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  • PDP BoT endorses Jonathan as sole presidential candidate

    PDP BoT endorses Jonathan as sole presidential candidate

    The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Wednesday night endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan as the sole presidential candidate of the party for the forthcoming 2015 election.

    The endorsement came few hours after the PDP Governors Forum led by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio, endorsed Jonathan as the sole presidential candidate of the party.

    Briefing State House correspondents at the end of the BoT meeting in the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, the former Minister of Information and chieftain of the party, Prof. Jerry Gana said that the Trustees are pleased with the way Jonathan has been steering the ship of state.

    Towards the forthcoming convention of the party, he said that the BoT will continue to persuade members of the party to support Jonathan for the election.

    Gana, who was flanked by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu and the Secretary of the BoT, Walid Jubril, also disclosed that the BoT approved the party’s timetable for its primaries and electoral guidelines for the party’s primaries.

    But he said that the timetable and the guidelines will have to be approved by the National Executive Committee (NEC) on Thursday before made public at a press conference at the PDP Headquarters in Abuja.

    Disclosing that Akpabio had informed the BoT meeting of the unanimous resolution of all the PDP governors to make President Goodluck  Jonathan as the sole and unopposed candidate of the party, he said: “They resolved that no PDP governor will be interested to vie for the office of President.”

    Gana specifically noted that the Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, also approved the candidacy of President Jonathan as he had called his Deputy on phone to sign the document endorsing Jonathan for the position during the PDP Governors’ meeting in Abuja.

    He said that a document signed by all the PDP governors on the resolution will be presented to the President at another forum.

    On the criticism of the party by the Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, he noted that the governor has benefited immensely under the party before defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    “If anybody has the right to criticise the PDP, it is not the governor of Kano State if he is a man of integrity.” He stated

    The BoT secretary commended all members of the PDP nationwide.

    Ekweremadu said that democracy is part and parcel of the PDP and that the freedom of expression guaranteed by the administration was what enabled Kano State governor to freely criticise.

  • ‘APC ‘ll beat PDP in Rivers’

    ‘APC ‘ll beat PDP in Rivers’

    Chief Tony Okocha is the Chief of Staff to Rivers State Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi. When BISI OLANIYI met him in Port-Harcourt, the state capital, he spoke on the face-off between his boss and Minister of State for Education Chief Nyesom Wike, zoning and the prospect of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.  

    APC and PDP supporters have been clashing in Rivers State. How can violence be averted in next year’s elections?

    What you saw in Ward 9, which is made up of Rumueprikom and Eleparanwon villages, was not a fight between the APC and the PDP. It was a fight among hoodlums, cultists, ex-militants, thugs mobilised, purchased, procured by the Minister of State for Education, Nyesom Wike, in an attempt to stop the governor from coming to Ward 9 for his (governor) ongoing meet-the-people tour in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.

    It was not a clash between the APC and the PDP at all because Governor Amaechi was not going to the rally of the APC. The governor was on a meet-the-people tour. The governor is the governor of the APC, the PDP, the Labour Party and every other political party. When we set out for rallies, the governor will now speak to his people as the leader of the APC in Rivers State. What the governor undertook was a visit to the wards and he said he was going to visit the 319 wards in the state, before he leaves office as the governor.

    For me, two things were clear. One was that he saw the preponderance of Obio/Akpor people, thronging out to receive the governor in the six wards that we went. The turnout was very massive. Wike had boasted to people that Obio/Akpor LGA belongs to him; Obio/Akpor is in his pocket. I am sure that what would have agitated his mind would have been the local government he is claiming to be in his pocket, are those people singing, praising, eulogising and pouring encomiums on Amaechi. Again, anywhere we went, the people confronted us with their welcome addresses and their welcome addresses were well loaded. They always thanked the governor for what he had done in their places and then they got to naturally talk about their problems.

    Amaechi, in his usual style, the addresses come before he speaks. So, when he takes the microphone, he tells you what his administration has done and why his administration has not been able to execute some particular roads, as a result of lack of funds. He also tells them why certain roads, which have been done, are in a bad shape and insist that the roads were awarded to XYZ and most of them (contractors) are from the affected communities.

    The initial slogan was Rivers money for Rivers people. So, the clash was a fight of hoodlums under the group called the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), which has Wike as the grand patron. Wike assembles a group of never-do-wells and put them together for the purpose of unleashing mayhem. Wike thrives in confusion.

    What you saw in Rumueprikom, which of course spilled over to my own community, Rumuigbo (also in Port Harcourt and in Obio/Akpor LGA). The hoodlums were camped somewhere. Few women were around the place and the people were putting up canopies. The hoodlums destroyed the tents and the musical systems that we hired. We have just paid the owner of the instruments that were destroyed. It was such a colossal loss, as people were running helter-skelter. A lot of pellets were extracted from about six persons, but nobody died.

    If there is no skeleton to hide, why disrupt the movement of the governor of Rivers State? The information they are putting across is that the governor cancelled his tour, because of the crisis. It cannot be correct. The governor is the governor of the state. He is the Chief Security Officer of the state and there is no limit as to where he goes within the precinct called Rivers State.

    How will you describe the APC’s journey so far in Rivers State?

    The APC is a place to be; the APC is the party to beat. It is growing in leaps and in bounds and deeply entrenched in the 23 local government areas and 319 wards in Rivers State. The APC is a party with ideology and believes that the only thing that is permanent in the whole world is change. The APC believes that the PDP as a political party can be likened to salt and as soon as the salt loses its taste, it is no longer useful. It is for all of these considerations that the APC is enjoying very massive support in Rivers State and you just cannot beat it.

    PDP leaders are alleging that the meet-the-people tour of the governor is being turned into a political campaign. What is your reaction?

    If we were campaigning, the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Tunde Ogunsakin, would not detail policemen to provide security. The first thing the governor does, as soon as he takes the microphone, is to say that he is not here for a rally. He is here as the governor of Rivers State, which means he is the governor of the APC, he is the governor of the PDP, he is the governor of the Labour Party and others. He is also the governor of those who do not belong to political parties. He is here to give his account of stewardship, as it pertains to that particular ward. He does not mince words.

    Assuming that it is some sort of campaign, so to speak, shouldn’t we begin to ask this question; what is this Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) doing? Recently, they were in the South-East, South-West and South-South and it was live on many television stations. They were beckoning on President Goodluck Jonathan to seek re-election.

    What did the President’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, come to do recently in Ozuoba, (Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers State? It was at that Ozuoba programme that Wike boasted that six commissioners were going to leave the Rivers State Executive Council and join them in December. Didn’t you hear them bellowing the PDP,  for a supposed Millennium Development Goal (MDG) programme? The President’s wife was there and they were freely bellowing PDP. So what would anybody talk about that? No campaign has commenced, as far as we are concerned. I am sure you know what the GDI has been doing with Wike.

    What has the GDI been doing?  

    The GDI, which is sponsored by Wike, has been campaigning from one LGA to another. I am sure you have seen all their vehicles on the streets with megaphones. Twenty-three of them were purchased and they are on the streets. They have been opening campaign offices everywhere. But, we are not raising the alarm because we are more mature. We are applying maturity.

    You do not worry yourself over a man you know you can beat. Their  approach is not affecting us. We do not worry about people who are not APC members. We are worried about the security of the place, because they are beginning to institutionalise crime. They are beginning to patronise cultism. They are beginning to enthrone militancy again. You can see that at some point, that thing (militancy) was history, but it is beginning to rear its ugly head in the state again, because some persons think that they must catapult themselves to power.

