The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Political

  • Can PMB, no, APC afford another political faux pas?

    If the president would not move to stop this self interest-induced camaraderie with the PDP by its National Assembly leaders, then APC needs be told that Nigerians are watching, and waiting, as the party makes fools of them, knowing pretty well that the next election is even less than four years away. 

    Let me rephrase that question: Can President Muhammadu Buhari survive a second damning political miscalculation? If he does, will he, and his party, succeed in positively affecting the country as they promised us all during the campaigns, or as the PDP never ceases to chorus, is all that change mantra nothing but a chimera? In an event that, in retrospect, can now be described as sleeping on duty, President Buhari surprisingly showed not even the faintest interest in who and who became the Senate President or the House Speaker when, given a clear understanding of the critical role of the National Assembly, he should have shown much more than a passing interest in who emerges in those positions. The result was that  a clever Senator Bukola Saraki did not only end up defying both the party and the president,  shredded the party’s  well choreographed  preferences but also traded off a key position that rightly belonged to the majority party, his. For me, it remains a puzzle till this day whether the president simply did not understand the role of the National Assembly, as in the senate constitutionally having to confirm some of his key appointments and such other things apart from its primary function of law making, where his government would, willy nilly, have to depend on its majority in the two chambers.

    Nigerians are already getting to see the effect of that tactical error especially as it is beginning to play out in the Senate.  The consequences of a second faux pas would, of course, be far worse and the National Assembly is already furiously working towards that, relying on a nebulous claim of separation of powers, as if in our own Electoral Laws, it is not the party that was voted for. I refer here to the ongoing constitution of the membership of committees in both chambers where the leadership is dramatically orchestrating a parity between both the APC and the PDP simply because of the highly flawed manner in which they got to their high offices. Indeed, so  unreflective is the National Assembly now that while the president, well aware of our parlous financial circumstances, is doing everything to cut down the cost of governance, restructuring ministries and planning to have ministers without portfolio thereby, among other things, cutting  down on the number of ministerial aides, its (the  National Assembly) leadership,  is creatively, and unilaterally, increasing the number of committees just so their members could dig deeper into the little money the country now has consequent upon the down turn in the price of oil. Were they not being driven by their own survival instincts, since it is now payback time, they should have been mindful of what obtains in the U.S from where we copied the presidential system.  Even with all the hue and cry over the president’s single-minded determination to restructure the bureaucracy, the U.S, a much more endowed country than ours, has only about 15 departments, namely: State, Treasury, Justice, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labour, Defence, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veteran Affairs and Homeland Security. In place of  our  House of Representatives’ 96 committees, the U.S  Congress,  equivalent to the  House of Representatives,  has only 24 committees  made up of  the following: Agriculture, Appropriations, Armed Services, Budget,  Education and the workforce, Energy and Commerce, Ethics, Financial Services, Foreign Affairs, Homeland Security, House Administration, Judiciary, Natural Resources, Oversight and Government Reforms, Rules, Science, Space and Technology, Small Business., Transportation and Infrastructure, Veterans Affairs, Ways and Means, Intelligence and some select or special committees like the one on Benghazi. The senate has an almost identical committee structure. In constituting  these committees, it is customary for members of the majority party to hold the chairmanship but even if, for purposes of  attempting  to further unify our country the leadership wants to concede  chairmanship to PDP, it should only have  been tokenistic but because  they got to office ugly, the leadership  thinks  nothing  of  rubbishing the Nigerian masses who voted  massively against  the  same PDP in the last elections. If neither the president nor the party would move to pro-actively stop these politicians keen only on their own survival, with some of them serving on two or three committees, we would again have lost a golden opportunity to put a stop to the unspeakable profligacy going on at the National Assembly. It would be remembered that somebody who should know once alleged that the National Assembly consumes 25 percent of the national budget though they tepidly denied it. But that, in fact,  is only a part of the problem as the Speaker has already constituted the House committees virtually at par between APC and the PDP  while , from the grave vine, we  learnt  the senate president would be  toeing  the same line. This will be very disrespectful of the Nigerian electorate who made a clear choice in that election and is keen on seeing some concrete change.

