The Nation Newspaper

Tag: second term

  • ‘Emmanuel will do better in his second term’

    Ex-militants in Akwa Ibom State are confident that Governor Udom Emmanuel will perform better in his second term.

    A statement yesterday by their leaders – Gen. Nick Sintei, Prince James Ukpong and Sunny Okon Nathan – congratulated the governor for his victory. They lauded his achievements so far, particularly in attracting viable industries to the state.

    The statement reads: “On behalf of the genuine ex-militants in Akwa Ibom State, we congratulate Governor Udom Emmanuel on his victory in the March 9 election.  Your victory was not only expected, but deserving, given your record achievement since assumption of office in 2015, particularly your effort at industrialising the state.

    “We have no doubt that you will perform more and impact more on the lives of the people in your second term. We, the ex-agitators, will remain law abiding and continue to support government’s positive policies and programmes.”

    The militants, however, expressed concern that many groups parading themselves as ex-militants are springing up all, and so urged the government and security agencies to look into the issue.

    They added: “We know that their names are not captured in the original list of militants that surrendered their arms during the Presidential Amnesty Programme in October 2009. Therefore, they are impersonators.

    “We have also found out that they are not part of the state amnesty programme. We, therefore, appeal to the government and security agencies to investigate their activities and fish them out. This will help to avert miscreants causing mayhem under the guise of ex-militants.”

  • Target points for Buhari’s second term

    “To whom much is given, much is expected” is a universal maxim. The Bible in the third of the four canonical gospels; Luke 12:48 affirmed it. By Section 130 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, which established the office of president, the first mandate given to President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015 expires on May 29. Since Section 135 (1); “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, a person shall hold the office of President until – (a) when his successor in office takes the oath of that office”, forbids a vacuum, President Buhari having been declared the winner of the February 23 – presidential poll will on May 29, once again take the oath of office for the next political dispensation lapsing in 2023.

    Amidst his campaign, President Buhari launched the ‘Next level’ with litany of stunning packages, principally, consolidation of his groundbreaking policiesfor evaluation. From the policy directions, ‘Change’ is deductively, necessarily a strategic precursor to ‘Next Level’. Hence, by the umpire’s verdict, the deal isimpliedly sealed.All things being equal, the people should be reveling Buhari with accolades at the end of his second term. Therefore, not only will improvements be perceptively made, they should manifestly, be felt by the masses. Above all, the nation’s supposed status as the ‘giant of Africa’must observably be actualized. And this time; not just by numerical strength but economic empowerment, developments and significant attainments. Categorically, Buhari’s manifesto unambiguously, expansively captioned economy, education, infrastructure, health and social investment programmes, hence, their facelifts in terms of service delivery – non-negotiable.

    Essentially, the Executive Order 7 recently signed for unparalleled strides in infrastructural developments should gather momentum after inauguration. Possibly, the merged ministries positioned under a ministerduring the economic recession may have to be unbundled having prudently exited the economic crisis to enable additional capable hands come on board. This will also reduce workloads on the minister sensing that the innovative policy will likely stimulate economic and government activities making it burdensome for a minister to effectively coordinate multiple ministriessynchronously. By the strategic policy remarkably unveiled by Buhari’s administration, numerous projects foreseeingly,willsimultaneously be in progress across the nation unlike the existing ‘slow-motion’ system.

    Before I forget, amongst major tasks that demand taking the bull by the horns is slashing of outrageous allowances in the National Assembly. It is unreasonable, imprudent and exploitative for a lawmaker to collect a monthly running cost of N13.5million amidst agonizing unemployment ratio and hardships in the society. Sensibly, there’s no basis for a legislator to earn more remunerations thanprofessors, permanent secretaries or ministers let alone the inexplicably additional monthly-running costs. All the electoral malpractices and violence leading to scores of deaths of citizens are traceable to excessively attractive financial benefits attached to political offices. Unconsciously, it has gotten to the point that not one person enthusiastically wants to return to primary vocation after partaking in the outrageous packages.

    Again, Section 14(2)(b) supra emphatically provides that “Security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government”. Unfortunately, the masses interests clearly,have never been a priority in the country. Instead, masses are usually more or less like abandoned properties but only treasured during elections by the political class either for lawful franchise or thuggery. Hence, in orchestrating the ‘Next level’ programmes,federal government should encouragingly create meaningful pragmatic schemes for economic empowerment of the masses especially youths vis-à-vis nation’s revenue generation on booster dose through its commendably proactive policies. For securitization, in fact, any poll that must necessarily gather the public at designated locations without adequate security personnel for safety of the vulnerable population is not only antediluvian but a threat to security of lives.

    As preventive measures on hostility and violence during general elections which is on the increase, the government should plan to migrate to digital voting system in conventionality with other countries. If not, the ugly situation may worsen in the next general elections in 2023 due to increased political interests, conceivably for pecuniary interests. To put it another way, the population is grossly excessive for manual ballot system in relation to security and financial implications. For example, INEC recorded 82,344,107 registeredvoters for the 2019 presidential election. Abysmally, only 29,364,209 of the voters representing 35.66% showed up for accreditation.

