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Tag: PDP

  • Edo PDP, APC quarrel

    Edo PDP, APC quarrel

    The Edo State chapters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday traded words over a television documentary sponsored by the PDP.

    The APC accused the PDP of using “vulgar and abusive language, illogical arguments and fallacies” to deceive the people on the achievements of the state government.

    The ruling party said it was an insult to Governor Adams Oshiomhole for the PDP to allege that the government had created an Office of the Governor’s Mother.

    APC’s State Publicity Secretary Godwin Erhahon, in a statement in Benin, the state capital, called for a “psychiatric examination” on PDP’s State Chairman Dan Orbih.

    Erhahon said the PDP used false photo footages of the previous administration to create disbelief about Oshiomhole administration’s transformation on basic infrastructure.

  • ‘Emir of Ilorin didn’t endorse PDP candidate’

    ‘Emir of Ilorin didn’t endorse PDP candidate’

    The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, has denied endorsing the Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Senator Simeon Ajibola.

    The monarch condemned a story credited to him by an online medium that he had endorsed the PDP governorship flag bearer.

    Ajibola, at the weekend, visited the emir in his palace.

    The emir reportedly described “the emergence of Senator Simeon Ajibola as PDP governorship flag bearer in Kwara as sign of good things to come to the state”.

    But the monarch’s spokesperson and Magaji Nda of Ilorin, Alhaji Salihu Woru Mohammed, described the story as irresponsible, concocted, inciting and an attempt to drag the emir into the murky water of politics.

    Woru said the emir was a father to all political parties in the state, adding that he could not have endorsed a particular party over others.

  • Don’t take petition serious, says PDP

    Don’t take petition serious, says PDP

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has urged the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), not to take the petition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) on the alleged security threat serious.

    In a statement yesterday by its state Secretary, Tope Aluko, the party said the motive behind the petition was “a calculated attempt by the APC Chairman, Olajide Awe, to divert the government’s attention from prosecuting him”.

    The PDP described the petition as part of the antics of the APC whenever it discovers that there are no more roads for its chieftains and members to escape justice.

     Aluko said all the matters raised in the petition “are dead issues which can no longer generate the kind of sympathy that the opposition party chairman would want”.

    “We implore the National Security Adviser not to take the petition of Jide Awe serious because it is part of the antics of the APC whenever they discover that there is no more road for them to escape justice or are being rejected by the people.”

  • 2014: A year of anxiety, tension and hope

    It is a year of consolidation for the opposition, political deals, defections and  re-alignments, ahead of next year’s general elections. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI reflects on the major political activities of the year.

    As the year before the crucial general elections, the year 2014 was a defining one politically. The highlights of the year include national conventions, acrimonious party primaries, high-powered defections, political endorsements and protests against the use of state security forces to intimidate political opponents.

     

    PDP crisis

    The crisis within the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the centre, which reached a crescendo in November 2013 with the defections of five governors to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC), ended in an anti-climax with beleaguered former National chairman Bamanga Tukur throwing in the towel. Tukur resigned on January 15 to forestall the plan by eight members of the National Working Committee (NWC) to suspend him. He had maintained that he would not resign because only the party’s convention could remove him. Tukur’s problem centred round President Goodluck Jonathan’s second term ambition and the embattled former National Chairman’s bid to clip the wings of state governors. His argument was that no individual can be bigger than the party. But, according to the party’s constitution, governors are the leaders of the party in their respective states.

    Sequel to the resignation of Tukur, Adamu Muazu emerged as the National Chairman on January 20. Muazu is considered a consensus candidate who can bring a new era in the party, which had been unable to contain rancour within party circles; the party’s crisis had been allowed to fester on the pages of newspapers. He has allowed the party structures across each state to remain in the hands of the governors. With the coming of Muazu, a conservative northern politician, tempers have simmered down. But, at best, the mood within the party is one of uneasy calm.

