved due to the great respect my people have for me. Again, even this time around, my intention was just to be part of the campaign team, not knowing I will be called upon to serve.

    Did you lobby to become the running mate?

    I did not lobby for it at all. My intention was just to be part of the campaign team. I only went to the national secretariat of our party to inform our National Chairman of my intention to serve in the campaign team. I was even suggesting people he could use for Deputy Governorship and of course one way or the other, I was called upon to serve in the capacity. I think it is just time God said I should go and serve my people and to me it is divine, because I never planned it.

    How would assess President Muhammadu Buhari’s 100 days in office?

    Yes, Nigerians have been experiencing change in many areas. He is just 100 days plus in office and you can see the country is calm and everything is going on smoothly. First, in the area of petrol, Nigerians now have the opportunity to get the product at the official price of N87 and the correct metering system across the country. Electricity supply has improved tremendously. The fight against the deadly Boko Haram is being won gradually and the fight against corruption is ongoing and for the first time in this country, Nigerians now know that they have a leader that is transparent and ready to serve with all sincerity of purpose. I want to assure Nigerians that in a short while, we shall all experience change in all areas of our national life.

    How prepared are you for your latest role and what do you have for the state?

    I am 100 per cent prepared. I am psychologically and spiritually prepared. Of course, I am physically prepared to work with the Prince of the Niger, Prince Abubakar Audu, to rescue Kogi State from the present situation that we have found ourselves. I feel sad to see our township roads for example, the only road that passes through Lokoja, the state capital. It is like a local government road. In Lagos, as a council chairman, I wouldn’t even construct such roads. It saddens my heart to see a state that was created in 1991 is yet to come up after the way Prince Abubakar Audu left it in 2003. The current economic situation we find ourselves in the state can be attributed to the failure of the successors of Prince Audu to tap into other sources of revenue generation. Maybe they don’t have the knowledge or they lack the mental acumen to tap into other sources of revenue.

    Our agenda is to rescue the state and ensure that we bring it back to the comity of states where it will be highly respected. We also want to ensure that in the area of infrastructural development our state is brought up to the standard that will be admired by Kogites. We will ensure that our healthcare facilities are working well, ensure that our students are well taken care of, improve the education sector of the state, ensure that job opportunities are created for our teaming unemployed youths in the state. Our opportunity of coming back by the grace of God is to create wealth and employment opportunities for the people and at the end, improve the living standard of the people of the state.

    Are you registered to vote in Kogi State?

    If people say I am a Lagosian, yes, I am a Lagosian. But, I have never lost my Ekirin-Adde identity. I am a Lagosian and Lagosians know that I am from Kogi State and I am proud to come from the Kogi State. Normally, you are born in a village and you travel out of that village in search of greener pastures. But, later in life, such persons come back home to rest. Like the Yoruba adage says “Ile labo isimi oko”.

    I want to say that I give God the glory and I give thanks to the Lagosian for giving me the opportunity to be trained, to be tutored and to be empowered and of course you know everything about good governance is Lagos State. What I want to bring back home is good governance and I want to sincerely say that yes, I did not register to vote in Kogi State, but you are aware of the opportunity provided by the Independent National Electoral Commissions (INEC) for anyone that wants to transfer his or her voting data to any location of their choice. So, I have since transferred my voting data to my polling unit in Ekinrin-Adde Ward in Ijumu Local Government. So, that is not a problem at all. God is in control.

    What is your message for the electorates in Kogi State?

    My message to them is that, from Kogi West, Central and East, we cannot afford to remain in the opposition to the federal government. This is time to remove our state from the hands of the clueless party called PDP. I am always surprised to hear them shouting PDP! Power! Where is the power? Is it the power that they have used wrongly? No transformation in Kogi State. It is time to change. Change for the better. Change to a government that is productive. Change to a government that would be responsive. Change to a government that will guarantee dividends of democracy and change to the government that will be very transparent. Finally, I want to tell them that come November 21, 2015 they should all come out en-masse to cast their votes for the APC. The party remains the only platform that can guarantee the real change they are yearning for.

  • PDP lawmakers promise credible opposition

    PDP lawmakers promise credible opposition

    Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the House of Representatives have promised to engage the Federal Government constructively.