  • Southwest PDP wobbling in crisis

    Southwest PDP wobbling in crisis

    The Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been enmeshed in leadership crises in the six states. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines its implications for the party in next year’s general elections.

    There is no end in sight to the crisis rocking the Southwest Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Last week, there was a new twist to the leadership tussle. The Chairman of the Southwest Caretaker Committee, Chief Ishola Filani,  was suspended by the members of the executive committee. He was asked to stop parading himself as the vice chairman of the party in the zone.  Although Filani has been re-instated, following the intervention of party elders, the controversy has continued to rage. Observers view his suspension as a fallout of the power struggle among  party leaders over 2015 calculations.

    The crisis has polarised the zone. Now, there are factions. The level of discontent is such that virtually all state chapters are grappling with one crisis or the other. The acrimony  climaxed when the former National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, appointed Chief Buruji Kashamu as the Chairman of the  Contact and Mobilisation Committee for the Southwest.

    A party stalwart described Kashamu‘s appointment as an imposition, which was intended to spite former President Olusegun Obasanjo and reduce his political influence. He said the former Chairman, acting a script by the Presidency, handed over the  zonal structure to Kashamu to undermine the former President. According to the party stalwart, notable stakeholders in the zone had protested the imposition, saying Kashamu joined the party four years ago.

    Many have also alleged that Kashamu planted Filani as the Caretaker Chairman to checkmate Chief Bode George’s influence and to consolidate his hold on the party. The ultimate goal was to make Filani the substantive chairman whenever the zonal congress is held. The reality on ground today is that Kashamu is in firm control of the party’s structure in the Southwest.

    Reacting to George’s comment that members of the caretaker committee lacked the power to suspend Filani, the Chairman of Ogun State chapter, Chief Bayo Dayo, said George was wrong.  In his view, it is only National Executive Committee that can fault the committee’s action. He added that the Southwest zone is responsible to the NEC, not to the George’s Leadership Forum.

    Dayo said Filani was re-instated, following the intervention of a review committee, the Fairness Forum. He said party leaders have appealed to feuding caretaker committee members to sheathe their swords and let the status quo remain, particularly since the Southwest congress may hold on September 26.

    He said the Fairness Forum mandated the Ekiti State governor-elect , Mr. Ayo Fayose, to  meet with aggrieved members of the committee, with a view to reconciling the warring factions. “This was how the matter was resolved and we hope that substantive officers will emerge from the congress scheduled for this month,” Dayo added

    Lagos State PDP Publicity Secretary Mr. Taofeek Gani aligned with the position of the Leadership Forum on the suspension of Filani. He said the action of the caretaker committee was embarrassing, adding that every stakeholder should be concerned about it.

    Gani commended the decision setting aside the purported suspension, saying it has restored peace in the party. He said the reason for reversing the suspension was very logical.

    His words: “Going by the antecedents of the party, this crisis is not insurmountable. The people behind it want to create confusion in the party. The PDP in the Southwest will go into 2015 elections more united and stronger.

    “This is a critical moment for the party. We are approaching the general elections, there should be no distraction. This is not the right time to overheat the polity. We should all work together to ensure the party’s victory in 2015.”

    The Chairman of the party in Ondo  State, Ebenezer Alade, said all the Southwest chairmen were shocked by the report of the suspension of Filani. He said the committee members who claimed to have removed Filani from office did not carry them along in their action. He also affirmed that members of the committee did not file any complaint before the party and had not indicated at any point in time that the suspended chairman did any wrong before taking the action.

    For more than two years, the Southwest PDP has been battling with a war of attrition. The party is factionalised in the six states. Analysts say the crisis escalated following the exclusion of chieftains loyal to former President Obasanjo from party activities.

    The crisis started at Osogbo, the Osun State capital. Party chieftains from the zone had in 2012 converged on the ancient city for the zonal congress. Aggrieved party stalwarts were bent on whittling down Obasanjo’s influence on the party. A faction of the PDP from Ogun State led by Kashamu  alleged that they were barred from the congress. The aggrieved members, who claimed that they were denied participation, went to court to challenge the validity of the congress. The court ruled that it was wrong to exclude the Ogun State chapter. As a result, it was declared null and void. It ordered that a new congress should be held. The judgment provided a caveat for the Bamanga Tukur-led National Executive Committee to disband the Southwest executive and remove Obasanjo’s men from the executive. The victims were the erstwhile National Secretary, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, National Vice Chairman (Southwest), Mr. Segun Oni and the National Auditor, Chief Bode Mustapha.

    However, Oyinlola’s election was not voided by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which nullified the election of 16 national officers. Therefore when he was asked to vacate his office, the Obasanjo camp perceived it as orchestrated plan to eliminate the loyalists of the former President from the party. There were protests by Oyinlola supporters who insisted that he should be reinstated in the spirit of fairness and justice. Oyinlola and Oni went to court to regain their lost positions. The cases were still pending in court at the time both of them defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The reconciliation embarked upon by the Caretaker Committee led by Filani failed to restore peace and trust in the Southwest PDP.  The bitter struggle for the control of the party organs is also fierce among the party chieftains in the zone. Unresolved party matters, including the politics of exclusion, a winner-take-all attitude and emasculation of opponents in intra-party squabbles are still the order of the day.

    In Lagos State, the party has recorded the highest turnover of chairmen: Chief Olorunfunmi Bashorun, Alhaji Murtala Asorobi, Chief Alaba Williams, Bayo Adebayo,  Hon. Sentonji Koshoedo and Capt. Tunji Shelle. Amid the persistent crisis, many founding members have defected to the ruling party in the state. Many party chieftains believe that, since George became the arrowhead, peace has eluded the chapter. There are three factions in the party, namely: the Establishment led by George, the Union and the Non-Align group, all of them are working at cross purposes. Former leader of the Union group, Dr. Abayomi Finnih said the George group is in control of the party executive, while the other two factions are left in the cold. According to him, several reconciliatory moves made from outside, such as Southwest zone, the Presidency and the PDP Governors’ Forum, were to no avail.

    “The panels recommended a harmonised executive that would embrace all the factions, but the George group rejected the proposal. This action has further brought the party down. A serious party should open its doors for every member to be part of decision-making process. Some of us had bent backward by reaching out to George and his group, but their recalcitrant attitude did not allow them to reason with us. Politicians don’t behave that way. There must be compromise.”

    The Ogun State chapter is another house divided against itself. The State Executive Committee led by Adebayo Dayo, an engineer, does not have the support of the former President. Dayo was installed by Kashamu. Obasanjo had supported Senator Dipo Odujirin for the chairmanship. Since the court pronounced Dayo as the authentic chairman, the Obasanjo group has repeatedly shunned  party activities. The peace initiative by the party’s national secretariat was  also rebuffed. Similar efforts by President Goodluck Jonathan and the Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, Chief Tony Anenih to reconcile the Obasanjo camp and the state leadership did not yielded any positive result. Obasanjo refused to grant Dayo and his group audience when they visited him on his birthday anniversary. Dayo was not pleased with the development. He said  certain party elders in the state have refused to embrace reality, wondering why they should constitute themselves into local warlords at a time they should be playing the role of father figures and conscience of the party.

