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Tag: PDP

  • Kwara 2015: 10 for governor in PDP

    Kwara 2015: 10 for governor in PDP

    Kwara State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has begun mobilisation for next year’s governorship election. But, the struggle for the ticket is tearing apart the chapter, reports EMMANUEL OLADESU.

    Ten Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains are jostling for the governorship ticket in Kwara State.

    The aspirants include Mr. Sunday Adebayo Babalola, an engineer, Presidential Adviser on National Assembly Matters Senator Makanjuola Ajadi, Alhaji Jani Ibrahim, Senator Simeon Ajibola, and Deacon John Dara. Others are Senator Gbemisola Saraki, Alhaji Abdulrahaman Abdulrazaq, Prof. Shuaib Oba Abdulraheem, Mohammed Dele Belgore (SAN), and Alhaji Bio Ibrahim.

    It is a challenging moment for the troubled chapter. Since its former leader, Senator Bukola Saraki, and Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed defected from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC), things have not been the same. Apart from the decimation of the party, the struggle for its governorship ticket has unleashed intra-party tension. The PDP national leadership is worried by the bitter struggle. Aspirants are working at cross purposes to outshine one another and the promotion of self-interest has displaced the defense of collective interest.

    To triumph over the APC, at the poll there is the urgent need for the Kwara PDP to put its house in order. But, while a section of the party is leaving no stone unturned, in its bid to re-capture the State of Harmony, the obvious division in the fold is counter-productive. Instead of building the party structure, ahead of the election,” aspirants are nurturing personal strictures.

    The ruling APC is laying landmines. Unlike the PDP, it is a united fold, with old and new members forging ahead. The next election is expected to be laced with intrigues because the principal actors in the two parties had at different times worked closely with one another. Many of them had worked under former Governor Saraki. They were also part of the PDP family under the leadership of the strongman of Kwara politics, Waziri Olusola Saraki. The implication is that chieftains on both sides are not strangers to, which had characterised previous elections.

    The image of the Saraki Dynasty may continue to rub off on the APC. The cordial relations between Saraki and Ahmed is a core advantage. However, the split in the Saraki bloc has also been noted by observers. To the PDP, the days of the Saraki Dynasty are numbered. Senator Gbemi, the daughter of the late elder statesman is one of the arrowheads of the PDP, which is plotting to halt the influence of the formidable political family, which brought her to the limelight. But, to the APC, the dynasty h as enlarged its coast.

    According to analysts, Kwara PDP lacks a formidable leadership. In the APC, Saraki is held in high esteem as the leader. In the PDP, the governorship aspirants are leaders of their tiny cells. Therefore, they perceive one another as rivals to be pulled down. For example, the antagonistic groups and caucuses were locked in a war of attrition over the choice of a new minister to replace Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, who was dropped as minister by President Goodluck Jonathan. The scramble for the ministerial slot further divided the chapter. There was no leader to resolve the crisis and serve as a symbol of unity.

    The dust stirred by the bitter struggle has not settled. It is now being carried over to the battle for the governorship ticket. Although only 10 aspirants have unfolded their ambition, sources said that more will join the race, following the release of nomination guidelines next month.

    In the race are serious contenders and pretenders. However, some aspirants stand out. Also, among the veteran contenders,only two appear to stand out. They are Belgore, the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) candidate in 2011 election, and the business mogul, Jani Ibrahim.

    Remarkably, in the last election, Babalola was the runner up to Ahmed. Thus, he is positioning himself for the race. His supporters are wiping up sentiments, saying that he deserves political sympathy. He is popular in the party. But, he has some hurdles to cross.

    Belgore is from an aristocrat background like Saraki. Although he defected to the PDP, there is no assurance that the party will give him the ticket on the platter of gold. He has been described as a new comer by rivals. Observers have predicted that the primaries may be tough for him.

    The former university don, Oba, is working assiduously to get the ticket. he is the Chairman of Federal Character Commission (FCC). But, he is not perceived as a rallying point in the party.

    Senator Ajadi is pushing for power shift to his district. But, he may not be able to garner enough support at the primaries.

    The businessman, Jani, is believed to be be making waves. His influence as a captain of industry and philanthropist is overwhelming. He is the Chairman of LUBCON, a lubricant company in llorin, the state capital. He is believed to be the second largest employer of labour in the state, second only to the government.

    Jani is an alumnus of the National Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, Jos. He is the former National President of the NIPSS Alumni Association and Managing Director of the Nigeria Airways.