    Imagine what would have been the situation if about 82 million registered voters had shown up to participate in the election. Sensibly, the nation cannot effectively manage the scenario vis-à-vis the available workforces. Thus, the practicable remedy remains digital electoral system where registered voters can vote from anywhere without fear of attacks, intimidations or manipulations. With that in place, the ethnic crisis that has repeatedly ensued particularly in Lagos will be averted as people can still be resident outside their home state and effectively participate in their home elections except desiredotherwise.

    On socio-economic goals, Section 16(2)(b) of the constitution unequivocally provides “the state shall direct its policy towards ensuring – that the material resources of the nation are harnessed and distributed as best as possible to serve the common good”.  The subsection 2(d) crowns it “that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable national minimum living wage, old age care and pensions, and unemployment, sick benefits and welfare of the disabled are provided for all citizens”. Regrettably, Fundamental Objectives and Directive Principles of State Policy in Chapter 2 which extensively contains striking socio-economic rights are non-justiciable pursuant to Section 6(6)(c) supra. Nonetheless, they profoundly and justifiably remain yardsticks for measuring progress in the court of public opinion.

    Convincingly, if the viable foundationsspiritedly laid by Buhari’s present administration will be tenaciously consolidated to the latter, without doubt, the masses in no distant timewill eventually feel a sense of belonging in the nation’s abundant resources.

     

    • Umegboro is a public affairs analyst and Associate, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (United-Kingdom).

  • Second term: Can Buhari reinvent himself?

    …we will continue to engage all parties that have the best interest of Nigerians at heart. Our government will remain inclusive and our doors will remain open. That is the way to build the country of our dream – Muhammadu Buhari, after being announced winner of 2019 presidential poll.

    In our traditional winner-takes-all approach to elections, and with Nigeria more sundered now than at any other time in our history, the only sane path to follow in order to heal poll-inflicted wounds and distrust and draw all back into the common ground, is a resort to an inclusive government President Buhari is talking about. He has also pleaded with his party members and supporters to be reticent in excitement.

    He says: ‘’I would like to make a special appeal to my supporters not to gloat or humiliate the opposition. Victory is enough reward for your efforts.’’

    What you do about the grief caused your defeated opponent is the real test of your integrity. No matter how the world rates the contest, free and fair or biased and compromised, managing your victory in the face of your fallen challenger counts more than all else. You push him farther afield if you don’t control your celebrations. He goes back into his closet to start another battle just when you aren’t in the mood for new hostilities. The real war starts when you have scaled the hurdle, as it were. Winning the peace after the war is the enduring victory. Otherwise your days after the triumph that should be bliss would be a blight.

    So Buhari is not only morally right with the proclamation of sheathed celebrations and a decision to go for inclusive government, but also, it is politically correct to take that way in the interest of peace. But it would require him to reinvent himself and resist some hawks around him who would insist on the party cornering all the spoils of war as the reward due them after their ‘sacrifices’ to clinch the trophy. It is a weak and unsustainable argument that collapses when we present the larger scenario of a faltering polity on its knees due to its politics of division. It isn’t a time to talk of a so-termed 97% versus 5% booty sharing policy.

    So how would Buhari abandon the beaten track? The other day at a dinner organized by the youth and women of his party, All Progressives Congress, he gave Nigerians an opaque and worrisome hint. He said those who would make his cabinet in his second coming would be ‘’men and women of integrity ‘’. He acknowledged the ‘’significant role’’ these played in his re-election and declared he would not disappoint them.

    There is no radical departure from the past if that’s all Buhari is going to do. It does not capture the notion of inclusiveness he lovingly embraced in the quote above. To meet the iron and noble demands of that principle of political strides towards mending broken bones, our president would need to build his cabinet in a walk with some of the stalwarts from the major and so-called minor political parties who challenged him.

    Of course, the president can select from APC and friends he can trust for their integrity and unquestionable commitment to patriotism. But he can find the same breed in the opposition fold as well as in the professions. He can give his nation an A-team that we require to launch us to the next level of greatness he squared his campaign on.

    Let me give an idea of the rainbow I am talking about. Let him go for Kingsley Moghalu as his finance minister. The professor and ex-deputy governor of Central Bank of Nigeria is known for innovative ideas that draw dead institutions back to life. Mr. President also has the suave Fela Durotoye to call on; his incisive findings on the education sector can be deployed to halt the rot in the system. How about Tope Fasua? This chartered accountant given to practical exploration in the sphere of corporate economic management can safely handle our budget, which in its current volume is dead on arrival, according to him. Omoyele Sowore is also available for the country. He is said to be steely for Nigeria’s staid system. But who says we need only conservatives and yes men? We want less of establishment men and women to drive this nation to the ionosphere of political and economic development. And who says we can’t also work on Atiku Abubakar or Peter Obi to be part of the team giving Nigerians a fresh breath? It’s going to be a galactic era offering what is beyond the next level. To be sure we have a great pool of talent and skills to pull from.

    Several decades ago, the legendary Osagyefo Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, the founder of modern Ghana established a mega football club he called Real Republicans. The Ghanaian president picked two of the best players from the leading clubs to form the new team: Accra Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko, Great Olympics etc. Real Republicans were invincible for years, as they won the major trophies year after year. The club was responsible for the devastating form Ghana’s national football team assumed to make Africa proud in the 50s and 60s. Unfortunately, the military struck in February 1966 and displaced Nkrumah’s progressive administration. It was also the end of Real Republicans. And the end of the African leader’s experiment to prove that strength lies in the coming together of the best, whether in sports or politics.

