₦airaland Forum

My attention has been drawn to some lies being circulated about me as having jumped the Bola Ahmed Tinubu train and being against his presidential ambition.

The faceless writer, I guess a hatchet hand wrote: Almost all members of the Tinubu original power/intellectual base and allies when he was Governor are not in support of his Presidential ambition. Aregbesola, Afikuyomi, Ojudu, Onanuga, Alake, Fasola etc. Most of them may work for PYO.

Let me correct this misrepresentation straightforwardly: the statement is far from the truth as far as I am concerned.

I am fully in support of Bola Tinubu. I am not in PYO’s camp and will not be in his camp if Tinubu is running.

People who know me will attest to the fact that I am ever loyal to my friends, loyal to a political cause. I have been on the political left since 1978’when I joined Awolowo’s UPN as a UNILAG student.

I am not a renegade. And I can vouch for Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi and Dele Alake as well.

The author of the rumour was merely writing conjectures on an issue that is unpredictable, a party’s primary election, where an outsider will only Labour in vain in making permutations.

As far as I am concerned, and let me say it loud and clear, I am in support of Bola Tinubu’s ambition. I am not against him. He is my first choice, the second choice and the third choice for the exalted seat.

Nigeria is in need of a visionary, a deep thinker, a man with the Midas touch, who can take our country on a journey of prosperity. This country has suffered enough and really needs a new leader who can breathe fresh air in it and change the way things are done.

Nigeria needs a man of ideas, who will not just talk his way, but really get things done.

I have no doubt that Bola Tinubu is capable of this, which is why I support his campaign to lead Nigeria.

I have known him since 1992. I was part of his governorship campaign in 1998 before others were invited to his government after we won the election in January 1999.

I was close to his government for eight years and I bore witness to the innovations he brought into governance, the overhauling of the system that he carried out, some of which other states and the Federal Government had copied.

I have no iota of doubt that he will replicate the same at the centre, and even do more, if given the opportunity.

These are the reasons I support his campaign. And Nigerians will hear more about my involvement in the next few days.

–Onanuga, former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria is the Chief Executive of TheNews Group

Lately, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been the subject of recent discussions regarding President Muhammadu Buhari’ssuccessor. The elder statesman had maintained a largely modest and quiet life as a private citizen since he was ousted as Nigeria’s president in 2015, only advocating for sustainable peace and democratic rule across Africa.

However, given Dr. Jonathan’s influence, it may be no coincidence that his name keeps popping up in such political permutations and conversations, even as the (unofficial) North-South rotational arrangement favours the emergence of a president from Southern Nigeria. As such, it is important to take a cursory look at his antecedents; revisiting his policies and plans, and assessing their impact and/or achievements.

Following his election as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2011, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, like a man with a plan, swung into action, unveiling his Transformation Agenda – a framework designed to implement policies that would accelerate economic growth and reforms that will improve the lives of Nigerians and bring development in critical spheres of the economy. It sought to transform Nigeria into one of the world’s 20 largest economies by 2020.

Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda birthed lofty legacies across sectors of the economy. In the education sector, Goodluck Jonathan established 9 new federal universities and strengthened existing ones to increase access to tertiary education, fulfilling the target of having at least one Federal University in each state of the federation. 125 Almajiri schools across 13 northern states to improve literacy in the north, introduced Girls Education Programmes with 27 special girls school in Adamawa, Yobe, Zamfara, Nasarawa, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Delta and Akwa Ibom states, strengthened TETFund for capacity and infrastructure, increase of enrolment on UBEC and over 8 million library resources to basic and secondary schools across the federation.

Under his transformational watch, Nigeria was rated as the largest economy in Africa and the 23rd in the world by the World Bank and the IMF, with a GDP well above US$570 billion. In line with his drive, the Nigerian Customs raked in N970 billion in revenue in 2014 – the highest in the history of Nigeria. The country’s gas supply market grew from 300 million to two billion cubic feet per day (cfpd) just as proceeds from Nigeria’s non-oil exports rose to 2.97 billion by the end of 2013. Nigeria also became Africa’s number one destination of foreign investors. In the first six months of 2014, a total of US$9.70 billion flowed into the national economy as foreign direct investments (FDI).

The Transformation Agenda also impacted Nigeria’s labourforce. Recognizing the essence of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and sacrifices of youth corps members, the approved upward review of monthly allowances from N9,700 naira to N19,800 naira, as well as the implementation of Minimum Wage Increase for Nigerian workers to N18,900 naira monthly.

He facilitated a leap in space advancement, including the launch of NigeriaSat-2 and NigeriaSat-X Satellites to expand Internet Bandwidth and provide early warning to prevent natural disasters, as well as an indigenous Synthetic Aperture Radar Satellite developed by the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) to support security, map out solid mineral deposits and secure the coastal areas of Niger Delta.

Jonathan’s transformational policies drove Nigeria’s agricultural sector towards food-sufficiency. In 2013, Nigeria’s food imports reduced by over 40% and with an output of over 45 million metric tonnes in 2014, Nigeria was ranked as the world’s largest producer of cassava, by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Under the Youth Employment Agricultural Programme (YEAP), N120 million naira grants were disbursed to twenty seven young farmers, just as N26 billion naira was distributed to young farmers in 2015 for the FADAMA dry season farming project.

Again, farmers were granted access to funds, grants, loans and other assistance to the tune of N25 billion naira through the Bank of Industry (BOI) in a bid to boost rice production, and in 2014, local rice production contributed N320 Billion Naira to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the country.

Aware of the misgivings in some quarters and the need for a national discourse, Goodluck Jonathan set up the Nigerian National Conference headed by retired Chief Justice Idris LegboKutigi in 2014. Recommendations included the creation of state police and the drafting of state constitutions, in response to many years of agitation to permit autonomy of states in local administration. Unfortunately, he was ousted before any of these were implemented.

Keen on gender inclusion and empowerment, the transformation agenda birthed the 35% Affirmative Action for women in politics. With these, women were given more prominent roles in President Jonathan’s administration, including but not limited to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Diezani Alison-Madueke, Stella Oduah, Joy Ogwu, Sarah Jibril; and Viola Onwuliri. It is worthy of note that Nigeria produced its first female Chief Justice, Miriam Aloma Mukhtar under Jonathan’s watch.

The Goodluck Jonathan administration also orchestrated the revival of the dead automotive industry in Nigeria. Through a conducive and viable business environment, Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company (IVM), Nigeria’s flagship indigenous automaker, began the sale of their first made-in-Nigeria cars and SUVs. In addition, Peugeot, Nissan and Hyundai now assemble or wholly manufacture small cars, trucks and buses at various locations in Nigeria.

President Goodluck Jonathan’s Transformation Agenda was the major anchor of the transport sector. The introduction of a multimodal transport system led to improved maritime safety and security, the restoration of railways and enhancement of water transportation. The railway sector which was comatose for many years was revived and restored for the benefit of the masses with the rehabilitation of over 3,000 kilometres of rail lines across the country. Intercity train services like the Lagos – Ibadan – Ilorin, Minna – Kaduna, Kaduna – Kano and the Kano – Nguru, were opened up and running courtesy of this intervention.

As the quest to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari thickens, with many politicians jostling to improve their sell themselves to Nigerians, there is a duty to thoroughly interrogate the policy capacities, credentials and achievements of these persons to separate the wheat from the chaff and jokers, political jobbers from real competent Nigerians with good plans for the growth and development of the country. With the current situation of things, Nigerians cannot afford to test-run or experiment leaders. The country needs and deserves a President who will hit the ground running with well-thought policies that will improve our fortunes and laid out plans for implementation.

Arc. Oladipo Akande is a Public Affairs analyst and he writes from Los Angeles, United States of America. He can be reached via his Twitter handle @OladipoAkande

It was saint Ignatius who penned, “In the light of the Divine Goodness, it seems to me, though others may think differently, that ingratitude is the most abominable of sins and that it should be detested in the sight of our Creator and Lord by all of His creatures who are capable of enjoying His divine and everlasting glory.”

Most people return small favours, acknowledge medium ones, and repay greater ones – with ingratitude and I am tempted to think that one of those people is governor Douye Diri. It seems to me that governor Diri has forgotten so soon how by divine providence, God used Senator Henry Seriake Dickson to get him to where he is today.

As a political commentator and critical stakeholder in our dear state Bayelsa, I have observed with utter consternation how the miracle governor as he is fondly called by his supporters and admirers has tried to belittle and undermine his predecessor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson. It is safe to say that ‘It serves the former governor right’ for imposing governor Douye Diri on us. Many of us warned and even begged the former governor to be circumspect in the choice of his successor but he was too blinded by Diri’s fake loyalty and pretentious posture that he failed to critically see beyond the facade of deceit and treachery that is governor Douye Diri.

People betray loyalty and allegiance switches but I do not expect the governor to go so quick against a man who believed so much in him by appointing him as his Deputy Chief of Staff, Principal Secretary, sent him to the House of Representatives, Senate and against all odds, made him governor through the divine grace of God in 2019.

From all observations, one thing the former Governor has done well is to distance himself from the government and stayed away from even the state, so no one can claim unlike other states and godfathers that, Senator Dickson is influencing governor Diri. That kind of story can not fly again in Bayelsa state.

It is clear that Governor Diri is on his own and must take responsibility for his actions and decisions.

Many of our party men and women in Bayelsa today are aggrieved because the governor has refused to carry them along and instead of rewarding loyal party men and women who stood by the mandate that was almost stolen by the APC, what they get in return are betrayal and neglect. Governor Diri is more concerned with rewarding opposition members who insult him morning till night than rewarding loyal party members.


Why is Diri’s led prosperity government bent on dividing the party for no reason? What does he want to achieve by creating an internal crisis within the party? Why go on an unnecessary proxy battle with former governor Dickson who obviously is not interested in anyone who becomes what in the next State and National legislative elections?

