The Nation Newspaper

Tag: politics

  • 2019: Politics of realignment in Oyo

    2019: Politics of realignment in Oyo

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)’s reconciliation with former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and the new understanding among Abiola Ajimobi, his predecessor, Adebayo Alao-Akala and former Senate Leader Teslim Folarin have signaled new alignments in the Oyo State politics, which may shape the 2019 general elections. BISI OLADELE reports.

    When the National Caretaker Committee Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Ahmed Markafi, declared after his victory at the Supreme Court on July 12 that he would lead the party on a successful reconciliatory path, many disparaged his ambition, based on the failure of previous efforts. But, the moves by his committee are yielding fruits in Oyo State. Some of the party’s former leaders are already returning, following after series of parleys. For instance, Oluseyi Makinde, who flew the flag of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2015 governorship election, is back in the fold.

    Political watchers are keenly waiting for former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and his successor, Adebayo Alao-Akala, to follow suit.  While Makinde and Akala dumped the PDP, preparatory to the 2015 elections, Ladoja left for Accord in January, 2011. They left due to irreconcilable differences.

    But, a surprise photo surfaced on social media recently, suggesting yet another realignment of forces in preparation for the 2019 elections. It was a group photograph of  Ajimobi, Alao-Akala and Folarin in a relaxed meeting in London, the United Kingdom. The conviviality of their mood conveyed a political fraternity, which made analysts believe that they may have been united for the 2019 elections.

    Since Akala and Folarin fell apart in 2010 over the PDP governorship ticket for the 2011 election, both politicians have not resolved their crisis. Yet, Fokarin supported Ajimobi in the 2011 elections in spite of the fact that they belonged to different parties. While Folarin was in the PDP, Ajimobi contested on the platform of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). It is believed that Folarin supported Ajimobi to spite Akala, who sought a second term to thwart Folarin’s governorship ambition in the 2011 poll. Besides, Folarin and Ajimobi are Ibadan indigenes who have a common tie through the late Ibadan politician, Chief Lamidi Adedibu.

    Yet, in another meeting, recently, Akala hosted Ladoja in his Bodija, Ibadan home. It is believed that the latter led the PDP team to woo Akala back to the party.

    From the two major meetings, it is becoming clearer that Akala will be a valuable bride to court in the 2019 election in Oyo State. His value is largely due to his popularity in Ogbomoso, his birth place. From 2007 till date, Ogbomoso voters have expressed solidarity for the former governor through landslide victory he recorded in all of the elections.

    PDP will wax stronger due to the return of Makinde and Ladoja.

    But, Akala may stay back in the APC, if he has the assurance of Ajimobi for joint ownership of the next administration. He will naturally prefer an arrangement where he would not be directly under the leadership of Ladoja for fear of revenge and uncertainty of party and policy decisions. If he operates in the same party with Ajimobi, Akala will interpret it as working with a friend and equal rather than under Ladoja where he would be a subordinate.

    For this reason, the return of Ladoja and Makinde will do little to upstage the APC in the next election because of its strength in Oke-Ogun, Oyo, Ibarapa, Ogbomoso and Ibadan. The APC’s strength in Ibadan will also slightly grow, should Folarin perfect his defection to the party before the next election.

    The former senator will have good reasons to defect to the APC. It will be a time of reward for him for his support for Ajimobi since 2011. He will be a major voice in the APC, officially coming under Ajimobi who will have served two terms of eight years. Also his defection will reduce the strength of the PDP in Ibadan while wielding more influence as a leader of the party in power, both at the federal and state levels.

    All these mean that the next election in Oyo State may be between APC and PDP, unlike in 2015 when five major parties struggled for supremacy. They were the APC, Accord, Labour Party, PDP and SDP. This time, Accord and SDP, which were imported as safety nets, will be dead.

    Town unions including Ibadan Elders, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Ogbomoso Parapo, will wield great influence in determining who becomes governor and other top positions.

    But, their influence will somehow wane, if the above expectations come to reality. The PDP will solely determine its candidate before seeking their endorsement. The APC may honour them by letting them see the reasons they will like to present their candidate but will not likely pander to their choice if they differ.

    Other implications include the fact that the campaign will be tough and that the electorate will be divided into two sharp sentimental groups with fierce support for their parties and candidates.

  • Tor Tiv urges monarchs to avoid politics

    The Tor Tiv in Benue State, Prof. James Ayatse, has directed rulers in Tiv land not to attend rallies or receptions that have political undertone, but  interact with aspirants or candidates and bless them.

    His directive is in line with Section 25 (1a-r) of the Benue State Council of Chiefs and Traditional Councils Law 2016, which warned against rulers’ involvement in politics and other related matters.

    The paramount ruler, who addressed graded chiefs in his palace yesterday, urged them to abide by the code of conduct of their offices.

     

  • Culture, politics and development

    I  watched  a traditional event in Ile Ife  last week end in which the youthful Ooni  of Ife played a great educative and modernizing role   on   Yoruba  culture  and tradition  and I could not resist  comparing that with the visit  this week   of the  81  year  old    King  Salman  of  Saudi  Arabia to Russia, a communist  state, in the quest to promote  the development  and security of   the  desert and  wealthy Middle  East  nation. The  age difference  of the two kings aside, it is the objective that drives their two roles as leaders in their respective nations that deserves our attention today and I   pursue  that with the on going attempt at secession in Catalonia in Spain. This,  I earlier labeled  the ‘Bullfight  Dance’ in comparison with Nigeria’s Python Dance  used   for  the suppression of renewed secession in our nation   I  also    take look  at the  new charge  of   corruption of about 25bn dollars proffered by the Minister of State   for  Petroleum  Resources  against the boss  of the NNPC, Nigeria’s major  oil  company  marred  in serious corruption charges   like  that of Brazil  which  has led  to the fall  of two  governments   and is tormenting the  present    Brazilian  president   seriously  for now.

