The Pacesetter Frontier Magazine

Category: Politics

  • Just In:Ekweremadu emerges winner ahead of 21 other Enugu Guber hopefuls in first Opinion Poll

    Just In:Ekweremadu emerges winner ahead of 21 other Enugu Guber hopefuls in first Opinion Poll

    Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has emerged the preferred aspirant of participants in the first opinion poll in the 2023 Enugu governorship race.

    Voters were asked, “Who amongst the following do you want to be the next Governor of Enugu State come 2023?”

    Ike Ekweremadu

    Ekweremadu, who hails from Aninri Local Government Area (LGA) in Enugu West senatorial zone, secured 25.25 per cent of the votes to beat 21 other governorship hopefuls in the first opinion poll conducted by Afriforecast, a political risks analytics firm with insights in the geopolitics of Africa ahead the 2023 election.

    Ekweremadu’s closest rival, Mr. Chinyeaka Oha, a retired federal Permanent Secretary from Nkanu West LGA, Enugu East senatorial zone, polled 17.63 per cent of the votes to place second, while Mr. Peter Mbah, a lawyer and businessman from Nkanu East also in Enugu East senatorial zone secured 9.98 per cent of the votes to place third.

    Chinyeaka Ohaa
    Peter Mbah

    Hon. Chijioke Edeoga, a former Member of the House of Representatives and current Commissioner for Environment in Enugu State, who hails from Isi-Uzo LGA in Enugu East senatorial zone polled 9.62 per cent of the votes to place fourth.

    Chijioke Edeoga

    A Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Offor Chukwuegbo, from Enugu South LGA still in Enugu East zone, came fifth with 8.57 per cent of the votes, whereas businessman, Chief Everest Nnaji, who hails from Nkanu East in Enugu East zone, came sixth with 7.88 percent of the votes.

    Ofor Chukwuegbo
    Evarest Nnaji

    Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly and an indigene of Enugu East LGA, Hon. Edward Ubosi polled 2.9 per cent to take the seventh place.

    Edward Ubosi

    Other possible governorship candidates in order of their performance in the poll were former Minister of Power, prof. Barth Nnaji; Ambassador John Collins Nwobodo; former Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Hillary Edeoga; Barr. George Oga; Chief Uchenna Nnaji; former governorship candidate, Barr. Okey Ezea; Engr. Lawrence Eze; Senator Gilbert Nnaji; Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Patrick Asadu; Member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Cornelius Nnaji; Dr. Davidson Nnamani; and the Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Enugu State, Hon. Augustine Nnamani.

    Afriforecast has successfully forecasted the outcome of several elections at both national and sub-national levels in Nigeria as well as many national elections in other African countries.

  • Enugu 2023 Guber: Enugu Monarch makes case for Nkanu East; urges Ugwuanyi to pick successor from there

    Enugu 2023 Guber: Enugu Monarch makes case for Nkanu East; urges Ugwuanyi to pick successor from there

    …Applauds Ugwuanyi’s Peace Mantra

    By Chetanne Chinelo, Enugu

    As the political atmosphere in Enugu continues to thicken, especially in relation to who becomes the successor to Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a foremost Traditional Ruler, His Royal Highness, Eze Barr. Igwesi O. Igwesi, Eze Chinawaeze III of Obuoffia, Awkunanaw, Nkanu West LG, has called on Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and the people of Enugu State to consider a Guber candidate from Nkanu East local government.

    The Monarch’s call is the latest in the build up to the 2023 Governorship election in the state.

    Prominent leaders and stakeholders like Senator Jim Nwobodo, Senator Ken Nnamani, Chief Dubem Onyia, Ambassador Justina Eze among others have supported Nkanu East to produce the next governor.

    Speaking to newsmen in his Royal Palace of Justice and Peace, Igwe Igwesi said allowing the people of Nkanu East to produce the next governor would help lift the area from its current backwardness.

    “For a while, there has been this tussle and seeming disagreement on where the next governor will come from. All persons concerned are my people. People from Enugu North and Enugu West Senatorial Zones are brothers to Enugu East Senatorial Zone. Since 1999, PDP has been at the helm of affairs. The agreement may not have been written but that doesn’t mean it is not enforceable.