    The appointment of Prof. Wale Oladipo as National Secretary to replace Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola is still generating ripples in Osun State chapter. A group known as the Osun PDP Concern Forum has kicked against Oladipo’s appointment. The Forum insisted that the mode of selection did not conform with the PDP Constitution and that the choice of Oladipo does not reflect the popular wish of members. The office of the National Secretary was zoned to Osun State by the Southwest PDP. Besides, the emergence of Chief Iyiola Omisore as party governorship candidate in the August 9 election has further polarised the party in the state. Other aspirants believe the primaries were rigged in favour of Omisore.  A party stalwart said that was why the likes of Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi  and Hon. Wole Oke distanced themselves from Omisore’s campaign.

    In Ondo, the return of Governor Olusegun Mimiko to the PDP is causing disaffection among the party leadership. Those against Mimiko’s defection have vowed to leave the party in protest. The Ondo State chapter is like a wounded lion. Since the chapter lost power to Labour Party, the chieftains claim that they have been left in the cold. To survive, some LP members have gravitated towards the LP governor. Thus, during the last governorship election, they worked against the PDP candidate Chief Olusola Oke. The decision to disown Oke, a former National Legal Adviser, led to the factionalisation of the party during the electioneering. Oke complained to the national secretariat, but no concrete step was taken to whip the pro-LP supporters in the PDP into line. Defending their action, they claim that they were plotting the return of the governor to the PDP.

  • PDP denies Jonathan, Dickson’s feud

    The Bayelsa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) said on Wednesday that there was no cold war between the Governor of the state, Mr. Seriake Dickson and President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The state Secretary of the Party, Mr. Godspower Keku, said members of the party were united and solidly behind the aspirations of President Jonathan and Dickson.

    There have been speculations of frosty relationship between Dickson and the President.

    Members of the party were also said to be divided between the two blocs of Abuja-based politicians led by Dame Patience, the wife of President Jonathan and a home-based camp led by Dickson.

    But Keku said: “As officials of PDP at the state level, we have never had any problem. There is unity of purpose in the party. PDP has grown to an extent beyond what you think because this is Mr. President’s state.

    “There is unity between the Governor and Mr. President. There is unity between the Governor and the people of the state.

    “All the projects are all around that is why the party is growing. There is no problem within the party. There is no problem and there shall never be any problem.”

    Keku denied the existence of Abuja-based politicians, insisting that party members were working together to move the state forward.

  • Tambuwal knocks Jonathan over illegal electioneering campaigns

    Tambuwal knocks Jonathan over illegal electioneering campaigns

    The leadership of the House of Representatives yesterday expressed concern over the “desperation” of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its supporters in staging campaigns – in violation of the Electoral Act.

    The opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the House of Representatives, has threatened to sue President Goodluck Jonathan and any other persons sponsoring various campaign groups, including Transformation Ambassador of Nigeria (TAN) and some electronic media houses, for violating the provisions of the Electoral Act.

    Section 99 (1-3) of the Electoral Act states:

    “For the purpose of this Act, the period of campaigning in public by every political party shall commence 90 days before polling day and end 24 hours prior to that day.

    “A registered political party which through any person acting on its behalf during the 24 hours before polling day procures for publication or acquiesces in the publication of an advertisement in a newspaper for the purpose of promoting or opposing a particular candidate, commits an offence under this Act and upon conviction is liable to a maximum fine of N500,000.”

    Speaker Aminu Tambuwal in his welcome remarks on the resumption from the long recess, said in spite of the clear guidelines in the Electoral Act, the ruling party is acting at variance with its responsibilities.

    His words: “The election year 2015 is still unborn, as far as the prescriptions of the Electoral Act and INEC Regulations and Guidelines are concerned, but for some, desperation has already taken over. As we conduct ourselves with due regard to the serious security challenge of insurgency and terrorism with bloodletting on the rise and the general volatile political atmosphere, the people should be our prime focus because without the people there will be no country and therefore nothing to represent or to govern.”

    But the opposition in the House went a step further. It threatened to sue anyone involved in the violation of the electoral law, especially the Presidency and its agents.

    Minority Leader and APC Caucus Leader Femi Gbajabiamila, in an exclusive chat with The Nation said:

    “It’s a big problem. The electoral law is very clear; you cannot begin to campaign until 90 days before a general election. And continuously the president and the PDP,

    “They’ve been doing these things for not today, not yesterday, not last week; it’s been going on for months now. It’s the impunity that we’ve always been talking about that people don’t listen. Now it has come home to roost.

     

  • How not to rig for PDP

    SIR: The travails of the Electoral Officers for Osogbo and Obokun Local Governments of Osun State are a lesson on how not to help the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The two officers have been suspended by INEC while investigation into their misconduct is on-going.

    The Electoral Officer for Osogbo, Tope Fabunmi, was suspended for the ignoble role he played before and during the August 9, governorship election in Osun State. Complaints were lodged against him that he was asking for the political affiliation of registered voters who had come to collect their permanent voters’ cards and would find a way to deny those who identified with APC. He was also reported to his superiors by the APC for not releasing the identity tags for the party’s agents on election day. He only released 70 tags out of 240 and only grudgingly released the rest after a petition was written to his superiors and the intervention of EU observers. But by then, accreditation had passed. The most egregious of the allegation against him was that he dumped the Form EC8C, where result for Osogbo Local Government would have been recorded, in a waste bin, thereby delayed the collation of result in the council area till the wee hours of the next day. This was done ostensibly to manipulate the result. He brought out the forms only after a petition had been written to INEC and stern warning issued to him by his boss.

    The EO for Obokun, Anthony Olusegun Eshinoye, was suspended for illegally diverting election materials before election day and was on the way to a PDP leader’s house in Ilase, prompting vigilant youths to stop him and he was arrested by the police. Strangely, he was released to a PDP national leader from the state.

    Curiously, immediately they were suspended by INEC, PDP twisted the facts and smuggled a story into the media, that they were suspended for rigging for APC. INEC was forced to categorically deny this and make public the real reasons they were suspended.

    Their suspension was meant to be an in-house affair, now it has been blown open and all eyes are now on INEC. They thought they were working for the PDP, but now they have been ditched and their career is on the line.

    The same applies to some misguided civil servants, especially two permanent secretaries and a director who took on the garb of partisanship during the election, throwing decency and all rules in the book to the gutters. They were openly campaigning for the candidate of the PDP and were seen distributing his vests. One even stood for him as a party agent. It is the height of insanity for civil servants to be so brazenly partisan.

    These civil servants naively believed the assurances of the PDP that they had wrapped up the election and at worst, the result would be written and announced from Abuja. To their regret and eternal shame, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola won in a landslide. The affected civil servants have since been thrown into panic and unspeakable grief after Omisore lost the election. They cannot face their colleagues again and are sorely afraid of the inevitable consequences of their indiscretion.

    The just retribution that awaits these ignoble conducts are a good lesson for those who may be tempted to align with the devil at the expense of professionalism and integrity.

     

    • Remi Adebowale,

    Osogbo, Osun State

     

  • Abia’s politics of mudslinging

    Abia’s politics of mudslinging

    Desperation for political positions in the next year’s general elections is leading many politicians across the country astray. Even those who have been voted into offices for several times, but have nothing to point at as empowerment and reward for the people are fighting to stage a comeback by all means. They are already throwing caution into the wind, while trying to drag peoples’ name into the mud. They are also engaging in self-contradiction and denial. These negative tendencies are taking toll in Abia State in recent times especially as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries draws closer. The target of these few cynical politicians behind the mudslinging and campaign of calumny are the Abia State Governor, Chief Theodore Ahamefula Orji, his government, family members and PDP stakeholders. The development is not a surprise as it was expected especially as every aspirant appears to be desperate to emerge as Governor Orji’s successor.