     

    APC waxing stronger

    As the ruling was experiencing a gradual implosion within its fold, the opposition APC has been consolidating. On June 14, former governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, emerged as the National Chairman of the party. Following its successful merging of three major opposition parties and a faction of the regional All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) last year, the APC in June assembled delegates for its first National Convention in Abuja, where Odigie-Oyegun was elected by consensus; despite initial stiff opposition from his kinsman, Tom Ikimi who was not seen at the venue of the convention. This was after two other aspirants for the chairmanship position, Chief Sam Jaja and Timipire Sylva agreed to back down, thus leaving Odigie-Oyegun and Ikimi to contest.

     

    Boko Haram insurgency

    Since the beginning of the year, there has been an upsurge in the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents. In April, the insurgents kidnapped more than 200 girls from a boarding school in Chibok. Similarly, Boko Haram proclaimed one of its captured territories the Islamic caliphate of Gwoza in August; a declaration dismissed by the government. In October, the military says it has agreed a ceasefire with the Islamist militants and that the schoolgirls the group abducted will be released. Later, the group denied that it agreed to such a ceasefire, saying that the girls have been married off.

    The insurgency war in the Northeast has led to exchange of political brickbats between the two major parties. They have been trading blames over the matter.

     

    Sanusi’s  battles

    Following the frosty relationship with the Presidency for raising an alarm over missing funds from the oil revenue, former Central Bank governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, was named the 14th Emir of Kano. With the circumstances surrounding his ascension clouded in an intense political atmosphere, Sanusi’s appointment, which was formally announced at the ante chamber of the Kano Government House by secretary to the state government, Rabiu Bichi, took immediate effect.

     

    Defections galore

    But, the consummation of the APC merger was not without its own drama. Not long after the first APC National Convention, former chieftain of the APC, a former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, also moved to the PDP, citing irreconcilable differences with the opposition party. Sheriff formally announced his defection on July 14, while addressing his teeming supporters at the Maiduguri Airport. He had been in the opposition to the PDP for most part of the political journey since 1999.

    Another chieftain of the party and a member of the merger committee, Chief Ikimi, was also miffed with the outcome of the convention, which produced Odigie-Oyegun as the APC National Chairman. Ikimi, crossed over to the PDP on Tuesday August 26.

    Former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, had earlier left the APC for the PDP on January 25 over the decision of the party to hand over the leadership of the party in Sokoto to Governor Aliyu Wamakko, who had defected from the PDP to the opposition party, along with four other governors, in late 2013. He cited a demand by his supporters to do, so having been relegated, with the defection of Governor Wammako.

    Former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, a staunch opposition figure in the state and integral member of the APC merger, had also defected to the PDP on January 29, observing that “the Legacy Group sacrificed all interests for the merger, but for the past six months all agreements reached have not been met.”

    After a long and sustained denial, former Governor of Anambra State Peter Obi defected from APGA to the PDP. Obi had waited till after he left office to switch to join the ruling party. The defection was formally announced at a well-celebrated ceremony at his Onitsha residence. PDP bigwigs from the Southeast and the entire country turned the event into a carnival. But, the move is believed to have subsumed him politically; by diminishing whatever influence he wielded in the Southeast as the foremost APGA chieftain.

    Similarly, on October 2, Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo State defected from the Labour Party (LP) to the PDP; with 25 members of the state House of Assembly. This development, which expectedly sparked off crisis within the state’s chapter of the PDP, is part of the ruling party’s strategy to make in-roads into the Southwest.

    The APC is also a beneficiary of the defections within the year. Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, dumped the PDP for the APC on January 31, having frolicked with the leadership of the opposition party after he saw that his political ambitions could not be achieved within the PDP.

    In a move that sparked a mild political drama, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, abandoned the PDP for the APC on Tuesday October 28. This development brought in its wake a heated debate over whether or not he should vacate his seat as Speaker of the House.