    “Having moved from Enugu East to West and North, it becomes imperative that I make this passionate appeal to our brothers from Enugu West and Enugu North senatorial zones to allow a peaceful rotation of power back to Enugu East.

    “It is true that the constitution permits anyone to run for office once he or she meets the statutory requirements but I also know that good things do not end alone with the position of the Governor. If by rotation you won’t be favored, please hold on. I believe this appeal will be listened to”, he said.

    While opining that Enugu East Senatorial Zone should discuss micro zoning too, the Monarch said: “I also appeal to the people of Enugu East Senatorial Zone to give peace and justice a chance. No one escorted another to this world, so, I encourage everyone to gather and garner support for Nkanu East to produce the next governor.

    “I’m appealing to the Governor to ‘anoint’ someone from Nkanu East as the next governor of the state. There’s need for sufficient government presence to be felt in Nkanu East. While we are not saying that all developments should be concentrated in Nkanu East, this will give them an opportunity for development. Nkanu East is a local government without any serious state or federal infrastructure. Let us give them the knife to share this time around. By so doing, we will be being patriotic and one’s brother’s keeper”.

    Igwe Igwesi took his argument further by stating that the consideration of an Nkanu East candidate will further expand Enugu as a capital.

    “The next government should see how to create a new Enugu in Nkanu East. The present capital of Enugu can no longer sufficiently function as the capital of the Southeast or Eastern region, thus the need for expansion.

    “I’m of the opinion that the entire Nkanu should be developed to become the capital of Igbo land. This will also reduce the reckless land grabbing in Enugu. It will be interesting if the politicians will put this into work.”

    Applauding Governor Ugwuanyi’s peaceful disposition and the need to maintain it in the state, he insisted that one of the qualities of who should be considered should be the attribute of Peace.

    “When it is given to any person from Nkanu East, I’m pleading that whomever it is should be a peaceful person. We do not want a governor who sees an opposing voice as a consumable. Let that incoming Governor borrow a leaf from Governor Ugwuanyi. From what I have seen, as a governor, he remains consultative. Condemn him anywhere and you will see him inviting you for a discussion to sort out what the grouse is.

    “Let the next governor consolidate on this peaceful disposition of Ugwuanyi. The next governor must also be highly tolerant of his people” he stated.

  • Enugu LG Elections: Rep. Ofor Chukwuegbo donates N31m to PDP, Candidates

    Enugu LG Elections: Rep. Ofor Chukwuegbo donates N31m to PDP, Candidates

    Enugu LG Elections: Rep. Ofor Chukwuegbo donates N31m to PDP, Candidates

    One of the Guber aspirants in Enugu and current member of the House of Representatives, representing Enugu North/South Federal Constituency,  Rt. Hon. Prince Ofor Chukwuegbo, yesterday disbursed N31 million naira to support the PDP and its candidates in the coming elections.

    The huge support is a significant departure from previous individual contributions to elections into the third tier of government. Hon. Chukwuegbo, known to be a grassroot political operative, without any hype, extended the support to the PDP apparatchik, to ensure hitch-free campaigns and subsequently, successful elections.

    16 out of the 17 PDP chairmanship candidates got the sum of one million naira each, while that of the home council area of Enugu South, Barrister Chimezie Nkwuo, received five million naira to prosecute their campaigns.

    The state Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the party received ten million naira from Prince Chukwuegbo’s largess, making a total of 31 million naira.

    Prince Chukwuegbo said his support for the party and candidates was demonstration of his continued commitment to PDP and its projects.

    “We are going into an election, and those are projects that require resources” he explained.

    He stated that he had always had to support the party as a dutiful party man, and assured that whatever he does for the party and or its candidates have never had any strings attached.

    He charged the PDP flagbearers to go all out and secure 100% victory for the party.

    Enugu State PDP officially flags off its campaigns for the LG elections today, Tuesday, at Isiuzo Local Government.

  • Pressure on Buhari to reject reworked Electoral Bill

     

    President Muhammadu Buhari is under pressure to reject the reworked Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022, it was learnt yesterday.

