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  • Adamawa: Jonathan, PDP ask Acting Gov to shelve ambition

    Adamawa: Jonathan, PDP ask Acting Gov to shelve ambition

    The Presidency and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have launched a last minute move  to abort the aspiration of Adamawa Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri to fly the party’s flag in the October  governorship election.

    Fintiri,was Speaker of the state  House of Assembly until last month’s impeachment of Admiral Murtala Nyako but he is now a leading aspirant for the office.

    He and 11 other members of the party are to be screened today  ahead of the governorship primaries scheduled for September 6.

    Among them are former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; former Lagos military administrator, Brigadier General Buba Marwa; and  former Adamawa governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Marcus Gundiri,all of whom were cleared yesterday by the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) for the primaries.

    The trio  almost lost out following a sharp  disagreement in the party’s hierarchy over their eligibility having joined only recently.

    It was gathered yesterday that the Presidency and PDP were working on Fintiri to forgo his aspiration.

    The Presidency has made its position known to him while a  three-man team from the party was said to have met Fintiri on Thursday night on the issue.

    But he is   adamant on contesting,according to sources.

    Rooting for him are members of the State  Assembly.

    Two other governorship aspirants, James Barka and Jerry Kumdisi, are understood to have stepped down for Fintiri.

    The two aspirants did not submit their nomination forms on Monday,  the deadline for aspirants to turn in their forms.

    Investigation showed that  Presidency and the PDP are not comfortable with  Fintiri’s ambition,citing moral reason.

    A source familiar with the development ,said Fintiri’s participation in the race is capable of tainting the credibility of the election.

    “There is pressure on the Acting Governor not to contest for the governorship to make the process free and fair. There is no way he will not use the advantage of incumbency to intimidate other aspirants,” the source said.

    “The Presidency and PDP are of the opinion that Fintiri’s participation in the primary will be sending a wrong signal  that the intendment of the impeachment of ex-Governor Murtala Nyako was to make him  governor at all cost.

    “If Fintiri succeeds, there are fears in the Presidency that impeachment might be used as a weapon to deal with governors.

    “Security reports were said to be against Fintiri’s participation in the governorship race.”

    But he reportedly stood his ground,claiming it was  his “inalienable right to vie for the governorship slot.”

    Another source said: “Fintiri is banking on the support of members of the House of Assembly, local government chairmen and leaders of PDP in the state.

    “He believes he enjoys wider support from PDP members. He is asking the party to leave the race open.

    “The Acting Governor also said he should only be allowed to complete the tenure of Nyako till the next poll in February 2015. To underscore his determination, two aspirants (James Barka and Jerry Kumdisi) have stepped down for him.

    “As it is now, only the Screening Panel of the NWC can stop Fintiri. And if it does that, it might lead to litigation.”

    Meanwhile, all is set for the screening of the remaining 12 aspirants today in Abuja as from 10am.

    The aspirants are the Acting Governor, Umaru Fintiri; Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo; Nuhu Ribadu; Markus Gundiri; Auwal Tukur; ex-Minister Aliyu Idi Hong; Sen. Abubakar H. Girei; Andrawus Sawa; and retired  Gen. Aliyu Kama; ex-Military Administrator of Lagos State, Gen. Buba Marwa; Ahmed Gulak and a former presidential aide, Dr. Umar Ardo.

    Of the 12 aspirants, three (Ribadu, Marwa, and Gundiri) were given a waiver yesterday by the National Working Committee (NWC) after intense-horse trading at the Presidential Villa.

    A PDP source said President Goodluck Jonathan personally intervened before the waiver could be granted.

    The source said: “At the Villa on Thursday night, there were two camps for and against the waiver. On one hand were members of  the pro-waiver group including the National Chairman of the party, Adamu Muazu, the Principal Secretary to the President, Hassan Tukur; and the National Vice-Chairman of PDP(North-East), Lawal Girigiri.

    “The anti-waiver group had comprised governors led by Barrister Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), who is the chairman of the PDP Governors Forum, and other members of the NWC.

    “Every side argued and at a point it was Muazu-Tukur versus Akpabio. The situation almost got out of hand.

    “But the insistence of Tukur that Ribadu must not be disgraced having sacrificed everything to defect from APC to PDP proved to be the magic wand. The President became emotional and later made a simple pronouncement: ‘Give them waiver, create a level playing field for all. Let them go and sort it out at the primaries.”