    He is the former President of Kwara Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (KWACCIMA) and former Chairman of the Conference of Northern States Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (CONSCCIMA).

    The politician is also believed o be close to the grassroots. The focus of his campaign is derived from his name, JANI- for Jobs-Agriculture-Natural Resources- Infrastructural Development.

    One of the factors that will shape the contest is zoning. Kwara South Senatorial District, which produced Ahmed in 2011, wants to retain the slot next year.  Kwara Central, which has the largest population, is also agitating for the slot. Kwara North has not enjoyed the slot before. Thus, PDP chieftains from the zone are campaigning for power shift.

    The question is: which district will produce the PDP flag bearer?

  • Who is afraid of General Muhammadu Buhari?

    Who is afraid of General Muhammadu Buhari?

    The attempt to snuff life out of one of Nigeria’s most revered former Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, in a fiendish operation which would have passed for a routine Boko Haram attack, would have thrown Nigeria in turmoil of unimaginable proportions as President Jonathan submitted days ago.

    The failed “assassination attempt” as Buhari tagged it, may not be unconnected with the grand plot to silence the opposition. This is coming on the heels of the impeachment of Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa state and the tightening of impeachment noose around Governor Umaru Tanko Al-Makura of Nasarawa state before he was cleared of charges against him yesterday.

    Clearly, the shades of the varying scope of operation to hunt down those who pose a threat to the present government as enshrined in the alleged sniper’s list former President Olusegun Obasanjo divulged in his missive is being made manifest.

    Surely, the mere knowledge of an alleged sniper’s list should be instructive to the opposition party leaders.Impeaching opposition Governors one after the other, it now appears, is part of the grand scheme.

    To underscore the gruesome motive of the perpetrators, eyewitness accounts said the bomb-laden car single-mindedly targeted the vehicle conveying the APC chieftain to Daura, his ancestral home from Kaduna. It hit target but the bulletproof construction of the SUV ensured the General escaped death by the whiskers. To the ‘terrorists’, they came agonisingly close.

    How can we forget retired General Muhammadu Mamman Shuwa? In November 2012, the civil war veteran was killed in cold blood by unknown gunmen in his Maiduguri home yards away from soldiers idling away in enforcement of law and order. Boko Haram, the usual suspects were fingered. Had Buhari suffered a similar fate, the perpetrators would use the sect to divert attention from the perpetrators.

    The PDP have sold a dummy to Nigerians for too long that the sponsors of terror were members of the opposition, All Progressive Congress (APC), but this attack have vindicated the much maligned progressives. Buhari has openly challenged those who accuse him of religious fundamentalism to come out and show proof. No one till this day has any clue.

    Forirredentists, who think the attack on Buhari’s life was stage-managed, let them continue to stew in their bitterness and wallow in their chutzpah. Same people who peddle such falsehood of a self-masterminded attack won’t roam within a metre radius of a spot of a bomb scare. Any reasonable Nigerian will acknowledge the risk in masterminding such an attack as the probability that it could spiral out of control is higher than its success.

    The political elite in the ruling party must truly be frightened by Buhari’s growing popularity ahead of the 2015 elections even though the media coverage on the General is frequently negative with unfounded and unsubstantiated allegations. It has rather won him more support from discerning Nigerians who cannot be misinformed or misled by needless propaganda.

    For his loyalists across the country, they can boldly say of him, “All I need from Buhari is his word I can take it to the bank.”Such is the cult-like following that Gen. Buhari wields that he need not rent a crowd, or share rice to garner support.

    This is because of his glowing and incorruptible antecedents.Very few people in this country will occupy the number one position to live a modest and Spartan life afterwards like him. He occupied lofty positions like the Governor of the defunct North-Eastern State of Nigeria, Head of State, Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources and Chairman of NNPC, Chairman of Petroleum (Special) Trust Fund (PTF).

    He could easily be one of Nigeria’s wealthiest politicians with oil blocs to boot because he birthed and supervised the establishment of our existing refineries. Today, we import 70 per cent of the fuel we use because those after him have literally crippled the refineries. He could have retired into stupendous opulence like the Danjumas, Obasanjos, and Abachas of this world. But Buhari bucked the trend and chose the honourable path.

    His detractors and traducers are uncomfortable with him around the political scene. Maybe he scares them with his incorruptible, uncompromising, sober, painstaking personae he exudes; his intolerance of impropriety – a major fault of the privileged political elite – scares them. He is everything they are not.

