The Nation Newspaper

Tag: race

  • It’s a two-horse race in Enugu

    Today’s Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) governorship primaries in Enugu State is likely to be a two-horse race. The ruling party has temporarily put at bay the crisis threatening to tear the chapter apart. As part of the agreement between the two factions, Governor Sullivan Chime’s has dropped his senatorial ambition.

    The Southeast Secretary General of the human rights watchdog, the Campaign for Democracy (CD), Dr. Jerry Chukwuokolo believes there may not be any serious competition between the two camps anymore. “Since Governor Sullivan Chime has dropped his senatorial ambition, the least the Senator Ike Ekweremadu camp is expected to do is to give him (the governor) the privilege of nominating his successor. “The governor has mended fences with Ekweremadu and followed it up with the announcement that he is no longer interested in contesting for Senate,” he told The Nation at the weekend.

    From all indications, the contest is going to be a straight contest between the consensus candidate, Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the Senate Works Committee Chairman, Senator Ayogu Eze.

    Other aspirants in the race are: the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Hon. Eugene Odo; business mogul and transporter, Dr. Maduka Onyishi; the youthful Chinedu Onu; and an Abuja-based contractor, Anayo Onwuegbu. All the aspirants are from Enugu North senatorial district, otherwise known as the Nsukka zone, which is slated to produce the next governor of the state. The only exception is Onwuegbu, who is from the Awgu axis of the state.

    Barring any unforeseen development, Ugwuanyi is likely to get the ticket. The man fondly called Gburugburu by his admirers seems to have an edge over Eze; as the consensus candidate endorsed by the party structure in the state. As Chukwuokolo observed, the least expected from the Ekweremadu camp is to concede the ticket to Governor Chime’s anointed choice.

    Apparently, there are two things working for Ugwuanyi: his humility and grassroots disposition. He is also known for his generosity. Although he was not all that well known before his emergence as a consensus candidate, most people in the state are beginning to appreciate his qualities.

    Aside from his humility and grassroots support, Chukwuokolo believes he is an amenable and fairly disciplined fellow.

    Eze is the next aspirant to watch. There are speculations making rounds that he may spring a surprise, consensus or no consensus. One thing going for Eze is that he had become a household name even before ventured into politics. His sojourn in journalism made his name a popular one. But, Chukwuokolo disagrees with the notion that he enjoys the backing of the populace. His words: “If they produce somebody like Senator Ayogu Eze, it would flop because he is not a likeable fellow.”

    Nevertheless, the other aspirants are no pushovers. Onu’s campaign team, for instance, can be said to be as strong as those of the two main contenders. Onu missed becoming the governor of the state in 2007 by whiskers. He was the anointed successor to Governor Chimaroke Nnamani. But, fate did not smile on him as Nnamani at the last minute changed his mind and settled for Chime. People have attributed this to the “hand of God”. What Onu has going for him is his sharp intellect and ability to mix and adapt with any level of the society.

    There were speculations that he was the candidate of Ekweremadu. But, the Deputy Senate President has since refuted that allegation. He is frank to a fault. Take godfatherism away from the primaries, Onu will likely carry the day.

    Onyishi is another aspirant is capable of turning the table against all odds. What he has going for him is his affluence. He is the founder and managing director of Peace Mass Transit. He is reputed to be a very generous man; he has touched the hearts of many people.  He made donations of buildings to universities around the Southeast and Southsouth. His simplicity and low-profile nature makes him the man of the people. Although he played campus politics in his student days, he has been focusing on his business until now. He has been touted as a future strong man in Enugu politics.

    Odo, on the other hand, represents the new generation of politicians. He is ambitious. Apart from his being a lawyer and legislator, nothing suggests that he has an edge over the other aspirants.

    As for Onuegbu, alias Omeiheukwu, he is probably in the race as a spoiler. Apart from the fact that he is not from Enugu North, he does not have any visible structure to rely on. He contested the last primaries against the current governor and he was roundly defeated. Ever since, he has been in court challenging the election of Chime. Some of the cases are yet to be disposed, while Chime is about rounding his tenure.

     

  • ‘Why I’m in race for National Assembly’

    ‘Why I’m in race for National Assembly’

    The immediate past Chairman of Ejigbo Local Council Development Area and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Kehinde Bamigbetan, is aspiring to represent Oshodi/Isolo Federal Constituency of Lagos State in the House of Representatives. In this interview, he unfolds his agenda. He spoke with RAYMOND MORDI.

    Why are you aspiring to go to the National Assembly?

    That is what our people demand of me. As from 1999, Ejigbo axis has not been considered to pick the ticket for the House of Representatives. And we believe that we should break the jinx. Ejigbo axis is crying for representation and crying against marginalization. And we are trying to encourage our brothers from Isolo axis to also support Ejigbo zone to represent the whole constituency in the House of Representatives this time. We have always supported our brothers from Isolo in the past. And we think that more than 15 years after, it is high time that our brothers in Isolo also supported Ejigbo to represent the whole constituency in the House of Representatives for fairness and equity as well as in the spirit of brotherhood.

    What electoral value do you have to fit in?

    I have been active in the constituency more than 10 years now. I have been Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Lagos State. I have been Chairman of LCDA, Ejigbo. And I have put in place a lot of revolutionary activities and programmes that have enhanced  democracy like monthly rendering of account like public hearing and increasing the number of community based associations from 15 to 76 which made it easy for people to participate in the governance of the Local Government. Also, I have committed myself to activities through which I promised things like free uniforms and free meals. It led to the end of an era where parents provided chairs and desks for their wards. Construction of three new primary schools so as to expand the access of various communities to qualitative education is part of my credentials. Provision of free GCE forms to over 1,500 school leavers and provision of another set of JAMB forms for 1,500 school leavers are also on record.

    In the area of health, provision of free drugs for all our Health Centres, construction of three new Health Centres for easy access to healthcare were among other programmes executed towards the attainment of Millenium Development Goals (MDGs). The list of my modest achievement in office is endless.

    What quality do you possess to guarantee you party ticket?

    Well, I think the party is interested, first and foremost in equity. There is Federal Character principle in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that says that, in the choice and election of people into power, people must take cognizance of the importance of Federal Character. And I think that is one major factor that our party should look into in considering this. The second issue is performance which is subjective. But, I believe that the party at the highest level would determine the level of performance of each of the aspirants. But if you look at my antecedence, I have corporate experience. I am a journalist who rose from sub-editor to editor and publisher. I have been a politician all my life right from my school days. Then Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor, then Chairman of a Local Council Development Areas. People will see that I have a record of performance and service. And I believe this would be part of things to be considered. Number three is when you look at representing the people at the National Assembly, you would also want to have somebody who knows his onions and who is part of the nationalist struggle for years, which essentially, I am. And the final point is, even in my manifesto which I am offering, is not what everybody is offering. I insist there would be quarterly constituency forum whereby I would be coming home to give feedback on accountability. In each ward, I am going to have constituency office so as to further engage those at the grassroots level. I am saying that there would be a bulletin to get information. I would also invest in reducing the cost of parents sending their children to school by providing Scholar’ Busses, donations for drugs regularly and then free uniforms for indigent pupils and students in our schools.

    And to show my commitment to my party, every month, I will give N50,000 to each ward, and N100,000 to each Local Government. These will show a vision of how to be a better representative of a party.

    How sure are you to defeat opposition’s candidate at the poll proper?

    I believe our party is very strong in our constituency. There is nothing on the ground that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has shown as evidence of performance. And I believe that what our Local Government has done would make our people to vote for our party.

  • Activist joins Lagos governorship race

    Activist joins Lagos governorship race

    A lawyer and civil rights campaigner, Adetokunbo Wahab, has joined the race for next year’s election in Lagos State on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC).

    Wahab, who hails from Epe, Lagos East Senatorial Zone,  said his decision was in  response to the clarion call by youths, elders and elites adding that he has also consulted the leadership of the party.

    Wahab lamented that  old politicians have continuously failed to bring the desired change, which they have endlessly promised.

    Wahab said the desire to bring “definitive change,” was one of the reasons why he accepted the challenge to offer himself for service.

    The 42 years old aspirant, also bemoaned the space allowed youths in governance. He said his emergence was a bold and decisive response to this deficit.

    According to the civil liberty lawyer youths accounts for nearly half of the five million eligible voters, whose voice and impacts are never commensurately rewarded.

    The politician said he had come to galvanize the electoral strength of the youths for the purpose of placing them in the right leadership space where their democratic power could be adequately recognised and rewarded.

    While acknowledging the presence of many vibrant and elderly fore-runners in the race, Wahab noted that certain exceptional criteria stand him out among the crowd. He said he has  fresh ideas anding that he stands for a paradigm shift in governance.

  • A race for life

    A race for life

    Students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) participated in an early morning exercise organised by the Anti-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Club to sensitise the university community about the need to stop the deadly Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). ADEYEMI OLALEMI (400-Level Physics and Education) reports.

    Regular exercise is the best way to free the body of stress. But the busy academic schedules of students hardly permit that.

    Last Saturday, students of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) abandoned all engagements for aerobics.

    The health awareness, tagged: UNILAG jog for life, was organised by the UNILAG’s chapter of Anti-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Club.

    It was part of the events to mark the Health Week of the club. The Week featured health campaign, film show, seminar and novelty match between students.

    The aerobics started with awareness about Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in the hostel, after which students left their rooms to jog.

    By 7.00am, the participants had thronged the university’s Sport Complex, clad in sport wears, trainers and face towels.

    The aerobics lasted till 8am, after which the participants ran round the campus. At the complex, the students were given branded T-shirts donated by Hope World, a non-governmental organisation. The shirts had inscriptions, such as “I support abstinence and mutual fidelity” and “Zero discrimination in workplace”.

    Apart from keeping the students fit after busy academic engagements, the president of the Club, Tomiwa Ogunmade, said the exercise would also spread the awareness of the deadly disease among the youth. “The exercise is an initiative aimed at creating awareness about HIV, AIDS and other sexually-transmitted diseases which threatens the dreams and aspirations of the youth. This will always remind them of the existence of the disease and why they must stop its spread,” he said.

    The club’s intention, Tomiwa said, was to sensitise the university community on how the deadly diseases could be prevented through abstinence, faithfulness and condomisation.

    While jogging round the campus, students took the awareness to Halls of Residence, singing and dancing. Some of the hostel visited included, Moremi, Jaja, Mairere, New Hall, and Amina Hall.

    The participants engaged their colleagues in discussions on how they could promote HIV–free society, teaching students how they could make use of condom and other objects to prevent the spread of HIV and AIDS.

     

  • Senator withdraws from Bauchi governorship race

    Senator withdraws from Bauchi governorship race

    Mixed reactions have trailed the withdrawal of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed from the governorship race in Bauchi State.

    For three and half years, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain has been holding consultations with stakeholders on the ambition.

    When ministers who have ambition resigned from the Federal Executive Council (FEC), Mohammed did not resign, fueling suspicion that he has stepped down from the race.

    There was enthusiasm among the people that a people-friendly politician would take over from Governor Isa Yuguda. They felt the minister would bring his wealth of experience to bear on governance in the state.

    For his kinsmen, who believe he would emerge as the flag bearer, the withdrawal is worrisome.

    A 70 year-old indigene,  Haruna Usman Duguri ,who lost two sons to snake bites on his farms in 2013, described the withdrawal as an ill-wind.

    He said: ’’My sons  Abba  26 and Abdullahi 20 years had gone to harvest sugarcane and pick beans, were bitten by snake and they died because of lack of medical attention.  But, we have all along been thinking that, when our son, the Kauran Bauchi, becomes the governor, he will build a hospital for us or find a way of killing the snakes so that we can return to our farms again.

    “But, we are disappointed now that he can’t be our governor, and we don’t think any of the aspirants will help us,if he wins the election, even if come out here in Duguri District to vote for him”.

    Another indigene, Alhassan Ibrahim, who is from Shafa village, said: “We are all devastated because, you only benefit from government project today, if you have a ‘’big man’’ in the government who belongs to the influential group and who attract  the benefits of democracy. I

    “ was particularly hoping that, if Kauran Bauchi wins the governorship, he will help us get compensation or some form of relief from Yankari Game Reserve management for the massive destruction done to our water mellon, sugarcane, corn and other farm products by elephants yearly, since he is from here.”

  • Ex-Kebbi PDP chair joins governorship race

    Former Kebbi State People Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Alhaji Mansur  Shehu has said that political foes are peddling falsehood about his him to edge him out of the governorship race. He refuted the allegation that he did not resign properly from the Nigeria Custom Services.

    He told reporters in Birnin Kebbi, the Kebbi State Capital , that the allegation was meant to dent his image and reduce his chance at the poll.

    Shehu said that he is a pensioneer because he retired with dignity.

    He said: “I retired from the Custom Services since October. I have my documents here with me.”

    Shehu that he voluntary retried from the service, adding that his resignation followed the due process when he retired 15 years ago.

    He reiterated his determination to run the state and offer a credible leadership.

    Shehu added: “Now, if my people later decide not to support me, I have no choice but to withdraw for anybody who they so wish.”

    He therefore, appealed to the contenders to prepare for primaries, adding that there will be no imposition.

    Shehu promised to work for the economic transformation of the state, promote and an open door policy and create job opportunities for people.

     

  • Adamawa: Group protests exclusion of Ngilari from race

    Some communities and youth groups, under the aegis of the Adamawa Collective, have kicked against the exclusion of the Adamawa State Governor Bala Ngilari from the 2015 governorship race.

    The national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), last week, announced the zoning of the governorship position to the Central Senatorial District, thereby excluding aspirants from the Northern and Southern districts.

    The pasrty’s decision was announced after Ngilari, who is from the Northern Senatorial District, obtained nomination form to contest the election.

    Describing the decision of the PDP leadership as undemocratic and unacceptable, the group accused the party of double standard and a plot to undermine the governor because he is from a minority group.

    At a media briefing yesterday in Abuja, the group’s Coordinator, Eli Gamaliel, and Secretary, Dr. Panny Boga, argued that Ngilari was not a party to the agreement the party reached with the eight aspirants from the Central zone to contest the poll.

    According to them, Ngilari was still pursuing his ouster in court at the time the PDP reached the agreement with the eight aspirants.

    They added that by virtue of the court’s verdict, which installed Ngilari as governor, the agreement should have been overtaken by events.

    Gamaniel said: “It is important to state that when the decision was taken to zone the governorship to the Central Senatorial District, Governor Ngilari was not in office, neither was he part of the meeting.

    “The doctrine of necessity, which brought President Goodluck Jonathan to office during the illness and later death of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua remains a good reference point for the PDP.

    “It was in that same spirit of the doctrine of necessity that the late Governor Patrick Yakowa continued in office and contested in 2011 and won. This zoning arrangement for Adamawa State is to say the list, unjust and uncalled for.”

    Secretary of the Adamawa Collective, Boga, accused PDP’s National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, and the Principal Secretary to the President, Alhaji Hassan Tukur, of allegedly plotting to impose a particular candidate on the state.

    Boga said: “It is on record that Mu’azu and Tukur have mounted tremendous pressure on Ngilari to drop his governorship ambition in 2015 for the Senate. This was on the excuse that it has been zoned and reserved for the Fulani, particularly Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

    “Yet, it is on record that impeached Governor Murtala Nyako, who spent almost eight years in office, is of the Fulani ethnic extraction.

    “We are not shocked by the stance of the hegemony because this was the same stance the likes of Prof Ango Abdullahi took when he insisted that President Jonathan should not contest in 2011 or the heavens would fall.

    “We, therefore, insist that since Ngilari was never a party to the agreement that zoned the governorship to Adamawa Central, it cannot be used against him in any material particular.”

  • Francis Olo Race holds Saturday

    The Navy Sailing Club (NSC) will come alive on Saturday as it hosts the first Francis Olo Invitational Boat Race at the Navy Sailing Club, at the Navy Town, Ojo.

    According to the Commodore of the club, Citizen Giwa Daramola, the race is in fulfilment of the desires of the sponsor, Chief Francis Olo in the promotion of water sport in the country.

