Connect with us

Politics

Who Is Afraid Of 2015 Polls?

Published

on

The recent postponement
of the 2015 general elections to March 28 and April 11 from the initial February 14 and 28 by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has no doubt attracted mixed reactions across the country.
In fact, since the penultimate week’s postponement, reactions have not ceased: till date, more reactions have continued to emerge from various individuals, groups political parties, etc.
In the face of these reactions, however, two phenomena are easily identifiable: the one party blaming a perceived opposition for the postponement; and emphasis on the need for all and sundry, particularly those who believe on the same goal, to remain calm in the face of what they term deliberate intent to cause problem in the polity.
There had been accusations and counter-accusations, name-calling and pointing of fingers to various directions to the point that the question of who is afraid of holding the 2015 polls has become inevitable. All of these have mostly circled around the key actors the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC).
In spite of assurances given be INEC Chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega, on holding the elections, as stipulated by the body’s programme over a year ago, on February 14 and 28, and amidst speculations of a possible shift, the first noticeable hint of a shift came from the PDP, as alleged by the opposition.
According to the opposition, the PDP-led Federal Government started the process by first putting Jega under intense pressure. The physical manifestation of this pressure, they alleged, came through Chief Edwin Clark, a First Republic politician regarded as President Jonathan’s Godfather.
Clark, they recalled, had called for Jega’s resignation some weeks earlier over allegations of the INEC boss having been acting the script of the APC. He was send to be backed by such key figures as the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr Doyin Okupe, the National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Olisa Metuh, and the Director of Media and Publicity for the President Goodluck Jonathan Campaign team, Femi Fani-Kayode.
Metuh was quoted in a statement to have alleged that “The party (PDP) had received overwhelming evidence from citizens in APC states following its earlier alarm that non-indigenes who form the bulk of PDP supporters in Lagos were being denied their PVCs”.
The PDP further alleged that in addition to Lagos, the same thing also applied to other APC-controlled states, including Kano.
While debunking these allegations, APC’s National Public Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed said in a statement, “it is shameful that those who should be working hard to promote peaceful elections as secheduled are the same ones doing everything possible to trigger violence.
“Those who should ordinarily be seen as elder statesmen have degenerated to dangerous partisans and shameless promoters of a narrow, parochial interest at the expense of the national interest,” he said.
When the election was finally postponed on reasons of insecurity and logistics the national leader of the APC, Bola Tinubu, was quoted as saying that the postponement was not due to the reasons given by INEC.
According to Tinubu, “what happended on Saturday was actually not a postponement due to security or logistics reasons. What happened was the by-product of over political interference undermining the independence of the election management body. INEC.
“The elections were postponed not because they could not safely be held. They were postponed because one man, President Goodluck Jonathan, feared that an election held in February would for him become an election lost,” hence “while the month was (that of) Jega, the words were (that of) Jonathan,” he said.
In his reaction, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State, said the May 29 hand-over date of the PDP-led Federal Government to the APC cannot be postponed.
Speaking while receiving some defectors from the PDP in Benin City, Oshiomhole said, “you heard what happened. They said they have postponed the elections. Few days back, they called us for a meeting at the council of state and we said they should go ahead and do the election.
“In any event, we are not the only country with security challenges. Even election is held in Afghanistan and Iraq so, whether they postpone the election or not, we won’t fight. They can’t postpone Christmas.
“They can postpone the election, but they cannot postpone May 29 handover date. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Don’t fight, make peace, we will use the remaining six weeks to mobilise more, pull out more people from the PDP so that Edo State will be 100% for APC”, he said.
The International Community also had things to say about the postponement: while the government of the United Kingdom (UK) declared the postponement as being wrong, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) called on all political actors to respect the decision by INEC and accept it in good faith.
The UK’s Foreign Secretary, Philip Hammond, in a statement, noted that the decision by the INEC to postpone the election was a cause for concern.
“The Nigerian people have the right to credible, peaceful and transparent elections. There should be no further delay in delivering democracy and I urge all to remain calm during this period of frustration,” he said.