    It never ceases to amuse me when our politicians behave as if they own us all – something akin to a master class – believing their personal interests supercede the peoples’. It will be a huge surprise if the National Assembly leadership does not appreciate how very much President Buhari would need all the support he can get from his party members in driving his and the party’s agenda. One would have thought it a no brainer to appreciate that the president would need their support, working, especially through the committees, to translate his campaign promises and programmes into action. That is the window of opportunity they have again thrown away. Or how on earth did Speaker  Dogara get his 48/46/2  ratio  in the distribution of chairmanship positions which he allotted to APC, PDP and the other  two  opposition parties, in that order? How does that reflect the parties’ numerical strength in the House?  I ask again, is this what is rumoured the senate president is about repeating in the red chamber? Are they such strangers to the practice in the U.S where no minority party member chairs a committee? This is what happens when overarching ambition drives politicians to disrespect their party and become unequally yoked with members of the opposition party whose only prayer is to defeat, and replace, the ruling party at the next election.  Can’t they see? Are these the president’s party members who will help him kill corruption before corruption kills Nigeria? Indeed, I have a sneaky feeling that, by allegedly gifting the PDP the chairmanship of critical committees as Finance, Petroleum, upstream and downstream, and Gas, Aviation, Environment, Foreign Affairs, Science and Technology and Works, somebody is already strategising for that party’s presidential candidacy come 2019. Or has  the PDP not announced already that it has zoned it to the north, deliberately remaining silent as to what exact zone in the north, so they could play some politicians, one  against  the other?  Can’t the non complicit APC members, apparently presently keener about serving on juicy committees, see the larger picture and put on their thinking caps? Can’t they see that there are some of their colleagues who care not a hoot as to whether or not APC survives beyond 2019 as long as they achieve their own political ambitions? It is left to President Buhari and the APC leadership to know exactly what they have coming or they would have kissed victory at the 2019 elections bye long before they know it. As I have repeated severally above, what concerns the National Assembly leadership, as well as many of its members, is not the well-being of the country. Rather it is calculations towards 2019 and whatever else, in addition to their humongous salaries and allowances, they can make even when Nigerians are hoping, apparently against hope, that they will appreciate our current circumstances and reduce their totally disproportionate earnings. If the president would not move to stop this self interest-induced camaraderie with the PDP by its National Assembly leaders, then APC needs be told that Nigerians are watching, and waiting, as the party makes fools of them, knowing pretty well that the next election is even less than four years away.

  • What if anti-corruption war is political?

    What if anti-corruption war is political?

    After observing the on-going anti-corruption crusade by the Buhari-led federal government, it strikes me to note that attitude-wise, Nigerians have neither grown up nor changed. We seem condemned to revolve in cycles. As it appears, it must be an unexciting task to lead this nation as president. For a long time, the consensus was that the biggest trouble with Nigeria was corruption. It was why our nationals were treated with suspicion in foreign countries. It was why certain financial services like Paypal were not available to us as a people. We did not exactly like the image it created about us and longed for a leader who would rescue us from its grip. It was in this situation that we elected Muhammadu Buhari to do for our nation what it seemed we could not do by ourselves. Few months into the task though, we have begun to cry foul.

    The newspapers and online media are awash daily with accusations and counter-accusations on the anti-corruption war. Many – especially those in the heat of the war – complain that the war is political. In other words, if they were not politicians or at least did not constitute any political threat to those in government, they would not have been under probe. This is a familiar argument in political circles irrespective of who is in power. While one should not be distracted by such anemic counter-claims, one should be disturbed by the divide that seems to exist on this matter even among ordinary Nigerians. When we join the politicians to complain that this war is political, what are we saying? Most of these arguments revolve around unimportant factors. They say for example, that if their political parties were the ones in power, they would not have been prosecuted. Their prosecution is therefore not because of what crimes they are alleged to have committed but a punishment for losing election. Sometimes they say they are not the only ones who embezzled public funds; there are others too who ought to be prosecuted.

