PDP National Convention: Who will the Cap Fit

Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/07/breaking-court-sacks-sheriff-pdp-national-chairman/

Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Read more at: https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/07/breaking-court-sacks-sheriff-pdp-national-chairman/

Following the sack of Senator Ali Modu Sheriff as the National Chairman of People's Democratic Party (PDP), by the Supreme Court, PDP lords has been deliberating on who the cap will fit. However, it is expected that by the end of the ongoing National Convention today, the party must have decided its fate by its votes. 

In the light of the above, we bring to you the report of Punch Newspaper on the ongoing PDP National Convention as it is taking place today. Read on!

Eight out of the nine screened and cleared national chairmanship aspirants of the Peoples Democratic Party are today competing to get the support of the 2,233 delegates who are voting at the party’s national convention, which holds on Saturday (today).

The list of the delegates was exclusively obtained by our correspondent in Abuja on Friday.

The aspirants are Prince Uche Secondus, Chief Gbenga Daniel, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Prof. Taoheed Adedoja, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, Dr. Raymond Dokpesi, Mr. Aderemi Olusegun and Chief Olabode George, who later withdrew from the race on Friday evening.

The list shows that Abia has 90 delegates, Adamawa, 56; Akwa Ibom, 140; Anambra, 20; Bauchi, 53; Benue, 69; Borno, 63; Cross River, 86; Delta, 105 and Ebonyi, 80.

Others are Edo, 61; Ekiti, 92; Enugu, 101; Gombe, 64; Imo, 79; Jigawa, 65; Kaduna, 70; Kano, 100; Katsina, 76; Kebbi, 48; Kogi, 63; Kwara, 22; Lagos, 55; Nasarawa, 42; Niger, 63; Ogun, 61; and Ondo, 56.

The rest are Osun, 11; Oyo, 71; Plateau, 56; Rivers, 93; Sokoto, 51; Taraba, 77; Yobe, 44; Zamfara, 34; and the Federal Capital Territory, 24.

 It was gathered that the number of delegates from Osun State was small because of the inconclusiveness of the congresses in the state.

Majority of the aspirants had lobbied the delegates ahead of the convention. It was gathered that some were induced with cash while other delegates were promised some other benefits by the candidates.

Chairman of the Convention Planning Committee, who is also the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, however, warned the aspirants to go by the rulebook.

It was gathered that all the aspirants were given forms to fill, with the promise that they would accept the result of the convention.

Okowa promised that his committee would conduct a credible and transparent convention, noting that adequate steps had been taken to secure the Eagle Square, venue of the convention.

He said, “We are very much aware of the security alert about Abuja. The security sub-committee is working very closely with the security agencies to ensure a smooth convention.

On his part, the Chairman, Post-Convention Planning Committee, who is also the Governor of Bayelsa State, Mr. Seriake Dickson, tasked all the aspirants to demonstrate sportsmanship before, during and after the contest, adding that only one of them would win the election.

He thanked Okowa for his efforts, describing him and the convention planning committee as “People we have confidence in.”

Meanwhile, after a closed-door meeting held in a hotel in Abuja on Friday, members of the South-East caucus of the PDP passed a confidence vote in Secondus, declaring him as the only one they had resolved to vote for in today’s election.

PDP national vice chairman in the zone, Chief Austin Umahi, told journalists that party leaders in the zone had decided to support Secondus in his bid to become the next national chairman.

The meeting was attended by Ebonyi State Governor, Dave Umahi; Deputy Senate President; Ike Ekweremadu; former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara and other National Assembly members from the zone.

The communiqué read to journalists after the meeting said, “Without prejudice to the right of other aspirants to this national chairmanship position, credible and transparent election, we have decided to back and vote for Prince Uche Secondus for the position of national chairman of our great party.”

The stakeholders also said they had agreed to vote for Col. Austin Akobundu for National Organizing Secretary; Ude Okoye for Youth Leader; and Alphonsos  Gerald as Deputy Financial Secretary.

Meanwhile, former President Goodluck Jonathan and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar have said they have no preferred candidate for the convention.

Jonathan stated this in a statement on Friday by his media adviser, Mr. Ikechukwu Eze.

The statement read, “As the father of the party, ex-President Jonathan has no preferred candidate for any of the positions, and he is prepared to work with all those that will emerge as members of the new National Working Committee, to ensure that the party regains its pride of place in the affairs of the nation.” Also, Atiku said he had no preferred candidate in today’s election.

In a statement issued by his media office on Friday, Atiku said he would not support any particular candidate over others, but that he would rather support the emergence of a more virile political party post-PDP national convention.

The former Vice President said the challenge before the delegates would be to vote according to their conscience.

Culled from Punch of December 9, 2017

IS DEMOCRACY REALLY WORKING?

Since Nigeria got her Independence in 1960, it has experienced coups and counter coups, Biafra War, series of agitations and rumors of wars. Like the adage that says: ‘When a man marries two wives, he will know the good one’, Nigeria has practiced both military and democratic government; hence, ought to have known the one that guarantees peace and stability. Even though it is confusing to say boldly which one is better, judging by what is going on in the country today, the fact remains that democracy can never be overlooked. Going by its definition, democracy is the government of the people by the people and for the people. Globally, it is the only system of government with tenets that accommodates the rights of the citizens which in essence does not give room for war. I will base my case on the following points:

Democracy ensures political freedom: This means in essence that in a democratic rule, there is freedom to form parties. People have the right to determine and change constitutional order, the right to vote and be voted for. This practice in essence ensures that there is equal participation, hence, channeling the minds of people away from war situations.

Democracy ensures equal right of the citizens: In democratic rule, everyone is equal before the law; there is equal protection in the court in the court of law. Hence, for every offense committed, there is equal punishment for all that committed it, poor or rich, etc. There are no special privileges or restrictions when it comes to race, political beliefs, religion, status, class, etc. How can there be agitations, hate speeches, rumors of wars, etc., enough to bring about wars when these practices are in place? We may have found ourselves in a strange democracy that makes no sense compared to democracy practiced in other developed countries of the world but let us not forget that those that has been in the centre of our democracy are retired military rulers. Their military ideology has polluted our democracy because a general is always a general.

There is freedom of information in Democratic Rule: It was in democratic regime that freedom of information bill was signed into law. This law promotes transparency and accountability in government, and gives the citizens access to public records. For this reason, information access to the average citizen has increased tremendously. This has helped the citizens to know what is going on in the helm of affairs; thereby knowing what to do, what not to do and how to face problem situations so as not to instigate war.

Democracy ensures freedom of speech: Democracy gives people the power to express their views, criticize the government, etc., thereby, making the leaders to redress their steps and not abuse the privilege given to them. This is because if their excesses are not checked, they are enough to bring about wars. The present administrator is a typical example. His government is characterized by hatred, vengeance, selfishness, tribalism, etc. He brought his military regime ideology into democracy. If not for free speech that people resort to vent their anger and frustrations, who knows; war may have ensued. But today, the media can tell the people what is going on in the helm of affairs without being jailed for it. It was not so during the military era. For example, during his military regime, Buhari jailed Nduka Irabor and Tunde Thompson of ‘The Guardian Newspaper’ on stories that were factually true.

Concerned citizens may argue “how come Nigeria still face the problem of social injustice, human right abuse, imposition of leaders, marginalization, poor quality of life, unemployment, corruption, etc. in Nigerian democratic setting”? This is true but I deem it right to say that the above mentioned vices are still found in other systems of government but with little or no opinion from the people. No wonder Sen. Hope Uzodinma said “Although democracy is not practiced in Nigeria as it should, the worst of it is better than military rule”. He added that we are better off disagreeing to agree, having the opportunity to air our views and contributing our quota to the development of the nation. Democracy is the best bet that gives citizens the power to use words to change things for good, which I know will be the outcome in this democratic Nigeria when the majority accept and live by the tenets of democracy.

Late Umaru Musa Yar’adua and former president Goodluck Jonathan were the two pure democrats that have ruled Nigeria and every well meaning Nigerian can attest that the citizens felt the air of democracy during their regime. The fact that they failed in some areas is because they were surrounded by animal species that were ready for war if things do not go their way. This is unlike what is happening today. Majority of our leaders in the helm of affairs do not want to criticize the president for fear of losing their positions. Thanks to the freedom of information law and free speech, one of the dividends of democracy, for giving the media the power to share information for public enlightenment, thereby curbing war like situations.

The only bottleneck suffocating democracy is the fact that those at the centre of it are retired military leaders who merged democracy with military rule ideology. It is said that two cannot walk together except they agree. There is therefore no way military ideology will agree with democratic ideology; they must clash, but not for war, because democracy will prevail because of its freedom nature.

Democracy is no doubt the best system of government in Nigeria, but will only bring positive results when pure democrats begin to control it, and surrounded by leaders that are not affected by military/cannibalistic ideology. We are yet to experience a working democracy. For now Nigerian democracy has no definition.

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi

Restructuring is the Answer

RESTRUCTURING IS THE ANSWER

The foundation of Nigeria has been destroyed. The structure holding Nigeria is messed up. Things have fallen apart and the centre can no longer hold. This is no time for pretence or cover up. A sinking person can only be rescued when his hands are lifted up. We should accept the fact that the polity is already poisoned. It is not the poisoning of the rocks, mountains, rivers, etc. in Nigeria but that of the minds, brain, conscience and hearts of many Nigerians which has altered the laws of the nation.

In his speech published on Premium Times of July 21, 2017, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed said that the growing cases of hate speech, disinformation and fake news in the country are being orchestrated by those opposed to the Nigerian government to discredit the government, destabilize the polity and make the country ungovernable. Consequently, the special adviser to president on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina wrote on restructuring of Nigerian minds, published on Vanguard of September 9, 2017. He said, “Some people spend their lifetime expecting thunder storms and hurricane, so they never enjoy showers of blessings. Their addled minds expect negative news, so they never enjoy good tidings. They are the type that swallow poison and then begin to hope that it will kill the person next door. Restructuring, restructuring, that is what such minds need”. He said people throw all sorts of tantrums, like a child whose lollipop is taken away, and attempt to rubbish the news on exit from recession. And that the same people would canvass for a restructuring of the polity. I sincerely agree that the minds of Nigerians need to be restructured but the mind through which the above statement came from needs more of the restructuring because it is blinded by selfishness.  Actually, Nigerian minds are polluted and need to be restructured but it is wrong to direct the lecture to the opposition alone.

People are only agitating for a positive change that this present government cannot guarantee. This is not about hatred for Buhari’s administration. Even if many Nigerians hate him and do not want the country to prosper in his hands, people who understand the times and know the truth know that the present leadership in itself is a leadership of hate and that the present dictator is the architect of hate speeches. Mr. President took hate and bitterness along with him to the throne and should expect nothing but hate. When a wood insect gathers stick, on its own head it carries them. Before he became president, President Muhammadu Buhari never spoke well about former President Goodluck Jonathan. In fact he wished the former president never succeeds. As an elder statesman, he was supposed to encourage and advice the sitting president then. He was supposed to criticize him constructively and educate him on some political/national matters. But no! President Muhammadu Buhari out of hate and bitterness made the following statements during President Goodluck Jonathan’s time: “if the rigging of 2011 repeated itself in 2015, there will be violence in the nation, ala, the dog and the baboon will be soaked in the same blood”. (As far as I know, 2011 election was never rigged) As regards Boko Haram insurgency and call for intervention, reported by Ameh Comrade Godwin on Daily Post of April 3, 2013 President Muhammadu Buhari said again: “There is no way he (Buhari) will be involved in the discussion on how to end the carnage since he was not part of the problem. On the other hand, President Muhammadu Buhari accused the government of President Goodluck Jonathan of killing and destroying houses belonging to Boko Haram members while the Niger Delta Militants get special treatment. This was reported on Point Blank News of June 2, 2013. The above bitter and hate statements shouldn’t be coming from an acclaimed elder statesman who claim to love Nigeria. He is not a leader.

I do not know Former President Goodluck Jonathan personally but the things that have been said about him, his transparent lifestyle and attitude tells me that he is not the kind of person that can provoke somebody especially a person who has been in leadership before him to make such statements. Since the present administrator resumed office, he has been pointing accusing fingers to his predecessor instead of making rights the so called wrongs. According to Olusola Fabiyi on his article of August 14, 2017, it was during President Jonathan’s time that Nigeria made progress on Transparency International’s Annual Corruption perception Index. Nigeria dropped from no 144 to 136 and has remained there till 2017. Why has there not been any improvement in this present administration that has so much accused the past administration for being so corrupt. In his speech, published by Daily Post of September 9, 2017, Presidential Spokesman, Shehu Garba said that the position of the president is that Nigeria does not need restructuring. That what Nigeria need is peace to go about their various businesses. I wonder how this peace will come about because I know that one cannot give what he does not have. The ingredients that make for peace are lacking in our so called leaders. Virtues like sense of responsibility, wisdom, intelligence, sound mind, foresight, etc. that brings about excellence in leadership are all lacking in our leaders. Laws are not being followed. They are only on papers and are usually communicated through mere words by our so called leaders. So what magic is our president going to perform that has not even worked on him? How will he bring about peace in a country where there is no trust; a country where even little children were made to run away from their schools by teachers in order to avoid free medication because they don’t trust the government of the day? There is no sense talking about restoring peace to a nation in chaos without trying something different and better which is restructuring. I wonder what our president is thinking to make such a statement. Does he still have some reasoning faculty left or is he blinded by his pursuit of a secret and selfish mission?

We have a lot to do on restructuring of Nigerian minds that I wonder how possible that can be when those that need it most are pointing accusing fingers elsewhere. What else can we expect from leadership of hate, bitterness and vengeance? It will not be an easy task to restructure Nigeria with such a leader but the point remains that Nigeria needs restructuring. At least of the polity for now, to re-establish trust, then, that of the minds will gradually happen. It is time to try something new. We cannot be doing one thing over and over again and expect a different result. There is need to design a new structure for Nigeria; a structure that will give all citizens equal opportunity to make a difference, a structure that will create room for credible and matured leaders to come into politics, a structure that will wipe out the hyenas and jackals (as Aisha Buhari called them) out of the seats of power. This restructuring requires sweeping the animals out of the seats of power.

If our present circle of leaders claims to love Nigeria so much, then they should prove it by stepping aside to encourage credible professors, lawyers, etc. of good record to take up the governance of Nigeria. It doesn’t matter whether they have got the experience; after all, those with many years leadership experience have failed us over and over again. There is nothing hard about stepping aside for Nigeria to be restructured except for selfish reasons. After all, they don’t wait to blink an eye before flouting the laws of the Almighty God. They kill to win election or retain their position; they embezzle and divert public funds for their own selfish interests, etc. Our so called leaders don’t find it difficult to commit all these crimes so, they should be able to give up the power tussle and accept restructuring. What I am saying is that those occupying the executive and legislative positions in Nigeria and the past Nigeria leaders should do well to withdraw from and stop interfering in Nigerian politics because it is obvious they are possessed by a kind of devil that is now polluting the citizens. If kicking them out is not part of the restructuring, then, it will only be a failed exercise. Nigeria is tired of them and their likes. Nigeria is no one’s personal possession and therefore need to be restructured now.

Written by Olive Chinyere Amajuoyi