Hammond continued that while the UK supports Nigeria “in its struggle against terrorism, the security situation should not be used as a reason for denying the Nigerian people from exercising their democratic rights.
“It is vital that the elections are kept on track and held as soon as possible in accordance with international norms,” he said.
While noting the concerns and disappointments of Nigerians and all other stakeholders occasioned by the postponement, the ECOWAS urged all political actors to respect INEC’s decision.
The regional body used the opportunity to call on the Nigerian security services to be dedicated towards restoring normalcy in the North-Eastern part of the country.
It also encouraged the electoral body to take advantage of the postponement to complete all pre-election arraignments, particularly the distribution of Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), in order to ensure free and credible elections, while also encouraging political stakeholders to refrain from utterances that may incite their supporters or opponents to violence.
The opposition also expressed fear of what they hinted could culminate into a constitutional crisis. National Chairman of the APC, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun clearly captured this stance in a media briefing in Abuja.
According to him, “it is important to note that the Service Chiefs letter to INEC demand postponement for ‘at least’ six weeks. This, we must note, is a body trap. Embed in that phrase ‘ ‘at least’ is a window to push for another postponement.
“It is clear, however, that any further postponement can only lead to a constitutional crisis. The constitution demands at least 30 days before the handover date of May 29, we have strong suspicions, but hope this postponement is not part of an agenda to create, a constitutional crisis in the country. We are just recently recovering from the crisis precipitated by the political crisis of 1993. We can’t afford aother,” he said.
In spite of the seeming convention of the opposition that the postponement of the elections from the earlier scheduled February 14 and 28 to March 28 and April 11, is a ploy for the PDP to want ample time to catch up with the popularity of the APC, the PDP also allege that the postponement is to prevent an imminent crisis APC was planning as a back-up plan to excuse its non-acceptance by the populace.
The Ekiti State chapter of the PDP stated unequivocally that “the postponement of the general elections has saved the nation from monumental electoral crisis that would have trailed the outcome if the election were to be conducted as earlier scheduled.”
A statement by the secretary of the state PDP, Dr. Tope Aluko, stated that “the outcome of the election would have been sarcastically embroiled in an unprecedented crisis by the time the APC looses out.
“The opposition APC would have incited almajiri’s  and their likes in other parts of the country that president Jonathan had deliberately disenfranchised voters in the North Eastern States, where they claimed is their stronghold, to facilitate their failure in the election.
“The APC had chosen this as their back-up strategy to destabilise the country after the election, which they knew many not be won by their candidate, General Mohamadu Buhari”, he said.
Dr Aluko stated further that “although the leadership of the APC is armed with the field report that even in Borno State, PDP can spring surprises because of the popularity of PDP leaders there, they still wanted the election to proceed in order to actualise their plans of causing national disaster.”
Advising the country’s security agencies ahead of the new dates for the elections, a body of prominent Nigerian’s under the aegis of “The Patriots” urged security agencies to be politically neutral in the discharged of their duties during and after the 2015 elections.
While addressing the media after a meeting attended by the members at of the FRA Williams Chambers in Lagos, the chairman and foremost Nigerian Constitutional lawyer, Professor Ben Nwabueze, said the body supports the decision to shift the election date for security reasons.
“We’ve studied the reason cited by the INEC. When you give security reasons, it is not easy for you if you are not knowledgeable about security to say no.
“When they said they needed time to strengthen the security, it is only a foolish chairman that would say they’re saying rubbish. There is also the issue of preparedness of INEC to provide all that is needed. So, it makes sense to postpone election,” he said.
In all of the claims and counter claims, allegations and counter allegations and the sort on the postponement of the elections, all parties involved seem to be more bothered about countering whatever stance the opposition takes than considering the key issues raised.
These positions taken do not seem to be far from the fact that all political players one way or the other understands themselves, and know the capabilities or otherwise of the other, backed by what they seem to inadvertently, picture as an unreliable political system incapacitated by a constitution that can be taken for granted by anyone privileged to do so.
The implication is that all concerned acknowledge that the constitution as it is currently can be exploited at will and little can be done about, hence it can be not be trusted, even as it is widely quoted.
Thus if all the parties concerned really care for Nigeria as true patriots, perhaps, one major exposition of events related to the 2015 general elections is the fact that Nigeria is in dare need of a system that could really be trusted.
 