    It’s Buhari’s turn to validate that truth as he ponders which way to go after winning the poll.

  • Can Ikpeazu get second term?

    As Abia State prepares for Saturday’s governorship poll, Smart Nwachi examines the chances of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu at the poll.

    THE essence of democracy is to provide a veritable tool for socio- economic and political development for the people and provide the platform for participatory governance.

    As democracy is defined as the government of the people for the people and by the people, democracy enthrones leaders who are collectively chosen by the majority of the people.

    It is expected that leaders who are elected into various positions of trust should endeavor to endear themselves to the people who elected them. This obviously is achievable through good leadership.

    The Abia state story is not far from the analogy above. This is because of the strategic position of Abia state in the  political economy of the south east as one of the states that holds a high profile commercial activity in Nigeria.

    In realising this strategic fact, the Governor of Abia state, Dr.Okezie Ikpeazu took the bull by the horn through the Enyimba Economic City Project. The philosophy behind this project is to launch the popular Ariaria international market into global attention such that people from all works of life would find the market suitable for their trade. By so doing the economy of the state will no doubt improve in geometric progression.

    Although, Ikpeazu’s administration was greeted with so many distractions such as protracted legal battle which followed his election in 2015, his administration was able to pierce through the thorny path to chat a new course for the overall well being of the people of the state. For instance, one sector that the Ikpeazu led administration has made remarkable impact is on the area of road construction across the three senatorial zones of the state.

    Aba, the commercial nerve centre of the state is certainly the better. Roads which were hitherto abandoned have received proper attention. Worthy of mention in this regard include Faulks road being handled by SETRACO. Work has also commenced on the strategic Port-Harcourt road not to mention Ukaegbu, Ehere, Umuola and many others.

    As at the last count over 70 roads have been completed with so many others on-going.

    Despite space constraint, it is worthy to mention that the governor has also made remarkable in road into the overhauling of the health, education and agricultural sectors of the state respectively. But a revisit the Enyimba Economic City Project, cannot be over emphasized. This is because of the economic importance and the benefits the investment will yield  to the people of the state when completed.

    This singular project which has seen the governor travel the length and breadth of the world, from Singapore to china, as well as other Asian and American countries , is sitting on a wide field of 9,803 hectares of land spreading across three local government  areas of Ukwa east, Ukwa west and Ugwunagbo .

    There is no doubt that the  Enyinmba Economic City Project will open up Nigeria’s business fortune internationally and cushion the effect of population influx into the state, the city is also designed to provide Urban Housing of over 3000 units as well as over 2000 industrial business units with an estimated annual value output of more than five billion dollars.

    The project which is to be done under Private Public Partnership with Crown Realities Plc, the host communities, Abia state government and federal government of Nigeria has witnessed its first phase fully designed and would commence in the first quarter of 2019. This is indeed a one in a million project.

    One predominant cankerworm that has eaten deep into the developmental fabrics of our dear nation is the inability of successive administrations to continue with the project of their predecessors. This ugly monster is the reason behind abandoned projects scattered in almost 36 states of the federation, thereby retarding economic growth and creating unemployment.

    In one of his media outings, Governor Ikpeazu noted that he will be fulfilled in life to see the Enyinmba Economic City Project completed and commissioned as the project is capable of re-writing the ugly economic story of the state as well as provide over 600,000 job opportunities for the teaming youths of the state

    Majority of Abians who realize the prospects in the Enyinmba Economic City Project express worries that the next administration may not complete the project and therefore called on all the citizens of Abia state to reconsider Ikpeazu for his second term to enable him realize this lofty dreams.

    Dr Ugodinma Onyika , a community leader from Ugwunagbo local government area, said economic empowerment of the people is not rested on short term gifts such as cars, cash, but a solid foundation such as the Enyimba Economic City  Project which has a positive multiplier effect and can stand the test of time

    He commended Ikpeazu for conceiving such a wonderful idea and urged him to face the project squarely “even if this is the singular project he would achieve in his time as a governor, his name must have been written in Gold”.

    Maxi Ukaoma Wabara, a businessman, noted that visionary leadership is the ability of such leader to see far beyond his immediate surrounding and focus into a distant future which according to him is represented by the Ikpeazu’s Enyinmba Economic City Project.

    Maxi Wabara was of the view that politicisind of ideas was not the best for the state and urged politicians and the entire people of Abia state to allow the governor to return for the second term so that this noble dream targeted towards boosting and laying a lasting economic foundation for the state was not abandoned half way.

    But, apart from the Enyimba Economic City Project, Abians are aware of many other laudable projects across all the sectors which were started by the present government and ongoing which gives credence to the need for Ikpeazu’s administration to be given a second term in office.

    The Abia State political landscape has provided a peaceful trajectory which had afforded the three senatorial zones of the state opportunity for the number one position of the state.

    Abia north senatorial zone had the slot of the governorship between 1999-2007 followed by the Abia central between 2007 – 2015 before the turn of the Abia south which presented the incumbent who will spend one term by may 29 this year and have performed creditably and should be allowed for  Equity-sake to complete his second tenure

    His other two strong contenders, Dr. Alex Otti of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and Dr. Uche Ogah of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have exhibited desperation in their quest to become the governors since 2015 against the Charter of  Equity propounded by the founding fathers of the state.

