The Nation Newspaper

Tag: vote

  • ‘Why Nigerians should vote for change’

    ‘Why Nigerians should vote for change’

    A social critic, Peter Kolade, reflects on the general elections and adduces reasons for the quest for change at the centre.

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has said that it is the biggest political party in Africa and that it will rule Nigeria for 50 years. Other leaders boasted 100 years. Why not? From the first general election in this democratic dispensation in 1999 to the last one in 2011, PDP won all the presidential elections, won most governorship seats, has been controlling the two arms of the National Assembly and has held sway in many House of Assembly than any other political party. However, the on-going climate of change has begun to alter the political landscape. So those statistics may be rooted on shaky grounds now.

    The ruling party owes itsawesome strength to its dominance of the political arena while fragments of the opposition were speaking in discordant notes. The All  People’sParty, APP that fielded Buhariin the 2003 presidential election, the All Nigeria People’s Party, ANPP that chose him as its presidential candidate in the 2007 election and the Congress for Progressives Change, CPC that made him its presidential flag bearer in 2011 were all parties that did not control enough spread to pose serious challenge to PDP. And so OlusegunObasanjo, UmaruYar’Adua and now Goodluck Jonathan just left Buhari in the lurch and won the presidential races in quick succession. Even the Alliance for Democracy, AD, later known as ACN and the rest could only scratch the surface and left PDP in virtual absolute control of machinery of Federal government and many state governments.

    So, under such circumstances, why should anyone except PDP to be modest when its handlers were engaged in perpetual dance at the seats of political power in Nigeria. As someone crudely puts it “If na you nko?” meaning if you had found yourself in such a position, what would you have done?

    The problem with that kind of overconfidence is that the PDP became complacent. Its slogan, PDP! POWER!! became so resonant that nobody knew if the other parties had a slogan to match that one. It is even worse that while the likes of Obasanjowho was brisk but sometimes brash and Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who appeared to be trustworthy and even declared his assets publicly, created a semblance of governance, Goodluck Jonathan fell in love with the paraphernalia of the office of President. He has been evasive while his wife Dame Patience was vocal and quite visible sometimes to the extent of being the alternate president of Nigeria but for the constitution that did not really assign her any role in government. For the duo, power has been ‘sweet’ and they have spent the last six years or so just enjoying it.

    There has been public outrage about pandemic corruption in government with culprits of corruption walking around with so much air of freedom. Monumental contracts were awarded for infrastructural development all over the country. Only the President can tell the nation how often he visited the sites of those projects and whether or not he is satisfied with the progress of work. Certainly official briefs prepared for him on the contracts would always belly the facts while his ministers would like to tell him what he wants to hear.

    Like Babatunde Fashola, the governor of Lagos State recently asked: “Where are the 25,000 kilometres of roads that President Goodluck Jonathan said that his government had constructed across the country?”Honestly, if such achievement has been recorded, it is doubtful if the major highways in the country would still have ordinary potholes.

    Impunity reigned and the confidence of the people in their government waned The many attrocities of PDP’s domination of governance in Nigeria will fill volumes of books.

    However, there came a time when many of the opposition parties decided to fuse under a single banner. Incidentally BamangaTukur was the Chairman of PDP at that time. He dismissed the fusion of ANPP, CPC, APGA, ACN and others as “ordinary gang up that won’t affect the electoral fortunes of PDP.” Many political soothsayers, fortune tellers, practising marabouts and analysts of Nigeria’s political scene found a common tent to gather and dismiss the All Progressives Alliance, APC as a none starter. It was jocularity predicted that the alliance would crumble as early as it was formed.

    For nearly two years, a group that called itself Transformation Agent of Nigeria reeled out scripts dressed with audio visuals and told Nigerians that Goodluck  Jonathan was transforming Nigeria. While the propaganda went on in a frenzy APC spent time consolidating itself. As the saying goes, nobody can delay the sunset. So time was ticking away until the 2015 general election stared everyone in the face.

    All the predictions about the disintegration of the opposition have not come to pass. The achievements that Jonathan said he had recorded cannot justify the amount of resources that had been ‘poured’ on them. Many projects have not left the drawing board; yet a good number have been abandoned and what is more the ones going on are at best work in slow progress. No wonder the glib presentations that the President gives to explain his non-really-enviable scorecards whenever he engages the media!

    The other day, a group of people was watching the news on one of the TV channels and the President came on air to say that the nation was winning the war against terror. The chorus that greeted his remarks was: “We have heard that before.”