     

    Litmut tests in Ekiti, Osun

    The governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states on June 21 and August 9 respectively were the first true test of the popularity between the two major political parties, the PDP and the APC. While Governor Ayo Fayose of the PDP defeated the then incumbent Governor Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti, the incumbent Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the APC trounced former Deputy Governor Iyiola Omisore of the PDP in Osun. A governorship election that was supposed to hold in Adamawa State on account of Nyako’s impeachment was stopped following a court ruling.

     

    A season of open letters

    The simmering rift between former President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan erupted again this year. In a open letter, Obasanjo made scathing remarks on the performance of his estranged godson. While a response was still being awaited from Presidency, Obasanjo’s eldest daughter Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello joined the fray with her open letter, which described her father in unprintable words and ruled out further communications with him till death. In another open letter, a former National Chairman of the PDP Audu Ogbeh challenged Obasanjo over the role he played as President, when he watched with glee from his seat of power in Aso Rock Villa as rampaging thugs unleashed mayhem and made Anambra State ungovernable; kidnapping former Governor Chris Ngige and eventually swearing in his deputy. When the Presidency finally replied, it was an oblique response, which did not address some of the issues raised in Obasanjo’s letter.

    Obasanjo’s criticisms of the Jonathan administration grew more frequent and pungent as the year drew to a close. The former president also released more salvos in his no-holds-barred memoir titled “My Watch”. It is a narrative of some events while he was in office, which detailed some critical and uncomplimentary remarks on some prominent Nigerians, including President Jonathan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

     

    A controversial dialogue

    President Jonathan’s gathering of 494 wise-men between March and August for a national dialogue was another defining feature politically. The National Conference took place under the leadership of former Supreme Court Judge, Justice Idris Kutigi, supported by Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi.

    The conference started on a shaky note. But, the series of meetings Kutigi held with zonal leaders in the course of the exercise, paid off as the delegates agreed on a position on the controversial draft constitution.

    In all, over 600 resolutions; some dealing with issues of law, issues of policy and issues of constitutional amendments were reached. The magnitude of their work was reflected in a Report and Annexures of 22 volumes of approximately 10,335 pages.

    The conference ended with a minor amendment to the third volume of its report by replacing the draft constitution to read “Resolutions of the conference as draft amendments to 1999 constitution.

    The APC however described the conference as diversionary. Jonathan’s proposal that the decisions of the conference should be submitted to the National Assembly was also not well received by generality of Nigerians. The conference faced more criticisms due to the suspicion that it could be used to prolong the President’s tenure.

     

    Impeachment fever

    The year also witnessed the removal of some elected government officers, prominent of which was former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako. While he was impeached over charges of abuse of office, some analysts believe that his removal was influenced by Abuja over his allegation that the President was sponsoring the insurgency in the Northeast region. Moreover, Nyako had defected alongside four other governors to the APC. Governor Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa State, Adams Oshiomole of Edo State, as well as Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State also survived impeachment moves.

    But, the former Deputy Governor Sunday Onyebuchi of Enugu State was not so lucky. He was ruthlessly kicked out of office by his boss, Governor Sullivan Chime, ostensibly for rearing poultry in his residence. Onyebuchi’s removal however is not unconnected to his cosy relationship with politicians in the opposing camp of the governor. The speakers of the Ebonyi and Ekiti States Houses of Assembly were equally impeached in circumstances linking their governors to the plot.

     

    Court cases

    There were also court cases that helped to define the political landscape. The eligibility of President Jonathan to contest next year’s election was put to the test at the courts this year. Also, a federal high court in Abuja struck out a case instituted by the PDP seeking to sack five of its governors that defected to the APC.

    The National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Muazu, also survived a move to sack him from office in court, over the manner of his emergence as chairman of the party. Immediate past National Chairman Bamanga Tukur was involved in the case filed by another PDP member. Upon squashing of the case, Tukur was slammed by the party for engaging in perceived anti-party activity.

     

    Hullabaloo over PVC

     distribution

    The Independent National Electoral (INEC) distributed permanent voters cards (PVC) and the continuous voters registration exercises in phases, ahead of next year’s general elections. But, the exercise was criticised, for not meeting the logistics demands. Many voters across the nation, particularly in states controlled by the opposition, have complained of not being able to get their cards or get registered.