    The lawmakers said although being in the opposition was to them, having been ruling since 1999, the caucus vowed to provide a credible opposition in the House.

    However, while backing  President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption drive, its media group, led by Shawulu Rima (PDP, Taraba), told reporters in Abuja yesterday that the President had no right to define the period of his investigation of corrupt officials.

    Rima, who was with other members of the group, said: “We, in the PDP, played a key role in the emergence of the House Leadership. Majority of our members voted for the Speaker, Yakubu Dogara and his deputy, Suleiman Lasun, and we are happy with the way they have  conducted affairs of the House.

    “We will continue to support them. We are not going to indulge in frivolous criticisms, we will support the government and will be a credible opposition.

    “We are not going to behave as area boys in criticising government. We won’t take actions as if we have a predetermined position, which can destroy the system”.

    Noting that the investigation of corrupt official was a welcome development, Rima, however, said the caucus would not accept the investigation limited to certain individuals or the last administration.

    “We support the agenda of the Federal Government to fight corruption; however we want the probe to be all-inclusive since there is no status of limitation to a crime.

    “The President does not have the power to draw a line on the particular crimes he will prosecute. If he does that, he will be flouting a section of the constitution.

    “We caution the present administration to learn from the mistake of the then opposition in Ghana, which came to power and started prosecuting but lost out in national development, which led to its defeat in the subsequent election”.

  • Opposition backs President’s anti-graft campaign

    Opposition backs President’s anti-graft campaign

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has supported President Muhammadu Buhari’s anti-corruption campaign. But, the opposition yesterday warned that due process must be followed.

    In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, the party warned against using the campaign as a guise “to victimise innocent citizens and curtail the freedom of Nigerians”.

    The PDP said the clarification became necessary to remove any misconception that the party was against Buhari’s decision to probe some past government officials, who are mainly members of the PDP.

    The statement said: “The PDP supports the decision of the Federal Government to fight corruption in our country. However, we make bold to state that it should not be used as a guise to victimise innocent citizens.

    “Democracy has come to stay in Nigeria and no citizen, irrespective of political, religious or ethnic affiliation, should be denied access to due process and the rule of law .

    “In the same vein, we want to state categorically that the anti-corruption war, whilst targeted at the immediate past administration, should not by any means be blind to the impunity of the present leaders of the country, either in terms of borrowing and spending without recourse to the statutory arms and organs of government and dictates of transparency and accountability, or in terms of nepotism in appointments in key institutions, such as INEC and the DSS.

    “The anti-corruption effort must not be blind to the corrupting of the security system resulting in the intrusion by over-zealous operatives on issues bordering purely on politics; the hounding, arrest and detention of Resident Electoral Officers and members of election tribunals in Rivers, Akwa-Ibom and other PDP states.

    “Furthermore, we make bold to state that he who comes to equity must come with clean hands. In that regard therefore, we advice members of the APC blowing the horn ahead of the cart to keep quiet because many of them have been major beneficiaries of corruption and sleazes associated with themselves and their allies, especially one of them who as a disguised errand boy of a well known APC leader is a major beneficiary of the largesse of perpetrators of corruption.

    “Apart from Mr. President, who for now, is not associated with any sleaze or corrupt activity in this democracy, most APC leaders are still those who as governors, ministers and labour leaders have been the worst corrupt set of Nigerians ever to bestride the political landscape of the country.

    “It is a great miscarriage of perception therefore for APC leaders who are perpetrators of sleazes and corrupt acts to attempt to deceive Nigerians with imaginary holiness in this anti-corruption war by the President.

    “Consequently, we counsel Mr. President, as the leader of the APC to remove the log in the eyes of his party while we support his commitment to remove the speck from the eyes of others”.

     

  • PDP… Too crippled to play credibile opposition?

    PDP… Too crippled to play credibile opposition?

    In another four days, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be in opposition at the federal level and in many states. The party is broken by internal crisis. Many are wondering if it is ready to play credible opposition, writes SUNDAY OGUNTOLA.

    All through last week, the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was enmeshed in one trouble after another. In one day, its National Chairman Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu and Board of Trustees (BoT) Chairman Tony Anenih resigned. The ripple effects of the resignation are expected to be felt this week, as the party prepares for its new role – the opposition.