    My  visit  to Ile  Ife was at the invitation of the Aro  and Asiwaju of  Ile  Ife,  Chief Alex  Duduyemi a  proud  promoter of Yoruba Culture  and highly  respected chief  of Ife  who was asked at the Olojo  Festival  this week  publicly by another high chief to retire immediately  to  Ile  Ife to help the young Ooni  to develop  the ancient  city. The Olojo  festival  is about the   Yoruba    fable   of the  origin  of  day  and night   and   that the universe was created in  Ile  Ife   according to Yoruba mythology. It  is an annual event to celebrate  Ogun, the Yoruba god of Iron  and Truth  and the famed mythical  supporter of technology  and industry  as we know it  today.

    The  Ooni  of  Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja 11,  wore  the famed Aare  crown  as expected at every  Olojo  Day  and he was doing this for the second time since he became a king but  it is the passion of the leading Nigerian  traditional  ruler for the resurrection and resuscitation  of our  traditional values  and history  that caught  my  attention. The  young ruler  told me that Nigerians have abandoned our traditional  values and  history,  especially  those  connected with the origin  of the human race,  its development and expansion  which he  affirmed  quietly  but ponderously  are  traceable historically  and scientifically to  Ile  Ife. He  insists  that modern research  is in the process  of confirming this including the use of DNAs  and he was  quite  serious  that  progress on this front  would soon  be revealed. I  was impressed  by his commitment  to this development  and certainly  wish  him success on that account but it is the traditional  accoutrement  of  Ogun  as the god of Iron  and truth,  particularly  truth, that caught  my fancy  in terms of modern political  and economic development. Especially  with  regard  to the Buhari  Administration’s  war on  corruption  and the new  charges of  lack  of due process  in the  award  of a contract  of 25bn dollars without the input of the NNPC  board     against  the NNPC , GMD Dr  Maikanti  Baru   by  the Minister  of State  for  Petroleum  Resources, Dr  Ibe  Kachikwu,  who was   the NNPC boss in that  capacity  before, and certainly  knew what  he was saying.

    It  is notable that the opposition PDP  has  seized  the occasion  to ridicule the government’s  declared war  on corruption by comparing  this with   the amount involved in the on going 2.9bn  dollars  arms purchase  diversion   case against  the Jonathan Administration by saying that the new NNPC scam is 10 times that, and wondering   mischievously   aloud  at what would be revealed after  the Buhari Administration left  office. Which  really  is   a great   challenge  to the great  effort  and commitment of the Buhari  government to   the war  on corruption, and in terms of which I  have a solution  or panacea   to  suggest   to  that  government’s pursuit  of the war against  corruption.

    This  suggestion is  from the celebration of the Olojo Day  at Ile  Ife  and flows from the Ooni’s quest that  we should return to our traditional  values,  customs  and history. Imagine therefore if Nigerian politicians, senators and legislators  were  asked to declare their  assets at the Ogun shrine in their various localities  to ascertain their  truth or otherwise, just   because  the  Yoruba mythology  holds  Ogun  as not only the god of Iron  but also  of truth. I suspect  a lot of Nigerians would  laugh  at that. Yet,  if you look  at the huge sums of money being stolen into private pockets,  at   all  levels   of   government and governance, this simple suggestion may  not be that laughable  if we  are   serious   to  deter  and discourage  politicians and those   stealing public funds into their  pockets with impunity in our midst. I  also  know that both Christians and Muslims would rail against this proposal  as  a  return  to paganism. Yet   in  European  history  especially in   France  the  guillotine was evolved to behead  people who stole public  funds in the French  Revolution and Napoleon  Bonaparte who came to power  at  that  time famously  stated  that religion was created by the rich to prevent their being killed  by the poor. Even  in China the penalty  for stealing of public funds by the state officials is death  till  now. In  the  Phillipines, the new  president was elected  on a campaign to kill  narcotic peddlers   and merchants   and he is using his mandate in that direction so far. Surely  desperate diseases require desperate cure  and if we must really fight corruption then  we must behave like American President Donald  Trump  who  boasts daily that  all  options, including the military are on the table in tackling North Korea’s missile  testing young leader Kim. The  same  should be said of the fight against  corruption in terms of deterrence and in terms of a return  to our roots in finding  solution to  the  cancerous  problem  of  corruption in our midst. Surely  it is not too late  to return to our roots in this regard and I doff my hat to the Ooni  and wish him well  in his new endeavor to resuscitate our traditional  values  and customs.

    Concerning  the visit of the Saudi King  Salman  to  Russia , my initial  reaction was to echo  the famous diplomatic  cliché  that in diplomacy  there  are no permanent  enemies  but permanent  interests. In  this case oil  is the cementing factor  that has brought a feudal  aristocracy from Saudi Arabia  where the royal house  of Saud calls the shot  to a communist  Russia that is now embedded in Syria in the Middle  East  and is the latest nightmare for  the Americans   and  their politics. As  they now see Russia lurking behind any  elections in their  nation especially the last presidential election that gave them a president who   has since made tweets  and fake news the new name of the ever  powerful US media to their total  disbelief, horror  and deep  consternation. The  Saudi  King  came with a 1000 man entourage  and has  signed new  oil deals with Russian strong man Vladmir  Putin and the Saudis are buying  military  hardware  from the Russians too. That  is the business and military side. There  is also  the third side which is more important and  that is to keep  Sunni Islam closer  to the Russians who  are now established in the Middle  East  and that can check  the advance  of Shia Islam in Lebanon and  Syria. Especially  with the huge  power  and expansion of  Hizbollah  in the entire Middle  East. In  a way  you  may say the Saudis have woken up  from their historical  complacency  and are ready  to play  the high stakes  and game of diplomacy  to  keep  the price of oil high  and running  so  that the good times  drying out in Saudi  Arabia  can continue as expected before the present oil glut.

