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Tag: succession

  • Controversies rage over succession plans in churches

    Controversies rage over succession plans in churches

    Is the church a family empire? That is the question many in the Christian circles are currently asking.

    When Pastor Jimi Odukoya, the first son of the late Senior Pastor of the Fountain of Life Church, Taiwo Odukoya was unanimously appointed by the leadership of the church to succeed his father, there were diverse reactions to the development.

    Many were shocked about the appointment because of the antecedents of Jimi. Except for those who were close to the church, many people outside the church saw Jimi from the prism of an actor who had nothing to do with the celestial world.

    Unknown to many, Jimi had been prepared for the new role and it was not difficult for him to adapt to the leadership role of the church.

    It has become a trend in the Christian cycle for either the wife or the first son to succeed the founder of the church. But the question in many quarters is, “Must it be the son, or family members of the founder?”

    Our correspondent gathered that just the way the late Taiwo Odukoya prepared his son for a leadership role, it brings so much joy and excitement for church leaders to see their children or spouses pick an interest in the ministry and grow to follow in their footsteps.

    They are quick to quote the bible verse which states that “A good man leaves an inheritance for his children and his children’s children.”

    While this may be apt in scripture, the question again is whether the minister’s children or spouse are called, prepared, capable, ready or positioned by God to take over the leadership of the flock of God that the founder left or is leaving behind. This has become a subject of concern or debate in many quarters. Some of the founders of churches are often concerned about strangers taking over their ministries, properties, and investments, after passing on. 

    Barely a month ago, The President and Founder of Living Faith Church, Bishop David Oyedepo appointed his second biological son, Isaac as the National Youth Pastor, of Youth Alive Fellowship (YAF) which is the youth arm of the church. It generated a lot of reactions about the succession plan of the church. Just a few days ago, it was reported that the son resigned from the church to start his own ministry amidst strong disagreements about staff welfare in the church by an inside source.

    The appointment of Jimmy Olukoya equally raised a lot of dust largely due to his past lifestyle- body piercing, wearing dreadlocks, and earrings, among others.

    The question of whether the church is a family empire has for decades been a subject of concern across Pentecostal churches in parts of the world. In the United States, most of the mega-churches are currently being superintended by the children of their founders. The likes of Billy Graham, John Osteen, and the latest which is becoming a reality is the daughter of Bishop TD Jakes.

     In Nigeria, the issue and controversies around succession are usually prominent in most Pentecostal churches and churches that make up the Organisation of African Instituted Churches, (OAIC) popularly known as ‘Aladura’ and the likes who see the church as a family heritage. Most Orthodox churches and churches with their headquarters abroad have tried to fashion out the simplest ways of succession planning.

    Bishop Oyedepo while speaking during one of the Church’s programmes had spoken largely on his position about succession planning for churches which was monitored online  by The Nation.

    According to Oyedepo, many charismatic churches have died because their founders made those churches a family business.

    He said the Living Faith Church has a succession plan which is in the booklet called Mandate and available for everybody to read.

    “In this church the moment you are 70 as the leader of the Church, you step aside and select three people to be presented to the church council. The church council will pick from the three. But if they are not qualified, the leader will be given another opportunity to present three people and afterwards step aside for the council to take over while they sort out the leadership issue,” he said.

    He further stressed that making the Church a family business is a disservice to the kingdom of God while also warning that servants of God should refrain from calling their children to Ministry.

    “When your church becomes a personal property, it is dead on arrival. Don’t call your children to ministry. If you do not want to frustrate their destiny, let them be positioned where they belong,” he warned.

    While Oyedepo is averse to turning a ministry into a family business, many have argued that in reality, it could be a bit difficult to implement.

    Many have argued that irrespective of Oyedepo’s resolve towards succession in the ministry, there is the likelihood that his son might take over the leadership of the church in the near future.

    The President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Christ for All Nations (CfaN), Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke seamlessly officially handed over his mantle to his successor, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda as in the case of Prophet Elijah and his servant Elisha should be a lesson for every church leader.

    In an interview with The Nation, some pastors shared their position as regards succession in the church.

     We must allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in the choice of who takes over the church- Ighele

    The Chairman, of the Financial Accountability Commission of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission (Happy Family Church),  Bishop Charles Ighele while enumerating three types of churches, stated some churches were established by God; some by the devil, using some people who have the Bible in one hand and demonic powers in the other, quoting  2nd Corinthians 11:12-15. According to him, “They use demonic powers to perform miracles.”

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    The third is churches set up by men due to greed or personal ambition.”I can confidently tell you that churches established by the devil or personal ambition can easily be run as a family empire. It is pure personal business and not God’s business.”

    Explaining how the mantle of leadership fell on him, Ighele said the Holy Spirit Mission (Happy Family Church) started in 1974 with Bishop Michael Marioghae as the first General Superintendent. “After I graduated from the University of Ife, Nigeria in 1980, I found myself being pastored some years later by Bishop Michael Marioghae. I was looking for a church leader with transparent honesty. I was looking for a man who would not exaggerate, a man whose ability to tell a black-or-white lie was no longer in existence. I was looking for a church leader who would quote a quotable quote and not steal the honour as if the quotable quote originated from him. I found these in Bishop Michael Marioghae.

    “I later got married to his second child who was then a banker. After I served in the headquarters church then based in Benin City, Nigeria, I started a branch of the church in Government Reserved Area (GRA) Benin City. The branch grew and became larger than the headquarters church which was already large in size and population.

    “The most important factor was that in December 1996, he addressed about 19 of us, his pastors, on a Sunday evening. He then informed us that God had told him that He would soon call him to his Heavenly home and that his stay on planet Earth would soon be over. Bishop Michael Marioghae went on to say that God told him to put things in order and hand over the leadership of the church to me. He was about Seventy-one years old as of then. At a well-publicized service, he formally handed over to me on January 19, 1997. He never stepped into the office till he died a few years later.

