Politics
2011 Polls: Voters’ Perspective On Guber Race In Rivers
As 2011 elections draw closer, the political landscape in Rivers State seems to be favourable for a peaceful transition. Various political parties would be jostling for elective offices, while others would be ready to accept voters verdict for losing control of the seat of governance.
Interestingly, however, the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi will be seeking for a second term from the electorate, who had graciously benefited from his democratic revolution in the state.
But the opposition groups are determined and ready to step on his toes to stop his governoship ambition, despite his turning the state into investors destination, within the short period on the saddle of leadership.
No doubt, there lies ahead a political mine field, fluid political situation and frantic scenario to determine who occupies what elective position in all the segments of the electoral process, come 2011.
A cross section of political observers believed that Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has exhibited boldness, fearlessness, transparent accountability and courage in the administration of the state, therefore he deserves a second tenure to consolidate his achievements.
He is a man of vision for a great new Rivers State and they also believe that with Amaechi as a role model, akin to that of Bill Newman’s leadership concept, he, has what it takes to be a leader.
Amaechi is constantly challenged by his vision of the world around him and being compelled to make a mark of difference through the force of his ideas, desires and resources of the state for the benefit of the people.
But being a follower of Bill Newman’s leadership concept many had described some of his perceived actions as lacking in tact, diplomacy and cultivation of friendship, especially with the opposition groups in the state.
Obviously, within the PDP fold, Governor Amaechi has diligently entrenched due process as the hallmark of his admiration to the administration of the majority of the people in the state.
Successive governments in the state have tried their best to develop the state, yet little successes were recorded until now. But no government or administration has had the political will, strength of character and the determination to transform the state.
The government is committed to fast tracking development and transforming dividends of good governance to the people to ensure that the people are economically empowered through job opportunities, infrastructural development, and addressing the underdevelopment.
Governor Amaechi and political faithfuls are placing their hopes upon the achievements of his administration in various areas, such as restoration of peace and security, developmental strides in such areas as building of modern schools infrastructure, primary health centres, massive roads construction and reconstruction across the state.
Mr. Joseph Chukwu, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart from Omuma Local Government Area said Amaechi’s achievements speak for him and his second coming as Governor.
He said “Rivers people want Amaechi back for second term in office based on his achievements in office.
Mr. Joseph Chukwu added that the Governor has the structures of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under his control in Rivers State, stressing that “we will ensure that our party delegates from the 319 wards vote for his second term slot as the PDP flagbrearer for the 2011 governorship election in the state”.
According to Mr. Young Harry the 2011 governorship race in the state might be a straight fight between the riverine people of the state and the upland, adding that now that “Dr. Abiye Sekibo had declared his interest in the Governorship position on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the political equation of voting pattern will certainly change”
The historian emphasised that besides riverine and upland dichotomy, the issue of accountability and management of the people’s collective patrimony will influence the voting pattern of the people.
However, Amaechi political family known as “the Believers” are economically empowered in the various Local Government Areas, thus making any challenge to wrest power from them, an uphill tasks to the opposition groups in the state.
Recently at Okrika, the former Secretary to the State Government and former Minister of Transport,Dr.Abiye Sekibo decamped to join the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) where he is seeking to actualise his ambition of being elected the Governor of Rivers State come 2011.
Dr. Sekibo declared that he left PDP to join, ACN because of what he described as “lack of internal democracy in PDP,” promising to work hard for the development of the state on the platform of the ACN.
Also speaking, one of the leaders of opposition groups in the state and former Commissioner for Water Resources, Hon. Lolo Ibieneye said: “We are not opposition group in the state, we are the real authentic members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that worked tirelessly for the victory of the party in 2007 in the state.” He stressed that “we are only demanding for fairness and recognition as the authentic members of our great party (PDP), we are in control of the structures of the party in the 23 local government Areas of the state.”
However, the political situation in the state is set for a fierce titanic political battle, between the forces loyal to the incumbent Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, his political believers’ group, and forces loyal to the trio of former Governors, Sir Peter Odili, Sir Celestine Omehia and Sir Austin Opara for the control of Rivers State government machinery during the 2011 elections.
Interestingly, all the major political gladiators were originally members of one political family right from the 1999 political dispensation, “The Restoration Team.” But as the political axiom always goes, there is no permanent enemy but permanent interests in politics.
The race promised also to be issues oriented as a nascent group, the Rivers State Project (RSP) is equally demanding an end to the politics of exclusion that breaks the state into camps, marginalising and humiliating certain groups, creating disaffection and making true reconciliation difficult after abated conflict.