    There have been various attempts to erode the electoral value of a man who has validated his cast iron reputation for accountability and transparency coming out unscathed from probes regarding his tenure as Chairman of PTF. And as Buhari’s staunch loyalist in Mallam Nasir el-Rufai posited that his antagonists “have changed our politics into that of ethnicity and religion to divert attention from their incompetence, lack of capacity and looting of the treasury… PDP is scared of Buhari’s integrity and his track record of doing the right thing and ensuring that people are brought to justice when they break the law. They are afraid of that day when he will become President.”

    With the failed attempt to take General Buhari’s life, the burgeoning army of opposition against the General of impeccable integrity would now sit back, maybe have a rethink, recall their foot soldiers masked in the toga of Jihadists cutting short the lives of “infidels” they see as living corpses.

    In the 2011 presidential elections, the man they hate to see even in their dreams, got over 12 million votes with a party that was formed barely 10 months to the election without the support structure and votes a state Governor or even a Local Government chairman would have brought into the party. He had no war chest or federal might to manipulate voters and electoral officers, a trick the PDP has perfected over the years. But Buhari’s enormous star power earned him a couple of senators and a state governor after the elections. It won’t take a political scientist, a Nostradamus or some prophetic unction to work the numbers in votes the General will pull in 2015 with the 15 Governors in the APC fold!

    Those who plotted the dastardly act are enemies of Nigeria, they neither seek its prosperity nor tranquilitybut thrive and profit from the chaos, bloodshed and colossal sleaze. They are afraid of the intimidating profile of the former Head of State and his acolytes in the opposition party.

    Whoever wanted Buhari dead has made a super hero of him. Of all the reasons why Buhari was wanted dead, the 2015 general elections keep popping out of every possibility and conspiracy theory. Inadvertently, they only succeeded in raising his popularity meter. With the overwhelming outpouring of emotion and support, the retired General has reaffirmed his status as a political heavyweight and gladiator who remains a top contender for next year’s general elections.

     

    Please follow the writer on twitter, @tilevbare.

  • South-South governors, PDP leaders endorse Jonathan for 2015

    South-South governors, PDP leaders endorse Jonathan for 2015

    South-South governors and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders yesterday endorsed President Goodluck Jonathan for next year’s election.

    The endorsement was the high point of a stakeholders’ meeting convened by the National Chairman of the PDP, Alhaji Adamu Mua’zu, as part of his zonal tour of the South-South.

    The leaders in a communiqué read at the end of the meeting by the former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Chibudom Nwuche, hinged their endorsement on the giant strides recorded by the Jonathan administration.

    The communiqué reads: “We acknowledge the giant strides of Mr. President in the areas of education, agriculture, health, tourism, re-invention of the railway system, roads and other infrastructural development across the country. There is also focus on economic empowerment of Nigerians.

    “In view of his (President’s) doggedness in pursuing his transformation agenda for the country, the South-South is in support of his administration. We, therefore, endorse President Jonathan for the forthcoming  presidential election so as to continue his transformation agenda, which transcends all spheres of our lives.”

    It was signed by Governors Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State, Liyel Imoke of Cross River State and Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State.

    The leaders of the region condemned the spate of violence and insecurity in the country, which they observed was being tackled by President Jonathan.

    They pledged their “unalloyed and unwavering support for the fight against terrorism,” vowing “to be strong advocates of the unity of the country.”

    Urging Nigerians to identify with the PDP, they praised the leadership of the party led by Mu’azu.

    Others in attendance were the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, Gombe State Governor Ibrahim Dakwambo, the South-South lawmakers in the National Assembly, chairmen of the party in the six South-South states, among others.

  • PDP youths burn membership cards in Rivers

    PDP youths burn membership cards in Rivers

    Hundreds of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) youths in Rivers State burnt their membership cards yesterday, rejecting the party.

    They were led to the All Progressives Congress (APC) secretariat in Port Harcourt by the party’s Youth Leader, Sogbeye Eli, a lawyer.

    The defecting youths said they wanted their burnt cards to be replaced with APC membership cards.

    The exercise was witnessed by the chairman, Dr. Davies Ibiamu Ikanya and other party officials.

    Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Comrade Hart Lawson Atemie said the absence of internal democracy, infighting, selfishness, the need for a change in the country, among others, were their reasons for dumping the PDP.

    He accused the party’s leadership of self-centredness, saying it did not give them hope.

    Atemie said: “The money they distribute is to control the souls of helpless Rivers people born in riches but are poor.