    “It will also interest you to know that Bishop Michael Marioghae’s first daughter and first son were also pastors. But he did not hand it over to any of them because he believed that the leadership of any church of God should be left for God to decide.”

    Ighele disclosed that the key issue is whether the outgoing or former leader was led by God to pick the successor he/she picked. “As for me, I will put other personal interests aside and allow myself to be led by the Spirit of God in picking a successor. I want what I laboured for until the last day.”

    My son can succeed me if God says yes-Ojo

    Reacting, the General Overseer and Founder of Calvary Kingdom Church (CKC) International, Archbishop Joseph Ojo who spoke to The Nation at the 21th Annual Convention of the church, said that most of the people are not actually involved in church management or church administration. “You manage from the inside, you don’t manage the company from the outside except maybe you are a board member and you come once in a while. If you did not interview me to get to speak on this, someone out there might say ‘his son has succeeded him’. I had someone who was the National Overseer who left about 10 years ago, that should be in 2013.”

    He disclosed that his son, Best, is in full-time ministry. He served as the youth president, music director, head of media and other departments. “He grew up in the music ministry, he was nine years ago when he started playing the drums and Papa Idahosa gave him a scholarship because of his gift.’

    On whether he sees his son succeeding him, Ojo says “If God says yes, why not? Like I said before, he has served in different capacities. We do not give responsibility to people because of their age; we give responsibility to people because of their commitment. When you see someone committed irrespective of age, and you know he has the wherewithal to perform you appoint such person not minding the age.

    God call men into ministry, you cannot call your successor -Kasali

    The Senior Pastor, Foundation of Truth Assembly, Surulere, Lagos-Rev. Yomi Kasali said  The subject of succession in running churches and faith-based ministries has always generated some friction in the past because there was no clear model mentioned in the scriptures. Churches are both organisations (corporate entities) and organisms (life-giving entities).  Catholics have gotten the model right. God calls men into ministry, you cannot call a man to succeed you. Find someone that God has called to succeed you.

    “We see this model worked in The Redeemed Christian Church of God when Pastor Enoch Adeboye was appointed as the successor to Pa Josiah Akindayomi as God led him. Children can work in the administration department and may not be on the pulpit. Though I’m not against children of founders of churches taking over we need to get it right. God appointed successors and not man,” he said.

  • Leadership, competition  and succession

    Any  political  party  that gains power in any political  system must admit that it has,  like Macbeth’s wife  murdered  sleep  and would    sleep  no more  in terms of  living  with  abiding  if  not extravagant public interest and  curiousity  in its  fortunes  and misfortunes,  as the case may  be.

    Such  is the fate  of Nigeria’s ruling party the APC  whose  candidate  won the presidential election in 2015  and is  seeking reelection in the 2019  elections.

    Today  I want  to  dwell  on the succession problem of the  party  in Lagos State which  the party controls  dominantly  but in which  there  has been  some serious brouhaha  over an automatic ticket  for  the incumbent governor  who  hails  from the party. The  threat  to automatic self succession for Governor Ambode as the APC candidate for the 2019  state  guber elections in Lagos State  occupy  our  thoughts today. We  shall  look  at the issues involved in this politics of succession in Nigeria’s  commercial  capital  where politics in Nigeria  has its roots in colonial  politics leading to Nigeria’s independence  in 1960.

    Especially  now that  the National  Leader of the party in Lagos Jagaban  Ahmed Bola  Tinubu  is  in the midst of speculation about a clash  with the governor  which has given rise to collection of  forms  by two  APC  guber  aspirants known  to be close  to  the  strongman  of  Lagos politics  for  the past  two decades.’

    It  is necessary  here  to  acknowledge  the importance  of  Lagos State as a key  element  of  Nigerian  and indeed  world  politics and that  makes the  state  elections  and campaigns  as important as any of the major  cities  or states  of the world including London and New York or  Delhi or  Kuala  Lumpur. Indeed  we shall  take a look at  some  succession issues on  competitive    platforms with a-bi-partisan’s flavour  in the US,  and  Malaysia  on a comparative politics  level. We  shall  ponder on how  and why Hillary  Clinton was not able to succeed  Barak  Obama  as  envisaged widely  at election time and how  and why a rank  outsider bamboozled  the Republican  party  to  win the party  primaries  hands down in spite of the opposition of traditional  party leaders. In  Malaysia  we shall  look  at the return of Mahathir Mohammad, the 92 year old  PM of  Malaysia  in an  election that saw him switch  sides  to his opposition while in government  years  back, when  he abandoned  his ambitious  protégé  then  and jailed  him  for  sodomy  and compare that with the politics  of succession going on in  Lagos State right now.

    I  want  to admit  again  the fact  that  I  read a statement  by the Jagaban  defending the governance record of both former  Governor Fashola, his successor  and that of  the present incumbent governor of the state. That  statement  was explicit  that the rumors  of a rift amongst  the three  political  leaders  was the handiwork or imagination of mischief makers  looking to destroy the amity  amongst the three. That was overtaken by news or  was it fake news  that even the President has waded in to mediate. Nevertheless  all  these are  in the public domain making comments on the  matter  pertinent  and necessary. Undoubtedly  the APC  and  its forerunner political  platforms  have been  good  for  Lagos State  and its citizens  in terms of provision of infrastructure and  social  development.  The  social facilities and roads, overhead bridges and night  lightings  making Lagos  State  safe to drive at night  are there for all  to see.  A major  snag  was the overzealousness  of    some  LASTMA  personnel and traffic revenue seeking VIOs  who  were  reined in and disappeared.