     

    Transitions

    Former Foreign Affairs Minister Gbenga Ashiru died in the early hours of Saturday, November 29, in South Africa. Ashiru, 66, passed away after a long battle with cancer. He served as a minister from 2011 to 2013 and was Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Korea in 1991 and South Africa in 2005. Former chieftain of the defunct national Democratic Coalition (NADECO) Tunji Adebiyi also passed away mid December.

     

    PDP’s rancorous primaries

    While the APC had a relatively calmer post-primary crisis, the PDP has been battling to curtail the protests sparked by its rancorous assembly and governorship primaries across the country. Many aspirants have complained of being short-changed by the authorities. Some of them, such former Governor of Oyo State Adebayo Alao-Akala, dumped the party. Alao-Akala has pitched his tent with the Labour Party, to enable him realise his ambition of contesting again for the governorship.

    In Akwa Ibom, 22 of the 23 governorship aspirants on the platform of the PDP have vehemently rejected the outcome of the primary in the state, describing it as a mockery. In Kwara, 11 governorship aspirants on the PDP platform have vowed to prevent what they called the imposition of Mr. Dele Belgore as candidate. Senator Ifeanyi Ararume (Imo), Deputy Governor Mukhtar Shagari (Sokoto) and Dr. Ali Pate (Bauchi) who lost the governorship primaries have kicked against the results.

    Similarly, the Ogun State chapter of the party went ahead to hold its congress, in the face of the directive of the National Working Committee (NWC) not to do so. It has insisted that Gboyega Isiaka who was elected at the congress must be the candidate. This is coming against the allegation that Abuja is bent on imposing former Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole as the party’s flag bearer in the state.

    Of the seven former ministers who resigned their appointments to contest governorship elections in their states, only two – Nyesom Wike (Rivers) and Darius Ishyaku (Taraba) – were able to emerge candidates of their party.

     

    Jonathan to face Buhari again

    At the National Conventions of both the PDP and the APC, held on the same day in Abuja and Lagos respectively, President Jonathan and former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari emerged presidential candidates of the two parties. While Jonathan went into the PDP convention as the sole candidate and merely had an affirmation vote; Buhari faced a keenly-contested primary, where he defeated the Governor of Kano, Rabiu Kwankwaso, his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, as well as Atiku Abubakar and the publisher of Leadership newspapers, Sam Nda-Isaiah.

    Jonathan retained Vice President, Namadi Sambo as running mate for the election, while Buhari picked former attorney general of Lagos State, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, as running mate.

  • PDP govt has failed, says CLO

    PDP govt has failed, says CLO

    A human rights group, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), has scored  The Jonathan Administration low for failing to live up to expectations of  the electorate.

    Addressing a press conference in Lagos, its Acting President, Comrade Igho Akeregha, lamented that “the situation has become so helpless that our people, especially those of us who were in the trenches during those dark days of military authoritarianism, have begun to question why we fought the military in the first instance”.

    Akeregha said: “The CLO has watched with agony, how some politicians have, without conscience, plundered our patrimony and squandered our resources. As one of the richest countries in the world, Nigeria parades some of the poorest citizens with lack of social services, including a persistent inability to supply basic energy and potable water.”

    He noted that the insurgency in the Northeast is escalating  and worsening the security situation in the country. He said rather than addressed the menace, government functionaries have resorted to observing a minute silence for the victims of terrorist acts. Our conclusion is that our government has failed in its duty to provide adequate security for Nigerians, he said.

    The CLO leader said corruption,  impunity and lawlessness have become the most worrisome challenges confronting the Nigerian society. “Things have gone so bad that loopholes in the Constitution are dubiously utilised to entrench lawlessness. Public officers routinely plunder the state treasuries without being brought to book.