    So disappointing and demeaning in the whole unfolding episode is the fact that some of those who had some months ago publicly acknowledged and thanked Governor Orji’s government for liberating the state and making positive impact through massive infrastructural developments have suddenly joined the bandwagon of ‘Pull Him Down’ (PHD) politicians in the state. Already made available for them to execute their futile political mudslinging were the two newspapers owned by the estranged ex-governor of the state who had also lost out in the state power equation since 2010, and is now desperately seeking for relevance at all costs ahead of 2015 polls.

    One of the episodes was recently captured in the macabre dance exhibited by the Senator representing Abia Central, Nkechi Nwogu who is nursing the ambition to succeed Governor Orji in office. Nwogu had alleged that the transition chairman of Isiala Ngwa North local government of the State, Chief Ginger Onwusibe had on alleged order of Governor Orji launched attack on her along Enugu-Port Harcourt warning her to stop campaigning for the office of the governor because it has been zoned to Abia South District. Nwaogu further claimed that she was a target of assassination attempt by the thugs. Onwusibe in his reply denied the accusation, saying that it was “an attempt by the Senator to blackmail and tell lies against him. He said it was the Senator’s security men and her aides that launched attack on him when his car was waiting to cross to the other side of the Enugu-Port Harcourt expressway at Uratta Amaekpu junction.

    Common sense demands that as a senator representing the governors’ zone and a member of PDP, the best bet if truly such incident happened was for the senator to relate it to the governor, teh state Commissioner of Police and wait for their actions or responses before taking further steps. Rushing to grant interview on the issue to two newspapers owned by the ex-governor of the state who has since launched media war against Orji’s government is quite suspicious. It is not out of place that such false alarm would be raised against Governor Orji, his government, the state party leadership before and after the party primaries in the state. This is because some aspirants who are not sure of themselves in the election contest would resort to blackmail, false allegations and facts-twisting to remain relevant in the politics of the state ahead of 2015 polls.

    It is on record that since Governor Orji assumed office as governor of the state in 2007, the state has not witnessed any politically motivated attacks. Even the sponsored kidnapping menace that pervaded the State in 2010 was tackled headlong by the government and had since become a thing of the past. The likes of Onyema Ugochukwu, Vincent Ogbulafor, Ojo Mmaduekwe, Adolphous Wabara, Enyinnaya Abaribe and others who were before now tagged Abuja politicians have since become home politicians courtesy of secure and friendly environment provided by the present government in the state. They are always in the state now without security aides or fear of molestation or attack. Dividends of the secure and peaceful atmosphere in the state abound, ranging from the ongoing massive infrastructural developments to the influx of investors and others. This has brought rapid economic development and job opportunities in the state.

    The governor as Chief Security Officer of the state has never at any point, even by proxy, used the security agents in the state to intimidate or harass anybody, not even his predecessor that has consistently attacked his personality. Nwogu’s allegation is the first of its kind in the state since Orji assumed office, and it may not be the last, especially as 2015 polls fast approaches. Since the PDP in the state zoned the governorship seat to Abia South district, neither the party leadership in the state nor Orji has stopped aspirants from other senatorial districts from campaigning for the seat. So why should any aspirant resort to blackmail and false alarm to whip up sentiment ahead of the party governorship primaries? The fate of all the aspirants would be decided at the ballot box during primaries. Governor Orji has repeatedly made it clear that he has not endorsed anybody, and will not do so in order to allow for a level playing ground for all the aspirants.

    With the party leadership and the state government’s position on the issue, the onus lies on the aspirants to flaunt their records and convince the party delegates to support them in the primaries. It will be left for the party delegates to assess every aspirant accordingly and take a decision in line with the party’s policy and the constitution. It will provide opportunity for stock taking of grassroots politicians who are always handy to partner with the people and emergency politicians who always remember the people whenever they are in dire need of their votes.

    Those who will lose, because (definitely there will be losers and winners) should as loyal party members, support whoever emerges to ensure that the party emerge victorious in the polls. This is because as it is in the state today, PDP holds the ace politically and enjoys a lot of advantages because of the state government’s numerous accomplishments so far. Other political parties in the state are featherweight as they lack followers and foundation. Those who are hoping to use them as last resort after losing out in the PDP primaries will end up losing out completely, because PDP is the best brand and the most acceptable party in the state today.

    • Dr. Uwa wrote from Aba, Abia State

     

     

  • PDP governors, ministers, others unite for Jonathan

    Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governors and members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) have declared support for President Goodluck Jonathan’s 2015 ambition.

    The governors and ministers, who spoke as parts of PDP stakeholders at the First National Summit of all Goodluck Support Groups in Abuja yesterday, said “there is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2015”.

    Minister of Youth Development and former governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Boni Haruna, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said members of Jonathan’s cabinet have resolved on his candidature and therefore concluded that “there is no vacancy in Aso Rock come 2015.”

    Haruna noted that it would be unwise for anyone to think the president does not deserve a second term in office, adding that Jonathan has out-performed his predecessors in office and hence, should continue in office to see through his developmental agenda.

    Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum and Governor of Akwa Ibom, Godswill Akpabio, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said that one term was not enough for the president to complete his transformation agenda.

    His words: “The transformation of Mr. President and Nigeria, one tenure is not enough for it to happen. That is why I came to assure you that I have together with you three solutions for 2015. The first solution is Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the second solution is Dr. Ebele Jonathan and the third solution is Dr. Ebele Jonathan.

    “The Eagle is not only the largest bird in the sky, the Eagle has contentious wing and it rises above the storm. When other birds are running away from the storm, the Eagle flies above the storm, getting it excited, then it starts to cry out with excitement.

     

  • Battle for Lagos

    Battle for Lagos

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola will bow out of office next year after completing his two terms of eight years. The succession battle is gaining momentum in the economic hub and commercial capital of Nigeria. It has provoked interest beyond parties and the political class. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the issues that will shape the election in the Centre of Excellence. 

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) will complete his second term in office next year. Ahead of the next governorship election, the two major political parties-the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-have returned to the drawing board. Also, the Labour Party (LP) and other smaller parties are warming up. Between next month and November, the parties would have conducted their primaries for aspirants. When the candidates emerge, campaigns will start and Lagosians will beam a searchlight on the flag bearers itching to succeed the governor.

    Lagos is the greatest stronghold of the progressive bloc. By 2015, the bloc would have dominated power in the Centre of Excellence for 16 years. As the APC seeks the renewal of the mandate, the achievements of former Governor Bola Tinubu and his successor, Fashola, would be the party’s armour. The two politicians have laid a solid foundation for their successors to build upon. They have presided over model administrations. While the PDP, the LP and other smaller parties would be soliciting for votes based on their promises to Lagosians, the APC, now a tested and trusted party, will request for a fresh mandate by tendering the feats of the two governors and making new promises it can fulfill in post-election period.

    During the electioneering, events in the ruling party will influence the decisions by opposition parties. Ahead of the poll, the PDP, for example, is searching for a candidate similar to the one that the APC will  throw up. Many PDP chieftains have links with the APC because many of them had the dormant Alliance for Democracy (AD) as mutual roots. The struggle for the ticket may become fierce, warranting strategic defections by impatient politicians seeking the golden fleece outside their political family.

