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The Dog, Its Shadow, The Bone …That Fall Of The President’s Men
The year 2014 has come and gone leaving trails of intrigues of monumental proportions. Among the surprises of the year, were the party primaries which saw some of the president’s confident men losing the governorship ticket of their states. This is one of the picks of 2014.
Knowing the awesome powers of a Nigerian President and Commander-In-Chief, it is almost unthinkable that he can be refused anything. In fact, a President does not need to ask for favours before getting them.
So powerful, a President’s name alone opens doors, generates compliance and indeed guarantees, approval of sorts. In the political realm, those believed to have a President’s ears are feared, adored or even worshiped.
Therefore, if a minister in a President’s cabinet resigns to contest for a higher political office, the conclusion is that such ambition must naturally enjoy that President’s support and approval. Some could even conclude that being the President’s men, to challenge them in any political battle shall amount to a perilous political voyage.
When therefore, some Ministers of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s Executive Cabinet chose to test their popularity in their various states, by contesting the governorship primaries on the platform of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the President’s own political party, very few Nigerians thought that their choice would amount to the proverbial dog with a big bone in his mouth, and goes after its shadow in a deep-well, in belief that that in the well must be bigger. But that was what the outcome of the primaries in some states boiled down to.
They were seven in all who attempted a replay of the dog and bone drama. Labaran Maku was Minister of Information and a successful one at that. The others are Samuel Ortom, Minister of Trade and Industry, Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State for Defence and Emeka Wogu, Minister of Labour.
The others are Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health and Dairus Ishaku, Minister of State for Niger Delta. Of the seven ministers who resigned, only the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike made it through the party primaries successfully.
But what should push polished professionals like Dr Chukwu, whose level-headedness, expertise and sense of duty successfully halted the spread of Ebola in Nigeria and Maku whose flawless oratory and convincing power of debate makes him more suited for the information minister or the classroom? It was all known that both indeed enjoyed the President’s respect because they were dutiful, but when they decided to contest the governorship the principal let them go.
Strangely, the President is also the leader of the political party on which platform the ministers sought tickets. As a leader generally perceived by the party faithful as well performed and unanimously adopted as lone presidential candidate, not many thought that Jonathan can be refused anything.
The Ministers themselves must have concluded that the mere mention of the President’s name or the mere thought that they work with the leader of the party, would be enough to frighten and scare away any competitor from the contest. At worse, even if they lost, the President could influence the outcome in their favour, after all, they all sought his approval to quit the cabinet in pursuit of more juicy political package.
But as it turned out, President Jonathan appeared too busy to put a word cross to the handlers of the primaries in various states or urge other contenders to drop their dreams. Or did the President consider the ministers’ resignation a good radiance to bad rubbish?
It is really unimaginable that men like Onyebuchi Chukwu, Labaran Maku and Obanikoro could fall the way they did without any extra help from the President, considering their perceived loyalty to the President and exemplary sense of duty.
In the case of Maku, his good governance tour of projects embarked upon by the media to showcase projects by both the Federal and state governments gave him so much visibility, even popularity that must have pushed him unto the governorship race. But who ever imagined that a man like Obanikoro whose popularity in Lagos, many boasted was a threat to opposition politicians, could be swept away with such ease as done in the state of excellence.
The President himself may be as surprised as many others, who believed that at least five of the ministers, if not all of them will come out victorious. But the question is, what if they had won?
Would the Presidency not be fingered for influencing the outcome? Won’t the National party executive be accused of doing the President’s bidding rather than ensuring a level playing ground for all? Would such outcome be considered credible enough to not generate petitions and complaints? Even bad press?
Now that the opposite is true what should be the likely conclusion? That the President is a true democrat, leader and father to all and should naturally not favour anyone against the other? That the party requires men and women popular enough to win primaries before going into general elections, could that be the President’s avowment? Does it confirm President Jonathan’s assurance that he would do nothing to influence the electoral process?
Stretched a bit further, could the fate of the ministers be seen as a verdict on the Presidency in the affected states? Or were the ministers, simply Abuja politicians who were considered strangers by their people whose mandate they sought? Were they unusually too distant until the primaries? We may never know.
But their experience indeed reminds many of the proverbial dog with one big bone in its month but out of greed goes after his shadow only to lose what he already had and at great risk to its life.
In a country where, none ever seeks elective office, as everyone is often persuaded by his or her people to lead them, it’s hard to tell which people actually persuaded the ministers to resign in pursuit of the unknown.
Where from will they now draw the required confidence and credibility needed to win souls for their former master, if they would? Or would they not feel abandoned now and do same to their principal?
Whatever their discretion does not matter now because they disobeyed the natural injunction of looking deeply before leaping. If they had, they probably would have remained relevant as ministers and not wasted resources on a perilous political journey that has led to nowhere but failure.
That may be part of the beauty of democracy, but what I found troubling is the list of ex-governors-to-be preparing to head to the Senate, some of them after nearly eight years in office. What do the governors really want that the executive positions they held failed to provide them? Or is the Senate the new third term for governors, since all of them cannot be President or Vice?
Truth is, considering the awesome influence of a state governor, seeking a Senate seat while in office cannot be as difficult as an Abuja based politician seeking office in his state.
But they indeed are an impediment to democracy as there is not likely to be any level-playing ground for other likely contestants in a state where they remain judges in their own cases. That indeed is what is playing out following the outcome of the various primaries in the major political parties.
While the parties consider such candidates as potential election winners others who may harbor same ambition may feel short changed or intimidated by the high credentials of such serving governors.
My Agony is that Governors in Nigeria are today the most influential with so much powers over all other arms of government, the state assemblies and the judiciary, and can do any and every thing to achieve their every ambitions, within their states. They are unlike the ministers who lept without looking.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
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.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
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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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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