The Senate yesterday attributed the inefficient free trade zones in the country to a weak regulatory framework guiding their operations.
The Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade, Senator Odion Ugbesia, spoke at a Public Hearing on a bill seeking to amend the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Authority Act 2011.
He said it was obvious that free zones were far from achieving the purpose for which they were established.
The Senate yesterday blamed the inefficiency of free trade zones (FTZs) in the country on weak regulatory framework guiding their operations.
Chairman, Senate Committee on Trade, Senator Odion Ugbesia, made the observation during a public hearing on a bill seeking to amend the Oil and Gas Export Free Zone Authority Act 2011.
Ugbesia said it was obvious that free traden zones in the country were far from achieving the purpose for which they were established.
He said: “Our free zones are far from achieving the purpose for which they were established and there are serious doubts as to whether Nigeria has indeed benefited from the Onne Oil and Gas Free Zones beyond the benefits accruable to an industrial area.
“This is because of weak regulatory framework guiding the operation of Free Zones in Nigeria.”
He said the amendments to the Act were proposed to ensure that the country benefited maximally from the huge investments in the FTZs.
Ugbesia said the most attractive feature of an FTZ anywhere in the world, is the tax holiday which investors enjoy as incentive and encouragement for investment which the proposed amendment provides for.
Correspondent KOLADE ADEYEMI writes on the senatorial ambitions of All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gladiators in Kano State and their chances at the polls.
All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) senatorial aspirants in Kano State are holding consultations with stakeholders in the three districts, ahead of primaries.
After the shadow polls, the two parties will brace up for the general elections. The proposed senatorial poll is perceived as a popularity test for the two leaders, Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, the arrowhead of the APC, and his predecessor, Alhaji Ibrahim Shekarau, the Minister of Education and leader of the PDP.
In the recent local government election, the APC had 92 per cent victory. The party is waxing stronger in the Northwest state. But, the PDP is not sleeping on guard.
Kwankwaso, the founder of the Kwankwasiyya political movement and the leader of the APC believes that the achievements the state has witnessed in the last three and half years gives him the edge to determine who takes what in the 2015 general elections.
In a recent interview, the Director of Press and Public Relations to the Governor, Alhaji Halilu Dantiye argued that Kano is 100 per cent an APC state. He cited the party’s victory at the local government elections as an indication of its acceptance by the people. In his words, “the outcome of the last local government elections is a signal that the forthcoming election would follow the same pattern. You see, people are surprised that the APC garnered about 92 per cent, while the other parties shared the remaining eight per cent in terms of party strength. But, we are even surprised that they have up to eight per cent because the people of Kano have embraced the APC.
“You see, when Governor Kwankwaso mounted the saddle of leadership in 2011, he captured not less than 48 per cent votes on the platform of Kwankwasiyya Movement within the PDP. But, now with the merger— you have remnants of the defunct ANPP led by Bashir Tofa, and 100 per cent of the CPC members led by General Jaafaru Isa, who was a gubernatorial candidate. You also have members of the defunct ACN, led by former Deputy Governor, Engr. Abdullahi Gwarzo, who was equally the party’s gubernatorial candidate in 2011.
“So, this was what gave the APC 92 per cent in the recent local government election. Going forward, this means that they are going to maintain the 92 per cent, particularly considering the fact that most of the on-going projects would have come on stream before the commencement of the election. We do not have any problem, as far as Kano is concerned; the 2015 elections at all levels will be in favour of the APC.”
In the PDP, there is no gainsaying the fact that Shekarau, the immediate past governor of the state, would play a critical role in the party’s quest to bounce back in Kano. The former governor, who left the APC in protest over Kwankwaso’s hard grip on the party, is currently basking in the euphoria of the support he enjoys from the Presidency as one of the most powerful ministers.
A source said that President Goodluck Jonathan has ordered his men in Kano, including Shekarau, Mohammed Abacha and Aminu Wali, to do everything humanly possible to demystify Kwankwaso and his political movement in next year’s elections. “As I am speaking to you, the President’s men have started lobbying Kano APC members in the National Assembly. Don’t be surprised that very soon, some of them may defect because the Presidency is ready to offer anything to ensure that Kano is taken over by the PDP.”
The political atmosphere in Kano is now charged with aggressive politicking, with senatorial aspirants making frantic efforts to outsmart one other. Unlike in previous elections, where candidates already knew where the pendulum would swing before the actual balloting, no one can predict the outcome of the 2015 National Assembly elections in Kano. The fact, however, remains that there is an air of uncertainty. The fate of the candidates seems to be hanging on the balance because Kwankwaso and the Shekarau factor will certainly determine who gets what in the election.
It is now apparent that the people of Kano would ultimately decide the composition of their representatives in the Upper Chamber next year, even as those currently occupying the seats are plotting harder to retain it. The Nation gathered that Senator Ibrahim Kabiru Gaya, from Kano South Senatorial District may succumb to pressures to forgo his governorship ambition and maintain his seat at the Senate.
Kano politics is not driven by issues, but largely by the personality and financial capacity of the individual candidate. Ironically, party platforms may not play any significant role in determining who wins the election. Sentiments, emotion, and sometimes, frivolities may likely play key roles. The bottom line is that the success or otherwise of any candidate in the National Assembly election may be predicated upon his ability to win the hearts of the voters. The onus, therefore, rests squarely on the candidates to convince the electorate that they can deliver on their mandate.
Alhaji Bashir Garba (PDP)
One of the popular gladiators who fighting for the senatorial soul of Kano Central is Alhaji Bashir Garba, currently representing the district. A cousin to the Nigeria’s late Military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Garba emerged by defeating former Speaker of the House of Representatives Alhaji Umar Ghali Na’aba in the 2011 PDP primaries. From all indications, Garba, a successful businessman, is the man to beat, because he is believed to be one of the aspirants with deep pockets. His humane disposition and generosity have endeared him to the people.
Senator Bello Gwarzo (Pdp)
Bello Gwarzo is senator representing Kano North on the platform of the PDP. The Senate Chief Whip is seeking to re-election into the Red Chamber. He defeated the Secretary to the Government (SSG), Alhaji Rabi’u Suleiman Bichi, to emerged winner at the PDP primaries in 2011. Gwarzo has been in the Senate since 1999. He lost the April 2007 election to Alhaji Aminu Sule Garo of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). But, Garo’s victory was upturned and handed to Gwarzo on the grounds that he tendered fake educational qualifications.
Gwarzo has served as a member of various Senate committees. He facilitated the construction of the historical Lamba-Kunchi-Kazaure federal road, which gulped over N7.8 billion. Another major project engineered by the Senator was the Watari Irrigation project, which was executed at the cost of N4.2 billion, to serve the communities in his constituency. He has facilitated in electricity projects to the communities the renovation of some schools and the sinking of boreholes. He is the most experienced of the candidates contesting the senatorial seat for Kano North. Besides, it must not be forgotten that Kano North is a traditional stronghold of his party, the PDP, and this could go a long way in handing him another mandate in the Senate.
Senator Kabiru Gaya (APC)
Senator Kabiru Ibrahim Gaya is perhaps the most popular and most formidable candidate in Kano South. Many factors are believed to be in his favour. He is representing the district and a former governor in the botched Third Republic. Many believe that he may decide to retain his seat at the Senate. Gaya has been an active member in the Senate and has been making meaningful contributions to debates at the Upper Chamber. He is the Deputy Minority Whip and a member of several standing Senate committees, a vehicle he used to attract federal presence to his constituency.
Alhaji Usman Alhaji (ApC)
A veteran politician, Alhaji Usman Alhaji is one of founders of the PDP in Kano. He has been in politics since 1978; serving as a member of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN) in the Second Republic. He was also the Secretary-General of the National Republican Convention (NRC) in the Third Republic. He served as the Registrar of Kano State Polytechnic, which was known as the Institute of Higher Education. Later, he became the Commissioner for Education under Kwankwaso’s first tenure.
Things however started falling apart, as the animosity between him and Kwankwaso deepened, when he and members of one of the defunct factions in the Kano PDP, known as the Garkuwa Group, accused the Kwankwaso-led Kwankwasiyya Group of lack of internal party democracy. This served as compelling factor in his defection from the PDP to the CPC, where he finally found solace.
As a candidate of the PDP, he lost the Kano South race in 2007 to Senator Gaya of the ANPP. Today, he is going into the race for the third time, but this time under the platform of the APC.
Senator Bode Ola, Senator Ayo Arise, and Hon. Lateefat Rasaki are eyeing senatorial slots in Ekiti in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Ola and Rasaki are from Ekiti Central District. Also warming up for primaries in the district are Mr. Kayode Alufa from Ijero, and Lateef Ajijola from Ado-Ekiti. In the North, Arise, a PDP chieftain, and Oluranti Adebisi of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are in the race. In the South, Senator Akinyede is also said to be in the race.
Ola, who has been endorsed by stakeholders, urged the party to remain steadfast and committed to the welfare of the people. The governor-elect, Mr. Ayo Fayose, who raised his hand up in Ado, the state capital, described him as a good material and dependable chieftain.
Ola said that God guided his steps when he decided to defect to the PDP, adding that, if re-elected as a senator, he would use his wealth experience to bear on legislative governance.
He added: “I will use my colossal experience, if I go back to the Senate as a ranking senatorm, to attract more federal presence to this state and complete all projects that I had influenced into the budget for the senatorial district in 2010.
“I will offer a robust legislation at the parliament for the purpose of bringing development and to ensure that Ekiti occupies her rightful position in the federation. I will ensure that more Ekitis are employed into the Federal Service. We have done it before; our footprints are still in the minds of our supporters. During the one and half years that I served in the National Assembly as the Acting Chairman of Senate Committee on Works, I brought all the senators in that committee to inspect the dilapidated roads in the Southwest. Within few weeks, some of the roads contracts were awarded to contractors and they are now in good condition.
“I believed in God. He has not let me down before. If I return to the Senate, I will do more for my people, in terms of pipe borne water, roads, youth and women empowerment, bursary and scholarship. We did it in 2010. God will help us this time.”
The Senate on Tuesday referred to its joint committee on Finance and Local and Foreign debt, President Goodluck Jonathan’s request for approval of $1 billion loan to purchase arms and ammunitions.
President Jonathan made the request following escalation of violence in the northeast by the Boko Haram sect.
The Senate mandated the joint committee to report back to plenary within one week.
Most Senators who were alarmed by the increasing audacity of the insurgents wanted the approval to be granted to the President without further delay.
It is expected that the request would be granted before the end of next week.
The race for the House of Representatives and the Senate in Oyo central District is gathering momentum. Aspirants are setting up campaign structures, ahead of primaries, and perfecting strategies to have an edge. Correspondent BISI OLADELE reports.
House of Representatives and Senate are six months away. But, political gladiators in Oyo Central Senatorial District have hit the ground running. They are working assiduously to emerge as flag bearers in their respective political parties.
The senator representing the district, Ayo Adeseun, will complete his tenure next year. The All Progressives Congress (APC) senator has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he hopes to contest for governorship. Adeseun has been changing parties as he changes clothes. Before his defection to the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), he was in the PDP. He had defected to the PDP in 2002, following the crisis in the Alliance for Democracy (AD).
Adeseun is a formidable politician. However, since he has now changed his political gear, some gladiators are jostling for his position. The fear of incumbency has collapsed. Adeseun’s posters have flooded the state, signaling intention to bid for the Agodi Government House. But, sources said that the politician from Ogbomoso is using the governorship ambition as a cover-up for his actual ambition to return to the National Assembly.
National Assembly aspirants in the district include Chief Jumoke Akinjide, Chief Bisi Ilaka, and Mrs. Jumoke Sunmonu. The three actors are eyeing the Senate. However, Prince Akeem Adeyemi, the son of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi 111, Hon. Bimbo Kolade and a few others want to go to the House of Representatives.
Akinjide is the Minister of State for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT. Sunmonu is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly. Ilaka, a United Kingdom-based tax consultant, is the Ladilu of Oyo. He lost the battle to Adeseun in the 2011 election.
Before she joined the senatorial race, Akinjide, the lawyer-daughter of Chief Richard Akinjide, former Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, was a governorship aspirant. In 2011, she had wanted to represent the district in the Senate. But, she lost to Adesun. She has not explained why she is backing out of the governorship race.
Ilaka is a veteran governorship and senatorial aspirant. She had pursued the ambition in the ACN, the PDP and the Accord Party (AP).
Sunmonu has not publicly declared her ambition. But, close associates disclosed that she has begun underground moves. Some said that she is likely to get the ticket in the APC.
Akinjide
Akinjide’s daughter is a brilliant lawyer. He has garnered experience in the public service for over a decade before she entered politics. In 1959, her father entered the House of Representatives and became the Minister of Education. However, she has not been lucky as a parliamentary aspirant, unlike the old man. Efforts by her to represent the district in the past had failed. But, Jumoke is a competent politician. The 55-year old minister had served as Special Assistant to former President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2001 to 2003. She was appointed minister in 2011 after her failed senatorial bid. She came third in the election.
The PDP’s defeat at the governorship poll was painful to her. She worked toiled for the party during the campaigns. Since 2011, she has been funding many party activities. She is the pillar of support for the PDP faction loyal to her. She is a serious contender for the senatorial ticket.
Akinjide is not unmindful of the danger posed by the multiple crises in the PDP to its chance at the polls. Thus, she been preaching unity. She has also made efforts to reach out to some communities and the under-privileged through her Oloye Jumoke Akinjide Foundation.
But, the minister faces some hurdles. The PDP is factionalised in the state. The second faction, which is perceived as the mainstream, may thwart her ambition. Also, the mainstream seems to be the only recognized faction. Hence, Akinjide will have to close ranks with major stakeholders to get the ticket.
Oyo Central has 11 local governments. Five are in Ibadan. Four are in Oyo and two are in Ogbomoso. Among the five in Ibadan, the PDP is only popular in one. It is not popular in Egbeda, Lagelu, Akinyele and Oluyole, going by the result of the last election. The fortune of the PDP has not improved in the four local governments in Oyo town, since the last election. However, the PDP is not doing badly in the two councils in Ogbomoso.
If Akinjide gets the ticket, as she did in 2011, she will have to work harder to improve her chances in those local governments.
Sunmonu
Sunmonu has succeeded in restoring peace to the House of Assembly, which was widely known for its recklessness, violence and assault on democracy in the past. ‘Madam Speaker,’ as she is fondly called by her colleagues, is also an ally of Governor Abiola Ajimobi. Under her leadership, the House has not recorded any crisis, violence and disharmony. The feat has contributed immensely to the peace of the state. Three parties-the APC, the PDP and the AP-have members in the House. Yet, Sunmonu has succeeded in stabilising the legislature. The reason is that she is fair to all members, irrespective of their political leanings.
There are some factors that may work for her. Her closeness to Ajimobi and the Alaafin is an advantage. The Oyo-born lawmaker also maintains a cordial relationship with her constituents. She is popular at home. When it became public knowledge that Adeseun may not re-contest, stakeholders in the four local governments in Oyo have gravitated toward the Speaker. Their calculation is that an Oyo indigene may emerge as a senator for the first time since the restoration of the civil rule in 1999. For this reason, Sunmonu is most likely to enjoy the blessing of key leaders and the masses.
An Ibadan man, Dr. Lekan Balogun, won the seat in 1999. He was succeeded by another Ibadan man, Senator Teslim Folarin in 2003. Adesun, who succeeded Folarin, is from Ogbomoso.
However, the APC will have to find an alternative senatorial slot for Ibadan indigenes in the two districts, if Sunmonu gets the Oyo Central ticket. The contest will be hot for her in the four local governments in Oyo as the Accord Party is likely to field Ilaka, a prominent Oyo chief.
Ilaka
The former PDP chieftain defected to the Accord Party during the preparations for 2011 elections. That was after he failed to get the ticket in the ACN. He gave Adesun a good fight at the poll. He came second. That meant that he was also popular. Some even said that he was not defeated by Adesun, but by the popularity and the goodwill of the ACN in the district. Then, the votes were divided among the three candidates in the five local government areas of Ibadan.
If Ilaka picks the ticket under the Accord Party, votes in Oyo will be split between him and Sunmonu while the three of them will make Ibadan their major battle ground. Ilaka will have a much bigger ground to cover because the Accord Party’s fortune has not improved in Ogbomoso. Besides, Ilaka has maintained a low public profile since the 2011 election.
Adeyemi
In Oyo Federal Constituency, the Chairman of Atiba Local Government, Prince Akeem Adeyemi, is leaving no stone unturned to get the House of Representatives ticket. He is in mobilising grassroots’ support for his ambition. His rival at the primaries is the Commissioner for Works, Hon. Bimbo Kolade.
The prince of Oyo has served as a council boss for about seven years. He is serious about succeeding the incumbent, Hon. Kamil Akinlabi, who also hails from Atiba. He also has the backing of his illustrious father, the paramount ruler of Oyo Kingdom. However, Akinlabi is still in the race.
The constituency consists of the four councils-Atiba, Oyo East, Oyo West and Afijio. Oyo East produced the Hon. Moroof Akinwande (2003-2007). Atiba produced Hon. Segun Taiwo (1999-2003) and Hon. Akinlabi (2007 till date). Afijio and Oyo West have not enjoyed the slot.
The APC candidate will face likely AP and PDP candidates at the general election. For now, the battle for the Accord Party ticket is between Prince Nurudeen Gbadegesin (Oyo East) and Kazeem Kolawole Raji, who also hails from Oyo East. In the PDP, the former Chairman of Atiba Local Government, Hon. Busari Omoriyeba and Saheed Arowosafe from Oyo East will slug it out at the primaries.
The Anambra State chapter of the Ohanaeze Youths Council (OYC) has endorsed the National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh to represent Anambra South Senatorial zone come 2015.
The OYC also asked the APGA chairman not to retire from politics as his retirement would do no good to the Igbo people, more so as he was still young.
The youth, led by the chairman of the Anambra State chapter, Hon. Tony Uche Ezekwelu were at Umeh’s residence in Enugu to honour him as their grand patron.
Ezekwelu told Umeh at the occasion that they cannot afford to have him as a retired politician now “because he has a lot to do for Ndigbo.”
He recalled that it was Ohanaeze Ndigbo that gave birth to APGA and the Anambra State chapter of the Youth Council, adding that the youth council would continue to partner with the party for the good of the Igbo nation.
The youth leader announced a yearly sports festival in honour of the late Biafran leader; Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu would start from November 4 to December 5 this year.
The sports festival, he said, would be preceded by annual lecture series on the life and times of the late Ojukwu.
Ezekwelu also announced the institution of the youth re-orientation and empowerment programme in addition to the establishment of an Igbo language newspaper known as Igbo Amaka. He presented copies of the paper to Umeh.
Responding, Umeh said he accepted the endorsement to run for the Senate to represent Anambra Central Senatorial zone. He told the youth that the campaign or his journey to the Senate shall be done by them.
He said: “Based on calls from several quarters for him to contest election to represent Anambra Central zone at the Senate, and the call by the youth today, I have accepted to contest and I am sure to win.
He thanked them for the honour they have bestowed on him and particularly that of the sports festival in honour of Ojukwu.
Umeh recalled that Ojukwu, until his death, was thinking of the future of Ndigbo in Nigeria and the world.
“The idea of honouring Ojukwu with an annual sports festival is a great one. I will throw all my weight behind it,” he promised.
The APGA chairman also advised the youth to give Governor Willie Obiano all the necessary support he needed to move Anambra State forward.
Umeh used the occasion to praise the leader of the Southeast delegates to the National Conference, General Ike Nwachukwu (rtd), whom he described as a dogged fighter and true son of Igbo land.
“General Ike Nwachukwu led us well and performed extra-ordinarily in the conference. Thanks to the governor of Abia State, Chief Theodore Orji and the people Abia State for giving us Ike Nwachukwu to lead us at the conference,” said Umeh.
He made a donation of a Hummer bus to the youth council.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elders in Benue North East have endorsed Governor Gabriel Suswam as the sole candidate for Zone A senatorial seat in 2015.
With the endorsement, former PDP Chairman Chief Barnabas Gemade, who has indicated interest for a second term, may have been shut out of the race.
Speaking at a reception for the PDP zonal leader, Atodza Ihidan said having served the people well at the National Assembly and as governor, the elders hoped he would do well at the Senate.
Elder Shande Anyakpa, who spoke for Kwande and Senator Jacob Gyado for Jeichera agreed with Hindan and promised they would work for his victory in 2015.
Majority leader of the House of Assembly Paul Biam said he happy the people were rewarding hard work.
Governor Suswam thanked the elders and urged them to also nominate candidates for the councils to prevent their members from defecting to other parties.
Highlight of the event was the dressing of the governor and his deputy, Chief Steven Lawani, in Tiv traditional attires.
Chairman of the Lagos State Independent Electoral Commission (LASIEC), Justice Abdul-Fatai Adeyinka, said the state government could go to court to compel the Senate to list the new councils created, if the Senate fails to enlist them.
Justice Adeyinka stated this while welcoming members of the Ogun State Independent Electoral commission (OGSIEC) who were on a visit to the LASIEC for an interactive meeting on the conduct of referendum for the creation of additional local governments.
He reiterated the constitutionality of the state governments to create new local governments, stressing that the provision was affirmed by the Supreme Court ruling in a case between the Attorney-General of Lagos State and the Attorney-General of the Federation.
LASIEC Permanent Secretary, Yinka Jeje, emphasised the need to be apolitical in carrying out a referendum for the creation of additional councils, so as to make the exercise credible and acceptable to the generality of the people.
The Senate yesterday moved the Financial Intelligence Centre from the Economic and Financial Commission (EFCC) to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
This followed the unanimous adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes which recommended for the creation of an autonomous unit to be domiciled in the CBN.
Presenting the report, Committee Chairman, Senator Victor Lar, said the standard practice all over the world is for the unit to be autonomous and domiciled in the CBN or the Ministry of Finance.
The centre according to the bill will be a body in Nigeria responsible for receiving, requesting, analysing, and disseminating financial intelligence reports and other information to law enforcement, security and intelligence agencies and other relevant supervisory authorities and for related matters.
The EFCC had consistently opposed the move to relocate the unit, arguing that it will weaken the commission as it is critical to its operations and the fight against economic and financial crimes in the country.
EFCC Chairman, Ibrahim Lamorde had told the lawmakers during public hearings on the bill that without the unit, the EFCC will be rendered ineffective.
Also, some Senators has argued that the establishment of the Financial Intelligence Centre will amount to duplication of duties already being handled by the EFCC.
The bill will have to receive concurrence by the House of Representatives before it is forwarded to the president for assent.