Politics
‘Jonathan Instituted True Democracy In Nigeria’
Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan instituted true democratic order in Nigeria through the conduct of free, fair and credible elections in 2015.
This was the assertion of a law teacher and legal practitioner, Mr. Chukwuma A. J. Chinwo during an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt.
According to Mr. Chinwo, the then opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC , won the electios because of the then President’s deliberate decision not to interfere with the electoral process, regretting however that the APC has so far failed to build on the gain of that exercise.
He said that the social, political and economic crisis facing the country at the moment were attributed to the current administration’s inability to be humble enough to acknowledge the strengths of previous administrations and taking useful tips from them to forge a more enduring democratic culture and a better cohesive country.
According to the constitutional lawyer the issues facing the country today were general to all developing societies, noting however, that the method of handling the issues by the present government in power was the one creating the problem.
That in itself, he said, was a direct derivative of the inexperience of those handling the affairs of the country at the moment.
“We must face the truth, the majority of those who lead the federal government today are learning the ropes,” he said, adding that “this government should have been humble enough to appreciate the strengths of past governments, to understand how they managed crisis and adopted those things that are good and bring in their own ideas, if they have. But most unfortunately, President Muhammadu Buhari came in with the idea that everything was bad”.
The law teacher with the Rivers State University, RSU, submitted that even though many perceived former President Goodluck Jonathan as a weak leader, he had the strength to establish a strong and independent electoral system for the benefit of the country.
“I have heard people who argue that he was a weak President. But we need a weak leader to establish strong institutions. And he achieved that,” the constitutional lawyer noted, adding that the country had lost a lot because the present administration led by the APC had refused to build on that foundation.
“If this government had built on that, we could have achieved a lot of things but unfortunately, they did not build on that. So the government is stating a fresh. In starting a fresh, you’re going to hurt many people’, he said, adding that “they have hurt several people and not knowing how to address issues, have made those people think that you have the attitude of ‘go to hell”.
Going forward, Mr. Chinwo advised the federal government to “re organised its way of handling things for the good of Nigeria”.
Opaka Dokubo
The Tide source reports that the committee, reportedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, is making moves to reclaim the Wadata Plaza headquarters months after it was sealed following a violent clash between rival factions of the party.
Senior officers at the FCT Police Command told our source that while they had not received an official briefing, police personnel would be stationed at the secretariat and other key locations to maintain peace.
The Acting National Secretary of the Mohammed-led committee, Sen. Samuel Anyanwu, announced last week that the secretariat would reopen for official activities on Monday (today).
He dismissed claims that ongoing litigation would prevent the reopening, saying, “There are no legal barriers preventing the caretaker committee from resuming work at the party’s headquarters.”
However, the Tanimu Turaki-led National Working Committee (NWC) has fiercely rejected the reopening move, insisting that Sen. Anyanwu and his group remain expelled from the PDP and have no authority to act on its behalf.
Speaking with The Tide source, the committee’s National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, declared: “They are living in fool’s paradise. The worst form of deceit is self-deceit, where the person knows he is deceiving himself yet continues with gusto.
“Even INEC, which they claim has recognised them, has denied them. They are indulging in a roller coaster of self-deceit.”
Mr Ememobong further revealed that letters had been sent to both the Inspector-General of Police and the FCT Commissioner of Police, stressing that the matter was still in court and warning against any attempt to “resort to self-help.”
“The case pending before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik was instituted by the expelled members. They cannot resort to self-help until judgment is delivered,” he said.
He warned that reopening the secretariat would amount to contempt of court.
A senior officer at the FCT Police Command, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that officers would be deployed to the area to avert a repeat of the November 19 violence that led to the secretariat’s initial closure.
“The command would not stand by and allow a breakdown of peace and order by the party or anyone else. Definitely, the police will have to be on the ground,” he said.
Another officer added, “There will definitely be men present at the secretariat, but I can’t say the number of police officers that would be deployed.”
When contacted, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Josephine Adeh, said she had not been briefed on the planned reopening and declined to comment on whether officers would be deployed.
Asked to confirm whether the secretariat was initially sealed by police, she responded, “Yes,” but refused to say more about the current deployment plans.
The Kano State House of Assembly has debunked the purported impeachment plan against the Deputy Governor, Aminu Gwarzo.
The Tide source recalls that the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ibrahim Waiya, recently sparked controversy during an interview session with a local radio station.
Mr Waiya called on the deputy governor to resign for failing to follow his principal, Gov. Abba Yusuf, in defecting from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the spokesperson to the Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Kamaluddeen Shawai, while addressing journalists in Kano on Saturday, described reports circulating in some media outlets about Mr Gwarzo’s impeachment as baseless and misleading, emphasising that no such plan is underway.
Mr Shawai further stated that the House remains focused on its legislative duties and oversight functions rather than engaging in speculative political manoeuvres.
The spokesperson urged members of the public and the media to verify information before sharing it, stressing the importance of accurate reporting in maintaining political stability in the state.
He said, “There is absolutely no motion or initiative within the House to remove the deputy governor.
“These reports are false and should be disregarded by the public. The deputy governor continues to serve in his capacity with full support from the House.
“Our priority is good governance and serving the people of Kano, not circulating rumours.”
She made the declaration during an interview with Nigerian football legend, Mr Segun Odegbami, during a live radio interview on Saturday.
Prof. Obasanjo, who is also former commissioner in the state, ruled out a return to the Senate, stating that her focus was firmly on the governorship race.
“So, moving ahead, I’m not going to be Commissioner. Like I said, I’m not even going back to the same party because I think that’s old and I don’t see the use of it. And I’m not going to go back to the Senate,” she said.
“Like the Americans would say, there’s no need. And this is what I told my associates, when this all started. I said, the only thing I’ll come back to do is the governorship.
“And we have started that journey. We are going to see it through. And so that’s the journey I’m on. And we are very serious about it. I mean we are very dedicated to it.”
The politician also confirmed that she recently joined the APC, explaining that her return to active politics followed persistent calls from supporters.
“Like I told you, a group of people who I did not bring together, have been working, I think, for two years now. And then they started talking to me about a year ago, saying, ‘Look, we think you are the best candidate. We want you back,’” she added.
Her declaration sets the stage for what may become a keenly contested governorship race in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 elections.
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