Annkio Briggs said “it remains the alienable right of Rivers people to decide who will represent them through one man one vote”
Meanwhile, a member of the state executive of the Peoples Democratic Party in Rivers State who pleaded anonymity said the battle for the governorship of the state is going to be a tough political battle as right now the Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government of the PDP is in clear contention.
He declared, in our last Tuesday meeting at the party secretariat we were seriously working to checkmate the spread of CAN in Rivers State, we don’t want to lose our PDP members to the ACN party. We shall ensure that the feeling of our members are addressed for internal democracy in our party.
He stressed further, we have challenges but we shall overcome with internal unity with our PDP. We shall reconciled with our estranged members to go into election comes 2011 with one family and one united party.
The party executive added “that PDP in Rivers State shall soon set up a committee of the party’s elders to reconcile the various aggrieved members of the party.
He said PDP cannot afford to lose Rivers State to the opposition political party.
Also, a party stalwart and chieftain Oyigbo local government said PDP must seriously unite to face the opposition political parties. “He said there must be a total reconciliation for the party to present one common governorship candidate or else the days of PDP are over in Rivers State despite the achievements of Amaechi.
It is the general perspective of Rivers people that the divine will of God prevail for a God fearing leader to be elected to direct the affairs of the state and the various local councils.
Philip-Wuwu Okparaji
The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, on Tuesday lamented that Nigerians have been turned into refugees in their own country.
Mr Obi made the remarks during the presentation of the book titled “Obi, The Political Change Agent” in Abuja.
He said that Nigerians must rise and change the current political system, adding that the current structure does not care about the people.
The former Anambra State governor highlighted the sufferings faced by Nigerians, as he listed issues troubling the country to include insecurity, poverty, theft, and lack of accountability by public officials, among others.
He urged collective efforts to dismantle the proceeds of ill-gotten wealth, insisting that “any country where those in government are richer than business people is an unproductive country. A very simple definition of production is value.”
He said the current system is totally unproductive, adding that the country has raised “Nigerian masters” who have destroyed rail lines and other infrastructures built by the colonial masters.
Mr Obi further explained that to rebuild the country, Nigerians must make sacrifices, as he disclosed that the Obidient Movement would look for genuine people who are willing to fix the country at all levels.
His remarks may not be unconnected to the activities of some federal lawmakers originally elected on the platform of the LP and have been criticised for allegedly abandoning their core opposition functions.
Meanwhile, the 2023 LP flag- bearer, while calling for transparency in the upcoming 2027 poll, cautioned against attempts to truncate the process.
He stressed, “We will make the election count. And those who don’t want it to count, we’ll count them.”
Speaking earlier in a welcome remark, National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, Dr Tanko Yunusa, stated that the momentum for the 2027 election had grown from a quest to change the old order of the negative Nigerian landscape to one of the biggest social/ideological movements in Africa and the world.
Dr Yunusa disclosed that the Obedient Movement is not a political organisation or an election regularisation scheme, but simply a movement that focuses on rejigging governance by pointing its direction to the people, and espousing the dividends of democracy for the people.
“Our beloved nation, Nigeria, stands at crossroads. The old ways have failed us, and the status quo is no longer tenable, yet, amidst the challenges, we find opportunities for growth, innovation, and progress.
“The Obidient Movement, led by our champion of change, Mr Peter Obi, embodies this spirit of transformation.
“The Obidient Movement is more than just a political phenomenon; it represents a shift in the narrative, a call to action, and a demand for a better future. It is a testament to the power of collective action, the resilience of the human spirit, and the unwavering desire for a brighter tomorrow.
“As we embark on this intellectual journey, we will explore the themes of resilience and the unyielding desire for a better Nigeria.
“We shall examine the role of leadership, the power of collective action, and the imperative of embracing a new vision for our nation’s future.
“We will discuss the challenges we faced, the opportunities we have, and the strategies we must employ to build a Nigeria that is just, equitable, and prosperous for all”, Dr Yunusa said.
The National Coordinator insisted that the inevitability of a new Nigeria is not just a dream but a necessity.
“We owe it to ourselves, our children, and future generations to ensure that our nation is a place where everyone can thrive, where everyone can live with dignity, and where everyone can reach their full potential.
“As we celebrate our principal, Mr. Peter Obi, it is pertinent that we bear in mind that this auspicious gathering today is far more than just the presentation of a book”, he added.