    Next month, nomination guidelines are expected to be released. In the APC and the PDP, aspirants are not waiting for the guidelines before unfolding their aspirations. They are more visible at social gatherings more than before. Rallies are held to drum support for them by clandestine organisations. Some have declared their interests on the pages of newspapers. Many are still consulting with stakeholders.

    There is no shortage of competent politicians and technocrats to take over from Fashola in the APC. Observers contend that the aspirants parade exciting  credentials. No fewer than 16 chieftains are vying for the governorship. In the PDP 11 are biding for the ticket.

     

    Gladiators in the race

    APC aspirants include Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Senator Gbenga Ashafa, House of Representatives Minority Leader Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, House of Assembly Speaker Hon. Yemi Ikuforiji, APC National Legal Adviser Dr. Muiz Banire, and former Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance Mr. Akinwumi Ambode.

    Others are: Commissioner for Agriculture Gbolahan Lawal, his Works Ministry counterpart, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Transport Commissioner Comrade Kayode Opeifa,  businessmen Alobo Bakare and Adekunle Disu, Mr. Fowler, former Health Commissioners Dr. Leke Pitan, Dr. Tola Kasali, and former Head of Service Prince Adeseye Ogunlewe. Fourteen of them are disciples and beneficiaries of Tinubu’s political philanthropy

    PDP aspirants include Minister of State for Defence Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Mr. Bank Rhodes, Setonji Koshoedo, Chief Tunde Daramola and Chief Bode Oyedele. Others are Mr. Tokunbo Kamson, Mrs. Remi Adiukwu-Bakare, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, Babatunde Gbadamosi, Mr. Deji Doherty, and Dr. Segun Ogundimu.

    Party sources said that the camp of the PDP leader, Commodore Olabode George (rtd), may sponsor a candidate who will slug it out with these aspirants at the primaries. Eyes are on the pharmacist, Mr. Jimi Agbaje.

    Other smaller parties may field candidates for the poll. But, their impact will not be felt during the exercise.

     

    Succession battles

    The task before the APC is the challenge of raising another competent politician and astute administrator as the candidate. Tinubu and Fashola have set enviable standards and, for Lagosians to vote for continuity, the flag bearer must have a track record of performance, integrity and honour. Since Lagos State was created in 1967, Lagosians have participated in seven governorship elections; 1979, 1983, 1991, 1999, 2003, 2007, and 2011. In those polls, except that of 1991, Lagosians voted along similar and predictable lines. The 1991 exception was due to the inability of the progressives in the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP) to put their house in order. As the struggle for the ticket between the late Prof. Femi Agbalajobi and Chief Dapo Sarunmi polarised the party, reconciliation proved abortive. The SDP leader, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, directed his camp to vote for the National Republican Convention (NRC) candidate, the late Sir Michael Otedola. The SDP candidate, Mr. Yomi Edu, a lawyer, was defeated.

     

    Issues

    Many issues will shape the contest. The first is the incumbency factor. The size and strength of the parties and their perception by the people will also influence the contest. The APC controls the House of Assembly, which is made up of 40 members, and 57 local councils. The three senators and 24 members of the House of Representatives belong to the ruling party. But, next year, there will be a clash of incumbency power and federal might, which the PDP usually relies upon in the Southwest. In the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, there was that flexing of muscle between the federal and state forces.

    In 2015, indigeneship will not be a serious factor in the megacity, unlike 2007.  But, religion and zoning may be weak factors. In the last one year, some Christian leaders have been calling for a Christian governor, although they acknowledged that the two Muslim governors-Tinubu and Fashola-whose wives are Christians, have never marginalised any religious sect in governance.

    Reflecting on the agitation, APC chieftain Oludare Raji, a House of Representatives aspirant in Osodi/Isolo Constituency, said: “It is a non-issue. Christians and Muslims in Lagos State have co-existed harmoniously without friction. We have had more Muslims governors than Christian governors, but it is mere coincidence. In the Southwest, religion has never shaped our politics.”

    Raji, the former Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), said that Lagosians looked forward to a successor who will sustain the tempo of performance, and not a governor thrown up by a religious sect. “Lagos is home to many Nigerians. They come here and they don’t return. There is population explosion. Many youths are looking for jobs in Lagos and there is pressure on social amenities, schools, water and roads. There is the security challenge. Lagos needs a governor who will be a problem solver and not a religious irredentist or bigot,” he added.

    The choice of running mates is also a weak factor. In 1979, the leader of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, advised the Lagos chapter to make Alhaji Rafiu Jafojo the running mate to the flag bearer, Jakande. There was no evidence to show that the UPN won, based on that sub-ethnic balancing. Jakande represented Lagos. Jafojo represented Awori.  In the Third Republic, Mrs. Sinatu Ojikutu was Otedola’s running mate. He was from Epe and she was from the Lagos Island. In 1999, Tinubu and Senator Kofowola Akerele-Bucknor paired. Tinubu is from both Lagos Central and Lagos West. Bucknor is from Lagos Central. Fashola is from Surulere, Lagos Central. His first deputy, Princes Sarah Sosan is from the coastal area of the West District. Mrs. Victoria Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire is from Alimoso. The tradition is to look for a running mate, who the flag bearer can harmoniously work with for four years.

    But, there may be a slight difference next year. Sources said that PDP is looking for an Igbo running mate. “The PDP made a Hausa as the running mate to its chairmanship candidate Obalende LCDA. It nearly worked. They (PDP) is thinking that, if they make Igbo running mate, they may get Igbo bloc vote. But, I doubt it. Questions will be raised. They will ask him or her to show Lagosians his native constituency”, said a PDP chieftain.

     

    Challenges of governance

    The next governor of Lagos will inherit the unfinished work of development. A mega city and economic capital, Lagos, the former Federal Capital Territory, is a mini Nigeria. As a cosmopolitan city and the commercial nerve centre, there is the mass exodus of youths in search of real and elusive opportunities. Lagos is a Yoruba city, but indigenes of other states have become part of its political establishment. Their hosts are the people of the five divisions of Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Ikeja and Lagos. Nigerians from the hinterland have also increased the voting quality and strength of Lagos. These factors of accommodation and tolerance are great marks of Lagos.

    Lagos is a special a blend of diverse, complex and sophisticated dwellers who account for the prosperity of the city and the menace and vices that characterize its daily life. Lagos is host to the headquarter of thriving business empires. Over 60 percent of the Value Added Tax (VAT) in the country is generated from the state. Despite the relocation of the federal capital to Abuja, many foreign diplomats still prefer to operate from Lagos.  Thus, on the Lagos governor depends thee security of over 180 million residents, although he does not control the police. These residents include the army of restless, jobless youths, unemployed graduates and the masses. The next governor will shoulder the burden of population explosion as thousands continue to flood the city on daily basis. The huge population and influx of people daily will increase the demand for the few public sector employment, water, schools, roads, and other social infrastructure.

    Housing is a major problem in the state. Although the government is trying its best, but the housing gap is still wide. Nowadays, illegal immigrants from poor West African countries have joined the native beggars who take refuge under the bridges. Alarmed at this scenario, Information and Strategy Commissioner Lateef Ibirogba said Okada riders who are from Niger and Togo have also come to protest against traffic law at the state secretariat. Together with the area boys, they pose a threat to security.