    “Nigerian citizens have continued to experience wanton and arbitrary abuse of human rights and utter disrespect for the rule of law and due process. Citizens are frequently arrested, detained and tortured in custody without recourse to the respect for their rights. Cases of extra judicial killings, disappearances, disrespect for court orders and trafficking in human beings including lethargy by state agencies to try perpetrators of these violations and abuses have increased.

    “Government has sold almost all the national property to local and international fronts under questionable privatisation processes. The Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE) auctioned public utilities and citizens wait in vain to see the proceeds of such sales would be utilised in their interestto provide basic needs and thereby provide some form of palliatives.”

    Igho  asked the Federal Government to fight the scourge of insurgency, free all those abducted by the insurgents and reclaim the territories taken over by Boko Haram insurgents; demand immediate implementation of the National Conference Report; and that INEC revisits the distribution of Permanent Voter’s Card  in areas where the exercise was fraudulently marred.

  • Kwara PDP unveils Ajibola as governorship candidate

    Kwara PDP unveils Ajibola as governorship candidate

    The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the weekend presented Senator Simeon Ajibola as its governorship candidate.

    The primary that led to his emergence early in the month was dogged with controversy.

    But PDP State Chairman Iyiola Oyedepo said the crisis had been resolved, as he introduced Ajibola to the public at a media briefing in Ilorin, the state capital.

    Three of the former 10 governorship aspirants of the party – Prof. Shuaib AbdulRaheem, Deacon John Dara and Dele Belgore – attended the event.

    The PDP candidate also unveiled Yinka Aluko as his running mate, saying Aluko’s emergence was divine, just like his.

    Ajibola, who accepted to run as the PDP governorship flag bearer, said the PDP would defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2015 election.

    He hailed the aspirants for conceding the position to him, adding that he was not the best among the contestants though his emergence was the wish of God.

    Ajibola said: “The victory at the primary is not only for me but for all of us who decided or dared to put ourselves forward for public service in our effort to rescue Kwara.

    “I hereby plead with you all to put personal interests aside, respect the decision of the delegates and, above all, remind ourselves of our promises to work together for the success of the party.”

    Aluko accepted the position with a promise to be loyal to Ajibola.

    Oyedepo noted that despite the crisis over the outcome of the primary, the party had come out with a candidate who was not imposed.

    AbdulRaheem explained that contrary to the speculation that the multiple aspirants would divide the party, the party was more united.

    He said the members were satisfied with the process that produced Ajibola.

  • Don’t drop Kashamu, Ogun PDP warns

    Don’t drop Kashamu, Ogun PDP warns

    •’I’ll sacrifice my blood’

    Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun East Senatorial district – comprising nine local governments- yesterday warned the party not to drop its candidate, Buruji Kashamu.

    They argued that should the party yield to lobbying to substitute Kashamu with a yet-to-be-named candidate, the result would be counter-productive.

    They said the PDP should forget their votes, if the “detractor” wishes were carried out.

    The people said: “No Buruji Kashamu, no vote for PDP in Ogun East.”

    They were responding to a request by the state Chairman, Dayo Bayo, who sought their consent at a political gathering yesterday in Ijebu-Igbo.

    The chairman said:  “Some individuals are pressuring and working in Abuja that Kashamu should sacrifice his ticket.

    “I don’t see what I can do now after the conclusion of the exercise (primary).

    “I want to know your thoughts. Now I have heard you, I have heard what the nine local governments have said.

    “I remember in 1987 when Chief Obafemi Awolowo died, Chief Emeka Odimegwu-Ojukwu wrote in the condolence register that he (Awo) was the best president Nigeria never had.

    “I don’t want that to happen to Kashamu, he is our leader and he is the best. I will communicate your decision to the appropriate quarters, he is not stepping down.

    “Nobody is perfect, you will see people saying all kinds of things about him, people who can’t come close to him.

    “He has not travelled to the United States but people are saying all kinds of falsehood about him and drugs. We do not have another senatorial candidate for Ogun East save Buruji Kashamu.”

