Politics

Amaechi: Okupe’s Mis-step

Published

12 years ago

August 26, 2013

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

Politics

FG’s Economic Policies Not Working – APC Chieftain

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

A senator who represented Taraba Central, Mr Abubakar Yusuf, has declared that the economic policies of President Bola Tinubu are not yielding the expected results.
His comment is one of the strongest internal critiques yet from within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The comment underscores the growing dissatisfaction within sections of the ruling party over the direction and impact of the administration’s economic reforms amid rising living costs and fiscal pressures across the country.
Mr Yusuf, who served in the Senate between 2015 and 2023 under the platform of the APC, made the remarks during an appearance on national television.
Responding to a question on whether the administration’s economic direction, often referred to as Tinubunomics, was working, Mr Yusuf answered in the contrary.
“For me, it is not working. I am a member of the APC. I would be the last person to hide the facts”, he said.
He said while the government might be operating diligently within its policy structure, the framework itself is ill-suited to Nigeria’s current realities
“Within the policy framework, yes, they are doing their best, but it is not the framework that is suitable for Nigeria at the point in time that President Asiwaju came into power,” he said.
Mr Yusuf criticised the immediate removal of fuel subsidy on the day the president was sworn in, arguing that the decision lacked sufficient consultation and planning.
“I am one of those who say President Asiwaju ought to have waited. Not on the day he was sworn in to say subsidy is gone. On what basis?”, he asked.
He urged broader engagement before major fiscal decisions are taken.
“Sit down with your cabinet, sit down with your ministers, sit down with your advisers,” he said, dismissing the argument that subsidy removal was justified solely on grounds of corruption.
The former lawmaker identified “structural flaws” in the country’s budgeting system, particularly the envelope budgeting model.
“One of the basic problems is that before you budget, you should have a plan. The envelope system we have been operating has been you budget before you plan. That has been a major issue”, he said.
He argued that allocating spending ceilings without aligning them to concrete development strategies inevitably weakens implementation and delivery.
“If you give me an envelope which is contrary to my plan, whether it is plus or minus, there is no way I am going to implement my plan. It is bound to fail,” he said.
Mr Yusuf called for the scrapping of the envelope budgeting system, noting that he had consistently opposed it even during his years in the National Assembly.
“It is not good for us. It is not going to work well for us,” he said.
He further blamed poor capital releases and persistent deficit financing for undermining budget performance over the years.
“We could not meet 60 percent of our capital budget in all these years. No releases. If you make a budget and the release is very poor, there is no way the budget will be executed”, he stated.
According to him, weak fund disbursement mechanisms and reliance on deficit financing have entrenched a cycle of underperformance.
“Our budget ought to have been a surplus budget, but all our budgets have always been deficit financing budgets,” Mr Yusuf added.

Politics

Reps To Meet,’Morrow Over INEC’s 2027 Election Timetable

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian House of Representatives has resolved to reconvene for an emergency session tomorrow February 17, 2026, to deliberate on issues arising from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) release of the timetable for the 2027 general elections.
The decision was disclosed in a statement issued by the House Spokesman, Rep. Akin Rotimi, who described the electoral body’s announcement as one of “constitutional and national significance.”
INEC had fixed February 20, 2027, for the Presidential and National Assembly elections.
According to the statement, members of the Green Chamber were notified of the emergency sitting through an internal memorandum from the Speaker’s office.
The session is expected to focus on legislative matters connected to the newly released timetable, reflecting the House’s resolve to act promptly on issues affecting the nation’s democratic process.
Rep. Rotimi noted that all related businesses would be treated with urgency and urged lawmakers to prioritise attendance in view of the importance of the deliberations.
INEC had on Friday formally unveiled the comprehensive schedule for the 2027 polls, including timelines for party primaries slated for July to September 2026, as well as the commencement of Continuous Voter Registration in April 2026.
The development comes amid ongoing consultations and proposed amendments to the Electoral Act ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Politics

Group Continues Push For Real Time Election Results Transmission

Published

1 day ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

As the controversy over the transmission of election results continues across the country, the Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD), a pro democracy organisation in the country, has criticised the National Assembly for not giving express approval to real time transmission of elections results.
To this end, the group is calling on all civil society organisations in the country to mobilise and push for a better Electoral Reform in the country.
This was contained in a press statement titled, “Defence For Human Rights and Democracy Demands Real Time Election Transmission of Result”, a copy of which was made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
The group described the refusal of compulsory real time transmission of result results by the Senate as undemocratic, adding that the situation will give room for election manipulation, rigging and voters apathy.
It said that the provision of mandatory real time transmission of election results would have significant improvement on the nation’s democracy.
According to the statement, “Since the return of democracy in 1999 to date, it is 27 years, so our Democracy has metamorphosed from being nascent and as such significant improvement should have been recorded.
“Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD), is really disappointed at the National Assembly, especially the upper chamber (Senate) for not approving ‘Real Time Electronic Transmission of Election Result’.
“This undemocratic act of theirs, if not tamed, will give room for election manipulation and rigging’”.
Signed by Comrade Clifford Christopher Solomon on behalf of the organisation, the statement further said, “The Defence For Human Rights and Democracy unequivocally supports real time transmission of election result”, stressing that his group will resist any act by the National Assembly to undermine the nation’s democracy.
“DHRD,unequivocally supports ‘True Democracy’, which is Government of the people, by the people and for the people.
“Therefore, anything that will crash the hope of Nigerians to Freely, Fairly and Transparently elect candidates of their choice in any given election should and will be vehemently resisted because good governance begins with leaders elected through credible process. By so doing, leaders have entered a social contract with the citizens to equitably manage their affairs and abundant resources”, the statement added.
It urged the National Assembly to revisit the issue in order to avoid civil unrest.
According to the DHRD, “To avoid civil unrest,voters apathy, election rigging and manipulation, rather to promote citizens participation, advancing our Democracy and entrenching free, fair, credible and acceptable electoral outcome, the National Assembly should amend the electoral act in a manner that will deepen our democracy and boost citizens confidence.
“On this note, The Defence For Human Rights And Democracy (DHRD), is calling on all other civil society organisations (CSOs) to mobilise, organise and push for a better electoral act amendment by the National Assembly”.

By: John Bibor