Governor Douye Diri needs to have a deep retrospection and rethink this needless enmity that he’s creating amongst his supporters and that of former Governor Dickson’s supporters. What our state needs now is a unity of purpose and not the divisive politics that Diri and his men are playing for the past 2 years. On several occasions, the former governor has consistently said that, governor Diri is the leader of the party and that every one of us must support him to succeed.

What exactly is Diri’s problem? Is it a deep-seated inferiority complex? Is it paranoia? Or is it guilt? Well, the Bible says guilty runneth when no one pursueth. The governor needs to stop fighting his shadows. Many party leaders and stakeholders he has sidelined are patiently waiting to see how he will defeat APC with a weakened PDP.

Ordinarily, as we head into the 2023 general elections, the most logical and sensible thing to do as a party is to scout for the best and most competent men and women with the capacity to win elections amongst the aspirants but alas, the governor is doing things independently without consulting key stakeholders.

Governor Diri has surrounded himself with APC members and has been dining and wining with politicians that were against his nomination and candidacy in 2019. APC has taken over Bayelsa PDP and the PDP led government because of Diri’s unholy alliance with them while those who fought for his ambition are now tagged Dickson boys and have been sidelined by the Diri administration. The leaders of PDP at the grassroots are angry and they feel very alienated.

Governor Diri is the only politician in this world who throws away those who supported and fought for him in an election and replaces them with those who opposed him. He keeps calling and begging APC leaders with different offers and gives them juicy contracts while PDP leaders have no access to him. We know he was making plans to decamp to APC, a plan he later shelved when he saw that nobody was fighting him and when he thought former President Jonathan would decamp to APC.

He started his Government and planned with Timipre Sylva and other leaders of the APC to go to the APC from day one. Maybe that would have freed PDP leaders who believed in the party to keep their beliefs elsewhere since the governor elected on their platform does not believe in the party,

Bayelsans have seen through his deceitfulness and disloyalty. His modus operandi is to promote falsehood and he runs the state and the party with deceit. His brand of politics has taught Bayelsans that it does not pay to be loyal.

He’s in charge, working with the opposition and anyone abusing the former administration of which he is a part. He has chosen a destructive path in building a political structure for himself in a state where he does not have a single person.
APC members are happy about this development and have found a haven in Diri’s administration claiming that they will eat until it is time for elections when they will go back to their party;

No one is fighting him but his lies, deceit and lack of character have divided the government, the party and the state.

Diri’s lack of character and capacity shows everywhere. In his family, his three wives are publicly competing for space with no one to call them to order.

In his administration, his younger brother, a so-called youth governor, a school dropout named Doubara Kumoku, and Sylva’s most trusted aide, an APC stalwart is now a director of special duties under Diri are now in charge of hand picking candidates for the upcoming PDP primaries in Bayelsa.

These characters have a group called 4+4 and are using that to deceive Governor Diri that he has a political structure and support in the party.

There is also the Deputy chief of staff the so-called pastor Mr Akpe and then the Governor’s herbalist friend an igbo man from Anambra state called Africa, who is an okija shrine priest. These are the defacto Governors of Bayelsa State. They decide what happens in government and the Governor merely follows.

They designed a program of sidelining every other PDP member and bringing APC elements into the Government. They are entitled to that. the only problem is that they are killing the party and the sooner they realize this and stop, the better.

The opposition party is laughing and happy about the developments and if Diri is not called to order early enough, the PDP will most certainly perform poorly in all elections and especially the governorship as everyone has seen his treachery, his betrayal and deceit and will not want to take risks for the party. A stitch in time saves nine.

Finally, I will end this opinion piece with an excerpt from Things Fall Apart by the late Chinua Achebe which says; “Those whose palm kernels were cracked by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble”.

Mr. Ebi Jamaica is a Public Affairs analyst and he writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa state

Group condemns Diri’s dictatorial influence in Bayelsa PDP, enjoins the governor to throw the contest open to all

Bayelsa Young Democratic Forum has condemned the undemocratic attempt by Bayelsa state governor, Douye Diri to disenfranchise competent Bayelsans from vying for different political positions in the upcoming 2023 General Elections by hoarding nomination forms.

The group in a press statement made available to newsmen in Yenagoa the state capital said, Diri’s action is undemocratic and goes against PDP’s tradition of equity, justice and fairness to all.

“You will recall that Diri himself went through a democratic process in 2019 when he contested the governorship over 21 aspirants were allowed to buy forms and test their popularity in the PDP gubernatorial primaries. Why then is Diri who benefited from a democratic and transparent process to emerge as the party’s flag bearer now stopping people from obtaining forms”?

You will Recall that when Diri himself contested for the house of reps and senate, others were allowed to buy forms and contest the elections.
Since 1999, this is the first time that forms are being hoarded.

“Lest he forgets, PDP is a free party that promotes equity, fairness and democratic freedoms for all to actualize their dreams and aspirations. PDP is a party known to give opportunities to people regardless of their interests and affiliations.”

The group called on the governor to allow the aspirants jostling for different positions to obtain forms, then interphase with them and find a common ground for peace and unity in the party.

“As a group working to win elections for our party, we are worried about the deliberate deception of the stakeholders and caucus chairmen who unknown to them, the governor had picked people for different positions. The governor’s inability to take frontal decisions and his personal ego to not want to sit with aggrieved members of our party to dialogue will further slide our party into chaos.

The group also calls for calm amongst aggrieved aspirants finding it difficult to obtain forms.

*We are calling on all the aspirants to remain calm and loyal to the party. As a pressure group within the party, we are reaching out to critical stakeholders to allow an open field for all aspirants to test their popularity”.

We call on the national leadership of Our party to call the governor to order before committed members of our party will seek alternative platforms to advance their political aspirations. We have also charged our lawyers to approach the court to force the governor into allowing a free and transparent process in picking up nomination forms. Because the right to contest in our party is guaranteed by both our party’s constitution and the constitution of Nigeria.

This election will be much easier and he will win by a bigger margin. I have gone to Oyo and his developmental contribution are phenomenal. You need to go there to understand. His light-up Oyo will be replicated once GOD puts me in charge of Ogun. GSM is a straight talker, he places the card on the table there is no guessing where he stands on issues. I marvel at his work rate across Oyo. Pays salaries and pensions on the 25th clockwork and does 13th month. The road network in oke Ogun is unprecedented. GSM Lekan si.

Greenlight Planet, manufacturers, distributors and financiers of Sun King solar products, and global leader in solar home energy products, has revealed that they have impacted 22 Nigerian Police stations and Primary Health Centres across the country in 2021 through the donations of Sun King solar system to help improve their operations.

Beneficiaries include Yewa South Local Government Primary Health Centre Library Ilaro, Ilaro Divisional Police Station, Alaye Maternity Centre, Iwo, General Hospital, Okigwe, Sabon Gari police station Daura, Kelebe Primary Health Centre, Osogbo, Okigwe Area Command, Okigwe, Primary Healthcare Ikot Omin Cross River state, Aregbe police station, Aregbe, Abeokuta, Kofar Arewa Primary Health Centre, Hadejia, Area Command Police Station, Hadejia, Primary Health Centre, Isinigbo, Police Station Area Command, Ikole Ekiti, Basic Health Centre, Ootuja Ekiti, Gwagwalada Divisional Police Station, Gwagwalada Township Clinic, Aduwawa Police Station, Aduwawa, Benin City, Molade/apete police station Ayepe, Ibadan, Monatan Maternity Centre, Ibadan, Ogbeson Primary Health Care Centre, Agbor Park, Ikopba Okha LGA, Benin City, and Kogi State University Teaching Hospital, Kilometer 2 Idah Road, Anyugba Kogi State.

These government parastatals can now say bye to power cuts and serve their various communities.

I was teaching a first-year class in 2013, it was an engineering class, and I paused to ask this question: "If you are asked to pay the remaining 4 years of school fees and then you graduate at the end of the semester, how many of you will go for it? And about 95% of the class raised their hands. I asked why and one of them was courageous to tell me that they came for a certificate and that if the university is willing to give it at the end of the first semester, then why to wait for 5 years. And Dr. Jean Twenge, a US-based Author in 2017 stated that an iGener is more likely than previous generations to go to college to get a good job and less likely to go to get an "education.

I reflect over my 16 years as a university teacher and I realized how the quality of students and thought have reduced. I used to teach a course that a number of students struggled to pass. It was actually a simple course but my style was such that you need to have a basic understanding of the concept of the course to pass. Cramming the entire lecture note without understanding the concept may not help you to pass. Of course, I got all kinds of names. Then, I had a 6 years break and when I returned to teach the course I observed a sharp difference between the students I taught from 2005 to 2008 and those that I have taught between 2016 and 2019. If I should give the same question paper of the exam conducted in 2007 to the current students, the best student in the class will struggle to pass even though he may even be taught better than 2007 students. To make the students attend class, I take attendance during every lecture. In 2019 I declared that I won't be taking attendance and it was not a surprise that only about half of the students attended my class for that year and it also reflected on their performance.

The kids of this generation are supposed to be smarter, but that does not reflect in their academic activities, especially in Nigeria. So, what are we getting wrong? Can this be linked to their slow and protected upbringing and/or the poor state of early childhood learning and development?

Early Childhood Learning and Development from the age of 2 to 5 years is very important within that crucial age of a child. As stated by Kerry McDonald, a one-year-old is barely walking while a two-year-old gleefully sprints away from you. A four-year-old is always moving, always imagining, always asking why, while a five-year-old may start to sit and listen for longer stretches.

At the age they are supposed to be running around the house and learning to talk, they are enrolled in school and confined in a classroom. And the school has no provision to properly cater for Early Childhood learning and development. At that age, they are supposed to be imagining and asking why, they are forced to learn how to write and read.

Unfortunately, early childhood learning and development is not captured in our primary school curriculum in Nigeria. The respective schools design a program for the kids and it varies from school to school and they use different books. The parents most times influence the curriculum. I had an interaction with the Head Teacher of a private school who said the kids in their Nursery section don't use to write but do more play, but that some parents complained why their kids are not writing while their friends' kids in other schools are writing. They are wondering why they are paying for their kids to go play in a school. I was informed they even want their kids in pre-nursery to be writing to justify the fees paid. That was how they introduced writing in the nursery section.