    National Publicity Secretary of PDP,Chief Olisa Metuh who broke the news of the waiver said the decision was taken “after very careful and thorough consideration of all applications and the report of the Alhaji Abubakar Mustapha-led Adamawa State PDP Governorship Waiver Committee.”

    The  NWC ,he added,was satisfied that all the aspirants met the requirements stipulated by the PDP constitution to participate in the process.

    Metuh said the  NWC restated  its confidence in the leadership of the National Chairman, Ahmadu Adamu Mu’azu in “providing a level playing ground for all eligible citizens of the state to participate in the democratic process.”

    The PDP pledged  that the nomination process, including screening of aspirants as well as the primary election will be conducted with utmost transparency and strict adherence to rules and the principles of justice, fairness and equity.

    The party denied  reports that its leadership was divided on the granting  of  waiver to the affected persons.

  • Industrialisation of Akwa Ibom my priority, says Ekere

    Industrialisation of Akwa Ibom my priority, says Ekere

    The immediate past Deputy Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Nsima Ekere, has said the massive industrialisation of the state and sustainable people’s development will be his priority if elected governor.

    Ekere spoke after consultations with some Ibibio traditional rulers and the foremost socio-cultural and ethnic nationality groups in Ibibioland and Annangland.

    At each stop, Ekere was prayed for, blessed and given the nod to vie for the governorship ticket of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) by Uyio Ikpaisong Ibibio, which comprises of nine of the 14 Paramount Rulers in Ibibioland, Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio and Afe Annang.

    Ekere emphasized his human development plan through a ready-made industrialisation blueprint for the state which, according to him, was designed to build on the massive infrastructure put in place by Governor Godswill Akpabio.

    His words: “Governor Akpabio, my friend and brother, has put in place world-class infrastructure. But we must, as a necessity, begin to build the people.”

    During his visit to Uyio Ikpaisiong Ibibio-in-Council in Etinan, the Uyio Ikpaisong and Paramount Ruler of Etinan Local Government Area, Edidem Ime Dickson Umoette, who led the prayer and blessing session,

    likened Ekere to the Biblical Moses who was ejected from Pharaoh’s palace so that God’s plan in his life could be fulfilled and lauded his industrialisation programme for the state.

    The Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Okuku Ime Udousoro Inyang, prayed for Ekere’s success to come soon and advised him to remember the Ibibio race when he becomes governor.

    Ntisong Ibibio III, Obong Essien Ekidem, who leads Akwa Esop Imaisong Ibibio, told Ekere, during a consultation visit to the group in Uyo, that he was impressed by the former Deputy Governor’s wisdom and experience in both the private and public sectors and prayed God to bless him and open doors for him in the gubernatorial race.

    Otuekong Sunny Jackson Udoh and Chief Ukata Akpan, who also spoke for the group, lauded Mr.Ekere’s qualities and called for free and fair PDP primaries.

    Itai Afe Annang III, Okuku Pius Effiong Eside IV, who also received Ekere and his mammoth team of elders, youths and women in Essien Udim, said Annang people were willing to stand by him as a knowledgeable man capable of building on Governor Godswill Akpabio’s achievements and legacy.

    He praised Ekere for not disrespecting the person and office of governor despite his resignation, nearly two years ago, and reasoned that the former Deputy Governor’s exit was divine as God had a better plan for him.

  • ABOVE WHISPERS: Father and son

    ABOVE WHISPERS: Father and son

    Not  long ago, I watched The Cupboard, a movie that falls into the category of what is now known as the new Nollywood. Shot with good cameras, acted by largely good actors, scripted well and directed with eyes and ears for details. It is a simple story of a man who has four children whose biological fathers he does not know. Even his wife knows not the fathers of the children. They are all products of artificial insemination, a fact the kids only know after the man’s death.

    As expected, they are disappointed. In their mother and in the father.  They plan to go away from the family and see if they can survive on their own. One of them decides to stick with their mother. Her argument: a father does not have to be biological to be a father. And this brings me to the father and son I write about today. The father’s name is Godswill Akpabio and the son is Obong Bassey Albert Akpan (OBA), who left the banking industry as a vice president in 2007. They are not biologically related. Some will say Akpabio, the governor of Akwa Ibom State, is the godfather or political father of OBA, who for seven years, was Commissioner for Finance, a position no governor or president gives to anyone he does not trust.