    Sources said those pushing against presidential assent to the bill anchor their argument on “certain anti-democratic and discriminatory clauses”.

    But, if signed and it becomes law, political parties will be expected to submit the names of their presidential candidates by August 18 — six months before the date of the presidential election.

    According to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable, the presidential election will hold on February 18, 2023.

    Going by the provision of the reworked bill sighted by The Nation, on the date of submission of names of candidates, primaries for National Assembly, governorship and presidential candidates will hold between July and mid-August.

    A source said: “The President may still reject the bill because of ‘vendetta and anti-democratic clauses’ in the reworked Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022.

    “We may end up using the Electoral Act 2010 (as amended) for the 2023 general election because of strange clauses.

    “For instance, it is illegal to exclude political office holders from primaries. By implication, ministers, commissioners and others cannot participate in the electoral process.

    “Also, the nation does not have the wherewithal for the use of the electronic voting machine. Most politicians in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are uncomfortable with it.”

    He added: “The consensus clause is cumbersome and an attempt to hit back at state governors who used to impose candidates. So, we should expect a likely rejection of the bill by the President.”

    Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) said he received the reworked bill sent to him by the President for his advice, on Monday. He said he would propose to the President to sign the bill if the content is in the national interest.

    According to other provisions in the bill, the electoral commission may use an electronic voting machine or any other voting device for the election.

    Ministers, commissioners and other political appointees are barred from serving as poll agents during the election.

    Besides, no political appointee at any level, be it a minister, commissioner or board chairman, can vote or be voted for during primaries.

    They are mandated to resign before the primaries of their parties.

    The election expenses for elective offices are pegged as follows: presidential, N5billion; governorship, N1billion; Senate and House of Representatives, N100million and N70million; House of Assembly, N30million; chairmanship election into an area council, N30million; and councillorship, N5million.

    No individual or other entity shall donate to a candidate more than N50million.

    Section 29 (1-3) of the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022 is explicit on the deadline for the submission of the list of candidates.

    The section says: “Every political party shall, not later than 180 days before the date appointed for a general election under this Act, submit to the Commission, in the prescribed forms, the list of the candidates the party proposes to sponsor at the elections, who must have emerged from valid primaries conducted by the political party.

    “The list or information submitted by each candidate shall be accompanied by an affidavit sworn to by the candidate at the Federal High Court, High Court of a state, or Federal Capital Territory, indicating that he or she has fulfilled all the constitutional requirements for election into that office.

    “The Commission shall, within seven days of the receipt of the personal particulars of the candidate, publish same in the constituency where the candidate intends to contest the election.”

    Regarding mode of primaries, Section 84 (1) recommends: “A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Act shall hold primaries for aspirants to all elective positions, which shall be monitored by the Commission.

    “(2) The procedure for the nomination of candidates by political parties for the various elective positions shall be by direct, indirect primaries or consensus.”

    The conditions for consensus are as follows:

    A political party that adopts a consensus candidate shall secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the position, indicating their voluntary withdrawal from the race and their endorsement of the consensus candidate.

    Where a political party is unable to secure the written consent of all cleared aspirants for the purpose of a consensus candidate, it shall revert to the choice of direct or indirect primaries for the nomination of candidates for the aforesaid elective positions.

    A special convention or nomination congress shall be held to ratify the choice of consensus candidates at designated centres at the national, state, senatorial, federal and state constituencies, as the case may be.

    Section 84(10-13) limits courts from either stopping party primaries or elections from holding.

    The section prevents political office holders at any level from participating or contesting for nomination into any elective office during primaries at the national convention or state congress.

    It claims: “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.”

     

    (TheNation)

  • 2023 Presidency: IBBN urges parties to zone presidential ticket to South.

     

    A group, the Initiative for a Better and Brighter Nigeria, IBBN, has urged political parties to zone their presidential ticket to the South in the spirit of fairness and equity.

    The organisation, which noted the creation of additional 56,872 Polling Units ahead of the 2023 general elections, said it had been mobilising Nigerians to collect their Permanent Voter Cards.

    Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Tuesday, the group’s President, Prophet Dr. Isah El-Buba, said the North has had its fair share of the nation’s leadership and should therefore yield the presidency to the South.

