Politics
Amaechi: Okupe’s Mis-step
The Special Adviser to the
President on Media, Dr. Reuben Abati and his colleague, the Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Dr. Doyin Okupe have been edgy in recent times following a barrage of criticisms against the administration of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan on a daily basis. Indeed, some of the criticisms were apt and constructive while a few others were aimed at denigrating the office and personality of the President for cheap political points.
Of course, one cannot rule out criticisms in any human environment.This is more pronounced in a democracy, where several persons and different political parties are jostling for limited number of political offices. The situation in Nigeria is even worse, because of high rate of unemployment and the juicy nature of political offices. Therefore, politics has become a do-or-die affair for members of the political class and their teeming supporters in the labour market.
Abati and Okupe appear to be overwhelmed by the demands of the exalted offices they are occupying given the way and manner they have carried on in the discharge of their duties.
Recently, the Interim National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande had this to say about the Presidency: “I have my reasons not to admire President Goodluck Jonathan. I have not found him to be serious minded leader. Jonathan is Nigeria’s problem today. He is not a thinking leader. I have had two meetings with him since 2011. I have had a long telephone conversation with him. I have written him twice discussing the serious challenges facing the country, but he has not found the courtesy to reply. He has reduced governance to kindergarten level. He is not serious-minded”.
Dr. Abati responded this way: “we urge Chief Akande and his fellow travelers to remember that there are laws against libel and defamation of character in this country even if there are no legal impediments to indecorious, hypocritical and unpatriotic vituperations. It is certainly rude, ill-mannered, uncharitable and hypocritical for Chief Akande to falsely and cavalierly allege that a President who toils tirelessly every day of the week, evolving and implementing workable solutions to Nigeria’s problems, is handling national issues with levity. Also, nothing else but gross ignorance and lack of consideration could have led Chief Akande to refer to a President who, having served as deputy governor, governor, Vice – President and President, has for more experience of governance at the highest level than him and his preferred candidates as a Kindergaten leader”.
While I am not impressed with Chief Akande for his choice of words on this matter, Dr. Abati as a man of letters should have been civil in addressing the issues raised by the elder statesman. By so doing, he would have won the admiration and respect of so many Nigerians for having a proper understanding of public office. But the contrast is the case which is obviously a disservice to his principal.
In truth, only a disgrunted few had a kind word for Dr. Abati for the brazen and reckless manner he showered invectives on a man who is old enough to be his father.
For his colleague, Dr. Okupe, political observers are of the view that he takes delight in hurling abuse on perceived enemies of whoever engages his services as a spokesman. Maybe, that is his own interpretation of what is expected of him. And if so, he has a poor knowledge of what the office entails. Obviously, his contankerous and over-bearing attitude is counter-productive.
Recently, he took a swipe at the Governor of Rivers State and Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Governors Sule Lamido (Jigawa State), Babaginda Aliyu (Niger State), Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto State), Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State) and Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano State).
Speaking on the Kaduna-based Liberty Radio, Okupe dismissed as a joke the peace initiative of the five Northern governors.
“You heard about the five governors who said they were motivated to go round the whole country because of Rivers crisis. Is that not a national joke? It is like watching Africa Magic.
“What is the crisis in Rivers? Who is Amaechi and what is the issue that the whole country is being disturbed of something that happened at Nigeria Governors Forum?
“What is Nigeria Governors Forum to the destiny of this country? What has it got to do with us? The Rivers crisis is something that people just latch onto to fan the members of anti-Jonathan emotion to continue to promote hatred against Goodluck Jonathan.
“And of course, Amaechi is a willing tool, very rich and is very useful to the opposition. What you are seeing is over-dramatisation of the preparations for 2015. Period!
“These governors that are so motivated, so passionately concerned about the ultimate destiny of Nigeria, were not motivated when Boko Haram crisis were raging in the North to go round the North and plead on how to solve the problem.
“Amaechi used the Police and power to harass, intimidate and punish people unjustly. Mbu has refused to be a tool in the hands of Amaechi and has refused to bend to his unjustified high handedness. However, because he is supported by the opposition, he now presents Mbu as villain. It is not true. He is a professional; a man of dignity who has remained steadfast.
This is Okupe at his best. It is very laughable that Okupe does not know Governor Amaechi and what he represents. To assuage his curiosity, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), was a two-term Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly as well as Chairman of Conference of Speakers in Nigeria.
He is a two-term governor of Rivers State and also a two-term Chairman of Nigeria Governors Forum. Above all, Governor Amaechi is known for his unwavering commitment to democratic ideals and good governance.
Governor Amaechi has transformed Rivers State through massive infrastructural development to the admiration of his people as well as local and foreign investors.
It is highly regrettably that Dr. Okupe and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar did see anything wrong in the foresty relationship between the Chief Security Officer of Rivers State, Governor Chibuike Amaechi and Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu. But the National Assembly in its wisdom passed a resolution for the redeployment of Rivers Police boss following a fact-finding mission to the State by the Senate Committee on States and Local Government Areas.
How would anyone justify the insubordination exhibited by the Rivers Police boss who addressed the State governor in a press conference as a dictator? Certainly, the IGP will not last a minute longer in his cosy office if he displays such level of disrespect towards the President and the Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria. Okupe and his co-travellers should separate politics from official misconduct to save the younger generation from moral bankruptcy.
It is a pity that Dr. Okupe is ignorant of the ugly trend in the nation’s democracy where 16 is higher than 19 and 5 is highr than 27. Nigerian politicians must not for any reason sacrifice our fleddling democracy on the altar of greed and selfishness.
Governor Amaechi cannot relinguish the mandate that was given to him by his colleagues as the NGF Chairman for the mere fact that the likes of Okupe are not comfortable with his high moral principles. Of course, Governor Amaechi is aware that if he succumbs to pressure from Okupe and his co-travellers posterity will hold him in absolute contempt for his cowardice and betrayal.
Finally, Dr. Okupe should not aggravate Mr. President’s problems with his unbridled vituperations. Mr. President needs more friends and support now.
Reward Akwu
The state chairman of the party, Dr Babandi Gumel, disclosed this in a statement signed and made available to journalists on Saturday.
According to the statement, the Jigawa PDP received news of Alhaji Lamido’s suspension with “profound shock and disappointment”.
The statement added that the suspension, which was reportedly based on allegations that Alhaji Lamido attended meetings capable of undermining party unity, amounts to an affront to justice, internal democracy and the reconciliation efforts recently championed by the PDP leadership.
The party stressed that the exercise of legal and constitutional rights within the party should not be interpreted as an act of disunity. It recalled that Alhaji Lamido approached the court after he was allegedly denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest the position of National Chairman of the PDP.
The statement further noted that the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, ruled in Alhaji Lamido’s favour by restraining the PDP from proceeding with its national convention until his right to contest was determined.
The Jigawa PDP argued that the suspension appeared to be a punitive action against Alhaji Lamido for seeking judicial redress over an issue on which the court had already found merit.
The party also faulted the decision of the BoT for contradicting recent public statements by its chairman, Senator Adolphus Wabara, who had emphasised reconciliation within the party, admitted past mistakes and appealed to aggrieved members to return fully to the PDP fold.
However, it maintained that suspending a founding member who sought justice through legal means runs contrary to the spirit of reconciliation and healing publicly advocated by the party leadership.
The chairman said the suspension was premature and prejudicial, as the matter remains before the courts. He also described Alhaji Lamido as one of the few founding fathers of the PDP who has remained loyal to the party without defecting, warning that punishing such loyalty sends a negative signal to other committed members.
The party further argued that the action undermines party unity at a time when the PDP requires cohesion to effectively challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). It also insisted that there is no provision in the PDP constitution that allows for the suspension of a “life member”.
The party called on the BoT to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the suspension of Alhaji Lamido.
It also demanded that the BoT publicly affirm the right of all party members to aspire to leadership positions in line with the party’s constitution and the laws of the country, without fear of victimisation.
It further urged the BoT to retrace its steps, align its actions with its reconciliation agenda, and tender an apology to Alhaji Lamido.
The Jigawa PDP reaffirmed its commitment to a united, democratic and law-abiding Party.
In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, CISLAC warned that if proven, such actions would amount to a serious breach of constitutional order, legislative integrity, and public trust.
The organisation noted that Nigeria’s law-making process is clearly defined by the Constitution, stressing that any alteration of a bill after parliamentary passage undermines democratic governance and the principle of separation of powers.
CISLAC further emphasised that taxation has direct implications for citizens, businesses, sub-national governments, and the overall economy. It stated that uncertainty or a lack of transparency in tax legislation could erode investor confidence and raise concerns about accountability and the possible abuse of executive power.
The organisation described the situation as particularly troubling given the rare inclusive, and thorough public consultation that shaped the law’s final provisions prior to its passage.
“This process brought together taxpayers, civil society groups, professional organisations, the private sector, labour unions, local governments, and technical experts, ensuring that diverse viewpoints were considered and carefully balanced.
“Any unilateral changes to these agreed-upon provisions, made outside the established legislative process and without renewed public engagement, not only breach public trust but also violate the fundamental tax principle of representation, which holds that citizens must have a meaningful voice in shaping the laws that govern how they are taxed. Such actions undermine democratic accountability, weaken the legitimacy of the tax system, and risk eroding public confidence”, it noted.
CISLAC expressed particular concern that uncertainty surrounding the authenticity of the tax law, coming at a time when a new tax regime is expected to take effect, could exacerbate the economic hardship already faced by many Nigerians.
It observed that citizens are contending with rising living costs, inflationary pressures, declining purchasing power, and reduced access to basic services, warning that implementing a disputed tax framework under such conditions, risks deepening inequality, discouraging compliance, and fuelling public resentment.
The organisation stressed that tax reforms must be anchored in clarity, legality, fairness, and social sensitivity, cautioning that any tax system introduced without full transparency, adequate public communication, and legislative certainty undermines voluntary compliance and weakens the social contract between the state and its citizens.
As part of its recommendations, CISLAC called on the Presidency to urgently publish the exact version of the tax law assented to, alongside the authenticated copy passed by the National Assembly, to allow for public and institutional verification.
It also urged the leadership of the National Assembly to promptly exercise its oversight powers to determine whether the assented law reflects the will of the legislature, including a review of the enrolled bill process.
The organisation maintained that any discrepancy discovered should be treated as unconstitutional and addressed through lawful means, such as the re-transmission of the correct bill or judicial interpretation where necessary. It further called for an independent review of the process by relevant institutions, including the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and, where required, the judiciary, to establish the facts and assign responsibility.
CISLAC noted that the controversy highlights the urgent need to strengthen safeguards at the legislative and executive interface. It recommended measures such as digital tracking of bills, public access to enrolled legislation, and more transparent assent procedures.
CISLAC emphasised that the issue is not about partisan politics but about safeguarding the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic institutions. It warned that allowing any arm of government to unilaterally alter laws passed by another sets a dangerous precedent and weakens constitutional democracy.
The organisation urged all parties involved to act with restraint, openness, and fidelity to the Constitution, noting that Nigerians deserve laws that reflect due process, the public interest, and the collective decisions of their elected representatives.
CISLAC added that it will continue to monitor developments and engage relevant stakeholders to promote accountability, transparency, and the rule of law in Nigeria’s governance processes.
