Politics
Yar’Adua HandOver: The Voice Of God
“If we fail to act now, history will not forgive us,” – Dora Akunyili
Only very few persons have good conscience to say no even when majority believe all is well in a system. Obviously Dora Akunyili, a professor and Nigeria’s Information and Communications Minister is among the few that can off-load a burden, feel free to take a principled stance and damn the consequences if need be.
It takes the singular heart of a lion and a principled character like Dora Akunyili to make a positive difference in a rotten drug industry even when dare-devil drug traffickers want her life out to pave way for a free drug business in the country.
The drug traffickers fled the illegal drug trade and the image of the Amazon (Dora) blossomed to the good health of Nigerians, and history was made of her glorious outing in the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Last Wednesday, Dora with a heavy heart, not in relation to death but saddened with “the State of the Nation”, rattled the Federal Executive Council (FEC) with her memo on the continued absence of ailing President, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua from the country and the need to handover to Vice-President Goodluck Jonathan to save the nation from further embarrassment.
Dora Akunyili’s memo which was later withdrawn say in parts “ I wish to call on the Federal Executive Council to act now in the best interest of our dear President and our dear nation. We also wish to save ourselves from shame because our stand is becoming very embarrassing… The name of our President and all his achievements are being rubbished by this unfortunate debacle. The President and his family are also being put under undue pressure, which will not help his recovery. If we fail to act now, history will not forgive us.”
Of a truth, history do not forgive those who keep silent in the face of challenges especially if such challenges have to do with conscience and integrity. Thus, when Dora Akunyili decided to send her controversial memo to the FEC, she did that not for want of it, but to stand on the side of history irrespective of the earlier position of FEC that all is well with Yar’Adua in Saudi Arabia hospital.
On January 27, the Federal Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Micheal Aondoakaa had told Nigerians after a FEC meeting that the cabinet unanimously agreed that Yar’Adua is fit to continue in office, even with his poor health.
Every element of charade has an expiring date. When Dora sent in her memo to FEC that Jonathan Presidency is now imperative, it was an indication that the FEC’s charade has expired to the chagrin of most other FEC members. Who is fooling who?
Dora Akunyili is not alone for Jonathan Presidency now. Media stakeholders, February 1, had expressed worry over the political crisis in Nigeria and called on ailing Yar’Adua to handover power to Jonathan within seven days or resign. Unfortunately, Aondoakaa would not stop at nothing to secure rulership in absentia for Yar’Adua, and that is why the media stakeholders have given him (Aondoakaa) red card even as they advised the National Assembly to impeach Yar’Adua if he fails to abide by Sections 144 and 145 of the 1999 constitution. The beauty of democracy can be seen in the unity of 36 state governors for a transfer of power to Jonathan in order to save the country from impending anarchy and threat to political instability. The governors’ stand over Yar’Adua’s continued absence from the country is enough to send strong message to Nigerians that deceit has lost its face value in the game of offshore Presidency.
For how long will Nigeria continue to exist with leadership vacuum? This is the worry of another set of political figures in the country led by former House of Representatives Speaker, Aminu Bello Masari and a former Senate President, Ken Nnamani. Their demand for the resignation of Yar’Adua and the assumption of leadership by his vice will only encourage the efforts to strengthen the nation’s weak democratic institutions that have failed to respond appropriately to the popular clamour for Yar’Adua to transfer power to his deputy.
Arewa Consultative Forum, an umbrella body of the Northerners has pitched its tent with history. It lent its weight in support of an orderly transfer of power to the Vice President.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, a Pan-Igbo organization shares the sentiment of Arewa Forum, that time has come for Jonathan to take charge of leadership in absence of his master.
All these calls represent voices of reason which of course are those of God and they should not be ignored even as the evil cabal that has pocketed Yar’Adua administration is not leaving any thing to chance to secure Yar’Adua’s rulership in absentia. Perharps, the cabal is worried that once power shift, their economic base and that of their aides, dependents etc will cease, hence the efforts to keep the flame of offshore Presidency burning.
Whether we like it or not, two sets of Nigerians are locked up in prayers which are equal and opposite. The first prayer point is for God to facilitate the transfer of power to Jonathan at least to enable the country move forward. Others are praying for Yar’Adua to recover immediately to retain power and shame his perceived enemies. But when we realize that many national issues including the review of the Electoral Act, the Niger Delta crisis, the 2010 National budget have been put on hold, it is only expedient for those in power to listen to voice of reason which is that of God.
Politics
Atiku Quits PDP, Says Decision Heartbreaking

Former Vice-President, Atiku Abubakar has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Alhaji Abubakar disclosed his intention to leave the opposition party in a letter addressed to the PDP ward chairman in Jada, Jada Local Government Area (LGA) of Adamawa state.
Alhaji Abubakar described his departure from the PDP as “heartbreaking”, saying the party has strayed from the ideals on which it was founded.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound gratitude for the opportunities I have been given by the Party,” Alhaji Abubakar said.
“Serving two full terms as Vice President of Nigeria and being a presidential candidate twice has been one of the most significant chapters of my life.
“As a founding father of this esteemed Party, it is indeed heartbreaking for me to make this decision.
“However, I find it necessary to part ways due to the current trajectory the Party has taken, which I believe diverges from the foundational principles we stood for.