    Akpabio trusted OBA, saw him as a son and bestowed the exalted office on him. Like an average father, the governor expected absolute loyalty. For the better part of Akpan’s presence in the executive council, he played the good boy. But no thanks to the 2015 governorship race, things have fallen apart between the duo. The son disagreed with his father’s succession plans. Not that he queried the father’s right to support a candidate, he just simply asked the father to allow others run too and not be goaded into adopting the anointed. The result: he was kicked out of office as commissioner. And the battle-line was drawn. He was not the only one kicked out. Others who got the same treatment still link their fate to their refusal to back the succession plan.

    Let’s get this clear: Akpan too wants to be governor. He says he is in the race not just for the fun of it but because there is a prophecy that he will govern the state. So, he is running with the vision.

    OBA is not the governor’s only political associates or son who has parted ways with him. There are others who the governor now sees as wanting to take power through the backdoor. The governor is not happy with being dared by Akpan and co. So angry was he that towards the end of July he declared at the sod turning ceremony for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretariat in Akwa Ibom: “Christ did not say that there will be no Judas. Even our God Almighty recognised that even the people he worked with, and called them angels, that one of them was going to betray him. And that was Lucifer, what did God do? He threw him out of heaven. Has he entered heaven till today? Those who have betrayed the governor will not enter Government House.”

    When the governor made this statement, the crowd was silent. Not pleased with their silence, he said: “I thought you would say amen.”

    The people had a Hobson’s choice and screamed: “Amen!”

    He repeated again: “I thought you would say amen.”

    Again, the people screamed amen. He said that a third time and got the same response. He then continued with his story.

    He said: “You empower your children so that they will be a pride to you. You don’t empower them so that they come and betray you. That is the lot of the world.

    “I go back into the Bible, the Game Changer. I saw the story of Absalom. And I said may God take away the spirit of Absalom from our midst. Who was Absalom? The son of David, the father trained him and empowered him as the would-be King of Israel. Because of impatience, Absalom wanted to take over before the age of 30. He wanted to kill King David. And the King said, leave him to his fate.”

    He then asked the crowd: “Did it end well with Absalom?”

    The crowd responded: “Nooooo!”

    He then went on to explain what happened to Absalom: “As a young man, he died, while his father continued. I am assuring the Game Changer (PDP National Chairman Adamu Muazu) and the President that those who want to take power through the backdoor will die. They will die! And the PDP will continue. In Akwa Ibom State, those who want to betray, who were supposed to be our political children, of course they will end like Absalom. But if they change their minds, then they will obtain favour from the sight of God.”

    Perhaps the background of what happened shortly before the governor made this statement may provide an insight into those he had in mind. What I have been told is that the speech might have been inspired by OBA’s supporters who were said to have embarrassed the governor at the Ibom Airport when he went to receive the PDP National chairman.

    In an interview with our man in Uyo, Kazeem Ibrahym, OBA diplomatically ‘finished’ his political father. He said the story of Absalom was quoted out of context. His reason:  “If you read your Bible very well, then you know that despite Absalom’s behavioural deficiency, King David was still in love with him. I want to say that if the governor was referring to me as Absalom, then he should love me to the end.”

    He added: “When the National Chairman of the PDP visited the state, I was outside the country. When I returned and heard the story of Absalom and the fate that awaits aspirants, I called the governor by myself and asked him if he was referring to me and he said no. So, I left the matter at that.”

    He said he has rejected ministerial and senatorial positions and is holding on to this fact: In 2007, Attah wanted his son in-law to become the governor but the people preferred Akpabio. Akpabio has his candidate, whom he has not openly acknowledged. OBA says the governor is using the Akwa Ibom Consolidation Alliance (ACA) to support his Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr. Udom Emmanuel, as the next governor of the state. Will he fail like Attah or succeed in choosing his successor? The governor is optimistic. OBA is too. He says he will take the oath of office as governor next May 29.

    It is instructive to say that the PDP has zoned the governorship to Eket Senatorial District, where Emmanuel comes from. OBA, who is from Itu/Ibiono Federal Constituency of Uyo, says he is not bothered about this because he will not be governor by zoning but by divine prophecy. It remains to be seen who will have the last laugh: the father or the son?