    But, behind the duos desperation is a peep into their past. Dr Alex Otti was alleged to have run down Diamond bank as managing Director which led to the bank being acquired today by Access bank Plc while his counterpart, Dr Uche Ogah is alleged to be bankrupt with some of his workers being owed for the past eight months.

    Stella Odimegwu, an Ohafia born legal practitioner described the ambition of the duo as a wild goose chase. She said “APGA and APC in the state are divided against themselves with two Governorship candidates parading themselves and it can not stand. Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has done well in this his first term and should be allowed to complete his tenure”

    “These are the same people who dragged him for years at the court after the 2015 governorship election and they are out again. These two ambitious men who cannot wait for their turn come 2023 are the real enemies of the state,” she said.

    Odimegwu added: “Ikpeazu,s chances are brighter and the he is favored to win the election. I am not scoring him 100 per cent, but he should  be voted and supported by the entire Abians to complete the good works that he has started”

     

  • Buhari and challenges of second term

    The presidential election has been won and lost. President Muhammadu Buhari has received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). His challenger, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has vowed to launch a legal battle. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU writes on the poll’s drama, post-election challenges and public expectations about Buhari’s second term.

    Triumph of integrity

    It was the triumph of integrity and honour. The poll was a referendum on the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari. The second term, like the first term, was not won on a platter of gold. The successful election underscores the fact that Nigeria is becoming more stable and building critical institutions of democracy.

    However, there are two more hurdles for the president and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to cross. There is need for more aggressive and effective mobilisation for the March 9 governorship and House of Assembly elections. Also, as the presidential battle shifts from the ballot box to the court room, the ruling party cannot afford to sleep on guard.

    In his victory speech, President Buhari was conciliatory. The second term, in his view, will enable him consolidate on his achievements in the four critical areas of anti-corruption war, economy, security and job creation. The last manifesto is more important. It is targeted at the youths and the poor. While the elite who apparently had score to settle with the president cast protest votes, he was greatly assisted by the masses’ votes.

    The outcome of the election affirmed Nigerians tendency towards two party system. Instructively, President Buhari won in 19 of 36 states. Atiku won in 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Although, constitutionally, Nigeria is a multi-party state, past experience has combined with the present indication that it only has two strong dominant parties. The fringe parties only constitute a big burden to the INEC.

    However, the election was not conducted for ideological parties. The APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PD) do not subscribe to any ideology. Yet, it is ideology that gives form, content and predictability to political parties. The restoration of ideological culture will properly demarcate the parties and present wider opportunities for constructive choice by Nigerians.

    Election observers have pointed out certain electoral hiccups that threatened to dent the image of the exercise. In a number of states, violence was recorded. Despite President Buhari’s warning, unpatriotic elements still indulged in ballot box snatching. Also, past mistakes were not totally avoided by the umpire.

    In many units, polling officers reported late for work. When voters got to the voting units and INEC officials were not on ground, there was anxiety. If there was vote buying, it was not within the vicinity of the polling units. However, the complaint by a presiding officer that he was declaring results under duress in Imo State was worrisome. This may need to be further investigated to prevent the circumstances that led to it in the future.

    Less than 30 million voted out of the 84 million Nigerians who were issued with Permanent Voters Card (PVC). That underscored a sort of voter aparthy. Many experts have suggested that public indifference to election may be a function of disenchantment with the government and lack of faith in the opposition. It is expected that, INEC, in its post-election analysis, will release vital demographic statistics on voting age bloc, gender, and zonal responses to the exercise. The information may be helpful to parties while strategising on mobilisation for future polls.

    The overview of the voting pattern suggested that the APC still maintained its dominance in its traditional strongholds in the North and Southwest. PDP maintained its hold on the Southeast and Southsouth.

    In addition, PDP made an in-road into Oyo and Ondo states, thereby upsetting the poll-confident Southwest. PDP’s victory in Adamawa could be attributed to “the son of the soil factor.” In Taraba State, voters may have carried out partisan instructions of influential Generals and community leaders who have an axe to grind with President Buhari over what they called his slow response to the security challenge. The Abuja result is a product of elite voting. In Benue, the propaganda of Governor Sam Ortom against the APC produced a fatal result, to the detriment of the president. Many indigenes reacted to the security challenge that claimed many lives in the Northcentral region.

    The poll results showed that Southeast and Southsouth are the backbone of the PDP. Indisputably, Southeast was motivated to vote for PDP in honour of a ticket that had accommodated its son, Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State.

    President Buhari almost turned Southeast into a construction site. He fought the infrastructure battle in the region with vigour. But, there was no correlation between the presidential intervention and Southeast voting pattern.

    In Edo, people still voted for PDP in post-Anenih era, meaning that the bond between the party and the state has not been severed by the demise of ‘Mr. Fix It.’

     

    Challenge of second term:

    In this first term, the take off of the administration was abysmally slow. It took the Commander-In-Chief six months to set up his cabinet. At the end of the day, the nominees did not spring surprise. The anxiety should not be repeated in this second term.

    Another cabinet of talent is required. While performing ministers can be retained, it is important that square pegs should be in round holes.

