Politics
2015: Towards A Credible Poll
President Goodluck Jonathan’s administration has come under intense scrutiny as it is widely speculated that he is desirous to run for a second term. The speculations are fuelled by comments credited to his foot-soldiers and kinsmen on the 2015 general elections.
Indeed, there is nothing wrong for a sitting president to seek for re-election if the constitution of his country so permits. The 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which is currently operational allows president Jonathan to renew his mandate by subjecting himself to the electoral process as well as emerging victorious at the presidential poll.
However, the Nigeria people must be convinced that the president has provided the required stewardship during his first outing which will serve as a basis for the renewal of his mandate.
It is very disheartening that those who have been championing the presidents re-election have employed a do-or-die tactics to whip everybody into line, which is completely against the letter and spirit of democracy. The president’s men are not the only ones that are guilty of this undemocratic deportment. Those who are working day and night to wrest power from the president have equally thrown caution to the wind by threatening fire and brimstone if the outcome of the election is not as envisaged.
More worrisome is the fact that the president’s party- the Peoples Democratic party – is engulfed in self-inflicted crisis in a bid to satisfy the whims and caprices of self-styled leaders of the party. While other parties are merging and forming alliances to square up with PDP in 2015 general elections, the ruling party is intoxicated with its political exploits since the return of democratic governance in the country. Consequently, the leadership of the party at various levels has been suspending members with the flimsiest reasons. One cannot reconcile this approach with the recent tour of the PDP controlled states by the leadership of the party to mend fences with aggrieved members to reposition the party for the battle ahead.
In truth, the leadership of the party is over-heating the polity by taking punitive measures against members who are not comfortable wi th some policies of the party that are undemocratic. The party leadership is not different from those who are beating war-drums if their preferred candidates do not make it at the poll.
Speaking at the end of the second session of the 7th Senate recently, the Senate President, David Mark warned politicians jostling for elective positives ahead of the 2015 general elections not to plunge the country into civil war with their actions.
He stated that no nation could survive two civil wars and advised them to concentrate on delivering good governance to the electorate rather over heat the polity.
“Now, it is time to speak out once again. Elections are two years away. Yet, the collision of vaulting personal ambitions is over heating the polity and distracting the onerous task of governance.
“With so much work yet to be done, we, as elected officials, should focus on governance and justify our present mandates. Over – heating the polity is unnecessary, diversionary, divisive, destructive, unhelpful and unpatriotic. Into this vitriolic mix is being thrown a spate of mindless and distempered effusions that add no value whatsoever to the quest for cohesion and development.
“Those beating the drums of war should realise that no nation can survive two civil wars in one life time. These trends must stop and we must all remember that the nation is greater than the sum total of its parts, Mark said. Although the president has not publicly announced his intention to run for a second term, political pundits believe that every member of PDP and indeed other law abiding Nigerians have the right to aspire to any elective office. Nobody should be threatened and persecuted because of his or her political aspiration. Nigeria is a country of over 160 million people, it is unacceptable for any political group, ethnic nationality or religious organisation to lay claim to monopoly of political leadership against the collective will of the generality of the people.
What the country needs at this moment is good leadership. The level of poverty and unemployment in the country is alarming, frightening and saddening. We should avoid parochial considerations in choosing our leaders to advance our democracy.
If President Jonathan decides to run for a second term what should pre-occupy the minds of Nigeria is his score-card. To pre-empt Nigerians the president had on May 29, 2013 presented his mid-term report for perusal and assessment of his performance.
According to the report, the Jonathan administration has rehabilitated Lagos-Kano rail-line that vanished from the nation’s landscape more than a decade ago, while the refurbished Kaduna-Port Harcourt line is expected to commence operation soon.
The East – West highway that has caused untold hardship to the people of the Niger Delta and brought misery to so many road-users is to be completed at the end of 2014.
The Nigerian economy has been growing at an average of 7 per cent yearly while the exchange rate is remarkably stable. Non – oil exports have increase tremendously, generating foreign exchange earnings to complement revenue from the oil sector.
Within this period, 15 new public universities have been established to cater for the growing population of undergraduates in the country.
Agriculture has equally recorded a boost as arrangements for the supply of fertilizers directly to farmer have been put in place to eliminate rent-seeking middlemen. The government has done so much in ensuring power supply in the country. Work is going on in a number of power stations, coupled with the on-going privatisation of the power sector to enhance efficiency.
Facilities at some of the international airports in the country have been upgraded to meet international standards.
The Jonathan administration is also doing at lot to curb insurgency in some parts of the North in a bid to protect the territorial integrity of the country.
Those are some of the achievements of the present administration as contained in the mid-term report. The president who is totally committed to his transformation agenda is very confident that Nigeira will be a better call at the end of his first tenure.
Basking in euphoria of his accomplishments within a space of two years the president has urged Nigerias to develop making scheme and score his government accordingly. Political analysts are also of the view that Nigerians should be thorough, fair and objective in their assessments by relating the mid-term report with what is on ground.
The president is cerebrate and very intelligent. He knows that the best way to renew his mandate is to present his account of stewardship in view of the pervious mandate that was given to him by the Nigerian people. That was what actually transpired on that Democracy day.
Therefore, all those who are beating war-drums either in support of the president or against him should be more concerned about what they can afar to rekindle hopes in our people and not foist leadership on the nation for their selfish interest. Nigerians are wiser now and must elect leaders that are truly theirs.
Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has approved the release of N15.6 billion for the payment of outstanding severance gratuities, accommodation, and leave allowances owed to over N3,000 former councillors across the State’s 44 local government areas.
The approved payment covers councillors who served during the periods of 2014–2017, 2018–2020, and 2021–2024 under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. The entitlements, which remained unpaid for years, will now be disbursed in three installments between April and June 2025.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser on Information to the Governor, Ibrahim Adam, the administration described the move as a corrective measure to address the neglect of past leadership and fulfil a promise to ensure fairness to public office holders.
“The approval of N15.6 billion is in fulfilment of Governor Abba K. Yusuf’s commitment to ensuring that all outstanding entitlements owed to our dedicated public servants are fully paid. It is a matter of principle and justice to uphold the dignity of those who have served in elected positions”, Mr Adam said.
He noted that the financial intervention reflects the governor’s broader vision of governance rooted in fairness, accountability, and public trust.
“His Excellency recognises the sacrifices and dedication of these former councillors. This action is part of a larger effort to right the wrongs of the past and restore faith in public administration,” he added.
Local government officials and affected former councillors have welcomed the decision, describing it as long overdue and a step toward healing the financial frustrations of many grassroots leaders.
Governor Yusuf’s administration, elected on a different political platform than his predecessor, continues to draw commendation for its proactive efforts to resolve inherited liabilities and improve the welfare of public servants.
As the payment schedule begins, it is expected that this intervention will offer financial relief to thousands and stimulate local economic activity across the state.
Politics
Gunmen Disrupt Political Rally In Bayelsa ….As Turnah, Others Emerge New Associates’Leaders
Scores of spectators and political faithful were hospitalised after a yet to be identified gunmen invaded a rally organised by a group loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike and President Bola Tinubu in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.
Part of the activities scheduled to hold at the occasion was the inauguration ceremony of the Bayelsa State chapter of the ‘New Associates’, a pro-Wike political forum.
The Tide which monitored the event reports that trouble started just at the preparatory stages of the event, when the unidentified gunmen launched sporadic gunshots from a farm close to the venue of the event, injuring unsuspecting spectators and party faithful across party lines.
However, calm was restored after a swift intervention by men and officers of the Nigeria Police Force and other security formations which enabled the event to go on as planned.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after restoration of calm, factional South-South zonal Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Chairman, Caretaker Committee of the State’s chapter of the party, Barrister George Turnah, commended security operatives for their timely response.
He noted that the plan of detractors had been defeated as forces loyal to certain individuals in the State never wanted the rally to hold as scheduled.
Turnah, who doubles as Convener of the ‘New Associates’ in the State, commended President Tinubu and Chief Wike for the appointment and facilitating the same for Ijaws across the Niger Delta region.
He said, but for the love of the duo for the Ijaw people of various extractions, the Presidency would not have given preferential political portfolios in the Federal Government’s Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to Ijaws even though the ethnic nationality produces bulk of the natural resources for the economic mainstay of the nation.
The PDP chieftain reiterated that the reason for the event which was attended across party lines was to say ‘thank you’ to the two political leaders, stressing that to ‘whom much is given, much was expected’.
“For me, I’m of the larger opposition party, PDP. But I’ve decided to support and work for President Tinubu for what he is doing for the Ijaw nation, Niger Delta region in particular and Nigeria in general.
“President Tinubu has given Bayelsans and other Ijaws across the Niger Delta region several juicy political appointments. He appointed our brother and son, Heineken Lokpobiri as Minister of Petroleum even though former President Muhammadu Buhari had previously appointed a Bayelsan as Petroleum Minister in his government.
“Apart from the Petroleum Minister, Tinubu has also appointed Ijaw sons, Chief Boma Iyaye as Executive- Director, Finance, and Dr Samuel Ogbuku as Managing-Director and CEO of the Niger Delta Development Commission.
“Though former President Buhari had appointed Ogbuku initially in Acting capacity, when President Tinubu came, even after sacking all board members of the Commission, he still kept our brother, the MD and upon the completion of his tenure in Acting capacity, the President again reappointed him as substantive MD/CEO.
“But there’s one man who has made all these appointments for Ijaws possible. He is the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Ijaw people, Bayelsans are we not enjoying these appointments?
“Has the NDDC not lit up the entire Niger Delta region? Are you not feeling the impact of the Ogbuku-led NDDC? So for me and all the members of the New Associates we’ve decided to support President Tinubu for a second tenure so that our state and region can benefit more from his government”, he said.
“We want Governor Douye Diri to tell us his stand on the forthcoming 2027 general election. He should tell us whether he is supporting the President or not. If he’s supporting the President, we’ll work with him. After all, Diri was the first Governor from the South-South zone that benefitted from the President’s magnanimity during the 2023 elections and even in terms of infrastructure projects and appointments of Bayelsans at the Federal level”, Barr Turnah added.
In his remarks, Chairman of the occasion, and leader, Rivers Ijaw Peoples Congress (RIPCO), Senator George Sekibo, lauded President Tinubu and the FCT Minister for their love and friendship with the Ijaw people.
Represented by former Chairman of Akuku-Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State, Dr Roland Sekibo, Senator Sekibo said the ‘New Associates’ political forum was to galvanize support for the President for his 2027 election.
He said while President Tinubu had performed well as Nigeria’s leader, the FCT Minister had continued to show leadership from the federal level after showing the same in Rivers State while serving as governor.
“I like to thank the convener of the ‘New Associates’ political forum in Bayelsa State, Barr. George Turnah (MON) and the Coordinators for standing firm in spite of threats from highly placed political leaders not to hold this event.
“Love is not theoretically, but must be expressed, which explains why they have gathered to celebrate their Excellencies, President Tinubu and Barr. Ezewon Nyesom Wike for the various roles they have played and have continued to play to ensure the appointment of Ijaw sons and daughters to positions of trust and authority at the federal level.
“The ‘New Associates’ is in synergy with President Tinubu and will continue to follow directives from the FCT Minister who has openly declared support for Mr. President”, he said.
Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party (LP) in Enugu State, Mr Titus Odo, has defected to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Mr Odo defected to the PDP on Wednesday alongside the former Commissioner for Chieftancy Affairs in the State, Emeka Mamah, who was the state Coordinator of the Peter Obi Presidential Campaign in the 2023 presidential election.
The duo dumped the PDP during the 2023 general elections for the Labour Party.
Receiving the defectors at the party’s state secretariat, the state PDP Chairman, Martin Chukwunwike, expressed happiness over their decision to return to their former party.
He explained that Governor Peter Mbah gave them the directive to do everything possible to bring back aggrieved party members who left the party.
“We are happy to have them in our midst, and God has set this party on a good footing, as 2027 is already assured,” he said.
The PDP chairman, however, called for unity within the party to package themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking during their presentation to the party state chairman, Mr Odo expressed joy for returning to his former party, revealing that Mr Mbah’s massive development in the State informed his decision.
“I am happy to tell you that I am back to my home. I came back because of the giant development strides of Governor Mbah and I say kudos to him.
“The second reason is the defection of my immediate boss, the LP governorship candidate for the 2023 election in Enugu State, Dr Chijioke Edeoga.
“Another reason is that the council chairman in Igboeze North, Mr Uchenna Ogara, is turning the council area into a township,” he said.
Mr Mamah also thanked the PDP leadership in Igboeze North, Enugu North Senatorial zone and the state chapter of the party for receiving him back to the party.
He extolled Mr Mbah for extending hands of fellowship to those who had left the party, saying, “Personally, I am pleased with the performances of our governor.”