    Kashamu, who was at the meeting, said  he would “sacrifice” his “blood” for the ticket, warning that any attempt to rob him would mean defeat for the PDP in Ogun East.

    He said if the plans of the detractors  succeeded, it would weaken the PDP’s chances in the state.

  • Eight Ogun Assembly members to dump PDP

    Eight Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in the Ogun State House of Assembly are set to leave the party, following the controversies trailing its primaries.

    The eight lawmakers were said to have decided to leave the party for “greener pastures” after the party released a list as its authentic list for the election.

    One of the aggrieved lawmakers, who pleaded for anonymity, wondered why the National Working Committee (NWC) would ‘hand over the fate of aspirants to one man’.

    The lawmaker said: “They called off the primaries on the pretext that the national body would meet and communicate to the aspirants the way forward.

    “We were still expecting this to be done when they said three leaders of the party – a former Minister of Industries, Chief Jubril Martins Kuye; former Governor Gbenga Daniel and Chairman, Membership and Mobilisation Committee in the Southwest Buruji Kashamu – were asked to meet in Abuja to draw up a list of candidates at all levels.

    “From the list they had submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), only Kashamu drew up the list.

    The state Chairman, Bayo Dayo, relied on Kashamu’s wide connections in Abuja to conduct the governorship primary on December 8, despite a directive from the NWC, stopping the primary.

    “But from what had transpired, the national body, which said it would not recognise the governorship primary, where only three aspirants contested and nine boycotted, has accepted the result because Gboyega Isiaka is Kashamu’s candidate. Other names follow the same pattern, coming from one person.

    “That is not the beauty of democracy. They should have allowed us to contest against one another and allow the delegates to choose who they want, not asking one man to handpick his acolytes to stand for election.

    “So, if we are not needed in the PDP, the exit door is still open; eight of us in the House of Assembly have decided to move to another party where we are needed.”

  • APC, PDP, SDP, Accord in war of words over Oyo

    APC, PDP, SDP, Accord in war of words over Oyo

    Major political parties in Oyo State have started a “war of words” over who wins the governorship election next year.

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Accord and Social Democratic Party (SDP) yesterday explained reasons  their confidence of routing others in the February election.

    APC Chairman Akin Oke said the coast was clear for the “so-called jinx to be broken” (referring to inability of previous governors to win a second term).

    Oke hailed the emergence of four other candidates – Rashidi Ladoja (Accord), Adebayo Alao-Akala (Labour), Teslim Folarin (PDP) and Seyi Makinde (SDP).

    He described it as good for Oyo State and part of the beauty of democracy.

    Oke expressed confidence that the people would vote for continuity of the good works being done by Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

    He said other candidates are from the PDP, stressing that voters know their pedigree and cannot be deceived.

    The APC chairman said within the three and a half years that Oyo people have tasted the APC, they would not go back to the dark days again.

    Folarin’s spokesman Victor Oluwadamilare said the people desire a generational change of leaders into which Folarin fits.

    According to him, Ajimobi has tried his best, but his best is not good enough for the state. He said Ladoja, who he described as a fantastic man, is too old for the dynamics of governance and that Alao-Akala has offered his best, which was inadequate.

    Ladoja sees no candidate who can beat him in the election, based on his popularity and swollen number of Accord supporters.

    Accord’s spokesman Nureni Adeniran said: “The bulk of Ibadan votes will go to Ladoja. Ajimobi is the only strong contender in Ibadan but people are tired of him. Once Ajimobi is out, Ladoja is coming in. He clearly ranks number one. We are optimistic that Ladoja will coast to victory.”

    Makinde said he is the fresh blood which the people want, stressing that all other candidates have  shown what they can do, which has not improved the lot of the state.

  • Lagos 2015: APC, PDP battle for Senate

    Lagos 2015: APC, PDP battle for Senate

    Since 1999, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has not won any senatorial election in Lagos  State. Will the story be different in next year’s poll? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the credentials of the flag bearers in the ruling and opposition parties and issues that will shape the contest.