    It is the lacklustre image of the President and his inability to deliver on the promises he made to the electorate in 2011 that have become his nemesis. That is what has also tossed up APC as a viable alternative now and General MuhammaduBuhari, the man with the pedigree that can turn the nation back from the cliff hanger which is where the country is now. In addition, PDP is going into this election as a weakened imperial army.A good number of its ‘generals’ are now in APC and there are others who are still in the party but working against the party. Add that to a despondent electorate and you will know why the clamour for change is being echoed everywhere now.

    It is hoped that PDP that is ill-prepared for defeat will allow the will of the people to determine the outcome of the election and the party should take solace in the fact that 16 years in power is a period long in enough for one party to reign supreme. If change is inevitable now, so be it. Parties come, parties go, Nigeria should remain intact. That will lend credence to our democracy!

  • Yoruba ‘ll vote for performance, says Akinrinade

    Yoruba ‘ll vote for performance, says Akinrinade

    The Convener of Yoruba Peoples’ Assembly Lt-Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd) has said that Yoruba will always vote for performance in general elections.

    He said the purported endorsement of President Goodluck Jonathan by selected Southwest leaders may not achieve the desired result because the people are educated, sophisticated and politically conscious.

    Akinriande lamented that the ‘Yoruba Agenda,’ which encompassed the legitimate demands of the Yoruba in the six Southwest states, Kwara, Kogi, Edo and Kwara, was rejected at last year’s National Conference.

    Giving reason for the collapse of the agenda, the former Chief of Army Staff said many delegates could not comprehend great ideas.

    The elder statesman, who spoke with our correspondent in Lagos on the state of the nation, said selected Yoruba leaders in the pan-Yoruba socio-political group, who have endorsed President for a second term because of his promise to implement the conference report, have misled Yorubaland.

    He said, while the Afenifere leaders have the right to  personally endorse the President, they cannot speak for Yorubaland at this critical time.

    The civil war hero reflected on the proposed deployment of troops for election purpose, saying that it is counter-productive. He said soldiers are needed more in the Northeast region to fight terror and liberate the abducted Chibok girls.

    Akinrinade also reflected on the challenges that will face the winner of the presidential election. He said the next President will inherit a divided country, a comatose economy, soaring unemployment, grave security challenges and corruption in the corridor of power.

    The former Minister of Agriculture said the warning by Americans on disintegration should not be discarded by wise Nigerians. He said the doomsday can only be averted by a leadership that can rise to the occasion.

    Flaying Yoruba leaders for misleading the people on the outcome of the National Conference, he said the conference did not favour the Southwest region.

    Akinriade also lamented that the region is still being marginalised by the Federal Government,  adding that nothing has changed, except the appointment of Brig-Gen. Jones Arogbofa as the Chief of Staff to the President.

    On the conference report, he said: “There are certain things that are sacrosanct to the Yoruba people. For instance, when we talk about true federalism, you don’t just do it on paper. All the elements that go with it like derivation, fiscal federalism, you must have responsibilities. Where are the powers which will be used to discharge the responsibilities? You don’t give me a state police and say that there is a national police being paid for by the central government, which people are free to use. But, if I want a state police, that I must pay for it myself. That is not a fair way to organize federalism.

    “The major issue is that we wanted a government that is more accountable to the people, a government that is close to the people. It is the parliamentary system that gives that kind of atmosphere. There was no reasonable discussion, not to talk about the merit of it. It was not the kind of assembly that I like; when you are given three minutes to talk.”

    Akinriade said the Yoruba Assembly will remain committed to the Yoruba Agenda and continue to raise public consciousness about its objectives.

    He said the Ibadan meeting has led to a re-awakening in the Southwest.

    Akinrinade said Afenifere chieftains were not speaking the mind of Yoruba when they endorsed the President for a second term. He said:” It is difficult to explain in a non-offensive way. There are challenges in Yorubaland. There are group of people who sold us for pittance. They misled us by trying to move us into what they call mainstream politics. All those who stood against it became their enemies. “There are all sorts of things going on around town about some of our eminent politicians, which people don’t want to recognise. But, I believe during this hours of need in Yorubaland, some people stood up and did very well. If not for them, we should have been in the mainstream politics of Nigeria and that is not a very good idea. It is full of corruption, almost brigandage and we cannot accept that for the Yoruba people.

    “There is this group that says they endorsed the Presidency of Jonathan for another four years. You can do that anytime, but you cannot do it on behalf of the Yoruba people. You don’t have to do that for me. I don’t believe that everybody in Yorubaland would like to support Jonathan. We have always been broad minded people who can think and decide what they want. You have to convince them about it. I am not convinced that the so-called elders were now looking at the Yoruba agenda viz-aviz what we went to do in Abuja and what the results are.”

  • ‘Why Southwest will not vote jonathan’

    ‘Why Southwest will not vote jonathan’

    All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Senator Babajide Omoworare (Osun East), who reflects on President Goodluck Jonathan’s visit to the Southwest to woo traditional rulers, contends that the last minute clandestine moves will not swing the pendulum of victory towards the direction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the polls.

    President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan visited Osun East (Ife Ijesa) Senatorial District on Saturday March 7, 2015. By the grace of God Almighty and the support of the good people of Ife Ijesa, I proudly represent that Senatorial District in the 7th Senate. I suppose the essence of Mr. President’s visit was to boost his electoral chances. Less we forget, the week before he visited my Senatorial District, he practically moved the seat of Federal Government from Abuja to State House, Marina, Lagos hosting some youths and was serenaded by pop stars etc. The President hosted General Adeyinka Adebayo, Chief Idowu Sofola SAN, Professor Adebayo Olateju and some other elders of Yoruba Council of Elders. He also visited Alaafin Oyo and Soun Ogbomoso, traditional rulers in South West Nigeria.

    The Chairman or President Jonathan’s Southwest Campaign Organization and governor of Ondo State Dr. Rahman Olusegun Mimiko CON has also tried very hard to galvanize support for Mr. President. He hosted Dr. Fredrick Fasheun, Dr. Gani Adams, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu et all; purportedly to appraise the recently concluded National Conference. It should be on record that Mr. President did not do any rally or canvas for votes. All he wants from South West is endorsement. Without being preemptive and imputing motive, I hope the  visits to South West will not be justification for electoral malfeasance.

    On Saturday August 2, 2014, a week before the State of Osun gubernatorial election, Mr. President visited Osogbo to campaign for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. The city of Osogbo was locked down. Men from the Directorate of State Securities (DSS) covered their faces with balaclavas and shot sporadically into the air. The highlight of the visit was that when Mr. President was given the microphone to campaign, we expected him to inform us of what he has done in the State of Osun and what his presidency will, in the twilight of his government still has in the offing for the good people of the State of Osun. Alas, Mr. President said when next he comes he would tell us what they have done in Osun.

    Since that visit, President Jonathan has visited the State of Osun, by my estimate at least twice. He isnyet to tell us what he has done in my State. The last visit of Saturday March 7, 2015 was to my senatorial district. As usual, the City of Ile-Ife was locked down. Personally, I will remember this visit to my Senatorial District as opportunity for the Thugs of the PDP’s senatorial candidate to destroy APC Billboards. Yet, the President did not come to “turn the sod” for a new project, talk much less of “commissioning” a project. The truth is: there is none to commission. He came to visit our royal fathers, which is in order. What is not in order from my point of view is that one would expect Mr. President to remember the people I proudly represent on the floor of the Senate of the Federal Republic. If he is not starting a new project, he should even complete projects he promised to complete and not to just ask for our votes.

    In the past 6 (six) years, the people of South West Nigeria, particularly the people of the State of Osun and most especially, Ifes and Ijesas have not felt the presence and impact of the Federal Govenrment. The Ile-Ife Water Project that was abandoned in 2009 remains abandoned. The sum of about N4,000,000,000 (four billion Naira) is required to complete it and the Budget Office of Mr. President appropriated a paltry N5,000,000 (five million Naira) in this years’s budget, which is not enough to mobilize the Contractor to site. The counter-part fund of the State of Osun for the Ilesa Water Project in Kajola, a project also abandoned in 2009, is already available. The counter-part fund for the Federal Government in the sum of N2,400,000,000 (two billion four hundred million Naira) is not available. The meagre sum of N5,000,000 (five million Naira) is also appropriated in this years budget for this project. The dualization of Osu – Ife Road has been abandoned. The Omiokun Road project in Arubidi, Ile-Ife has just been commenced by the government of the State of Osun when the Federal Government failed to implement same. This same story will be told of the dualization of the Osogbo – Ilesa Road. The Ife Mini Stadium at Ita-Osa has also been abandoned. The President however, kept coming to South West without commissioning a project. The foregoing tales of woes is true about the entire South Western part of this great country. It is on record that His Imperial Majesty Ooni Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II reminded Mr. President of these outstanding projects and others, when he came last year August to campaign for PDP’s gubernatorial candidate.

