The Nation Newspaper

Tag: term

  • Why Ambode deserves another term

    SIR:A democratically elected government must meet the needs of the people that voted it into power. Since governance derives it backing and supporting from the constitution and the people, it is mandatory for the government, to listen, carry along and feed the people back, about its activities. The contrary view of democracy equally says when a government voted into power refuses to perform or meet the yearning or aspiration of the people, the same electorate have the right to reject such government by voting them out of power in subsequent elections.

    Lagos State governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has within three years of his assumption of office proved critics wrong by being responsive and progressive in the discharge of his duties to the people of the state.

    When he assumed office as governor, not a few people thought that he started from slow lane. But, as soon as he got his groove, the narrative changed, as he now runs on the fast lane. Today, the common man is not only happy in the State of Excellence, development which eluded some local government councils and the people some years back has totally returned. Today the entire three senatorial districts in the state are witnessing massive reconstruction, expansion of roads with street lights and rebuilding process or the other. Roads, schools, health institutions are being structured for a lasting use. He has embarked on several ambitious physical projects – like roads, bridges, bus stops, lay-bys, flyovers, skywalks or pedestrian bridges – to strategically break up traffic gridlock all over the state. Besides their functionality, each of them is a sight to behold.

    Yes, Ambode has done very well to reposition the economy of the state. He has taken the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to an enviable and sustainable position, thus generating the funds to embark on infrastructural development.

    No nation or state survives without a major attention to its educational sector. He has given primary, post primary and the state tertiary institutions a very good attention, by increasing their fund and stabilizing the academic calendar. Students now learn in a better and more conducive environment with the welfare of teachers adequately taken care of.

    A government is worth protecting and supporting for continuity if it has met the yearning and aspiration of the people. The people of the state see what the government is spending the money on. Ambode has proved the essence and importance of taxation to rural and urban development, through the provision of essential services like good road, water, health facilities and the rest to the people.

    In life, you don’t lose a winning team; rather you encourage them to do more. Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has so far done well. We can only encourage him to do better, through mobilization and support for continuity beyond 2019.

     

    • Ademola Orunbon,

    Oke-Posun, Epe, Lagos.

  • Cable vandal bags five-year jail term

    Efforts by the Benin Electricity Distribution Plc (BEDC) to tackle electricity equipment vandalism have yielded result as a cable vandal has been sentenced to five years imprisonment with hard labour, without option of fine by a Magistrate’s Court in Iguobazuwa, Edo State.

    The convict, Abdullai Usman, male, aged 27 years, was caught on September 28, 2017, at Iguobazuwa trying to cart away vandalised conductor cables from Iguobazuwa/Okada 33KV Line, an act punishable under the Miscellaneous Offences Act M17 Vol 9 laws of the country.

    He was dragged before the Presiding Magistrate Joyce .O. Ejale (Mrs) where he pleaded guilty to a three-count charge of conspiracy, stealing and malicious damage, though the terms will run concurrently.

    This conviction has further strengthened the BEDC’s commitment at fighting vandalism, energy theft and meter bypass, as the electricity supply industry grapples with other challenges.

  • Anambra poll: I will serve a term, says aspirant

    Anambra poll: I will serve a term, says aspirant

    Former Secretary to the Anambra Statee Government Hon. Oseloka Obaze is a governorship aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In this interview with NWANOSIKE ONU, he speaks on his ambition, the PDP crisis and Igbo agitations. 

    What are your chances in the governorship primary of your party?

    We are well known and acknowledged by the people across Anambra State. The grassroots and the elite alike appreciate fully our past service and unfettered commitment to good governance. The electioneering is yet to commence. when we arrive at that juncture, we should be able to showcase a governance platform, which should make us the most credible alternative and leadership choice.

    From which zone will you choose your running mate? Do you already have anyone in mind?

    Inclusive democracy is about consensus and consultations. We will cross the bridge of selecting a running mate when we get there. Be assured that the choice will be very credible and a good governance partner; not a subordinate or in the local parlance a deputy who is just a “spare tire.”

    Do you have confidence that PDP crisis will be settled soon to pave way for the party’s primary and emergence of a flag bearer?

    I’m by nature an optimist; and by training a problem solver and conflict resolution practitioner. But, I’m also a realist. When a conflict is not ripe for resolution, any forced attempt will fail. But, when the cost of collective failure outweighs the cost of individual success, people tend to come around. There is still ample room to rally the forces, and the key PDP players in Anambra are hard at work to find a mutually acceptable solution.

    Are you confident that you will eventually emerge as the flag bearer?

    If you go enter the finals of any competition with your second team or third team you risk losing. If you put forth the best or most qualified and most credible player or candidate, your chances of success becomes greater. Without any disrespect to those who have been “in the party for so many years” as you said: Did they deliver? Did they win? If they did, the party won’t be outside the government now. There is your answer. My hope is that we can rally all party players to a consensus and that the key players especially the recurring aspirants won’t become spoilers.

    The PDP is still in disarray, whither your candidacy should the crisis continues?

    Be kind to save that question and ask me the same on 18thNovember 2017 morning.

    In Anambra North, where you comes from, even the traditional rulers are consistent in saying Obiano is their candidate and he should be returned. what is your take on this?

    You engage in collectivized assertion and attribution. Who are these people? Are they the same people I’m consulting and talking to? Or are they the hirelings that parrot the master’s voice for crumbs off his table. You must understand that we are in a recession. People need to eat; but they do have conscience. Moreover, I’m least perturbed by such utterances, by people who are unconnected with their grassroots and have never secured victory at their respective polling booths. Anyway, politics for me is not and will never be a zero sum game. As our people say, “you count the miles after the race.”

    You served under Obiano, what are you going to correct now that you did not do then?

    Yes, I served well, loyally, honestly and diligently. 1 offered unvarnished advice and counsel. Yet, every leader brings to public office his vision, style and political and leadership DMA. Purposeful leadership is about management style, focus and a full grasp of the imperatives of good governance. If you know how to make institutions function efficiently, that’s half the battle; if you don’t, then you will have to grapple with a dysfunctional government. So it’s not a matter of correction as it is a stylistic and operational. We will offer accountability, cost-efficient optimization of institutions, full adherence to extant laws and due process, and unfettered service delivery all within available resources. We will make grassroots development and the efficacy of our local government and municipal council system the cornerstone of our governance. We will hold local government elections as required by the Constitution.

    The governor has not been using the Government House. What will be your approach when elected? 

    That the primary entrance to the Government House Complex is permanently locked does not mean there is a lockdown. It could be for security reason. It might also be indicative of the low energy and feebleness of government. I don’t know; so you may need to redirect these questions to the State authorities.

    Will you return power to the South District in 2022, if you win the election?

    I certainly will. I have to honour any deal made by our zone or by me in that regard. That is the only way to begin to reshape our politics and dispense with the notion that you can’t trust politicians. Moreover, I’m a student of politics and history; we are witnesses in this country to what happens when deals and promises are not kept. By 2022 Anambra North would have completed eight years; there should be room for others to contest.

    What is your manifesto? Can you share it with us?

    I will unveil my manifesto at the appropriate time. It’s very simple to understand and similarly simple to operationalize. It will deliver good governance in every sense of the word. With it, those in government will work for the people and not for special or vested interests. There will be accountability and transparency in government and we will put our people back to work. I will not disclose the key elements now, since we have noticed that people in the other camps appropriate my policy ideas and policy recommendations without the decency of giving us any credit.

    A new political party, the Advance Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA), has just been formed. Where does the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of which you seek to use to actualize your dream stand in all these?

    Party politics is about accommodation and convergence of ideas, more so, where our parties are not ideologically based. The beauty of democracy is pluralism and broad representation. All the fuss about a meagre party fizzled. The registration of the Advanced Peoples Democratic Alliance (APDA) may yet prove propitious; it has some well-known backers. It if it is sufficiently inclusive will attract broad following, ft will certainly feature prominently in the 2017 elections. The more parties there are, the wider the choices and the stronger our democracy.

    Nigeria is at the cross roads again with the quit notice issued Igbo by Northern Youth Congress. Can this be the rumored prediction that Nigeria will disintegrate?

    I pray that Nigeria does not implode. As a nation, we are conversant with political brinksmanship; but we must not overplay our hands. It’s never wise to play with fire standing next to a tinderbox. It is up to the Nigeria political leadership not to allow the present political rascality to translate into a self-fulfilling prophecy.

    There is so much tension due to sectional agitation. would you subscribe to the Call for a national discourse?

    Nigerians must talk to each other. There is too much grandstanding and triumphalism going on. In the life of any nation, holding national conversations is routine. You don’t wait to arrive to a tipping point before you engage your citizens fully. The ‘Vet’s wait-and-see attitude” could easily backfire. As regards the ongoing agitation, the reality is that Biafra as a word, in spirit or in history will not evaporate. Neither will Nigeria. The demands for restructuring or any of its other synonymous sobriquets boils down to three words and aspirations; equity, fairness and justice. Such goals ought not to be too hard to attain or extended to those who feel aggrieved in any way. Yet we have become so sectional that patriotism and national interest are badly eroded.

  • Bill seeks 10-year jail term for land grabbers

    •Bureau makes N3.148b in four months

    A bill seeking 10 years imprisonment for land grabbers popularly known as Omo Onile is pending before Lagos State House of Assembly, Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau Mr. Bode Agoro has said.

    The bill is expected to be passed into law in the third quarter of the year.

    It is titled “Bill for a law to prohibit forcible entry and occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in Lagos State and for connected purposes.”

    Agoro, who was giving account of his one-year stewardship under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, said the attacks on government allottees by Omo Onile were unbecoming, adding that the government would no longer fold its arms and watch.

    “The incessant complaints and constant agony being felt by people of the state necessitated the Lagos State House of Assembly to embark on the bill. This law will definitely go a long way in stopping this terrible menace in our society. Let the Omo Onile be warned because we are determined to win the battle against them. We are coming for them and we are facing them squarely,” Agoro said.

    He regretted that Omo Onile have constituted themselves into nuisance, disturbing public peace at will.

    Agoro said between January and last month, the bureau realised N3.148 billion from land sales.

    Between last May and March, it generated over N8 billion; Governor Ambode signed 5,625 Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) within the same period. Agoro attributed the feat to the government’s strong will, immense capacity for hard work and desire to accelerate the process of issuing land title.

    “The need for the acceleration of the titling process is that a high number of property owners in the state have realised the importance of having titles for their lands, especially the business community, as registered land titles are major documents needed as collateral for obtaining facilities from financial institutions,” he noted, adding that the Directorate of Land Services, a department in the Bureau, has also introduced a new form, known as IC, which incorporates the passport photograph of the purchaser to be affixed on the deeds of agreement.

  • Bill seeks 10-year jail term for land grabbers

    •Bureau makes N3.148b in four months

    BILL seeking 10 years imprisonment for land grabbers, popularly known as Omo Onile, is pending before the Lagos State House of Assembly, Permanent Secretary, Lands Bureau, Mr. Bode Agoro, has said.

    The bill is expected to be passed into law in the third quarter of the year.

    It is titled “Bill for a law to prohibit forcible entry and occupation of landed properties, violent and fraudulent conducts in relation to landed properties in Lagos State and for connected purposes.”

    Agoro, who was giving account of his one-year stewardship under Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, said the attacks on government allottees by Omo Onile were unbecoming, adding that the government would no longer fold its arms and watch.

    “The incessant complaints and constant agony being felt by people of the state necessitated the Lagos State House of Assembly to embark on the bill. This law will definitely go a long way in stopping this terrible menace in our society. Let the Omo Onile be warned because we are determined to win the battle against them. We are coming for them and we are facing them squarely,” Agoro said.

    He regretted that Omo Onile have constituted themselves into nuisance, disturbing public peace at will.

    Agoro said between January and last month, the bureau realised N3.148 billion from land sales.

    Between last May and March, it generated over N8 billion; Governor Ambode signed 5,625 Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) within the same period. Agoro attributed the feat to the government’s strong will, immense capacity for hard work and desire to accelerate the process of issuing land title.

    “The need for the acceleration of the titling process is that a high number of property owners in the state have realised the importance of having titles for their lands, especially the business community, as registered land titles are major documents needed as collateral for obtaining facilities from financial institutions,” he noted, adding that the Directorate of Land Services, a department in the Bureau, has also introduced a new form, known as IC, which incorporates the passport photograph of the purchaser to be affixed on the deeds of agreement.

  • Kogi 2015:Wada seeks another term

    Kogi 2015:Wada seeks another term

    After months of speculations, Kogi State Governor Idris Wada has formally declared that he will seek re-election.

    A statement by the Government House said the governor accepted to seek re-election, following the pressure mounted on him by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) elders and other stakeholders.

    Wada was quoted to have said: “The words of our elders are words of wisdom. I’ve come to appreciate in the last few weeks that before elders speak, they must have used experience, patience, candour and courage.

    “This latest gesture by our leaders has added to the weight of responsibility that I shoulder. My pledge is to surpass your expectations, God helping me.”

    The statement added that the stakeholders, besides endorsing Wada as the party’s candidate ahead of the November 21 governorship poll, also agreed that power rotation be entrenched in the state body politics.

    They resolved that after the tenure of the incumbent, power should rotate between the West and Central senatorial districts.

  • Africa’s leaders and term limits

    On April 30, on a street of Musaga, an outskirt of Bujumbura, two men held up a pair of placards reading: “Peace we need” and “We say no to the 3rd term”. The duo were among the tens of thousands Burundians, who poured to the street in a perennial protest asking President Pierre Nkurunziza to jettison his controversial third term bid for good.

    In neighbouring Rwanda, President Paul Kagame, has made no secret of similar bid. The body language of president of Benin and that of his counterpart in Democratic Republic of Congo reveals the same intention to remain in power despite attaining their constitutional term limit. In Zimbabwe, the continent’s oldest head of state, Robert Mugabe, is enjoying limitless tenure since the nation achieved independence in 1980. In the same vein, the Gambia’s long-serving President Yahya Jammeh, is not looking forward to extend his tenure for a handful of years or so. He told the BBC in 2011, that he would rule for “one billion years… if Allah says so”.

    These and many more African leaders, who are unwilling to relinquish power, have been on a collision course with ordinary Africans’ strong support of presidential term limits.

    David Shinn, the former United States Ambassador to Burkina Faso and Ethiopia was said to have referred term limits for a country’s most important political leader as an essential component of building democracy.  He advocated for a gold standard of maximum of two terms, each of which does not exceed five years (seven years at most). Term limits, he explained, “are usually thought to apply to the office of president. But for countries like Ethiopia, where the prime minister holds most of the power, it is more important that the constitution designates term limits for that position, not the office of the president which is ceremonial.”

    Perhaps term limits can be a major hindrance to policy sustainability and sometime frustrate institution, especially for incumbent leaders but even occasionally for the led. As a result of these, some have expressed preference for leadership continuity rather than rotation because of the stability that comes with the former. Besides, many heads of government, Africans or otherwise, can serve their people effectively in a third or even fourth term. For instance, the first Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, who governed for more than three decades – from 1959 to 1990. Yet he oversaw the transformation of Singapore from a third world country into one of the world’s richest and most civilized nations, and into a new type of political entity.

    However, we have a host of other cases where prolonged stay in power leads to “syndrome of power in perpetuity” especially in Africa and the Middle East. A potent viewpoint on persistent leaders holds that they can be a biggest roadblock to transformation and fresh ideas. Multiple terms in office provides breeding ground for corruption, nepotism, tyranny, impunity and so on.

    But across Africa, the number of sit-tight leaders has been soaring over the years following the full-on metamorphosis of heads of government from transient leaders to presidents for life. In this context the old cliché, that children of today are the leaders of tomorrow has lost its currency, as far as democratic power transition from one generation to the next is concerned.

    Despite the paucity of smooth power transition across the continent, some African leaders have willingly turned over power in compliance with constitutional provisions. They include: former leaders of Botswana, Benin, Cape Verde, Mali, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe and Tanzania. A truly extraordinary late Nelson Mandela had earned a peerless reputation for stepping down after his one term in office. But Jerry Rawlings of Ghana and Daniel arap Moi of Kenya complied with constitutional term limits under duress.

    Several African leaders tried in vain to change the term limit provision of their constitution so that they could run again. Zambia’s Frederick Chiluba, Malawi’s Bakili Muluzi and our own Olusegun Obasanjo ultimately bowed to the will of the political system and accepted term limits.

    Unfortunately, an attempt by West African leaders in May this year to adopt a common ground in favour of a maximum of two terms for all presidents in the region failed following disputations from the presidents of Togo (which abolished term limits in 2002) and Gambia.

    Based on an extensive and highly revered report published by AFRO Barometer recently, the following key findings were revealed. In 34 African countries, about three-quarters of citizens favour limiting presidential mandates to two terms. Support of term limits has been consistently high over time and is the majority view even in countries that have never had term limits or that have removed term limits from their constitutions. More-educated citizens tend to express greater support for term limits, as do citizens with greater exposure to the news media.

    It is obvious that Africans generally see the merit in term limits. Thus, it is time for more African governments to add term limits in the constitution and for incumbent leaders like President Nkurunziza it’s time to abide by the existing ones.

     

    • Rayyan wrote from Abuja
  • ‘Tejuoso deserves another term’

    ‘Tejuoso deserves another term’

    Veteran politician and politician Bayo Osiyemi writes on why the House of Assembly member from Mushin, Hon. Funmilayo Tejuoso, deserves another term in office.

    Let me begin from the very beginning. I have been active in the politics of Mushin in Lagos, Nigeria since the mid-70s from the Ijebutedo? ward in Somolu when it was part of Mushin Local Government Area.

    And when I got invited from my Daily Times base (I mean the real Daily Times that was then Africa’s second best newspaper after Al-Haram of Egypt in terms of size, content and coverage) by my senior colleague and boss, Alhaji Lateef Jakande to join him in his bid to contest for the gubernatorial tiara in Lagos State , I was not a total neophte in the Lagos political terrain.

    The electioneering of that period from mid-78 to the conclusion of the elections in 1979 must rank among the most rigorous governorship campaigns ever undertaken in this state – on land and water – from Orugbo, Isiu, Lekki island, Orimedu, Ibonwon, Odosiola, Agboyi, Tomaro, to Ibeshe, Akesan, Igbologun, Topo Idale to the farthest end of Lagos State in Badagry division.

    This uncommon opportunity makes me declare that I know this lovable Lagos State, breadth and width, like I know the lines on my palm; it’s people such as the late Adeniran Ogunsanya, Theophilus Owolabi Sobowale Benson, and Chief Alade Sonubi (Allan Show) of Ikorodu Division; Barrister Sanu Sobowale, Chief Tele Olukoya, and Otunba Bayo Dejonwo of Epe Division; H,H, Hakeem-Habeeb, Hilario Baba Akerele, Samuel Akanbi Onitiri, Chief Raufu Williams (Raw Cash) and First Republic Senator Alhaji Anifowose, Chief Davis ( Baba Rigimo) of Lagos Division; Alhaji Raufu Isola Solomon ( father of our own Senator Ganiu Solomon), , Prince M.A. Taiwo, Chief Aguntasolo of Ijeshattedo, Chief Wahab Irawo (father of today’s Oba. Fatai Irawo of Odi-Olowo, Chiefs Banjoko and Ekerin of Oshodi, Chief Rafiu Jafojo and Alhaji Akinyemi and Alhaji Oreelope (father of out-going Deputy Governor Joke Adefulure), and Mrs Biola Babatope (wife of the boisterous radical-turned conservative, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, all of Ikeja Division; and Chiefs Senu, Bolaji Senu Hundeyin, Richard Ege, Stephen Dansu, Afolabi James, the Togan of Badagry( who later became an oba in one of Badagrys satellite towns).

    But, none of those politicians, especially of the female hue, that I know in this state, is as enigmatic as the longest serving female member of the state legislature, Hon. Mrs Adefunmilayo Tejuoso (nee Smith),  who is seeking another term into the House of Assembly from Mushin Constituency 1. Beautiful and brainy (she has a masters degree in law) and is undoubtedly a toast in the Lagos social circuit, oftentimes in the company of her husband, Kayode, a prince and son of the reigning Osile, Okeona Egba, Abeokuta, Ogun State.

    But, behind her soft exterior is a lady of steel, who is largely misunderstood or misrepresented. Bold, principled and articulate, she’s any knowledgeable persons candidate for the Speakership of the House anyday. When it comes to gender issues, she is reputed to be passionate; no wonder she has a number of related bills to her authorship. And, on issues of empowerment of the young and educated and the care of the elderly and the widows, I doubt if any legislator at the state level, male or female, had done better. It perhaps could be situated in her character of not given to blowing her trumpet that much of these had not gotten adequate mention in ths media.

    I am the first among equals in the Central Working Committee coordinating the ongoing 2015 Elections in Mushin One Constituency and that has afforded me the opportunity of knowing this lady many love to hate, at really close quarters. Those who know me know I am not given to platitudes. And when I put my thoughts to paper, the subject must be really worth it. I find this honourable lady quite engaging. She’s brilliant, she is articulate ( making me wonder what business the dull and door benchwarmers have being in the legislative houses), she’s principled and brutally frank in calling cant’ and humbug by their real names.

    Uncharacteristically of the typical politician of low repute, she doesn’t talk from both sides of the mouth and she’s my ideal poltician whose position on any given issue is clear with no ambiguity. This may explain why she’s so largely misunderstood or misrepresented, such that all manners of atrocious behaviour are falsely attributed to her.

    As one who, immodesty be damned, has seen the world and exposed to quality politicians/lawmakers, the stuff of which make a nation great, Hon Tejuoso is a quintessential lawmaker which any sincere and sane society should cultivate and embrace, rather than be stigmatised. If I am to influence the voting on April 11, I won’t hesitate to garner all the votes for this candid candidate of my All Progressives Congress.

    Tejuoso is human and may not be unbothered by the barbs being thrown at her, especially from known quarters, some of who had once benefitted from her large heartedness and from unknown quarters? who sadly but innocently are in the majority. She needs not bother much, for a number of reasons. One, she’s in good company of good but unfairly assessed politicians like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Nigeria’s toast of democracy and scourge of political revisionists, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Ttinubu.

    I’m convinced that where Awolowo and Tinubu succeeded, Funmi Tejuoso too will succeed. All she needs do is to continue to stay positive, convinced in the thought that some of the best days of her life hasn’t happened yet? Point is I have been enriched by experience to conclude that one should not feel bad when people say something false and bad about you, and judge you as if tgey truly know you, remembering that dogs bark  if they don’t know a person.

  • ‘Jonathan doesn’t deserve second term’

    ‘Jonathan doesn’t deserve second term’

    A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Hon. Fatai Olukoga, in this interview with DADA ALADELOKUN, explains why the party must continue to steer the ship of the state.

    There are fears that the general elections will make or mar Nigeria. What is your position?

    The election will hold this year. No matter the plans they are having, the people will come out and vote. Nigerians are ready to cast their votes for the right candidates. And of course, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is trying to cause problems; this we could see through the bombardment of the APC’s Data Office in Lagos. They came up with the unfounded allegation that the APC is trying to scuttle the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) register. They used the Department of Security Service (DSS) and other agencies like the police to intimidate the APC and cause trouble so that at the end, the election will not hold. But on February 14, Nigerians will troop out for the elections.

    What do make of the various calls for the postponement of the elections?

    To me, Nigerians are ready for the elections. There are some politicians who are aware that they have not performed or done anything to warrant the people’s support; I mean the PDP. They have equally seen that other political parties have come out with credible candidates to vie for posts. They have erred in the areas of tackling insurgency and others areas. Nigerians have seen that the President is not a man of integrity, who started first by saying he would not contest for second term. Now, he wants to contest for second term, when there are documents to show when he said he would not run for a second term. He has again said he would set up another body that will tackle corruption. So, what happens to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies? It all goes to say that they don’t have the capability to fight corruption. What the President ought to have done is to honourably resign.

    What makes the APC better than the PDP?

    In most of the APC states, we can see what they are doing. We can see the level of development in the states. It happened during Asiwaju Bola Tinubu era in Lagos State; we can see what Mr. Babatunde Fashola is doing. When Gbenga Daniel ran Ogun State for  has something to show in states they have governed. What can the PDP put forward in terms of what it has done for the people?

    Many people have complained about their inability to have their PVCs. How should the matter be resolved?

    I think it is a good thing that government has listened to the cries of Nigerians over the inability to access the PVC. Just recently, President Goodluck Jonathan said the PVC should be provided for the people. I think the decision was taken because they are aware that they have been caught in their game. They are aware that they have made the mistake. They were hiding the PVC by not allowing them to get to the people. The PVC distribution was not effectively handled; they asked the people to go to councils to collect their PVC which is far away from where they reside. At the councils, people were queuing endlessly for the PVC. The people have to go to a particular place to get their PVC and where you see overcrowded people for the purpose of collecting PVC is not good enough. You could see what happened during the recruitment at the Nigerian Immigration Services employment. People died because they had to go to one particular place for the exercise. That shows they don’t know what they are doing. If they know how to govern, they would not come up with that type of suggestion. I can assure you that in 2015 when the APC comes into power, the problems of mismanaging the economy will be addressed. We have seen from the President’s campaign, his agenda in term of how he will run the country. He has told us what he is going to do in terms of employment, insurgency and other issues. The APC government in Lagos State has brought development to the five divisions that make up the state. In the coming years, money will be sunk to the Lagos State employment drive which will further generate employment for our youths in the state.