    The next governor will inherit the battle for special status. Although Lagos shoulders enormous national responsibilities, the agitation for a special status has been ignored by the Federal Government. He will inherit many federal, state and local government roads calling for attention.

    Reflecting on these challenges, APC chieftain Isiaka Adekunle-Ibrahim said the next governor wake up to the reality that governance is not a tea party in Lagos. “The challenges will be enormous. He will inherit the assets and liabilities of governance. There will be more demands on his administration, in terms of dividends of democracy,” he added.

     

    Lessons of history

    The lessons of Lagos politics are instructive. But, aspirants often refuse to learn from history. Historically, it is difficult to predict who will emerge as flag bearers of political parties. Lagos State is dynamic. Therefore, the contest is always unpredictable. The first aspirant on the track may never become the winner. The history of governorship contest is replete with the emergence of candidates who were never in reckoning before. These emergency candidates have always breast the tape and smiled away with the crown.

    Ahead of 1978/79, when the members of the Committee of Friends, which later transformed into the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), were preparing for the governorship election, three heavy weight politicians; Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, Chief Akanbi Onitiri and Alhaji Ganiyu Dawodu; were  struggling for the slot. Ogunsanya was a federal legislator and Minister of Housing and Surveys. Onitiri was one of the heroes of the treasonable felony trial. He was jailed along with the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Dawodu was a councillor, Lagos Town Council chairman and commissioner.

    Ogunsanya had approached Awo, urging him to influence the committee to give the ticket to him. But Awo turned down his request, saying that the fate of aspirants would be decided at the party primaries. He later joined Dr. Nnamidi Azikiwe’s Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP). Onitiri was highly favoured for the job. But he was lured into the NPP by people who promised to make him the presidential candidate, after convincing him that Zik would not run. He later died in an auto crash. There was another candidate who was turned down because of his low education. Awo was surprised that he had no library in his house. Jakande, a prominent member of the committee, later emerged as the candidate.

    In the Third Republic, the proscribed SDP was popular in Lagos. But, the two aspirants, Sarumi and Agbalajobi were banned. In the subsequent shadow poll between Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, the candidate of the Jakande Group, and Edu, who was backed by the Primose, the latter won. But he lost to Otedola during the election.

    In 1999, Tinubu was warming up for the Senate, until the Afenifere leaders of Ijebu origin advised him to signify interest in the governorship. The only dissenting voice was Dawodu, who, had favoured Funso Williams for the seat. Had Dawodu, fondly referred to as the god of Lagos, signified his intention to run, he would have emerged as the candidate. Dawodu never totally forgave his Awoist friends; Senator Abraham Adedsanya, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olaniwu Ajayi. The AD flag bearer, Tinubu, defeated the PDP candidate, Sarumi. He spent eight years on office.

    In 2007, the defunct Action Congress (AC) had 14 aspirants. They included Agbaje, Ogunleye, Solomon, Oyinlomo Danmole, Tola Kasali, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, and Femi Pedro. Others are Tunde Fanimokun, Bayo Ajisebutu, Kaoli Olusanya, Omotilewa Aro-Lambo, Remi Adikwu-Bakare, and Fashola, the dark horse.  At the primaries, the former Chief of Staff secured the ticket.

    In 2011, Fashola was retained as the candidate of the ACN. He beat the PDP candidate, Dr. Ade Dosunmu, who was principally sponsored by George. That year, the LP was briefly promoted by some aggrieved ACN leaders loyal to Governor Fashola. The rebellion was short-lived. Since then, the party has remained on the waiting list as a borrowed platform.

     

    Internal democracy

    From 1999 to 2011, the selection process in the progressive camp had followed a similar pattern.  However, times are changing. Some forces are pressing vigorously for internal democracy. It is indisputable that the culture of imposition is being resisted. Ironically, the beneficiaries of imposition are turning around to discredit the process that threw them up as party candidates and elected representatives and political appointees. A legislator, Bisi Yusuf, chided those crying foul over imaginary imposition. He said imposition has different meanings to different politicians and at different times. “When it favoured them, they embraced it. When they know that it will not favour them, they are crying foul”, added Yusuf, who is a House of Representatives aspirant in Alimoso Constituency. Another politician and cleric, said: “Let those opposing imposition search their conscience. All of them are products of imposition. Then, heaven did not fall.”

    The advocates of guided primaries are also being challenged. This is a major challenge. When the Lagos APC opted for direct primaries at its inaugural ward congress, it was chaotic in some councils. Party leaders immediately retraced their steps. In subsequent local government and state congress, consensus was adopted and there was peace.

     

    Indigeneship and zoning

    Another issue that may shape the contest is zoning. But, there are puzzles: Should zoning be based on the five divisions of Lagos, Ikeja, Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu? Should it be based on the three senatorial districts? Analysts have questioned the merit of the rotational formula in a state where people of all tribes cohabit peacefully in harmony. Those who canvassed the idea of zoning based on the three senatorial districts also lack convincing argument to support it. The critics of the idea point out that many residents and indigenes of the West District have enjoyed political opportunities in the Central and East districts and vice versa.

    The first civilian governor, Jakande, son of the Oluwo of Lagos, is from the Central District, although he has been living in Ilupeju, West District. His grandfather was from Omu-Aran, Kwara State. His deputy, Jafojo, has his roots in Ile-Ife. Otedola, hails from Epe, East District. The third, Tinubu, from the Central, represented the West in the Senate in the Third Republic. The fourth, Fashola, is from the Central. In 2007, Ikorodu elders, led by an eminent lawyer, Babatunde Benson (SAN) pressed for power shift to Ikorodu, East District, claiming that out of the five divisions, only Ikorodu and Badagry have not produced the governor. To them, it was a legitimate crusade.

    For strategic reasons, the PDP has tried to put on the front burner the vexed issue of indigeneship, in a bid to incite indigenous Lagosians against the ruling party. But that is now a weak factor. In 2007, indigeneship was displaced by zoning. Critics pointed out that the four governors who have ruled the state have never discriminated against any zone or district. They have treated all the zones and district equally as reflected in their distribution of amenities and key appointments.

    Indigeneship is a weaker factor. Prominent Lagos politicians have their roots in other Southwest states. The late Chief P.O Fagbeyiro, former Commissioner for Agriculture and Cooperatives in Jakande Administration  and Pa Oyeniran Longe, former Chairman of Somolu Council and member of the House of Assembly, were from Efon-Alaaye, Ekiti State. The late Pa. R.B. Solomon had his roots in Egba.  The leader of the Justice Forum is Oba Olatunji Hamzat is the Olu of Afowora-Sogaade, Ewekoro Local Government Area of Ogun State. He was a legislator and Commissioner for Transport in the Second Republic. Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola from Ilesa is the former Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure in Lagos. Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora from Ijebu-Ife is the former Speaker of the House of Assembly. The Lagos East APC  leader, Pa Busura Alebiosu, is from Ijebu-Ode. The APC Chairman, Ajomale is from Ife. His deputy, Cardinal James Odunmbaku, is from Egba. Pa Rafiu Jafojo’s grandfather was from Ile-Ife. Asiwaju Olorunfunmi Basorun, the Asiwaju of Igbogbo, Ikorodu Division, has his root in Ila-Orangun. Hon. Olawale Oshun is from Ijebu-Mushin. There are state and National Assembly members, commissioners and special advisers, councillors and supervisors who are from other Southwest states, the North, the Southeast, and the Southsouth. These people have served Lagos meritoriously. Therefore, indigeneship is a weak issue.