    It is also unprecedented in the annals of Nigerian contemporary history that a geopolitical zone will be this jettisoned and abandoned like the Federal Government did the South Western part of this country, not only in the area of infrastruture development as gleaned in the foregoing but also in the area of filling political offices. Our supreme law has protected every geopolitical zone in Nigeria by providing for Federal Character in infrastruture development and appointments. Section 14 (3) of the Constitution of Nigeria provides: “The composition of the Government of the Federation or any of its agencies and the conduct of its affairs shall be carried out in such a manner as to reflect the federal character of Nigeria and the need to promote national unity, and also to command national loyalty, thereby ensuring that there shall be no predominance of persons from a few State or from a few ethnic or other sectional groups in that Government or in any of its agencies”.

    In this area, there has been gross injustice meted out to South Westerners; my geopolitical zone has been crassly short-changed and disgustingly marginalized. Let us even ask ourselves how the Yorubas have faired under President Jonathan’s government. A government that agency facted the afore-sited supposedly inviolable provision of the Constitution is definitely not a friend of Yorubas. This government cannot suddenly wake up from its slumber of almost six years and just fall in love us, because election is lurking. The President is from South South. From Mr. President’s geo-political zone, we also have the following: Petroleum Minister, the Director General (DG) of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA),  DG Security andExchange Commission, the Chairman Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), the Managing Director (MD) NDDC, the DG Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission, the Speacial Adviser (SA) to Mr. President on Millenium Development Goal (MDG), the Chief Economic Adviser to Mr. President, the SA Performance, Monitoring and Evaluation of Ministries, Depaprtments and Agencies (MDAs), Chairman Nigeria Port Authority, DG Directorate of States Security (DSS), , Chairman Poice Service Commission, the Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Service etc.

    The Northwest produced the Vice President as well as the Speaker House of Representatives. This geopolitical zone also prodused the Foreign Affairs Minister, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Clerk of the National Assembly, the Registrar of Supreme Court,  the Comptroller-General of Customs, the Chairman Independent National Electoral Commission. The Senate President is from North Central, the Minister for Internal Affairs, the Comptroller General of Immigration, the DG Nigeria Health Insurance Scheme, the Auditir General of the Federation and the DG national Orientation Agency. The Chief Justice of the Federarion emerged from the North East with the President of the Court of Appeal, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Head of Service, the Chairman NIMASA, MD Nigeria National Petroleum Corporarion (NNPC), SA Political Affairs. The Deputy Senate President and the Deputy Speaker House of Representatives are from the South East, ditto Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Finance, the Chairman National Population Commision, the DG Budget Office, the DG Soverign Wealth Fund, the DG Debt Management Office, theh Comptoller-General of Prisons, the Chairman and Executive Vice Chairman of Nigerian Communications Commission ( NCC), the DG/CEO National Identity Management Commision, the Chairman/CEO National Electricity Reulatory Commision.

    When faced with the foregoing, it is ostensible that my geopolitical zone of South West has been abjectly neglected and politically undervalued. We are not unaware of the fact the whole of Nigeria has been grossly underdeveloped; the seemingly deliberate retrogression of the South West is unprecedented in the history of governence both in terms of infrastructure as well as human capital. It is on record that the people of South West voted for Mr. President en masse in 2011. The good people of South West will assess President Goodluck Jonathan on his performance in our region in the last six years; our assessment will not be based on desperate and empty promises. One wonders what these trips cost? It would have been better if such cost had been put to use to develop projects in South West. To enable us assess whether President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration had been fair to us in South West, I use this medium to throw a challenge to the President’s handlers, let them reel out their achievements for Nigerians to juxtapose and judge. The Awujale of Ijebuland Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona was reported as corroborating my foregoing position when Mr. Presdient visited his Palace on Thursday March 12, 2015 by saying that “Ijebuland has not felt the impact of Federal Government and that Ijebu Sons and Daughters have not been given important appointments imto the quota arrangement of Nigeria.”

    It is therefore strange and curious that any freeborn Yoruba adult will adopt a President that has not done anything for his or her region. The All Progressive Congress presidential running mate is from this region, it is dubious that our elders who claim to be Awoists will not adopt the grandson-in-law of the late sage. Whether the people pandered as Yoruba Leaders that are endorsing President Jonathan actually have the mandate of Yoruba people to so do is another topic for future debate. Whether they even have the clout to deliver is another topic for intellectual polemic in future. What matters now is whether President Jonathan has reciprocated the over 2,700,000 (two million seven hundred thousand) votes cast for him by the Yoruba nation in 2011. What assurance do we have that the gargantuan maginalizatoion of Yorubaland by President Jonathan will not continue if he is re-elected? Will the present and coming generation forgive those endorsing Jonathan when accounts are given in future? How will they be remembered by the unborn generation? Anybody campaigning for and endorsing President Goodluck Jonathan in the South West is patently on his own.