    In  the case  of Spain  and the victorious Catalan Independence referendum,   the Spanish  state  has read  the riot act to the Police Chief in Catalonia  and he is being investigated  for sedition which is rebellion against the state and he can go to jail for  15 years  if found guilty.  In  addition the  Socialist  Party in Catalonia  has gone to court to stop  any  declaration of Independence  from the last referendum declared  illegal  by the Spanish  King, the PM  and  now the EU. Surely  Spain’s Bull  Fight  Dance  has been as effective as our own Python Dance. Really   both are birds of the same feather in nipping secession in the bud. Here  the military  training   and  excuse  provided the answer. In  Spain  the law  court  and the regional  body  EU   used the rule  of law. To  me the end  justified  the means on both occasions. Once  again, long live the Federal  Republic of Nigeria.

  • Confronting multiple loyalties in Nigerian politics

    Loyalty is an important quality of character for a politician to demonstrate. Loyalty is faithfulness to an obligation that is voluntarily assumed. To be loyal, therefore, is to be dependable. In its simplest understanding, loyalty in politics is the bond that secures the players in the field of politics in mutual expectations. For the politician, he or she is secure in the belief that if he or she plays by the rule and does not betray the trust of the people that elected him or her into office, their loyalty is assured. For the electorate, a politician’s fidelity to campaign promises is the test of loyalty.

    Loyalty is the bedrock of any relationship, more so, political relationship. Having the back of a politician gives him or her the courage to fight for a cause that supporters invest in. And for supporters to know that a politician has their back is also reassuring as they give their all to the cause. It is a game of mutual reassurance. From recent history, we also know that electorates will forgive a politician’s indiscretions and moral failings if they appreciate his or her loyalty to a cause they espouse and invest in.

    For many politicians, however, the matter of loyalty is not a simple one because they have several objects of loyalty. For instance, sometimes loyalty to constituents may end up as disloyalty to a party when pursuit of a local cause conflicts with the core of a party’s ideology. To have a good handle on the discussion, therefore, we need to come to terms with the many objects of loyalty. As I will argue, while there may be genuine and understandable conflicts, some of such conflicts grow out of clearly indefensible objects of a politician’s loyalty. There are legitimate and illegitimate objects of loyalty in politics.

    One immediate concern is whether political loyalty is or ought to be to individuals or to a cause, a party, or to the institutions that define the nation. To the extent that a political or government leader demonstrates fidelity to the common political cause that unites them, he or she deserves the loyalty of associates or followers. What is indefensible is the demand of blind loyalty even when it is obvious that the leader is morally bankrupt and clearly averse to the ideals of democratic citizenship.

    The first of the legitimate objects of loyalty, therefore, is ideology, the belief system regarding the objective of and rationale for politics. Politics is an institution whose purpose is the development of humanity in a particular nation-state. Ideology answers the question “what is worth fighting for?” in a simple catchphrase that is understandable to the people. Even when the catchphrase is as highfaluting as Democratic Socialism, Action Group broke it down for local consumption as “Freedom for All, Life More Abundant” or Afenifere. And with that ideological formulation, it rallied the troop to action.

    If ideology is a legitimate object of loyalty, the political party, the organized group that promotes it deserves the loyalty of the politician who subscribes to the ideology. It is commonsensical. Indeed, to behave otherwise is self-destructive. Again, Awolowo’s position on the supremacy of the party is unassailable. Voters embrace a political party based on the ideological product it sells to them. Therefore, those politicians that the party presents to the voters as its candidates have an obligation of loyalty to its ideals and programs.

    Third is the politician’s constituents whether they voted for or against her but whose interests he promised to advance through her party’s ideology. While many of the constituents may believe in a different ideology, the fact that the politician wins the race demands loyalty to his promise to all of them. Normally, then, there should be no conflict in the discharge of the politician’s obligation to all three objects of loyalty, namely ideology, political party, and constituency. The party reinforces the ideology and the constituency stands to benefit from the realization of the promise of the ideology.

    But there are other objects of loyalty that may not fit neatly into the political chessboard. For, the politician, like other human beings, is a creature of many parts. He or she is a member of a family, an ethnic nation, and a religious organization. Each of these may have no input into the ideological orientation of the political party. However, primordial and spiritual loyalties, attributed to human nature, sometimes trump ideological beliefs. Thus, to the disappointment of the party and its leaders who must defend its beliefs and promises, one or more of their own members may be compromised in an essential requirement of commitment to its ideology.

    As annoying as it may appear, the kind of conflicting loyalties that a politician may experience in such situations cannot be written off or dismissed as outcomes of an irrational distraction from the single goal of achieving ideological purity. In a multi-national and multi-religious polity, where politicians are products of particular ethnic and religious upbringing, it is a challenge for them to see beyond the confines of ethnic and religious identities. It is more so, where, in our own case, the seed of mistrust represented by colonial divide and rule strategy germinated into a giant tree of political cynicism about anything national.

    As politicians face the challenge, the challenge for political leaders is to keep the focus of their associates on the prize of national greatness. It is a challenge, but it is not one that committed national leadership cannot overcome. Requirements for success include open and verifiable fairness, demonstrable commitment to the tenets of democratic governance and the practice of true federalism, and a formidable credential in forging alliances across the major divides of ethnic and religious loyalties. Unfortunately for Nigeria, a leadership with a preponderance of these qualities has yet to emerge.

    The point of the above is this. Politicians are required to demonstrate loyalty to an ideology to which they subscribe, and which successfully attracts the electorate, and to the political party that initiates and promotes it. On the other hand, politicians also have primordial connections, including their ethnic nationality, religious affiliation, and family connections which also demand their loyalty. Loyalty to all is bound to conflict because of their different and opposing interests. Where that is the case, leadership intervention is essential to smoothen the edges of conflict. But leadership also has to be above board.