    However, zoning can be manipulated, undermined and subverted, if it is projected as a strong factor. In 2003, Afikuyomi, a senator from Lagos Central, emerged as the AD senatorial candidate for Lagos West. In 2007, Solomon from Mushin, Lagos West, claimed that he hailed from Ipakodo, Ikorodu, to benefit from the agitation for power shift. His paternal grandparents had their roots there. In 2011, Ikuforiji from Epe, Lagos East, won election into the House of Assembly in Ikeja Constituency.

    Also, zoning has not really shaped the contest for governorship, judging by the sheer number of aspirants from across the zones and districts in previous dispensations. In the Third Republic, Agbalajobi, Sarumi, Otedola, Edu, (Epe), Adikwu-Bakare (Awori/Egba), Alaba Williams, Tokunbo Dosunmu (Central), Ogunleye (Ikorodu) were aspirants. In 2003-2007, zoning was a non-issue when Muritala Asorobi (Central), Olorunfunmi Basorun (East), Tokunbo kamson (East), Funso Williams (Central), Wahab Dosunmu (Central), Obanikoro (Central) and Tunde Olowu (West) and Ademola Adeniji-Adele (Central), were in the race. All these have lent credence to the fact that Lagos will not sacrifice merit, standard, excellence and track record of the contestants on the alter of zoning.

     

    Religion

    In Lagos State, and indeed, the Southwest, religion has not played a crucial role in the election of the governor. Recently, some faceless groups have invaded the media, clamouring for a Christian governor as successor to Fashola. They alleged that Christians are marginalised. Some Chriatian bodies have denounced their activities, advising them to desist from heating up the state, ahead of 2015.

    Jakande and his deputy, Rafiu jafojo are Muslims. Otedola, a Christian, ran with a Muslim, Alhaji Sinatu Ojikutu. Tinubu, a Muslum, had three Christian deputies; Senator Kofo Akerele-Bucknor, Pedro and Ogunleye. Fashola, another Muslim, has two Christian deputies; Sosan and Orelope-Adefulire. However, there is nothing to suggest that religion has shaped major state policies. Although Tinubu is a Muslim, his wife, Senator Oluremi, is a deacon of the Redeemed Christian Church. Fashola’s wife, Abimbola, is a staunch Catholic. Since the second Republic, religion has also not played any role in cabinet composition in the state.

     

    Gerontocratic monitors

    Perhaps, the strongest factor is mutual agreement among party leaders. “The doctrine of mutual consent by the controlling leadership is very important. “Ambition is important, but the collective interest of our party will be defended by our wise elders. I look forward to a brainstorming session involving Tinubu, Fashola, Ajomale and his executive committee, party elders, and members of the Gubernatorial Advisory Council and our leaders in the G 15. These eminent leaders will vet the aspirants, moderate the selection process and ensure that the right candidate emerges,” said an APC leader in Kosofe Constituency, who added: “The party has said that there is going to be primaries. But, the respective chapters also reserve the right of screening. The APC is strong and every effort will be made to make it stronger. Ahead of the polls, reconciliation and crisis resolution mechanisms will also be strengthened. Our leaders-Asiwaju Tinubu, Governor Fashola, Pa Hamzat, Alebiosun, Murphy Adetoro, Rabiu Oluwa, Ajomale, Basorun, Seriki Bamu, Prince Ogunleye, Oluyole Olusi, and others-will not let us down.”

     

    APC  aspirants

    Despite the perception that the APC has zoned the ticket to the Lagos East, aspirants are coming from the three zones as a matter of fundamental right. It is not clear whether the proposed guidelines for the primaries would translate the imaginary zoning into reality.

     

    Solomon

    The first aspirant to have declared his interest is Solomon. Although his base is Mushin, he is a household name in Lagos. The political scientist is son of the eminent politician, the late Chief R.B. Solomon, a Second Republic leader of the UPN and an ally of Jakande. From 1998 till date, Solomon has been relevant. Apart from serving as the Chairman of Mushin Local Government Area, he is also a former member of the House of Representatives. Solomon is very popular in Mushin and Lagos West. He became a senator in 2007 when Tinubu declined to contest for the Senate. He was re-elected as senator in 2011. Solomon is also the first contender to set up his campaign office at Ikeja. He has been canvassing for democratic primaries.

     

    Pitan

    He is a successful medical doctor from Agbowa, Epe Division. He served as Commissioner for Health and Education for eight years in the Tinubu Administration. In recent times, he has set up a medical mission. Anywhere he goes, he is accompanied by health workers who screen people for ailments. Many believe that he is fit to rule the state. Few weeks ago, his supporters started the agitation for primaries.  Many youths see him as a role model, mentor and father figure. He is intelligent and hardworking.

     

     

    Ashafa

    Ashafa is a retired Permanent Secretary from Ibeju-Lekki. He became a senator in 2011. When he was the Permanent Secretary, Land Bureau, he did not abuse the privilege. As a senator, he has set up some empowerment programmes for the benefit of his district.

     

    Ikuforiji

    Ikuforiji is from Epe. He became a member of the House of Assembly in 2003. He was re-elected in 2007 and 2011. He is the longest serving Speaker of the House. The Speaker enjoys the support of legislators. Under his leadership, the House has been stable. He has had the privilege of representing two constituencies in two districts in the House of Assembly. Ikuforiji is answering charges of corruption in the court. His supporters allege that he was framed up because he has a governorship ambition.

     

    Ambode

    Ambode is a technocrat from Epe. He has set up his campaign office at Gbagada, Lagos East.  At 21, he obtained a degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos, Akoka. At 24, he earned a Masters Degree and qualified as a chartered accountant. He has worked in many councils as a treasurer before he was transferred to the state civil service. He was the Auditor-General for Local Governments. In 2012, the Fullbright scholar retired voluntary as the Accountant-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Finance, at 49. He was the first Permanent Secretary to have done so in the history of Lagos Civil Service. When the Federal Government withheld allocations to Lagos councils, Ambode designed the blueprint for the financial survival of the councils. His colleagues in the civil service describe him as a man of character, capability and competence.

     

    Cardoso

    There is no evidence suggesting that the brilliant technocrat and former Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Yemi Cardoso, will declare his interest in the race. But, eyes are on him. He is not a politician. But, sources said that he may be drafted into the race because he has what it takes to be governor. When he was being considered for the post in 2007, it leaked out. The following day, Cardoso was surprised when party followers invaded his residence, hailing him as the governor. On the advice of his wife, he travelled abroad. Reflecting on that episode, a first class monarch in Lagos described him as a “run away governor.”

     

    Hamzat

    Hamzat is the Commissioner for Works. He is the son of the party leader, Oba Hamzat. His father was a legislator and commissioner in the Second Republic. His mother is from Lagos State. Hamzat, who holds a doctorate degree, is an easy-going professional and good manager of men and resources. He is a computer wizard. He is very close to Fashola, who has confidence in his ability.

     

    Banire

    Banire is the APC Legal Adviser. He holds a doctorate degree in Law from the University of Lagos, where he was a teacher before he was appointed commissioner. He spent 12 years in the Lagos State Executive Council as Special Adviser, Commissioner for Transport and Commissioner for Environment. He is from Mushin, Lagos West. He is a top member of the Mandate Group.