    My final take: Let God’s will be done and the rule of the law must be followed. No violence; subtle blackmail is not a sin in politics. Name calling is part of the game. But please no one should act God.

    An adage says: “Advice is a stranger; if he is welcome, he stays the night; if not, he leaves the same day.” I hope my advice is welcome and stays the night.

  • PDP, APC battle for Niger East senatorial seat

    PDP, APC battle for Niger East senatorial seat

    The stage is set for the senatorial by-election in the Niger East District, Niger State. The battle is between  All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidates. Who wins? Correspondent JIDE ORINTUNSIN examines their chances at the poll.

    On Saturday, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will conduct the senatorial by-election in Niger East District, Niger State. The winner of the poll will replace the late Senator Dahiru Kuta in the Senate.

    His death had altered the political calculations, ahead of  next year’s elections. Now, there are new permutations and projections. But, owing to the vacancy, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) now have the opportunity to test their strengths at the poll. In Niger East, there is a re-alignment of forces. The ambition of some politicians is also threatened.

    Before his demise, Kuta had hinted that he would be recontesting  next year. He was warming up for the primaries. Stakeholders were expecting an epic battle between him and Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu at the PDP primaries.  Although the governor has denied nursing the  ambition, his body language and moves by his loyalists gave him out.

    Sources said that, for Aliyu, the senatorial bid is a “Plan B.” But, it became the main agenda when he lost out in the scheme to replace Vice President Namadi Sambo as the running mate to President Goodluck Jonathan in next year’s election. The Niger governor is a powerful voice among PDP governors. He was also the controversial leader of the rebellious  G7 PDP governors. That was his undoing when the PDP thought about a replacement for the Vice President.

    The INEC had earlier announced August 16 as the tentative date for the by-election.  But, few days later, the commission shifted the election by two weeks. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr. Emmanuel Onucheyo, hinged the shift on logistic problem. He said the postponement was valid under the electoral law.

    Three political parties – the All Progressives Congress (APC), the All Grand Progressive Alliance (APGA) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – are competing on Saturday.

    David Umaru, a legal practitioner, is the APC candidate. He emerged as the flag bearer at the indirect primaries, and later, the direct primaries. His challenger at the intra-party contest was Hon. Adamu Bala Kuta, a former member of the House of Representatives. Some people have alleged that he was sponsored by the PDP. Kuta, a product of David Umaru political structure in 2006 failed in his bid to stop Umaru. But, Umaru defeated his political son at the primaries in Minna, the state capital.

    In the PDP, there is also political scheming. The party had earlier settled for a consensus candidate. The former deputy governor, Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu, was endorsed as the candidate. But, following the emergence of another aspirant, Hon. Abdullahi Musa, a former federal legislator, the party opted for primaries. At the shadow poll, Nuhu defeated Musa.

    At the primaries, Nuhu, who enjoyed the backing of key party leaders, polled 99 per cent of the delegates’ votes.  Incidentally, the two major parties, the APC and the PDP, have not experienced post-primary crisis.

    Similarly, the emergence of Hon. I.M. Bello as the APGA  flag bearer was also without rancour. He was unopposed. So, he emerged as the candidate without stress.

    The battle for the seat is however between the candidates of the two major parties, Umaru and Nuhu, of  the APC and the PDP respectively.  Stakeholders do not see Bello, who hails from Kusheriki, as a serious contender. He is perceived as a spectator. Although he pasted some posters on the walls of buildings in some towns, he is not perceived as a threat by the APC and PDP flag bearers.

    For the APC, the by-election is an opportunity to reclaim the zone. For the PDP, it is another opportunity to prove that the late Aweisu Kuta’s victory in 2011 was not a fluke. Although the APC candidate,  Umaru, has  not held public office, he is a household name in the district. He has connections. Any opponent that underrates him does so to his peril. He is loved by constituents because of his generosity.

    A grassroots politician, Umaru, who was eyeing the governorship, opted for the Senate, based on appeals by many stakeholders that he should vie for the seat. His political structure and network cut across the cultural divides in the area. He is a businessman with interest property development and the service sector. Many believe that he is a man of credibility and integrity who will endow the seat with honour and visibility. Political watchers believe that, in a free and fair election, the odds may favour the APC candidate.