    “The race  is one that will be full of excitement and fun for all who attend. We have put everything in place for this race and expect that sailors from Lagos Yatch Club, the Lagos Boat Club, Apapa Boat Club, Beachland Estate Boat Club, Sea School Boat Club, Niger Dock as well as Tarzan Boat Club will be on water to give our athletes a good challenge.”

    He stated thatthe race is to enhance professionalism among sailors and improve the level of cooperation among other boat clubs within Lagos and its environs which is at its lowest ebb at the moment. “We’re committed to developing and improving water sports in Nigeria for both competitive and recreational purposes.”

    According to the club’s commodore, the sponsor has been a pillar of support for the growth of water sport in Nigeria and his decision to sponsor this event is to give the youths a sense of belonging.

    Daramola assured that lots of attractive prizes await the sailors especially those that finish tops in their races.

    Significantly, there will be a special Francis Olo Cup for the most valubale athlete of the boat race as well as other prizes.

    Expected to grace the occasion is the Flag Officer Commanding Naval Training Command, NAVTRAC, Rear Admiral Goddy Ayamkpele as well as other top ranking officers of the Nigerian Navy and civilian dignitaries.

    Daramola notes that the event will be capped with a barbique gala nite at the same venue.

    However, the Club’s Sailing Secretary, Abel Omaga has revealed that the race will comprise of events in the Laser/ GP14 at a distance of 10km, Kayak races for both adult and children at a distance of 1, 000m and 250m respectively. There will also be a rowing race and swimming event that will see the children go a distance of 250m and the adult 500m.

    He said the events for this race promises to be full of fun and lots of activities.

  • Onuoha in race to face Villa

    Onuoha in race to face Villa

    Nedum Onuoha  faces a race to be fit for QPR’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa on Monday after sustaining a hamstring injury.

    The defender made only his second start of the Premier League season at home to Liverpool on Sunday, a game which QPR went on to lose 3-2 in dramatic circumstances.

    With the game goalless at half-time, Onuoha had to come off after picking up an injury, and the 27-year-old is now a doubt for the fixture with Villa at Loftus Road on Monday.

    “I had a hamstring problem which happened about halfway through the first half,” he told the club’s official website.

    “I tried to play on and it seemed ok but by the end of the half it got to the stage where I couldn’t give 100 per cent for the team, so I had to come off.

    “How serious is it? That depends how you define ‘serious’! We’ll just have to see how it goes between now and Monday.”

  • APC chietain joins House of Assembly race

    APC chietain joins House of Assembly race

    FormerChairman of  Ajeromi Local Government Area of Lagos State, Dr Abiola Ajijola, is eyeing the House of Assembly seat in Ajeromi/Ifelodun Constituency 1 in next year’s elections.

    The seat is currently occupied by the Deputy Speaker, Hon. Kolawole Taiwo, who has been serving in the House since 1999.

    Ajijola said he wanted to bounce back, 17 years after leaving power. The medical practitioner said: “Although I left office in 1997 after a remarkable 16-month experience in grassroots administration before the military coup, I have always been a card-carrying member of progressive parties, including the Alliance for Democracy (AD), the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). In fact, I belong to the party’s apex leadership body known as G10 in my local government area.

    “I am in the race to step up my commitment to bringing the fruits of governance to the people. I firmly believe that,with patriotic representation in the House, my constituency should be better than it is today and it takes selfless representation driven by undiluted patriotism to turn things around for the people. This is my concern.”

    Ajijola said that the fifth term aganda of Hon. Taiwo would not threaten his ambition. He said: “He (Taiwo) is no threat to my ambition; in fact, most people see my coming out as his greatest challenge because of my popularity based on what I did when I was chairman and my unbroken relationship with the people. This is democracy, a system that gives room for freedom of choice by the electorate.

    “ Hon Taiwo has served for four terms in the House and people have seen what he could do. I feel it is simply fair for someone else to have a shot and bring his acumen to bear in further serving the constituency in the best interest of the people.”

    The aspirant said the exemplary services delivered by the party’s national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, when he governed the state and Governor Babatunde Fashola’s exploits are enough to convince Lagosians that the APC is better than the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).