    We can not continue on this perilious path and mortgage the future of the generation next and our imminent leaders. The die is already cast, effort of this nature of unfruitful and unmeritorious trips to South West by Mr President is an attempt to reap where he did not sow. I sincerely advice Mr President to listen to the street, do away with praise singing and empty promises of shylocks around him whose major interest is financial exploitation. The wind of change (blowing across the Nation) is looming to all except the Court Jesters in the Presidential Palace.

    I do not believe in nepotism, ethnic jingoism and tribal chauvinism, in fact I owe full allegiance to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I abide by my Oath to protect, preserve and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic. Put siccintly, I am a patriotic nationalist. It is however a matter of duty for me as a Senator of the Federal Republic to protect the interest of those who voted for me in Ife Ijesa senatorial district, and the State of Osun as a whole. I also owe my Yoruba race to protect it from under development, systemic annihilation and calculated extinction. Lastly, as a matter of honour, I must uphold Section 14 (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which from the foregoing has been serially impugned and successively assailed.

  • Vote an upright leader, candidate tells voters

    THE presidential candidate of the KOWA Party, Prof. Remi Sonaiya, has urged the citizenry to vote a candidate who will tackle corruption headlong.

    Prof. Sonaiya, who was a guest speaker at the fund-raising of the Alumni Fellowship of the Evangelical Christian Fellowship (ECU), Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, held at Diplomat Hotel, Lagos, said such a candidate must lead by example.

    She said Nigeria will make a quantum leap in development if a leader who is prepared to fight corruption is elected, stressing that the electorate has a major role to play in the fight to return the country back on course.

    The KOWA presidential candidate said: “We need a competent leader who can help to galvanise our collective aspirations. We do not need a leader who encourages division along religious and ethnic lines.

    “We need a leader who is fundamentally upright, a leader who is ready to take responsibilities for all Nigerians, irrespective of where they come from.  We need a leader who will put himself in the front and not the one who will take the back seat.”

    Prof. Sonaiya added that the nation’s development had been stalled because of lack of good education for moral and mental development.

    She praised politicians of the First Republic, such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo; Sir Ahmadu Bello; Chief Anthony Enahoro and other who, she said, served the country faithfully.

    She wondered what had gone wrong with the present leadership, saying: “Just recently, it came to fore that President Goodluck Jonathan acquire some 90 hectares of Abuja in the name of farming. His media aide, Dr. Reuben Abati, came out to defend him that the president acted within the provisions of the constitution.”

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Kasali: Ibeju-Lekki ‘ll vote APC

    Kasali: Ibeju-Lekki ‘ll vote APC

    Former Lagos State Commissioner for Health Dr. Kola Kasali has described the App Progressives Congress (APC) as the Ark of Noah, which will take the people of Ibeju-Lekki, East District, to the promised land.

    The party chieftain dismissed as a ruse the insinuation that Ibeju-Lekki is a stronghold of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

    He said the APC will win the governorship election in thew area to confirm that the people have sealed a pact with the progressive camp.

    Kasali spoke when the APC campaign train rolled into Ibeju-Lekki.

    He said: The APC is the ark of Noah. It will take Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to Aso Villa. It will take Mr. Akinwumi Ambode to Alausa Government House. It will take our candidates to the state and National Assembly. I only have one message for you. Go and get your PVC. We will use PCV for this election. We will use card reader. Get ready.”

    Kasali described the PDP as a confused organisation, recalling that the party masterminded the postponement of the election because its failure was imminent.

    Urging the people to reject the PDP, he said, if a PDP governor is elected in Lagos State, he will scrap the additional 37 councils.

    He added: “We don’t want a governor that will reduce the number of councils from 57 to 20. We want continuity in Lagos. The government is contructing our roads here. Ibeju-Lekki will soon become a free trade zone. sIbeju-Lekki is the future of Lagos. The future has started today.”

    Another chieftain, Tunde Isiaka, said: ‘PDP is fighting against the card reader because they have seen the futility of using the card reader to rig. They are distributing rice, money and GSM. But, I ask you to reject them. Our chiefs have been upgraded. Our roads are being tarred. We only know the APC here. PDP has not done anything for us.”

  • Fayose and the elderly vote

    Fayose and the elderly vote

    Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, increasingly sounds like a man who has started something and is clueless how to finish it. He has blundered badly but is too ashamed to admit it. There’s no dignified way for him to pull back, so he keeps pushing out silly attack adverts against Buhari and signs them off with a line claiming he has ‘No Apology.’

