Politics
Steer Clear Of Money Politics, Ex-Gov Tells Nigerians
Former Sokoto State governor, Dr. Garba Nadama has urged Nigerians to steer clear of money politics to ensure a credible, free, fair and acceptable 2011 elections.
Nadama spoke in Sokoto at a one day forum on ensuring 2011 credible elections organised by the Shehu Shagari World Institute for Leadership and Good Governance.
“For the 2011 polls to be credible, we must all guard against selling our conscience by collecting money before electing any candidate.
“ Any candidate you cast your vote for after collecting his or her money will regard that as an investment which he will recoup before executing any development project,” Nadama said.
He advised that Nigerians should emulate countries that conducted elections that were adjudged to be averagely free and fair.
In another development, the leadership and members of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in Kebbi have decamped to the newly registered Congress for Progressive Change (CPC).
Chairman of the ANPP, Alhaji Musa Danmaliki told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi recently that the decision to decamp was sequel to the failure of the ANPP leadership at the national level.
“We held wide ranging consultations before taking the decision to move to CPC,” he said.
He said the decision of the ANPP to be part of the Government of National Unity (GNU) was arbitrary,” and due to the selfish interests of the leadership at the national level.
“Our decision to decamp to CPC was not arbitrary and all segments of the followers were convinced and supported the movement to a new and hopeful party,” he said.
Danmaliki said the CPC would contest in the forthcoming local government elections.
He said the ANPP had failed to show support for Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) who lost the 2007 election, stressing that his quest to seek legal redress over the 2007 election was not supported by the ANPP national leadership.
According to him, the PDP leadership had failed to salvage the country economically while hardship faced by people had not abated.
He added that “but with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari as CPC candidate there was hope of redemption.
“We are convinced that the credentials of Buhari and with our support the CPC would usher in hope and improvement of the living conditions of the people and revive the economy,” he said.
A cross section of members of the ANPP said the change to CPC was unconditional and accepted based on the credentials and hope for a change from the leadership.
Posters of Buhari and the flags of CPC already adorned the secretariat of the former ANPP.
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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