    There is one loyalty, however, that is questionable. Loyalty to self-interest is the culprit. Here, however, we also have to pay attention to nuances. Self-interest, as such, is not bad. In fact, the true self-interest of a politician should lead him or her in the way of doing the right thing.

    It is in the self-interest of a politician to have the trust of the electorate. if he or she wants to continue to serve as their public servant. But where the politician hasn’t demonstrated loyalty to the ideology that the electorates embrace, or to the party that they trust to promote it, then he or she risks losing their support. Therefore, if a politician sticks to his or her true self-interest, the appearance of a conflict may just be that, an appearance.

    On the other hand, greed, which we often confuse with self-interest, is the undoing of many politicians. Greed is the absence of self-control in the pursuit of selfish ends in public service and it evidences disloyalty to ideology, party, and constituency. An ethnic nationality or a religious organization is ill-served by a politician’s loyalty to greed.

    When a politician turns the coffers of the state to his personal use, not minding the hunger and disease ravaging his or her constituency, it is the height of disloyalty. A conscience that justifies that practice is dead. If political leaders bear any blame, it is that they should have known not to place such politicians in positions of responsibility. But that may be asking too much of humans that they are.

    In the matter of political loyalty, therefore, everyone has to wear their crown of glory or carry their cross of shame.

  • Southwest and mainstream politics: Where are the gains?

    Southwest and mainstream politics: Where are the gains?

    In the First and Second Republics, Southwest shunned the mainstream politics, following the failure of the defunct Action Group (AG) and the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) to form the government at the centre. Also, for 16 years, between 1999 and 2015, the region supported the Alliance for Democracy (AD), the Action Congress (AC) and later, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which were the opposition parties. However, for the first time, the zone voted for the All Progressives Congress (APC), which produced President Muhammadu Buhari. Two and half years after, has the Southwest gained from its alliance with the centre? Participants at the recent appraisal conference in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State, provided answers to the question. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports. 

    After many failed attempts, the alliance between the North and the Southwest gave birth to a national government during the 2015 presidential elections. The region was full of enthusiasm and expectation. Southwest political leaders believed that the alliance will halt the trend of marginalization and isolation and attract the hitherto elusive dividends of democracy to the geo-political zone.

    Unlike other zones, Southwest has been very cautious to collaborate with the distant Federal Government without clear terms. While the Southsouth, Southeast, Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral regions were natural allies of the central government, the Southwest seemed to believe in a bottom-to-top approach to development and its capacity to look inwards.

    But, there was a paradigm shift two and half years ago. Apart from voting for President Muhammadu Buhari on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the region voted for APC governors in Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ogun, and later, Ondo States. Also, for the first time, the Southwest produced a vice president, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN). Following Buhari’s inauguration, Yoruba became Ministers of Finance, Works, Power and Housing; Steel and Solid Minerals Development, Communications, Health; and Minister of State for Niger Delta. The zone also got its share of ambassadorial, parastatal and board appointments. For the first time, the feeling of marginalization was fizzling out.

    Before 2015 polls, opinion was divided on the involvement of the Southwest in the ‘mainstream politics,’ which had become the barometer for gagging its disposition to federal power in a heterogeneous federation characterised by a puzzling diversity. Mainstream politics, according to observers, was a veritable weapon of sentiment and propaganda. The question was: should the Southwest join the central government to avoid imaginary political isolation or simply align with the Federal Government in anticipation of an exaggerated federal attention?

    The feeling was premised on the perception of the power-loaded Federal Government as the whipping master, which could guarantee easy progress to zones that have endorsed the ruling party, while at the same time turning a deaf ear to the cries of states governed by the opposition.

    Instructively, the entrenched political establishment in the highly enlightened and politically sophisticated zone refused to jettison its time-tested radical and progressive ideals for ultra-conservative ideology to secure a short cut to power at the center. In rejecting an inordinate collaboration with the centre, Southwest progressives leaders believed that they could not convince their vast followers, who since the pre-independence era, had rejected the promise of artificial political integration offered by few conservative kinsmen collaborating with feudalist and reactionary overlords, in preference for Awoist creed of ‘ Freedom for All, Life More Abundant.’

    The 2015 political strategy review heralded the cooperation with like-minds across the six geo-political zones under the banner of the APC. But, what gains have accrued to the region since then?

    At the Osogbo conference on the second anniversary of the Southwest in national governance, participants expressed mixed feelings. The theme of the conference chaired by former APC Interim Chairman Chief Bisi Akande was: Southwest To Abuja: A Mid-Term Appraisal. The one-day event was organised by Urban Media Resources Limited, led by activist Femi Odere. TThere were three sessions with different sub-themes. The first sub-theme was: ‘The Southwest In National Governance: An Appraisal Of The First Two Years.’ The second was: ‘Osun To Abuja: Investing In Social Infrastructure In A Recession. The third was: “Federalising Political Parties To Conform With Local Needs.”

    Participants included scholars, politicians, top government officials, members of the civil society, youths, women groups, students and artisans.

    Akande, former governor of Osun State, who was represented by former Secretary to Government Chief Sola Akinwumi, observed that the performance review and governance assessment would be more productive and educative, if they are used to critically recall and objectively evaluate past experiences rather than being done in regime isolation.

    The elder statesman focused on two imperatives. Akande cautioned on over-dependence on income from oil money. He also emphasized on the need to drastically cut waste. But, he also reflected on the present challenge and predicament of the ruling party. He said the APC should be henceforth, be encouraged to stimulate “deliberative democracy.” The submission is loaded with interpretations. He said this could be done by “frequently convening every organ of the party to brainstorming sessions where party leaders should discuss and be informed about various intended policies, plans and decisions of the party at its National Working Committee, at the state and the National Executive Committees, at the Board of Trustees, at the Elders’ caucuses, at the congresses and the convention levels.”