    “Rivers is a Christian state and we would not support those who trade with the devil.

    “The PDP is finished and in disarray. There are crises in the party which will worsen as 2015 approaches.

    “It is their bid to corner the state’s resources, which led to their disagreement with our visionary leader and Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.

    “We are tired of staying in a party where our so-called leaders are not concerned about improving the relationship between the leadership and the followership.”

    Hailing APC for being better organised and capable of providing change, he lamented that despite the corruption in the country, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been turned to a lame duck.

    The security situation, Atemie also said, has deteriorated.

  • Obiano to meet Ekwunife, other Reps over defection

    Obiano to meet Ekwunife, other Reps over defection

    ANAMBRA State Governor Willie Obiano has scheduled a meeting for tomorrow with four members representing the state in the House of Representatives.

    The meeting followed their impending defection to the Peoples Democratic Party PDP (PDP) from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

    The members are Uche Ekwunife (Anaocha, Njikoka, Dunukofia Federal Constituency), Victor Afam Ogene (Ogbaru), Cyril Egwuatu Onitsha North and South) and Chris Azubogu (Nnewi North and South Federal Constituency).

    Ekwunife last Sunday submitted her resignation letter to Nri Ward I APGA Chairman.

    Obiano, disturbed by the development, sent invitation letters to the Reps to come and pray with him on the development.

     

     

    A source, who spoke with The Nation yesterday in Awka, said Obiano is hoping the lawmakers would rescind their decision.

    But it was gathered that none of the defecting APGA members was ready to return to the party over an alleged injustice against them by the party’s leadership.

    The Nation was reliably informed yesterday that the APGA leadership had allegedly allocated slots to some of the party faithful to contest election in 2015, leaving out the incumbent representatives.

     

  • APC vows to set up parallel govt if 2015 poll is rigged

    APC vows to set up parallel govt if 2015 poll is rigged

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) warned yesterday against any plan to rig next year’s general election, saying it will form a people’s government if  Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) attempts to rig the poll.

    Addressing a huge crowd of supporters at the party’s mega rally for the re-election of its governorship candidate in Osun at the Osogbo Township Stadium in Osogbo, the APC National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, ?said the battle line was drawn.

    Saying the APC will not allow its mandate to be stolen, Odigie-Oyegun said they were not afraid of the forces of oppression.

    His words: “Let those who have ears hear that they should not tamper with a single vote that belongs to us. The battle line is already drawn. The APC will not allow its mandate to be stolen. After the Ekiti State, there can be no more opportunity for anybody to steal our mandate. Enough is enough.

    “The APC is prepared for free and fair election . If anyone steals our mandate on February 20, 2015, we will resist it and set up a people’s government. Let them be warned, there would be dire consequences for this.”

    The chairman asked the people to observe a minute silence in honour of the late Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, who was murdered in his Ibadan, Oyo State capital home on December 23, 2001.

    Odigie-Oyegun said he was impressed by the large turnout of the people at the rally.

    Said he: “What I could see in people’s eyes is love, passion for Aregbesola’s performance. I have witnessed his popularity. I have never seen a large turnout in rally like this in my entire political life. Are you going to be afraid forces of oppression?.”

    The national leader of the party and former Lagos State governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, advised the people to push on with courage, saying “you can not eat omelette without breaking an egg”.

    He told the crowd not to allow or accept any intimidation from the security operatives posted to secure lives and property during the election.

    He said: “Don’t be intimidate by the soldiers or police. We pay give them their uniform and pay their salaries. ?We won’t allow anybody to use police and soldiers  to harrass us. Our party agents should not take bribe from anybody to sabotage the election. If you stand firm you will be the first set of people to be recruited for jobs when it is time for it.”

    Tinubu pointed to President Goodluck Jonathan’s failure in many sectors, saying he is incompetent.

    “They keep saying they know where the kidnapped girls are kept. If truly they know, let them bring them out and if it is the enemies that keep them and they know, it means they are saying they should be taken away.”

    Tinubu Said: “It is a broom revolution. You must come out, everyone of you to cast your vote. Don’t be afraid of the police or the soldiers. They are paid to protect you. They are part of us. We have them in our families.

    “We know them. We must be careful and vigilant this time. But we must protect our votes. The soldiers are to protect you. They cannot use the uniform to steal our votes. Defend your votes. Our agents must be vigilant.

    “Jonathan is an incapable leader. He does not know this job. Where are our girls? They say they know where the girls are. If so, why not bring them out and set them free. Bring back the girls. APC is a party of the common man. Don’t be intimidated.

    “Tell the soldiers to let you perform your civic duty. Police affairs minister and some PDP chieftain are bragging that Aregbesola will not win a single local government. It seems they have seen the results before the voting.

    “They seem to know what you don’t know. We will win Osun State. They governor has performed. He is constantly working for the people.”

    The former interim national chairman of the party and former governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande, said Jonathan had no voice in Osun because he could not point to any project he did during his last Saturday.

    Oyinlola, who spoke in Yoruba language, to the admiration of the crowd, said the PDP did not mean well for the Yoruba.

    According to him, no Yoruba is among the first twenty most powerful appointed officers in the Jonathan administration.

    Edo State Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, described the PDP as darkness and the APC as light.

    Oshiomhole advised the people to be on the side of light because of what they stand to benefit.

    He said: “Where there is light, darkness must disappear. We all know what is going on in Osun. We are not surprised at your impressives turn out, when a crowd believe in a cause it is not hard to know.. Aregbesola represents light, but the other side is darkness.

    “Stay by the man who wants peace, development and progress for you. Take their money and punish them for it. No receipt, no refund; that how we describe that kind of bribery in Edo State. We taught them a lesson in Edo; you can do better.”

    The first civilian governor of Osun State, Senator Isiaka Adeleke, who defected from the PDP to the APC a day to the PDP’s governorship primary poll,  enjoined the people not to  be afraid of soldiers and  police posted to monitor the election.

    Aregbesola, who urged security operatives to be civil, taught people how to cast their votes for him without voiding them or making a mistake.

    He accused the Federal Government of not completing any project in the state in the last four years.

    He said: “Those who started with them have left the PDP because there is nothing good with them. In the last four years, we have cared for the aged, the youth and students with our various programmes and polices and we intend to do a lot more than this.

    “So, take time to vote right and stay by your votes so that they don’t manipulate the process. When you thumb print, count three columns before folding the paper given to you, then count another three columns and fold out, the APC broom symbol must have been well placed and safe for you to thumbprint.

    “By this, they are not going to succeed to take any advantage. We patiently waited till now to reveal this secret. So make proper use of the opportunity.? And for those who could not do this by their own, especially the aged, ask for assistance from the INEC officials.”

    In attendance were many party stalwarts, including Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatai Hamed, Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso, Aregbesola’s deputy Mrs. Grace Titi Laoye-Tomori. House of Assembly Speaker Najeem Salaam.

    Others are: Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun, former Interim National Chairman of the APC Chief Bisi Aknade, Oyo State Governor Isiaka Ajimobi, Senator Demola Seriki, chairman Aregbesola’s Campaign Committee, Senator Sola Adeyeye, Senator Olorunnibe Mamora, former Osun State governor, Senator Isiaka Adeleke and former Kwara State Governor Dr. Bukola Saraki.

    Also there were APC National Publicity Secretary Alhaji  Lai Mohammed,  Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, former Ekiti State Governor and Deputy chairman of the APC Chief Segun Oni and Senator  Bayo Salami. Senator Chris Ngige, Chief Tony Momoh, former Bayelsa State Governor Timipriye Silva, former Ekiti State Governor Niyi Adebayo, Lagos State Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulure,  former Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Audu were there.

  • Ribadu: Beautiful bride courted by all

    Ribadu: Beautiful bride courted by all

    An African proverb says that when a woman is exceptionally beautiful, she attracts the eyes of several suitors, and it is that suitor who possesses the most panache and material disposition that might win her heart. There comes a time in the life of a man when his ability and pedigree present scintillating attributes too good to resist by all and sundry.

    This appears to be presently true of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), who is currently being eyed by the two dominant political parties in Nigeria, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressive Congress (APC), both trying to draft him to their sides as the race to occupy the seat of the Government House in Yola, Adamawa State, becomes more intense.

    Ribadu, the former presidential candidate on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), would certainly be the man to beat if he enters into the race under whatever platform to clinch the Adamawa governor’s seat vacated by the sacked governor Murtala Nyako for obvious reasons.

    Among the deluge of attributes that make Ribadu tick, as the most sought after politician in the state at the moment, are his courage and drive. It is also the misfortune of Adamawa of not being lucky with good administration that makes the yearning for Ribadu even more deepening. To most people, he represents the needed new lease of life the state needs at this time.

    He gained prominence during his heydays as the anti- corruption czar during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The fear of Ribadu was palpable as he bestrode the length and breadth of the nation catching corrupt politicians, businessmen, internet scammers, advance fee fraudsters and a wide range of financial fraudsters and sending them to face prosecution.

    During Ribadu’s time at the EFCC, the haven of fraudsters was methodically dismantled, the politicians who stuck their filthy fingers on the treasury, were hammered into submission. He was effective as he was consistent.

    Despite the calculated attempt to slant his war against corruption as a witch-hunt by some disgraced elements in the country, the distinguished lawyer proved to all who cared that the war was logical and anchored on transparency, with enormous empirical validity.

    His ability helped to launder the image of Nigeria then heavily trapped in the opprobrium of corruption among the comity of nations. The international community recognized his unprecedented efforts in fighting corruption in Nigeria such that he became a household name. He also bagged several domestic and international awards.

    Even though his efforts were fraught with risks as most of the thieves in the country are known to be very dangerous elements, who could easily connive to take him out, he yet continued the dogged fight. The amount of money he saved for the country ran into billions of naira and Ribadu, despite having an opportunity to enrich himself, chose transparency and left office without any trail of corruption till this day.

    It is not surprising that Ribadu had to enjoy these impressive credentials because if he had enriched himself with illicit funds, those who he brought down during his reign as the anti-corruption chief, would have mobilized their strength and financial power to hunt him. But he left no one in doubts with his honesty, integrity and a shining example of excellence.

    It is these startling qualities of the man that are now his greatest assets as he joins the bid for Adamawa governorship. For a state that suffered corruption hemorrhage for a very long time, the people are no longer trapped in the blind following of political parties, but rather their concern now is on individuals who can clean the malfeasance of yester-years and re-direct the country unto a fresh path of progress. This is what the people see in Nuhu Ribadu.

    For the APC, the ultimate choice, if they were to provide a credible person that can give the dominant PDP run for its money, it would have to be Ribadu. The APC is on the verge of being silenced in the state and they recognize the strategic political asset Ribadu would be for the APC in their quest to bounce back from the brink.

    The ousted governor, Nyako, tried to transpose the political fortunes of the state to the lap of the APC, yet lacked the tact and prudence to pursue such initiatives. His shortsightedness and some proportion of arrogance cost the party what may have been an opportunity. Now they are desperate to snatch power back from the PDP hawks, who have taken over.

    The top rank of the APC hierarchy led by its chairman, John Odigie-Oyegun, are said to be working to convince Ribadu, who was presidential candidate of the  ACN, one of the components that formed the APC.

    For the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, they are struggling to have Ribadu as their flag bearer in the forthcoming governorship election in Adamawa state because of the aforementioned qualities. For the PDP Ribadu’s popularity, integrity and his influence will be a big asset to the party. He therefore stands a great chance to pick the PDP ticket once he makes up his mind to run under the platform.

    Apart from his high moral disposition, Ribadu is also a powerful force in terms of articulation of ideas; he is equally gifted in recruiting the best brains to drive such ideas. As a politician, Ribadu is a smooth operator who is not disposed to the flamboyance and unnecessary aimless public statements.

    At the moment the sad situation which led to the impeachment and removal from office of the former governor, Nyako, caused some ripples in the political equation of the state.  But it presents yet immense opportunities to restore the requisite values to the state and move it forward.

    Ribadu’s emergence in the state as the PDP candidate will further strengthen the hands of the party as they strategize for the 2015 elections. Already the PDP enjoys the majority in the state assembly as well as other facets.

    It is only Ribadu that can give the PDP the edge they are looking for to neutralize the threat of the APC, which now has possible sympathy votes from Adamawa voters. It is not surprising therefore, that the Presidency is reportedly in the forefront of those clamouring for him to pick the PDP ticket with some lofty promises of support in all ramifications.

    Although this situation of two platforms cajoling him presents Ribadu with some awkward scenario, the challenges notwithstanding, Ribadu is man who knows how to pick the best in any given situation.

    The astute politician can distinguish the pretenders from real politicians adept at transformation, which the state indigenes desperately need. He is passionate about his quest to reorder the state, reprioritize and refocus the state on the path of peace and development.

    • Umar wrote from Karewa GRA, Jimeta, Yola

     

  • Oyinlola dumps PDP for APC

    Oyinlola dumps PDP for APC

    •‘Security crackdown on our members’

    A crackdown on the All Progressives Congress (APC) started yesterday with the arrest of its leader in Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, the party has alleged.

    It said the People Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government, which vowed to militarise the state has started acting out its plan.

    Also yesterday, it was learnt that former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola would defect to the APC from the PDP today at a mega rally in Osogbo, the state capital.

    Prince Oyinlola wrote last week to President Goodluck Jonathan about his plan to “think seriously about my political journey and take firm decision”.

    “I’m not wanted  by the National Leader (President Goodluck Jonathan) of the party (PDP),” he wrote, adding that he was eased out of the PDP national secretary’s seat, despite a court order that he remained the party’s national secretary.

    The APC said: “Hon. Yemi Oke, a leader of APC in Obokun Local Government, was arrested by ‘Special Forces’ from Abuja, led by local PDP leaders at about 2.30 am today (yesterday).

    “The ‘Special Forces’ had earlier in the night visited his Ilare-Ijesa home to arrest him but he was not found.

    “The PDP leaders then led the Special Forces to his Osogbo residence where he was picked up and hounded into detention.

    At the release of this statement, the fate of Hon. Oke remains unknown while no security agency has explained the reason for his arrest and detention.”

    In another statement, party spokesman Kunle Oyatomi alleged that security forces had started a planned lock-down of Osogbo, to prevent crowds of supporters from attending the APC’s rally slated for today.

    “Road blocks and checkpoints have been mounted on all roads leading to Osogbo from within and outside the state, causing traffic bottlenecks and logjams. This will also increase in intensity between today and tomorrow,” he said.

    It was gathered yesterday that Oyinlola would defect to the APC with his supporters.

    Sources said the former governor made wide consultations among his political supporters across the state before taking the decision to join the APC.

    Oyinlola and some of his political associates took the decision to dump the PDP last Saturday at a marathon meeting reportedly held at his Okuku country home in Odo-Otin Local Government Area.

    It was said that Oyinlola found it very difficult to take the decision because of pressure from  some bigwigs from both the PDP and the APC.

    Some of the chieftains of the APC expected at today’s mega rally include: National Chairman Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Lagos State Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and other political big wigs.

    “He (Oyinlola) declined the proposal to quit the PDP because he was hoping his matter would be revisited by the leadership of the party. He so much believed that his reinstatement as the National Secretary would be effected as ordered by the court of law.

    Some of Oyinlola’s associates including a former PDP secretary Chief Yinka Adeojo,  former Osogbo Local Government Chairman Teslim Igbalaye and others joined the APC at arally in Ilesa about three weeks ago.

     

  • Osun on the march again

    Osun on the march again

    As the final countdown to Saturday’s gubernatorial election in Osun State begins, global attention would once again be focused on Nigeria as the wobbling and fumbling continues in the nation’s quest to join the leagues of real democracies.

    And as had always been the case with elections in western Nigeria since independence, it is going to be a straight fight between federal might and the people’s will. Why the federal government or rather the party at the centre is always interested in controlling south west Nigeria against the wish of the majority beats one’s imagination. I don’t want to hazard a guess, but suffice to say that each attempt whether successful or not have always had grave consequences for the country.

    Attempt by the NPC/NCNC controlled federal government in the first republic to take over western region through its lackeys in the region led to the western regional crisis that later snowballed into the crisis that eventually ended Nigeria’s first attempt at democratic rule. Recall what happened to the second republic when the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN) of President Shehu Shagari forcefully claimed victory in Ondo State. The only ‘successful’ takeover of political power in the south west by the party at the centre to date was in 2003 when ‘son-of-the-soil’ President Olusegun Obasanjo manipulated the process, using the federal might, to claim victory for his Peoples democratic Party (PDP)in all but one of the south west states.

    But not too long after, the people realized their mistake and took back what they lost to the PDP, safe Ondo State. Again, applying the federal might policy of intimidation, the federal government is on another mission to forcefully take over the south west targeting Ekiti and Osun states as prelude to pocketing the remaining four states of the region in the 2015 general elections. And with Ekiti already in the bag, Abuja is full of confidence that Osun too will fall. In the last few weeks, the state has been fully militarized by the Commander-In-Chief, President Goodluck Jonathan, who in defiance of wise counsel has moved soldiers, State Security operatives and of course the police into Osun to ‘deliver’ the state to the PDP. Whether he succeeds or not and what becomes of our democracy after Saturday is in the hands of time. For Jonathan, securing Osun, Ekiti and the rest of the south west states is not so much for the wealth of the region, but the millions of votes he needs to secure a second term. Whereas his party men in the region are only interested in the key to the treasuries of the Yoruba states in order to squander the resources.

