Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has assured the people of the State of greater things to come in year 2013.
In his New Year message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Peter Okhiria, Comrade Oshiomhole said people of the state have a lot to thank God for in the outgoing year and should look forward to a more prosperous new year.
According to him, “Year 2012 was good for Edo State. In the outgoing year, we were able to execute a number of capital projects which had direct meaningful impact on the lives of people of the state.
“Also in the year, we held our gubernatorial election which has now been adjudged the freest and fairest ever held in the country and is now being used as template for elections in the nation.
“However as we enter the Year 2013, I assure the people of government’s commitment to deliver more to every nook and cranny of the state, to justify the confidence reposed in me by the overwhelming victory I received at the polls across the 18 Local Government Areas of the state.
“I wish to assure the good people of Edo State that all projects started by this administration will be followed up with all due diligence and vigour to ensure their completion.
“I urge our people to remain vigilant to ensure that evildoers are not given a free hand in our state in the new year.
“I salute the good people of the state: our royal fathers, the professional groups, civil servants, student bodies, civil society groups, market women and the ordinary people in the streets for standing by this administration in the outgoing year.
“Also, I commend the Christian and Muslim communities in the state for their peaceful and brotherly coexistence in the state.
“I specially recognize the contributions and efforts of the security agencies in the maintenance of peace and security in the state in the outgoing year.
“I, again, count on the goodwill and support of all Edo sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora in the new year, as they join me in our determination to make Edo a model state and the first among equals in the country.
“As I wish you a happy and bountiful New Year, I pray that the peace and grace of God abide with you now and forever.”
In what is assumed by several people as a “sweet heart deal,” the Governor of Adamawa State, Admiral Murtala Nyako will tomorrow, Monday swear in Justice Nathan Musa as the new Chief Judge of the state.
This, according observers is not the right thing to do considering that Justice Musa is the third ranking judge in the state. The senior most judge, Justice Lawi has issues with both Nyako and the National Judicial Council, NJC. But Nyako had always wanted a different Chief Judge.
Nyako’s past nominees for the post included his own wife, Justice Binta Nyako who was rejected by the N.J.C, on the grounds that she was junior in rank in the court’s pecking order. The second ranking judge, Justice Bobbo Umar acted for six months but was not presented for confirmation by the state.
Reports from Yola, the state capital suggest that Nyako may have finally settled for Justice Musa in a desperate move to save his political neck from being chopped.
The reports say that Nyako reached out to Justice Musa to be sworn in as Chief Judge in return for an order stopping the National Working Committee, NWC of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP from continuing with the on-going election congresses.
Nyako had done everything possible to stop the first-ever elections since the PDP was formed in the state but was rebuffed by the reform-minded, Bamanga Tukur-led NWC.
If the deal works, the new CJ is expected to proceed from the swearing-in ceremony directly to his court where he is expected to issue the restraining order on the PDP.
What would have been a major fire disaster in Lagos State was averted Sunday when people joined hands to put out a fire outbreak that would have consumed the official quarters of Lagos State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire.
An electrical spark from the room of the Special Assistant (Media) to the deputy governor, Mr. Tunde Abatan, was said to have snowballed into a fire that was threatening to spread to other buildings in the expansive compound
The incident occurred barely one week after an explosion at a fireworks’ warehouse at Jankara Market, Isale-Eko area of Lagos Island, caused an inferno that killed one person and left several others with varying degrees of injuries. In addition, 15 buildings and 40 cars were destroyed.
It was gathered that there was no casualty during the fire outbreak at the deputy governor’s house, which was caused by an electrical fault at about 1.30pm.
When contacted, the Information Officer, National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), South-west Zone, Mr. Ibrahim Farinloye, confirmed the incident, adding that the fire was caused by an electrical fault.
He said: “I truly can’t say the extent or level of the fire, but the federal and state fire services are there working to put it out.”
Speaking on the incessant rate of fire incident in the state, he said all flame-absorbent objects should be properly disposed off to avoid fire outbreak.
Farinloye also said children should be warned against mismanagement of fire, while parents and guardians should ensure that their wards are prevented from engaging in wild fire exercise as it can get out of hands and spread to residential houses.
“Fire is friendly when managed properly but an utter enemy when mismanaged,” he added.
A source said contrary to claims that the fire happened at the main building in the compound housing the deputy governor, it happened at the boys’ quarters behind the main house.
He said: “The fire was not in the main house but in one of the rooms in the boys’ quarters behind the deputy governor’s house.
“The room in question belongs to the Special Assistant (Media) to the deputy governor, Mr. Tunde Abatan. The fire was caused by an electric spark.