    The PDP candidate is also a seasoned politician. He has served as the deputy governor for eight years. But, he has made a lot of enemies. These foes are now beaming a searchlight on his tenure. In their view, he has some questions to answer. His past actions and inactions, failures and shortcomings are now blown beyond proportion by those trying to abort his senatorial dream. Others have pointed out that, despite being a rich man,  Nuhu is stingy, a vice that his opponent is cashing on. Thus, in this electioneering period, he has been on the defensive. Although the state government is backing him, some constituents are not convinced about his candidature.

    This development has forced the party to mandate all political appointees from the zone to join his campaign team. They have also been directed to deliver their wards to the PDP. However, efforts to reach out to some aggrieved grassroots members of the party from the zone are not yielding dividends.

    Another challenge is the agreement purportedly signed by Nuhu to step down for Governor Aliyu during next year’s election. This has not gone down well with the people of the zone,  especially the Gbagyi stock. To them,  the agreement is injurious. They also believe that, if Aliyu becomes the senator, they will be further marginalised.

    If Nuhu wins the election, it will seal Aliyu’s fate. His senatorial bid next year may hit the rock. There are puzzles:  will Nuhu step aside for the governor at the PDP primaries in October? Will he vie for the position again? Is the Chief Servant jettisoning his senatorial ambition, despite the huge political investment?

    No doubt, the by-election is another popularity test for the PDP. For the ruling party,  it is a must win election, if it must continue its dominance of the state.

    However, the poll may serve as an opportunity for the opposition to reclaim its alleged 2011 stolen victory. It was alleged that the PDP denied Inuwa Zakari of the defunct Congress for Positive Change (CPC) victory in the National Assembly election.

    The success or otherwise of the by-election rests squarely on the INEC. Although the APC has challenged the neutrality of the Resident Commissioner.

    Stakeholders expect a free and fair election where only the wish of the people will be fulfilled and a true representative of the electorate in the  Niger East District will emerge.

  • Osun poll: PDP heads for tribunal

    Osun poll: PDP heads for tribunal

    OSUN State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has rejected the August 9 governorship election’s results, vowing to file its petition today at the tribunal.

    The party said this in a statement yesterday by its Press Officer, Victor Oriola.

    The PDP said it was convinced after a review of the processes leading to the election’s outcome that there were alleged irregularities and fraud perpetrated by the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The statement said: “We have decided to challenge this brazen attempt to subvert the wishes of the electorate who came out to support our Rescue Mission Campaign and gubernatorial candidate of the Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the tribunal, as provided for by the constitution and electoral laws.”

    It added that it was mindful of the “investment in deceit-driven propaganda unleashed on the citizens by the APC to distract attention from how the alleged electoral heist was perpetrated.”

    The party vowed to “ensure that scientific rigging of elections” in Osun and the country were “both exposed and reversed.”

    It stated: “Our legal team will reveal shocking graphic details of pre-election rigging led by the leadership of the APC, who had directed that all its officers relocate to Osun State before the election in addition to the subversive roles these ubiquitous officials played in the elections as they compromised some of the INEC officials.

    “On account of these and many other damning revelations, we affirm that the announced outcomes of the August 9, 2014 gubernatorial elections in Osun State are not a true reflection of the votes cast in the election…

    “We shall seek to retrieve our stolen mandate that was freely given to our candidate and party, using legal means as provided for by both the constitution and electoral laws.

    “We shall continue to provide information to our aggrieved supporters and party members and urge them all to go about their lawful duty without any fear of intimidation.”

    It promised that the case would deepen democracy since shocking revelations would be made during the legal battle that would strengthen democracy in the state and Nigeria.

    It said it has an abiding faith in God, “who will always make the victory of the unjust pyrrhic and confidence in the judiciary as the last hope of the cheated.”

     

     

  • Party’s legal adviser defects

    Party’s legal adviser defects

    THE Osun State Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Legal Adviser, John Abolarinwa Abidoye and some of his supporters have defected to the All Progressives Party (APC).

    Interestingly, the development came yesterday as the PDP set to file its petition today in court to challenge the result of the August 9 governorship election.

