Politics
March 19: PDP’s Strategy For Victory In DELGA
As the March 19, 2016
date set by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the re-run legislative elections in Rivers State draws closer, all the stakeholders in the political process seem to have woken up to the realisation that they cannot do the same thing the same way and not get the same result. This is clearly evident in the obvious reviews and reworking of some of the strategies adopted by the various stakeholders in the April 11, 2015 exercise annulled by both the Election Petitions Tribunal and Court of Appeal.
Part of the reworked strategies by INEC is the new guideline for accreditation and casting of ballot to take place simultaneously. The security agencies through the Police Commissioner in the State have also issued fresh assurances of their preparedness to ensure a safe and conducive atmosphere for a smooth exercise. Of course, there are many who believe that the immediate goal of the sustained hunt for suspected criminals and the invasion of their suspected hideouts across the State by the military is more political than security.
The political parties and their candidates on their part have raised the quantum and tempo of their activities and have since started criss-crossing and even double-crossing, their constituencies and opponents to enhance their electoral fortunes.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Degema Constituency seat in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Dr Farah Dagogo, and his train were at Ogurama, the headquarters of Ward 187, Degema Local Government Area, last weekend, where he disclosed to The Tide his strategy for winning the March 19 re-run election.
Dagogo who spoke to The Tide at the sidelines of his political to the community and the reception of defectors from the All Progressives Congress, APC to the PDP said that at the heart of his strategy was his resolve to engage with the electorate directly and persuading them to accept his proposal for a better deal and thereby earn their votes.
“For you to win election, you must win the minds of the people and for you to win the minds of the people, you must engage with them to sell yourself and your proposal through face to face dialogue,” he said, adding that this was important in order to build “a relationship of trust and confidence with the people which will make it easier for them to freely give their mandate to you to go and represent them.”
According to the Tombia born politician, this is the philosophy behind the PDP taking is candidates and supporters to all the wards and communities in the LGA to meet with the people who ultimately reserve the power to decide their political fate and fortune.
Dr. Dagogo who regretted losing the April 2015 election at the Court of Appeal said even though he believed he won the election fair and square, he had put the incident behind him in submission to the rule of law and advised his supporters to continue to conduct themselves peacefully and abide strictly by the electoral guidelines.
“Of course, I keep advising everybody that a free and fair election is what we want and that we must eschew violence and conduct ourselves peacefully as we go out to vote,” he said and charged his opponents to also preach and commit to a violence-free polls.
In the same vein, the aspiring lawmaker enjoined the electoral umpire, INEC, to live up to its promise of a level playing field for all parties and contestants and to ensure that electoral materials are not diverted to undesignated and unlawful places. He called on the security agencies to intensify their efforts in order to inspire confidence in the people to go out and exercise their franchise.
Also speaking with The Tide, a chieftain of the PDP in the LGA, Chief Ombo Benebo expressed confidence that his party would have nothing less than a landslide victory going by the level of work they had done.
“We’re confident we will win the election because we have been everywhere to sell our candidate to the people and everywhere we have gone, the reception has been overwhelming,” the veteran politician explained, adding that the work had been made easier by the disposition of the candidate and his performance during his few months in office at the Rivers State House of Assembly.
He said that apart from effectively representing his constituence, the State House of Assembly candidate of the PDP in Degema had relieved parents in the LGA of financial burdens by paying the fees for all students enrolled for the forthcoming Senior Secondary School Examination (SSCE) while he has concluded plans to do the same for those preparing for the Junior WAEC.
Chief Benebo decried electoral violence in all its ramifications, insisting that it was no longer fashionable for politicians to resort to unlawful means to secure electoral victory.
“This is not the time to use violence to win elections. That era is gone. Now everyone is required to go and sell their candidates to the people o accept them for what they can do for them,” he reiterated, pointing out that “we are going to the field for the people to freely make their choice.”
The party stalwart appealed to INEC and the security agencies to live up to their constitutional responsibility and resist acceptance to compromise them one way or another.
“We’re sincerely pleading with INEC to come with clear hands. They should be prepared to declare results that come from the polling units only and not any written results from anywhere else,” he said, adding that “we will stand to resist the acceptane of any written resuls by
Opaka Dokubo
The lawmaker representing Ipokia/Idiroko Constituency in the Ogun State House of Assembly, Bisi Oyedele, says Nigerian legislature, especially at the state level, has not ceased to be an appendage of the executive because the constitution which guarantees its financial autonomy has not been strictly adhered to.
Hon. Oyedele argued that a legislature that goes cap in hand to the executive cannot perform it functions optimally.
He spoke at a symposium organised by the Forum for Governance Leadership and Value (FGLV) in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The symposium with the theme: “Enhancing The Value Of The Legislature In Nigeria’s Democratic Process”, was put together in honour of the Senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, Senator Adeola Olamilekan, who was decorated as the legislative icon in Nigeria.
“The constitution is clear about legislative autonomy in section 121 of the constitution. It states clearly how legislature should be autonomous, independent. Until when that is done in Nigeria, the legislature will continue to become an appendage of the executive.
“I must tell you that if there’s strict adherence to the dictate of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, you will begin to see changes in the operationalities of the houses of assembly.
“That’s very important because when you are not empowered financially, when everything you want to do, you have to raise a memo to the governor, we want this; you’re more like at the service of the governor, of which the constitution doesn’t put us under the governor”, Hon. Oyedele said.
He described the legislature as the bedrock of democracy, saying lawmakers should be the ones speaking for the people.
Delivering the lecture, a university don, Prof. Moshood Omotosho, lamented that corruption and lobbying by powerful political ‘cabals’ are major obstacles to effective lawmaking in Nigeria.
The professor of International Relations at the Obafemi Awolowo University, said despite the challenges, the crucial role of the legislature in stabilizing democratic governance through law-making, oversight promoting good governance, amongst others must not be undermined.
He said, “The legislature’s ability to make effective laws can be affected by factors like political gridlock, corruption, and the influence of special interest groups, i.e., lobbying by powerful political mafia in the state, major power brokers, and political cabals.
“The relationship between the executive and legislature can be strained, leading to conflicts that hinder effective governance due to differing priorities and power struggles,” Prof. Moshood explained.
A Federal Commissioner, Public Complaints Commission, Ogun State, Morakinyo Akinleye, who represented Senator Adeola, applauded his strides in lawmaking and empowerment of his constituents.
“The legislature is the closest arm of government to the people. Hon. Solomon Adeola should be commended for his understanding of grassroots needs and his effective committee management,” Akinleye stated.
The convener, Bolaji Adeniji, disclosed that the purpose of the symposium was to have a conversation on how the legislature can add value to the society.
The Leader of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabi’u Kwankwaso has accused the members of the party that recently defected to the All Progrssives Congress (APC) of betraying the party and the masses that brought them to power.
He spoke at his Bompai residence in Kano State, when he received supporters of Senator Abdulraham Sumaila (Kano South) who recently declined to defect with him (Kawu Sumaila) to the APC.
“Kano South is a lesson. Voters rejected spaghetti, N200 and Atamfa (wrappers) and were patient to vote for the NNPP. But those who won the election on the party’s ticket decided to abandon the masses to join those who do not have the masses at heart but are only after what they will get for themselves and their families” he stated.
“There is no worse political sin than leaving the party that gave you the opportunity and support but later you abandoned the party. This is the highest level of betrayal,” Senator Kwankwaso added.
Senator Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, appreciated the loyal members for “taking the courage to return to their base,” while predicting that all those who betrayed the Kwankwasiyya Movement would regret their political actions sooner or later.
“Fighting Kwankwasiyya is not an easy task, they will not know until when they engage in the fight,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the supporters, Muntari Fararawa, said that they came to his home to inform him of their refusal to join the APC with their senator.
“We thought it wise to return home so as to continue to propagate the ideals of the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP as well as to contribute our quota to the development of our dear state.
“We hope that we will be accepted back and reintegrated into the Kwankwasiyya Movement and the NNPP to enable us to enjoy the same rights and privileges as other members,” he said.
Business mogul and elder statesman, Prince Arthur Eze, has hailed President Bola Tinubu for his historic visit to Anambra State and the Southeast zone, describing it as a clear message of healing and reconciliation to the Igbo.
The business magnate stated this in a letter he sent to the president, a copy of which was made available to newsmen, upon his return to Nigeria from Venezuela, where he had gone for a business endeavour.
“I have seen the joy and excitement elicited amongst our people by your visit to Anambra State.
“To this end I write to thank you specially for the visit to Anambra and by extension to the Southeast,” Prince Eze wrote.
He noted that the visit has gone a long way in healing the civil war wounds of South Easterners and assured the people that there is hope for proper reconciliation and reintegration.
“Today, it has entered the annals of Nigeria’s chequered history that you are the first President of the country, from the Southwest who has taken this historic initiative to visit the Southeast after the bitter civil war with a clear message of reconciling the Igbo with other parts of the nation.
“Nigerians have not forgotten the bitter civil war and its painful relics with its tribal cleavages and dimensions. This visit by you is therefore a giant leap forward and a clear signal that the wounds of that unfortunate era is healable.
“Your pronouncements during the visit are vivid indications that you are indeed a nationalist and a bridge builder who has risen above tribal dogmatism.
“Your actions by this singular visit has sent a message of hope of complete reintegration and reconciliation to the Igbo race.
“This is monumental and a generational landmark that we would continue to cherish and value,” he said.
Prince Eze also expressed appreciation to the president for appointing Igbo sons and daughters into key positions in his government.
“We are appreciative to the genuine concern you have always shown as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, for the cause of the Igbos. You have appointed Igbo sons and daughters to key positions as a mark of recognition for the entire Igbo people of this country.
“You also gave us important ministerial positions which no President before you had done, signaling your appreciation of the people of Southeast extraction.
“I also commend your robust appreciation of the laudable economic and infrastructural development projects accomplished by the Anambra State government under the able leadership of the amiable Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo. Soludo is a genuine and sincere personality, and every Igboman will support him. Be rest assured that he will ensure massive support for you from the Southeast in the 2027 elections”.
While describing President Tinubu as a true nationalist, Prince Eze pledged his support and those of other Igbo for the re-election of the president in 2027.
“I therefore make bold to say that Igbos, wherever they may reside in this country now have very concrete and genuine reasons to support you and work actively for your re-election in 2027 so that you can do more for the Igbos.
“Once again, I thank you immensely, my dear President, Dike Si’mba!” Prince Eze said.
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