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 Tide source reports that Prof. Akinoso was elected alongside 38 other executive members of the party at the congress held on Saturday.
Other executive members are Dr Abiola Olaonipekun, who emerged as Secretary, Alhaja Latifah Latifu, Women Leader and Mr A. Adeleke, elected as Youth Leader.
It was learnt that the congress, which took place at the Obafemi Awolowo Stadium, Oke Ado in Ibadan, was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, other security agencies and prominent members of the party.
The election was supervised by electoral committee members, among whom were Prince Diran Odeyemi, who served as Chairman, Hon. Awoniyi Tolulope, Mr Babatunde Gbadamosi, Queen Stepheine Oyechere, Alhaji Yusuf Abidakun, Mr Olumide Aguda and Dr Phillips Adeniyi, who served as Secretary.
Prof. Akinoso, in his inaugural address, urged members of the party to set aside intra-party differences.
He advised them to concentrate their resources on the promotion of the party, saying, “The primary responsibilities of party executive members are to coordinate party activities, ensure harmony among members, and ensure party victory during general elections.
“Our immediate assignments are to key into INEC released 2027 general election time-tables. As directed by the National Caretaker Committee of PDP, our party e-membership registration starts next week. We must be fully involved and do a membership drive.
“A political party is only relevant and benefits its members if it wins the election. This is our goal. We should set aside intra-party differences; concentrate our resources towards the promotion of the party. We will make necessary consultations and dialogue to actualise this”.
President Tinubu disclosed this during an interfaith breaking of fast with senior journalists and media executives at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Saturday.
He also disclosed that his administration had opened up on the principles of true federalism to the extent that local governments now get direct allocation from the Federal Government.
“There’s no morning that I ever leave my house without going through the newspapers. It’s an addiction. I read all of you.
“It might not be in full detail, but headline, the one that would hit me and the ones that won’t.
“At the beginning of this administration, I was just a little bit stubborn, looking at opportunities to correct things and make life more easier for the downtrodden.
“We’ve opened up the principle of federalism to the extent that local governments are now getting their money, but how they use it is in your hands. So, don’t bombard me alone,” President Tinubu said.
The ruling party said the ADC had turned criticism of the APC-led administration into its operating manifesto instead of presenting concrete solutions to Nigeria’s economic challenges.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, the party dismissed the ADC’s interpretation of a report presented at a policy dialogue organised by Agora Policy which suggested that the country’s poverty rate had risen from 49 per cent to 63 per cent.
Mr Morka said the opposition party’s reaction to the report as a “damning verdict” on the government’s economic policies reflected either ignorance of economic realities or deliberate political mischief.
“The African Democratic Congress’ attempt to spin a recent report presented at the Agora Policy dialogue indicating a rise of poverty rate of 63 per cent from 49 per cent as a damning verdict on this administration’s economic policies speaks either to its shocking ignorance of economic policy or its wilful blindness to the justification for, and transformative impacts of, ongoing economic reforms,” he said.
The APC spokesman noted that the report itself recognised the necessity of reforms aimed at correcting long-standing structural distortions in the economy.
According to him, the ADC had failed to present any credible alternative policy direction for Nigerians.
“Clearly, the ADC does not recognise itself as a political party. The ADC has not articulated a single alternative policy position or prescription of benefit to Nigerians. Condemning the APC and its policies has become its operating manifesto,” Mr Morka said.
He explained that major economic decisions taken by President Bola Tinubu, including the removal of fuel subsidy and the unification of multiple foreign exchange windows, were necessary steps to rescue the country’s economy from collapse.
Mr Morka said the subsidy regime had for years placed a heavy burden on public finances, consuming trillions of naira annually while encouraging corruption, fuel smuggling and inefficiencies in the system.
He added that the reforms had helped redirect national resources to key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education and social development.
The APC spokesman acknowledged that economic reforms often come with short-term hardship but stressed that the measures were essential to build a stronger and more resilient economy.
“Economic reform is never cost-free anywhere in the world. The transient hardship experienced by Nigerians was an inevitable cost of reforms meant to build and guarantee a better future for all Nigerians,” he said.
Mr Morka maintained that the country’s economic outlook was already improving, citing recent growth figures and stronger external reserves.
“Our economy has rebounded and is expanding steadily. The country’s Gross Domestic Product grew by 4.4 per cent last year and is projected to expand by 5.5 per cent this fiscal year, with foreign reserves now exceeding $50 billion,” he stated.
He also pointed to government initiatives designed to cushion the effects of economic adjustments on citizens, including cash transfer programmes, student loan schemes and the rollout of compressed natural gas (CNG) initiatives to reduce transportation costs.
Mr Morka reaffirmed that the APC-led administration would remain focused on rebuilding the economy and expanding social investments to support vulnerable Nigerians.
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