    Abidoye, who was the Secretary of PDP’s Legal Committee before his defection, was expected to compile the PDP’s documents for the petition to be filed in court on the election.

    After the APC’s flag was handed over to him by the state’s Interim Chairman of the APC, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo, the defector said he decided to join the progressive fold because of the outstanding performance of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

    Abidoye said as a returning officer for the PDP in Boripe Local Government at the poll, he knew the result was a true reflection of the people’s wishes and aspiration.

    The people, he said, spoke with one voice that they wanted continuity under the Aregbesola’s administration.

    He noted that Aregbesola’s administration was “a government of the people,” maintaining that there was nothing to be feared about the PDP’s petition to the tribunal.

    He said: “The people of Osun truly voted for Aregbesola. Across the states, they spoke loud and clear. They have demonstrated that they wanted continuity; they wanted development. All fears people had before the election has evaporated.

    “There is even no fear about the election tribunal. The tribunal relies on facts and figures and no one can manufacture facts and figures. We were there during the election. I was a party agent in Boripe. Other parties were even afraid that I would not sign the INEC papers.

    “I signed the result sheet and so it was in all the 30 local government areas of the state. But even at that, the electoral law has changed. Now, the failure of any party agent to sign the result sheet does not invalidate the result of the election,”

    He added that his coming over to the APC should be seen as added strength to the party.

    In his remark, the APC Secretary, Prince Gboyega Famoodun, described Abidoye as a politician of a proven integrity.

    Famoodun said the coming over of the former PDP Legal Adviser is a right decision as his presence in the progressive would help his political and legal career.

    He said: “Prince Abidoye is one of those who believe in development of the state. He believes in the charismatic leadership of Aregbesola. He believes in the truth. He is a politician of proven record.

    “He is coming over to the right party. He is coming to the progressive camp; coming to the light from the darkness. He is convinced of the good work Aregbesola is doing. His coming over is a testimony to this effect.”

    The Chief of Staff to the Osun State governor, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, called other truth-loving, development-inclined and lover of the state, who are currently idling in PDP to come over to the party that is genuinely interested in the development.

     

     

  • Disquiet in Adamawa PDP

    Disquiet in Adamawa PDP

    A crisis of confidence has broken out in the Adamawa State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    At the centre of the storm is Acting Governor Umaru Fintiri and the party chairman, Joel Madaki.

    The party stakeholders, including some of the 14 aspirants in the run-off to the October 11 governorship by-election, have accused Fintiri and Madaki of entering into an unholy political alliance for mutual benefit.

    The aggrieved party chieftains cried out yesterday that Fintiri and Madaki might have struck a deal; for the latter to use his position to tilt the balance in favour of the former in the party’s coming primary election, for a deputy governorship slot.

    They alleged that the acting governor might have induced the chairman to buy over delegates and induce key stakeholders into compliance.

    “Their plan is to block other contenders from having their own people emerge as delegates at the congress scheduled for Monday and subsequently deny the aspirants the opportunity to meet the elected delegates.

    “The majority of the members of the party executive do not support what is happening, but the acting governor and the chairman are intimidating them with threats of exclusion or expulsion.

    “The way they are going about this is really dangerous not only for the PDP in Adamawa, but also democracy in the country. If Fintiri is allowed to go with his plans, it will set a terrible precedent that may see speakers impeaching governors and foisting themselves on everybody.

    “We cannot allow this to stand. You cannot come in mufti and stage a kind of military coup. The activities of Fintiri and his cronies signify the height of desperation and lawlessness to satisfy myopic interest.”

    “We are submitting a petition to the national leadership of the party to do something about this because the way it is, no aspirant can be comfortable to go into the primaries when the process is already skewed in favour of one person,” the complainants said.

  • The problem with Rivers’ politics

    SIR: The recent clashes between the cliques of the PDP and APC in Rivers State during a slated ward-visit by the governor to Rumuoprikom (later cancelled), home-zone of the supervising minister of education are inexcusable and condemnable.

    That some youths in the state decided to uncritically support public figures instead of their respective party’s beliefs is distressing. It is easy to see why it might be difficult for youths of today to wrestle power from the ageing in governance.

    How else can you interpret youngsters’ disposition to work with a “group philosophy” that leads to destruction, and anarchy? That a fracas on the go elsewhere snowballed as far as Rumuokuta and Rumuigbo is beyond understanding.