    A total overhaul of the security apparatus is also critical. This is critical to the success of the war against insurgency. Security agencies should not work at cross purpose. A situation whereby the president will forward the name of nominees to the senate and security agencies will write reports to scatter the appointment is not tidy.

    Also, it was alleged that critical opposition figures who assisted the president to get to power were sidelined. The wife of the President, Aishat, cried out that cabals have taken over and drawn a wool in the eyes of the leader. That provoked a sense of alienation in some quarters.

    Allegations of nepotism were also rife. Political foes criticised the president for the skewed distribution of government appointments. The bone of contention was that the skewed formula favoured the Northern Region, to the detriment of other zones.

    Although the president worked hard to deliver on his promises to the nation, he was handicapped by financial constraints. While fighting corruption, corruption was also fighting back.

    In his second term, Buhari should not relax the battle. The past loot must be recovered fully in national interest. The greatest problem confronting Nigeria is the culture of graft, which is now being inherited from generation to generation.

    The lip service to job creation should give way to more concerted action. Unless the electricity problem is addressed, unemployment will persist, manufacturing sector cannot be revived and cosmetic measures of token poverty alleviation will not solve the problem.

    President Buhari has not been vindictive. As the president of all Nigeria, he should carry along the six zones, which accepted or rejected him at the poll. He should also strive to re-unite the country that has been torn apart by the partisan struggle for the presidency. In post-election period, all the zones should also cooperate with the president. After election, the collective challenge is governance in national interest.

    The achievements of the president in the areas of road construction and rail transportation should be sustained. President Buhari should defend the education sector to prevent protracted strikes by tertiary teachers.

    President Buhari should learn from the mistake of the first term. He should not be indifferent to the nature, tendency and sentiment of the next Senate President. The two arms of government must work in the atmosphere of cooperation and togetherness. The executive must also moderate itself in utter sensitivity to the existence of a virile and active parliament, where experienced statesmen are serving as legislators.

    The president must unite his divided party. Anti-party activity is now the hall mark of the APC. This has been demonstrated by aggrieve governors of Imo, Ondo and Ogun states. As the APC national leader, President Buhari should ensure that there is always a basis for reconciliation. He should initiate and fortify the party’s crisis resolution mechanism. Conflict resolution is an essential feature of politics.

     

    Need for reform in APC:

    The ruling party has not become a model for other parties. It has a strong leadership. The structure is formidable as an election machine. But, it is devoid of clear ideology. The party is not yet supreme. Lack of party supremacy breeds indiscipline. The contradiction within the fold, right from its formative stage, when it came into existence, as an amalgam of incompatible political groups, paved the way for the protracted feud that led to defections from the fold.

    A party is an organisation of like-minded individuals and groups united by similarity of ideas, and strengthened by their collective bid for power. The way forward is reforms.

    The leaders of APC may have offended one another during the electioneering, particularly during the tension-soaked nominations. They should bury the hatchet, forgive and embrace. Post-election vendetta could be counter-productive. They have unfinished battles ahead, particularly governorship and House of Assembly polls.

    The national leadership should focus attention on the five divided chapters; Oyo, Ondo, Imo, Rivers and Zamfara. How will APC handle the division in these crisis-ridden chapters during the governorship and House of Assembly elections?

  • Second term: Be fair, firm NSCIA tells Buhari

    The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) yesterday tasked President Muhammdu Buhari to continue to be fair and firm in leading Nigeria to where it deserves.

    It also said the victory of the President at the February 23 polls was a reward for his goodness by the overwhelming majority of citizens.

    It described Buhari as a  refreshing source of inspiration to many people all over the world as a symbol of unimpeachable character, transparent honesty, un-impregnable integrity and unassailable righteousness.

    The NSCIA, in a statement by the Chairman of its Media Committee, Alhaji Femi Abbas, asked Buhari to “be wary of hypocritical do-gooders.”

    His words: “In appreciation of the Almighty Allah for His boundless favours on Nigeria through Your Excellency and acknowledgement of His honour in making your re-election a success, the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), under the leadership of its President-General, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar congratulates you on your electoral victory and wishes you another successful tenure as President of our beloved country.

    “As Your Excellency is aware, you are a pride not only to us as an Ummah but also the entire black race by virtue of your unique personality and immense qualities which have endeared you to millions of minds, including those of us in the Council and our affiliate bodies. It is a sign of walaayah (friendship) with Allah that a person’s love is planted in the hearts of people.

    “You are a refreshing source of inspiration to many people all over the world as a symbol of unimpeachable character, transparent honesty, un-impregnable integrity and unassailable righteousness.”

    The council pleaded with Buhari not to abuse the trust Nigerians reposed in him.

    It added: “We have no doubt that you are aware that leadership is a trust and that as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said, every shepherd (leader) will be asked about his flock (followers); yet, we must enjoin you to continue to do your best in the interest of the country.

    “We urge you to continue to be fair and firm in leading Nigeria to where she deserves, despite the unfounded blackmail and character assassination by those whose pre-occupation is to eliminate Muslims and Islam from the public space in order to continue to use religion to exploit and extort gullible individuals.

    “We urge you to be wary of hypocritical do-gooders contriving a non-existent tension for relevance when indeed by their partisan pre-election activities, they cannot genuinely lay claim to neutrality and sincerity.