    There is poster war in Lagos. Posters and bill-boards of parliamentary flag bearers adorn the metropolis and suburbs. It is the season of campaigns across the three districts. Who wins the senatorial elections in the Central, West and East districts?

    Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Publicity Secretary Ganiyu Taofik said: “2015 is a year of power shift in Lagos.” He added: “Society is dynamic. It is true that Lagosians have been voting for the AD, the AC and the ACN before. But, the situation will change next year. No political bloc can dominate the scene for too long. You will see the results of the senatorial election.”

    But, his All Progressives Congress (APC) counterpart, Comrade Joe Igbokwe, said that the PDP is day dreaming in Lagos. He said Lagosians who are calling for power shift at the centre will not endorse the PDP at the state level.

    “Lagosians and other Nigerians want President Jonathan and the PDP out in 2015. Do you think that these same people will now endorse a PDP senatorial candidate at the poll? The PDP is day dreaming in Lagos. They will fail again in 2015,” Igbokwe maintained.

    In the Central District, the PDP is roaring like a lion. Senator Oluremi Tinubu, former Lagos State First Lady and Founder of the New Era Foundation, is seeking re-election into the Senate on the platform of the APC. In 2011, she defeated her challenger, Mr. Animasahun, a retired civil servant. Next year, she will face a new challenger, Dr. Adegboyega Dosunmu, a failed PDP governorship candidate.

    In the West, House of Representatives member Hon. Adeola Olamilekan is the APC candidate. It will be an interesting battle between him and his 2011 challenger, Mr. Segun Adewale, an aggressive grassroots politician from Alimoso sub-zone, who is running on the platform of the PDP. In 2003, both politicians were members of the Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    The battle for the East senatorial seat is between the former Permanent Secretary, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, and a relatively unknown woman politician from Kosofe area, Mrs. Olabisi Owolabi Salis-Fakos, wife of the veteran PDP governorship aspirant, Owolabi Salis, a lawyer and financial expert.

    Since the Second Republic, Lagosians have always voted for senatorial candidates from progressives parties. Senators Sikiru Shitta-Bey, Ajayi Adeyiga, Durosinmi and Habib Fashinro were elected on the platform of the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo (SAN). In the Third Republic, the three senators-Bola Tinubu (West), Tony Adefuye (East) and Kofoworola Akerele-Bucknor (Central) were chieftains of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). Tinubu, who had the highest number of votes nationwide, defeated Mrs. Kemi Nelson of the proscribed National Reoublicam Convention (NRC). Akerele-Bucknor defeated Chief Demola Seriki with a slim margin.

    In this dispensation, the PDP has make efforts, but without success. In 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011, its senatorial candidates lost their deposit at the polls. In 1999, Prince Adeseye Ogunlewe (East), Tokunbo Afikuyomi (Central) and Dr. Wahab Dosunmu (West) contested and won on the platform of the AD. Ahead of 2003 elections, Dosunmu and Ogunlewe dumped the AD for the PDP, citing the crisis in the party as the reason for jumping ship. They vied for the same position, but lost. Afikuyomi, who moved from the Central to the West, was re-elected. He was succeeded in the Central District by former Home Affairs Commissioner Musiliu Obanikoro, who ran in the AD. When the eminent politician, Chief Dapo Sarunmi, rejected the AD ticket in the East District, the Speaker of the House of Assembly. Hon. Olorunnimbe Mamora, filled the vacuum created by Ogunlewe’s defection.

    In 2007, Senator Muniru Muse (Central) became an Action Congress (AC) senator. The ticket was initially offered to Mr. Jimi Agbaje, who lost the governorship primaries to Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN). But, the Afenifere chieftain declined to contest for the Senate, saying that he was only interested in serving as governor. He emerged as the governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA). He lost to Fashola. In the East, Mamora, who made much impact as a vocal senator, was re-elected. In the West, Tinubu, who was rounding off his second term as governor, stepped down from the senatorial race. Sources said that the coast was not clear. The Federal Government was bent on denying him the opportunity to return to the Upper Chamber. In the spirit of reconciliation, the slot was offered to an aggrieved governorship aspirant, Ganiyu Solomon, who became senator.

    Senator Solomon from Mushin had contested against Afikuyomi in 2003. He protested against the decision of Afikuyomi  to relocate to the West, saying that it was in bad faith. He was pacified with the House of Representatives ticket in Mushin, which had been won by Mrs. Kehinde Babalola-Adepoju.  In 2011, Solomon was re-elected. But, Mamora and Muse were succeeded by Ashafa and Mrs. Tinubu.

    Unlike previous elections, the PDP is mounting an aggressive campaign. It is a combination of media advertisement and do-to-door mobilisation. Its candidates have a deep purse, making it easy to oil their campaign machinery. APC member in Kosofe said: “This mobilisation of members is another empowerment for us, apart from the SURE-P.”. She described the candidates as competent Lagosians who can represent the three districts. But, Igbokwe said none of them can match the pedigree of the APC flag bearers. Another APC chieftain, mr. Tunde Temionu, said: “Political parties win elections because of their structures, power base and mass appeal. The PDP lack these three elements. There will be a clear battle now that we have two main parties.”

    Dosunmu is an administrator. He holds a doctorate degree in management. He worked in the civil service, rising to the position of the chief executive of one of the parastatals in the aviation sector. He became a politician in 2011, when he was drafted into the governorship race by the PDP leader, Commodore Olabode George (rtd). Lagosians did not take him seriously. He lost the poll to Fashola.

    In three and half years, Mrs. Tinubu has emerged as a tested and trusted politician, who can make and redeem her pledges to constituents. A former teacher, she came into the limelight as the first lady, when her husband assumed the reins as the governor. The New Era Foundation, which she founded gave succour to the needy and indigent students. It also engaged in a talent hunt. Its Spelling Bee competition threw up egg heads, who are now graduates of various disciplines across the federation.

    Senator Tinubu made a lot of promises to the Central District in 2011. In the view of the APC leader, Prince Oluyole Olusi, she has fulfilled the promises. “We have had many senators in the Lagos Central-Oba Musediku Adeniji-Adele, Senator Adeyiga Ajayi, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator Muniru Muse and Senator Oluremi Tinubu. But, none has performed like Senator Oluremi Tinubu,” he said.

    It is an understatement. Since 2011, Mrs. Tinubu has always rendered accounts at town hall meetings organised in every three months. The senator has also instituted a scholarship scheme for students. Indigent traders and widows have benefited from her empowerment schemes. Mrs. Tinubu has also attracted federal government projects to the Lagos State University, Ojo,  Adeniran Ogunsanya College of Education, Ijanikin, and Michael Otedola College of Primary Education, Noforija-Epe.

    In the Senate, she is not a bench warmer. Apart from effectively participating in deliberations and passage of bills and resolutions, Mrs. Tinubu is also effective in the performance of oversight functions. He has proposed a bill on special status for Lagos, although it met with obstacles. Reflecting on her performance, former Yaba Council Chairman and House of Representatives aspirant Hon. Jide Jimoh, described Mrs. Tinubu as a special legislator who has a milk of human kindness. “She has served Lagos central with her whole heart. That was why stakeholders endorsed her for a second term,” he said.

    In the East, Mrs. Salis is intensifying her mobilisation in Kosofe, Ikorodu, Ibeju-Lekki and Epe. The APC has endorsed Ashafa for a second term in this district. The ruling party has a formidable structure in the area. But, many look forward to the contest in the West, where Olamilekan and Adewale will clash. Since Adewale joined the PDP, luck has not smiled on him. In 2011, he struggled to win the House of Representatives seat against Olamilekan. Between 2003 and 2011, Olamilekan was a member of the House of Assembly. He is a loyal party chieftain. This may have accounted for his meteoric political rise.