    He added: “Through such regular policy deliberations and understandings, party members could become reasonably adequately informed and enlightened, and they would thus become regular mouthpieces and foot soldiers of the party and its governments at all levels, with a view to favourably modulating and moderating the opinions of the general public, particularly now when Nigerians are reading back to the APC its manifesto promises and are looking forward to the party and the government to bring back true federalism.”

    Urban Media President Odere, who welcomed participants, said assessing the Southwest foray into the mainstream politics is a worthwhile exercise.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola noted that Southwest has added value to the Federal Government through the alliance and contributed to national unity and stability. “We are happy that, for the first time, we in Afenifere have a part in the Federal Government. Yoruba have been there before, but it is the first time progressive Yoruba will be there,” he added.

    Activist scholar and former Vice Chancellor of Otuoke Federal University Prof. Bolaji Aluko was the Lead Speaker at the first session, which was moderated by a professor of International Relations from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Alade Fawole. Discussants were Dr. Bisi Olawumi, veteran journalist and Mass Communication teacher at Bowen University, Iwo, and Ismail Omipidan, a journalist.

    Aluko observed that the North/Southwest alliance has produced mixed results. He submitted that, even if the Southwest is a country, it would survive, judging by its population, which was put at 28 million by 2006 Census, land mass and maritime opportunities. But, when he compared the internally generated revenue in states outside Lagos to their federal allocations, he discovered a huge gulf. Only Lagos and Ogun states’ internally generated revenue exceeded their allocations put at 73 billion and 27 billion respectively. “When the allocation is more than internally generated revenue, it is not sustainable,” Aluko said.

    He drew attention to the performance of Vice President Osinbajo, who held forth for President Muhammadu Buhari during his medical trip abroad. But, Aluko raised a poser: what have the ministers done to represent the Southwest that is worthy of pride? The criteria for assessment include energy, education, roads, housing, agriculture, ease of doing business, economic diversification and employment.

    On power, Aluko observed that while 4,000 megawatts of municipal power required for the region, with Lagos and Ibadan requiring 60 percent of the energy allocation, only 33 percent is allocated. Also, while the Federal Government has approved 13 solar power facilities, there is no one in the Southwest. There is one in Enugu. This is despite the fact that there is solar intensity in the Southwest that is more intensive than Germany.

    It is not surprising that Southwest is still the leader in tertiary education. Out of 40 federal universities, the region has six. Out of 67 private ones, the zone has 29. But, it also has its negative implications in the period of crisis. Aluko said: “The crisis in the university system will disproportionately affect the Southwest.”

    Aluko acknowledged the push for restructuring by the ruling party, in accordance with its campaign promises, stressing that its inevitability is dawning. The question, in his view, is who will bell the cat constitutionally? Urging Southwest governors to practice locally what they preach, he said, in the spirit of restructuring, they should not lord it over the councils.

    Omipidan, a political analyst, observed that Southwest is at cross roads. “Are we really enjoying harmony with the centre, despite the fact that the centre and the Southwest belong to the same party? How do we play our politics in the Southwest? Why can’t Abuja politicians cooperate with home-based politicians? We must as a region agree on what we want from the partnership. Our leaders and ministers are not on the same page. So, we may not benefit maximally,” he said.

    The quest for restructuring was an attractive topic to Dr. Olawumi. But, he said it should begin at the state level, urging the governors to give independence to local councils. The Bowen University lecturer urged Southwest states to do away with laziness, be creative and generate more revenues for development. He had harsh words for those representing the region, saying they have not exerted efforts to bring more projects to the zone. Olawumi emphasized that it required lobbying.

    He also berated the culture of dumping political parties at will, saying it smacked of lack of ideological orientation. “There is no ideological culture. People can be in three different parties in four years. It does not speak about integrity,” Olawumi fumed.

    The moderator, Fawole, expressed concerned over the attitude of the governors. He described them as local lords, pointing out that the council is groaning under their leadership. He said: “Nigeria cannot develop from the centre. We need to coordinate our developmental efforts in the region.”

    Aluko and Fawole also dismissed insinuations that restructuring will herald disintegration. Fawole said: “Nigeria will not break. There is an advantage in number. We can leverage on the huge population.

    Also, Aluko said: “Nigeria may not collapse, if we don’t restructure. The country will continue, but we will be unhappy.”

    At the conference were Elder Lowo Adebiyi, former Osun APC Chairman, his successor, Gboyega Famodun, Dr. Adebisi Obawale, Osun State Commissioner for Home Affairs, Pa Wale Lasisi, veteran educationist and Chairman of Osun State Civil Service Commission, Hon. Salensile,  Osun APC Secretary, Alhaja Fakolade,  Osun APC Women Leader, Chief Kunle Odeyemi, Prince Adelani Bolarinwa, Osun State Commissioner for Information, Iyaloja Asindemade, Semiu Okanlawon, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Sola Fasure, Chief Press Secretary to governor, David Morakinyo, Oladosun Ogunremi, Osun East APC leader and Jimoh Adekunle, a leader of the Motorcyclist Association.

  • Midterm: challenges, opportunities

    It’s mid-term, with its burst and buzz of politics; and its cacophony of desires.

    The 2019 round of elections loom.  So do the 2018 dress rehearsals: the Ekiti and Osun gubernatorial polls.

    Former Vice President Abubakar Atiku has already fired, the president’s way, a jeremiad of alleged use-and-dump.

    So has Atiku protégée, Women Affairs Minister, Aisha Alhassan, got seared, bragging to the wrong folks, who promptly leaked that costly brag!

    Politics is, indeed, revving up!

    So, in the excitability of the moment, some insist on focus, full-trot, on 2019.  Hardly surprising, in a milieu of near-zero institutional memory, with political hustlers eternally looking for the next electoral scam.

    To such a lobby, there can’t be a future in the past, to parody country artiste, Vince Gill, in his album, I still believe in you.