There are different stages of early childhood learning development. Up to the age of 5, before they will begin to sit to listen and learn, the kids are meant to be aware of their environment. They naturally wonder why things are the way they are around them. That is the reason they naturally ask a lot of questions that the parents are supposed to answer, but they are confined in a classroom and unfortunately, the Teachers will most of the time not have enough time to answer all the kids in the class. They are supposed to learn to identify letters with the sound, be able to put different sounds together, then learn to write them. But instead of developing programs that help the mental development of the kids at that stage, they are unfortunately made to learn States and Capitals, A for Apple, C for Cup, etc., and copy from the board what they don't know. How the learning of States and Capitals helps in their mental development beats my imagination.

These programmed kids with low IQ are then carefully guided through primary school with beautiful end of term results based on how the parents want it, then through expensive private secondary schools, WAEC and JAMB results are arranged for them based on the parents' spec. As far as the parents are concerned, their kids are academically sound following the data in the report card/sheet. The necessary buttons are then pressed to get admitted for any available course in the university. They get to write their first real examination in the University. With reality staring at the faces of some of them, some poor students from some Government Science Secondary Schools will have to conduct Tutorials for them to pass their courses in the Public Universities. They will eventually graduate and the parents press the available buttons to find jobs for them or even buy them a job. Most have no initiative, they are not goal getters. That is the making of our leaders of tomorrow's leaders.

I tried to compare my experience with our students with an experience with a student in a University in Europe. I supervised a Master’s student in 2015 during my Postdoc fellowship and her work was in two phases. A preliminary study and the actual research which was part of my Postdoctoral activities. Somewhere along the line, time was not on her side and the deadline was approaching. The supervisory team met and it was agreed that she should write her report using the preliminary report. I conveyed the message to her and she disagreed with our decision. She said the whole aim of her dissertation is not achieved without concluding the second phase. She said she will do whatever it will take to conclude it. I reported back to the committee and she got a two weeks extension. I took her to the lab to set up the high voltage source for the work and the work was done, published and she is working with Siemens. If she was one of our students here, she will go and do testimony that God answered her prayer and her work was reduced. We are not developing critical thinkers and goal-getters like we use to and i think the damage started from early childhood education.

Early Childhood education is getting worse for the post-iGen generation born from 2013 to date and we all pretend all is well with the kids. We are rather working harder to make more money for their comfort without a critical thought on the mental development of these kids. Their protected upbringing from our perception that we do not want them to pass through the hardship we passed through that actually shaped our world, has shielded them from the reality of the world we live in. With their slow and protected upbringing, independent nature, and weak mental development, what future are we preparing them for in a tough and rough country like Nigeria?

We seem to have little or no time for our kids from age 2 to 5, an age they need their parents most. The kids spend more time with the Nanny and the classroom. And unfortunately, our education curriculum for Early Childhood Education does not make provision for the required mental development from age 2 to 5. Creative thinking and asking questions are not part of the program. We need to find a way to fill in the blank. It is not enough to push them to schools to give us the time to make enough money for them to spend, they need the wisdom to spend the money. We need to give them the tools to make a difference. We need to equip our kids with the confidence and the knowledge of real-life experiences. We (GenX) are tough and the world is getting tougher. We need to raise tougher kids that will bring joy and positive change to our communities and not the quick cash kids.

Abdelghaffar Amoka Abdelmalik, PhD
Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Agriculture, Kabir Mohammed Adamu, has been confirmed as one of the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers abducted by bandits after the terrorists successfully blew up the train and immobilised it on Monday evening.

SaharaReporters learnt that Adamu was among the victims whisked away by the terrorists using cars they had brought to the scene.

The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Agriculture was one of those kidnapped. The terrorists used cars to move the kidnapped persons away; so, the shocking thing is; how did they even get cars there? This is because one of my friends’ colleagues fell from the car and broke his hand during the abduction. That was his saving grace,” a source said.

“It shows how quickly they were in moving the victims. In fact, my friend’s wife was on the train; they traced her phone to 250 kilometres away,” another source added.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that a former Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Malam Ibrahim Wakkala, was among the Abuja-Kaduna train passengers who was shot by terrorists on Monday evening.

SaharaReporters learnt that Wakkala was shot in the leg and had since been hospitalised.
SaharaReporters had reported that out of 15 patients taken to St. Gerald's Catholic Hospital in Kaduna, two had been confirmed dead, including a lady medical doctor with the hospital, Chinelo Megafu.

“A former Deputy Governor of Zamfara Malam Ibrahim Wakkala was equally shot in the leg. Out of 15 patients brought to St. Gerald's Catholic Hospital, two are dead including a lady medical Doctor with St Gerald's.

“Two females moved to 44 Reference Hospital because of bullet wounds; they could not be treated at St Gerald's,” the source had said.

SaharaReporters on Monday night also reported that Muhammad Amin Mahmood, an aspirant in the just-concluded National Convention of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Northwest Zonal Youth Leadership, was shot during the attack on Monday.

However, as of the time of filing this report, it was not clear how critical his injuries were or if he would survive.

SaharaReporters had reported that two cleaners and workers of the attacked Abuja-Kaduna train identified as Loretta and Abdul were confirmed dead.

There were at least 970 passengers on board the train, according to sources familiar with the train service.

For children across the world, being able to go to school, learn, and make new friends is always a thing of joy. Schools are places for them to learn academically, socially, and pick up new positive habits.

And as Nigeria’s foremost mobile phones, accessories, and televisions brand that is dedicated to making sure consumers enjoy a better life, with a proven track record of selflessly donating to schools and low-income communities around the country, itel believes strongly that children are the future of society and should be treated with care and love. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that they support the education of children and have donated items once again to aid their learning efforts in Kaduna and Lagos.

Love Always On In LGEA Primary School, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Through its Love Always On CSR Initiative, itel visited the children of LGEA Primary School in Kaduna state and donated educational materials such as libraries, schoolbooks, school bags, notebooks, and other writing materials to aid their love for learning.

The august event had key itel staff, volunteers, and teachers, and over 200 students from the school in attendance. The teachers were also all smiles and could not believe the magnitude of itel’s gesture of care and love. ‘This is beyond what we expected. For itel to do something like this for our children and our school today, we are thankful,’ said one of the children’s teachers. The brand has always had a key focus on children’s educational growth and learning, and this is obvious in all the strides they have taken over the years since the inception of their Love Always On CSR initiative in 2016.

The AWS CSR In Apostolic Second School, Lagos State, Nigeria
itel also partnered with Amazon Web Services (AWS), a provider of on-demand free cloud services for individuals and organizations, to honour International Women’s Day 2022 and celebrate the female students of Apostolic Secondary School, Anthony Village, Lagos state on March 8th, 2022. The goal of the CSR event was to train and sensitize the students on the opportunities in tech available to women.

All the female students who attended the event had good things to say about itel and its CSR partner, Amazon Web Services. A teacher reiterated that ‘itel and Amazon Web Services have reminded my students that anyone can be who they want to be, where they want to be it, and whenever they want to be it. I am grateful for this and hope to see them again very soon.’

The Big Smile CSR In Bayeku Primary School, Lagos State, Nigeria

The children of Bayeku Primary School in Ikorodu, Lagos state were not left out of the brand’s massive show of love in March. In partnership with Funsnax, a popular brand that makes cheeseballs and other fun children’s snacks, itel Nigeria donated school bags, school shoes, socks, duffel bags, stationery, food coolers, and other items to over 600 students in the school. This, under the brand’s Love Always On CSR initiative, is in line with the company’s mission to impact as many lives as possible in the communities they cater to, especially children.

The children could not contain their joy as they came out en-masse to see what the itel brand had in store for them. One of the children, identified simply as Bimpe said it was like a dream come true for them to get new shoes, new bags, new books, and new writing materials and snacks. Another student also mentioned that he had been praying for new shoes to wear to school, and itel came through for him with shoes, socks, and a brand-new school bag. ‘We are grateful to itel for coming to our school this day. They have helped parents and guardians ease the burden of providing educational materials for their children for a while and we thank them for it.’ Said one of the children’s teachers.

‘We have always had a soft spot for children at itel. With our Love Always On CSR initiative, we are especially dedicated to creating opportunities for them and supporting their dreams.’ Says Oke Umurhohwo, itel’s Marketing Manager. ‘We plan to donate more libraries and educational items to schools around the country because we believe this is what we should do as a responsible community

A former Minister of Special Duties, Kabir Saminu Turaki has expressed happiness over the judgment of a Federal High Court which exonerated him from the N715M money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC.

Turaki, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN expressed happiness with the findings of the court and the eventual upholding of his no-case submission.

In his reaction to the court ruling delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, the former Minister expressed happiness that he triumphed over the EFCC trial.

The statement made available to DAILY POST read in part, “Dear Nigerians, join me to celebrate as I won my case against EFCC this morning.

“In a landmark ruling delivered by Justice Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja, he said my prosecution was not only illegal, null and void but unconstitutional.

“He said there is no iota of evidence against me to warrant me to be called upon to enter any defence.

“He reviewed the so-called evidence adduced by the EFCC and said it did not establish the ingredients of any of the 16 charges they filed against me.

“He made a resounding finding that apart from the fact that all the prosecution ‘material’ witnesses are tainted because they are the culprits who were found to have engaged in brazen acts of corruption and misappropriation of public funds, EFCC refused to charge them in court, but brought them to testify against me.

“In any case, he said all of them have exonerated me of any wrongdoing, as they said in their respective testimonies that I was neither the Chief Accounting Officer of the ministry nor a signatory to the accounts of the ministry.

“That I was not also a member of the ministerial tenders board, and have not authorized any money to be paid to me or any other person for that matter.

“The judge concluded that not only were their testimonials seriously discredited under the barrage of cross-examination fire but that indeed it is so manifestly unbelievable that no reasonable tribunal could rely on the same.

“In consequence of these infallible findings of fact, the Judge Discharged and Acquitted me on all the 16 charges filed against me,” he said.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltODceSAj1w

A huge crowd of supporters besieged the Wadata House, National Secretariat of the Peoples Democratic Party, on Monday, as one of the party’s leading voices, Segun Showunmi, picked the nomination form for the Governorship of Ogun State in 2023.

Showunmi, spokesperson for the Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organisation in the 2019 presidential election, had received the endorsements of thousands of party faithful across the 20 Local Government Areas of Ogun State, including leaders of opposition parties, in a massive rally last Wednesday.

He was accompanied to the PDP National Secretariat by a crowd of party chieftains and loyalists, who insisted that it was time to redefine governance in Ogun State, noting that in Showunmi, they had seen a window through which the status quo could be changed effectively.

The crowd was almost uncontrollable as they struggled to own the event, immediately their preferred candidate stepped out with his nomination form.

One of the supporters, Alabi Majekodunmi, who resides in Abuja, vowed to go back to Abeokuta with his family members just to ensure his “role model” sailed through in his governorship bid.

“I have been watching him on TV and I dare say this is one of the most intelligent Nigerians around. He has the capacity, I’ve not seen any like it before. I watched his declaration, and I want to agree that he is truly the leader that he had been searching for all along. I read on Facebook that he would be picking his form today and here I am. Not only me, many of us here,” the quantity surveyor said.

Responding, the Governorship aspirant said he was confident of victory in the 2023 Ogun race, noting that there were no fears, either within the party or across party lines.

He, however, stressed that he was humbled by the large turnout of supporters who had urged him on, non-stop, to put his hat in the ring.

Showunmi said, “I am humbled, to say the least. People paid their way in these hard times from everywhere to stand with me today. You have continued to call on me to contest the governorship of our dear Ogun State, and today I have demonstrated that I have heard you clearly. The job has started, let’s go there.

“I don’t have gold to give for this overwhelming support, neither do I have silver. But I assure you, I will make the people of Ogun State and my humble self proud as I take sure footed steps, abiding by selfless principles, on this journey to the next level of leadership.”

Ekeremor PDP leaders, stakeholders raise N10m from donations to buy Senatorial form for Senator Dickson, disclaim purported zoning.

In a meeting with the Ekeremor local government PDP leaders and stakeholders led by the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Michael Ogbere, and the chairman of the Local Government council Honorable Betola and hundreds of stakeholders and supporters, the stakeholders announced their resolution to buy the senatorial expression of interest and nomination forms for Senator Dickson.

The Ekeremor PDP Stakeholders backed their resolution by raising the sum of 10 million naira at the spot from voluntary donations by the stakeholders present. The stakeholders said the donations were made in appreciation of the numerous good deeds and developmental projects Senator Dickson brought to the people and land of Ekeremor during his time as Governor.

They also appreciated the fact that against all odds, Senator Dickson backed, supported and handed over to their son Governor Douye Diri who is maternally from Ekeremor LGA.

The Stakeholders declared that they are in total support of Senator Dickson and are not ungrateful to him. They asked the public to dismiss mischief makers who are bent on dividing the party with propaganda on purported zoning which has never been implemented in the senatorial district at any time in their history.

They declared that Senator Dickson has no other contenders in PDP or in any other political party as far as Bayelsa West Senatorial District is concerned. They also declared that the Bayelsa West Senatorial District Seat is the surest seat in Bayelsa state for the PDP and while the seat is for Bayelsa West, Senator Dickson does not speak only for Bayelsa West, or for Bayelsa state, but for the Ijaw Nation and the Niger Delta at large.

With barely a year to the 2023 Nigerian general elections, the question of who will lead the world’s most populous black country is undoubtedly the most debated issue across the country. From the streets of Bourdillon to the Eastern countryside and Jada hills, the search for Nigeria’s next president is taking the centre stage.

While this is sensitive and critical, there is a particular need for deep and careful reflection to determine who becomes the next president, given the current situation of things in the country. Nigeria is in dire need of a leader who will inspire hope, proffer solutions to the core challenges bedevilling the country and foster unity beyond ethnic and religious complexities.

It is in this light that we at the Restore Nigeria Project, a socio-political group founded on the foundations of good governance, civic engagement and grassroots development, joins renewed calls for former President Goodluck Jonathan to enter the 2023 presidential race. This is, without fear of contradiction, a call that stems from a deep sense of passion, pure patriotism and good intent for the nation.

Jonathan has distinguished himself as a global statesman, attracting recognition across the world as an ambassador for peace and a symbol of democracy. A peaceful man; the world still recalls with nostalgia how his refusal to cling to power illegitimately (after his loss in 2015) reduced tension in one of the most bitterly contested elections in Nigerian history, setting a precedent for peaceful transitions among African leaders. His famous quote, “As I have always affirmed, my ambition is not worth the blood of any innocent Nigerian. The unity, stability and progress of our dear country is more important than anything else,” exemplifies and speaks deeply to his calm and peaceful disposition and as a patriotic Nigerian, who puts country before self. Considering the enormous power that a Nigerian president wields, Jonathan demonstrated rare courage in conceding to an opposition candidate, an attribute that is alien to African democracy. That simple phone call to the winner of the keenly contested elections, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), saved many lives, averted crises and set in motion a peaceful transition of power that was devoid of rancour and animosity.

Never reneging on peace, Jonathan has consistently put the national interest first above selfish and parochial interest. It is worthy of note that he has provided support to the Buhari-led regime (despite being in the opposition party), furthering the nation’s influence in the sub-Saharan region. As a Nigerian who has consistently shown strong character transcending the political divide and having influence amongst politicians across parties, the executive and legislative arms of government, it is evident that Jonathan has the capacity to unite and mobilise Nigerians beyond party lines to work to foster the vision for a better Nigeria, without recourse to the PDP or whatever political party he may seek to contest the 2023 presidency.

Jonathan has devoted himself to a life of service that is dedicated to fostering peace and advancing democratic governance—a shining example to world leaders, particularly those in Africa. He has, through his enormous goodwill, led peace missions on behalf of the United Nations, African Union and Economic Community of West African States to many crisis-ridden nations across Africa and facilitated the restoration of calm and stability. Indeed, his capacity and experience in peace-building will be very instrumental in the quest to bring long-lasting peace and stability in troubled regions on the home-front in Nigeria.

Nigeria at this time needs a president who will mend its fractured economy, harness its abundant human and natural resources, formulate and execute policies anchored on rapid and sustainable development. Jonathan had shown a sterling track-record of formulation and execution of good economic policies, which stabilised the naira, set Nigerian economy growing at 6.7% as Africa’s largest and second-best country to invest, as against today’s rate of N570 to $1 and 14th place on the best investment destinations in Africa.

In the words of renowned Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, “History matters. Records are not kept simply to assist the weakness of memory, but to operate as guides to the future.” At a time when there are cries of marginalisation and several agitations for secession by different ethnic nationalities, Nigeria needs a peace-loving and experienced statesman that will build a bridge of handshake across the Niger.

It is worthy of note that Jonathan had also shown a keen eye in spotting talent and competence, assembling a team of top-performing professionals into a cabinet that has been described severally as the best in Nigeria’s history. Many members of that cabinet are still blazing the trail in various sectors, including Akinwunmi Adesina (Agriculture), now President of the African Development Bank; Omobola Johnson (Information), now Chairperson of Global Alliance for Affordable Internet; Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (Finance), now Director General, World Trade Organization; Muhammed Pate (Health/State), now Director, World Bank Group, amongst others. This rare skill and foresightedness will be greatly required in the mission to restore Nigeria to the pinnacle as a beacon of development in Africa and a shining light to other nations in the continent.

It is therefore a matter of expediency and in the interest of peace, patriotism, national restoration and development, that Goodluck Jonathan must enter the 2023 presidential race. We also call on Nigerians from all walks of life, across religious, political and ethnic lines, to support his candidacy for a better and working Nigeria.

Dr Mustapha Ahmadu, Chairman, Restore Nigeria Project writes from Abuja; he can be reached via dr.mustapha.ahmadu@gmail.com

The Local Government Chairmen in Enugu West Senatorial District of Enugu State have joined in the ongoing zoning controversy in Enugu State, accusing the Senator representing the senatorial district, Senator Ike Ekweremadu of being economical with the truth.

The five council chairmen from the senatorial district made their position known in a communiqué they issued after their meeting in Udi Local Government Area of the State.

The communiqué was signed by Hon Ajah Beneth Ogbonna, Executive Chairman Aninri LGA, Hon. Pedro Nwankwo, Executive Chairman, Awgu LGA, Nze Philip Okoh, Executive Chairman Udi LGA, Hon. Chinedu Onyeagba, Executive Chairman, Oji River LGA and Hon. Chukwudi Ozoelube, Executive Chairman, Ezeagu LGA and State Vice Chairman, Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON).

Ekweremadu had while declaring his governorship ambition last week challenged proponents of zoning to state when and where such an agreement was ever reached.

But in the communiqué, the council chairmen said the federal lawmaker was present at the meeting of July 7, 2013 where the Enugu State Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, reached an agreement on zoning.

They said, “the Senator was economical with the truth when he said that there has never been any zoning arrangement/agreement in Enugu State regarding the pattern of emergence of the State Governor. He challenged anyone to show him where and when such an agreement was written.

This came as the Forum of Local Government Chairmen of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Enugu West Senatorial District also faulted Ekweremadu’s comments against zoning, declaring their unalloyed support for zoning of the governorship position in Enugu State.

The PDP LG Chairmen took the stand in a communiqué issued after their meeting on Monday and by signed by Hon. Okechukwu Aneke (Udi LG Chairman) Hon. Nebo Chukwujekwu Emmanuel (Deputy Chairman, Awgu), Ozor Anayo Chude, (Ezeagu) Hon. Godwin Anekwe, (Oji River) and Hon. Victor Okoro, (Aninri).

Reacting further, the Chairmen of the five LGAs in Enugu West Senatorial District stated: “We hereby refer him to the press statement and written address presented by Senator Ben Collins Ndu; his immediate predecessor from Enugu West Senatorial District.

“Senator Ndu had during the Ifemelumma Enugu West rally exhibited minutes of the meeting of Enugu State Stakeholders (PDP State Caucus) where this agreement was reaffirmed in 2013.

“Senator Ekweremadu was said to be present in that meeting. We, therefore, throw the challenge back to our senator to first debunk the existing exhibit before throwing a challenge.

“Secondly, Chief Dubem Onyia (former Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Member, House of Representatives) recently made a press statement that independently affirmed that the zoning pattern was reaffirmed in a meeting of Enugu State Stakeholders in 2013 with Senator Ekweremadu in attendance.

“In the said meeting, it was resolved that Enugu North Senatorial Zone should produce the next Governor in 2015. The minutes of that meeting was shown by Chief Onyia. The motion was adopted unanimously. He said that the motion was further amended by a motion moved by Dr. Charles Egumgbe (Pioneer Chairman of PDP Enugu State and current Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters) to the effect that the motion should contain where the next governor shall come from after the end of the tenure of 2015 to 2023 and it was also unanimously adopted that Enugu East Senatorial Zone should take the mantle by 2023. The minutes did not say that our Senator had a dissenting voice.”

“We ask Senator Ekweremadu to come and tell us whether the meeting as quoted by both Senator Ndu and Chief Onyia never held or that he was never present therein. His inability to provide the requested clarification will amount to dishonesty and unnecessary deceit of our people.

“We are aware that even Senator Ekweremadu’s position in the Senate is a product of zoning and the newly elected Councilor of his ward and Chairman of his Local Government Area are all products of zoning.

“As the Chairman of the PDP 2015 post-election review committee, Senator Ekweremadu recommended that PDP lost the presidential election because it abandoned zoning and advised that the zoning principle should be strictly applied at all levels in PDP. We now wonder why the same Sen. Ekweremadu is trying to destroy the zoning in Enugu State if it is not for his selfishness and a reflection of a man who practices diabolical double standard.

“Senator Ekweremadu claimed that he will bring gigantic developmental projects to Enugu State through his network of friends, experience, and capabilities. We are shocked by his failure to have used the qualities he boasts of to the advantage of Enugu West Senatorial District that bequeathed him 5 terms, across 20 years in the Senate. It is either Sen. Ekweremadu has commenced his bid on falsehood or he admits to having short-changed the people of Enugu West Senatorial District for 20 whole years. Enugu West takes exception to this misrule. Ekweremadu will lead us to nowhere,” the chairmen further stated.

They reiterated the support of the people and government of the five LGAs in Enugu West Senatorial District for Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the State.

“We assure our Governor that Enugu West Senatorial District will never be the black sheep Senatorial District of the State. We support that the next Governor of Enugu State should come from Enugu East Senatorial District pursuant to the existing zoning arrangement in the State.

“The zoning of the Enugu Governorship position has brought us peace and progress. Consequently, we will continue to encourage and support our Governor to continue this noble practice.

“We dissociate our people and ourselves from the declaration done by Senator Ike Ekweremadu. Such a declaration is either the product of a very bad advice or mischievously contrived to serve his selfish interest,” they stressed.

On their part, the Forum of Chairmen of the PDP, in Enugu West Senatorial District further said: “Having given such unalloyed and undiluted support to previous Governors of Enugu State even unto their choices of successors, we shall without reservation extend our total support to whoever His Excellency Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi decides to support as his successor come 2023 in line with our long-standing tradition of following our leader to the last second.

“We unequivocally support the zoning pattern that is practiced in Enugu State since 1999. We acknowledge that it is not the turn of Enugu West Senatorial Zone to produce the next Governor of Enugu State and supports that the next Governor of the state shall come from Enugu East Senatorial Zone.

“We are happy with the peace being enjoyed in Enugu State which is a testament to Governor Ugwuanyi’s sound and good governance.

“We assure His Excellency of the support and loyalty of the teaming PDP members from the entire five Local Governments of Enugu West.”

I had on different occasions disclosed my witness, probably due to my close association with my father, to the establishment of zoning political positions, particularly governorship, in Enugu state, dating back to the old Enugu state when it was created in 1991. In my narrative, I told about how Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo emerged as the first civilian governor of the then Enugu state that comprised of two senatorial districts of the present Ebonyi state and Icha Ituma as Nwodo’s deputy governor.

I had also told of how in the present democratic dispensation that stared from 1999, how Okwesilieze Nwodo in the company of Senator Jim Nwobodo and Dr Chimaroke Nnamani came to my father’s house in Ngwo in 1998, a prelude to the election that eventually threw up Dr Nnamani, as Governor of the present Enugu state on May 29 1999. In my witness accounts, I recalled that the issue of zoning was clearly spelt out from the onset in 1991 by these elder statesmen, noting that Nwodo emerged governor then because at that time the leaders held the opinion that Nsukka zone should produce a governor, having not produced it earlier when we that belonged to the old Enugu senatorial zone that now comprises Enugu East and Enugu West senatorial districts had produced governours in the persons of Jim Nwobodo and my father, C.C Onoh in the then Anambra State.

The Abakaliki zone was, therefore, prevailed upon to nominate a deputy governor with the understanding that it will rotate to the Abakliki zone after Nsukka and back to the Enugu zone thereafter. they did not know that the military thought otherwise, and then democracy was truncated. Remember that leaders of these three zones were prominent in the struggle for the creation of the proposed Wawa state, which was later named Enugu state.

At the resume of democratic governance again, in 1999, Abakaliki zone had become Ebonyi state and the remainder of the old Enugu state (Enugu and Nsukka zones) were subdivided into three senatorial districts as the 1999 constitution demanded and a part of Nsukka zone (Is-uzo) was carved out together with Enugu-Ngwo to join Nike and Nkanu local government councils to form Enugu east senatorial zone; while Udi and Agwu areas became Enugu west senatorial zone and Enugu north senatorial zone became the exclusive preserve of the six local government councils in the old Nsukka zone.

At that time my father C.C Onoh, Nwobodo and Nwodo who represents the three senatorial districts agreed to recommence the earlier established zoning from Enugu east senatorial zone after which the other two zones will have their turns and the roation will continue in the like manner.

Therefore, I would prefer to set my own records strength and differently from the rotation analogy credited to my good friend and brother, Distinguished Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who was reported to have rearranged the governorship trajectory of the present Enugu state. The distinguished senator was reported to have recreated the old Anambra and old Enugu states when Senator Jim Nwobodo, Chief C.C Onoh, and Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo emerged governors, which should be distinct from the present discussion of Enugu state, starting from 1999 as baseline.

The most distinguished senator Ike Ekweremadu, probably forgot that Chief CC Onoh belonged to the Udi division in the Enugu senatorial zone of the old Anambra state that comprised even the present Aninri local government area. For emphasis, the present Enugu state was made up of only two senatorial zones, which were Enugu and Nsukka senatorial zones. I, therefore, consider it embarrassing for anybody to cite Senator Jim Nwobodo and Chief C.C Onoh as former governors of Enugu state when in the real sense of it Enugu state was not created at those times. Associating my father C.C Onoh and Nwobodo and even Nwodo with the governorship of the present Enugu state, therefore, diminishes the high accomplishments which these statesmen earned in their era.

His Excellency Senator Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo was the governor of Anambra state, same as Chief Christian Chukwuma Chukwuma Onoh, who succeeded Nwobodo in 1983 when most of the present political actors in Enugu state were not there. These men were at their time Governors of Anambra, Enugu, and parts of Ebonyi states. It should be noted that the benchmark for the present argumentative excursion is Enugu state of 1996 and not Anambra state of 1979 and 1983. The same waiver goes to the administration of Dr Okwesileze Nwodo, who was governor of old Enugu State, including parts of Ebonyi state in 1991.

Come to think of it these three former governors had very brief stints as governors whose administrations were truncated by the military interjections and they never had a full course as in the present dispensation where each senatorial district of the present Enugu state have had complete eight years of two terms each and needs to restart the circle of political inclusion for peace, accommodation and sense of belonging.

Probing this path, the Distinguished Senator ike Ekweremadu whom I hold in highest esteem would have known that Nsukka is the most shortchanged partner in the present Enugu state political chessboard. He ought to have known that Nwobodo, C C Onoh, Sullivan Chime belong to the old Enugu district while Nwodo and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi came from the Nsukka leg of the present Enugu state. Where then lays the equity and fairness when a part of Nsukka (Isi-Uzo) was taken by fiat to make up the Enugu zone, which further diminished the old Nsukka zone. Strangely, I just learnt about the mention of four cultural zones in the state, which has never been a base for allocation of the present political offices.

In the case of Chief C.C Onoh, my father, till his demise, voted at the Ekeani-Ngwo polling unit in the present Udi local government of Enugu state. Therefore, the late sage belonged to Enugu East senatorial district and it would not do any good to the emancipator of the Wawa people and a founding father of Enugu state who was only given two months governorship to be given a false narrative. My father, therefore, belonged to Udi in the present Enugu West senatorial district and not Enugu East senatorial district. To corroborate this fact, the Nkanu people of the present Enugu East senatorial district supported Jim Nwobodo other than my father C.C Onoh whom they saw as a Udi man in the 1983 election that threw up my father as Governor of the old Anambra state.

Although the zoning of governorship in Enugu state was not written, it serves the interest of the people for inclusiveness and participation in governance. There were governors of the state who would not have tolerated the present divisive interests, but it can only take place under Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi who offers free speech, liberal democracy and rule of law. History will however not be kind to us if we watched without doing anything to allow the norms established upturned on the altar of political extremism.