    A clear analysis of these arguments would reveal that they are just the desperate attempts of a drowning man trying to save himself. To begin with, why does the war seem to focus more on politicians? It is because the sort of crimes alleged to have been committed could only have been committed by those who had access to political power. Outrageous contracts can only be awarded by those in political offices in charge of such. Public funds can only be diverted to private accounts by those who are entrusted with them. Secondly, would they have been “targeted” if they were not occupying or likely to occupy political office in the future? May be not, but it seems to be more logical and morally strategic to focus on such people. The damage already done to this country is so huge that it is a matter of emergency, even if it cannot be undone, for it to be avoided in future. And if people who caused such damage are still likely to access opportunities through which more harm may be done, they should be a priority in the war. Thirdly, they claim they would not have been investigated if their political parties were in power. And that is why Nigerians voted out their political parties so that room would be created for them to be held accountable. Fourthly, they claim that there are others too who ought to be prosecuted as well. That is correct, but is it their duty to dictate to the anti-corruption agencies what sequence to follow in the prosecution? Obviously not!

    On a general note, the war against corruption not only may be political, but should actually be political. These crimes are alleged to have been committed by those who had political privileges which they abused. The institutions that were manipulated are political institutions. They are using political means to escape prosecution. The anti-corruption agencies are established under the political authority of the Nigerian state. The laws they use are passed by politicians. We elected a politician as president to recover the loot and sanitise the institutions. And it will take great political will to do the job. Why then, do we pretend that the anti-corruption war should not be under some political influence?

    Let us be sincere as a people. If what we want is a reduction in corruption, then we must focus on the result and minimise these vain arguments that cripple – rather than strengthen – the war. If these guys did not compromise in the first place, who would be talking about what method to use in sanitising the corroded system?

     

    • Msonter, 400-Level Medicine and Surgery, BSU
  • In Guinea, Tinubu’s political prowess holds sway

    In Guinea, Tinubu’s political prowess holds sway

    Sunday Dare, Special Adviser on Media/Chief of Staff to National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, highlights the former Lagos State governor’s role in retaining his ‘trusted friend’ – Prof Alpha Conde in power in Conakry, Guinea.

    Though the October 11, 2015 presidential elections in Guinea Conakry have come and gone, not many would forget in a long time the key role played by Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. And just like he did in the Nigerian situation serving as the catalyst, the fulcrum alongside others and perhaps the “babalawo” that brought the opposition to power and chased away the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) after 16 years in power, Asiwaju Tinubu has helped retain a trusted friend and pan-Africanist in power. Prof. Alpha Conde, the first democratically elected president of Guinea is back for a record second term of five years after a commanding first round victory of 58 per cent of total votes cast.

    The victory that came when the final results were announced was reward for handwork and a campaign that was on message. The political campaign of the incumbent president got a bite when Tinubu moved in to help his friend, a brother and a true African leader.  The journey for Alpha Conde’s re-election began sometime in May 2015 when he came to Nigeria for the inauguration of President Muhammadu Buhari. President Conde not only met with Nigeria’s President, Muhammadu Buhari, he met with other African leaders. He described his meeting with Buhari as very useful and insightful. President Conde in several conversations maintained that Africa has found in Buhari the leader it needs to lead it and move it forward. He said Buhari  is best suited to lead Africa where Goodluck Jonathan failed.

    On that same May trip, he also met with Tinubu to learn more about Nigeria’s political and election experience. He also discussed the political situation in Guinea and the Presidential election ahead. I recall that the President also met with the governor of Lagos State Akinwumi Ambode.