    Fayose has this false notion that at 70 people become physically and mentally incapacitated. Some of Nigeria’s most celebrated leaders are in that age bracket. Pastor E. A. Adeboye, General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) – one of the world’s fastest growing Pentecostal congregations just celebrated 73. His schedule which includes grueling travels around the world is more than some presidents undertake.

    Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor, president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) – an energetic man of God is over 70. Fayose’s colleague, and chairman of a faction of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF), Plateau’s Jonah Jang, just turned 71. He has not quit office yet. If anything he’s running for Senate on March 28!

    Fayose’s feverish verbal assaults against the APC presidential candidate for committing the offence of aspiring for office at 73, suggests that he may not be too keen to live to that age of ‘incapacitation.’

    The governor drove the drama to a new low in Lagos last week when at the parley between PDP governors, the media and civil society, he announced to all gathered that his mother aged 72 uses Pampers. What sort of character will subject his mother and family to such indignity and public humiliation? This was too much information for those gathered as the embarrassed giggling that followed his disclosure showed. Clearly, high office doesn’t automatically make a man classy!

    In his depiction of septuagenarians as useless Fayose risks turning a huge segment of the voting population against his chosen candidate. In most countries the elderly represent a powerful demographic that politicians court assiduously at election time.

    His disrespectful denigration of those 70 and above has not made Buhari less popular. Instead it will drive the offended in this age bracket to embrace one of their own. And PDP has ‘Mr. No Apology’ to thank for that.

  • ‘Why Ndigbo ‘ll vote APC in Lagos’

    ‘Why Ndigbo ‘ll vote APC in Lagos’

    In this piece, the Co-ordinator of the Association for the ‘Defence of Igbo Interests in Lagos’, Comrade Chris Nwokobia, explains why Ndigbo will vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, at the April 11 election.

    In all parts of Lagos, we have been inundated with innuendoes that will clearly endanger Ndigbo, their properties and other interests in Lagos if not well handled. We are concerned because there is a raging feeling all over Lagos that Igbo are deep into a conspiracy to undermine the political interests of the Yoruba and help impose an anti-Yoruba surrogate in Lagos, as a way of mocking and undermining the political interests of the Yoruba Nation.

    We see this as dangerous and we note that this has sparked hostile reactions and promises to spark more reactions after the election.

    We are compelled to state that Ndigbo are parts and parcel of Lagos and that we share an excellent relationship with the people of Lagos, especially the Yoruba. We state also that Ndigbo are the prime beneficiaries of the conducive environment Lagos offers, that Ndigbo are the prime beneficiaries of the good, orderly and secure governance in Lagos, especially in the past sixteen years, we note that Igbo businesses and spirit of enterprise have flowered so well in the new Lagos, a working and modern Mega City that offers a home for all Nigerians and offers an expansive environment for Igbo businesses to thrive unimpeded.

    Our concern is that these great benefits stand to be endangered by a misreading of the present and unfolding political situation in the country, where it is being made to seem as if Igbo are in the forefront of what is seen as a political battle to upstage the Yoruba in Lagos. We are concerned that the greedy and selfish interests of some self-serving Igbo masquerading as leaders of Igbo people and self serving groups, stand to endanger the Igbo in Lagos in the near future hence we issue this disclaimer. We want to state the afore-mentioned impressions amounts to a    misreading of the Igbo in Lagos and their well known republican disposition especially as it relates to issues and politics in Nigeria and do not represent the feelings and political inclination of the majority of Igbos who do their business, live their lives and work in Lagos unimpeded.

    We note that the PDP has been brash, immodest and loud in dropping the good name of Ndigbo for their political ambition to rule Lagos. We note the insinuation being created all over Lagos at present that Igbo are being mobilized with huge money and resources to work for PDP. While we do not deny this, we insist that this is restricted to few people who are transacting business with the name of Ndigbo. They neither represent the generality of Ndigbo nor do they represent credible Igbo platforms, which have worked well with Yoruba since the amalgamation of Nigeria.

    We align with the huge success story Lagos has been in the past sixteen years under APC leadership and we are happy that Ndigbo have expanded tremendously in this period, investing hugely in the expanding economy of Lagos and exploiting the promises of the state, enjoying excellent security, good infrastructures, good transportation and a friendly business environment.