    With this premise, it is easier to understand the battle that lies ahead for the people of Osun State as the local ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its candidate Governor Rauf Aregbesola confronts the PDP and its flag bearer, Senator Iyiola Omisore stoutly backed by the government at the centre.

    Saturday’s election is not so much in the hands of Aregbesola or Omisore but the people of the state who must decide the direction they want to take their future. Where Osun State was before Aregbesola came in and where it is today should be their guide, and I will use education to illustrate my point here.

    As a beneficiary of the Bola Ige administration free education programme in Oyo in the second republic, I recall what most members of my generation then were going through to go to school and stay in school before the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) came to power in the region in 1979 and education was made free. No more school fees; no more buying of books, all our parents had to do was feed us and buy our school uniform. I can still recall the happiness on my parents’ face when newly sworn in governor Bola Ige announced this at the Liberty stadium on October 1, 1979. They both heaved a sigh of relief as they listened to the pronouncement on radio. Before then they had been finding it difficult paying the school fees of my siblings and I. Even though the skeptics, especially in the NPN said it wasn’t possible and derided the quality of education we were getting in public schools, millions of parents stood by the UPN and their governors defying the federal might to secure their children’s future. Today that decision has been well justified; their sacrifice have not been in vain, their children are now successful men and women in their various fields, thanks in no small measure to the free education programme of the day. The NPN federal government did offer rice and money that time but they rejected them.

    If one looks at the contributions of the Aregbesola administration in the last four years or thereabout to improving the standard of education in Osun State, one is tempted to say that if only for that he deserves, without blinking an eye, a second term in office. And that is the truth.

    I don’t want to talk about the beautiful schools he has built all over the state or even the reclassification of schools that he has done, as some are wont to argue that aesthetics are not enough to make good schools, what about the free feeding programme on which over N3 billion is being spent annually; free school uniforms. What about the tablet of knowledge or ‘Opon Imo’ (a miniature computer or tablet) containing the entire senior Secondary School syllabus, books and WAEC/GCE examination papers given to Senior Secondary School students to prepare them for their final exams.

    Any parent or guardian that understands what it takes to buy whole set of books for their children or ward(s), buy their uniform, pay their school fees and above all feed them (at least once a day) will appreciate the burden that Governor Aregbesola has taken off their shoulders. And it is only right and even godly to appreciate the man by giving him another term in office. This is the least they can do for a man who has taken it upon himself to better their lot. To Governor Rauf Aregbesola, serving the people (of Osun) is a commandment from God. I chose to dwell on his education programme (only a fraction of his achievements in this sector) because I believe, like Chief Obafemi Awolowo who saw the future of his Yoruba people in education far back in the 50s that is the best foundation for the future.

    Aregbesola has laid a solid foundation for the future of his people in Osun, the people should allow him to build it further by rewarding him with a second term. Any other decision to the contrary could lead to eternal regret. A word is enough for the wise.

     

  • ‘Rigging Osun election‘ll backfire’

    ‘Rigging Osun election‘ll backfire’

    The Director of Strategy of the Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO), Chief Linus Okoroji, has warned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against rigging Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

    Okoroji said PDP’s plan to turn the country into a one-party state was a replica of what Nigeria faced in the dark days of the late General Sani Abacha.

    He said opposition is a norm in all civilised parts of the world, adding that any attempt to return the country to the ugly days would backfire.

    Okoroji said: “The position of the PDP in the evolving democracy in Nigeria is unfortunate. It is trying to hijack the present democracy with force. I know what it took to rescue Nigeria from military dictatorship. That PDP has been in government for almost 15 years with nothing to show at the federal level is pitiable. The people are really worried about the PDP’s desperation to capture Osun State. They have made good their threat to capture Ekiti. “Reasonable Nigerians have not agreed on how the Election in Ekiti was adjudged free and fair. The people have not accepted the results. It is a result that defied all predictions. This is not fair to the nation; it is a shame.”

    Urging the electorate to be vigilant, the PRONACO chieftain said: “President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to Osun to campaign for the PDP candidate was to ensure conclude the final plan to rig the election.”

    A social critic, Pa Adebiyi Odekanyin, also warned the PDP against rigging the poll, saying it would lead to anarchy.

    Speaking with reporters in Oyo, Oyo State, Odekanyin condemned the heavy deployment of security operatives in Osun and the wearing of masks by men of the Department of State Security (DSS).

    He urged politicians to allow the people’s will to prevail.