    He said, “As political activities hit the crescendo, we call for political actors in the country to play the game, putting Nigeria first over any parochial interest.

    “Among other things, for the purpose of advancing equity and putting the national interest first, we call on all Political parties to in all sense of fairness, zone their presidential tickets to the southern zone of the country, especially that the North will be concluding a full eight-year term by 2023.”

    According to El-Buba, fairness and equity were all that would be required to service and continue to make every union work.

    “Indeed fairness and equity are what it will take to keep the Nigerian union as one indivisible great country under God,” he submitted.

    The IBBN described as astronomical the National Assembly’s increase of campaign spending limits of political parties and their candidates by 300% in the recently passed Electoral Act Amendment Bill which is awaiting presidential assent.

    El-Buba said, “We call on the National Assembly to consider and review section 91 of the Electoral Act Bill, which dramatically and astronomically increased campaign spending limits by 300 percent, which suggests that the 9th National Assembly intends to entrench a heavily monetized and merchandising political system- and this has dire implications for elections violence, youths exclusion, good governance and the economy.”

    Meanwhile, the group noted that the nation was already overwhelmed by insecurity and other social and economic challenges, warning that any further delay in the deployment of the Super Tucano Fighter Jets in flushing out terrorists would compound the nation’s woes.

    Prophet El-Buba said, “Beyond preventing deepening attacks, we need reclaim forests and ungoverned spaces already occupied by terrorists, when will we deploy the much-celebrated Tucano jets and other Airforce platforms procured to extinguish these terrorists? It better not be when the terrorists are done with killing Nigerians. We call on Government to Deploy those Tucano jets to use, now.”

    On the abduction and murder of little Hanifa Abubakar in Kano State, the group lamented that any country devoid of safe spaces for children was is a society with a bleak future.

    “From wave of mass abductions for ransom at schools over the last year, carried out by terrorist elements nicknamed bandits, to the recent abduction and murder of this little promising 5-year-old Hanifa Abubakar by the Proprietor of her own school who demanded a ransom of six million naira ($14,500) last month only to later kill Hanifa with rat poison and bury her in a shallow grave in the city of Kano; there couldn’t be more endangerment of education and violation of the right to life in Northern Nigeria.

    “For the act of terrorism against children alone, Nigerian Government need not show mercy to domestic terrorists & terrorpreneurs alike. We must stand up to the active defence of the right to life in Nigeria because the life of Nigerians matter. May God comforts the family of little Hanifa and all others who have lost loved ones in the hands of terrorists and terropreneurs in Nigeria,” El-Buba said.

     

    (Vanguard)

  • 2023 Presidency: PDP will reclaim Nigeria – Tambuwal

    Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State has reiterated that the Peoples Democratic Party reclaim Nigeria and Zamfara State in the 2023 general elections.

    Tambuwal stated this on Monday in Gusau, Zamfara State capital, where he had gone to consult the party’s stakeholders on his options to prosecute or drop his ambition to run for the position of President in the country in 2023.

    The Gusau visit is the second leg of Tambuwal’s presidential bid discourse as he visited Jigawa State last Tuesday.

    According to him, the rollback of the fortunes of the PDP in leading Nigeria and Zamfara State will soon be over.

    He observed that the reasons why he left PDP in 2018 are

    still subsisting under the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC) are still subsisting, “therefore, the leadership of the APC in the country must be challenged in order to make things work right.”

    He enumerated the challenges caused by the APC government as insecurity, economic downturns, debilitating healthcare system, and the “collapse of virtually everything”.

    The Governor pledged that “if we succeed in our bid the country will witness a reversal of the current bad fortunes.”

    On the recent moves by the Zamfara state House of Assembly to impeach the Deputy Governor of the state, Barrister Mahdi Aliyu Gusau, Tambuwal said, “The matter is in the court and any law-abiding person must allow the law to take its due course.”

    In his remarks at the occasion, former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa, said the purpose of their visit is to present Tambuwal to the state PDP stakeholders for consultation with them on the pursuit of his ambition to run for President next year.

    “He is not a stranger to you. He’s our brother. Sokoto a d Zamfara states are the same entity. He (Tambuwal) sought the same position in 2019. Then seven of us from the North contested and he emerged second.

    “Young and energetic then and now, I believe he still has the capacity to do it very well more than us. He is ready. I have no doubt that he will represent us very well if he gets the chance,” Bafarawa said.

    Receiving Tambuwal’s delegation, the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mahdi Aliyu Gusau expressed appreciation to the team for the visit.

    While enumerating the political credentials of Tambuwal, he pledged to support him in his bid if he so decides. “There’s no turning in our determination to back him all the way,” he assured.

     

    (Punch)

  • Imo APC crisis: Okorocha and Uzodimma faction lay claim on chairmanship

    Crisis is brewing among the members of the Imo state chapter of All Progressives Congress, APC, as Daniel Nwafor, led faction, loyal to former governor Rochas Okorocha said he would still conduct the activities of the APC in the state, as the chairman.

    Nwafor’s statement came through his Acting Publicity Secretary, Micheal Anyanwu, on Monday in Owerri, while reacting to the statement by Macdonald Ebere’s camp jubilating that Ebere “is now the authentic chairman of APC in Imo.”

    Nwafor boasted that “We implore the National leadership of our great party to respect and uphold the democratic ethos, norms and values of for which our party is renowned.

    “While we are not perturbed by the triviality jamboree and fanfare of February, 3, it is important to clarify that the authentic, duly elected legally recognised and competent chairman of our great party in Imo State remains Daniel Nwafor.”

    “Existing judgements delivered by courts of competent jurisdiction in favour authenticated the Nwafor- led State Working Committee as the properly constituted and lawful leadership and executives of our great party in the State.

    “The judgement unless upturned by the supreme court is still standing. And ruled that not even the NEC of our party can truncate our lawful tenure until completed,” Nwafor said.

     

    (Vanguard)

  • Just In: Nkanu West LG PDP Candidate, Uchenna Ejim, appoints Buchi Nnaji as campaign Director General

    Just In: Nkanu West LG PDP Candidate, Uchenna Ejim, appoints Buchi Nnaji as campaign Director General

    Sequel to the emergence of Hon. Uchenna Ejim as the flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party in the February local council elections, and in preparation for campaigns, the PDP Candidate, Uchenna Ejim, today, at an Nkanu West stakeholders meeting convened by him, announced the appointment of Engr. Buchi Nnaji as his Campaign Director General.

    Ejim seized the opportunity to extend an undiluted appreciation to the Executive Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, for being a Pacemaker, a Pacesetter and a builder of men. He went on to thank party stakeholders from Nkanu-West for accepting his nomination and that of his running mate, Hon. Chijioke Ngene, and further delivering them at the recently concluded Party Primaries.

    Buchi Nnaji

    The Executive Chairman of Nkanu-West LG, Chief Nwabueze Nnamani, while addressing stakeholders said he was overjoyed with the emergence of Uche Ejim and was convinced that as a faithful steward, he had done his bit and won’t shy away from taking responsibility of anything that had happened in his administration, whether good or bad.

    Chief Nwabueze Nnamani addressing stakeholders

    The PDP Party Chairman, Hon. Michael Nnamoko, while extending gratitude to the Governor, also urged all stakeholders to ensure that PDP coasts to a landslide victory in the forthcoming LG elections.

    Some of the stakeholders in attendance were Hon. John Ogbodo, Hon. Steve Oruruo, Prof, Ike Obi, Chief Mike Onu, Engr. Okwudiri Ohaa, Engr. Barr. Steve Avah, Dr. Iyke Nnaji, Hon. Afam Okereke, Dr. Mrs. Oby Igwesi, Barr. Ray Nnaji, Chief Emeka Nwatu and Chief Nana Ogbodo.

    Others were Hon. Henry Okenwa, Rt. Hon. Chinedu Nwoye, Rt. Hon. Chidiebere Okoh, Hon. Dan Nwomeh, ESV Edison Ọzọ Edeh, Hon. JohnPaul Anih, Comr. Arinze Darlington Nnamani, Hon. Chidi Ugwu, among others.

    Buchi Nnaji is the extant Special Assistant on Media to the Executive Chairman of Nkanu-West LG, Chief Nwabueze Nnamani, and also the Convener of Way Forward Vanguard, a Civil Society Organization.

  • Just In: Awkunanaw Traditional Rulers visit Jim Nwobodo; discuss Enugu 2023 Guber Race 

    Just In: Awkunanaw Traditional Rulers visit Jim Nwobodo; discuss Enugu 2023 Guber Race 

    Just In: Awkunanaw Traditional Rulers visit Jim Nwobodo; discuss Enugu 2023 Guber Race

    As the race for who occupies the exalted position of the Governor of Enugu State in 2023 continue to gather momentum, some Royal Fathers under the auspices of Awkunanaw Traditional Rulers Council, led by the Chairman of the council, HRH Igwe Dan Nnamani, on Tuesday, February 1, paid elder statesman and former Governor of old Anambra State, Sen. Jim Nwobodo (Anyanwụ), a visit in his Amechi home, to discuss issues around the 2023 governorship race, as well as confirm the authenticity of his reported stance by the media.

    As the discussions went on, journalists were not allowed to take records of the details of the meeting but at the end, in a press statement titled “My Position on Nkanu East Local Government Remains the Same”, signed by the elder statesman, Sen. Jim Nwobodo, and made available to the press, Jim stated that when a delegation of Traditional Rulers, including some of those in today’s meeting visited him in 2019 to discuss the issue of governorship, he advised that the incumbent governor had just been sworn in for his second term and it was too early to start discussing where his successor would come from and that when the time comes, the people of Nkanu should lobby the Governor and other relevant stakeholders, including the general voting public in Enugu to support an aspirant from Nkanu East.

    When asked whether the Traditional Rulers were there to seek his support on the Guber candidacy of candidates from Awkunanaw, he said they didn’t visit him solely to seek his support but to also confirm the authenticity of the media reports on his stance on issues around the governorship race.

    Our correspondent tried to get the response of some of the Royal fathers on why they visited Jim Nwobodo and whether they, as a group, were satisfied with the outcome of the visit but it was unsuccessful. However, one of them, HRH Eze Barr. Igwesi Igwesi, Eze Chinawaeze III of Obuoffia, who spoke to some of the journalists on phone said “The meeting was meant to be private but we don’t know how the press came in, although I’m not in support of the meeting being private in view of the issue to be discussed.”

    Going further “We came to prove to the world and reassure Jim Nwobodo that he is too big for anyone to toy around with. We traditional rulers have our respect for him. He gave the WAWA man the image he wields today. Personally I am of the belief that If he says that a thing is his opinion, it should be respected. If he stands on Nkanu East, he shouldn’t be lampooned for that” he said.

    While some candidates continue to make both open and clandestine declarations of their intention to run for Governor, two sons of Awkunanaw, Rt. Hon. Ofor Chukwuegbo from Amechi in Enugu South LG and Sir Chinyeaka Christian Ohaa from Obuoffia in Nkanu West LG are tipped to be Frontline candidates for the governorship race from the Awkunanaw bloc of Enugu East Senatorial Zone.

    A copy of Sen. Jim’s press statement
  • 2023 Presidency: APC leaders split over Tinubu

    2023 Presidency: APC leaders split over Tinubu

     

    Governors and top leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, are split over the presidential aspiration of the party’s National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    The division is affecting zoning of National Working Committee, NWC, and National Executive Committee, NEC, offices ahead of the February 26 National Convention.

    A top party source told Vanguard, weekend that contrary to perception, Asiwaju Tinubu is not desperate to become president in 2023 but wants agreements to be honoured.

    “Top founders of the party know that President Buhari promised to hand over to Tinubu in 2023. Now if they don’t want to fulfill that promise, they have to sit down with Tinubu and discuss.

    “Tinubu has to be respected. You can’t treat him as nobody and expect him to keep quiet and do nothing. He is a democrat,” the source said.

    Although the APC governors have taken charge of the party, they are yet to agree on Tinubu and a chairmanship candidate. “Some of the governors are for Tinubu and are watching to see how things unfold.”

    According to the source, President Buhari is not averse to a South-easterner succeeding him and may be eyeing a minister from the zone as his successor.

    President Buhari, penultimate week, said his choice of ‘favoured successor’ would shock people, a reason he said he would keep the identify of the person secret.

    ‘Likely successors’

    Some names have been mentioned as the likely favoured successor. They include former president, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan; Transportation Minister, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; Labour and Employment Minister, Dr Chris Ngige; Dr Akinwunmi Adesina; Timipre Sylva and Mr Emeka Nwajiuba, among others.

    On 2023 presidency, the source said the party must find a way to assuage the feelings of Tinubu and some founders of the party, who are gunning for the presidential ticket because “promises were made to them during the formation of the party.

    “If the party cannot fulfil the promises in 2023, the party has to meet and plead with them.

    “If the party treats them with contempt, they are ready to stand their ground and it will affect the party in 2023 elections.”

    APC no longer a political party, but election platform, ex-PGF DG laments

    Meanwhile, the immediate past Director General of the Progressive Governors’ Forum PGF, Salihu Moh. Lukman, has lamented the dwindling democratic fortunes of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC, saying the party was now more of an election platform without any ideological bent.

    Lukman in a statement in Abuja yesterday, described the reality as very disturbing, noting that “APC today, wasn’t the APC of the period 2013 to 2015.”

    He said outside President Muhammadu Buhari, there were very few elected leaders in APC who were still committed to the founding vision of the party to provide leadership to change Nigerian politics.

    He said: “Given where the nation is coming from under PDP, changing Nigerian politics would require departure from requiring citizens to be blindly loyal to elected leaders.

    ‘’It should require that citizens and party members are free to disagree and criticise elected leaders.

    “In other words, politics of change should produce elected leaders who should be highly tolerant and where possible even accommodate disagreements and criticisms as part the process of decision making.

    “These may sound like wishful thoughts. The truth however is that our dear APC is being held captive by some few leaders whose interest is only about imposing themselves as candidates for elections.

    “So long as that is the case, it means what we have as APC today wasn’t the party negotiated and produced out of our legacy parties.

    “Rather than the envisioned party, which allows for internal debates and disagreements among party leaders and members, based on which there could be negotiations and agreements, APC today has been diminished to only an election platform, which is what the founding leaders and members wanted to change.

    ‘’The commitment to change the profile of political parties beyond being election platforms was precisely part of why Nigerians supported the APC in 2015″, he stated.

    He said unlike the case of the PDP, APC was extremely lucky to have a leader in President Muhammadu Buhari who does not meddle in the affairs of the party.

    Lukman added: “Sadly, this became the license for party leaders to abuse the trust of both the President and majority of party leaders and members.

    “Overtime, this has damaged the profile of the APC to the point whereby, based on the conduct of leaders and some elected representatives of the party, it is difficult to associate the APC with its founding vision of change.

    ‘’Problems of intolerance to disagreements and criticisms, with some leaders expecting members to be blindly loyal is becoming a common attribute.

    ‘’Views of party leaders become dominantly decisions of party organs.

    “Even when consultations take place and there is a clear decision, so long as the decisions are not what some few party leaders want, those decisions will not be implemented.

    ‘’It doesn’t matter whether President Buhari was part of the consultations, and in agreement with the decision.

    “Propensity to disrespect decisions and party leaders, including the President, is very high today in APC.

    “Every founding leader and member of the APC must rise to challenge of arresting the drift in the party.

    “Few individual leaders of the party must not be allowed to continue to impose themselves and destroy a party with potentials to provide the needed democratic platform for negotiated resolutions of all the problems of Nigeria.

    ‘’As it is today, APC is the only party where contestation is taking place. Again, thanks to President Buhari who is providing unbiased leadership to the party, it is possible for ordinary members to express themselves, including disagreeing with decisions of leaders of the party.

    ‘’This unique leadership of President Buhari has helped a lot to sustain the hope of both party leaders, members and Nigerians desirous of political change.

    “Beyond the unbiased leadership of President Buhari, there is the need for all party leaders and members committed to the politics of change to ensure the emergence of party leaders at the February 26, 2022 National Convention who must be tolerant to criticisms and disagreements and should not expect members to be blindly loyal.

    ‘’Above all, if APC is to return to its founding vision of driving the process of change in Nigeria, it must produce leaders who would be able to compel elected representatives produced by the party to be accountable to Nigerians.’’

     

    (Vanguard)

  • 2023 Presidency: Soon I’ll contest for Presidency

     

    MINISTER of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige has said he is making consultations with political leaders and would make his intentions on the 2023 presidency known by Easter.

    The minister who spoke at the Anambra office of the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Awka at the weekend also distributed empowerment materials worth about N50 million to members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, from the three senatorial zones of the state.

    Ngige said: “We’ve started political talks again. Please, give me around Easter where we’re going to have another session like this to discuss your request.

    “I’m still consulting the political leaders in the country on your request. By that time I will decide, I know it’s my right to decide on that. I will take such a decision at the appropriate time.”

    A group of Anambra women led by Nancy Okafor had asked Ngige to declare for the presidency, adding that he was the right person from the South-East for the position. Okafor said, “We don’t want to wait for three months for you to decide whether to run or not, we’re mandating you to throw your hat in the ring for that position.”

    Items the Minister distributed to them included generating sets, grinding machines, sewing machines, hair-dressing machines, among others.

    Ngige said those empowered were trained at the skills acquisition centers at Alor in Idemili South local government area and Ifitedunu in Dunukofia local government area.

    He explained that before the end of the year, the target of the party is to touch close to 3,000 people from Anambra on blue-collar jobs, adding that the party would train them well, give them the skills and empowerment so that they can employ themselves.

    He added: “We will be having a series of training after which the participants will be given certificates as graduates. When you get certificates, you will either get our empowerment or you go to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and they will then do something for you.

    “Same goes for the National Directorate of Employment, NDE, which is our parastatal. NDE will start up its programmes too and you will also join the programme. These programmes are being facilitated by the Department of Skills in my ministry.

    “Today’s empowerment is phase two of that programme, which is monitored by people from my ministry. This empowerment programme is for those who will use these items here to further their businesses.

    “The generators here help those who have barbing salons to increase the number of barbing salons they have. If you have one, you are starting a second one now.

    “The women here who are also hairdressers, the generators will also help you in starting the second branch of your hairdressing salon; even if you’re going to combine with another person so that you can share the profits.

    “This generator will make you an investor and an entrepreneur. That is empowerment. Many people misunderstand empowerment. No. it is not a dash for you to go and carry the material and sell.”

     

    (Vanguard)

  • Gov Ugwuanyi restates his support for security agencies in the State.

    Gov Ugwuanyi restates his support for security agencies in the State.

     

    Enugu State Government yesterday, reiterated that the administration will continue to support the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the state to ensure that they effectively discharge their duties.

    Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi gave the assurance during the 82 Division Nigerian Army West African Social Activities, WASA 2021, held yesterday at the 82 Division Garrison Parade Ground, Abakpa Cantonment, Enugu.

    The governor expressed delight at noting that the annual event was a platform for officers, soldiers, their families, friends, and the host community to gather in a joyous and relaxed mood to appreciate God for the successful completion of training activities and operations for the past year while heralding the beginning of the New Year.

    Ugwuanyi said the occasion offered him the opportunity to celebrate the Nigerian soldiers for their gallantry in battling insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism in the past year.

    “The events of the past year put your courage and patriotism to test but your successes were cheering and reassuring to Nigerians that we have a dependable, disciplined, and committed Army,” the governor said.

    Acknowledging with a deep sense of patriotism, the anxiety and emotional challenges the soldiers’ families and friends have to contend with as the officers and soldiers strive for the peace and unity of Nigeria, Governor Ugwuanyi thanked them for “all your unsung sacrifices for our great nation, Nigeria.”

    The governor, who pointed out that the state government has a long tradition of mutual understanding and cooperation with the 82 Division Nigerian Army, paid respect to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General F. Yahaya, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army, Major General T.A. Lagbaja and all the officers and men of the Division for their continued support to his administration especially in the areas of security, civil-military cooperation, and peace advocacy.

     

    (Vanguard)