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In Defence Of Odili …A Prophetic View Beyond 2015
For a moment, let’s just think aloud, agreed that in politics, as in any inappropriate liaison with a spouse, it is not what a man says that is important, it is in fact, what he does have to say.
If therefore, former Governor of Rivers State, and first from the Niger Delta to get, barely a kilometre’s touch to the Presidency of Nigeria, Dr Peter Odili, were to be asked why he prefers former Military President, Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) to fellow ‘kinsman and incumbent President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, his flawless oratory would come alive, even magically.
Far far away from the nastiest things pro-democracy groups would like Nigerians to remember, like: the unresolved murder of the founding Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch Magazine, late Dele Giwa, and the annulment of the June 12, 1992 elections generally presumed to be the freest and won by late Moshood Abiola; the clouds surrounding the undying $12 billion Gulf War windfall; wrongly or rightly, his perceived ambition to rule Nigeria for life, and most importantly, the general’s outrageous investments and bewildering personal estates, former Governor Odili, for instance, will explain why IBB is the most suited for the Nigerian Presidency and list a whole lot.
Odili would, I can swear, look straight into the eyes of his interviewer, never mind the saying that “If a politician looks unsquintingly into your eyes and makes promises, know, he is lying”, and tell his listener how IBB’s wealth of experience, rare patriotism and adept knowledge of governance can alone address, in a lasting manner, the fluctuating fortunes of a nation which at 50, is still slaving to provide her peoples regular electricity supply needed to revamp comatose industries, provide jobs, depart from the substantially oil-based monolithic economy and help Nigeria earn the most elusive global respect that would, once again, see her as giant of Africa.
To appreciate this line of thought, one needs to know the many qualities of Odili, a man so powerful, the only power he lacks being, turning a woman into a man, if even he is a medical doctor by calling.
Like the indigent Jonathan from Otueke in Ogbia, Bayelsa State, Odili equally has a moving story of his growing-up years, enriched with how he once used a rickety auto-mobile owned by an uncle for ‘kabu-kabu’ in order to raise funds for his ticket to travel abroad for studies.
A dashing character, known for his unique dress code and interesting style, Odili is capable of disarming any one alive, including retired generals, natural rulers, labour unions, churches or even criminals, and get what ever he wants or needs. Remember, in days leading to his re-election bid as governor of Rivers State in 2003, the politician confronted the fiercest of oppositions ever known.
Apart from striking teachers, the traditional political leadership in the state, all his known backers, political mentors if you like, among them, Chief Rufus Ada-George, late Chief Marshal Harry and late Chief A.K. Dikibo, among others, saw no use for him to return to power on account of poor performance, during his first tenure.
The general protest at the time was that Odili was using Rivers’ funds to oil his own later-day presidential machine, by making outrageous donations to traditional rulers in all major ethnic nations and stockpiling all manner of titles, including the one from The Source in Ife.
Those were days when, various associations, students groups, market unions, and even road-side mechanic ensembles, paid solidarity visits randomly, fed fat from Odili’s generosity and offered their phony assurances for his re-election. But did Odili need their votes?
At the end of that election, Odili scored far more votes than the number of voters registered. Even his opponents, who said they were disenfranchised and even tendered before the tribunal unstamped voters’ cards, didn’t know that while their bodies were against an Odili return to Brick House, their souls and spirits thought otherwise, and not merely voted, not using voters’ cards, they in fact, made sure that they invited even the dead to also ensure Odili’s victory in their large numbers. And the outcome showed so.
Weeks later, on May 1st, the Workers’ Day, at the Liberation Stadium, Elekahia, a grateful Governor Odili told Rivers workers how grateful he was for their support and love, and quickly added, “but una nearly put me for trouble-o with una plenty votes.” That said, the man’s aggressive PR machine and the unapologetic giver-instinct at once gushed forward as he doled out N2 million to each participating trade union, Agaba groups and other area boys.
A political marksman with an imposing personality, Odili is indeed an interesting politician to study. Many say any student of Ada-George should naturally be politically intelligent, savvy and tactical but Odili’s transcended all permutations.
For instance, within his eight years as governor, Odili made sure that all other governors saw him as a super governor, the golden governor, the governors’ governor, and indeed, heir apparent to the Presidency which Odili didn’t know in time, former President Olusegun Obasanjo was not keen to vacate in a hurry.
So close was the duo of Obasanjo and Odili that the very busy president visited Rivers more than 13 times, excluding that day, at the Liberation Stadium, when he told bemused Rivers people that then Speaker Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi’s ambition to succeed Odili has K-leg, meaning, a virtual impossibility. All the rest is now history.
But not many are wont to accept that nothing comes between Odili and his own ambition. So, even in their strong political romance when Obasanjo mooted a third-term agenda, a step which had the likelihood of truncating Odili’s own projections to be President in 2007, rumours had it that he refused to break ranks with the many that vigorously lobbied members of the National Assembly to stop Obasanjo. By all means.
That deadly information apparently leaked out and an angry Obasanjo, we later heard, felt that an Odili Presidency would be the most tactless political step to take. That, rumours had it, was how a Nuhu Ribadu was unleashed on a virtually done-deal, and ended the Golden Governor’s dream of the Presidency.
That being so, if another opportunity offers itself, if you were Odili, what would you do? Where is that opportunity? In Jonathan’s election bid or IBB’s?
Luckily for Odili, IBB has publicly assured that all he needs today is a single tenure of four years only to ensure that the now contentious zoning formula imposed on the North and South was maintained. This means, a southern Vice President, preferably from the Niger Delta region, becomes the best bet for 2015. Is that where Odili’s hopes lie? If yes, what’s wrong with that?
Conversely, should Jonathan win the Presidency in 2011, chooses to leave only four years later in 2015 or even decides to seek a second term, as of right, when will another South-South turn come? After Odili has long died and gone?
My Agony is that some supporters of Jonathan expect Odili to join their ranks, while after Obasanjo had favoured Yar’Adua for the job, he did not even consider the “Golden Governor” worthy enough for the position of vice president, and instead, chose Jonathan.
Methinks, Odili’s support for IBB is not for 2011, it is instead to water the political ground for 2015, rightly or wrongly but more of the former. So, why blame Odili?
Just thinking aloud. You too can.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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