    The PDP’s ineptitude is very obvious. For instance, the Lagos State PDP campaign slogan is bold idea. But, what the bold idea is has not been articulated to the people. I can assure you that the APC candidate will take advantage of what the present administration has done and build more on it. The APC has the template but does the PDP have a template? I want to say they don’t have anything convincing to offer to the people of Lagos State.

    With all that is happening, can INEC conduct a credible election?

    With the way INEC is conducting itself, I will say boldly that the commission has been bought. When Prof. Attahiru Jega got INEC’s job he said he will be honest in the discharge of his duty but from what we have been seeing that promise is being compromised. So, people can see that he has been bought. Also, the police, State Security Service (SSS), army and other agencies of government have been bought. That is why they said that Lagos had a voting population of six million in 2011, and they now say it is four million and even at that, the four million cannot get their PVC.

  • Jonathan’s second term bid divides Urhobo

    Jonathan’s second term bid divides Urhobo

    Crisis is brewing in Urhoboland over alleged moves by prominent leaders of the Urhobo Progressives Union (UPU) to mobilise support for the second term ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan and other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) flag bearers in the general election.

    Members of the group said that the move to tilt support towards the PDP has violated the  last year’s “Ovwiamughe Declaration” that the ethnic group will cast one million bloc votes for the All progressives Congress (APC) at the general elections,because the PDP failed to zone its governorship ticket to Urhoboland.

    Following the death of the former UPU leader, Gen. Patrick Aziza, under whose leadership the Urhobo nation backed the PDP, his successor, Chief Joe Omene, allegedly reneged on the declaration when he indicated that Urhobo could support Chief Great Ogboru, the Labour Party (LP)  governorship candidate. That was few weeks after he assured the APC governorship candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, of his support. However, Omene denied the allegation, saying that he will always protect the interest of the tribe.

    A meeting of UPU stakeholders at Mosogar, Ethiope East Council Area to explore the possibility of fielding a single Urhobo candidate, in line with Ovwiamughe Declaration, ended abruptly. Many leaders of the association rose against the pressure on Urhobo people to support the PDP, following its failure to zone the ticket to the ethnic group.

    It was alleged that majority of the UPU executives were bent on actualising the original Uvwiamuge Declaration that Emerhor should be adopted as the consensus candidate. But, the meeting had to adjourn, following a resolution that the matter should be brought before the Urhobo Council of Traditional Rulers, and the youth and women wings for ratification.

    An executive member who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said: “Majority of the executives agreed in a voice vote at the meeting that the Ovwiamughe Declaration should stand and that a drastic decision must be taken to checkmate the unbecoming attitude of those violating the declaration.”

    Some Urhobos had earlier called for the resignation and or removal of Omene as the President-General of the UPU, following the allegation that he was rooting for the President’s second term ambition. But, he denied the allegation, saying that he cannot go against the wishes of the group.

    Justice Otitiri, a political analyst, said: “Urhobo must now know we have a PDP mole as UPU leader. The reality is staring us in the face now.

    “Omene has been championing the suspension of the Amoris, Magages, and other Urhobos by the UPU, for supporting Anioma governorship ambition and the PDP generally. Now, he is the one trying to truncate the collective decision the Urhobo has made on the alter of his selfish pact with President Jonathan. He should honourably resign or be dismissed as the UPU leader.”

    The National Vice Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Mumakai-Unagha, who was at meeting, said: “I am very surprised by this confusion of a U-turn being promoted by some of us. Urhobo must not be deceived that President is willing to support Urhobo governorship through Labour Party.

    “If he is interested in Urhobo governorship, he would have supported us for the Delta PDP ticket when we wrote him six months ago. This resentful u-turn if allowed to succeed it would have long term negative consequences for the Urhobo nation.

    “The UPU would have lost all its credibility. Nobody would respect UPU anymore. Ovwiamughe Declaration had space for only PDP and APC. Since PDP has failed and undermined us, APC is the exclusive choice for Urhobo to support. It an oath we all, especially the UPU leadership, swore to abide. There is no going back.”