    After the initial May visit, Tinubu in June 2015 visited Conakry to further assessother country’s political terrain and the direction of the presidential campaigns. Soon after, Tinubu moved into Conakry personally with his team. The Tinubu election strategy and planning team comprising of six people quickly settled down to work with barely 60 days to the elections.

    Embedded within the Alpha Conde campaign organization, the Tinubu team worked on political messaging, speeches, social media interventions, election monitoring and countering the opponents and a day by day review of the campaign. Perhaps the most defining aspect of the presidential campaign was the ROBO call element, which was used for the first time in any election in Guinea. The Robo call involved the sending out of an automated message recorded by President Conde to about six million voters asking for their support and telling them he was their best choice. At least one in every 4 Guinean received such a direct phone call from the president. It soon became the talk of town as the president message in four languages went out to the electorate.  It was out in French, Fular, Malinke and Sousou. The social media also went abuzz discussing the timely direct voice messages from the president to the people.

    But back to the dynamics of the politics in Guinea. The last Presidential elections had some strong candidates in the opposition who were backed by big money and were armed to ensure they either win or create problems. The toughest challenger to Alpha Conde was the Fula leader and former Prime Minister, Ciello Djallo who had a strong 40 per cent support from his economically powerful fula tribe. Several weeks to the election, the calls for the postponement were rife coming mainly from the opposition. They hinged their calls for postponement on the non-preparedness of the electoral body in the issuance of voter cards and the fear that the elections will be marred by violence. However, they had a game plan. Their game plan was to force a second round ballot in which situation they would a very good chance of unseating the president. They failed in their attempt to postpone the election. They however did not fail togenerate some violence. The final campaign

    by Djallo turned out very violent. Five deaths were recorded. The tension rose. It was a day before Alpha Conde’s final rally for the RPG party.

    The campaign organization had to re-strategize quickly. If the president went ahead there would be violence and that would play into the script of the opposition to have the election postponed. The president took the hard decision with his team to cancel his final rally. it turned out to be a very smart political decision. It brought down the tension and calmed nerves. The opposition bit their fingers.

    The president went on Robo call to millions of Guineans asking them to remain calm. Not to burn Guinea but to build Guinea. He asked them to come out and vote peacefully on October 11. The decision not to postponement election was a tough one. Asiwaju Tinubu played a key role in advising the President to stick to the date, October 11. He provided context for the President by letting him into the experience Nigeria had during the last presidential elections.  This insight along with the understanding of the dynamics of the Guinean political situation helped the President Conde not to postpone the elections. The electoral body also stuck to its gun that it was ready to conduct the elections. Perhaps the most important voice was that of the diplomatic community that rang out in unison that Gunea was ready for the October 11 Presidential elections and that the talk of violence was perhaps exaggerated. Muhammad Ibn Chambers, the head of the UN delegation played a bit of shuttle diplomacy within Guinea nudging the diplomatic community to speak with one voice. He worked through the ranks of the Presidential candidates urging them to shun violence by speaking to their supporters to participate fully in the process.

    Fortunately, Election Day came on October 11, 2015 and there was no single act of violence or voter intimidation. Polls were extended from 6pm to 8pm to accommodate all the voters. At the end, the people of Guinea demonstrated their love for democracy and peaceful elections. The United Nations infact adjudged the presidential election in Guinea as one of the most credible and peaceful in Africa.

    The people of Guinea were patient enough for the electoral body, SENI to compile all results from across the country. It took about a week. But by the time 70 per cent of the results came in, the excitement began to build because Alpha Conde was in the clear lead and a first round victory was suddenly within reach. Sensing defeat the other candidates quickly held a press briefing to reject the results and ask for cancellation. It was a last ditch effort that failed. There was no way they could cancel the wish and the votes of nearly 6 million of their countrymen.

    Alpha Conde went ahead to win and earn another five years in power. But after the celebration of victory, he must settle down to govern and place Guinea on the path of accelerated development. The Kaleta electricity project that was the corner stone of his performance and electoral success must be expanded quickly to generate more power beyond its present 240-mega watts. The roads need attention, more foreign direct investments are needed, urban renewal, job creation, education must be subsidized and programs to reduce poverty must be rolled out. Therein lies the only way he can reward the electorate for trusting him to be their leader for another 5 years.