    Given that there is clear danger ahead, we want to state that Ndigbo are not part of the indecent money sharing going on now as a campaign strategy of President Jonathan and the PDP. This is not to dispute that various so-called Igbo groups are not partaking in this malfeasance. They are on their own and represent themselves the few members of their groups and families. Millions of Igbo in Lagos are not part of this and we wonder how much it will take to settle all Igbo in Lagos. Those who have partaken in the sharing of dollars and Naira are on their own, if we must restate this fact. They should not drag Ndigbo to their illicit business.

    Proceeding further, we want to advance reasons why Ndigbo must vote the APC government in Lagos.

     

    Why vote APC?

    • APC Lagos has shown through actions and deeds that it understands what leadership is all about.  It has shown leadership in Lagos and made Lagos a destination for all Nigerians especially for Ndigbo when the Federal Government under PDP has abdicated its responsibility to Nigerians.

    • APC government in Lagos has made the issue of Security the number one agenda and this has made it possible for Igbo businesses to thrive in Lagos.  When kidnappers ravaged the South East I know many Igbo Lagosians who traveled to the village to bring their parents to Lagos. Today, Lagos is the safest state of Nigeria where Igbos sleeps with both eyes closed and do their lawful businesses without molestation.

    •APC government in  Lagos  led by Governor Fashola fought Ebola to a standstill and effectively stopped the spread to other parts of  Nigeria.  This led the United Nations to declare Nigeria Ebola free. It could have been worse if not because of this courageous intervention that led the way in curbing this deadly virus in Nigeria.

    • APC government in  Lagos  has created a conducive atmosphere for Igbo businesses to thrive in  Lagos  whether is Real estate, Commerce, Transport, Artisans, Okada, Churches, Construction and other professions.

    • More than 500 Igbo are working in Lagos State Ministries and LGAs in various capacities, including the powerful office of Commissioner for Budget and Planning. Time and space will not permit me to mention their names here.  In Abia State, a PDP Governor, Theodore Orji sacked Igbo from Anambra, Enugu, Imo and Ebonyi states.

    •Lagos APC government has fought for justice for Igbo Lagosians like Miss Uzoma Okere who was assaulted by a Naval Rating.  Lagos also funded the treatment of a popular Actress, Ngozi Nwosu, OJB Jezreel, Prince Ifeanyi Dike, etc abroad.  Lagos APC government  not only rehabilitated the family of the late Human Rights Activist, Chima Ubani, it also gave the family a house  and offered his children scholarship to all levels of education when the Federal Government and his home PDP State government turned their backs on his family after he died fighting for the masses. APC government in Lagos has fought for countless number of Igbo Lagosians to get justice in Lagos.  Again time and space will not permit me to mention their names here.

    • Lagos  is the second home for Igbo in  Nigeria.  Check the number of Igbo in  Lagos. Check the volume of investment and check the successes. This can only happen because a stable and trusted APC government has been in place. Contrast this with what obtains at the Federal Level where PDP holds sway.

    • Under APC government, Lagos is the fifth largest economy in Africa, larger than the economies of many African countries. Today, Lagos remains the driver of the Nigerian economy and pulls its weakest links. This is what the Igbo need to thrive and excel and not the consumptive politics the PDP promotes which excels in looting and sharing parts of the loot during election time.

    • APC government in Lagos has remained a pacesetter for other states to copy in Nigeria.  Every good idea, every good thing, every evidence of good leadership you see anywhere in the country must have a link and or connection with Lagos.  APC government is a thinking government and you do not prefer a fourth-eleven for the first-eleven.

    • It is better for Ndigbo in  Lagos  to work with those they know than to plan a deal with total strangers. His Royal Highness, the Oba of Lagos Oba Rilwanu Akiolu has told all Lagosians that they do not want PDP anywhere on their soil.  Igbo in Lagos should listen to him as a mark of respect.  PDP has devastated Yoruba land since 1999 from Ogun to Oyo, from Ondo to Ekiti and to Osun. PDP has devastated Nigeria in 16 years and made the country a laughing stock in the comity of nations. Yoruba see PDP as a virus.  That is why they formed an alliance with the North to stop PDP.

    • A lot of money is exchanging hands in  Lagos  but money cannot buy friendship or relationship.  Friendship and Relationship are built over years of hard work and commitment.  Money can buy you a bed but it cannot buy sleep.  Money can buy you a car but it cannot buy you safety.  Money can buy you the best shoes in the world but you need to have legs to wear shoes. If Igbo make the mistake of investing in a dying horse by voting PDP at a time other Nigerians are rejecting it for its sixteen wasteful years in power, it will neither affect the electoral choice of Lagosians nor make any positive difference for Igbo. It will rather worsen their woes in Nigeria especially in Lagos where they co-exist and compete favorably with other Nigerians. Igbo be warned.

