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2011: Shekarau Joins Race For Presidency

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Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State has declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2011 on the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) platform with a promise to engender change.

Shekarau, the only governor that has served two terms in Kano State, made the declaration on Thursday in Abuja at a ceremony organised by “Shekarau for Nigeria Project 2011” group.

According to him, 50 years have gone in the history of Nigeria as a country since independence, and it is therefore time for a new beginning for the nation.

He said the aspiration for a new and better Nigeria could be achieved only when Nigerians “elect a leader who cares, someone whose only interest is to build, whose only interest is to raise Nigeria above everything associated with corruption.”

“A leader whose only interest is to fight poverty and implement policies that will create employment, whose only interest is to put the country on the path of growth by restoring confidence in our system and by honouring our commitments.

“It is with great humility that I offer myself for this selfless service,” he said.

The ANPP presidential aspirant said that it was a common knowledge that Nigerians of every standing and circumstance were struggling relentlessly to improve their lives.

He noted that the entire country “is yearning for an operating environment that is rule-based and transparent’’.

 Shekarau also said that the attitude of the components of the society in any nation depended largely on the qualities of its leaders.

“Citizens of a given nation cannot manifest a higher degree of discipline than their leaders.

“Nobody will contest that Nigeria in the First Republic possessed more sense of brotherhood and general decorum than we do today,” he noted.

Such landmark leadership, he noted, was achieved by people like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr Nnmadi Azikwe and others who displayed laudable virtues and values with the fear of God.

He declared that attitude ”left the colonial masters in no doubt about their sincerity of purpose and commitment to service of the people”.

According to the governor, the attention given to structural development in the place of attitudinal change in Nigeria “has left us with wider roads, but with narrower viewpoints, more degrees but less sense”.

“We planned more but accomplish less. We learn to rush but not to take our turn. We attempted to conquer outer space but not inner space.

‘We build taller buildings but with shorter tempers, so much that our apex law-making citizens could resort to exchange of blow while at work, instead of ideas,” he said.

He, however, argued that if Nigeria got its act together it could change the world.

“In order for that to be accomplished, however, we must take responsibility; we must participate in this new Nigeria enterprise, we must moblise and organise as groups, as communities and professionals and elect responsible leaders at all levels,” he said.

He, therefore, urged the people to come together and elect him as the president to build a better Nigeria.

“With great humility I present myself as one in your number who is committed to provide the kind of leadership you have been yearning for, if you elect me as your president in 2011,” he declared.

In his comment, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Olu Falae, described Shekarau as a performer who transformed Kano State, that was known for riots and social unrest to a peaceful and stable state in the past seven years.

“I have told him more than once that I truly believe in his ambition to be president, which is motivated by his sense of patriotism and commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria,” he said.

The former Secretary to the Federal Government, said “the true characteristic of a true progressive movement is its commitment to welfare of the average citizen through policies and programmes”.

“The people of Nigeria deserve better progressive administration than what PDP government has inflicted on them,” he said.

The former presidential candidate on the AD/ANPP ticket called on all progressive parties to field a single list of candidates against the PDP in all elections in 2011.

“I wish to seize this opportunity to call on the leadership of progressive parties to agree to attend a summit of leaders to work out modalities for this historic alliance after Ramadan.

“Consultations are ongoing about the timing and venue.

“I hope and pray that we will not let Nigeria down by failing to reach agreement on this historic platform which is the only way to put  the PDP out of business for many years to come,’’ he said.

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PDP Crisis: BoT Urges Immediate Swearing-In Of Ude-Okoye As National Secretary 

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The Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has officially transmitted the resolution of its emergency meeting held in Abuja on Wednesday to the party’s National Working Committee (NWC).

It also attached the communique of the meeting, the findings of the Saminu Turaki SAN-led fact-finding committee as well as copies of the Court Judgement/ orders with an instruction to the NWC to immediately swear in Sunday Ude-Okoye as substantive National Secretary.

This was sequel last Wednesday’s emergency meeting held at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja.

This was contained in a memo from the BoT to the NWC, yesterday, barely 24 hours after the meeting.

The memo read in part, “The attention of the National Working Committee (NWC) is hereby drawn to the attached Legal Opinion of the BOT Committee led by Dr. Taninu Kabiru Turaki, SAN; and the Communique issued at the end of the Emergency BOT Meeting affirming Rt. Hon. S.K.E. Udeh Okoye as the substantive National Secretary of our Party.

“NWC is hereby invited to please. study the report and its recommendation for immediate implementation.”

The documents were stamped and received by the Office of the Deputy National Chairman (North), Amb. Umar Damagum’s office before he became Acting National Chairman.

An Enugu High Court had in a ruling affirmed Ude-Okoye’s appointment as National Secretary, and the decision was subsequently upheld on appeal.

However, Senator Samuel Anyanwu told a national daily that, “With all due respect, the BoT’s position is advisory.

“I have a valid stay of execution from the Court of Appeal. The substantive matter is still before the Supreme Court, the PDP as a law-abiding party should wait for the final decision of court and not rush into taking decisions that would become counterproductive.”

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Reps Seek Life Imprisonment For Fake Drug Producers, Importers 

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The House of Representatives has urged the Attorney General of the Federation to propose harsher sanctions, including life imprisonment, for producers and importers of fake drugs into the country.