    The Nigerian experienced rubbed off. Thanks to Tinubu and many others who worked silently behind the scene to make sure democracy not only grows but also survives in a country like Guinea. Nigeria’s neighbor. Tinubu seems to be about the business of installing presidents across Africa. But beyond that he is more about ensuring democracy thrives and good governance is enthroned in Africa. Nigeria under the current leadership now has the moral and political leverage to support and lead other African nations on this path.

  • Re: Kogi’s Political transcendentalism

    SIR: Senator Joe Funsho Obasaju is an elder statesman; but he goofed. Honestly, I would not have bothered myself with the submission of the very Distinguished Senator on Prince Abubakar Audu and his running mate, Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, published in The Nation of October 22,  titled: “Kogi’s Political Transcendentalism”, but one cannot but ask the elder statesman critical questions arising from his write-up that aimed deliberately at demeaning our esteemed leaders and the father of Kogi State, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Abubakar Audu.

    Issues raised in the write-up are in the least not only baseless and deficient but also lacking in substance and sincerity in its juxtaposition of the performance of Prince Audu as governor between 1991-1993 and 1999-2003, side by side his now preferred bride, the near inept Captain Idris Wada.

    Obasaju surely could not have seen anything wrong with the administration of Alhaji Ibrahim Idris that laid off over 13,000 civil servants without any benefits since 2009, through the wicked and satanic Sally Tibot screening exercise, thousand of whom were from Kogi West and Central, the very people

    Obasaju is now pretending to be championing their cause. Senator Obasaju will again not see anything wrong in the sacking of about 250 workers in each of the 21 local government areas across the state by the Wada-led administration and the non-payment of the local government staff salaries for upward of 18 to 20 months as the case may be, varying from one local government to another. Or the incessant strike of the primary school teachers owing to the non-payment of their salaries as at when due, the shutdown of the healthcare system and facilities across the state for close to one calendar year. All this he did not see since he is a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    Government is a continuum and if all the bad things in Kogi State today are the handiwork of Audu as he would want the whole world to believe, why have the governors after him not corrected the abnormally that he highlighted?

    The speed with which the current administration reversed or renamed the Kabba and Obangede General Hospitals to Specialist Hospitals is well understood; we can no longer be deceived. We understand the circumstance behind the reversal; it purely political and for election purpose and I am sure he will fail as our people are wiser and will resist leaders who are ready to trade with our collective interest.

    On power rotation, the game will always be won by those that understand it, work hard for it and be ready for it.

    Therefore, it is a known fact that the leaderships of All Progressives Congress (APC) at both national and state level have the will at ensuring the realization and implementation of the power rotation arrangement. It is crystal clear that come 2019, power will rotate from the eastern flank of the state to either west or central not only because of the APC flag bearer’s continuous public declaration of his readiness to implement the deal, but also the party’s credibility and its sincerity to deliver on its agenda.

    It is also on record that the immediate past governor under Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Ibrahim Idris did promise power rotation in 2007 when he was contesting for his second term in office, a promise he failed to fulfil in 2011.

    Finally, Prince Abubakar Audu and Hon. James Abiodun Faleke are on a rescue mission to salvage the already battered and much pummelled state. We are not surprised at the stance of Senator Joe Obasaju, as the fact remains that the current administration led by Captain Idris Wada has nothing to show as achievements close to four years in the saddle and considering the resources available to him.

    Kogi people are wiser than before and are no longer swayed by jaundiced newspaper opinions orchestrated by self-cantered individuals to discredit a performer whose records remain unbeaten in the last 13 years of the Peoples Democratic Party rule in the state. November 21 is the date and electorates in Kogi State are more than determined to change bad leadership for a pragmatic and result-oriented one that will move the Confluence State to the next level.