    That you could see, as the vulnerable opposition tries to blot out the past, as prelude to avoidable future mistakes.  Aim?  To sucker the voter yet again, and assure needless future lamentations!

    But countering this view is another lobby that insists on the political rear-view, as a clear window into institutional memory — doing a rigorous analysis to situate the past, understand the present and generate ideas to shape the future.

    This would appear the spirit shaping a one-day conference in Osogbo, the Osun capital, fixed for Friday, September 15, looking at the political epoch of 2015: the electoral win that consummated the political entente between the Nigerian Northwest and Southwest.

    That alliance also led to the electoral sack of a sitting president and defeat of a federal ruling political party — the first time both would happen, in Nigeria’s chequered political history.

    Since independence, and post-Civil War era, the North had always shared power with both the South East and South-South political mainstreams.

    Indeed by 1979, scant nine years after the traumatic Civil War (1967-1970), Dr. Alex Ekwueme, had become Vice President under President Shehu Shagari. Joseph Wayas was also installed as President of the Senate.  That, like all others post-independence, followed the Northwest-Southeast-Southsouth power paradigm.

    Even in 1999, when President Olusegun Obasanjo emerged, it was an Army Arrangement (AA) — apologies to Fela — in spite of the Southwest political mainstream.  ”You want a Yoruba to right the Abiola annulment wrong?”, seemed to growl  the ‘owners of Nigeria’, real or apocryphal, “you’d have one: Olusegun Obasanjo.” Hobson’s choice!

    Since that epochal change, however, a lot has happened — biting economic blues, a natural follow-up to the past gravy of a few, gobbling up the future of the majority.

    Then, numerous crises, real and contrived, starting with the Niger Delta Avengers’ bombing campaigns, the IPOB secessionist agenda, and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) anti-”Islamization” crusade, which really appears nothing but vacuous cant by political losers, kicking back on the combustible religious front.

    Throw in the rather lethargic pace of the Buhari Presidency, the late formation of the federal cabinet, the Bukola Saraki-led Senate converting itself into internal but vicious political opposition, and a rather long bout of presidential illness, and you can imagine the high level of distraction the government has faced.

    Yet, how has it been, shorn of the acute frustrations of the magical lobby, stung that there is no Sesame Street in a polity, facing near-ruin, from decades of sleaze and collapse of state institutions?

    The Osogbo Conference, to be chaired by Chief Adebisi Akande, with its triad of star speakers, would hopefully offer a more rigorous view.

    Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, public affairs intellectual, long-term professor of chemical engineering at Howard University, USA before becoming pioneer Vice Chancellor, at Federal University Otuoke, FUO (2011-2015), tackles the first sub-theme: “The Southwest in National Governance: An Appraisal of the First Two Years”.

    The Southwest is clearly Nigeria’s bastion of social democracy (progressive politics, in local parlance), since the epochal free primary education policy of the Obafemi Awolowo era.  It would appear meet, therefore, that a signature Southwest programme, the schools feeding system, now running as pilot in 14 states after a federal adoption, emanated from Osun, despite its lean purse, and the vicious economic times.

    Dr. Charles Akinola, who as director-general,  Osun Office of Economic Development and Partnerships, runs the Osun social safety net policy, complete with the school’s feeding programme, will take the second sub-theme: “From Osun to Abuja: Investing in Social Infrastructure in a Recession”.

    The third sub-theme is about generating fresh ideas to fix the Nigerian political party system, atrophied since 1991, when Gen. Ibrahim Babangida started his old breed-new breed political experiment. That cut off the organic link between political parties and their members, and pushed the party as near-exclusive fiefdom of a few rich members.

    Since it’s a period of restructuring, can Nigerian political parties be rebuilt along federal principles?  Senator Olubunmi Adetunmbi (Ekiti North senator 2011-2015), acute development economist and politician would speak on this theme: “Federalizing Political Parties to Conform with Local Needs.”

     

    Much ado about Ibadan Yoruba summit

    Across the other geo-political zones, there has been quite a response to the Ibadan political summit of September 9.  

    Though there are 2015 electoral losers in the region trying to claw back at relevance aka “restructuring”, and using that braggadocio as 2019 blackmail tool, federalism had been a Yoruba agenda since the Kiriji War (1877-1893).  

    The Kiriji Treaty, which the British midwifed to cement peace in the Yoruba country, was squarely built on guaranteed federalism, among  the Yoruba sub-ethnic groups, as opposed to Ibadan hegemony, that sparked the Kiriji War.  So, Yoruba federalism issued from protest against intra-Yoruba domination.

    Chief Obafemi Awolowo, in his Path to Nigerian Freedom (1949), with his rigorous federalist thinking, only codified the Yoruba distaste for domination, internal or external, but located such distaste in the emerging Nigerian federation.

    That the Southwest was in opposition for so long was because the Awo political mainstream stubbornly stuck to the federalist ethos, while the other regions cut power deals — until the current nationwide “restructuring” epiphany!

    So, let no one impute any extra meaning to the Ibadan conference.  Federalism has always been the pristine Yoruba agenda.

    But perhaps that calls to one of the themes of the Osogbo conference of September 15 — rebuilding Nigerian political parties on the federal principle, fired by local geo-political charter of demands?

  • Youths told to join politics

    A lawmaker and member Lagos State House of Assembly, Segun Olulade, has challenged youths to take advantage of the ‘not-too-young-to-run’ bill to prepare themselves for leadership positions in Nigeria.

    Olulade said it was about time the nation experiences a paradigm shift by passing the baton to younger generations.

    The lawmaker, who was one of the speakers that addressed youths at the  Lagos State University Students Union (LASUSU) National Parliamentary Summit, is optimistic that if youths are getting it right in entertainment and sports, they can do better in governance.

    “I want you all to know that the ‘not-too-young-to-run’ bill is for you,’ said the lawmaker.