    For PDP, things have really fallen apart. Sixteen years after ruling the country, it suddenly lost its grip and got dislodged from power. The momumental losses it suffered at the presidential/National Assembly elections on March 28 and the governorship/Houses of Assembly elections on April 11 have left the PDP on the brink. The unfolding developments have shown that the party may not get its bearing in a short while.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Gen. Muhammadu Buhari polled 15,424,921 votes to defeat incumbent and PDP’s Goodluck Jonathan, who got 12,853,162.

    Expectedly, the presidential defeat orchestrated a major shift in the nation’s political arena. Many states, which the PDP would, easily, have won, started looking the APC’s way. Several alignments and reengineering took place in many states. By the time the governorship and Houses of Assembly elections were held on April 11, the PDP had suffered a devastating reversal of fortunes.

    The presidential loss was defining but the loss of many states hitherto considered PDP strongholds was very debilitating. The party’s governorship candidates lost in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Imo, Borno, Kano, Bauchi, Jigawa Adamawa, Yobe, Katsina, Sokoto, Kaduna, Kebbi, Kwara, Niger and Zamfara.

    Of the 28 contested governorship seats, the APC won 20, leaving only eight for the PDP, which prided itself as the largest political party in Africa. It was a massive tsunami that left the ruling party tumbling from its Olympia height.   On May 29, when the governors-elect are sworn in, the APC will have 22 governors, leaving 14 states for the PDP.

    In the National Assembly, the PDP’s tales of woes could not be stopped. Voters rejected many of the candidates fielded by the party, ostensibly in protest of the imposition of many of them. The protest votes launched the APC to the status of majority party in the Eighth Senate with 64 senators-elect. The PDP could only produce 45 and the Labour Party (LP) settled for one. The development eventually sealed the fate of the PDP in presiding over the next Senate.

    The APC, with a clear majority, looks set to produce the next Senate President and other principal officers of the Upper Chamber. That, again, is a big setback for the PDP, which has produced successive Senate President since 1999.

    In the House of Representatives, the APC also emerged the clear leader, winning 214 federal seats. The PDP settled for only 125. The difference of 89 seats is already huge enough. But the APC might make more hauls when elections are held in the 11 federal constituencies of Jigawa State, where the waiting in the wings to occupy the governorship seat.

    If the APC wins the seats as being projected, it will have 100 representatives more than the PDP. Going by how politics has already played out, the 10 representatives elected on the platforms of the LP, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Accord, might up end defecting to  the APC. This will further entrench the party’s commanding influence in the Green Chamber.

    With 81 lawmakers elected on its platform, the APC swept to victory with the highest membership haul from the Northwest. The PDP could not produce any House of Representatives member from the zone. The Southwest delivered 47 seats for the APC as against PDP’s 20.

    In the Northcentral, the party got 41 seats and left eight for the PDP. In the Northeast, the APC secured 40 seats to PDP’s seven. The PDP’s strongest zone is the Southsouth, where it produced 52 members as against APC’s three. The three seats came from Edo State.

    In 2011, the PDP had 208 lawmakers in the lower chamber of the National Assembly. The defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) produced 70  and the then Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) had 40. The implication is that the APC has a better chance of producing the next Speaker and principal officers of the House of Representatives.

    Since it suffered the unprecedented electoral misfortune, the PDP has been hit by a gale of defections. Its former stalwarts and chieftains have been leaving in droves with their supporters. Even die-hard PDP faithful are beginning to review their membership. Many are upbeat that the party might never survive the next four years.

    Their skepticism is not misplaced. Since the PDP lost its ruling status, it has been confronted by serious in-fighting, intrigue and wrangling. Some of its governors have been vociferous in their condemnation of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC). The NWC members, they contended, did not do enough to lead the party to victory and therefore should quit.

    The party officials, on their part, have countered such claims, insisting the governors, instead, should be held responsible for the party’s dismal performance. Many of them, the NWC members argued, imposed candidates and made it impossible for voters to support them.

    The cat-and-mouse game degenerated to Mu’azu’s resignation as the national chair. Mu’azu, fondly call ‘The Game Changer’, had resisted pressures from many PDP governors to resign for leading the party to defeat. Such move, the former chairman argued, will further polarise the party and leave it dead and buried. His resignation was followed by that of the BoT chair, Chief Anenih, who his admirers often call ‘Mr. Fix it’.