“It is with a heavy heart that I resign, recognising the irreconcilable differences that have emerged.
“I wish the Party and its leadership all the best in the future”, he added.
Alhaji Abubakar’s resignation from the PDP comes days after the opposition coalition politicians adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their political platform for the 2027 elections.
Among the coalition leaders are Rotimi Amaechi, a former Transportation Minister; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election; Nasir el-Rufai, former Kaduna State Governor; and John Oyegun, former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Others include Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State; Uche Secondus, former PDP National Chairman; Babangida Aliyu, former Governor of Niger State; Sam Egwu, former governor of Ebonyi State; Aminu Tambuwal, former Governor of Sokoto State; and Liyel Imoke, former Governor of Cross River State, among others.
Politics
2027: Group Vows To Prevail On Diri To Dump PDP For APC
A group, ‘Concerned Bayelsa Stakeholders Forum (CBSF),’ has intensified calls on the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The CBSF which comprises members of various political parties, non-partisan citizens and residents of the state also has non-indigenes and people from different religious organisations as members.
Speaking at a world press conference held in Yenagoa, the State capital on Tuesday, the group, through its convener who doubles as Technical Adviser to the Governor on Media/Public Affairs, Snr. Comrade Wisdom Ikuli, passed a confidence vote on Governor Diri, commending his selfless service to the State and the Ijaw nation.
Mr Ikuli averred that there was need for the state to align with the federal government. Citing the benefits of having a government at the centre that can attract development to the state, he noted that the PDP at the national level had been long enmeshed in crisis.
“The current leadership of the PDP under whose platform the governor is leading the state has been hijacked by few individuals. This poses threats to the interest of the state.
“Presently, our state is standing alone as the only PDP state in the whole of the South South region. The above may not be too much an issue. The greatest challenge here is the hijack of the PDP by few individuals and the very dangerous traps that they have set for Bayelsa in 2027, particularly those that intend to fly the flag of PDP.
“There are concluded arrangements to hide under the excuse of crisis and countless court cases in PDP at different levels to work to nullify the nomination of all candidates that will emerge under the party platform. So, we can imagine the pains, agony and disarray that the state shall experience if the state remains in PDP.
“The ongoing Coalition is also an embodiment of people who conspired to deny Bayelsa State and indeed the entire Ijaw Nation, a second term at the Presidency in 2015. Thus, the coalition can never be an option.
“ It is based on the above that we unanimously appeal to the Governor to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to show southern solidarity with other southern governors who are with Mr. President”, the group said.
“But as we move forward, one of the greatest priorities in the alliance with the centre should be the actualisation of the Agge Seaport that will help to boost the state economy and also bring about unimaginable transformation and prosperity. In the next few days we shall begin a daily rally on the streets of Yenagoa to prevail on His Excellency to do the needful.
“Finally, His Excellency should ignore all opposing voices against his defection. We say this because they are all fighting to protect their individual political interest without prioritising that of the state and the entire Ijaw nation.
“ We wish to reassure His Excellency that vast majority of Bayelsans are with him and together, we shall move forward”, the CBSF added.
The group thanked President Bola Tinubu for appointing Ijaw sons and daughters into key positions, including Senator Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources; Chief Samuel Ogbuku as Managing Director of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC); Chief Ebitimi Amgbare as Managing Director, Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), amongst others.
Meanwhile, the CBSF has also charged Governor Diri to prioritize the actualization of the Agge Deep Seaport project, saying it will boost the economy of the state and bring about transformation and prosperity, noting, however, that plans have reached advanced stages for the CBSF to hit the streets of Yenagoa with rallies with a view to prevailing on the governor to defect to the APC.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Politics
Nasarawa Speaker Advocates Conducive Executive/Legislature Relations

The Speaker made the call on Wednesday while hosting councillors from the 13 local government areas of the State in his residence in Lafia, the state capital.
Rt Hon. Jatau said that a good working relationship among the arms of government at the council level was key to development, hence, the need for his call in that direction.
He appreciated the councillors for condoling with him over the death of his younger sister, Hajaratu Jatau, and prayed to God to bless them abundantly.
“I started as a councillor, and today I am the Speaker. There is the need for a good working relationship between you and the elected chairmen for development to thrive at the grassroots. It is in view of this that I want to call on you to give your elected chairmen all the necessary and needed support to succeed. For development to thrive at the grassroots, you must embrace one another and see yourselves as team players,” the Speaker said.
Rt Hon. Jatau also called on them to coexist peacefully among themselves and continue to drum up support for Governor Abdullahi Sule’s administration to succeed.
Besides, he assured them that the state government would soon organise training for them to deliver effective service.
Rt Hon. Jatau also assured them that the state government would pay them their furniture allowance, as well as other benefits, to enhance their legislative work.
Earlier, the chairman of the Nasarawa State Councillors Forum, Mohammed Madaki, who is the Leader of Lafia LGA Legislative Assembly, said that the visit was to identify with the Speaker over the death of his sister.
The leader of the delegation urged the Speaker to see the death of his sister as an act of God and bear the irreplaceable loss.
Mr Madaki assured the Speaker of their loyalty and support at all times.
The chairman, however, appealed to the Speaker to intervene in the training of the councillors as well as the payment of their furniture allowance.
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