    “And who says you cannot be a local government councillor, chairman or even a senator of the Federal Republic?  I believe Nigeria can produce great champions for good governance, if they can do so in sports, entertainment and others, “he said at the summit themed: ‘Restructuring Nigeria; The role of youths in National rebirth.’

    “Nigeria can produce great champions for good governance, if they can do so in sports, entertainment and the like,” he added

    Olulade picked holes in the political system, which keeps recycling the old at the expense of youths, who should be empowered for future tasks.

    He urged youths to play more active roles in politics by obtaining voters’ card, aligning with political parties, and attending ward meetings.

    “All you need is to have the right concept and ideology, and be positive in your thinking.

    “Nobody wants hoodlums as leaders, so to be given a shot at leadership you must comport yourself and portray leadership traits,” he said.

    Corroborating Olulade, CEO Global Infoswift Limited, Mr Afolabi Oke, and ace broadcaster Lagos Television, Miss Adetola Kayode, counseled the students to develop themselves by placing value on education and skill acquisition.

    “Youths are the greatest asset Nigeria can ever have and they must rise up to make a change in the current social-political problem inflicted on us by our leaders,” Oke noted.

    Miss Kayode said there was urgent need for relevant stakeholders including youths to discuss the nation’s future.

    Speaking on the theme: ‘The media and restructuring agenda’, she urged the youth to consolidate on the social media phenomenon to further push for their rights.

    “The internet and the world wide web cannot set the agenda for restructuring because the audience is primarily small and that is why both the traditional and the new media must come together and clamour for true restructuring,” she said.

  • Ajimobi to Olubadan: Stay away from politics

    Ajimobi to Olubadan: Stay away from politics

    History was made yesterday in Ibadan where 21 monarchs were coronated – against the wish of Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Olubadan.

    Governor Abiola Ajimobi urged Oba Adetunji to stay away from politics and not allow himself to be used by those he classified as disgruntled elements.

    He said:  ”We also congratulate the Olubadan of Ibadanland and advise that Kaabiyesi should remain the father of all Ibadan citizens and not allow himself to be used by disgruntled elements as observed in his recent utterances, which tend towards the political. It should be noted that Obas are not expected to play politics.”

    The Olubadan was absent at the event following his opposition to the upgrade of 21 former Baales and 11 high chiefs who are members of the Olubadan-in-Council, to Obas’ status.

    Each of the 32 upgraded obas bear the “His Imperial Majesty” title.

    The governor, who explained that the elevation of the baales and chiefs would in no way affect the status of Oba Adetunji, said his administration was not altering or tinkering with the traditional succession and ascendancy system of the Olubadan chieftaincy structure.

    The new monarchs are those whose communities have history of near-independent origin but which are part of the larger Ibadan land.

    The governor said: “Each of the high chiefs will now be addressed as “His Royal Majesty” because they are now Obas, the former Baales will be addressed as “His Royal Highness”. All of them are under the Olubadan of Ibadanland.”

    “The review of the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1959, according to Ajimobi, will further elevate the throne of the Olubadan and bring traditional governance closer to the people. The high chiefs will still move up the ladder as vacancies come up.

    “In practice, while the high chiefs still maintain their top positions as they operate as Obas, the most senior will be elevated from a second class oba to the position of the Olubadan once there is vacancy.

    In all, 21 new obas received their staffs of office at the Mapo Hall amidst fanfare.

    Former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja, who is the Osi Olubadan, who was among the 11 elevated high chiefs, was also absent. The 21 newly crowned Obas include eight high chiefs and 13 Baales.

    The new Royal Majesties who received their insignia and instruments of office are: Senator Lekan Balogun, who is also the Otun Olubadan; Akinloye Owolabi Olakuleyin, who is the Osi Balogun ; Tajudeen Ajibola, the Ashipa Olubadan; Oba Eddy Oyewole and the Ekerin Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi.

    Others are:  Oba Latifu Gbadamosi Adebimpe, the Asipa Balogun of Ibadanland, Amidu Ajibade, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadanland, and Dr. Kolawole Adegbola, the Ekarun Balogun of Ibadanland.

    The new Royal Highnesses are:  Oba Lasisi Akano, the Onijaye of Ijaye; Ismaila Opeola, the Oniroko of Iroko; Moses Akinyosoye, the Onikereku of Ikereku; Mudasiru Adebayo, the Ololodo of Olodo; and Victor Sunday Okunola, the Elegbeda of Egbeda.

    Others are: Oba Gbolagade Babalola the Onido of Ido; Olabamiji Thomas, theAlakufo of Akufo; Wahab Okedina, the Oloke of Okelade-Okin; Dauda Omotoso, the Alawotan of Awotan and Adeboye Salako, the Olofa of Offa. Rafiu Alawusa the Onilagun of Lagun; Tiamiyu Ladipo, the Alaba of Aba-Nla and James Obisesan, the Alakanran of Akanran.

    The arrival of the Oluwo of Ibadanland introduced a new twist into the event as he led all the monarchs to an inner chamber where all the traditional rites were performed.

    The monarchs acknowledged cheers from a crowd of well-wishers as they returned to the venue after the rites.

    Ajimobi said he was not changing the history of the chieftaincy system but elevating it. He assured all that the coronation would neither undermine the authority of the Olubadan nor alter the Olubadan succession plan in any way.

    He added that the administration was rather consolidating and elevating the status of the Olubadan, who as a Commander-in-Chief should have lieutenants.

    The governor accused some individuals of manipulating the the Olubadan after he enjoyed the understanding of the monarch with a mutual agreement after series of meetings.

    Stressing that he has no grudge against any individual over the resistance to the move, Ajimobi noted that the Olubadan remained his father, stressing that nothing can ever separate them.

    He promised to visit the Olubadan again to reassure him of the implication of the ceremony on theOlubadan traditional system.

    The governor said the coronation and promotion of the obas enjoyed the support of the Ibadan Elders Forum, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, Olubadan-in-Council, Mogajis, community leaders and many prominent indigenes of Ibadan, adding that all the new Obas as stakeholders also desire the elevation of the Olubadan chieftaincy title to be in line with modern realities.

    He challenged the obas to use their positions to develop the people and the state, urging them to distance themselves from partisan politics that can have negative effects on their position.

    The governor, who arrived at the venue at about 1:40pm in company of his wife, Florence to a rousing welcome from the jubilant crowd, went down memory lane to explain that the review of the chieftaincy matter was not new. He said he would only be remembered as the first governor to implement the recommendations of the panel of inquiry.

    Oba Balogun, in his vote of thanks on behalf of the new obas, maintained that nothing was changing in the Olubadan traditional succession but that the innovation would add more prestige to the status.

    He said: “What we are doing is catching up with the rest of Yorubaland. This has been done in all other states of the Southwest. If we are asking for Ibadan state, are we going to have only a king for the state?

    “If the Olubadan is going out now, he will not go out alone because all kings in Ibadan will now go with him as the Imperial Majesty.

    “The governor has done the city a good favour. We are not contesting anything with the monarch. He remains the father of all of us in Ibadan and history will not forget Ajimobi for what he has done. I still remain the Otun Olubadan, so nothing has changed. The only thing that has changed is fashion and nomenclature.

    “Instead of being an high chief, I became a king under the Olubadan. The crown is just a fashion to give respect to our position and prestige to the Olubadan, who is the head of all kings in Ibadanland.”

    At the event were: Deputy Governor Moses Adeyemo; Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Olalekan Ali; Chief of Staff to the Governor Gbade Ojo; Commissioner for Information, Culture & Tourism Toye Arulogun, his counterpart at the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Bimbo Kolade and other top government functions.

    Others include: Speaker of the House of Assembly Micheal Adeyemo, who led other lawmakers;  Chief Adebayo Akande, Chief Lamidi Ajadi; Chief Niyi Akintola (SAN); former President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) Chief Bayo Oyero;  Chief Bayo Akande, Oloye K.O Latunji, Gbenga Arulogun, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Oyo State, Pastor Benjamin Akanmu;  the Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Daud Akinola; the Mogaji of Ile Ajimobi, Wasiu Ajimobi and All Progressives Congress (APC) state chairman Chief Akin Oke, who was represented by the State Secretary, Mojeed Olaoya.

    Other dignitaries include a former military governor of Lagos and Ogun states, Gen. Raji Rasaki; Chief Lanre Oyelade and a member of the House of Representatives, Saheed Fijabi.

  • Afemai urge rulers to stay off politics

    A group, Afemai Peoples Movement (APM), has urged rulers in Edo State not to dabble into the Speakership of the House of Assembly.

    The group said it was unfair for few rulers in Edo North and Central to make decision for over 30 traditional rulers.

    Traditional rulers from the two districts rose from a summit on Wednesday and rejected Kabiru Adjoto as Speaker.

    Otaru of Auchi, Aliru Momoh, who briefed reporters after the meeting, said a lawmaker from Edo Central should be elected Speaker for equity and justice.

    But the APM, in a statement by its President, Mr. Osikhotse Muhammed, wondered if the rulers have become the 25th member of the Assembly to decide the Speaker.

    The statement said: “The Edo State House is an independent arm of government and has the right to elect who becomes its leader based on trust, integrity, honesty and legislative experience. Just as you have the governor and the chief judge from one senatorial district, there is nothing wrong having the deputy governor and Speaker from the same senatorial district.

    “We want to beg that traditional rulers should leave political issues for politicians. We wish to state that we will not sit and watch any Afemai person, no matter how highly placed, champion any evil cause against Kabiru Adjoto.”

     

  • 2019: Age of billionaires in politics

    SIR: Money is a big player in the age of big business.  It undoubtedly “answers all things” therein as declared – the very reason for business; the essence of it and assuredly, the major ingredient without which there is no transaction.

    Believe it or not, the business of 2019 will surely be a game gulping billions of naira to political parties as well as the individuals vying for presidential positions, using our dominant and major political platforms of either the PDP or APC.

    Merely expressing ones interest at the party level for any elective office in Nigeria and anywhere in Africa, millions of naira will take flight and vanish into the tin air.  That is the system anyway.

    And then again,  purchasing the political party’s expression of interest-form and lobbying of  the party echelon and it’s possible delegates during primaries for acceptance alone – here, another raw cash,  running into millions of naira develops wings vanishes once again.

    Political parties know this to be true.  Even the individuals involved know it too as a verity. So it is an open truth as well as an open secret billions of naira would be leaving fat pockets of these players and their platforms in an attempt to realize their dreams and goals.

    It is for this understanding, the political parties are already oiling their machineries and fastening their belts towards ensuring a successful prosecution of this deal in their favour as no business man invests to lose but make profits. That is the understanding anyway.  A total expenditure they would still overtly or covertly recoup at the tail end of the game. That is after elections would have been won and probably lost by the parties.

    Welcome to the age of big business once again.  And most certainly, welcome to the age of billionaire-politicians and their baggage.

    In 2008, one Barack Obama,  then senator,  took his world by the  storm and won his elections as the 44th President of the United States in grand style ridding on the back of his power of oratory.  Exactly eight years later, Donald Trump, rode on the crèche of his billions made over the years through his wealthy father to clinch American Presidency.

    So, the question then in the minds of people is: while the Americans clearly voted in the direction of billions a few months ago, what would Nigerians go for in the next few months when the country will file out to elect a new leader?

    As an evolving democracy, Nigeria follows in the footsteps of America in virtually everything governance. They do so because of our notion that America runs an open democracy. So if the above grounds are already established to be true, one will no longer contest the follow up notion that 2019 will be a game for billionaires and not the chicken hearted financially.

     

    • Gwiyi Solomon,

     Enugu.