    And, that the two principal leviathans (the governor and education minister) have not bothered to douse the tension overtly and covertly is alarming. Unwholesome are the role of party chieftains who for all time have been fanning the malevolence with fiery speeches.

    States chief executives should learn to follow General Ibrahim Babangida (Rtd)’s apothegm, when upon retirement, certain retired army officers joined disputes with him in the press: “I do not join issues with people who in God’s infinite mercy I am higher than.”

    If the governor assumes rightly that the minister is beneath him, then he should follow the rule and urge his supporters to do same so that Rivers State will be peaceful.

    It is also imperative for the minister of state for education, Nyesom Wike, who always elects to castigate the governor at the slightest impulse to act ministerial if that office is to be respected and, if he truly means well for the people of Rivers State. Politics after all is not a gladiatorial contest.

    Governor Rotimi Amaechi is worthy of respect. He is one amongst a few governors in Nigeria who tolerates the opposition, and has not used his power to muscle them to oblivion. There are states in Nigeria where the opposition do not have a voice; not by choice but because the machinery of state are used to pursue them out of relevance.

    In Rivers State, the opposition have access to the states media which they have used to run announcements against the governor. He has refused to be intimidated by many, and has called off the missteps of others. Almost akin to governor George Corley Wallace Jnr of Alabama who even as a member of the same party (Democratic party) stood up to President J.F.Kennedy during the segregationist crisis at the University of Alabama (though he apologised to blacks later in his twilight years). That is the beauty of democracy: members of the same party do not have to agree all of the time and disagreements should not be misread as subversive criminal act. Will politicians ever act right?

     

    • Simon Abah

    Port Harcourt, Rivers State

     

  • Dansharu emerges Kano PDP chair

    Dansharu emerges Kano PDP chair

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kano State chapter, elected yesterday Alhaji Rabiu Dansharu Kiru as the chairman.

    Ebonyi State former Governor Sam Egwu, who supervised the election, said Dansharu defeated Senator Masuad Doguwa with 1,109 votes against 458 votes.

    The winner thanked members for giving him the mandate to lead the party.

    He pledged to operate an open-door policy to strengthen the party and give members a sense of belonging.

    One of the party stakeholders, who preferred anonymity, said the election was to re-position PDP for the general elections.

    He said the party would win the governorship poll, stressing that the leadership was planning strategies to realise the dream.

     

     

  • Rivers PDP members join APC

    Rivers PDP members join APC

    some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members in Obio/Akpor and Emohua local government areas of Rivers State defected yesterday to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Many PDP members, led by Mr. Francis Egbulajor, defected in Emohua council.

    Mr. Ogbondah Amadi also led his supporters from Obio/Akpor Local Government to join APC.

    They defected during the local government and ward inauguration of new executives of the Ikwerre/Etche People’s Forum, a group canvassing for an Ogoni governorship candidate in 2015.

    The president-general of the forum, Emmanuel Amadi, who received the defectors, said the group was not a political party, adding that it promotes justice, equity and fairness.

    Amadi said: “We welcome you to our great party. Thank God you have identified the difference between light and darkness. We will communicate to the state APC leadership, which will formally receive you into the party. You all have made a wise decision.

    “Our objective is to support an Ogoni candidate in 2015. It is ideal to look for constituencies or a place where the people have not led the state. Former Governor Peter Odili is from Rivers West Senatorial District. Governor Rotimi Amaechi is from Rivers East.”

    “Okrika produced Chief Rufus Ada-George. We are expecting Southeast Senatorial District to produce the next governor. Opobo/Nkoro, which is in Southeast Senatorial District, has produced a deputy governor; Adoni has also produced one, but Ogoni has produced none.”

    Ebulajor said: “Today, I have defected from the PDP to APC with my supporters and family. Anybody that pulls out from the darkness called PDP will not go back again. We cannot be deceived any longer; we are tired of following betrayers.”

    Amadi said: “We won’t go back to the PDP. It took us time to take this decision. Now that we have joined the APC, we will mobilise people for the party.”

    The defectors and members of the forum visited the Paramount Ruler of Omagwa Kingdom, Eze Jacob Orji, who said Amaechi’s successor must be “fearless like him (Amaechi)”.