He said that the Movement could boast of 28 states with 7 outstanding states soon to be announced, with 540 LGAs out of 774, with 234 to be completed.
In her remarks, the Acting National Chairman of the LP, Senator Nenadi Usman, highlighted that in every generation, there arises a voice that does not merely echo the frustrations of the people but dares to chart a new path for them.
“Mr. Peter Obi, whose life and political saga we unveil today, has become such a voice. This book, meticulously authored and boldly titled tells a story far beyond politics. It is the story of accountability against impunity, simplicity against flamboyance, principle against expediency, and prudence against financial recklessness”, she said.
The factional chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Chief Tony Okocha, has warned that unless the suspended Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, seeks genuine reconciliation, not even his defection to the APC will save him from impeachment.
Chief Okocha, who spoke at a media briefing at the national secretariat of the APC, Abuja, on Tuesday, warned again that not even the lifting of the emergency rule will stop the impeachment of the Governor, wondering why he had been lobbying for his reinstatement.
He also took a swipe at the former Governor of the State and ex-Minister of Transportation, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, describing him as a partyless politician since he is no longer a member of the APC.
Asked if suspended GovernorFubara joining the APC will make his sins to be forgiven, Chief Okocha thundered, “Fubara’s suspension and the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State had no business whatsoever with politics. It was about his misdemeanour, and I said to you that he said that the President saved his job by declaring the state of emergency.
“Don’t forget that the Supreme Court in its judgment had said that there was no government in Rivers State. So, if there was no government in the State, something must be done, and that which happened was the declaration of the state of emergency…
“If Fubara decides to join the APC, it has nothing to do with the state of emergency in Rivers State. His sins cannot be forgiven because he came to our party. It is not true”.
He has not spoken to me. He will enter the party through the door, not the window. Not only him, there are procedures for defection to another party, and if he claims to be a politician, he will know that all politics is local; he will try and defect in his ward”.
Former Minister of Youths and Sports Development, Mr Solomon Dalung, has described politicians moving from opposition parties into the ruling All Progressives Party (APC) as sinners seeking forgiveness.
Mr Dalung, who spoke in Abuja disagreed with the postulation that politicians were trooping into the APC because the ruling party has performed well, “rather they are sinners, who are seeking forgiveness for their numerous sins.”
Mr Dalung said the defectors were only fulfilling what a former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomhole, said regarding corrupt politicians, that no matter the gravity of their sins, they would be forgiven as soon as they joined the APC.
Senator Oshiomhole has severally denied this quote attributed to him but politicians have continued to use it.
He said, “These are people who have committed heinous crimes against the Nigerian people and they are jumping into the APC ship for the forgiveness of their sins. Not that they believe in Tinubu, no; they do not. They are only assembling so that their sins will be forgiven.
“So it is a conclave of political cardinals who have committed grave sins against the Nigerian people and a political party has offered them the opportunity of forgiveness on entrance”.
The former Minister also warned that if care is not taken, the defectors would create problems in the ruling party in the future.
He said, “You know there is an adage in Hausa that if animals celebrate the death of a butcher, has the knife also died? If beneficiaries of the mandate of the people are defecting, have the people also defected?
“So there is no value added to Tinubu except that he has compounded the situation in his party and there will be an implosion.”
He also dismissed concern in certain quarters that the entrance of politicians like the former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai into the Social Democratic Party (SDP) could be a potential threat to the presidential ambition of Prince Adewole Adebayo, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, adding that “Adebayo’s political charisma, image and personality within the Nigerian political environment has presented him as an obvious force to deal with in 2027.”
He emphasized that Prince Adebayo is the only presidential candidate who has consistently maintained a media campaign against the failed and unpopular policies of the current government.
“So, Nigerians are very conversant with Adebayo’s voice, charisma and leadership qualities. So, whether you mobilize the whole politicians into the SDP, you must resolve the question of Adebayo in the SDP as a presidential candidate before any other person.
“This is because nobody has promoted the SDP in Nigeria like Adebayo. After Chief MKO Abiola, you rank Adebayo in the contemporary SDP as the highest. So, the concern as some people are expressing is normal. Human beings entertain such fears but the reality is that the name SDP since 2023 has been sustained unilaterally by the doggedness, commitment, dedication and selflessness of Prince Adebayo.
“So, he is a force to beat in whatever political arrangement that the SDP will put on ground to produce a presidential candidate. He is a patriot who did not join politics for himself; he has surrendered the rest of his life to the service of humanity and he did that at his 50th birthday.”