The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance, sponsored by an All Progressives Congress lawmaker, Tolani Shagaya, and read on the floor during yesterday’s plenary.

Highlighting the importance of the motion, Shagaya expressed concern over the alarming increase in the production, importation, and distribution of fake and substandard goods, drugs, food, and beverages across Nigeria.

According to him, this development poses significant threats to public health, national security, and the economic stability of the nation.

He added that the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) have repeatedly warned that Nigeria is one of the most affected countries in the world by counterfeit medicines, contributing to thousands of avoidable deaths annually.

He said, “The House is aware that NAFDAC recently seized counterfeit food and pharmaceutical products worth over ?5 billion in a raid at the Cemetery Market in Aba, Abia State, highlighting the widespread nature of this menace.”

“The House is concerned that Nigeria suffers economic losses of approximately ?15 trillion annually due to counterfeit and substandard goods, as reported by the Standards Organization of Nigeria. The unchecked proliferation of fake products not only jeopardises consumer safety but also discourages genuine investment in the food and pharmaceutical industries.”

“The House is further concerned that despite existing regulations, weak enforcement mechanisms, corruption, and the absence of stringent penalties for offenders have emboldened perpetrators to continue endangering public health.”

“We recognise that the current legal framework does not provide sufficient deterrence, as offenders often return to the illicit trade due to lenient fines and bailable sentences, allowing them to operate with impunity.”

He further added that a national state of emergency is necessary to intensify enforcement efforts, strengthen regulatory institutions, and impose stricter sanctions on perpetrators.

Following overwhelming support for the motion by lawmakers, the House urged the Attorney General of the Federation to propose amendments to existing laws with a view to imposing stricter penalties.

These include, “life imprisonment for those involved in the production and importation of fake drugs and significant fines for businesses found guilty of dealing in counterfeit goods.”

The House also urged the Federal Government to strengthen the capacity of regulatory agencies, particularly NAFDAC, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, and the Nigerian Customs Service, by providing adequate funding, modern equipment, and advanced technology for effective surveillance, detection, and enforcement.

It further urged the Federal Government to establish a special task force comprising security agencies, regulatory bodies, and the judiciary to fast-track investigations and prosecutions of individuals and businesses involved in counterfeiting.

The House also directed its Committees on Health, Commerce, and Industry to conduct a comprehensive probe into the prevalence of counterfeit products and propose legislative measures to address regulatory gaps.

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How Akande Lied Against Me Over Bola Ige’s Case – Ladoja

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Former Governor of Oyo State, Senator Rasheed Ladoja, has dismissed the claim by former National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, that he has crucial information regarding the murder of Chief Bola Ige as a complete falsehood.

In a recent interview, Chief Akande also said Senator Ladoja entered a no case submission for the suspects accused of assassinating the ex-Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.

But the ex-governor has denied the allegation, saying old age has probably affected the memory of the former Osun State Governor to remember what happened during the period.

Senator Ladoja wondered why Chief Akande, who said he knew many things about the assassination that he would not disclose, did not tell the public what exactly surrounded the killing of the former AGF on December 23, 2001.

Senator Ladoja, next in the hierarchy to the Olubadan of Ibadan, said this when speaking with reporters in his Bodija residence in Ibadan.

 

Speaking in an interview with Edmund Obilo, Chief Akande suggested that Senator Ladoja might have important information about late Chief Ige’s killing.

He alleged that Chief Ige was killed by the government and described his death as a “state murder” — but never affirmed a specific person who committed the crime.

Chief Akande claimed that Senator Ladoja withdrew a case related to the murder that had initially been pursued by his predecessor, former Governor Lam Adesina.

“I was the chief security officer of Osun State at the time, not Oyo State. Lam Adesina was the chief security officer of Oyo State and he went to court and the governor that took over from him, Ladoja, withdrew the case from court. He might be able to tell you more, he might know more than I do know,” Chief Akande said.

“There are many things that die with people. I know Lam Adesina went to court over the matter, and I also know his successor, (Rashidi) Ladoja, withdrew the case. Ask Ladoja; he would know more about Bola Ige’s death”, he added.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain also expressed regret that ex-governor Adesina had confided in him about certain details he could no longer disclose.

Chief Akande noted that key figures, including the former Oyo state governor, who could have shed more light on the case, had passed away.

“Because there are many things you don’t want to tell the public. I don’t want to tell anybody. Now Bola Ige is dead, and Lam Adesina too is dead, so who will be my witness? Nobody,” he added.

Addressing journalists at his residence in Ibadan, Senator Ladoja described Chief Akande’s claims as false.

He said that the case was pursued up to the Supreme Court during his tenure, and denied ever having withdrawn any charges.

“I didn’t withdraw the case; my government didn’t withdraw any case. The case was even prosecuted till apex court, Chief Akande lied against me. This is not the first time people said he lied; someone like Baba Adebanjo even said he lied in his book.

“We are not all happy as a result of Chief Bola Ige’s death, and we are all concerned about his death. I was very close to Chief Bola Ige while alive”, he said.

In 2016, former President Muhammadu Buhari ordered that the investigation into the murder be reopened, but there has been little progress since.

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