“It probably would have been a big issue but for the timely response of people that were around. I fear what would have been the case if the fire had happened on a week day when they might have all gone to work.”
Secretary General of Okpe Union Worldwide, Mr. Henry Ebireri on Monday urged the indigenes of Okpe to embrace spirituality, peace and healthy living.
In a New Year message to the people, the union’s scribe appealed to the people to close ranks and unite their efforts in the service of the kingdom.
He also urged community leaders, elected and appointed political office holders in Okpe Kingdom to attend urgently to the needs of the people with a view to addressing the untold hardship the people are experiencing.
Ebireri who pledged a better Okpe Union and better Okpe kingdom, said many people will be turning their eyes to the union in 2013.
‘By our concerted action, we have a chance of proving that we have positive and constructive contributions to make towards the growth and development of Nigeria, particularly Delta State. Also, the success of our programmes will be a measure of the readiness and ability of the Okpe people to direct the political and economic activities of the state in 2013 and beyond’ he said.
In another development, the Secretary General of Okpe Union Worldwide, Mr. Henry Ebireri has dismissed his reported suspension by some strange characters in Okpe kingdom, describing it as a plot to destroy the union and further enslave the good people of Okpe kingdom.
The union’s scribe further described the alleged suspension as a ruse.
‘Don’t allow them to influence you. Don’t succumb to the machinations of those who try to undermine our unity and rob us of our resources’ he advised
Ex- Bayelsa Governor, Timipre Sylva may have gotten his wish as an Abuja High Court has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against tampering with property belonging him, Justice M.M. Kolo of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory gave the order on 27 December 2012 in Motion No FCT/HC/CV/1360/12.
As gathered Sylva had on 24 December 2012 filed a suit at the court for the enforcement of his fundamental human rights. Joined in the suit as respondents were Attorney General of the Federation, Chairman of the EFCC, and the EFCC.
Specifically, the former governor approached the court for “an interim order of court for the service of the originating process on the respondent to serve as a stay of all actions in respect of the properties – plot no 262, Cadastral Zone A02, Wuse 1, District, Abuja, plot 3192, located within Cadastral zone A06 Maitama District, Abuja, plot 232, Cadastral Zone A07,(No. 8 Mistrata Street; Wuse II, Abuja) – by the respondents, their agents, privies, representative or any other person deriving his/her authority from them; either by sealing off, confiscating, ejecting any person from the properties, trespassing into the properties or doing any other thing however so described relating to the said properties pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The application was granted as requested. In an affidavit in support of his application, Sylva affirmed that the said all the property were acquired before his election as Governor of Bayelsa State. He described as “unconstitutional, oppressive, null and void” EFCC’s attempt to seal or seize property duly declared in his Assets Declaration Form at the assumption of office in 2007.
A member of the 10-man kidnap gang who earlier this month abducted the 82-year-old Prof, Kamene Okonjo, mother of the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, yesterday, confessed his involvement in the abduction and narrated how he fed the retired professor of sociology with groundnut, water and bread in the kidnappers’ den.
The suspected kidnapper, Andrew Dime, aka Olokpa, 32, who hails from Enikorogha in Edo State, however, told Vanguard that he was only hired by the second-in-command of the gang to supply food to Prof. Okonjo on two occasions at a fee of N100,000.
Delta State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, on the other hand, told Vanguard that Prof. Okonjo was kept in the custody of the suspect, who was in-charge of her feeding.
The second-in-command of the gang allegedly swindled him when he bolted with his N1 million share of the ransom collected for the release of Prof. Okonjo.
Apparently, to settle scores, the police said the suspect formed a new kidnap gang, which abducted an octogenarian at Aboh in Ndokwa area of the state. But having obtained a database on the group after its leader, Nwaeze Nwosa, aka Bolaji was shot dead in Asaba, the police were able to track down the suspect.
Aduba told Vanguard that the police set a trap for him when it got information that he was in dire need of money for the yuletide by convincing him to sell one of the guns used for the abduction of Prof. Okonjo, which was in his custody. He fell for the trap and negotiated a price of N300,000 for a pump-action gun with a police officer, who posed as a buyer. He was, thereafter, arrested at Koka junction, Asaba, when he came to collect the cash.
Dark-complexioned Andrew, who spoke to Vanguard in an interview, debunked the claim that he formed a new kidnap gang and that he was the one that negotiated the sale of pump-action gun, which was used to ensnare him. A police source said he was being economical with the truth, adding:
“Most of these people (referring to criminals) will never tell you the truth when you arrest them until you get other members of the gang to confront them.”
Below are the excerpts of the interview with the suspect
What is your name?
Andrew Idime.
How old are you?
32.
Where are you from?
I am from Enikorogha, Ovia South-West Local Government Area of Edo State.
Where do you live?
I live at Army Barracks, Onitsha.
Do you know why you are here in police cell?
For now, I know why I am arrested. Some friends of mine, they indulged themselves in kidnapping act. One of them is Chiboy and another is Biggy. The person I know very well is Chiboy. It was through this Chiboy that I met Biggy. I was trading on used shoes and my business was not moving well. So Chiboy called me that there is something that I was going to do. I asked him what it was, he said there was somebody I was going to drop food for and that I was going to drop food twice and that they would settle me. Therefore, I went there truly, he brought an Okada man (motorcyclist), the Okada man took me there, and I dropped the food twice. He said that if I dropped the food there that he was going to call them. That if I dropped the food, I should call to let him know that I have dropped the food beside that bridge on that Kwale road. That when I dropped the food, they would come and take the food. I went there twice and dropped the food at that particular spot. They said they were going to give me N100,000. But the N100,000 I did not see it.
Were you not told who was kidnapped?
I do not know the exact person they kidnapped. They did not tell me. I am a neutral person. My job there was to go and drop the food.
Did you not know you were doing wrong thing as the person was in the hospital?
No, he said that his boys need food so I should go and drop groundnut, bread and water for them.
Why did he send you, why did he not drop the food himself?
He is a leader. He said he wants me to, at least have some token in the business.
Which business are you talking?
He said he had involved himself in kidnapping business
Which means you were told what they actually did?
They told me.
Are you saying you do not know when you were dropping the food that you will be counted as one of them if caught?
Yes, I knew.
So, why did you take part?
It is because of my condition
What is your condition?
I am not living well; my business is not moving well. I needed little money to assist my business.
What we heard was that Prof. Okonjo was kept in your custody?
No, no, no, I swear to God. I do not live in Delta State.
You have a house in Asaba?
Of course, I have a house but I have checked out for a long time based on the rent. The house was too costly for me
You said you were neutral, then, tell us what Chiboy and others told you about how they kidnapped Prof. Okonjo?
Until they rounded up their business, even up to date, I have not seen Chiboy. I was holding one of his numbers, but right now, the number is not going through. There is no way you would be asked to go and drop food for somebody that was kidnapped without you asking or finding out the story of how the person was kidnapped. What exactly where you told? They only told me they have kidnapped somebody and that the person is at Kwale. That what I am going to do is to take the food to a particular bridge, that if I get to that bridge, I should flash him and he was going to call his boys. That if I dropped the food, I should not delay there. That I should drop the food, enter the bike immediately and move.
Were you taking bike from Onitsha to that place?
No, he was the person that brought the bike, not from Asaba. I entered bus to Ibusa and from Ibusa, he would now bring the bike. The bike person, it seems, is his private bike man, so the bike person would now take me to there.
From the story that you have told so far, it seemed you were party to the kidnapping?
I have involved myself already because of my going there to give them food, which has already made me a party. However, I do not know the exact person that they kidnapped but I have involved myself in this act.
You were arrested when you came to sell a gun?
No, the boy that wanted to sell the gun ran away.
Tell us how sharing of money brought misunderstanding among the kidnappers?
In bringing of food, he (Chiboy, the leader) told me to bring the food twice.
Did you buy food with your money?
He bought it; he was the one that brought the money. He does not reside in one place. He promised that he was going to give me N50,000 each. So, I accepted to go and drop and collect N50,000 because it was an easy one. Therefore, I went there twice. However, when they brought the money I did not see him. The N100,000 they promised as my share I did not see. Who am I to go and challenge him?
How were you arrested?
The police arrested me yesterday (last Thursday) because there was one of my friends, Chuks. He said that based on this Christmas period, that he does not have money and that he wanted to sell one of his pump actions. So he negotiated with one boy, so when the boy came, they were three in the car. He told me to go and inform them to drop and come out so that they would negotiate. I was to tell them to off the motor engine and that Chuks was waiting down there. Therefore, when they grabbed me, he ran away. In the process when I was asking what all is about, I was arrested.
We learnt you also involved yourself in another kidnapping, what is your role in the new kidnap gang?
My role was to be with the man in the bush. I was supposed to stay in that bush with the victim
How can Nigerians be governed with this high level of cruelty by means of obnoxious laws here and there? Why is it that laws are executed with the speed like that of an angry hunting lion when it has to do with the poor in this country but when it concerns the bigger criminals in the name of political leaders and elites every government begins to form committees that never find them guilty? Why this impunity of recklessness?
Why is it that Nigerian leaders at various levels are very insensitive to the cry of the people, but yet expect to win the war against crime and social vices? Objectively speaking, how can Nigeria’s “vision 2020” policy of being one of the world’s leading political and economical powers in 2020 be realizable when Nigerian average citizens still live under $1 per day and their leaders do not see them as partners but rather treat issues concerning them like masters and slaves?
“I do not know if Governor Fashola is aware that as his agents destroyed those thousands of ‘okadas’ that they also destroyed many homes, shattered many dreams, jeopardized the future of many children and created more hooligans and criminals.”
What have we Nigerians done wrong to our leaders? Who is advising Governor Fashola with this heinous law to ban commercial motorcyclists popularly known as ’okadas’ in Lagos State without first of all honestly providing an alternative? This law is nasty and has got no human face. I was shocked and felt sick when I saw thousands destroyed motorcycles proudly displayed to news men/women as an achievement by the agents of Governor Fashola as ’okadas’ of those that failed the traffic laws. Oh, my heart bleeds! I do not know if Governor Fashola is aware that as his agents destroyed those thousands of ‘okadas’ that they also destroyed many homes, shattered many dreams, jeopardized the future of many children and created more hooligans and criminals.
By Nigerian standard of governance and development, Governor Fashola is one of the very few governors in Nigeria that I still respect and that is why I am making my stand known. Can somebody please tell Governor Fashola that he has at this juncture woefully failed the people because the reason of banning ‘okadas’ is shallow and laughable? If part of the reasons of banning commercial ‘okada’ operators was because many of the riders were engaged in nefarious activities with their ‘okadas’, can we now say because of some people that may be thieving politicians in Lagos State government that we should stop to have a government in Lagos State?
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo said that there are rogues and thieves at the National Assemblies. Can we now ban law making in Nigeria because of many of these merciless Nigerian law makers in the National Assemblies whose primary interests as evidence has shown have always been to increase their salaries without recourse to its effect on the nation and without plans to make laws that could rehabilitate the shameful health system in Nigeria or to build railways or undergrounds in order to make the everyday agony life of the poor Nigerians easier that ignited the ‘okada’ business? Can we say because there are too many air crashes in Nigeria due to the fact that a few individuals assigned with the responsibility to certify that planes are in very good conditions before they are put in use have collected bribes in order to allow coffins to airlift Nigerians ban the use of aircrafts? Or can we because of numerous motor accidents in Nigeria as a result of the failures of government at various levels ban the use of motors?
“The ban of ‘okadas’ from Delta State to Lagos State or anywhere in Nigeria under any guise is an economic murder on the part of the poor masses.”
Governor Fashola said that it was because of many ‘okada’ accidents that made him ban commercial motorcyclists. What did he do to reduce the number of accidents before this unfounded action? Is it not the responsibility of every government to find out the causes of problems? Did Governor Fashola’s government try to find out why there were many ‘okada’ accident cases? Do the agents of the governor, ‘LASMA’ who is the body of the executioners of this unfriendly law have the ordinary alcohol testing instruments in order to examine and know who is driving under the influence of alcohol on Lagos roads especially when an accident occurs? Did the government of Governor Fashola provide standard traffic signs and speed limits on all the roads he has banned ‘okadas’? Can Governor Fashiola scientifically prove how many of these ’okada’ riders are qualified riders or that are mentally stable to use motorcycles?
Take sentiments and emotions away from the fact that there have been ‘okada’ accidents and ’okada’ related robberies and look at the issue critically. If Governor Fashola did not carry out all these vital elementary assignments, how sound would it be for him to stand up one morning and ban ‘okada’ operators? If Governor Fashola cannot comfortably provide answers to the aforementioned questions; can he now see that the people did not fail but rather the inability of the Lagos State government not to have thoroughly viewed the issue and come up with an impeccable solution that failed the masses? The social implication of this decision is devastating on the people and can never address the issue of accidents he raised until his government takes a very reasonable measure to control and discipline many Lagosians whom out of ignorance or stupidity have formed the habits of navigating bicycles, tricycles, motorcycles or motors under the heavy influence of alcohol, hard drugs or without licences.
What Lagos State government or other states where they have banned ’okadas’ should have done in this situation should have been to research first and then look for a fair and logical method of arriving at a resolution that should not be more harmful to the society than the problem/s they were trying to avoid after also due consideration that it was unemployment that led to the ’okada’ business in the first place. Because even up to the late 80s we did not have commercial ’okadas’, therefore, government agents should have figured out carefully on how a few miscreants in their midst should have been identified and dealt with accordingly without raising tension instead of this indiscriminate ban.
If Governor Fashola continues to refuse to reverse this anti-masses law, the governor may have indirectly advocated that Nigerian banks should be closed because there are some bank managers who cooperate with fraudsters to steal millions or some workers of some banks who work with criminals by informing them when, where and how to break their banks and steal monies. If this obnoxious law is allowed to stand, Governor Fashola has equally advocated that the Nigeria police should be closed because there are many criminals and bribe takers in their midst whose work also has been to gather false evidences against helpless poor Nigerians.
Some Nigerian military men/women have been dismissed from service, charged to court and found guilty as criminals. Consequently, the military should also be scraped in Nigeria because they are equally a failure since some of them supply sophisticated arms to armed robbers to kill and wreak havoc on Nigerians in the night in return for money while some of them have been accused to be sponsors, informants and trainers of Boko Haram.
I feel pained to see that Governor Fashola has quickly started to play over our collective intelligence with a massive campaign that since the ban of commercial ‘okadas’ that the number of accidents has reduced in Lagos State, but decided to remain silent whether crime reduced or increased.
“… a day shall come when Lagosians remind him (Fashola) this issue like the way Nigerians have kept on reminding IBB the annulment of June 12 that has irredeemably murdered his political return to ‘Aso Rock’.”
Governor Fashola, do not forget that directly or indirectly you used the same ’okada’ people during your election campaign for votes. Why did you not ban ‘okadas’ before the 2011 election? Contrarily you made a law for all ‘okada’ riders and their passengers to be on safety gadgets before they could operate in LagosState? Which was good anyway? Could that law have been a mistake on the side of your government or a calculated attempt to deceptively win the confidence and the vote of the ‘okada’ riders? Most of the ‘okada’ riders who bought their motorcycles under credit or ‘higher purchase’ borrowed money to comply to your order and now that you are comfortably seating as the executive governor of Lagos State not only that you have stopped their source of daily bread but have also destroyed their production companies (‘okadas’) living them to gnash their teeth in pains and agony without anybody to turn to.
Because in Nigeria everything is possible, therefore, dear Governor Fashola, could it be that the idea of safety gadgets was not well thought of when you came up with the policy or that some people in your cabinet could have imported helmets without your knowledge and had mounted pressure for the implementation of the helmet law through advice so that their business could flourish? And now, perhaps the business of helmets seems no longer lucrative they have again channeled their deceptive policy somewhere and ‘okada’ operators and their families can go to hell.
Dear Governor Fashola, this is a message from your fellow governor who also happens to be in the same party “ACN” like you, Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State , “I think it’s, for me, a class issue and I belong to the working class, so I cannot ban ‘okada’. First, I believe that ‘okada’ is a response to certain deficit in our intra-urban transportation system. From the 60s to the 70s to the 80s, we never had ‘okada’. If you ask a lady to take a ride on a motorbike it was like a taboo. Now it has became fashionable to have a woman and two children on top of a bike. It is not a culture choice. It is as a result of deficit in our intra-city transportation system.”
Dear Governor Fashola, I appeal to you like many others to please reverse this policy because a good leader must have good listening ears. Do not allow us to begin to compare you with the worst governor in Nigeria , Dr. T. A. Orji of Abia State who has unnecessarily channeled all his energy in social attacks against Dr. Orji Uzo Kalu instead of working for Abians.
A governor that one of his best achievements so far was the sacking of all non indigene workers from other eastern states because of bad advisers should not be the kind of governor we should compare Governor Fashola with. One hopes that Governor Fashola is not taking this direction and is listening to the voice of reasoning.
The ban of ‘okadas’ from Delta State to Lagos State or anywhere in Nigeria under any guise is an economic murder on the part of the poor masses. However, if Governor Fashola insists not to heed to the plea of the people, well, we will grudgingly and helplessly succumb to his wish, but he should understand that he has only used his position and might against us but has not won our respect and that a day shall come when Lagosians will remind him this issue like the way Nigerians have kept on reminding IBB the annulment of June 12 that has irredeemably murdered his political return to ‘Aso Rock’.
May God bless Governor Fashola, bless Lagos State and bless Nigeria !
Bauchi state came to existence in 1976 from North-Eastern State. When it was a provisional headquarters in colonial administration, it served as the deciding factor in national politics. Politicians of substance, who later played key roles for independence, had political tutorials in Bauchi. The province had the first general-secretary of National Council of Nigeria’s Citizens (NCNC), Sa’adu Zungur when it was under the leadership of a patriot, Herbert Marcauly and later, Benjamin Nnamdi Azikiwe.
The likes of Joseph Sarwuan Tarka of United Middle Belt Congress (UMBC) and Malam Aminu Kano of Northern Elements Progressive Union (NEPU) were groomed in Bauchi by a Non-Governmental Organization established by the radical Sa’adu Zungur, Bauchi Discussion Circle.
Since then, Bauchi has maintains its position in national politics and produced the first prime minister of independent Nigeria, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and the first chattered Accountant from the northern region extraction, Aliko Muhammed and other professionals.
Although, Bauchi serves as the bedrock of national politics, it remains under developed with virtually nothing in terms of infrastructure befitting its status in national life.
When States were created in 1976, Bauchi was made the first headquarters of North-eastern State but later relocated to Maiduguri allegedly on the request of powerful indigenes of the State who left threatened by its new status of a state headquarter.
Virtually two years after its creation, the ban on partisan politics was lifted and political associations sprouted for the challenges.
Five of the lot got FEDECO mandate to contest elections. They were; The National Party of Nigeria, NPN, under the leadership of Chief Meredith Adisa Akinloye, Nigeria Peoples Party, NPP, under the chairmanship of Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, Peoples Redemption Party, PRP, under the armpit of Malam Aminu Kano, Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN under its founder, Chief Jeremiah Obafemi Awolowo and Great Nigeria Peoples Party, GNPP that had Chief Olu Akinfosile.
The five parties established offices in Bauchi State for the 1979 contest.
From the records, two of the parties (NPN and GNPP) enjoyed better patronage in the State politics.
Despite its financial clout and sizeable membership, GNPP could not stand the expertise of NPN at the elections and the NPN had the day with Abubakar Tatari Ali as the first civilian governor.
All said and done, in 1983, the military interrupted and dismantled all democratic structures and seized power until 1992, when it ushered in a mocked democracy and registered only two political parties out of over 50 associations, National Republican Convention, NRC and Social Democratic Party, SDP. The parties relied on the sincerity of the junta but only to be disappointed by annulling the result of the 1993 presidential election which was said to have been won by the SDP candidate, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawole Abiola. That mockery was ended by the appointment of an interim president, Chief Ernest Shonekan. Within three months, the military was back to power through a counter coup.
Nigeria remained under military dictatorship until 1998 when it succumbed to the wish of the people and hurriedly set the machinery in motion to hand over genuine power to civilians in 1999 by lifting the ban on political activities.
As usual, political associations sprouted for registration but only three, Alliance for Democracy, All Peoples Party and Peoples Democratic Party got registered.
APP was first to establish its office in Bauchi while PDP and AD arrived almost the same time under the leadership of new breed politicians with little experience in partisan politics and grass root mobilization.
All Peoples Party had in its fold those considered as the best political experts with several years of experience in the game but unfortunately it lacked the financial clout to lubricate its machinery.
Peoples Democratic Party boasted of its new breed and few money bags that were jittery to finance its operations and lacked technical expertise and ground experience to carry like minds along.
Alliance for Democracy was rated as a sectional party owned by South-west that got registered just to pacify the Yoruba race for the June 12 annulment. AD could not boast of any serious politician in its fold but rabble rousers and turn-coats. Those in AD were in fact tagged as political parasites that depended on crumbs.
When the dice was cast, PDP won the election with comfortable majority in the State House of Assembly and 17 out of the 20 local government councils.
It won the three senatorial seats of the State and majority of members in the Federal House of Representatives. APP was second while AD had only one single member in the State House of Assembly from Shira constituency.
At the beginning, Mu’azu was seen as an inexperienced new breed politician without the required experience to pilot the affairs of a progressing State like Bauchi. In fact, some believed he was a tourist in search of a base.
Opposition was strong in the State with majority of the old breed politicians in the opposition party. He had a tough time to assemble a formidable executive council to support his vision to fruition.
For Mu’azu to move the State forward, he went through the pains to assemble one of the best executive councils ever with only one politician, Umaru Dahiru. The rest, were professionals in different disciplines. He governed the State effectively through the application of the 44 Laws of Power and left his foot-prints on the sands of time.
Isa Yuguda succeeded Mu’azu in 2007 through a bloodless revolution. He is still piloting the affairs of the State to the best of his ability and making desperate efforts to print his name in gold.
Isa Yuguda’s tenure ends on May 29, 2015 precisely by 10.00am and who takes over from the nomad is the question on the lips of Bauchi electorates. Although, it may look too early to kick-start political moves, but there are the over zealous ones that have already pasted posters to signal their interest in the exalted position while others are playing it under ground through nocturnal meetings and contacts. Whatever the case, some of those making the noise are seen as political merchants in search of any position while others are spoilers on a mission.
From the rumor mill, the likes of Senator Babayo Garba Gamawa, Shehu Musa Gabam, Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Barrister Hussain Umar, Maitama Tugga, Barrister Ibrahim Zailani, Abdullahi Adamu Dan China, Bello Ahmed Arabi, Musa Babayo and few others have indicated interest in the contest.
An objective analysis on the credibility of the aspirants reveals that most of them with the exception of Dan China and Barrister Hussain Umar, had once held or are still holding public office.
Babayo Gamawa represented Gamawa constituency in the State House of Assembly (2007 – 2010).
From 2010 – 2011, he was a deputy governor through a circumstance that is still a subject of discourse in national politics. In 2011 he became a senator from Bauchi north senatorial zone from where he plans to occupy Bauchi Government House in 2015.
Although, he is said to have provided economic empowerment materials to a selected few against poverty and idleness but that has not improved his political rating. Majority of the people see him as a political toddler that is just seeking for relevance as a shield.
Senator Bala Muhammed came into partisan politics in 2007. He was instrumental to the success of the revolution that brought Yuguda to power in 2007 and won his senatorial election. He represented Bauchi south in the senate diligently before his appointment as a minister in 2010. It is from his Garki Area 11 office he plans to take over from Yuguda.
Barrister Ibrahim Zailani has been an active politician since 1999. He was in the Federal House of Representatives representing Toro, 1999 – 2003. He attempted a return in 2003 but was schemed out in the election before he became a member of the state executive council until its terminal end in 2007. In 2007, he was a special assistant to the president on national assembly liaison until and later appointed an executive director of NIMASA.
Zailani is rated as a good material on the platform of any party for Bauchi Government House based on his past records in service and acceptability. In fact many opine that he is the most vibrant legislator ever from Bauchi state that served with pride.
Senator Abdul Ahmed Ningi is the oldest members of the PDP and longest serving legislator from Bauchi state. After his exit from First Bank, he represented Ningi/Warji federal constituency from 1999 – 2007 before he was temporarily phased out by the Yuguda revolution in 2007. Through the court, he regained his seat and returned to the House. In 2011, he won Bauchi central senatorial seat where he is today. Ningi is seen by many as a political opportunist that may find it tough to even return to the senate in 2015. His problems may not be unconnected with poor constituency projects and inaccessibility. He is one of those rumored to be warming-up for the gubernatorial race from the three arms zone.
Senator Suleiman Nazif Gamawa has been in active politics since 1999. He was in the Federal House of Representatives from 1999 – 2003 on the ticket of PDP. In 2003, he returned to the House on the ticket of ACN. He dumped ACN for ANPP in 2007 to the senate before he dumped the ANPP to the PDP. But in 2011, having woefully failed to stand the heat of a primary election in the PDP, he defected to the ANPP for the 2011 gubernatorial election and lost.
He is presently, in the Congress for Progressive Change, CPC where he intends to retry his luck in 2015. Majority rate Nazif as an inconsistent politician that can hardly be trusted.
Shehu Musa Gabam shot his way to the political arena in the Yuguda revolution of 2007 as Chief of Staff. He established a good political relationship with the electorates across party divide and justified his appointment before his relationship with Yuguda got soar. Many see him as a reliable politician that can be trusted with leadership on the platform of any party.
Maitama Tugga was a beneficiary of the Yuguda revolution to the Federal House of Representatives in 2007. He was one of those that refused to endorse the return of Yuguda to the PDP in 2009. He remained in ANPP up to 2011 and defected to CPC where he contested the gubernatorial election and lost.
Tugga is seen as an inaccessible politician, better referred to as ‘Abuja’ politician that only surfaces at the scene when the time is ripe. He is said to be eyeing Bauchi Government House on the platform of CPC.
Barrister Hussaini Umar is a new entrant into politics. Little was known or heard of him until he got the PDP ticket to the Federal House of Representatives in 2011 from Toro federal constituency. He got defeated by the CPC might and returned to his Abuja base. He is rumored to be warming up for the plum position in 2015.
Dr. Musa Babayo has all along been an Abuja based politician that fires the shot when the time is ripe. He has all the requirements to occupy Bauchi Government House but lucks a political base. Majority of the electorates consider him a mean politician and a sectional leader that cannot be trusted.
Abdullahi Adamu (Dan China) appeared on the scene in 2011 and was instrumental to the establishment of CPC in Bauchi state. He supported the party to attain greater heights but was never considered as the serious politician he portrayed himself. The party denied him its platform for 2011 gubernatorial race. He may retry in 2015 depending on how he plays his cards.
Bello Ahmed Arabi has been in politics since 1999. He supported the candidature of Ahmadu Mu’azu to fruition and remains relevant in politics since then. He was chairman of Alkaleri local government council in 2004. In 2007, the wind of change carried him to oblivion until 2011 when he bounced back in the Goodluck/Sambo campaign train. He was later a member of Yuguda’s executive council before they parted ways.
Bello is a rural politician and a grass root mobilizer. He is now warming his way to Bauchi Government House on the platform of CPC.
Whichever way, Bauchi state electorates are carefully monitoring and watching how the players play the game. The serious ones from an opinion poll are yet to surface from all indications but definitely, imposition would be resisted. History may repeat itself once a level playing field is denied.
Muhammad is of the Northern States Governor’s Media Forum, Kaduna
Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta State yesterday in Warri, said that his administration was prepared to step on toes if need be, in the new year to check the menace of kidnapping, armed robbery and other violent crimes in the state.
Speaking at the Annual End of Year Thanksgiving Service organized by Iwere Kingdom, Governor Uduaghan said communities that aid and abet those who engage in acts of violence and criminality against other members of the society would not be spared in the crackdown against criminality.
He complained that such acts of criminalities were an embarrassment to the state and that it was seriously affecting the image of the state among investors and visitors.
His words: “You know I took an oath to protect lives and properties and I would not sit back and watch other people terrorize other members of the society”.
Continuing he said: “all those engaged in one form of criminality or the other such as armed robbery and kidnapping in Delta State should stop their nefarious acts and retrace their steps. In the coming year we are going to take security more seriously and anyone caught would be made to face the law”.
According to him, communities have been known to harbor such criminal elements giving them a playing field to perfect their nefarious acts.
The Governor said: “communities that provide these criminals a safe haven would have themselves to blame as we cannot continue this way”, he concluded.
Speaking on other issues, Dr. Uduaghan said his administration was focusing on improving educational infrastructure, training and motivation of teachers so that Delta State would maintain an enviable position in Nigeria’s education sector.
He noted the scholarship award to first class students of Delta State origin was designed to prepare the ground for a crop of academics who would move Delta State forward.
He commended the Itsekiri Education Trust Fund initiated by the Olu of Warri and promised to support the vision.
In his sermon, the chaplain of the of the Warri kingdom, Dr. Mark Erumi harped on the importance of thanksgiving that is acceptable to God.
Prayers were later said for the peace and progress of Nigeria, Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, Iwere Kingdom and the Olu Of Warri among others.
No fewer than 3 persons and 1500 were displaced, in a communal clash that has continued this morning, after it has erupted on over the weekend between the Fulani herdsmen and the Gwari in Gwako town situate under Gwagawalada Local Government Area of the Federal Capital Territory. As gathered the clash has affected 27 communities prompting for a resettlement camp at the Permanent Campus of the Univestiy of Abuja in order to accommodate displaced person.
Meanwhile a statement from the spokesperson of National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, said the coming in of said
NEMA statement read thus: “With less than 48 hours to another year, a communal clash erupted in Gwako, under Gwagwalada Local Government Area of the Federal Capital Territory this weekend. It drew the attention of NEMA and the Ministry of Capital Territory to jointly activate their search and rescue teams.
“The prompt intervention of the two agencies, including security personnel from the police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military has curtailed the escalation of the crisis, which started on Saturday because of alleged encroachment of herds of cattle into farmlands in the area.”
“The NEMA Director-General, Muhammad Sani-Sidi, hailed the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Muhammad, for the promptness of his agencies and his presence on the scene of the clash. He urged the warring parties to live peacefully with one another and eschew violence as we enter a New Year. Sani-Sidi said two people died and 27 communities were affected. He said over 1,500 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are squatting in a temporary camp on the permanent campus of the University of Abuja in Gwagwalada.”
Meanwhile the FCT Minister Bala Muhammad also led a delegation of other government agencies to the crisis area; this was to ascertain the impact of the incident. The Minister also urged the communities to remain calm as the government would ensure that the causes of the crisis were addressed so that they could return to their homes.
“The minister had asked NEMA to provide more amenities to the victims in the camp; he also constituted an emergency team for conflict resolution and relief distribution to the affected communities, with members from response agencies and Urban Affairs Department of FCTA.”
Meanwhile as a result of the Presidency has ordered for a tight security within the FCT especially as the year is about to end in matter of hours in order to avoid any overflow of the disaster. According to top security source, he said that the government is worried over the crisis, so as not to turn to the case of conflict being seen in Plateau State.
However, the military and the police have been directed not only to restore order but also protect life and property in the area, as Gwagwalada Area Council is a vital gateway to the FCT from the Southern part, this is done in order not to permit the catastrophe to aggravate and create a serious security challenge in the nation’s capital.
Already, investigation into the crisis has started, as the security officials has said it won’t take anything for granted with several road blocks and checkpoints mounted by security operatives set up within the Gwagwalada highway; security has been tightened in the FCT to prevent a spillover of Fulani in the territory.