Soibi Max-Alalibo

Prof Jega

Prof Jega

Continue Reading

Politics

Makinde Renames Polytechnic After Late Ex-Gov

Published

on

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has renamed The Polytechnic, Ibadan as Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan, in honour of a late former governor of the State, Dr Omololu Olunloyo.
Dr Olunloyo, who died on April 6, 2025, was the pioneer Principal of the Polytechnic, Ibadan, while he also served as Governor of Oyo State between October 1 and December 31, 1983.
Governor Makinde made the announcement at the state interdenominational funeral service held yesterday in honour of the late former governor at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Liberty Road, Ibadan.
Governor Makinde said Dr Olunloyo lived an eventful life, adding that his attainment and personality could not be summarised in one sentence.
“He was not a man we could summarise in one sentence. He was a scholar, a statesman, a technocrat, a lover of culture and, above all, a man of deep conviction.
“While giving the exhortation, I was listening to Baba Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and he said in 1983, Baba became Governor of Oyo State. Though his time in office was brief, his election victory over a popular incumbent remains a powerful testament to the trust people gave him.
“I talked about preserving and digitising his library yesterday [Wednesday] as a mark of honour to Baba Olunloyo.
“Today, we will be giving Baba another honour to immortalise him. He was the first Principal of The Polytechnic, Ibadan; that institution will now be named Omololu Olunloyo Polytechnic, Ibadan.”
Earlier in his sermon, a retired Methodist Archbishop of Ilesa and Ibadan, Ayo Ladigbolu, described the late Olunloyo as a role model with intellectual inspiration and unassailable integrity.
The cleric said the deceased also demonstrated leadership in most superior quality during his lifetime.
In attendance were the state Deputy Governor, Chief Abdulraheem Bayo Lawal; wife of a former Military Governor of the old Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Dupe Jemibewon; wife of a former Governor of Oyo State, Chief (Mrs) Mutiat Ladoja; former Deputy Governor and PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja; and former Deputy Governor, Hazeem Gbolarumi.
Others were the member representing Ibadan North-East/South-East Federal Constituency, Hon Abass Adigun Agboworin; Chief of Staff to the Governor, Otunba Segun Ogunwuyi; Oyo State Exco members; Chairman of Oyo State Elders’ Council, Dr Saka Balogun; Chairman of All Local Government Chairmen in Oyo State, Hon Sikiru Sanda; President-General of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), Chief Adeniyi Ajewole; religious leaders and family members, among other dignitaries.