     

    Dabiri-Arewa

    Dabiri-Arewa is the only woman in the race. She is a household name in the country. She is a veteran broadcaster. By next year, she would have spent 12 years in the House of Representatives. She was first elected to represent Ikorodu Constituency in 2003. She was re-elected in 2007 and 2011. In the Lower Chamber, Dabiri is not a bench warmer. She is the Chairperson of the Diaspora Committee. She is very popular in her district and beyond. She may have been drafted into the race by the agitators for power shift in Ikorodu.

     

    Gbolahan

    Gbolahan is the Commissioner for Agriculture. He is a retired police officer. He was the security officer to former Governor Tinubu.

     

    Gbeleyi

    Gbeleyi is the Commissioner for Finance. He is an associate of the governor. He succeeded Mr. Abilru last year as commissioner. He is an egg head.

     

    Gbajabiamila

    Gbajabiamila is the APC Leader and Minority Leader in the House of Representatives. The lawyer is a firebrand legislator from Surulere Constituency. He is very intelligent, bold, brave, and courageous.

     

     

    Ogunlewe

    He is the last born of the late Adegboruwa of Igbogbo, Ikorodu, Oba Omolaja Ogunlewe. He recently retired as the Head of Service.

     

    Kasali

    Kasali is the former Rural Development and Heath commissioner. He was the Chairman of Ibeju-Lekki Council. He was a member of the SDP in the Third Republic. When Sarunmi was about to be disqualified, he asked Kasali to obtain the governorship form. But, he declined, saying that the time was not ripe. In 2007, he vied for the position. But, Fashola emerged as the candidate. He later served as Commissioner for Special Duties.

     

    The PDP challenge

    Lagos PDP is in search of a formidable governorship candidate. But, it is yet to fully put its house in order. The chapter is still battling with crisis. Total reconciliation is still elusive. The struggle for the governorship ticket by the caucuses may unleash a protracted post-primary crisis.

    For 15 years, the party has been left in the cold. Does the crisis-ridden chapter has prospect in next year’s election? There are strands and shades of opinion on the succession struggle. The PDP Chairman, Capt. Tunji Shelle (rtd), has said that power shift is possible next year. His APC counterpart, Ajomale, disagreed. He described the threat by the PDP to capture Lagos as laughable. He said there is nothing on ground to show that the PDP can come into reckoning in the state. “What has the PDP Federal Government done for Lagosians? What is their achievement in Lagos? They have failed before. They will fail again,” he said.

    In 1999, the PDP candidate, Sarunmi, was defeated by Tinubu. In 2003, its flag bearer, Williams, was also defeated by Tinubu, despite the defection of prominent AD chieftains, including Senator Adeseye Ogunleye,  to the PDP. In 2007, the PDP candidate, Obanikoro, lost his deposit. He was defeated by Fashola. In 2011, Fashola also defeated Dr. Ade Dosunmu of the PDP.

     

    PDP aspirants:

     Gbadamosi

    He was the first aspirant to declare his interest. If elected as governor, he said that he would turn the critical sectors around. However, he has a fragile structure to actualise his dream.

     

    Doherty

    Doherty, an engineer, is a veteran aspirant, having contested for the governorship thrice. In 2007 and 2011, he lobbied to become the running mate, but he was not considered. Last year, he became the Acting Chairman of the Southwest PDP caretaker Committee, when the Chairman, Chief ishola Filani, resigned. But, since the court has ruled that the status quo should be maintained, Filani has returned to his former position and Doherty is now a member of the zonal executive committee.

     

    Obanikoro

    The Minister of State for Defence is the arrowhead of the party. The second minister from Lagos, Olusegun Aganga, is not a politician. Obanikoro is the most formidable aspirant in the party. He is also the most experienced politician in the fold. Obanikoro is the former Chairman of Lagos City Council, Vice Chairman of the defunct national Republican Convention (NRC), Commissioner for Home affairs and Culture, senator between 2003 and 2007, High Commissioner to Ghana and Chairman of the National Industrial Training Fund. In 2007, he was the governorship candidate. Obanikoro has a structure and resources to run for the election. If he joins the race, it may be difficult for Agbaje to get the ticket.

     

    Agbaje

    In 2007, he was one of the aggrieved aspirants who defected from the AD, following the primaries that threw up Fashola as the candidate. As the candidate of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA), he did not make much impact during the election. Agbaje is rich. He also has a network of friends ready to support his bid. Agbaje is perceived as a man of honour and integrity. His defection to the PDP is surprising to many people. But, he has a good name. The pharmacist detest dirty politics. The PDP is a foreign land. He is trying to familiarise himself with the people there. If Agbaje becomes the flag bearer, Lagosians may take him seriously. However, many would have preferred him to realise his ambition in the progressive camp.

     

    Dosunmu

    When Dosunmu emerged as the candidate in 2011, he was not known in the party. He was brought into the fold by George. He hold a doctorate degree in administration. It is doubtful, if George is backing him for governorship. He does not have structure. But,his posters are all over Lagos.

     

    Adiukwu-Bakare

    The Egba-born politician is an Amazon. Adiukwu-Bakare is resourceful, charming and hardworking. But, to progressives leaders, she is politically impatient. She made waves in the Third Republic when he contested for the slot with the late Pa Michael Otedola in the NRC. In Lagos, her base is Awori. As a governorship aspirant, luck has not smiled on her. In 2003, he defected from the PDP to the AC. She was appointed as the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry and later, Women Affairs, by former Governor Tinubu. After losing at the ACN primaries in the ACN in 2007, she contested on the platform of the PPA. It was a weak party. Later, she returned to the PDP. Sources said that some leaders wanted her to be appointed as a minister. But, the opportunity also eluded her. Adiukwu-Bakare is a brilliant person. She is an effective speaker. She also knows her onions. She is highly connected. But, many see her as a politician in a hurry.

     

    Koshoedo

    The former federal legislator represented Badagry in the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003. He was the party chairman at a time efforts were made to resolve the crises in the chapter and forge unity. But, many see him as George’s stooge. he is a nominal contender.

     

    Oyedele

    Oyedele is a former presidential assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo. He is one of the pillars of the party in Ibeju-Lekki area. He is a committed party man.

     

    Kamson

    Kamson  contested for the governorship in 2007. But, he could not make much impact. last week, he unfolded his aspiration at the party secretariat.

  • Jonathan, PDP caucus meet at Villa

    President Goodluck Jonathan on Tuesday night met behind closed-doors with caucus members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the State House, Abuja.

    At the meeting are the Vice President, Namadi Sambo, Senate President, David Mark, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba and Deputy Senate Leader, Abdul Ningi.

    Governors at the meeting that started by 8.37pm, are Gabriel Suswam (Benue), Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom) and Theodore Orji (Abia).

    Others at the meeting are the PDP Chairman, Adamu Muazu, PDP Deputy National Chairman, Uche Secondus, former PDP Chairman, Ahmadu Ali, PDP Board of Trustee (BoT) Secretary, Walid Jibril.

    Also at the meeting are the Special Adviser to the President on Political Affairs, Rufai Alkali, PDP National Women Leader, Kema Chikwe, Petroleum Minister, Diezani Alison-Madueke, and Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke.

    The meeting was still on-going as at press time.

    The BoT meeting of the party will also hold at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday night towards the National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the party slated for Thursday at the PDP National Headquarters, Abuja.