     

    Wake-up call:

    In concluding, we want to debunk the impression being created that Ndigbo are against the present wind of change in Nigeria. We want to correct the impression that Ndigbo are very comfortable with the state of affairs in Nigeria.

    We are all for change and Ndigbo will maintain significant presence in the change movement sweeping all over Nigeria.

  • ‘Vote out PDP’

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has told President Goodluck Jonathan and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that the conscience of voters cannot be bought with money.

    The party, however, encouraged Lagosians to take the money being offered by the PDP but urged them to vote out a government that has not bettered their lot in 16 years.

    Its spokesman, Joe Igbokwe, urged Lagosians to be suspicious of the President’s romance with the Southwest in the run-up to the rescheduled election.

    He alleged that the President has been organising bazaar under the guise of meeting with interest groups.

    “If the ruling PDP has done the needful, its landmarks, and not bribery would have spoken for its candidates.

    “It is an admittance of failure for the Jonathan regime that made more money from the huge oil boom than the four preceding regimes combined, but with nothing to show for it.

    “Lagosians, and indeed all Nigerians, must reflect what Nigeria will look like if PDP comes back to power and cleanses the treasury and waits till the next election to bribe voters to once again vote for it.

    “For over one week, President Jonathan has  been permanently holed up in Lagos, where he is meeting  religious, ethnic and tribal groups.”

  • ‘Vote for my husband’

    ‘Vote for my husband’

    Wife of the governorship candidate of the People Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State Mrs. Angela Folarin has begged women to vote for her husband.

    She said it is only her husband who can protect and defend their rights.

    Mrs. Folarin, who spoke when she visited Ibadan North-East Local Government, advised women to actively participate in the electoral processes, saying it was time for them to compete favourably with their male counterparts for elective positions.

    She urged the electorate to be wary of lies and deceit of opposition parties, adding that they could not guarantee their freedom.

    Mrs. Folarin also solicited support of women to support President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election, describing him as the most women friendly president in the annals of Nigeria democratic history.

    She noted that it is only president Jonathan who can guarantee the 35 percent affirmative action for women which he has been implementing since he became president.

    “I want to once again, urge you to continue to give support to the PDP candidate, who has shown that he is not only gender sensitive but believes in the power and capacity of women to bring about change in society.”

  • Vote for true federalism

    Vote for true federalism

    SIR: It might be a popular cliché but very apt today. Some may assume otherwise because of the seemingly vast natural resources, but it is in the best interest of every region in Nigeria to see this country work and prosper as one corporate entity.

    As the political drums beat louder, some people are threatening fire and brimstone if their candidate does not produce the next president. Others are saying it will be the end of Nigeria and all sorts of myopic, sentimental views.

    Just like the United States of America, the United Arab Emirates and Great Britain, the 36 states of Nigeria need each other to thrive and excel as a big economy. This present system of government is tailored solely for survival, which breeds under-development, corruption, nepotism, parochial, ethnic and chauvinistic tendencies.

    More so, just like the USA, the UAE and Great Britain, we can have a new country that will be called GREAT NIGERIA with a new constitution based on true federalism to the letter.

    As all the past leaders are Nigerians, yet we are not there yet and we are not expecting aliens to come and govern us someday, then we need a better system of true federalism more than we need better persons. The default settings of most humans is to do things wrongly, but a system in place can effectively help them to do things right. More than any other country in the world, Nigeria is the perfect fit for true federalism due to our unrivalled diversity. True federalism is the system that will make this unrivalled diversity a great strength rather than a great weakness as presently manifesting.

    Another name for true federalism is ‘live and let live’. A good system like a car or computer does not need a genius to operate it. Why do we practice democracy if we cannot apply it to the letter like those we copy are doing it? Why do we go the journey half way when we can go full way? Why is it that Nigerians travel abroad and obey all the laws but come back home and flout all the laws? Likewise expatriates in Nigeria? I believe the answers to these questions are the answers to a better Nigeria.

    With this present system, our strengths have become weaknesses. Rather than stand on 36 strong pillars, we are standing on just one weak pillar. Therefore, we need to reverse this tide as a nation by restructuring and practising true fiscal federalism in all ramifications. This should be the agenda of priority for the next political dispensation because it will go a long way in effectively addressing corruption and the mindset of the people and government of Nigeria.

     

    • Ikponmwosa Eriamiantoe,

    W.I.S.E Group, Maitama, Abuja.