    Another blight was the ugly  sight of refuse that almost caused a pestilence recently  and seems to  be abating . In  terms of performance then  the APC  can claim  to have delivered  in  Lagos State. It  is natural  for  colleagues of the incumbent governor  in the oligarchy  leading the party  in the state  to want part of the action thinking they  would be better. That is a legitimate  ambition that could be ironed  out without descent  into violent confrontation.

    Similarly  if the governor feels he is on top of the competition  and  governance in  line with  the party  policies  then he has the right  to  a claim  of automatic  ticket  for reelection.

    Also  it  is the duty of the Jagaban  to lend  a listening ear  to all  claims. After  all he did it in the past  and sailed successfully  through  the mine field of succession  that  saw a Christian  governor emerge  to  save Lagos  for the party. As expected  he can put  his foot down as  a tested  pragmatist  and guide  the aspirants  on the best way  forward for the party so  that the APC  does not throw away  the baby  with the bath  tub in this explosive family  succession  politics. As  usual  in the game of politics  and the quest  for power or reelection, a  lot  of guile and  diplomacy  may  be necessary.  Which  may not be obvious to those blinded by malice  and partisanship in the present charged atmosphere and I wish  the leaders  the very  best in the explosive exercise.

    Needless  to say  succession  battles  can  be mischievous,  with intended  and unintended  consequences . In  the case of  Obama  and Hillary as successor  I  saw  some mischief  in the manner Obama’s Vice President  Joe  Biden  was pressured  to quit the  Democratic Party    Nomination race  for Hillary . The Vice  President then insisted that whoever  gets the Party’s  nomination  must  campaign on the Obama legacy  which  with the help  of hindsight was more of a political  burden  than  a lift  at least on foreign policy and the economy.  The  rest  is history. In  the  case of the cold war between  the Republican  Party  hierarchy  and  Donald  Trump  on his way  to  getting the presidential  nomination,  it  was Hillary from the opposite  side who gave Trump  the acceptability  that his party  was withholding.

    When  asked during the debates what she admired  about  Trump, Hillary  mentioned his well  brought up and organized family. That  boosted Trump’s  ego  and prestige  and was the last  straw  he needed  to take over the party for  a successful election and  he grabbed it with both  hands  and,  again, the rest  is history. Which  boils  down to the fact that elections and succession  battles are not over till they  are over.

    Occasionally they  may  look  like a potential  marathon    race and  end  up  unexpectedly  as sprints. Like  OBJ  said  at  the time Awo  lost  to Shehu Shagari  in that famous  election,  the best  man  does  not always win  the race.

    In  the politics of  succession  in any  polity, including Lagos State  APC, the maxim  – every body  for himself  God  for us all, or the devil take the hindmost,  is always  and    invariably  at play. Once again  long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • 2019: Sokoto PDP threatened as Tambuwal, Bafarawa differ on succession, leadership

    There are indications that the battle for Sokoto State governorship candidature within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is likely to tear incumbent Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal and former Governor Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa apart.

    Either way, the battle for political relevance in the caliphate’s PDP may threaten the chances of the party due to the uncompromising interests of the two sides over succession and party leadership.

    For the opposition APC in the state, which is tactically putting its act together, it is a welcome drama that portends signs of victory.

    The two forces, who are both aspiring for the office of the president, seem not to be on the same page on the choice of governorship candidate and party leadership, it was learnt.

    Coming from the same state, both have picked nomination forms for the presidential race and there seems to be no sign of concession in sight.

    A source within the party also hinted that Governor Tambuwal has two battles to face at the state and national level.

    “While he is contending with the burden of  shopping for a successor in the state, the immediate past HoRs Speaker is also having it tough making an inroad for the PDP presidential ticket at the top level.”

    Tambuwal is said to be working towards anointing his immediate past Commissioner for Local Government and Community Development, Alhaji Mannir Dan Iya.

    Besides, the governor had, long before his defection to PDP, been known to favour his immediate past Commissioner of Finance, Alhaji Sa’idu Umar, as his possible successor. But close to his defection, the name of Senator Abdullahi Danbaba Dambuwa, who also moved to PDP, became the chorus as possible candidate.

    Similarly, the governor has began to move for the change of party leadership in the state with the likely choice of Alhaji Mukhtari Maigona, who recently defected to PDP, as substitute for incumbent Alhaji Ibrahim Milgoma, who has occupied the position for over 4 years after leaving the Democratic Peoples Party(DPP).

    However, Bafarawa is said to have kicked against the alleged move by Tambuwal to change Milgoma who hitherto, had been on same track with the former governor since the ANPP days.

    Milgoma, it will be recalled, has never separated from Bafarawa, as he is clipped to the direction and vision of the former governor, who is his benefactor.

    “As I speak with you, Tambuwal is seeking consensus on the issue of presidential ticket by requesting Bafarawa to give him a chance, but the former governor is not giving in,” the source said.

  • ‘We’re committed to instilling succession plan in businesses’

    The Nigerian-German Business Association (NGBA) is committed to ensuring a sustainable and healthy business relationship between German investors and their Nigerian counterparts.

    Its Director-General, Mr. Gbenga Adebija, said the body was committed to ensuring that Nigerian businesses have good succession plans.

    Adebija said most thriving businesses in Germany started as family entities and grew to be conglomerates. He lamented that most Nigerian family businesses die with their owners, attributing the trend to lack of a long-term planning and sound business management principles.

    He said this was part of the training offered by the group to help in the sustainability of businesses.

    Adebija said part of NGBA’s agenda was to foster a better bilateral business relationship between Nigerian and German companies, especially in the non oil sector.

    He said the group would not only promote Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), but also encourage the export of Nigerian products and commodities to Germany.

    Other functions of the group, he stated, are to connect Nigerian businessmen to potential markets in addition to sourcing  finance for investments.

    “We have significantly collaborated with the two countries in the areas of sourcing financial and investment opportunities in Nigeria and Germany. Our aim is to facilitate the ease of doing business between the two countries,” he said.

    On the draw backs of trade facilitation between the two countries, Adebija said it was mostly that of perception. According to him, Nigeria is perceived as a corrupt nation, making it difficult for German businesses to be comfortable here.

    Adebija listed multiple taxation as another major factor that discourages investors. He added that corruption and multiple taxation were hindering FDIs from Germany, as German businessmen believe in zero tolerance for corruption. He said any level of corruption in Germany attracted a jail term.

    He said Germany, built by small businesses based on sustainable practices, was working to see Nigerian businesses get to that level.

    The group said it was speaking with some German investors and business organisations on marketing investment opportunities in Nigeria.

    Adebija said: “We have concluded arrangements with over 150 potential investors, who will explore the Nigerian market before the end of 2018 and we are keenly committed to that.”

    He added that NGBA had been  mediating between Nigerian and German businessmen. It has also been training young Nigerian entrepreneurs to imbibe the right value in doing business, which is a departure from the old order.

    He said having realised that some German investors were not comfortable with the way and manner of doing business in Nigeria, the NGBA charted a new course by trying to inculcate the right values in doing business – transparency.

  • Bible Society boss launches book on succession

    THE Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) General Secretary, Dr Dare Ajiboye, has launched a book titled: Succession planning basics in faith-based and secular organisations in Lagos.Ajiboye said he was inspired to write the book because of the problems succession is creating in many organisations, including churches. ‘’Succession is as sure as death.

    There is an assumption that a leader will emerge. Once he’s gone, unplanned succession breeds conflict between the successor and other stakeholders in the system. “Succession planning, therefore, leads to better replacement. I am concerned about how successors will emerge these days. “In some churches, it is the family members that rotate the handing over among one another,’’ he said.He warned that this could lead to problems, adding that churches must adopt an acceptable method of succession to avoid rancour when their leader is gone.

    The book reviewer, Dr Olaolu Olufemi, praised the book, saying it is rich in contents with the 13 chapters arranged in stimulating order, giving new perspectives to the issue. He described it as ‘’a compelling and must-read for organisational leaders and staff, who have their eyes on leading.’’ Olufemi noted that the topic was apt as succession is a problem, which has led to crises in many organisations. He said because faith-based are unique, they contrast with one another in succession.

    Chairman of the occasion, Wale Adediran, described the author as a man of high literary standard. He praised Ajiboye for his efforts in rolling out the book, noting that in the past our forebears did not write books and this affected our history. ‘’But this is what Ajiboye has tried to correct,’’ said Adediran.

  • Bible Society boss launches book on succession

    THE Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) General Secretary, Dr Dare Ajiboye, has launched a book titled: Succession planning basics in faith-based and secular organisations in Lagos.Ajiboye said he was inspired to write the book because of the problems succession is creating in many organisations, including churches. ‘’Succession is as sure as death.

    There is an assumption that a leader will emerge. Once he’s gone, unplanned succession breeds conflict between the successor and other stakeholders in the system. “Succession planning, therefore, leads to better replacement. I am concerned about how successors will emerge these days. “In some churches, it is the family members that rotate the handing over among one another,’’ he said.He warned that this could lead to problems, adding that churches must adopt an acceptable method of succession to avoid rancour when their leader is gone.

    The book reviewer, Dr Olaolu Olufemi, praised the book, saying it is rich in contents with the 13 chapters arranged in stimulating order, giving new perspectives to the issue. He described it as ‘’a compelling and must-read for organisational leaders and staff, who have their eyes on leading.’’ Olufemi noted that the topic was apt as succession is a problem, which has led to crises in many organisations.

    He said because faith-based are unique, they contrast with one another in succession.Chairman of the occasion, Wale Adediran, described the author as a man of high literary standard. He praised Ajiboye for his efforts in rolling out the book, noting that in the past our forebears did not write books and this affected our history. ‘’But this is what Ajiboye has tried to correct,’’ said Adediran.

  • Succession politics and limit of ignorance

    Osun West Senatorial bye-election has come and gone, not unexpectedly, with its twists and turns; sounds and bites. Victors have since July 8, been counting their blessings while losers have also been unrelenting in licking their wounds with threatening affection! On the whole, June 21, 2014 has again happened to the progressive camp in Osun State and one can only pray that appropriate lessons from whatever remains of its wacky outcome would not be wasted on the altar of ego and sycophancy. It is also believed that ingrates and renegades who have turned the misfortune brought upon the state by Isiaka Adeleke’s sudden death into a ‘Us’ versus ‘Them’ personality clash will ‘sheathe’ their swords for the good of the party and country.

    Except we want to be economical with the truth, what played out on July 8 was the opposition’s way of telling Nigerians that, given the opportunity, it can still use the weapons of rice, money and other instruments of ‘stomach infrastructure’ to spring surprises on soft targets. Unfortunately, the ruling party’s inability to keep its house in order nationally, plus economic reforms that have, for want of a better expression, been struggling to put food on the table of the common man are rubbing off on the states and may affect the party’s fortunes in future elections if concrete steps are not taken to address the situation. All Progressives Congress (APC) needs to wake up from its slumber, cut off the pretence and carry out clearance operations before it is too late.

    Nigeria is in tough times and all eyes can see it. The political turf is heating up as we gradually approach another election year and it is as if those who never wished Muhammadu Buhari and his government well have now had their prayers answered. The economy is bleeding and it seems as if the national government is satisfied with snoring on a mattress overstuffed with excuses as a way out of the socio-economic logjam. In politics, little things count. Taking refuge in short-term measures, even when they are energy-sapping or funds-demanding, go a long way in addressing the nasty tragedies, extant confusions and conceptual impressions that have been threatening the fragility of the egg called Nigeria. Behaving as if 2018 is 1000 years away, or as if 2019 will never come, will not help a ruling party that is already being derided as ‘can do better as an opposition party.’