    “Our prayer is that the Almighty Allah continues to grant you good health, long life and divine wisdom to steer the ship of Nigeria to the shore of greatness in peace, development, security and decorum.  We also beseech Him to continue to guide and guard you in the discharge of your onerous duties so that you will remain a pre-eminent role model that you are for all incorruptible persons.

    “As a matter of responsibility, we shall continue to pray for Your Excellency’s success because your success is unequivocally the collective glory of all sincere lovers of God irrespective of their religious or ethnic persuasion.”

     

  • Buhari and challenges of second term

    Triumph of integrity

    It was the triumph of integrity and honour. The poll was a referendum on the performance of President Muhammadu Buhari. The second term, like the first term, was not won on a platter of gold. The successful election underscores the fact that Nigeria is becoming more stable and building critical institutions of democracy.

    However, there are two more hurdles for the president and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to cross. There is need for more aggressive and effective mobilisation for the March 9 governorship and House of Assembly elections. Also, as the presidential battle shifts from the ballot box to the court room, the ruling party cannot afford to sleep on guard.

    In his victory speech, President Buhari was conciliatory. The second term, in his view, will enable him consolidate on his achievements in the four critical areas of anti-corruption war, economy, security and job creation. The last manifesto is more important. It is targeted at the youths and the poor. While the elite who apparently had score to settle with the president cast protest votes, he was greatly assisted by the masses’ votes.

    The outcome of the election affirmed Nigerians tendency towards two party system. Instructively, President Buhari won in 19 of 36 states. Atiku won in 17 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Although, constitutionally, Nigeria is a multi-party state, past experience has combined with the present indication that it only has two strong dominant parties. The fringe parties only constitute a big burden to the INEC.

    However, the election was not conducted for ideological parties. The APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PD) do not subscribe to any ideology. Yet, it is ideology that gives form, content and predictability to political parties. The restoration of ideological culture will properly demarcate the parties and present wider opportunities for constructive choice by Nigerians.

    Election observers have pointed out certain electoral hiccups that threatened to dent the image of the exercise. In a number of states, violence was recorded. Despite President Buhari’s warning, unpatriotic elements still indulged in ballot box snatching. Also, past mistakes were not totally avoided by the umpire.

    In many units, polling officers reported late for work. When voters got to the voting units and INEC officials were not on ground, there was anxiety. If there was vote buying, it was not within the vicinity of the polling units. However, the complaint by a presiding officer that he was declaring results under duress in Imo State was worrisome. This may need to be further investigated to prevent the circumstances that led to it in the future.

    Less than 30 million voted out of the 84 million Nigerians who were issued with Permanent Voters Card (PVC). That underscored a sort of voter aparthy. Many experts have suggested that public indifference to election may be a function of disenchantment with the government and lack of faith in the opposition. It is expected that, INEC, in its post-election analysis, will release vital demographic statistics on voting age bloc, gender, and zonal responses to the exercise. The information may be helpful to parties while strategising on mobilisation for future polls.

    The overview of the voting pattern suggested that the APC still maintained its dominance in its traditional strongholds in the North and Southwest. PDP maintained its hold on the Southeast and Southsouth.

    In addition, PDP made an in-road into Oyo and Ondo states, thereby upsetting the poll-confident Southwest. PDP’s victory in Adamawa could be attributed to “the son of the soil factor.” In Taraba State, voters may have carried out partisan instructions of influential Generals and community leaders who have an axe to grind with President Buhari over what they called his slow response to the security challenge. The Abuja result is a product of elite voting. In Benue, the propaganda of Governor Sam Ortom against the APC produced a fatal result, to the detriment of the president. Many indigenes reacted to the security challenge that claimed many lives in the Northcentral region.

    The poll results showed that Southeast and Southsouth are the backbone of the PDP. Indisputably, Southeast was motivated to vote for PDP in honour of a ticket that had accommodated its son, Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State.

    President Buhari almost turned Southeast into a construction site. He fought the infrastructure battle in the region with vigour. But, there was no correlation between the presidential intervention and Southeast voting pattern.

    In Edo, people still voted for PDP in post-Anenih era, meaning that the bond between the party and the state has not been severed by the demise of ‘Mr. Fix It.’

     

    Challenge of second term:

    In this first term, the take off of the administration was abysmally slow. It took the Commander-In-Chief six months to set up his cabinet. At the end of the day, the nominees did not spring surprise. The anxiety should not be repeated in this second term.

    Another cabinet of talent is required. While performing ministers can be retained, it is important that square pegs should be in round holes.

    A total overhaul of the security apparatus is also critical. This is critical to the success of the war against insurgency. Security agencies should not work at cross purpose. A situation whereby the president will forward the name of nominees to the senate and security agencies will write reports to scatter the appointment is not tidy.

    Also, it was alleged that critical opposition figures who assisted the president to get to power were sidelined. The wife of the President, Aishat, cried out that cabals have taken over and drawn a wool in the eyes of the leader. That provoked a sense of alienation in some quarters.

    Allegations of nepotism were also rife. Political foes criticised the president for the skewed distribution of government appointments. The bone of contention was that the skewed formula favoured the Northern Region, to the detriment of other zones.

    Although the president worked hard to deliver on his promises to the nation, he was handicapped by financial constraints. While fighting corruption, corruption was also fighting back.