     

    • Femi Olugbemi,

    Kabba, Kogi State

  • Run for political offices, Stephanie urges women

    Run for political offices, Stephanie urges women

    Alot has been said about the issues of gender, women and the process of governance, but for Nollywood actress and filmmaker, Stephanie Okereke-Linus, the last has not been heard.

    Lending her voice to the radio progamme, Talk Your Own-Make Naija Better, the heavily pregnant actress stated that when men and women come together, beautiful things happen.

    In a short clip posted on the programme’s Facebook page, the thespian said; “When we all participate in our government, we create better lives for ourselves and our children. So women, go vote, run for political offices let your voices be heard and let us all support women in this. If we don’t participate in government, we can’t create a beautiful future. So let’s create something beautiful together.”

    Talk Your Own is a national radio magazine programme which seeks to give Nigerians a chance to discuss the issues affecting them and their country. The show is broadcast across the country on more than 100 partner stations.

    The programme is presented by BBC Media Action.

  • APC: Rivers PDP can’t kill Amaechi’s political career

    APC: Rivers PDP can’t kill Amaechi’s political career

    The Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said the alleged sponsored probe of former Governor Rotimi Amaechi by the People Democratic Party (PDP) is a waste of time.

    The state’s APC Deputy Chairman Prince Peter Odike told reporters in Port Harcourt, the state capital, that the plan by Governor Nyesom Wike-led PDP government was to shut Amaechi out of political space.

    The plan, Odike said, would fail.

    The deputy chairman said the commission of enquiry Wike set up and the petition to Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) against Amaechi were among PDP’s plan to deny Amaechi an appointment in President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

    He recalled that Amaechi, the former chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) for solid eight years, resisted the pressure by some elements, with the alleged backing of former President Goodlouck Jonathan, to control the state’s resource.

    Odike said: “I am here calling on the elders, young men and women of Rivers State and indeed the people of Niger Delta to rise in union and to tell these few actors, represented by the current occupants of the Brick House, especially the PDP in the state, that the sound of their drums is of war.

    “They want to shut Amaechi out of the political space but they can’t because their plans are evil. Their actions are becoming inimical to the progress of Rivers State. They are not happy that Amaechi fought the political battle of his life to ensure Buhari’s victory at the poll.

    “We, therefore, enjoin the good people of Rivers State to discountenance this ill-motivated selfish and devilish campaign of calumny against the great son of Niger Delta. Rivers people should refuse to be part of any gang–up geared towards destroying what Amaechi has built in the state.”

  • New political group launched in Ondo

    A new socio-political group to check the imposition of candidates has been launched in Akure, the Ondo state capital.

    The group ”Owena Collectives”, is to ensure that those who are elected into public offices emerged through transparent electoral process.

    A statement issued by its chairman, Theo Adebowale, and Secretary, Kayode Arowosola, said it had begun consultations with the democratic forces in the state.

    The group vowed to ensure the effective participation and monitoring of all political processes in the state to ensure popular polls.

    The coalition, which made up of 10 socio-political groups, said that it would resist the imposition of candidates or any attempt to undermine a transparent democratic process by any party.

    It urged party chieftains and officials to comport themselves with decorum and eschew imposition under any guise or face its wrath.

  • Bisichi killing is political, say Hausa

    •Berom: they want to take over our land 

    The Hausa community at Bisichi village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State has alleged that it is being persecuted by itsBerom hosts because it did not vote for the candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Gynag Pwajok.

    It made the allegation in Jos yesterday while speaking on the recent violence in Bisichi, which claimed several lives.

    In a paper by the traditional leader, Sarki Ibrahim Isa and the Imam, Mal. Hussaini Muhammad Abubakar, the community said the recent attacks were connected to the last general election.

    Isah said: “The Berom around Bisichi have threatened to deal with us if they find out that we did not vote for the PDP and its governorship candidate.