    Though Anenih said his resignation was to pave the way for President Jonathan new role as BoT chairman after leaving office on Friday,  some of the governors who are aversed to the President’s leadership style have vowed to quit and form a new political party.

    The development, political observers say, will further aggravate the crisis in the party, especially when it was discovered that the duo of Mu’azu and Anenih were forced out of office.

    Unsatisfied with Mu’azu’s exit, some PDP governors have renewed their insistence that other members of the NWC and the NEC should follow suit.

    If anything, it (Mu’azu and Anenih’s resignation) leaves a bitter taste in the throat of their supporters and sympathisers, confirming the party’s penchant for changing its top helmsmen at the flimsyest excuse.

     

    Will PDP be able to play opposition politics?

    The blame-game and name-calling among chieftains has left the party in disarray, making many to wonder if it will ever survive and be able to play opposition politics. The thinking is that this is a most unfamiliar terrain for a party that is used to being in power and spoilt by the perks of office. To suddenly find itself on the other side of the divide could be a burden too heavy to bear.

    National Secretary of the LP Kayode Ajulo believes the PDP lacks the wherewithal to assume the role of a viable opposition party.

    Ajulo said: “I must say this with all sense of responsibility that the PDP cannot function well as an opposition party because it lacks the capacity to play such a role in Nigeria.

    “I must say that the characters in the PDP prefer packaged food than going to the kitchen to cook. They like already-made things. So, you can’t expect such people to be in opposition.”

    He said the gale of defections is a clear signal that PDP members cannot be a good opposition. Ajulo explained that those who will play opposition politics must be sacrificial and prepared to put their lives on the lines.

    Senator Chris Ngige (Anambra Central) knows what it takes to be in opposition. According to him, it is never an enviable role to play in any democratic dispensation. Ngige has tasted both sides. He was Anambra State governor under the PDP and  a senator under the APC.

    He said: “I must thank all those who remained steadfast in APC because playing opposition can be frustrating and tempting.

    ‘’Though I was receiving overtures from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, I rejected them because the principles on which we formed that party have been jettisoned and bastardised.

    “At the amalgamation of some political parties to form the APC, I decided to run for governor but many notable politicians told me that though I am a good candidate, it was better for me not to run because I would never be allowed to win as the forces against me were numerous.

    “However, I insisted on running because God had told me that the APC will form the next Federal Government. Though I did not win the governorship, I was consistently telling our people that the APC was the best bet for Igbo in Nigerian politics.”

    Ngige believes that most PDP members in the Southeast will soon switch over to the APC.

    “I know many of these Igbo contractors cannot play opposition politics and their next move may be to move into the APC,” he said.

    Playing opposition politics requires  men of strong political will to put their lives on the line. Most PDP chieftains, unfortunately, were attracted by the patronage they were getting from the party in the past 16 years. Without such undeserving perks and inducements, it is hard to see many of them sticking out their necks for the party.

    Such strong men must also be willing to stake their resources to oil  party structures across the states without seeking immediate rewards. “That is difficult to imagine among the current crop of leaders parading themselves as PDP chieftains,” Charles Okon, a political analyst said.

    Okon went on: “How many of them will be willing to invest their resources and not expect returns immediately? How many of them will fund the party with their dwindling fortunes and refuse to be bought over by the ruling party? How many will look away from whatever the ruling party have to offer and maintain that the PDP is the only way to go?

    “If we look well, we might not find up to 10 of them in the country. Why? It is because they are used to spending government money to fund the party and its programmes. Without the attraction of government funds, many of them will stay away or switch camps.”

    But to Ahmed Gulak, a former political adviser to the President, the party will cope well with its new-found opposition status.

    He said: “I can assure you that we are ready. Some of us will never decamp. No matter what, we will stay  back and build the party. We will put the ruling party on its toes and ensure that we spotlight all their (APC) mistakes and failures to the nation. It will be tough, but we will do it. We have to, because we have no choice really. There is nowhere else to go but to build the party.”

    Senate President David Mark is also confident the party will do well as an opposition.

    Mark said: “We are going back to the drawing board to do a critical review and fashion out a blue print that would get us out of the woods for good.

    “The role of opposition is strange to us, but it is not a death sentence. We should be ready for the challenges. We are prepared to play a credible opposition. I believe the nation, and indeed Nigerians will be the best for it.”

     

    What future awaits PDP?

    The future appears very bleak for the PDP. Hemmed in by heavy defeats, growing defections and internal bickering, it is clear that a turbulence future awaits the party. Yet, it is in the interest of the fledging democracy for a big party like the PDP to survive and offer credible opposition to put the ruling party on its toes.

    Experts say the party might cave in under heavy yokes and goes into oblivion. They said the PDP must survive before its can stand the  chance of bouncing back. For the distressed party, survival will not come easy. But, therein lies the hope of the PDP, the experts contend.

    Many believe the party needs to consider mergers with smaller parties to regain its intimidating aura. Some governors, who were toying with the idea of pursuing their political future in a new party may have had a rethink, following  the resignation of Mu’azu and Anenih. The new thinking is to consider smaller political groups, associations and parties to strengthen the party.

    PDP’s National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh said the option was very much on the table.

    In a statement, Metuh said: “We have a name, tradition and values. Sixteen fruitful years as the guardian of Nigeria’s democracy cannot be nullified by the reason of temporary setback. We shall rise beyond all and regain our rhythm.”

    To also survive, the party needs to embrace reconciliation and embark on internal restructuring.

    Gulak said: “We must purge ourselves and know those who are genuinely for us. The era of assuming those who mill around are PDP members is over. They must be proven and tested over time before we become convinced.”

    For the PDP to purge itself, it must rein in its members who, despite   warnings from the party’s hierachy to shield their sword, continue in the blame-trading game over who and what caused its defeat at the polls.

    Though the future appears uncertain, the PDP must learn how to play opposition politics. How well the party succeeds in doing this will go a long way in determining its survival.

  • PDP’s warped opposition

    PDP’s warped opposition

    Lamido’s statement that Buhari should not give excuses even before taking power is nonsense

    It is easy to dismiss the utterances and actions of some of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwarts since the party’s defeat in the last presidential election as products of post-election defeat hallucination. Or, better still, the ranting of some losers. For a political party that has never known the colour of defeat at that level (whether by rigging elections or by actually winning at the polls) since the country’s return to civil rule in 1999, the temptation to think along these lines is pardonable. But that would be oversimplifying the matter.

    Although personally, I am not surprised at some of these developments, including the statement credited to Alhaji Sule Lamido, Jigawa State governor, to the effect that president-elect General Muhammadu Buhari should stop fishing for excuses and deliver his electoral promises to Nigerians, irrespective of the state of the economy.

    Hear Lamido:”You must fulfill your promises, because there was no condition given on how to do it when you were campaigning for election. Whether the economy is favourable or not, do not give us any excuses. We will not tolerate any excuses. Whatever the APC is, they owe it all to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), because PDP, one way or the other, brought almost all of them into politics. It is about time for them to reflect, because Nigerians will definitely hold them accountable. They must fulfill all their promises.”

    The question now is: does this lie in the mouth of people whose political party just ran the country aground? General Yakubu Gowon might have been quoted as saying money was not Nigeria’s problem but how to spend it (whatever the context), it is the Goodluck Jonathan administration that lived that expression. The government spent money and bribed as if both would go out of fashion anytime soon. We are in a dire economic situation today because the PDP has thoroughly mismanaged the country’s resources and its members and their cronies have stolen a substantial part of it.

    That is why a major crude oil producer is now bedevilled by acute fuel scarcity. What a valedictory emblem! The impression one gets is that the PDP is populated by people who have no conscience or sense of shame. Apparently, they were in a hurry to come into the world and therefore did not wait for their share of these virtues when they were coming.. If our leaders had conscience or sense of shame, they would not feel comfortable in the comity of civilised and focused leaders. I wonder how Diezani Alison-Madueke, our petroleum minister,  felt whenever she attended the meetings of oil producing nations and saw that Nigeria, her country, is the only major crude oil producer that imports fuel. Worse still, the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) elected her as its president last November! This was after she lost the bid to become secretary-general of the organisation in 2012. It is either the OPEC job was a way to humour Nigeria or we have infected the organisation with the bug of corruption that has led to an incestuous relationship between most of our fuel importers and the Nigerian government. This is the oily mess they are leaving behind for Buhari to clear.

    On the general economic front, the result is as woeful, if not worse. Virtually every sector has been paralysed. Power supply continues to ebb in spite of billions, not of naira but dollars spent on it by the PDP in the last decade alone. Many of our hospitals remain the same ‘consulting clinics’ that Buhari met when he came on New Year’s Eve in 1983 in a coup d’état. Education is in a shambles. Unemployment has worsened since the Jonathan government took over.

    So, just what is working in the country? Virtually nothing. It is against this ugly scenario that Lamido wants Buhari to perform magic simply because he made electoral promises. As at the last count, the incoming government had claimed that the Jonathan administration is leaving a legacy of $60 debt for Buhari to inherit. Maybe it is because Lamido did not see this as an issue that he still wants miracles. I must confess too that I did not know this is all the country lost to the Jonathan government’s squandermania and corruption. Whereas when President Jonathan took over, the economy was rosier, the exchange rate was better (around N165 to a dollar now about N200 to one US dollar); oil had sold at relatively steady high price (over $100/barrel) under the Jonathan administration for long; yet his government frittered the money away while his officials and their cronies stole the rest.

    One wonders how many of the demands Lamido is making now of Buhari that is inheriting virtually an empty treasury he made from their government which enjoyed the best of times. When Lamido talked about holding the incoming government accountable, does accountability exist in the lexicon of their outgoing government? How many of the PDP’s campaign promises in 2011 had been fulfilled four years after? When Lamido said: “We will not tolerate excuses”, the question that comes into mind is: ‘who are these ‘we ‘? He just reminded one of the Elder Godsday Orubebe ‘show’ when the result of the presidential election result was being collated on March 31. “We will not take this, Nigerians will not take this”? He had said, and many people kept wondering which Nigerians Orubebe was talking about. He had since apologised, though.

    Is Lamido feigning ignorance of the fact that we are having fuel crisis now because of the incestuous relationship between their government and a cabal that both enjoyed corruption together and are now afraid that the honeymoon is about to end? I said it a few weeks back that the fuel crisis would last until Buhari is sworn in and beyond because there is no way the marketers who had enjoyed a lot of free money under the decadent system would want to let go easily. They would want to prove that there is no corruption in the subsidy regime and the only way they can do that is resort to cheap blackmail to get the new government to pay them. Since when has the Jonathan government and fuel marketers ever quarrelled or disagreed over subsidy payments? So, why now?

    The same principle underscores the darkness in the nation. Power firms that gave N5billion to PDP campaign, are  crying of lack of funds to run their business. It is not an accident that both the oil and gas and the power sectors are in this sorry state a few days to Buhari government’s inauguration.

    So, the Buhari government has its job cut out for it. The shenanigans that thieves use to delay or escape justice here must be demolished to facilitate court trials. A situation where the fate of thieves and bribe takers who committed crimes in Nigeria is still at preliminary stages in the country’s courts long after their foreign accomplices tried abroad had commenced their jail terms can no longer continue. Indiscipline is sweet and corruption even sweeter. It is true that corruption is not a peculiar Nigerian problem; it is a global problem. But the difference is that those caught in other places get their comeuppance fast while their Nigerian accomplices wine and dine with the people in power even as their case files gather dust in court shelves.

    We must have seen through the kind of opposition politics the PDP wants to play. The party wants Buhari to resolve the peculiar mess that it could not solve when there was economic boom in 15 years, even before Buhari takes over, irrespective of the state of the country’s economy. So, Lamido too knows that they have sufficiently messed up the economy that they met hale and hearty?

    But it is not their fault; it is because this is Nigeria. In most other places, the ruling party’s stalwarts and their collaborators in government would be behind bars by now. Those who are not would bury their heads in shame. Indeed, in a place like North Korea, as someone said online, they would not have dared what they did in Nigeria. It is because they know that here; there is no consequence for those who ‘get their stealing right’ that the country is at the mercy of thieves. That is the crux of the fuel crisis and the power conundrum that have come to represent the baptism of fire that Buhari would have.