    In his second term, Buhari should not relax the battle. The past loot must be recovered fully in national interest. The greatest problem confronting Nigeria is the culture of graft, which is now being inherited from generation to generation.

    The lip service to job creation should give way to more concerted action. Unless the electricity problem is addressed, unemployment will persist, manufacturing sector cannot be revived and cosmetic measures of token poverty alleviation will not solve the problem.

    President Buhari has not been vindictive. As the president of all Nigeria, he should carry along the six zones, which accepted or rejected him at the poll. He should also strive to re-unite the country that has been torn apart by the partisan struggle for the presidency. In post-election period, all the zones should also cooperate with the president. After election, the collective challenge is governance in national interest.

    The achievements of the president in the areas of road construction and rail transportation should be sustained. President Buhari should defend the education sector to prevent protracted strikes by tertiary teachers.

    President Buhari should learn from the mistake of the first term. He should not be indifferent to the nature, tendency and sentiment of the next Senate President. The two arms of government must work in the atmosphere of cooperation and togetherness. The executive must also moderate itself in utter sensitivity to the existence of a virile and active parliament, where experienced statesmen are serving as legislators.

    The president must unite his divided party. Anti-party activity is now the hall mark of the APC. This has been demonstrated by aggrieve governors of Imo, Ondo and Ogun states. As the APC national leader, President Buhari should ensure that there is always a basis for reconciliation. He should initiate and fortify the party’s crisis resolution mechanism. Conflict resolution is an essential feature of politics.

     Need for reform in APC:

    The ruling party has not become a model for other parties. It has a strong leadership. The structure is formidable as an election machine. But, it is devoid of clear ideology. The party is not yet supreme. Lack of party supremacy breeds indiscipline. The contradiction within the fold, right from its formative stage, when it came into existence, as an amalgam of incompatible political groups, paved the way for the protracted feud that led to defections from the fold.

    A party is an organisation of like-minded individuals and groups united by similarity of ideas, and strengthened by their collective bid for power. The way forward is reforms.

    The leaders of APC may have offended one another during the electioneering, particularly during the tension-soaked nominations. They should bury the hatchet, forgive and embrace. Post-election vendetta could be counter-productive. They have unfinished battles ahead, particularly governorship and House of Assembly polls.

    The national leadership should focus attention on the five divided chapters; Oyo, Ondo, Imo, Rivers and Zamfara. How will APC handle the division in these crisis- ridden chapter during the governorship and House of Assembly elections.

  • Buhari: I’m only seeking a second term

    President Muhammadu Buhari threw a jibe at former President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday. He said he was only seeking a second term and not a third term.

    The former president is believed to have sought the elongation of his tenure in the twilight of his administration in 2017.

    What became the “Third Term Agenda” collapsed when the National Assembly threw out the Constitutional Amendment into which it was inserted.

    Speaking at the MKO Abiola Democracy Park in Akure, the Ondo State capital, venue of the APC campaign rally for his re-election, President Buhari, who did not mention Obasanjo’s or anybody’s name, said:

    “We have just finished one term and are seeking a second one, and after that, the constitution doesn’t permit anymore,” Tolu Ogunlesi, a Special Assistant to the President on Digital Communications, quoted him as saying.

    He went on: “There are some who tried looking for more but they did not succeed. We should learn from their mistakes.”

    ”We have just finished one term and are seeking a second one, and after that the constitution doesn’t permit anymore. There are some who tried looking for more but they did not succeed. We should learn from their mistakes,” the special assistant tweeted on tolu ogunlesi (@toluogunlesi) February 5, 2019.

    Between 2006 and 2007, the former president was reported to have attempted ruling for a third term, after the expiration of his two-term tenure, permitted by the constitution.

    A bill was sponsored at the National Assembly to extend term limits by another four years, but the lawmakers, who were said to have been “bribed”, did not ratify the bill.

    Obasanjo, who supported Buhari in 2015, is backing Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unseat the incumbent president.

    APC stalwart Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who also addressed a crowd of supporters, berated the opposition party for raising rigging allegations.

    He said the PDP was only afraid of APC shadow because it introduced rigging into the electoral process.

    According to Tinubu, the PDP has admitted failure even before the election by its allegation that APC and Buhari planned to rig the February 16 general elections.

    He said: “The PDP claimed that the APC was planning to rig election. How can you rig an election that has not been conducted? This is a clear fact that the PDP was preparing for failure. The PDP has admitted its loss of the election even before the election is conducted.”

    Also, APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole said the PDP ruined the nation’s economy in 16 years, stressing that the current economic problems being experienced were caused by the PDP.

    He said: “Both Obasanjo and Jonathan did not remember the poor when they were in government, but Buhari places the poor above the rich through his people-oriented programmes.”

    The APC chair alleged that the PDP believed that the government should be used as an avenue to enrich individuals, hence the claim by its presidential candidate, Atiku, that he will privatise the Nigeria National  Petroleum Corporation (NNPC).

    Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu assured Buhari and the leadership of the APC that the state will vote APC.

    He said: “In 2015 when the state was not under the control of the APC, we won; how much more now that we are in control of the state. President Buhari should go and sleep as he is winning the election by the grace of God.”

    Other leaders at the rally were: Governors Gboyega Oyetola (Osun);  Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun); Godwin Obaseki (Edo); APC Deputy National Chairman (South) Niyi Adebayo; Chief Bisi Akande  and  Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora, among others.

     

  • Ekiti APC elders back Buhari for second term

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) Elders’ Forum in Ekiti State has said President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo deserve re-election to consolidate on the task of rebuilding the country.

    Rising from their monthly meeting held in Igbara Odo in Ekiti Southwest Local Government Area, the APC elders pledged their support for the Buhari/Osinbajo ticket in the February 16 presidential poll.

    The Forum also commended Governor Kayode Fayemi and his deputy, Otunba Bisi Egbeyemi, for the way they have been piloting the affairs of the state since assumption of office.

    In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting signed by the Forum’s Chairman, Chief George Akosile and Secretary, Chief Abiodun Ajayi, the group appealed to the electorate in Ekiti to vote massively for Buhari and Osinbajo at the presidential election.

    The party elders also advised voters to vote all APC candidates for the House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate seats in the general elections.

    They said the APC administration has succeeded in steadying the ship of the nation politically, economically and socially noting that another four years would help deepen good governance being witnessed in the last three and half years.

    The communiqué reads in part: “This forum is pledging its total support for President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo in the 2019 general elections.

    “The forum is using this medium to appeal to the good people of Ekiti State to come out en masse to vote for our high performing duo of the President and the Vice President in the 2019 general election for them to continue the good programmes they have started.

    “These include the fight against insurgency in the Northeast, the fight against corrupt elements in the country, stabilising the Nigerian economy, provision of job opportunities for the unemployed youth like the N-Power programme and the School Feeding Programme about to start in Ekiti State soon.

    “We note with happiness and appreciation the vigorous way the APC-led Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo are projecting the revolution for the regeneration of Nigeria.”

     

     

     

     

     

  • ‘Why Buhari deserves second term’

     

    Former national woman leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Dr. Ramatu Aliyu spoke with some reporters in Lagos on why President Muhammadu Buhari deserves reelection and other issues. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE was there. Excerpts:

    Can you share your experience from the 2018 National Convention of the APC in which you contested as national woman leader?

    It was a worthwhile experience. I have since put the negatives behind me and decided to focus on the positives. In spite of the challenges, the party came out of it alive and we are getting stronger by the day.

    It doesn’t have to be about me. You win some, you lose some. We have to play politics with maturity. No bitterness and that is how life should be.

    Why did you lose the election?

    There will always be theories for those who do not believe in the power of destiny. I have also heard other theories to the effect that I lost because my Governor was against my return. So how many theories will one react to?

    At the end of the day, my firm belief in the will of the Almighty allows me to be at peace with myself and by extension my party. I remain fully committed to the same goal of ensuring the success of President Muhammadu Buhari, especially with the elections around the corner.

    The concern now is how to put in more efforts for our President to re-emerge in the forthcoming election so that he can continue with the good works.  And we have been mobilising people, not just women before now and we are still going round to strategise.

     What is your assessment of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration in the last three and a half years?

    Very high. When you look at security, economy and anti-corruption which form the tripod upon which we ran a successful campaign in 2015 then you will see why I rate PMB’s government highly. Nobody is saying we are 100 percent, far from that.

    But success is not merely a function of how high you have gone, but also of how low you are coming from. This administration has pulled us out of recession, doused the insecurity in the country, confronted corruption in high and low places and has frontally embarked on a massive infrastructural rejuvenation across the country. We can do more, but already we have so much to be proud of

    Do you think the President stands a better chance ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate Atiku Abubakar?

    Absolutely. With everything PMB has achieved in the past three and half years with even meager resources, a lot of Nigerians can see beyond the propaganda of the PDP. How would they return to power without disparaging the President?

    But we are not distracted by their desperation. PDP and its candidate have nothing to offer Nigeria beyond a return to the dark alleys of corruption and insecurity. Nigeria has moved on for good.

    What is your assessment of the inclusion of women in the present administration?

    I get this question a lot and my answer is generally not too dissimilar on each occasion. We can hardly ever have enough women in government to be honest. Under this APC administration we have women occupying key positions in the cabinet as well as other parastatals.

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    Of course we’ll keep asking for more but I am proud of the effort of the current government thus far. At least , I can boldly say more women are coming out with boldness , they are ready to serve, eager to make an impact.

    Considering the serious opposition mounted by Atiku, will it be different from what we had in 2015?

    The set circumstances which led to the ouster of a sitting government in 2015 are markedly different from what is obtainable today under this government.

    In 2015, Nigeria was for all intent and purpose in a limbo. Key indices like security, economy and infrastructure were all looking bleak. Nigerians had to come together to effect a change of government.

    Today most of these indices are looking better and things can only get better from here. So Nigerians have no need to go back to our “collective National vomit”.

    We are moving forward and thanks to President Muhammadu Buhari, a role model and a father figure to corrupt free minds.

    How will the APC fare in Kogi State despite the reported government under performance?

    Well, for starters we need to clarify the general elections in Kogi would not include the governorship elections and therefore, the President can be judged by Kogites on his own merit; which we generally agree is stellar.

    Kogites stand a chance to continue to benefit from the numerous interventions and programs of the APC led government like the N-power, Tradermoni, school feeding and bailout funds. So I urge all Kogites to rally behind APC in the overriding interest of our beloved state.