    “After the poll, there have been attempts to attack us because their Berom kinsman did not win the governorship election. The Berom believe we are the cause of their man’s defeat.

    “The Bisichi community  experienced attacks in the past, the recent one being that of August 11 when gunmen surrounded the community, killed two persons and injured four, including an officer with the Special Task Force code-named: ‘Operation Safe Haven’.

    “Between July 30 and August 10 three people were declared missing. The bodies of two persons were recovered by the police and ‘Operation Safe Haven’. On August 11, the Berom militia surrounded our community, which led to the killing of Ikirmata Musa Bilyaminu and Shuaibu Aminu. Three people are on admission at the Plateau Specialist Hospital, Jos.”

    The Hausa community urged Governor Simon Bako Lalong and security agents to protect them from political persecution by the Berom.

    The Berom youth leader, Mark Pam Bot, denied the allegation, describing it as an attempt by the Hausa-Fulani to cover their agenda of taking over Berom land.

    He said: “Our grandparents accommodated the Hausa-Fulani for over a century and we are still accommodating them.

    “But the people we are hosting are attempting to drive us away from our ancestral land and take it over. They are planning to do so through ethnic cleansing of the Berom.”

  • Benue political crisis: Waku, Jime reconcile with Ortom

    … after Buhari’s intervention

    Speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara, yesterday announced the reconciliation of Senator Joseph Waku and Rt. Hon. Emmanuel Jime with Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.

    He also stated that Waku and Jime had withdrawn their suit challenging the candidacy of Ortom in the last governorship election.

    Addressing journalists at the conference hall of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat in Abuja, Dogara said the development followed the intervention of President Muhammadu Buhari.

    The Speaker said the President took the initiative with the objective of healing wounds within the ranks of the party and positioning it to deliver quality service to the people of Benue State.

    According to him President Buhari lamented the hardship inflicted on Benue people by the last administration and reiterated the need for the APC government to redress the situation as soon as possible.

    He commended the Governor for starting on a sound footing by paying workers’ salaries.

    The Speaker directed that the parties involved should embrace one another to demonstrate that they had reconciled, and they did.

    In his response, Governor Ortom commended the President for his intervention.

    He also commended both Senator Waku and Rt. Hon. Jime for their spirits of sportsmanship and the sacrifice they had made in the interest of the party.

    He noted the contributions of his colleagues from Sokoto, Plateau, Imo and Nasarawa states, and the personal presence of three of them. He also thanked the national officials of the party.

    Ortom said with the reconciliation, he would perform better in securing the state and providing good governance and leadership.

    Senators George Akume and Barnabas Gemade; state party chairman, Comrade Abba Yaro; Justice Augustine Utsaha rtd; Dr Fidelis Anweh; Titus Madugu; Hon Avine Agbom and Mike Gbe were among the politicians from Benue State who witnessed the event.

  • Law underway to help families of late political heroes, says Sani

    Law underway to help families of late political heroes, says Sani

    A legislation design to properly take care of families of the nation’s late political heroes will soon be proposed at the National Assembly.

    The Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani, said this when he visited the families of late Malam Aminu Kano, former governor of Kano State, late Sabo Bakinzuwo and Alhaji Mudi Sipikin in Kano yesterday.

    The families of the heroes, he said, were “abandoned and nothing was done for them to show appreciation on the contributions they made” for the nation’s political development.

    “I feel mandated to come here and pay my respect to the bases of our political foundation. As a child, I have always looked forward to emulating politics with ideology, sincerity and unity, which these people taught us.

    “They have lived simple and straight lives that have shaped our political trend. Unfortunately, these people are only remembered in words and not in actions. Their families were left to fate. This we will not allow and we will ensure that we have enact laws that will find these families and do something about their plight,”  Sani said.

    The families he visited expressed their appreciation over the intention of the senator.

    Bakinzuwo was a governor in Kano for three months during the Second Republic in 1983, and Sipikin was one of the seven politicians, who formed the defunct Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU).