The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Politics

  • 2023 elections set to be Nigeria’s most expensive, as INEC increases spending plan by N104bn

    2023 elections set to be Nigeria’s most expensive, as INEC increases spending plan by N104bn

    The 2023 general elections are set to be Nigeria’s most expensive polls in history.

    The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has earmarked to spend N239 billion for conduct of 2023 general elections, this is higher than N188.93 in 2019, N116.40 billion in 2015, and N139.19 billion in 2011.

    According to INEC, the N239.2 billion would be spent on 10 critical items which include ballot papers, operational vehicles, ballot boxes, allowances of ad hoc workers, printing of result sheets, logistics and procurement of accreditation devices.

    Also included in the N239.2bn budget is the N27.1bn set aside by the commission for possible run-off elections, including the one for the presidential poll.

    A breakdown of the document, 2023 General Election Project Plan, shows that the highest single component will be the procurement of accreditation devices which will gulp N105.2bn. This also constitutes 34.51 per cent of the total election budget of N305bn.

    The allowance for ad hoc workers, who will be more than one million people, is pegged at N23.7bn while N23bn was set aside for election logistics expenses which include the movement, deployment and retrieval of men and materials for the elections.

    Rise and rise of elections cost

    RipplesMetrics: 2023 elections set to be Nigeria’s most expensive, as INEC increases spending plan by N104bn

    The cost of elections has been rising since the country’s return to democracy in 1999.
    INEC’s statutory allocations, gleaned from documents at the Budget office, show that in 19 years (1999 to 2018) the commission received N730.99 billion.

    However, in four years (2019- 2022) INEC has received N341.04 billion statutory allocation, almost half of what it received in 19 years.
    This money does not include other allocations for the conduct of elections and also donation expected from international organizations.

    Justification

    Mahmood Yakubu, INEC Chairman, in a recent stakeholders’ summit in Abuja, said it was expecting 100 million voters for the 2023 election, up from 85 million during 2019.

    He stressed that while 119, 973 polling units existed in 2019, the next elections would have 176, 846 polling units.

    “We would need more money because we’ve expanded our polling units and we are introducing new technology for elections among many other new innovations.

    “The number of registered voters will increase beyond the 84 million for the 2019 general elections,” Yakubu said.

    (Ripples)

  • Abia PDP zoning not recipe for anarchy –Senator Abaribe

    Abia PDP zoning not recipe for anarchy –Senator Abaribe

    Abia PDP zoning not recipe for anarchy – Senator Abaribe

    The Senator representing Abia South at the National Assembly, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has said the Peoples Democratic Party zoning arrangement in Abia was not a recipe for anarchy.

    Abaribe was speaking on the occasion of the 10th Synod of the Church of Nigeria, Diocese of Umuahia, held at St. Andrew’s Church, Nsukwe/Amibo Ubakala North Archdeaconry yesterday.

    He stated, “The best does not necessarily go through zoning. Sometimes, you can also get it by not going through that means. There is also no place that says that you cannot also get the best through zoning.”

    “Our laws are made to suit certain situations and I think that at the time our party made those decisions when we were exiting from the military, it was necessary at that time for us to assuage certain hot feelings at that time. Today they, at the place we find ourselves, must necessarily go for getting the best for us.

    “So, it is simply a decision that the people will need to take. What I am advocating today is that we should look at our circumstances, look at what is best for us and I think that today, what is best for us in Abia State is to get the best person that can move us beyond where we are,” he noted.

    The Senator, who is aspiring to govern Abia in 2023, further stated that, “All parts and zones in Abia have all led the state; the North, Central and South. Now it is time to zone integrity, capacity, capability and competence because we can no longer continue to do the same thing that we are doing before, which is to do geographical thing and end up having less than stellar type of people to rule Abia. I do not think that the cycle of mediocrity we have had in Abia will continue that way in 2023. It is time for us to make a movement to a new done for Abia State.”

    Abaribe, who said he was at the occasion to talk about leadership, noted that, “No society can develop without the proper and appropriate type of leadership. We are talking with the church and we said that the church bears the brunt of bad governance in the society.

    “This is because, when you don’t pay workers, they run to the church. When things are difficult for the people, they run to the church. When a woman is unable to feed her family, she runs to the priest. So, at every point, the church must get involved in who becomes the political head of our society.

    The federal lawmaker continued, “Abia has become the butt of jokes and derision. The state seems an example of failure in all aspects of governance. The most painful of these criticisms come from citizens of some of the contiguous states that were hitherto behind Abia State in all indices of development both in human and infrastructural development.

    “We have had a cycle of mediocrity and that can hardly be the best. Abia can do better than that. Abians must rise up and take back their state and reverse the downward trajectory.”

    He added that the state must look out for leaders that were God-fearing, not religious bigots, parochial and fanatics, known for corrupt enrichment, abuse of office, economic wastage of public funds.

    2023, he said “is pregnant and replete with great expectations and provides a veritable opportunity for proper leadership recruitment that will right the wrongs of the past and usher in a new dawn in Abia.”

    He informed church faithful that Nigeria was in dire straits at the moment, while Abia State was suffering from the same leadership deficit.

    “The truth is that our people are in pains, they are in a sorry and confused situation right from Abuja down to Umuahia. The leadership and the led are complicit in some way. The church is always at the receiving end of the troubles of its traumatized congregants,” Abaribe said.

    According to him, thinking of Nigeria of today draws a very wicked irony as the country has failed to make use of natural opportunities and endowments available to it, adding that, “Nigeria is paradise converted to hell. Nigeria is epitome of confusion, and God is not the author of confusion.

    “So, the desired change must come if we do the right thing in 2023 to usher in the new dawn we crave for.

    “Finally what I said to the church is get your PVC. Prayer points will not make the necessary votes, only votes cast by the believers for the right type of persons in our society will change our society for the better,” the senator noted.

    (Punch)

  • PDP Screens 56 South-South Governorship Aspirants

    PDP Screens 56 South-South Governorship Aspirants

    PDP Screens 56 South-South Governorship Aspirants

    The South-South Screening Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by the Chairman and Governor of Bayelsa, Senator Douye Diri had concluded the screening of 56 governorship aspirants from four States in the zone.

    The exercise which started on Thursday with expectation to screen 57 ended yesterday with the screening of 56 Guber aspirants from across Rivers, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River states.

    Speaking at the end of the screening exercise, held at the zonal office of the party in Port Harcourt, Chairman of the committee and Governor Diri described the exercise as tasking but transparent.

    He noted that 57 aspirants were billed to be screened but only 56 showed up, adding that the exercise was more or less a family affair.

    Diri expressed confidence that the party would present its best candidate in the general election, added that all aspirants have what it takes to fly the party flag.

    He said: “The exercise was quite transparent and it is a family affair and men of integrity are in this committee.

    The panel has done its job with all the details observed. And now we have successfully completed our assignment.

    “From what you have witnessed, the expectations are that we are putting forth our best and virtually all of those who appear before us have what it takes to fly the party flag in the four states in the region. As you are aware, Bayelsa and Edo are off season. So in the South-south, we have four States rather than six.”

    Diri continued: “Our take is that this is a family affair. Our party is our family. And hitherto people keep jumping from one party to the other.

    “It will interest you to know that we screen some of them who jumped away and they are back and they are now our touch bearers preaching that PDP is the best party and they have returned to their home.

    “In all, they were 57 aspirants but one did not turn up and so we screened 56 aspirants.”

    Diri gave a breakdown of aspirants from the four states: “Rivers state has 17 aspirants; Delta had 15 aspirants; Cross Rivers 11 and Akwa Ibom has 14 aspirants.”

    He however urged aspirants that may not clinch the party ticket after primaries to remain in the party.

    “For me, whether at the end of the day whoever wins the party primaries or not we all must remain to support our party and ensure that we not only support our party but support our country for a change in the leadership of this country,” he said.

    (Thisday)

  • Enugu Legislative Summit: 260 Ward Councillors blow hot on rotation of power, set to resist attempt to truncate zoning

    Enugu Legislative Summit: 260 Ward Councillors blow hot on rotation of power, set to resist attempt to truncate zoning

    Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

    The ward councillors representing the 260 wards of the 17 LGAs in Enugu State have reiterated their support to the governor and his right to choose his successor in what they described as a tradition in Enugu’s political space, which has sustained peace and stability in the state.

    They made the call in Enugu, Friday, at their legislative summit held at the ALGON Secretariat, which had all 260 councillors in attendance.

    In a Communiqué signed by the 17 LGA Legislative Leaders and made available to our Enugu correspondent, they commended ENSIEC for conducting a free, fair, transparent and credible local council election in Enugu State.

    Key speakers during the summit were Prof. Fred Eze, Enugu State Chairman of Ohaneze Ndigbo, and Hon. Onyekachi Ugwu, former Chairman of Udenu LGC. They x-rayed the conduct of the election and all agreed that the election was free, fair and transparent, as even acknowledged by about five opposition parties that participated.

    The Forum of Councillors also passed a vote of confidence on the Governor, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for his commitment to freeing the democratic space, engineering peace, security and his disposition not to gag the opposition, all of which made the conduct of the free and fair election in the state possible.

    The communiqué read

    “On the just concluded Enugu State Local Government election, the Councillors commended the Enugu State Independent Electoral Commision (ENSIEC) for the conduct of the 18th February, 2022 Local Government election which was adjudged by both local and international election observers as free, fair and credible. We hereby call on the Independent National Electoral Commission to borrow a leaf from the ENSIEC in conducting and delivering free, fair and credible elections especially in 2023.

    “The Councillors with a standing ovation passed a vote of confidence on a true democrat, His Excellency the Executive Governor of Enugu State, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Lawrence Ugwuanyi, who has efficiently ended the use of appointment over elections.The 260 Councillors further commended His Excellency on his approach towards governance which has seen Enugu State enjoying peace and strategic development even in the face of insecurity plus economic challenges currently ravaging the country.

    “We hereby condemn in strong terms the attitude of some political parties and/or political gladiators who have become so desperate ahead of the 2023 general elections, or with their kind of politics, have continued to scuffle the efforts of His Excellency and his great works in Enugu State in the area of peace, development and brotherliness. We enjoin all and sundry to join hands with His Excellency to continue with the good work he is doing in Enugu State.

    “We sincerely thank the 17 Local Government Area Chairmen, individually and severally, for the manner they have related with the councilors as partners in the progress of the Local Government Areas, and not threats. We further wish to thank more particularly the ALGON Chairman, Hon. Solomon Onah Izuchukwu, for redefining grassroot leadership which has metamorphosed into progressive councillors of today in Enugu State. We hereby undertake to work closely with the Chairmen and make good legislation for the betterment of the people.

    “We noted that it is a tradition in Enugu State that the Governor who is the leader of the state decides the most qualified person to succeed him; the arrangement has brought stability in Enugu State political space since the return of democracy in 1999. It is the prerogative of the Governor and the tradition of his predecessors to anoint a candidate who will continue with his good works, hence we call on the Governor to show us the light as we pledge to align completely, also noting that the 260 councilors who are statutory delegates shall ensure that their bloc votes shall be to the choice of the Governor to the exclusion of no vote.

    “We reaffirm the position of the Peoples Democratic Party Enugu State on zoning of the Governorship position to Enugu East Senatorial zone. Any candidate contesting from any other zone is fomenting trouble and same shall be treated as same.

    “We appraised our responsibilities, particularly as it affects us as the representatives of the grassroots, since it is said that every politics is local; the meeting agrees that it has a vital role to play for the success of the 2023 general elections. We therefore agreed to make a guideline for the 260 Councilors which will guide our conduct ahead of, within and after the 2023 elections so that the welfare of the people we are elected to represent will be evenly protected; gone are the days when councillors are sidelined, neglected and/or relegated to the background in the scheme of things. We hereby urge all the necessary stakeholders to carry the forum along and most importantly, oblige us our deserved rights and privileges.

    “The Summit enjoined all the 260 councilors to raise awareness of the voters registration in the grassroot and called on indigenes/residents of Enugu State to take advantage of the ongoing registration of Voters by INEC to register to vote, thereby arming themselves with the requisite tools to elect their leaders”.

    Other dignitaries in attendance were the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi and the Chairman of ALGON, Hon. Solomon Izuchukwu Onah

  • Buhari denies ordering Senate to remove Section 84(12) from Electoral Act

    President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday at a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, denied ordering the Senate to remove the contentious Section 84 (12) from the amended Electoral Act 2022.

    The President’s denial which was contained in a counter affidavit filed on his behalf by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, (SAN), in response to a suit filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), against him and 12 others, noted that he only expressed reservations and concerns in respect of the aspect of the Act.

    In the joint counter affidavit signed by Buhari and Malami to dismiss the PDP’s claims in the suit, the AGF explained that the President, on February 25, “gave a proper, full and unconditional assent to the amended Electoral Act with the particular section 84 (12) which reads:

    “No political appointee at any level shall be a voting delegate or be voted for at the convention or congress of any political party for the purpose of the nomination of candidates for any election.”

    In the counter suit, Buhari averred that the claims of PDP in its suit against him and the Federal Government on the Electoral Act were “totally false and replete with gross untruths aimed at misleading the court to give judgment against them.”

    “The first defendant (President Buhari) assented to the Electoral Bill but did not give conditions or directives to the National Assembly in the manner erroneously deposed to by the plaintiff (PDP),” the counter affidavit said.

    “At no time did the first defendant give any directive to the management or leadership of the National Assembly as regards the removal of section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act 2022 from the Act.

    “On March 8, 2022, the first defendant officially wrote the Senate President and House of Representatives Speaker to express his concerns about Section 84 (12) of the Electoral Act and formally requested for amendment to be effected on the section so as to eliminate area of infraction with the Constitution.

    “I am aware that the National Assembly neither accepted nor acted on the opinion or suggestion of President Buhari,” it added.

    The AGF added that only the Court of Appeal can restore Section 84 (12) into the Electoral Act, 2022, insisting that the PDP only challenged the legality or otherwise of the National Assembly tinkering with the Electoral Act, after it had been signed into law by President Buhari.

    (Ripples)

  • Presidency: APC yet to decide on zoning

    National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, has said that the party has not taken a decision on zoning of the presidency.

    He said this while fielding questions after he led a delegation comprising the National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore; Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State, and the Chairman of the campaign committee for the Ekiti election, Governor Atiku Bagudu of Kebbi State, to present the governorship candidate for the June 18 election in Ekiti State, Biodun Oyebanji, to President Muhammadu Buhari. Adamu said no decision has been reached on the zone to produce its presidential candidate for the 2023 election. This comes as the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) led by Prof. Ango Abdullahi, has begun fresh moves to pressure major political parties to throw their tickets open to all sections of the country, saying that “power shift arrangement is already dead and buried.”

    While stating that the APC was yet to decide, he maintained: “I am today privileged to be the chairman of the party. The party is greater than me. The party has not made a decision and I cannot preempt what the party decision will be.”

    On why the ruling party had set the cost of nomination and expression of interest forms for the presidential ticket at a staggering N100 million, governorship ticket at N50 million, Senate at N20 million, and N10 million for the House of Representatives, Adamu asserted that the for APC, the strategy was to discourage parties that have no chance of winning election to sponsor individuals to play the role of spoilers. According to him, the cost also had to be exorbitant because of the need to raise sufficient funds to successfully prosecute coming elections.

    He said: “On the issue of cost of forms, we have no regrets whatsoever. We did some homework. We know what it takes to go through primaries, go through presidential campaign, go through election of the president.

    “We also do know that there are citizens who are qualified to contest but who are not serious contenders, who will just want to take anything cheap by the roadside, and assert what they call their rights and create problems for our party.”

    (Sun)

  • PDP disqualifies 2 Presidential Aspirants

    PDP disqualifies 2 Presidential Aspirants

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), yesterday, screened Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi and Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal, ahead of its May 28/29 presidential primary.

    Others who appeared before the screening panel headed by former Senate President, David Mark, were Nyesom Wike, Emmanuel Udom, governors of Rivers and Akwa Ibom states respectively, as well as former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose and publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu.

    Also, in the contest for the PDP are former president, Manufacturing Association of Nigeria (MAN), Sam Ohuabunwa; investment banker, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen; Cosmos Ndukwe; Charles Ugwu; Chikwendu Kalu; Tareila Diana and Nwachukwu Anakwenze. Fayose, while speaking with journalists, after he appeared before the panel, said the PDP must zone its 2023 presidential ticket to the South in its own interest.

    “We must be courageous enough to say this is going to South. If you want to contest ,the Nigerian constitution still gives you the leverage, the opportunity to do so. I support zoning this to southern Nigeria,” he said. However, Emmanuel and Obi, in separate interviews, said the PDP would have the final say on whether or not to zone the presidential ticket, noting that aspirants would respect the decision of the party on the issue.

    On his part, the Bauchi governor said as a democrat, he was ready to support anyone that emerges as the PDP 2023 presidential candidate.

    “I wish all the candidates good outing and I pray it will be without any rancour, without any provocation, without any attack on any member that is contesting with me. And as I have said, I am a democrat. If anyone of us gets it other than myself, I am ready to support him,” he said.

    Meanwhile two of the 17 presidential aspirants seeking the PDP ticket to contest the 2023 election have been disqualified.

    Chairman of the presidential screening committee, Senator David Mark, who announced the disqualification of the two aspirants on Friday evening, gave no reasons for the disqualification. The names of the two aspirants were also not disclosed.

    He said the two aspirants are to forfeit the N40 million paid by each of them for the expression of interest and nomination forms.

    (Sun)

  • PDP Primaries: Oyo PDP commences screening of aspirants

    PDP Primaries: Oyo PDP commences screening of aspirants

    PDP Primaries: Oyo PDP commences screening of aspirants

    The Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has commenced screening of aspirants contesting for various elective positions.

    This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary of the party, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke.

    The party enjoined all aspirants contesting for these seats to come with the original copies of their credentials for screening ahead of the forthcoming primary election.

    “This is to inform all our State Assembly and National Assembly Aspirants that there will be a screening tomorrow at the State Secretariat, Molete, Ibadan.

    “For the purpose of emphasis, National Assembly and State Assembly Aspirants screening is tomorrow (Today), Wednesday, 27th of April, 2022 at the State Secretariat, Molete, Ibadan

    “All Aspirants should come with the original copies of their necessary credentials.

    “The screening starts by 8am,” he said.

    (Punch)

  • 2023 Presidency: It’s shocking South West, South South aspirants in race against South East –Kalu

    Chief Whip of the Senate,  Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, has expressed shock at the number of presidential aspirants from the South West and South South geopolitical zones when equity and justice demand they should be supporting the South East for the presidency.

    He said the right thing to do, as political parties are on the verge of picking their candidates, is for the governing All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone their presidential tickets to the South East, which remains the only zone in the South that has not produced the president and vice president since 1999.

    In a statement entitled, 2023 Presidency: The Fairness I Know,” Kalu said although he wants to contest, he would not do so except the APC zones the ticket to South East.

    He said in the absence of zoning to South East, he would seek reelection to the Senate as “the reality is that the North is more advantageous to win elections in this democratic setting.”

    Expressing disappointment that people from South West and South South are jostling for the presidency, after their zones had produced presidents and vice presidents, Kalu said it was “embarrassing that these aspirants (APC and PDP) have no single respect and concern for the South East. I had thought they would think about the South East; I thought they would support us.”

    The former governor said if there was anything like fairness, equity and justice, “it should be the entire South pushing for a president of South East extraction. Anything less than that is ‘hypocritical, unjustifiable and inordinate.”

    He said that there was no difference between South West, South South politicians running to the Presidency at this time and northerners contesting for the position, stating: “What moral justification does a Southerner who refused to be fair to his brothers have against a Northerner running for president? It will be very insensitive, unreasonable and disrespectful for any Southern man to criticise a presidential aspirant from the North on the ground that the North has done eight years and power should return to the South.”

    He thanked elderstatemen, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Edwin Clark , Deji Adeyanju and a host of others “who have stood firm in their support for their brothers in the South East, posterity will be kind to you.”

    Kalu’s statement reads: “It’s my desire and intention to run for the Presidency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I am committed to this pursuit, but I can’t make an official declaration to this regard  without the full support of other regions.  Everywhere in the world, politics is situational and that of Nigeria is exceptionally situational.

    “The situation in Nigeria is that without the support of other regions, it would amount to a shadow chase for a South Easterner to be president. This is the reason I have been in the frontline of the call that the two major political parties, APC and PDP, should zone their presidential tickets to the South East as they did for the South West in 1999. In the absence of this zoning, I shall return to the Senate and stay away from the presidential contest. The reality is that the North is more advantageous to win elections in this democratic setting.

    “I am even shocked with the number of aspirants coming from the South West and the  South South . It is embarrassing that these aspirants (APC and PDP) have no single respect and concern for the South East. I had thought they would think about the South East; I thought they would support us. The amount of money being spent by these aspirants is alarming and they have forgotten that money alone cannot buy the presidency.

    “It has become a joke to an ordinary Nigerian who hears  southern commentators and aspirants rooting for a southern president on the premise of fairness, equity and justice. How can you talk about these morals when you are not even fair to your own brothers?

    “If there is anything like “fairness”, “equity” and “justice’’, it should be the entire South pushing for a president of South East extraction. Anything less than that is “hypocritical”, “unjustifiable”and “inordinate”.  Some persons are even claiming God’s anointed choice  in 2023. Unfortunately, it is not all prayers that God answers; at least not inordinate ones.

    “What moral justification does a southerner who refused to be fair to his brothers have against a northerner running for president? It will be very insensitive , unreasonable and disrespectful for any Southern man to criticize a presidential aspirant from the North on the ground that the North has done eight years and power should return to the South.

    “The South West and the South South have successfully completed their tenures as ‘President and Vice President’.They should have the courage to support their brothers from the South East. If the next president after President Muhammadu Buhari does not come from the South East , there would be nothing unfair and unjust if he/she comes from Daura.

    “This country belongs to all of us and the unity of the country should be paramount . If not for selfishness and greed, how can you say that where a president comes from does not matter simply because you don’t want to support a president of Nigeria from the South East, but turn around to clamor for a power shift to the South? How do we explain this to the younger generation?  Let the wise and courageous stay firm on their convictions and not swing on the two sides of the Atlantic .

    “If you are convinced that where a president comes from does not matter, let Nigerians not hear you clamour for power shift. Be brave to encourage everyone to run , including President Buhari’s kinsmen. But if you have conscience and believe in equality, then you should support the South East region that is yet to produce a president. That is what I consider as fairness .

    “The two regions that are yet to produce a President are South East and North East. If this means anything to Nigerians, the APC and PDP should be fair enough to prioritize these regions. If power should come to the South and not the South East or North and not the North East, the essence for which the six geopolitical zones were created is long dead.”

    (Sun)

  • How I intend to fight corruption if elected – Peter Obi

    How I intend to fight corruption if elected – Peter Obi

    A presidential aspirant under the umbrella of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi, has promised to introduce the approach he used to fight corruption when he was governor of Anambra State if elected president.

    Speaking during a meeting with PDP stakeholders in Osogbo, Osun State, he maintained that integrity should be the major consideration in deciding on a candidate to vote for.

    “Fighting corruption is easy. If you the principal is not stealing, your wife is not stealing, your family is not stealing, you will reduce corruption by a 70percent.

    “Let people come and show you where Anambra money is missing. I couldn’t have left over N75 billion when I can steal it. I told my family that they should not come. No piece of land was given to anybody. You have Innoson motors today because I supported him. I went to his company and I paid for 1,000 vehicles all front.

    “Our country is going through a difficult time, our children are no longer in school, many people are jobless, especially youths, the young ones. We need to have a productive society and start creating jobs for the young ones in their productive age.

    “When you go to vote, look at the future of the community you want your children to live in. If you want them to live in a good society, you don’t mind about the money people are going to give you. Vote for a candidate that has the capacity, that is competent so that we can have a country we will all be proud of.”

    Earlier in Akure, Ondo State in the course of his consultation process with PDP stakeholders, he had identified rising spate of insecurity as a major challenge to Nigeria’s development.

    He said the troubling situation can be brought under control if the youths were gainfully employed and the security agencies adequately mobilised to do their work.

    He tasked Ondo PDP delegates to the forthcoming national convention of the party to make the interest of Nigerians paramount in deciding who to elect as the party’s flag bearer. He called for unity among the PDP family in the face of the task ahead.

    Obi regretted the crippling poverty in the country, stressing that Nigeria has more poor people than the figure in China and India combined.

    He identified the dwindling Per Capita income to Nigerians in relation to the rising population, as a major sign of crisis, adding that if nothing is done urgently, the nation may face greater challenges in the future.

    (Sun)

  • Dr. GOC Ajah and the Quest for Ugwuanyi’s Continuity of Good Governance in Enugu State [Viewpoint]

    Dr. GOC Ajah and the Quest for Ugwuanyi’s Continuity of Good Governance in Enugu State [Viewpoint]

    By Engr. Chukwu Innocent

    As the governorship race in Enugu State continues to shove up with contending interests across different political parties in the State, many are beginning to consciously root for the best among the aspirants slugging it out to be the next governor of Enugu State. There have been interests flying around. Consultations of key stakeholders are ongoing. Meetings after meetings are being held. That’s the beauty of democracy. Democracy is simply defined as the people’s wishes in action. People are allowed to choose who becomes their representatives. That’s why the ongoing lobbying, consultations, dialogues and discussions have become part of the democratic process activated by the people.

    This democratic quest for Governor Ugwuanyi’s successor doesn’t just arise out of fun but out of genuine concern for the soul of the State. It is a well known fact that Governor Ugwuanyi has laid down laudable legacies in the State. His projects are speaking in all the 17 Local government areas. His imprints are already indelible. He has given the people of Enugu State the dividends of good governance he was elected 7 years ago to execute. Soon his government will be coming to an end after serving out his 8 years of two tenure in 2023. The unanswered question on the lips of the people is now on who will take over the mantle of leadership from the governor and continue from where the Lion stops.

    Many have come up to present themselves as prepared for the job. However, mere presentation of oneself isn’t the same thing as preparation for the top job. The best must be sourced this time around. Someone with leadership ingenuity must be sought after to do the job. It takes someone with a clear understanding and appreciation of leadership to continue seamlessly from where Governor Ugwuanyi is going to stop. Continuity means that someone already in the system should be entrusted with the mantle of leadership. Leadership is not a phenomenon that should be learnt on the sit, or a game of trial and error. It’s all about proven skills. It’s all about choosing someone who had been tested and trusted. Someone who has that reliable drive to push the policies and principles of the government to the next level.

    On this strength, Dr. GOC Ajah, a former super Permanent Secretary, former Secretary to the Government of Enugu State and former Executive Chairman, Enugu State Science, Technical, Vocational and School Management Board (STVSMB) comes to mind as the most equipped, most prepared, most qualified, most technocratically cultured and most close-circuit plug aspirant who can continue the advancement of Governor Ugwuanyi’s policies in 2023. Dr. GOC Ajah has been tested, trusted and efficiently proven to be a reliable and most loyal person anyone can ever work with. This is why the good people of Enugu State should root for him. This is why Enugu State stakeholders should to turn the searchlight towards his direction. This is why the People’s Democratic Party’s delegates should give him the maximum support to clinch the party’s ticket and assume the Lion Building come 2023.

    The antecedent of Dr. Ajah as an unblemished public servant who had always turn things around for good wherever he found himself in the service should be seen as a priceless asset and an opportunity for the State to have another person like Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi. Ajah, just like Governor Ugwuanyi, is not only a man of peace, but a man who loves peace. He is a man who believes in the Gburugburu’s ecumenical philosophy and simplicity. Just like Governor Ugwuanyi has been equated with humility even in his exalted position, Ajah has remain a symbol of humility. In the real sense here, GOC Ajah has always taken Governor Ugwuanyi as a role model and a mentor who is worth following even in the most turbulent season. Governor Ugwuanyi never derails and that’s why he needs someone that will continue with his legacies.

    With Dr. Ajah, the people of Enugu State should be rest assured of a new dawn with a seamless continuity of Gburus good governance. In recent times, Ajah gave his beautiful pedigree as a yardstick for anybody to rate him. He was hopefully positive of his capabilities and capacities to continue with Governor Ugwuanyi’s good governance when he stated that:

    “Experiences, capacity, honesty, integrity and dedication are all needed in public service and leadership, and having served 3 consecutive civilian administrations of former Governors Chimaroke Nnamani, Sullivan Chime and incumbent Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi without any iota of blemish and dent; these experiences gathered in public service since 1999 to date would be brought to bear in contest.

    “It is a clear fact that the people of Enugu state and indeed the delegates of our great party are aware of my capacity, my honesty, my integrity, my character, my humility and, importantly, my pedigree which are assets in any public contest as no other contestant could say to have better qualifications and experiences than myself. As a technocrat, I’m academically qualified having read and obtained PhD in my discipline. This should be a conviction to the delegates that the capacity is unequaled.” The above is a clear conviction that in GOC Ajah, it’s going to be a continuity of Ugwuanyi’s good governance and stellar leadership.

    Engr. Chukwu Innocent writes from Cyprus, Europe

  • 2023: APC Begins Sale of Nomination Forms Today

    2023: APC Begins Sale of Nomination Forms Today

    2023: APC Begins Sale of Nomination Forms Today

    •To replace directors sent on compulsory leave

    Adedayo Akinwale

    Barring any last minute changes, the All Progressives Congress (APC), will today commence the  sale of Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for various elective positions.

    The sale of forms that was supposed to commence last Saturday was postponed till today due to the inability of the contractor to deliver the forms to time.

    Against this background, the National Working Committee (NWC) of the party, has directed organising secretaries from the 36 states to collect forms for aspirants jostling for the states’Houses of Assemblies.

    The  NWC further directed that nomination forms for the state legislature should be sold at the state headquarters.

    While the sale of forms for the aspirants jostling for  National Assembly, governorship and presidential tickets would be sold at the National Secretariat at three designated places.

    National Publicity Secretary of the party, Mr. Felix Morka, told journalists at the party secretariat that, the exercise would commence today.

    His words: “We are set to commence sale tomorrow (Tuesday). The guideline for the exercise will soon be released on our platform. While the forms for the State House of Assembly will be sold at the state level nationwide, others will be sold here at the national secretariat “

    Meanwhile, indications emerged yesterday that the NWC, has put machinery in motion to replace some of the directors directed to proceed on compulsory and immediate leave.

    National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdulahi Adamu, had set up a committee after he assumed the leadership of the party to know the state of finances of the party and to study the handover note of the defunct Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee (CECPC) and other sundry matters affecting the national secretariat of the party.

    “We want to know where the party is exactly so that we don’t get taken by the exuberance of winning an election and just plunge into the pond pool or not know how deep or the temperature of the water. As for you, the director of admin, you have no hiding place. We will count on your loyalty to the party,” Adamu had hinted.

    The six directorates were Administration, Finance, Research and Statistics, Organisation, Publicity, Welfare and Head of Legal Services.

    A party source, who pleaded anonymity, told THISDAY that the NWC would soon invite applications from qualified persons from within and outside the party to replace the directors.

    He said: “The party is to place an external and internal advertisement to call for application from suitable and qualified persons to fill the directorate positions in the party.

    “The NWC has resolved to replace those indicated by the report of the Transition Committee. To this end, the committee resolved to throw the position open to members of the public as well as encourage qualified officers within the party to also apply. That is why they are placing an internal and external advertisement.”

    (Thisday)