    At a time like this, Osun comes to mind. APC must do all it takes, lawfully, to remain in power so as to prevent a reversal of the gains of the last seven years. Osun cannot withstand a repeat of the disaster of the years eaten by the locust, when our common patrimony was used to cater to the needs of some selfish few. It is common knowledge that all the gratuitous attacks, barefaced lies and hare-brained fabrications against the Rauf Aregbesola-led government are mere samples of what to expect in next year’s governorship election. To be honest with ourselves, APC’s defeat in the last bye-election was facilitated from within by the Judas Iscariot who embraced coded languages to give performance a new meaning. The challenge of change, salary quagmire, even pensioners’ palaver played secondary roles.

    With regard to 2018, all I see for the progressive in Osun is victory; and Aregbesola’s outstanding performance in office is an indication that the battle has already been won! But this is not to say that there won’t be challenges on the road to this assured victory. In any case, that’s the beauty of democracy! Anything short of that is a recipe for chaos! For instance, while no government has ever done a quarter of what this administration has done for Osun since its creation, it is rather unfortunate that Aregbesola is seen out there more as a ‘salary unpaying’ government than one that has turned the state into ‘construction site’. Sadly, too, while issues surrounding the salary challenge point in the direction of a national crisis, that some ‘food-for-the-stomach’, false democrats are insisting that Osun’s should be treated as a case in isolation is a mystery for students of political history to unravel.

    So much has been said about democracy described by Abraham Lincoln as ”the government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” But if this system of government thrives in a society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges, why do Nigerians continue to suffer, irresistibly, from what Pius Adesanmi once referred to as “acute malaria”? When, for instance, Kunle Ologundudu accused Kayode Fayemi of using state funds to build mansions as well as run a private university, why did the electorate gullibly subscribe to the untruth without raising a finger? Similarly, why has Osun suddenly become the rumour capital of Nigeria and what’s being done to present issues as they are? When has it become a crime to democratically avoid the resurrection of a deadly Wike/Amaechi crisis or the replication of a ‘Tarka-me-I-Daboh-you’ Kwankwanso/Ganduje face-off in Osun? Apart from other laudable programmes undertaken by this administration, have we forgotten its noble contributions to the triumph of no fewer than 50 of our medical students in Ukraine?

    More importantly, why have some quarters not appreciated Osun’s innovative means of alleviating the plight of its workers through its salary apportionment approach? With this regime in place, only a section of workers on grade level 12 and above (that is, about 20% of the state’s total workforce) have been receiving 50% of their gross salaries based on an agreement between the government and the labour union. ”Outside that, officers on levels 8-10 receive 75 percent of their salaries while officers on levels 7 and below who constitute about 65% of the workforce receive their full pay.” Good to note also that ”all workers in the state have received their salaries up to July in line with the agreement the government has with workers.” The fulfilment of its promise to pay the outstanding as soon as the financial fortunes of the state improve can be seen in the judicious disbursement of the second tranche of the Paris Club refunds.

    Let’s come to the issue of ”the same uniform”, a policy which, in more than a manner of speaking, elicits interesting ideas that should naturally tempt one into scrutinizing some important assumptions. Ignorantly or mischievously, Aregbesola’s traducers have not only forgotten the advantages that attended its implementation, they have also gone a step further to describe it as an ‘it can only happen in Osun’ affair. For the avoidance of doubt, ”the same uniform” policy has long been in existence in countries like Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Chile, China, Indonesia and Malaysia.

    If the aforementioned countries are examples too far to cite, what of  Ghana and Benin Republic, our next-door neighbours?

     

    • Komolafe writes in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State,

  • West African pastoral trainers discuss succession

    Pastoral trainers drawn from the West African region gathered last week in Lagos for four days to consider ways of passing the torch to the upcoming generation.

    It was the consensus that the faith can only be sustained by conscious and strategic mentorship spearheaded by healthy pastors.

    Tagged West Africa Pastoral Trainers Congress (WAPTRICO), the conference was organised by the International Church Growth Ministries.

    The convener, Dr Francis Bola Akin-John, said Christian leaders must invest in themselves formally and informally to be able to pass on the torch.

    He stated exemplary leaders must teach people to be Jesus disciples and not the disciples of GO.

    According to him:”There is still space for mentoring in ministry. Every GO and pastor must go through two phases in their lifetimes.

    “The first is the 20 years in ministry. They must be able to bless lives, heal the sick, help the oppress, help the widows, the needy, be a source of blessings, pray for people and so on

    “And they should consciously move to the phase two of their lives, which should be on building, training, embracing, releasing, of the younger pastors into the ministry.”

    He said those who want their ministries to outlast them must invest in upcoming generation through training and mentorship.

    “Where you start doesn’t matter; it is where you end that counts. Ministry is not to glorify self but pass on the baton to the next generation,” he stressed.

    Rev. Ndu Akuchie encouraged ministers to embrace change saying they must be updated to keep in touch with modern trends.

    Akuchie, who is Executive Secretary, Nigeria Association for Theological Education (NATE), said theological curriculums as well as matters must also reflect changing environments.

    “Many of our theological institutions and pastoral training programmes are still clinging to old ways they had always done things despite the obvious failures resulting from such methods,” he pointed out.

    To Rev. Johnny Johnson, trainers must adopt Jesus training method, which was teaching the whole truth as against half-truths.

    He assured the best thing is when ministry outlasts the minister, stating that it could be counterproductive for founders to die without handing over or a good succession plan.

    He advised ministers to train their successors and encourage people with spiritual gifts to work so that when they are gone, the work can continue.

  • Oshiomhole’s clairvoyant political succession

    Oshiomhole’s clairvoyant political succession

    GOVERNOR Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State is a self-confessed populist and pragmatist, not a sophisticated politician or rhetorician. He mercurially determined who was elected governorship candidate in his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary, and he is also determined, even more vociferously, to ensure that his choice, Godwin Obaseki, is elected governor of the state in next Wednesday’s election. To both ends he had summoned very unorthodox political and electoral methods. He owes no one any apology, and he will not give any; not now, not in the future.

    There is nothing fundamentally wrong with backing an aspirant and, after that, a candidate. What is sometimes objectionable is how that backing is framed. Populists and propagandists tend to frame their supports in a manner that often offend political ethics. Since he is a populist who frequently adopts propaganda in governance and campaigns, it is not really shocking that Mr Oshiomhole embraces brinkmanship so casually and so unapologetically.

    But Mr Oshiomhole is also popular and effective as a governor, and has tended to charm himself with his accomplishments and high rating with the electorate. He took a prostrate state from the hands of the luckless ex-governor Lucky Igbinedion and turned it into a showpiece, though not without sprinklings of coarseness. The state was mired in stagnation, suffocating under the intellectual geriatric, Tony Anenih, and stagnating under the even more vacuous Mr Igbinedion of the illustrious and flamboyant Igbinedion family. Helped by top Southwest politicians, Mr Oshiomhole brilliantly prized the state loose from the vice grip of the Igbinedions and did wonders with it. Perhaps that makes him a progressive, and the enemies he has belaboured in unexampled language, conservatives or reactionaries. Perhaps.

    But in reality, populism is not progressivism. A populist may be effective, and in the case of Mr Oshiomhole, very effective indeed, but it does not ineluctably mean he is principled, or that he propounds and promotes great and ennobling values. Populists are often inebriated with their own successes. The Edo governor is not different, and for all anyone cares, may not even wish to be different. He is not sophisticated either, and does not care a hoot what the word means; for after all, the excessive and supercilious ex-governor Igbinedion pretended to a sophistication that did not profit the state when he was governor, and humiliated the family name after he left office and entered into a plea bargain during a corruption trial.

    Having met the state prostrate and is about leaving it in high spirits, in fact proud and standing tall, the populist Mr Oshiomhole is failing to draw a line between reinforcing a succession line after his own making and idea on the one hand, and inculcating values and other virtues capable of sustaining the state in the long term on the other hand. He thinks the two are interchangeable. It is known he virtually imposed Mr Obaseki as APC candidate, though the candidate is himself a thoroughbred and a thoughtful bureaucrat. Then he also virtually imposed a running mate, Philip Shuaibu, a young man close to his heart and to his Etsako roots. Had he simply put his weight behind Mr Obaseki and let the primary run freely, the candidate’s emergence would have been less offensive, and his qualification untrammelled by the hoopla and reservations the primary outcome has triggered. Nor, it seemed, would the process have produced a running mate that raised eyebrows in many quarters.

    Edo is now left to decide between choosing the next governor using Mr Oshiomhole’s prism and taking a gamble to repudiate the governor and his choice with all the attendant risks and consequences. To choose Mr Obaseki is to play safe, reinforce continuity and ensure that the impressive developmental strides embarked upon by Mr Oshiomhole continue. To elect his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opponent, Osagie Ize-Iyamu, who had a longer history of association with Mr Igbinedion, and a shorter history of association with Mr Oshiomhole himself, is to take charge of the state’s electoral process, call their souls their own, and begin an experiment whose end they are unlikely to be able to foretell.

    The APC has painted the two-horse race as a simple one of choosing between light and darkness, between continuity and frightful experimentation, and between independence and godfatherism, so-called. That dualism, as every Edo voter knows, is an oversimplification of the electoral quandary the state has found itself. Both candidates are well-known Benin sons from prominent families, have roots in the APC, and evoke strong passions in their supporters, so much so that they have managed to split the equally mercurial Benin traditional palace in two. And whether Mr Oshiomhole likes it or not, both candidates are popular and seen to be capable of governing the state. Indeed, it is widely believed that the core reason for postponing the election in the first instance was because it was initially too close to call. Whether the election is now thought to be heading for a clear outcome is hard to tell.

    Even if Mr Oshiomhole pretends to ignore the complications in the election, both Messrs Obaseki and Ize-Iyamu have little doubt that the state’s geopolitics makes the election very uncertain. They will speak confidently of victory, but they know that what Mr Oshiomhole has left undone and the people he has angered will constrict Mr Obaseki’s chances. Similarly, what bonds Mr Ize-Iyamu has had with the Igbinedions, not to say his rebellious and uncouth youth, will also stymie his chances. More importantly, both candidates and their mentors know that in the final analysis, the election may be determined by forces and issues that do not lend themselves to straightforward extrapolations.

    If the outcome of the election looks uncertain, it is because Mr Oshiomhole has made it so by his overexcited and unguarded statements. He turned what should have been a simple support for his preferred candidate into a convolutedly partisan and electoral chicanery. Then he has spoken hubristically of his determination to ensure his successor does not come from the Igbinedion family when neither the constitution nor the electoral process confers that right or responsibility on him. “I want to make it clear to Lucky that the next governor can never be from the Igbinedion family. The next governor will be a people’s governor and that person, by the special grace of God, is Godwin Obaseki,” Mr Oshiomhole had said when he interacted with journalists in Benin on Tuesday. “Our people will never go back to the dark days and my fight against godfathers has been successful and that is why, today, any Edo man or woman can become a governor without going to any godfather. They (godfathers) are crying and I am happy. They will continue to cry.”

    Electing the next Edo governor, whether he comes from the Igbinedion political family or is the biological son of a godfather is, strictly speaking, the responsibility of the Edo electorate. Mr Oshiomhole can campaign, support, finance and cry himself hoarse for his preferred candidate, but it is the electorate that will elect the next governor and live with that choice. Mr Oshiomhole has contaminated that process by the way he has carried himself in the race so far. It does not bode well for the state when a departing governor goes beyond normal partisan boundaries to assume the infallible place of the electorate. It is hoped Edo will choose right in the election. But if they choose wrong, as Nigeria itself has discovered sadly and repeatedly, they have the right to correct their mistakes in subsequent elections. That right, that freedom to choose, must never be alienated, not by Mr Oshiomhole, even if he were a clairvoyant, nor by anyone at any level, as ex-president Olusegun Obasanjo carelessly and foolishly did in 2007.

  • Oshiomhole and challenge of succession

    Oshiomhole and challenge of succession

    Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole may have endorsed an aspirant as his successor. Mixed reactions have continued to trail his position. His supporters believe that the governor could not be expected to be indifferent to the tendency of his successor. But, critics are of the opinion that the governor has polarised the party by pitching his tent with a contender. Will Oshiomhole succeed in his plan? Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the succession battle in the Southsouth state.

    Nine years ago, he seized Edo politics by storm. He was full of zest, vigour and strength. As a veteran labour leader, he has been a household name for decades. Thus, stakeholders were rooting for him. As the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) President, Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole, threw his hat into the ring, it was evident power shift was imminent in Edo State.  At the close of the historic governorship poll in 2007, the candidate of the defunct Action Congress (AC) defeated Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    However, the victory was allotted to the loser. The people protested the hijack, until the stolen mandate was restored by the Supreme Court. When the unionist-turned politician assumed the reins, he set three goals for himself:  massive transformation through infrastructural development, banishment of godfatherism and an  efficient and incorruptible government. Having lived up to expectation, the comrade governor was re-elected in 2012. But, as Oshiomhole’s tenure expires early next year, his major challenge is succession.

     

    Politics of endorsement

     

    Few months ago, the governor dropped a bombshell. Acknowledging the imperative of continuity, he endorsed an aspirant. Although he did not mention any name, sources said the governor has a soft spot for Godwin Obaseki, a banker from Benin-City, the state capital, and leader of the Edo State Economic Team. Justifying his position, Oshiomhole said he has the constitutional right as the governor and the All progressives Congress (APC) leader to anoint a candidate. Many chieftains, who share the governor’s view, believe that Obaseki, who has been part of the decision making process in the last seven years, is eminently qualified to continue where he will stop and sustain the tempo of good governance.

    The APC primary will be very interesting. The governor has not rescinded his decision to support a candidate. Some stakeholders, who want a technocrat to succeed Oshiomhole, are rooting for the dark horse. But, other aspirants-Deputy Governor Pius Odubu, Blessing Agbonmhere, Charles Airhiavbere, Peter Esele, Chris Ogienwonyi, Don Pedro Obaseki, Omon Irabor and Amadasun Ebugue-are protesting, saying that the governor is partial. They have also alleged that plans are underway to tinker with the list of delegates to favour the governor’s preferred choice.

    Unlike 2007, APC chieftains are more confident as the poll draws near. Many believe that the APC has a brighter future in the Southsouth state. The party wields the power of incumbency at the federal and state levels. The performance of the governor has been widely acknowledged, unlike his predecessor, Mr. Lucky Igbinedion of the PDP. Prominent indigenes, including former Bendel State Governor Sam Ogbemudia, have promised to assist the governor in his search for a credible successor. But, will the Iyomho-born politician succeed in his plan? Will the successor the governor is grooming be acceptable to the majority of delegates? Will the party remain the same after the primary?

     

    PDP’s credibility crisis

    Sources said the PDP is closely monitoring the APC selection process. Already, the party has zoned its ticket to Benin as the APC has done. “The PDP is waiting for an explosion in the Edo APC. The party thinks that, if the APC primary turns rancorous, it will benefit from defections from the ruling party. If the APC gets it right, the future of the PDP will remain bleak,” said a source.

    The PDP is in a dilemma. It appears the chapter faces a bleak future. The party, led by Chief Dan Orbih, has boasted that it will bounce back. For  eight years, it has been left in the cold, following its defeat at the polls. Thus, its dream of regaining power has always been aborted. Although the party has two senators, it is a divided house. PDP aspirants, including Osagie Ize-Iyamu, Osaro Onaiwu, Solomon Edebiri and Mathew Iduoriyekemwen, are working at cross purpose. The struggle for the ticket may further weaken the platform.  But, if the APC mismanages its primary, two scenario are possible; there may be defections to the PDP and without defecting to the PDP, some members may subvert the party during the election.

     

    APC aspirants

    No fewer than 10 APC chieftains are warming up for the shadow poll. More are likely to unfold their ambition as the race gathers momentum. APC aspirants include the deputy governor, Dr. Pius Odubu, a defector from the PDP, Gen. Charles Airhiavbere, former university don Prof. Osunbor, Prof. Amadasun Ebegue, Blessing Agbonmhere, unionist Peter Esele, Omon Irabor, Godwin Obseki and his brother, Pedro Obaseki.

    Osunbor, who hails from Edo Central, is a determined politician. He has experience. But, many APC leaders see him as a new comer. When he left the PDP, many PDP chieftains were taken aback. In the APC, he has not become a force to reckon with.

    The factors against him may also work against Airhiavbere, who was in 2012 was sponsored by the PDP leader, Chief Tony Anenih, the acclaimed ‘Mr. Fix it,’ to challenge Oshiomhole. It was a miscalculation. The PDP lost its deposit and the ego of the eminent politician was deflated.

    Odubu is an experienced  politician. He is a loyal deputy governor.  He is popular in the ruling party. But, his fate lies in the hand of his boss and other party leaders. Already, the governor has anointed Obaseki.

    Ogiewonmonyi served briefly as the Minister of Works under Dr. Jonathan. He is also close to General Ogbemudia. But, party members see him as an independent minded chieftain, who is not tied to the apron-strings of the governor.

    Godwin Obaseki is highly connected. He is from a prominent Benin family. The people of Benin Kingdom; the royalty and chiefs; and prominent indigenes are excited about his candidature.

    His cousin, Pedro Obaseki, is a broadcaster and film maker who has made name in the entertainment industry.

     

    Supremacy battle in PDP

    A section of the party believes that only the founding fathers can rescue the party. But, another caucus has disputed this  claim, saying that the so-called founding chieftains are the architects of the PDP’s misfortune. The second group is of the opinion that many of the founding fathers have dented the image of the chapter, owing to their corrupt tendencies while steering the affairs of the state.

    The two groups locked in a supremacy battle have not reconciled. Former Governor Lucky Igbinedion, the arrowhead of the first group, declared that whhoever is going to be the next governor must be one of the PDP founding members. Former Senate Chief Whip Rowland Ovie, who is leading the second group disagreed. He said if the former governor sponsors a candidate, the flag bearer will be tainted. He said his performance in office failure led to the defeat of Osunbor and Airhiavbere in 2007 and 2012. Ovie added: “For the PDP to be seen to have broken ranks with irresponsibility, we have to be sure that our candidate for 2016 will not have any relationship with previous failures of the PDP government in Edo.”

    Can the two camps agree on a candidate? Among the PDP aspirants, two stand out. They are Ize-Iyamu and Edebiri. Pastor Ize-Iyamu is the former Secretary to Government. He served under Igbinedion. He is the former Southsouth leader of the defunct ACN. Many people have described Ize-Iyamu as a hardworking politician; a strategist and organiser. In 2012, he was the Director-General of the Oshiomhole Campaign Organisation. He has the support of Igbinedion. But, some elders, including Dr. Sam Ogbemudia and Owie, are looking at another direction. Party insiders have said that Anenih may not be comfortable with his candidature because he had joined forces in 2012 against the Iyasele of Esanland, when he and Oshiomhole rejected godfatherism. He was a believer in the slogan: “No man is god.”

    Edebiri, a Bini from Edo South, can be described as a serial contestant. The businessman contested in 2007 in the platform of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and in 2012 ran in the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

     

    Oshipmhole’s burden

    Since the governor unfolded his succession plan, many APC chieftains who are not favoured by his permutations have been kicking. Pedro Obaseki has urged him to rescind his decision, saying that it could be a recipe for chaos in the party. He reminded Oshiomhole that two of his candidates failed during the last senatorial election, advising him to accept the limitations to his influence. He maintained that only a level playing field at the primary can foster harmony.

    The former Works Minister is bitter and more combative. He decried the endorsement of a candidate by the governor, saying that it can divide the party, ahead of the election. He alleged that plans were underway to tinker with the delegates’ list. But, the governor’s political adviser has denied it.

    The APC aspirants who have kicked against the governor’s endorsement of Obaseki are not teaming up against the Chairman of the Economic Team. On daily basis, Obaseki is waxing stronger on the field. He has concentrated  much efforts on mobilisation across the wards, local governments and senatorial districts. Since Oshipmhole declared his support for him, the governor has not make further statement. Obaseki has continued from there, holding consultations with stakeholders and soliciting for support from traditional rulers, businessmen, potential delegates, women and youths.

     

    Obaseki’s strategy

     While other aspirants are up in arms against him, Obaseki has taken his case to the people. He has presented to them, not as a politician, but a technocrat; tested and trusted. “The project I have embarked upon is inspired by my commitment and passion for service at this time when Nigeria is in crisis,” he said. He said having served Edo in the last seven years under Oshiomole, he knew the enormous power of government, adding that a policy stroke can distabilise a collective dream.

    “I have been part of the team that formulated a blue print and implementation plan. We wanted to pay to serve; we did not want to be paid to serve. I went to the University of Ibadan on Edo bursary; nobody asked me to pay back. The way people view government is how to get money from it, not how to use government to create wealth for all.

    “Governor Oshiomhole inherited insecurity, poor infrastructure and a civil service will a low morale. We said there was the need for us to plan. To budget is to govern. Poor budgeting has been the bane of our economy. How can we run a government without an engine to drive it? While I was working with the governor, I was not an appointee and I felt I could be more effective without been political,” he added.

    Obaseki reflecting on the economic crisis, warning that the challenges of governance in the post-Oshiomhole period will be more challenging. He described himself as the right man to succeed the governor, noting that he understood the Edo situation. He stressed: “In the last seven years, I have been part of the key decisions made by Governor Oshiomhole. The gains may be wiped away, if he is not succeeded by a competent administrator, who understands the foundation and the designs.

    “Governance will be more challenging now that resources are dwindling. The standard of governance cannot be lowered. People’s expectation will continue to rise. I am more than qualified, in terms of professionalism, capacity for planning, managerial ability and knowledge of running institutions.

    “I have been part of the decision-making and implementation process in the last seven years. I don’t see it as a pay back opportunity, but an opportunity to continue the excellent services of the last eight years.”

    Obaseki, who said the gang-up against him will fail, chided his detractors for lack of focus. “I have gone round the 18 local governments. People say they now see me at the wards. They say the person they claim they impose is the person they see and they don’t see other aspirants.”

    Denying the alleged plans to distort the delegates’ list, he said: “When a delegate dies, the vacancy is filled. The APC has a process. Some people defected. Their positions have to be filled. They first said I am unknown, I cannot win, the party will lose. Now, ot is about delegates’ list.”

    On structure, Obaseki said: “I am in a party. I can’t be in a party and build a sub-party. I rely on the party structure. I have been going to the delegates who will vote for me to get the ticket.”