Continue Reading

Politics

10 NWC Members Oppose Damagum Over National Secretary’s Reinstatement

Published

on

Ten members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Working Committee (NWC) have countered the Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, on the reinstatement of Senator Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary.
The dissenting members, led by the Deputy National Chairman ( South), Taofeek Arapaja, in a joint statement, said no organ of the opposition party could overturn the decision of the 99th meeting of the National Executive Committee (NEC).
The dissenting NWC members include Arapaja; Setonji Koshoedo, Deputy National Secretary; Okechukwu Obiechina-Daniel, National Auditor; Debo Ologunagba, National Publicity Secretary; Ologunagba; Woyengikuro Daniel, National Financial Secretary and Ahmed Yayari Mohammed, National Treasurer.
Others are Chief Ali Odefa, National Vice Chairman (South East); Emmanuel Ogidi, Caretaker Committee Chairman (South South); Mrs. Amina Darasimi D. Bryhm, National Woman Leader and Ajisafe Kamoru Toyese, National Vice Chairman (South West).
The group also insisted that contrary to the position of the acting National Chairman, the 100th NEC meeting of the party would be held on June 30 as earlier scheduled.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been drawn to a press briefing by the acting National Chairman, Amb. Umar Damagum, today Wednesday, June 25, wherein he attempted to overturn the resolution of the 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting which scheduled the 100th NEC meeting for Monday, June 30.
“The acting National Chairman in the said press briefing also reportedly announced that Senator Samuel Anyanwu has been asked to resume as National Secretary of the party contrary to the resolution of the 99th NEC meeting, which referred all matters relating to the office of the National Secretary to the 100th NEC meeting.
“The pronouncements by the acting National Chairman have no foundation as no organ of the party (including the NWC), individual or group has the power to cancel, overrule, veto or vary the resolution of the National Executive Committee (NEC) under the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the NEC is the highest decision-making organ of the party, second only to the National Convention. By virtue of Section 31 (3) of the PDP Constitution, the resolution of the NEC to hold its 100th meeting on Monday June 30, is binding on all organs, officers, chapters and members of the party and no organ, group or individual can vary or veto this resolution of NEC.
“Furthermore, the claim by Damagum that Sen Anyanwu has been asked to resume office as the National Secretary of the party is, therefore, misleading being contrary to the resolution of NEC.
“In the light of the foregoing, the 100th NEC meeting as scheduled for Monday, June 30, has not been canceled or postponed.”

Continue Reading

Politics

Presidency Slams El-Rufai Over Tinubu Criticism …Says He Suffers From Small Man Syndrome

Published

on

The Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, has fired back at former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, following the latter’s scathing criticism of President Tinubu’s administration and his 2027 re-election prospects.
In an interview on live television, Mallam El-Rufai said it would take a “miracle” for President Tinubu to be re-elected in 2027, citing an internal poll that purportedly shows a 91 percent disapproval rating for the president across key regions in the country, including the South-East and the North. He also claimed that President Tinubu’s disapproval rating in Lagos stood at 78 percent.
Reacting on Wednesday via a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Onanuga took a swipe at the ex-governor, quoting a harsh assessment of Mallam El-Rufai’s character from former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s memoir, My Watch.
“Nasir’s penchant for reputation savaging is almost pathological,” Mr Onanuga wrote, citing Chief Obasanjo’s words. “Why does he do it? Very early in my interaction with him, I appreciated his talent. At the same time, I recognised his weaknesses; the worst being his inability to be loyal to anybody or any issue consistently for long, but only to Nasir El-Rufai.”
The presidential adviser emphasised Chief Obasanjo’s remarks that Mallam El-Rufai often tries to elevate himself by diminishing others. “He lied brazenly, which he did to me, against his colleagues and so-called friends,” Mr Onanuga continued, quoting the former President. “I have heard of how he ruthlessly savaged the reputation of his uncle, a man who, in an African setting, was like a foster father to him.”
Chief Obasanjo, who appointed Mallam El-Rufai as the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory between 2003 and 2007, did not mince words in the memoir, describing Mallam El-Rufai as suffering from “small man syndrome.”
Mr Onanuga’s post is seen as a direct rebuttal to Mallam El-Rufai’s recent criticism and growing opposition role. The former governor is reportedly playing a central role in forming a new coalition to challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
In March 2025, El-Rufai officially dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) and joined the Social Democratic Party (SDP), intensifying speculations about his 2027 political ambitions.
As the political rift deepens, Mallam El-Rufai remains one of the most vocal critics of the Tinubu administration, while Mr Onanuga and other presidential allies continue to push back against what they describe as “reckless” opposition rhetoric.

Continue Reading

Trending