There is a need to give credit to the other proponents of rotation and equity such as the late Chief Polycarp Nwite, late Dr Offia Nwali, Chief Mgbada, Retired Justice Emma Odanwu of Ebonyi state who later won the battle for the creation of Ebonyi state and were great politicians of their time. The late Chief Charles Abangwu of Nsukka, my late father Chief C.C Onoh and some other living and departed legends, I’m sure would have abhorred the present quest for political relevance and hooliganism that is presently threatening to destroy the labours and tenets established by these founding fathers of Wawa states. I’ve also read about another existing zoning arrangement agreed upon during the tenure of HE, Sullivan Chime and not being a witness or participant I can neither comment nor contribute but on grounds of integrity believe the narration of HE. Okwesilieze Nwodo because he was one of the major and originating foundations which the zoning arrangement was initiated and agreed upon during the build-up to his election in 1991.

Examining the imperatives of zoning in Enugu brings to mind the Isi-uzo subtle campaign for equity and justice for it to produce the next governor of the state in 2023. Looking at the travails of Isi-uzo, the council area should at least be allowed to produce the next senator of the Enugu East senatorial zone. to appease its years of political relegation. Enugu north local government which has all the while fathered the state is another council in Enugu state that should be given first-line attention in all the present agitations and concerns for equity in the distribution of the political positions. And be allowed to produce the next governor of Enugu state or Senator to represent Enugu East senatorial district.

Most people tend to forget that Enugu-Ngwo and Ogui nike by order 10 of 1938 was declared a neutral zone, but today people have conscripted the crown colony into whatever partition that massages their ego. Let it however be noted that at the end of the day, when the chips are down, the governor of Enugu, HE. Rt.hon Dr Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, despite his meekness and liberalism, remains the numero uno and a deciding factor in all these disputes.

The instances of governorship performance in Enugu and other states such as in Anambra and Ikwa-Ibom states that have followed the route of governorship mentoring, had nobody to appease since they were mentored by their predecessors. They rather focused on governance than appeasing supporters and those they ran to for crowning as Chief Executives.

Let’s not be deceived by social media euphoria, which gives people a different reality from what exists, political debates, etc. All these are just for entertainment for all politics is local and I assure everyone that claims to know Gburugburu that he’s locally and extremely internally grounded in local politics and to win him and his successor come 2023 by any opposition no matter any angle they are coming from will be political suicide.

I shall continue to hold both Sen. Ike Ekweremadu and Sen. Ken Nnamani in the highest esteemed for putting Enugu state on the globe as the only state to have produced a Senate president and deputy senate president, indeed they are truly great sons of Enugu state while also appreciating HE, Sen. JIM NWOBODO, HE. Okwesilieze Nwodo for that initial support that ushered HE. Sen. Chimaroke Nnamani, whom without his contribution, these proud sons of Enugu state wouldn’t have glittered like a bright star to the pride of Enugu state.

Today, the greatest credit goes to HE, Rt. Hon Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi whose peaceful, calm and tolerant nature and all-inclusive political views allowed both opposition and supporters alike to co-exist peacefully in Enugu state today offering equal protection to all. My fellow WAWA and especially all politicians of Enugu state, I say, “The purpose of History is to chronicle the record of events ” Behold your history and you can then decide who’s telling the truth about zoning “

With barely a year to go, Nigerians are already counting down to the end of the Muhammadu Buhari administration. And for obvious reasons, many can not wait to see it span out. It has been generally depressing with an almost endless torrent of deprivation. However, while some may deem it fair to say it hasn’t been all worse; many more agree it could have been a lot better.

Leaders are remembered by their legacies – the footprints they leave in the sands of time, which will speak even in their absence, long after they are gone. President Muhammadu Buhari will be no exception to this reality, so what greater legacy than to leave Nigeria safely under the guidance of a credible, experienced, competent and effectual successor?

The dire, multifaceted challenges facing Nigeria puts it in a squalor – a malignant state, which requires timely and strategic intervention from an experienced and visionary administrator. It would be a misnomer to have this country in the hands of neophytes without proven standards of leadership; whose inexperience would naturally condition them to experiment ideas and systems. Certainly, chemistry classes are over!

Nigeria’s next president must not be one who almost a year after inauguration, will be stuck with getting familiar with the buildings and itinerary at Aso Rock. He must not be one of those politicians who rush in hubris to be ‘Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) and certainly not one who sees the presidency as an entitlement – a repayment for past favours. Rather, he must be a person who knows the grounds and systems; who will hit the ground running with interventions almost immediately to save this country.

Today, the country boils as our ethnic nationalities threaten our very existence. The Biafrans beat drums of secession in the East, the Oduduwa/Yoruba Nation in the West amongst others who seek to disintegrate. Nigeria’s next president must be a symbol of peace and unity, seemingly detribalised and accepted by Nigerians across the regions.

The Naira has remained in free fall post-2015, closing at an exchange rate of N560 – N570 to an American dollar. Nigeria’s next president should be one with defined monetary policies and objectives that will focus on price stability and public prosperity, preferably, someone who has been seen to have done it in the past. A magician’s wand they say, remains potent and even waxes stronger with experience and time.

As leaders are the conscience of the society, our next president must be visionary, resonating the feelings and pulse of the people. He must be one who has (shown) a duty to set good examples for followers.

When we assess these qualities and conditions for he who will assume Nigeria’s presidency with brimming hopes, goodwill and the much needed fervour, Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan easily fits the description undeniably.

Dr Jonathan’s antecedents ordinarily set him out as a patriot, who shelves his personal ambitions for the considerations and general well-being of Nigerians. His charisma and peaceful disposition is a needed quality that can save Nigeria from disintegration and chaos. He comes with an unmatched experience, having led the economic revolution which kept Nigeria as one of the world’s wealthiest black nation, with public prosperity, stable prices and a handsome foreign reserve.

There’s no gainsaying that a good and reliable product needs no bogus advert campaigns, as its long record of quality, trust and value, would reflect in the positive reviews. Dr. Goodluck Jonathan is undeniably a good candidate for Nigeria’s presidency and President Muhammadu Buhari should support him to take over the mantle after he bows out in 2023, if he truly holds the interests of the country as paramount.

OLADIPO AKANDE writes from Los Angeles, United States of America. He can be reached on Twitter via @OladipoAkande.

Today, Senator Ike Ekweremadu held a press briefing where he formally declared to contest the 2023 governorship election in Enugu state. During the press briefing, he was asked to make clarification on zoning understanding in the state and here is his response;

“…if there is going to be any discussion on zoning and going forward I believe that the leaders of Enugu would be happy to have that conversation but before now it never took place. And I challenge any person who say there was zoning to tell us at what point, in whose house and who and who were there. People have asked this question, up till today nobody have answered it.”

It is unfortunate that the inordinate ambition of Senator Ike Ekweremadu to become the governor of Enugu state could lead him to lie even on a period of Lent when christians are enjoined to speak truth as followers of Christ..

Senator Ekweremadu while throwing a challenge to those advocating for zoning to tell him at what point, in whose house and those at the meeting where zoning was agreed, failed to make clarification on the statements made by some leaders like Sullivan Chime, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Ben Collins Ndu and others who have stated unequivocally that the leaders of Enugu state met in 2013, and agreed on zoning.

On February 18, 2021, Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo an elder statesman and former governor of old Enugu state at a PDP campaign rally in Igbo-etiti LGA disclosed that the PDP leadership in Enugu had zoned the governrorship position of the state to Enugu East senatorial zone in 2023.

Dr Nwodo who is also a former National Chairman of PDP said that he was in the party meeting alongside other leaders, such as the then Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the then State Chairman of the PDP, Chief Vita Abba, where the decision was taken.

The former Governor revealed that it was Chief Dubem Onyia who moved the motion at the meeting, which was seconded by Senator Ben Collins Ndu, with an amendment by Dr. Charles Egumgbe that the governorship position should go to Enugu East Senatorial District in 2023 after the turn of Enugu North Senatorial District, which is presently occupied by Gov. Ugwuanyi.

Senator Ben Collins Ndu who was at the said meeting of the State Caucus of the PDP in 2013. collaborated the statement made by Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo at a rally in Awgu LGA on August 7, 2021.

At the solidarity rally held at the Awgu local govt council secretariat to draw support for the rotation of the governorship seat in the state tagged: “Ife-Emelumma Enugu West Unity Rally”, attended by leaders of the zone, Senator Ndu told the audience that he was at a meeting of PDP leaders in 2013 where decision to zone the 2015 governorship of position to Enugu north senatorial zone was agreed.

He confirmed that it was Chief Duben Onyia who moved the motion in the presence of Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Sullivan Chime, Okwesilieze Nwodo, Vita Abba and others which was seconded by himself. He went further to state that Dr. Charles Egumgbe brought in an amendment that the governorship position should go to Enugu East Senatorial District in 2023 and it was supported by all.

Another former governor, Barr Sullivan Chime at a meeting with leaders of Nkanu east LGA told his visitors what transpired at a town hall meeting in Nike Lake hotel in 2013 where a journalist wanted to know the zone that would succeed him.

Chime said, “In 2013, while we were at Nike Lake holding a town hall meeting, one journalist raised his hand and I asked him, what is it? He asked that since my administration has gone half way, which zone will produce my successor at the end of my tenure. I told him it will go to North.

“It was only reasonable that I insisted that ndi Nsukka will produce the next governor after me with the hope that after Nsukka zone, it will be a kind of circle, so that it will go to Enugu East Senatorial Zone after which it will come to Enugu west.. “

Therefore, Senator Ekweremadu was only being economical with the truth while addressing the issue of zoning at his press briefing.

Ekweremadu challenged us to name who and who that were at the meeting where the issue of zoning was agreed in Enugu, I urge him to speak on the statements by these prominent leaders who said he (Ekweremadu) was at the meeting of PDP state Caucus with them in 2013 where the decision on zoning was made.
He should tell us if he was not in the said PDP state Caucus meeting with Chief Duben Onyia, a former Minister; Dr Okwesilieze Nwodo, a former PDP National Chairman; Chief Vita Abba, the then PDP state chairman; Barr Sullivan Chime, the then state governor; Ben Collins Ndu, a former senator and Dr Charles Egwumgbe among others when the zoning understanding in the state was reached.

It is good that it was Ekweremadu who threw up this challenge and I am glad that those in the meeting have spoken. I would want him to be specific on their statements. He should either confirm or deny them.

Eneh Victor Chigozie

AIF Media

‘Green Nigeria Movement Will Only Support A Technocrat And Seasoned Professional For President In 2023’

The Green Nigeria Movement (GNM) has stressed that it will only support a technocrat and seasoned professional leader who will bring on board, fresh and innovative ideas to pilot Nigeria from 2023.

Convener of the GNM and Chairman of the Nigerian Young Professionals Forum (NYPF), Moses Siloko Siasia made this assertion on Thursday by the sidelines of the Movement’s Inaugural Launch at the Polo Ground, Kano State.

Addressing a mammoth crowd, Siasia reiterated that the GNM is the only political Movement that would bring the needed change Nigerians crave for, and emphasized that the next man to become Nigeria’s President must have the capacity to tackle security and economic challenges, which he said, are top priorities of the group.

“We are touring the country to mobilise young men and women across the country to ensure we raise over 10 million votes for anyone that we decide to support for the 2023 general election.

“Our mission, as a new political movement, is to change Nigeria for better, and Kano is politically strategic that is why we are having the inaugural rally in Kano today and a lot of people are excited and this is the way to go -to bring about the needed leadership in the country.

“You will agree with me that young Nigerians are the worst hit, in terms of socio-economic challenges. The crises across the country -Boko Haram in the northeast and armed banditry in the northwest and north central, crisis in the East and Niger Delta all involve young people who no longer have any hope in this country,” the Convener stressed.

He added further that Nigeria’s next President must be someone who understands the yearnings and aspirations of the common man, and that the GNM will look away from supporting an analogue candidate.

“To make Nigeria green again, we have decided as young professionals, to come to Kano and inaugurate a movement that will alleviate poverty and hunger in the country. Our mothers cannot sell in the open markets again and the okada man is no longer getting passengers, so we need a breath of fresh air.

“We want to see a new President that will bring the needed growth and development, because Nigeria today needs help. Young people need jobs, so we must create jobs for our youths, we need to rebuild Nigeria for the country to be free again,” Siasia said.

“GNM is for peace unity and prosperity, and we believe in Nigeria and we are one. Our tour is to tell the youth and women to come out and obtain Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) for their votes to counted in next year’s general election,” Siasia added.

https://leaders.ng/green-nigeria

Chery Tiggo8 won the “Quality Product Award” at the just concluded 43rd Kaduna International Trade Fair.

The award was presented by Dr. Haliru Musa Soba, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Business, Innovation & Technology, Kaduna State at the closing ceremony witnessed by dignitaries from both the public and private sectors of the country.

Responding to pressmen after the event, The Managing Director, PAN Nigeria, assemblers of Chery vehicles in Nigeria Ms Taiwo Oluleye congratulated members of the Kaduna Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (KADCCIMA) for their consistency and tenacity in organizing the Trade Fair event every year. She went on to proclaim that the Trade Fair was a successful event despite the challenges of the operating environment, which was rather reassuring to all exhibitors at the Fair.

In commenting on the Tiggo8 award, Ms. Oluleye iterated that, “In the last 50 Years, PAN has continued to produce durable and quality vehicles with our customers in mind and the award-winning Tiggo8 is an attestation to our commitment to excellence.”

Earlier, at the opening ceremony, the Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Otumba Adeniyi Adebayo had commended PAN Nigeria for the introduction of Tiggo8, for its distinct features and robust style, anticipating the model will serve the needs of the targeted segment.

As PAN’s flagship, the Chery Tiggo8 is a seven-seat SUV produced at PAN’s Kaduna plant. The Tiggo 8 is packed with luxury and safety features adopting the most modern technology.

Chery motors have gradually conquered demanding consumers across international markets with its outstanding technologies and reliable quality. These are the unique values PAN hopes to extend to Nigeria’s automobile consumers.

WHO IS ARCHITECT BERNARD YISA?
Architect Bernard Aernyi Yisa recently declared his intention to run for Office of the Executive Governor of Benue State, under the All Progressives Congress, APC.

Popularly called “Architect”, and rightly so; he is a true “son of the soil” from the Tiv tribe, and to whom Benue is dear.

He cradles the dream of transforming Benue State, using innovative techniques and the skills he garnered over the years as a nationally recognised design and construction expert.

Created in 1976, Benue State is composed of different ethnic groups, including Tiv, Idoma, Igede, Igala, Etulo, Bassa-nge and Jukuns. The State has a rich agrarian and solid minerals economy, an indication of its viability and explorable potential to better the lives of its people.

As most Nigerian States were during the 1983 Military coup, Benue State’s growth was largely stifled by Military administration, leaving the bulk of work involved in solving the problems besetting the State in the hands of its Leaders, in the now-democratic regime.

Benue has experienced different administrations, some of which tried to cushion the effects of the coup, by creating structures of economic transformation and explored its agrarian potential to advance the prosperity of the State. However, there are still socio-economic developmental gaps that require urgent attention. Closing these gaps and stimulating the prosperity of Benue State are at the heart of Bernard Yisa’s decision to run for Governor of the State.

An expert who detects, alters, and rebuilds according to specifications, transforming structures into better and sustainable forms, Architect Bernard is adequately equipped with the expertise, experience, strategic and key networks to take on the responsibility of redesigning and reconstructing Benue into a model modern State in Nigeria.

A Philanthropist, Educationist, and seasoned Businessman, Arc. Yisa’s educational journey began at St. John’s Primary School, Gboko, where he received elementary education with a First School Leaving Certificate. He then furthered his education at the Government Secondary School, Jos, Plateau State, between 1973 and 1978; it was here his brilliance and academic excellence were first noticed and rewarded with numerous prizes and awards, before he then obtained the West African School Certificate with distinction (First Division).

Determined to learn and gain academic qualifications required to build a professional career in the Construction and Energy industries, he proceeded to the University of Jos, where he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, in 1986, and after, a M.Sc. in Architecture. As an outstanding Student, Bernard was retained as a Graduate Assistant in the University of Jos, in the department of Architecture, and received the Vice-Chancellor’s recommendations for excellent supervision of an Award-Winning International Project (2nd Prize) on Energy Conscious Architecture, organized by Commonwealth Schools of Architecture 2nd Inter-School Design competition in 1991. After spending some time in the academic space, teaching, and mentoring Students fortunate to be under his tutelage, Bernard was ready to expand his tentacles by exploring his creativity in model architecture, while creating job opportunities for Nigerians, he therefore, ventured into private practice.

In 1991, Bernard founded E. F. Projects Limited, an architectural firm that specialises in renewable energy projects, giving employment to both trainee and graduate trainers. Bernard has since worked on large-scale national infrastructural projects, including several Hi-tech projects across Nigerian Universities under evolving TET Fund projects, and served on the Task Force for the completion of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, UCTH, permanent site in 1997. Bernard’s commitment to community service and philanthropy does not end at providing many Nigerian citizens job security, he also demonstrated his passion for quality education by establishing YISA ABUL College, Ashimin, a Commercial Secondary School for Benue people.

Bernard’s knowledge and skills transcend the construction industry; he has participated in several political programmes to witness evolving trends in policymaking and implementation which revealed to him certain inadequacies that require strategic reforms to catch up with modernity. Most of these reforms require core professionalism and technical competences to accomplish, hence his decision to run for a position where he can put his experiences into an impacting use in Benue State.

Bernard plans to realise his dream of an economically resilient modern Benue State, by selecting a team of development experts who will represent critical organs of the State Government.

Together with this team, Bernard aims to find sustainable solutions to security challenges in the State, digitize governance and education; revive lost capital investments; invest in programmes and workshops for young indigent entrepreneurs, create an environment that attracts both local and international investors; recruit housing, energy and transport professionals who will revolutionise housing and transportation in Benue, for effectiveness and ease of living and commuting within and out of the State.

Upgrading existing health infrastructure to extend into hard-to-reach rural areas is also on the Yisa agenda for Benue. On education, the aim is to increase quality and quantity to reduce unemployment and dropout rates in the State. Youth development will be anchored on improved infrastructure, as well as restructuring the sports sector to engage the youths in legitimate activities, and shun social vices in Benue State.

As the campaign for the next Governor of Benue State heats up, Arc. Benard recognises the power of the social media in reaching key sections of the electorate, and will personally handle

#JusticeForBamise VIDEO (EXCLUSIVE): Andrew Nice, the BRT driver in his 1st stmt confessed to having unlawful canal knowledge of the deceased.

Recall Bamishe's VN mentioned the driver likes her.

After his atrocities, he went into hiding & was arrested tru Credible Intelligence pic.twitter.com/Ar6O27ZPbQ

— Eons Intelligence (@eonsintelligenc) March 7, 2022

Members of Lagos State chapter of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) have raised concerns over how the union’s state chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly called Mc Oluomo, has been openly running a parallel unbranded body against NURWT, banning sales of the union’s ticket across the state and declaring himself as boss of a personified new union, founded by him.

Aside from stopping sales of the union’s ticket, they claimed that Akinsanya also instigated his loyalists, who were members of the Lagos chapter of the NURTW, to denounce the union under the pretext that they were no longer interested in the body and would prefer to associate with Mc Oluomo’s founded union.

They alleged that the chairman banned the NURTW members under his leadership from buying tickets from the union on the 1st of March, 2022, and forced branch chairmen to sign an undertaking declaring their support for him and whatever decision he made, they should abide by it as against the national body.

As gathered, he has decided to run a parallel union with the national body and begun to engage in some actions that could ensure that the Lagos State Government grants him the permission to achieve his motive.

Some of the affected branches’ chairmen who claimed to have signed the undertaking on duress, lamented that someone needs to stop Mc Oluomo from always using innocent members against the union national leadership and members as well as people that he feels could be a threat to his reign in the state.

MC Oluomo’s actions, the members claimed, have started affecting the agenda of the Lagos State Government to generate revenue internally and allocate it for the provision of infrastructures across the state, as his actions to print tickets could affect the share that was expected to be sent to the government.

According to the members, they now collect the revenue from commercial transport operators and remit to the state chairman directly as against the previous standards that part of the revenue made from tickets sales go to the government, its national body, and the Lagos chapter.

Speaking on newsmen on the sudden developments that had brought the state chapter against the government, the Ikeja branch chairman, Kunle Anifowoshe, on Sunday, said that the directives from MC Oluomo came as a surprise to them and that they do not understand his motive behind the sudden actions.

Anifowoshe disclosed that the directives were announced during an emergency meeting that was conveyed by the chairman at the state secretariat in Agege, where they were made to sign an undertaking to be loyal and abide by MC Oluomo’s dictates.

The Ikeja Branch chairman, who declined to sign the documents and pledged his loyalty to the national body under the leadership of President, Tajudeen Baruwa, stressed that he could not have gone against the union’s rules and regulations, saying I had to back out from it.

Another branch chairman that signed the document at the chairman’s office before his decoration as an ambassador of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), disclosed that they have been directed by MC Oluomo to embark on statewide demonstrations and disrupt activities across Lagos.

He noted that the demonstration was expected to commence on Sunday to attract the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, attention and get him on his side in the battle as well as ensure the union in the state operate independently from the national body that was stipulated to oversee affairs in Lagos.

Corroborating his claim, another branch chairman from Lagos East Senatorial district revealed that he could not have declined to sign the documents considering the atmosphere at the secretariat and how MC Oluomo had threatened them that should they refuse to join his camp.

The branch chairman, who spoke under the condition of anonymity, lamented that they were threatened by the chairman that they could lose their position and that he does not want to become an ex-chairman, adding this is the reason I signed it.

According to him, some members had lost their seats after MC Oluomo was sworn in as the chairman and many were yet to regain their position in the Union after their removal.

Efforts to get the union’s chairman to respond have proved abortive, as calls made to him and some of the state executive members were answered and not returned.

For those of u who like ranting and condemning the NDLEA whenever they arrest, S.14 here says you can be jailed.
And S.41 expressly says the NDLEA can arrest any baggar without a warrant
Don't allow internet attention seekers cum end time activists send you 2 jail unnecessarily

It is expectedly, a confounding idea, that former President, Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan would contest the 2023 election.

More unsettling, of course, is the possibility that the President would be running on the platform of the APC against his party, the PDP.

Naturally, his party should be perplexed with such a prospect and unexpectedly, a group within the ruling party, a powerful bloc is excited that its plans may come to fruition; the pressure it had mounted on President Goodluck Jonathan to cross and contest on the APC platform is now bearing fruit.

Strange as this may sound to the ears of Europeans and Americans, in Nigeria it seems a familiar trajectory of politicians who easily cross over from one political party to another: as at today, APC has more former PDP National Chairmen and officials as members than PDP has; APC is populated by former PDP Governors, PDP legislators including, former Senate Presidents and Speakers of the House of Representatives.

Even former President Olusegun Obasanjo worked to help APC defeat PDP in 2015. Opposition to President Goodluck Jonathan’s candidature is coming from both the PDP and APC.

The case against Jonathan’s comeback, on the surface appear very solid and make the Jonathan’s ambition implausible.

First, is the argument that such a gambit would diminish his rising international profile as champion of democracy in Africa; what happens to his image if he does not win the election, in the general election or even loses the primary elections of the APC.

The opponents of President Jonathan’s alleged ambition cite section 137 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. In 2017, the National Assembly altered the Constitution; – State Houses of Assembly concurred and was assented to by President Buhari restricts any President that completes the tenure for which another person was elected to only one additional term.

Some lawyers argue that the 2017 alteration affects Jonathan. However, does the alteration have retroactive effect? What would have happened had Jonathan won the 2015 election?

This may yet be another matter for the courts to settle – but some lawyers cite unrelated Supreme Court judgments which hold that laws such as the 2017 4th alteration of the constitution cannot have retroactive effect. The debate that has ensued from the prospects of President Jonathan contesting the 2023 elections on the platform of the All Progressive Congress (APC) again bring to the fore the propensity of the Nigeria politician to be self-serving and not patriotic.

For instance, most of those who sign post the abnormality of Jonathan contesting on the platform of the APC are themselves former members, government officials and party offices of (PDP), who don’t believe that “what is good for the goose is good also for the gander’’! It is disheartening that most of the reasons adduced against Jonathan have very little to do with the progress of Nigeria! Very little thought is also given to the fragile state of the country.

Like the ostrich with their heads hidden in the mud, they imagine that no one can see their monstrous bodies above the soil. It is absurd that Jonathan is being accused of being “too nice to the North” Had his successor in office been “nice” too to the South, the tension in the country would not have been so high!

Nigeria requires, now more than ever a personality that would not be seen as championing an ethnic or sectional cause.Nigeria has never been as divided as it is today. The 1966-1970 Civil war which took the divided Nigeria into so many pieces and so sharply.

The divisions have widened: its not simply about Nigeria versus the Igbos, now there are conflicts and rumours of conflicts between the Hausa and Fulani; several separatists groups have emerged and, should Nigeria break, it might be like humpty dumpty’s fall as no one may be able to put the pieces together!

True, President Jonathan paid attention to the North! The North West had nine ( with Sokoto and Zamfara providing two Ministers) Top key security positions also went to the north; several universities were established in the North, the Kaduna – Abuja standard gauge rail line prioritized and was completed and Almajiri’s schools were established to take kids off the streets!

Besides the fact that these interventions demonstrated his “Nigerianess”, there is no evidence to show that these projects were done at the expense of other regions. In any case, his intervention in the education sector only proved that he had some measure of understanding of the facts promoting insecurity in the North, hence the programmes aimed at taking kids off the streets to schools.

There are those who seek to incite ethnic hatred against President Jonathan arguing that he failed to make a Yoruba person Speaker of the House of the Representatives in 2011. President Buhari could not make a Yoruba person speaker in 2015, and in 2011, Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu used his foot soldiers, to make Hon. Mulikat Akande, Speaker of the House of Representatives.

Of course, President Jonathan lived to pay the price for this act of not imposing the presiding officer of the House.

The House under Tambuwal, played the opposition and put President Jonathan on the spot. He later led some members to decamp to the APC, after championing the creation of a faction, NPDP, of PDP. Himself and Dr Bukola Saraki, did weaken the PDP to make the APC win the 2015 election. The charge that President Jonathan performed badly as president in terms of creating infrastructure surely rings hollow now. In comparative terms, while President Jonathan was in charge, non-oil revenue increased, GDP growth averaged 6%; fertilizer middle men were displaced; education budget increased; the naira was fairly stable as Forex supply issues were fixed; Nigeria became the top destination for FDI; power generation increased and expansion of power transmission lines started; single digit inflation prevailed and local manufacturers were supported.

In addition, the Nollywood sector was recognised and supported as new auto policy and National Industrial Policies were drafted and approved. Of course, the expansion and rehabilitation of the rail lines were undertaken and, the narrow gauge rail lines that were abandoned by the military in the 80’s were revamped and rail lines came back to life under his regime. Much has been said about the volteface in President Goodluck Jonathan going to the APC.

The fact is that every PDP member is a potential APC member – and until recently, except the Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu group, every APC member is a potential PDP member. Interestingly, of late, some ardent Tinubu supporters are speaking of opting for the PDP. In the ranks of PDP today are many top notch APC members, including Governors. In the ranks of the APC today, are several notable PDP members.

Several PDP National Secretaries, State Chairmen, Ministers, former Speakers of both Houses of Representatives and State Houses Assemblies as well as former Senate Presidents are today in the APC.

The reasons for this are obvious, unlike the West and the United States, political parties serve only one purpose: A vehicle or platform to contest elections.

The PDP was created from the G8 efforts to ease out the Military – and its primary purpose has long been achieved. Similarly, the APC was a purpose built vehicle to get the PDP out of power. Desperate groups with different and often conflicted interests, banded together to take out the PDP. The name Progressive, we clearly does not fit the party as its anti-liberal postures have paled PDP’s indiscretions into insignificance!

APC can no longer lay pretence to any form of liberation. These two parties, the APC and PDP, as with other political parties in Nigeria have no soul – no philosophies and no ideologies. Secondly, you need to cross check before you ascribe any party to any politician in Nigeria – or you may discover that he may have “defected”, “ported” or “decamped” the previous night! Vice President Abubakar Atiku for instance has been a member of the PDP, Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), PDP, APC and now PDP. What matters now!Nigeria is in a terrible shape today.

The prestigious Foreign Relations magazines categorizes Nigeria as a failed state. Large swathes of territories in all parts of Nigeria are under the control of bandits, terrorists, kidnappers or better still, non state actors.

Nigeria has become a killing filed. Today one in every five out of school kids in the world is in Nigeria. The economy is in tatters and government does not appear to know what to do. Nigeria, arguably, is the headquarters of light weapons and small arms in the hands of non state actors. There is palpable fear that terrorists – in Niger and Nasarawa states could make a call on Abuja any time from now.

Of truth, there is the urgent need to reset Nigeria and allow for a rethink and restrategization. All the pretenders to the presidency from the South in the APC do not have the capacity and cannot be trusted to hold Nigeria together. Taking the Presidency of Nigeria to the South West would only heighten tension.

In terms of temperament, Jonathan stands head above shoulders taller than any Nigerian in living memory. Jonathan, it was who could go on with the job while absorbing virulent attack.

One of the factors that has fuelled the separatist agitations across the country is the intolerance of the present regime of criticism and freedom of expression. During Jonathan’s regime, there was absolute freedom of expression including press freedom.

Rather therefore than antagonise Jonathan, Nigerians ought to rally round him to pull this country from the brink and provide the room for discussion.

Hon. Innocent Lagi, a former member of the Nasarawa State House of Assembly, and Former Commissioner of Justice and Attorney General of Nasarawa State, lives in Abuja.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlmeAZXfnls