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Tag: Rochas Okorocha

  • ADP elects guber candidate in Imo

    The Action Democratic Party (ADP) has elected  a legal practitioner, Success Obioma as it’s  governorship candidate in Imo State.

    Speaking with newsmen in Owerri,  shortly after been declared winner of the primary election, Obioma, said he will probe the Rochas Okorocha’s administration with a view to ensuring that people take responsibility for their actions.

    Obioma however promised to reviews the  various Noble ideas created by the current administration and turn them into policies that will be backed by adequate legislation by the State House of Assembly.

    According to him, Governor Okorocha has initiated numerous ideas in the  areas of free  education, rural roads and other infrastructure but we’re  not turned into policies , which he said could have made them more efficient.

    Read Also: APGA, Frank Nneji and Imo guber race

    He further promised to return the State to God,  stating that it will take divine  intervention to get the State  to work again.

    The Lawyer turned politician, assured that  he will place priority on free and quality education as the best tool for transformation if elected.

    He also promised to revive the agricultural sector as an avenue to create wealth and employment for the people of the state.

    Obioma also disclosed that his administration will restore the dignity of the traditional institution,you which he said has  been ridiculed by politicians, “the situation where our traditional rulers are reduced to errand boys by governors will not be allowed in my administration”.

    Meanwhile he lamented the collapse of infrastructure in the State, pledging to make it a priority when elected.

     

  • Imo APC Primary: Okorocha calls for Gulak’s arrest

    …says kidnap claim laughable

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Wednesday called for the arrest and prosecution of Ahmed Gulak over his “ignoble” role in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship that led to the cancellation of the exercise.

    Gulak was the Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee for Imo State but absconded after he rescheduled the primary which could not hold on the slated date, only to declare one of the governorship aspirants, Senator Hope Uzodinma as winner.

    Read Also:APC NWC endorses result of Lagos guber primary

    The Imo Governor in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said, “We call for the arrest and prosecution of Alhaji Gulak because there is punishment for his anti-democratic action and his false claim of kidnap attempt. We must begin to tell men like Gulak and Senator Hope Uzodinma that it cannot be business as usual”.

    According to the statement, “Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, former Political Adviser to former President Goodluck Jonathan and of course, the Chairman of the disbanded Imo State Governorship Primary Election Committee had told the media on Tuesday, October 2, 2018 that he fled Owerri by 4am because agents of Governor Rochas Okorocha had attempted to kidnap him and three other members of the 12-member Committee. The media had reported what he told them.

    “If you ask me, men like Alhaji Gulak can’t build a nation. They not only constitute serious threat to our promising democracy but also danger to this great nation. Giving men like him national assignment like the one he was sent to Imo State to do was just licensing him to
    blackmail the nation and put our democracy to ridicule. And there are certain lies or actions a man who had been the Political Adviser to a former President of the nation should have overgrown, no matter the temptation”.

    The statement added that, “the childish tale of his attempted kidnap was just an afterthought. He knew he didn’t act well his part and was only trying to see how he could come out from the tight corner he had boxed himself into.

    “The man called Alhaji Ahmed Gulak flew into Owerri by 12:45pm on Monday, October 1, 2018, being the day slated for the guber primary. And let him publish his flight documents to prove us right or wrong. They went straight to the Police Headquarters where they deposited all
    the materials for the governorship primary.

    “After that, the committee members entered into a lengthy meeting with the candidates, stakeholders, and Heads of Security Agencies in the State. The meeting lingered till 6:30pm. At the end of the meeting, he announced that the primary would now hold on Tuesday, October 2, 2018.

    And reporters who were at the Police Headquarters waiting for the outcome of the meeting went and reported that the Imo primary would now hold on Tuesday, October 2, 2018. At the end, they went to their hotel to clean up and eat.

    “With all these activities, the courtesy call he was to pay on the governor with members of his committee could not take place till. 8:45pm that Monday. The courtesy call lasted for about an hour. All said and done, they left the Government House for their hotel at about 9:55pm.

    “They lodged at Rockview Hotel Owerri that shares fence with the Police Headquarters and the other end of the hotel, the Owerri Prison, with Soldiers on guard. The hotel is also close to the Government House Owerri with a team of Mobile Policemen on twenty-four hours duty.

    So, the question patriotic Nigerians should ask Alhaji Gulak is that, if you left Government House by 9:55pm and you claimed you fled Owerri by 4am, and considering the location of Rockview Hotel where they lodged, then, when and where did the kidnap attempt take place?

    “And why should he be kidnapped when the materials for the primary were kept at Police Headquarters. And of what value would have his kidnap served anybody since he didn’t have any material and the primary hadn’t been conducted.

    “It is now left for Nigerians to ask him where he got the results for which he declared Senator Hope Uzodinma winner. In fact, we do not subscribe to people talking about PDP when men like Gulak who left the party just few months ago act funny. It is a personal thing. It has
    nothing to do with PDP. Some people live. Some others exist. Those who just exist do not have souls, and for them, anything goes”.

    The Governor explained further that, “Ahmed Gulak and Hope Uzodinma had belonged to Alhaji Modu Sheriff’s faction of the PDP. That is the relationship between him and Hope Uzodinma. We also believe that those who sent him didn’t have this information. But even at that, a former
    Political Adviser to a Former President should have lived above board.

    “Do not also forget that a day before the Primary, Chief Hope Uzodinma who the Court had issued warrant of arrest against him for issuing billions of naira Dud cheque to a business partner had also claimed kidnap attempt against his person also by agents of the State Governor. They must be spirits to be escaping from these imaginary kidnap attempts. In fact, show me your friend, and I tell you who you are.

    “Finally, Hope Uzodinma is not a member APC in Imo State. He claimed to have joined the party six months ago. Even at that, he does not have any support in any Local Government in Imo State. We shall be shocked to see him stand in his Local Government, Oru East, and we see
    twenty APC members queuing behind him. He does not believe in the ballot box.

    “He was one of those who in 2015 labeled Okorocha Alhaji in Government House, Okoro-Hausa and that he was planning with President Muhammadu Buhari to Islamize Igboland, all because of APC.

    “And few years after, he has come to cause trouble in the Party and to reap where he didn’t
    sow.  We do not think it is the right thing. No landlord vacates his house for an unfaithful and unreliable tenant”.

  • APC must work hard to win Osun governorship rerun, says Okorocha

    Says essence of governance to create happiness

    Says it’s difficult to reconcile with his political opponents

     

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has warned that the All Progressives Congress (APC) needs to work hard to retain Osun State among the state it is controlling in the country.

    He gave the warning while reflecting on the result of the last Saturday’s governorship election in the state as declared by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

    Okorocha, who is also the chairman of the APC Governors Forum, spoke with State House correspondents in Owerri, Imo State.

    According to him, the result of the election in Osun State where the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led the APC with over 300 votes showed that there was a good fight between the APC and the PDP.

    The fight, he said, helps in checks and balances.

    Okorocha was however optimistic that the APC will come out well in the 2019 general elections.

    He said “Well, it is inconclusive (the election), as long as it is made inconclusive, it is inconclusive and it is a good fight.

    “I love that kind of democracy where there is a close margin; it shows that there is checks and balances.

    Read Also: Okorocha sacks aides contesting election

    “That is why I tell APC, we must never go to bed to sleep, we have a lot of work to do because you are more endangered when you are in power than when you are not in power.

    “The forces to pull you down are more than the forces to build you up when you are holding unto power.

    “So APC has a lot of work to do and I hope we will come out fine.”

    Speaking on some elites, who are presently opposing him in the state, Okorocha said that the fight was all about the state treasury.

    He said “The issue of reconciling with the elites is a very difficult one and the more you reconcile you either not to give up or you reconcile because what they want you cannot afford to give them.

    “The elites want you to give them the local government so that the money that comes from the local government, they take it that is the reconciliation they want. The elites will want you to give them the contract of the entire state budget. The elites will want you to pay their medical bills in their hundreds of millions.

    “The elites want to be in power and then do whatever they want to do with the treasury of the state. The struggle for power in this state is not for power really to govern the people, it is a struggle for the treasury of Imo state and that is what I am protecting.” he added

    Okorocha explained that the essence of any governance is to create happiness for its citizens.

    His administration had earlier created a novel ministry named the Ministry of Happiness and Purpose Fulfillment.

    Stressing that his administration has completed over 1000 projects in the state, he promised that there will be no project left uncompleted at the end of his tenure.

    Some of the projects, he said, included new wing of the government house, chapel, 8-lane road, multiple level car park, 5000 capacity Imo International Convention Center, Freedom Square, Cabinet Office, first inland bridge, second inland bridge, third inland bridge, Jacob Zuma road, permanent and temporary sites of the Ministry of Happiness, Heroes square, Heroes apartment, Imo Youth Center, renovated state secretariat, ISOPADEC,

    Others are 3000 capacity Imo Trade and Investment centre, Police Headquarters, modern prison, Imo State High Court complex, sentinary towers, Nigeria Labour Congress House, Nigeria Union of Journalists House, Creative Arts and Entertainment house, Imo foundation complex, CAN Secretariat Imo chapter, two tunnels, drug house, new Ministry of ICT complex,

    Also completed are the Eastern Palm University and 200-bed Nigeria Air Force hospital.

     

  • Imo Governorship : I’m not afraid of direct primaries, says Nwosu

    Chief of Staff to the Imo state governor and alleged anointed governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Imo state, Uche Nwosu has said that he was ready to face party members in the state through whatever mode of primary adopted by the party in the state.

    Also, the preferred governorship candidate in Rivers state, Tonye Cole said he was prepared for whatever mode adopted by the party in Rivers state, saying what was important was for the party to present a credible candidate for the general election.

    While Nwosu is widely believed to have been announced for the governorship position by Governor Rochas Okorocha, Cole is believed to be the preferred candidate of Minister of Transportation and former Rivers state Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

    Read Also: APC governors insist on indirect primaries

    Speaking after being screened by the National Working Committee of the party, Nwosu who is also believed to be the son-in-law of the Imo state governor said he consider his closeness to the governor as an added advantage to his aspiration, adding however that he believe that he was the best candidate for the job.

    He said “You know that the party wants to make sure that you are qualified and credible to avoid having a governor that does not have what it takes to rule a state because a governor is not a Chairman. I am happy that our National Chairman took it upon himself to actually interview and screens those who wants to run for the office of the governor.

    “It is the state executive committee of the party that decides on the mode. If they decide to use indirect, so be it. If they decide on direct, so be it. The party has the power and the Governor is just one member of the SEC where you up to 200 members and so, one member cannot stop the entire state Executive from taking a decision.

    “The party has decided that they want to go indirect and so, we adopt that and go with that. I am fully prepared for the primaries and by the special grace of God; I will become the candidate of the party.”

    Asked if he consider his relationship with the governor as a plus or minus, he said “Of course my relationship with the governor is a plus. When you have a sitting Governor in your party, you need his support to come up because he is a member of the party.

    “Except where you have another party man as the governor of that state. But once the governor belongs to your party, you will automatically need his support.”

    On his part, Tonye Cole believed to have been anointed and adopted for the governorship by majority of APC leaders in Rivers state who are loyal to the Minister of Transportation said he was ready to go for any form of primary chosen by the party in the state.

    Cole said “I believe that democracy has come a long a way in Nigeria and one of the things we are seeing now is that the people are now looking at the evidences of things that you have done and not what you are promising to do and how you can make a difference in the People’s life.

    “I believe at the end of the day, both direct and indirect primaries are constitutional. What we want to see is the right candidates emerging and how they emerge is a parry affair.

    “As far as I am concerned, we are because we believe that we have the right candidate for Rivers state and whichever way it comes out, I am ready for it.”

  • 2019: APC governors insist on indirect primaries

    …few states adopt direct primaries

     

    Governors of the All Progressives Congress ( APC ) appeared to have had their way regarding the mode of primary to adopt for the conduct of party primaries across the country as they rose from their meeting on Wednesday night insisting on using both direct and indirect option in the various states.

    The meeting of the governors under the Progressive Governors Forum was attended by the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of the party and the Ekiti state governor elect, Kayode Fayemi.

    Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Imo state governor and Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Owelle Rochas Okorocha said the governors decided to adopt both option, with majority of the states going for the indirect option.

    Even though he did not name the states going for the indirect option, Okorocha said the governors resolved to work for the success of the party before, during and after the primary and also work to ensure victory for the party during the general election.

    He said “We just held a meeting with the Chairman and we’ve resolved that in support of the party that we are going to have free and fair primaries. Everybody will be given equal chance to participate in the primaries which will be transparent, free and fair.

    “We have adopted both direct and indirect and most of the states are going for indirect primaries, but for the president it is going to be direct primaries. So we have all resolved and to assure Nigerians that we are ready for the primaries and we are ready for the main election as decided by NEC and we are sure that come 2019 APC shall have the victory. We are calling on all our supporters to support the party.

    “The 22 governors and the National Working Committee are working together and we have resolved to make sure that we get victory for the party come 2019.”

    Asked how the governors intend to handle the deluge of complain from their states especially those who want direct primary, he said “the NEC made it clear that the parties will decide at every state level what they want, either direct or indirect primaries.

    “Normally you would know that our party is even a peaceful party. It is the most peaceful party in Nigeria right now where there are no schemishes and scuffles. If you are looking at other parties, you would know there is no party at all. So these minor complains here and there is expected because even in a family you have it.

    “The NEC have declared that we are going to have direct and indirect primaries and the party at the state level will decide what type of primary to adopt.”

    Contributing, Kaduna state Governor, Mallam Nasir EL-Rufai there was no way every member of the party will agree to one thing, pointing out that the decision on which option to adopt in accordance with NEC decision is to be based on majority decision.

    He said: “There is no way one hundred percent of the party will agree to one thing. There will always be some that will disagree but the decision of NEC is that the majority of the state Executive Committee decided on the mode of primaries.

    “And the Kaduna state that you mentioned which I’m the Governor by the grace of God, the majority of the State Executive Committee decided on indirect primaries. If one or two members don’t agree, that’s off that is not the decision of NEC.”

    Apparently bowing to pressure, National Chairman of the party, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole said the task before the leadership of the party was to ensure the conduct of a credible primary that will be free, fair and transparent.

    Oshiomhole said “I think my task and the task of the party is clear. We have a tradition as a progressive party to submit ourselves to the dictates of our party and we believe in internal democracy because we are democrats and democracy must begin from within the house before we can do it outside.

    “We are committed to transparent primaries and will ensure that everyone who has interest in our party and we are happy at the level of enthusiasm measured by the number of persons who have applied for various positions from House of Assembly up shows a huge number of Nigerians still prefer the All Progressives Congress as the more credible platform of which to contest.

    “Our task is very simple, obey the rules of the party, obey the rules of fairness, obey the rules of natural justice and that is what we mean when we talk about free and fair primaries.

    “Number two, we have spoken to this before, it is not a new decision that our constitution consciously provided for flexibility to reflect the diversity of our great country and also to try to give expression to the entire essence of federalism which allows different states to look at their own situation and advice the NWC as to what works better for them provided that in all cases the process is democratic, the rules are fair, the officiating officials are impartial.

    “All of us, Governors, NWC and even President, we all agreed that this is the way to go and that is what we are going to do.

    Speaking on Lagos state governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, Oshiomhole said “the attempt to say an embattled Governor, there is no APC Governor that is embattled and because we are democratic, the best way to measure democracy is the presence of more than one person showing interest in an office.

    “That does not make any other person embattled. But of course the media can create this impression that there is an earthquake in Lagos, there is no earthquake.

    “At every level I have seen people claiming that in one or two offices there was no opposition. In every other office we have more than one candidate expressing interest. Those people who are currently occupying those positions are not by reasons of those new expressions of interests embattled.

    “Three, to say that you have never seen Lagos State Governor in our meetings is to the extent that your lens is blurred. My records and minutes of our meetings will show the participation of Lagos State Governor in all the meetings in which he has been invited. But like some other Governors, some meetings have coincided with some other activities.

    “There is no Governor including my humble self when I was a Governor I didn’t manage to achieve 100 percent attendance. Even in parliament, there are minimum requirements so I don’t think it is fair to suggest that you have seen somebody here because of anything.

    “I think our party in Lagos is at peace, there are conversations going on at the ward level across the 8,500 wards or there about across the country conversations are going on within the APC family. Conversations are going on in each of the 774 Local Governments across the country.

    “Our party members are negotiating, they are persuading, they are doing compromises, and they are competing, because we are progressing. Across the 36 states our party activity is at its peak and that is how it is even at the centre. So it will be unfair for anyone out of his own prejudice to label anyone as embattled or being pressured. Everyone has been active.”

  • 2019: Okorocha sacks appointees contesting election

    …SSG, Chief of Staff, Info Commissioner affected

     

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, Wednesday relieved 13 of his appointees contesting the 2019 general elections of their respective positions.

    Those affected include the Chief of Staff to the governor, Uche Nwosu, who is contesting the governorship seat, Secretary to the Government of Imo State, Sir George Eche, who is also in the governorship race and the Commissioner of Information, Prof. Nnamdi Obiareri, who is contesting the Imo North Senatorial seat.

    Read Also:Imo guber: I’m not aware my SSG is running – Okorocha

    Others are the Principal Secretary to the Governor, Dr. Paschal Obi, Deputy Chief of Staff (Operations), Engr. Kingsley Uju, Commissioner for Trade,     Investment and Commerce, Chief Emma Ojinero, Commissioner for Gender and Social Development, Barr. Ngozi Njoku, among others.

    In a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, the Governor wished the affected appointees luck, while thanking them for their services.

  • 2019 Senate poll: Tough battles ahead for Shettima, Okorocha, Yari, other 2nd term govs

    In the next few months, some state governors in their second term will end their tenure and bid bye to exotic villas where they had called the shots for eight years like the Lord of Manor. But Their Excellencies are not tired. They still want to be relevant, they want to remain in the limelight. In the next dispensation, they are eyeing the Senate. In this piece, our Managing Editor, Northern Operations, YUSUF ALLI, examines the battle ahead for the affected governors.

    In the next couple of months, 11 out of the nation’s 36 governors will no longer be eligible to be governors as they would be in office for the mandatory eight years. Those affected are Governors Kashim Shettima( Borno); Ayodele Fayose(Ekiti); Ibrahim Dankwambo(Gombe); Rochas Okorocha(Imo); Abdulfatah Ahmed(Kwara); Umaru Tanko Al-Makura(Nasarawa); Ibikunle Amosun(Ogun); Rauf Aregbesola(Osun) and Abiola Ajimobi(Oyo).

    For senators and members of the House of Representatives who became governors, returning to the National Assembly is a familiar turf.  But for those outgoing governors seeking to be senators for the first time , it may be a different ball game. Yes, the constituency is smaller, but the battle is tougher as the variables may also be different.

     

    The situation at present

    In the 109-member of the 8th Senate , 20 are ex-governors. They are the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki,   Theodore Orji (Abia); Eyinnaya Abaribe (Abia); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom ); Andy Uba (Anambra); David Mark  (Benue); George Akume (Benue); Abiodun Olujimi (Ekiti); Danjuma Goje  (Gombe); Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Ibrahim Gaya (Kano); Adamu Aliero (Kebbi); Muhammed Lafiagi (Kwara); Abdullahi Adamu  (Nasarawa); Jonah Jang  (Plateau); Aliyu Wammako  (Sokoto); Bukar Abba Ibrahim  (Yobe); Danladi Abubakar Sani (Taraba); Sam Egwu (Ebonyi); and Ahmed Sanni Yerima (Zamfara).

    A report by a newspaper had indicated that out of the former governors, Senators Andy Uba, Abiodun Olujimi, and Theodore Orji have sponsored an appreciable number of bills.

     

    Saraki stood tall among them having learned the legislative tricks enough to win the much prized seat of the President of the Senate. Many of them are bench warmers because the transition from executive mansions to hallowed chambers is a Herculean task for them.

     

    What are the chances of the 10 governors eyeing the 9th senate?

    Investigation by our correspondent indicated that political realities in the affected states have shown that it won’t be a tea-party for most of them. The challenges before the governors , among others, include clamour  for power shift, ethnicism, disdain for godfatherism.

     

    Shettima(Borno)

    Ordinarily with his modest achievements in office in the midst of insurgency, Governor Kashim Shettima should have an easy ride to the 9th Senate but he faces some hurdles, the latest being where he hails from in Borno. He is either expected to contest for the senatorial seat in Borno Central District (the platform he used to be governor) or Borno North District where bitter politics in the state has led to the discovery of his real origin. Whatever it is, he will slug it out with Sen. Kaka Garbai (from Borno Central who may not relinquish his slot without a viable alternative like the governorship ticket) and Abubakar Kyari representing Borno North. Shettima, widely seen as a “central  boy, ” requires much of serious political calculation and negotiation before taking a leap for the Senate. The governor’s major headache is how to rehabilitate Garbai in a commensurate measure.

    A source , familiar with the state’s politics, said: “Kashim Shettima was born in Maiduguri, located in Borno Central. His mother is from the central, but his father is a Mallam from Ngazai in Borno North Senatorial District. His associates had mooted the idea that he runs for the seat from the North.  But sensing the danger, especially because Kyari, the incumbent, is very popular and formidable, the idea was dropped. To displace Kyari from the Senate would mean to hand him the governorship ticket.

    “So at it is, his posters are everywhere for Borno Central Senatorial District. For now, it is certain he will run from the central. The incumbent, Garbai, is his friend. Without Shettima’s prompting, Garbai would not have run in the first place when the seat became vacant shortly before the inauguration of the Senate in 2015. Hon. Umar Kumalia had wanted to run then ; he, however, gave way when it became obvious that the governor preferred Garbai, who incidentally is Kumalia’s friend too.

    “For now, apart from Shettima, no one has shown interest in the seat within the APC. And even with the PDP, no visible aspirants for now. But should the Abuja politicians within the APC decide to move against Shettima, getting someone to run against him within the party won’t be too difficult.

    “For the north, the only strong person from PDP who can challenge the APC candidate is Sen. Sanusi Daggash (a former Minister of National Planning). But Daggash has been on the quiet side politically in recent times.”

     

    Al- Makura(Nasarawa)

    Were it constitutionally possible to have a third term in office, the people of Nasarawa State would have allowed Governor Umar Tanko Al-Makura to continue . But the reality has dawned on everyone; the governor has to leave the Executive Lounge for a shot at the Nasarawa South Senatorial District seat. He will be on the turf against the incumbent Senator from the Peoples Democratic Party, Sen. Suleiman Adokwe( a third term Senator); a PDP member representing Keana/Doma/Awe in the House of Representatives, Ogoshi Onawo; and Husseini Egyegbola of the APC, who was elected as a senator in 2015 before the Election Petitions Tribunal upturned his victory.

    Getting APC ticket by Al-Makura is taken for granted. But he has an ethnic barrier at hand and he has to work very  hard to sell his candidature .  There are five local governments in Nasarawa South Senatorial District namely; Doma, Lafia , Awe, Keana and Obi. The district also harbours about 20 ethnic groups which are contending for power, including Fulani, Tiv, Kanuri, Mighili, Gwandara and Alago among others.  Governor Al-Makura comes from Kwandere in Lafia Local Government Area. He is a Gwandara by tribe, which is  a minority in Lafia LGA and the Senatorial District.  According to findings, three of the local governments areas(Doma, Keana, and Obi ), are controlled by Alago tribe  of Sen. Adokwe, Onawo and Egyegbola.

    The battle is basically between Alago ( where late Governor Akwe Doma hailed from  ) and other ethnic groups in the district. It was only in 1999 that the Alago allowed the late Haruna Abubakar(a Kanuri), who was a  Deputy Senate President to late Chuba Okadigbo, to  represent the district.

    For Al-Makura, history beckons on him to break another electoral jinx again in the state as a minority. His God-fearing, good and fair-minded nature has fetched him a rare political goodwill like the case in 2011 when he became a governor as a minority. If he gets his political strategy right, he might secure the Senatorial ticket. Once Al-Makura can secure the huge votes from Lafia Local Government Area(LGA) and about 5% to 10% in other four LGAs, he will ride to the Senate with less sweat. The huge votes from Lafia, Keffi and Nasarawa Eggon crowned him as a governor seven years ago.  And he can defeat his opponent in a landslide if he retains his cosmopolitan look and make his campaign issues-based rather than playing ethnic politics. Surely, all eyes will be on Al-Makura if he secures the APC ticket.

     

    Ahmed(Kwara)

    Will the President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, compensate Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed for his loyalty? As the outgoing governor of Kwara State, Ahmed’s ultimate desire is to be a senator for Kwara South Senatorial District. He is seeking the ticket currently held by Senator Abdulrafiu Ibrahim, who has been a long standing loyalist of Saraki. It is a hard knot for Saraki to untie but if performance is anything to go by, Sen. Ibrahim has a little edge over Ahmed, who has spent eight years to create political liability for Saraki due to his low performance in office. Saraki is battling to clean the Augean Stable at a higher cost to his political career. But going by the PDP’s Right of First Refusal for defectors, the ticket will automatically go to Ahmed leaving Ibrahim in a quandary.

    Whoever is anointed by Saraki will face a tough contest with a renowned architect, Lola Ashiru, whose ingenuity led to the design of Skye Bank structures all over the country and other architectural works. Ashiru, who is from Offa , which has not produced a senator  since 1999, has the war-chest to give Ibrahim or  Ahmed a good fight. The last time Offa produced a senator was during the aborted Third Republic.

    Another silent contestant is the US-based Nurudeen Adeyemi Balogun from Esie in Irepodun Local Government Area, who is determined to prove a point that a first timer can make a difference. Apart from palace rivalry in Saraki’s courtyard, Governor Ahmed has the people of Kwara South to contend with. They are enlightened, conscientious and detest money politics. The governor has to sell himself  for any electoral breakthrough. The Kwara south PDP senatorial primaries will be an interesting race

     

    Ajimobi(Oyo)

    It is a straight fight between Governor Abiola Ajimobi and other aspirants for Oyo South Senatorial District ticket. Despite the recent electoral upset for APC in Ibarapa East Constituency in Oyo  House of Assembly, which it lost to the Peoples Democratic Party, Ajimobi may regain  his seat without sweat. Up till now, he has not known his opponent in either the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) or any of the emerging coalitions in the state. But he has an opponent in APC, Sen. Soji Akanbi, who might not get the party’s ticket because Ajimobi has a firm grip on the structure of the party. Where Akanbi is not “well accommodated”, he might seek refuge in another party. So far, Akanbi is keeping his game plan close to his chest.  A former chairman of Oluyole Local Government Area, Mr. Kehinde Olaosebikan, said: “The governor will defeat any party’s candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District. He has performed well to earn a return ticket to the Senate.” The district comprises Ibadan North, Ibadan North West, Ibadan South East, Ibadan South West, Ibadan North East, Ibarapa North, Ibarapa Central, Ibarapa East,  and Ido.

     

    Fayose(Ekiti)

    Still struggling to survive the pains of the defeat of his political godson at the recent governorship poll, Governor Ayodele Fayose faces an uncertain political future. He has spoken less of either his presidential ambition or the alternative of going to the Senate. His obvious choice is to vie for  Ekiti Central District Senatorial ticket with Sen. Fatima Raji Rasaki. But it will be a disaster and the end of the road for Fayose if he loses again. While he is considering the next step in his turbulent political career, his associate, Obafemi Adewale(a former chairman of NBA in Ekiti State), is aspiring for Ekiti Central District ticket. Whether or not the aspiration of Adewale is in trust for Fayose, time will soon tell.

     

    Rochas Okorocha(Imo)

    Owelle Rochas Okorocha,  no doubt, is facing a massive gang-up in the state by forces within APC and those in PDP over alleged plans to foist his son-in-law, Uche Nwosu, as the governorship candidate of APC in the state. He wants to make it a double-edge sword by aspiring for the senatorial ticket of Imo West Senatorial District. He wants to take over the seat of Sen. Hope Uzodinma, who is interested in the governorship race. In February, Okorocha said: “I have decided to run for the Imo West Senatorial zone because if I don’t, bad people will take the position. If my name appears on the ballot paper as contesting for the Senate, it will boost APC’s chances in the state. And many from my zone have said they will not contest if I am interested.” But he has a match in a  business mogul and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Imo State, Chief Charles Ahize and others who seek the same office.

    Noted for a refrain, “My people, my people,” it will soon be judgment day for Okorocha when the Imo citizens will decide whether Okorocha can eat his cake and have it. If Okorocha has his way, he would be highlighted  in the Guinness Book of Records but if otherwise, history will be unkind to him forever.

     

    Yari(Zamfara)

    The battle in Zamfara West Senatorial District will depend on the outcome of any accord or unwritten agreement between Governor Abdulaziz Yari and his godfather, Ahmed Sani Yerima, who was an ex-governor of the state. Yerima, who has been in the Senate since 2007, is in dire straits because he wants to produce Yari’s successor and at the same time retain his senatorial slot. But the governor, who was once a member of the House of Representatives, is interested in going to the Senate. He is from the same zone with Yerima. It was learnt that Yerima would not mind  sacrificing his senatorial ambition to be allowed to pick the next governorship candidate of APC (Yari’s successor) in Zamfara State. Yerima is said to be interested in the current Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Alhaji Ibrahim Wakkala Muhammad, who was his former Commissioner for Religious Affairs. The deputy governor comes from Zamfara Central, which has never produced the executive of the state since the return of democracy in 1999. On the other hand, it was learnt that Yari favours  his most powerful Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Muttaka Rini, who is from Zamfara West. Unless tact and diplomacy prevail, Yari and Yerima may lock horns  in the end. But a source said: “Whatever it is, Yerima still holds the ace in Zamfara politics. Yari needs to engage in a lot of reconciliation to win back the hearts of the people of the state.” It will be interesting to know in the next few weeks what manner of accord the two gladiators will reach.

     

    Gaidam  (Yobe)

    This is a slippery terrain.  Governor Ibrahim Gaidam and his godfather, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim have to test the waters over Yobe East Senatorial District ticket.  Although one Dr. Almajiri Gaidam is also interested in the senatorial race, the contest is really between the governor and his mentor. For Governor Gaidam, the next venture is the Senate but he is from the same district with Ibrahim who has been in the Senate since 2007. There are seven local governments in the district, including Gujba, Gulani, Damaturu, Tarmuwa, Yunusari, Geidam and Bursari. While Sen. Bukar Abba  hails from Gujba, Governor Ibrahim Gaidam is from Yunusari, although he was brought up in Gaidam.

    The power game has been  a quiet political war in Yobe State since 1999; the struggle for Yobe North East by the two titans might redefine politics in the state if not maturely handled. Old prejudices/ sentiments  are being whipped up. For Gaidam, he had wanted to be a senator in 2003  after the demise of Senator  Adamu Usman  of the defunct ANPP but he was denied the ticket by Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim, who was then the governor of the state. Sen. Abba was said to have rated Gaidam as unfit to be a councillor. This time around the governor, who has hijacked the structure of the party,  does not want to suffer fools gladly.

    His godfather will also not let go his seat. Recently, Sen. Bukar Abba Ibrahim said: “In sha Allah,  I will be seeking re-election back to the Senate in the forthcoming election and I do not see anybody as a threat.

    “ I have no problems with my constituency and the electorate. I have not been recalled by those who voted me to represent them and I am physically and mentality fit. All I know is that by 2019, I will be re-elected back to the Senate.

    “The governor has not told me that he is interested in the seat after the expiration of his tenure next year and I don’t need to bother myself about it since I know that there would be no vacancy because I am re-contesting for the position next year and I will continue to offer myself to my people for the position as long as I have the energy and sound health to represent them.

    “I will stay in the Senate until death do us part. Everybody tells me that I’m senator for life. I’m going to be in the Senate for life…”

    On his part while planning subtly, Gaidam said: “My becoming governor is not by my power or the making of any other human being. It’s destiny because somebody said I would not even be a councillor in Yobe. Today, God has made me the governor, who knows where I will be tomorrow?”

     

    Amosun(Ogun)

    The man to beat for Ogun Central District seat is Governor Ibikunle Amosun, whose performance might give him an edge. With the party’s structure in his kitty, Amosun,  who was a one-time senator,  already has the senatorial ticket in his pocket. But he will have to slug it out with his godson, Sen. Lanre Tejuoso(who may defect to ADC), Sen. Gbenga Obadara, a former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kayode Amusan(PDP)  and a former commissioner in the state, Apostle Biodun Sanyaolu (PDP). Obadara has, however, added a caveat to his aspiration when he said he night step down if Amosun is interested in the race.

    Although the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Taiwo Adeoluwa, is being speculated to be interested in the senatorial seat, it was unclear if he is serious or merely flying a kite.

     

    Dankwambo(Gombe)

    The purchase of governorship nomination form by ex-Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sen. Bayero Nafada on Friday has confirmed a swap deal between Governor Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo for Gombe North Senatorial District, if the governor does not get the presidential ticket of PDP. Nafada, who represents Gombe North District, has left the Senate for good. It is a different ball game if Dankwambo will keep to the secret pact with Nafada by ensuring that the former  Deputy Speaker emerges his successor.

    For Dankwambo, who  has been accused of using his presidential aspiration as a smokescreen, the battle for Gombe North District might be between him and Sen. Saidu Ahmed Alkali, who was  elected as a PDP Senator  in August 2010  after the death of Sen. Kawu Peto Dukku. He was also re-elected in the April 2011general poll. Alkali was a former Commissioner for Information under ex-Governor Danjuma Goje.

  • Okorocha calls for free and fair election

    As LG polls hold Saturday

     

    The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha has called for a credible poll as the state holds Local Government election on Saturday.

    The Imo governor also urged the people to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the election.

    A statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, stated that “Imo people will be electing 27 Chairmen for the 27 Local Government Areas in the State and about 645 Councillors, in the Local Government election slated for Saturday and to be conducted by the State Independent Electoral Commission (ISIEC)”.

    It continued that, “in line with the vision of Governor Rochas Okorocha and policy of the State Government to take government to the communities, the State House of Assembly enacted a law that has warranted every autonomous community to elect a Councillor, with the State now having about 645 autonomous communities.

    “The governor has always believed that government should be taken to the people at the grassroots which had also occasioned his administration to come up earlier with the idea of Community Government Council (CGC) which has also transformed most of the Communities in terms of development”.

    Read Also: Okorocha: APC will win Southeast in 2019

    It also added that, “and having seen the great impact of the CGC in the communities, an executive bill was sent to the State House of Assembly for a law that would enable autonomous communities to elect their Councillors and the Councillors will be the link between the government at all levels in the State and the individual communities for development.

    “The Councillors will also be working hand-in-glove with their respective traditional rulers for the Development or Progress of the autonomous communities involved.

    The governor’s aide further stressed that, ” the Governor has urged the Imo electorate to vote for the Chairmanship and Councillorship Candidates of All Progressives Congress, APC, in the election since the APC government has done very well for the seven years it has held sway in the State.

    “The governor also called for peaceful Conducts on the sides of the Political Parties and Candidates taking part in the election, while ISIEC should ensure free and fair election. He wishes all the Candidates well”.

     

  • Okorocha inaugurates Buhari’s Campaign Council

    …says APC will sweep the polls in S/East

     

    Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, has assured that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will record landslide victory in the Southeast in the 2019 general elections.

    He said that the task of ensuring that President Muhamadu Buhari is reelected is a priority that will be diligently pursued, adding that the APC is unarguably the most popular party in Nigeria at present.

    Read Also:Igbo Presidency: I stand the best chance, says Okorocha

    According to the Imo governor who gave the assurance during the inauguration of the Imo state chapter of President Muhammadu Buhari reelection Campaign Council in the Southeast, “APC is the best political party in Nigeria today. The President is doing well. We therefore have to go to the villages to tell our brothers and sisters the need to ensure that APC sweeps the polls, starting from that of President Muhammadu Buhari”.

    The Governor was represented by his Chief of Staff, Uche Nwosu, at the ceremony held in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

    He boasted that the APC will clinch all the elective seats in the state in 2019.

    Admonishing members of the Campaign Council to take seriously the responsibility assigned to them, Okorocha stressed that, “the task of ensuring that President Muhammadu Buhari is reelected is number one. We will ensure that this Campaign Council produces the next three Senators in the state, ten House of Representatives members and 27 House of Assembly members. This Council will also produce the next governor of Imo state”.

    He continued that, “APC is a party of the moment, many states are embracing it. Imo embraced it early and we will continue to embrace it. You must be passionate about this project. We will deliver in all the elections. I have never failed election before and I will not fail this time.

    “You will go to various Local Government Areas to mobilize support for our party. You are requested to mobilize 21 persons per polling unit in all the 27 LGAs. We will monitor your activities and will give you support. Our offices in the LGAs will not only be gigantic but very functional. Opposition political parties are waiting for us to slip but we will tell them that we are equal to the task.”

    In his speech, the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Acho Ihim, who is a member of the Campaign Council, assured that the Council will work assiduously to ensure that APC swept the polls.

    He said that apart from the reelection of Buhari, which he said was certain, “Uche Nwosu will emerge the next governor of the state”.

  • Defection: Two S/East governors to join APC – Okorocha

    The Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha Thursday disclosed that two serving governor’s from the Southeast will be formally joining the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Okorocha who did not disclose the identity of the governors, stated that there is an agreement among the Southeast governors to move in one direction.

    Read Also:Defections: God’ll chase away criminals from APC says Buhari

    According to him, “the insinuation that Southeast governors from other political parties will work for President Muhammadu Buhari for President and work for their candidates in the governorship election is not acceptable, you are either a member of the APC or not”.

    He continued that, “you will agree with me that Ndigbo played a dangerous politics in 2015 but we must correct that in 2019”.