Politics

THAT LAGOS APC MAY SURVIVE AHEAD OF 2027

Published

4 months ago

July 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

THAT LAGOS APC MAY SURVIVE AHEAD OF 2027

By Animashaun Ogundele

Sahara Weekly Reports That It did not start right now, but what has the tendency to finally destroy the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos has become a foetus that could be birthed before the 2027 general election. The party in the state is still trying to strengthen-up from its loss at the presidential election of 2023. That was, indeed, a shocking output from which many fingers point at the leadership of the party in the State led by Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi.

A review of the 2023 election by some members of the party showed that the usual steps to victory for the party was jettisoned under Ojelabi, whose exco decided to hire consultants. The party had always incorporated all the ward chairmen for mobilisation during electioneering. It was not done. And the result? A strike below the spine that got all and sundry bracing up urgently ahead of the governorship election that followed.

It is known the world over that one beautiful goal of a political party is winning elections but this is supposed to be through an effective membership drive. Thus, the more the members of a political party, the more strength the party garners. But in the case of the Lagos APC, the party has embarked on what is now termed ‘a weeding spree’, an action that has caused anger and opposition by some members. Currently, the exco is now said to be thriving in confusion following an escalation of an action it thought was close-knit.

THE BEGINNING

What is now becoming a danger to the party started on Monday, June 24, 2024, when Ojelabi reportedly met with stakeholders in the APC in the Alimosho area of the state. Alimosho had been challenged by a leadership crisis which is believed to result from loyalty to two groups – Justice Forum of Nigeria and The Mandate Movement of Nigeria – within the party. Ojelabi, a member of the Justice Forum, had reportedly caused suspicion when he was said to have invited members of his group in Alimosho led by former Deputy Governor Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire. Also invited was Abdullahi Ayinde Enilolobo, an ought-to-be member of the Mandate Movement, but whose tendencies favour the Justice Forum. With the news filtering out that Enilolobo was invited, suspicion took centre-stage. The members of the Mandate Movement marched on the party secretariat and met a defiant chairman who initially declined honouring them until he realised how resolute the protesters were. The protesters wanted to be part of the meeting because they did not trust Enilolobo, whose antics, they claimed, led to the defeat of the party in the presidential election of 2023.

However, while the meeting lasted, a separate template was being hatched by the exco. In just 24 hours after the meeting, some leaders of The Mandate Movement in Alimosho were summoned by the police in Alagbon based on a petition on behalf of Ojelabi. Among other allegations, they were accused of cyber stalking, threat to life and illegal possession of firearms. The police found nothing against the leaders.

On July 1, 2024, the party, through its secretary, Dr. Adeola Jokomba, sent a letter to the ward chairmen in Alimosho to activate Article 21 of the party constitution “to investigate the said occurrence of 24th June, 2024.” This letter came with a pre-assumed list of those to be investigated, many of whom were said not to be at the party secretariat on the day of the protest. The letter had claimed that the protesters were armed and unleashed violence on the chairman. This, meanwhile, is against the explanation that the same chairman held a fruitful meeting with them after his initial stance.

One of the suspended members, who said he received the letter through Whatsapp explained that Article 21 of the party constitution emphasises fair hearing, but “without even inviting us for a defence, we suddenly started seeing our suspension letters on social media. Some letters were sent on July 3rd while some people got theirs on July 5th. In fact, what they did was to profile all members of The Mandate Movement for suspension. In Ward A of Ayobo-Ipaja LCDA alone, 54 members of the party were issued suspension letters. Using some local government council chairmen, this same suspension has been extended to some political appointees at the local government levels suspected to be loyal to The Mandate Movement of Nigeria.

A PARTY WITHOUT MEETINGS

First, a part of the grievance within the party stems from a complaint that since the 2023 elections, the party has hardly held general ward or local government meetings as it used to happen. General Ward meetings have only been held four times while LGA meetings have been held just three times. Meetings with LGA party chairmen were held only three times while no meeting has been held between him and all the 376 ward chairmen since he became the state chairman. The members are now left in limbo.

One issue pointing against Ojelabi is that under his leadership, the party still grapples with two parallel excos in the Mainland area of the state. According to insiders, the issue had been resolved by the last state chairman of the party. However, to shore up the strength of the Justice Forum, he was said to have declared that he was reviewing the resolutions following fresh petitions. “Now, there are two factions of the Mainland exco of the party. During the election and up till now, he uses his friends and cohorts as consultants thus jettisoning the party structures,” an aggrieved member said noting that APC canvassers and some agents of the party during the election have not been paid till now.

Aside from this fact, insider sources say polling unit committees set up to administer voting during the elections have mostly remained unpaid till now. Reliably gathered, some ward chairmen had at a time complained to the Governor who, in turn, told them to ask from Ojelabi how the latter expended the N2 billion out of donated campaign funds set aside for that purpose. Confronted, Ojelabi reportedly said he was not aware that his consultants had not paid most Polling Unit committee members. He promised to look into the matter. Since then, those affected say they have remained unpaid.

Checks show that the supposed consultants are not just party members who should ordinarily contribute like others to the party’s progress, they are also drawn from his Justice Forum. They include two former commissioners, one from Agege and the other from Alimosho, and the third a former head of one of the parastatals in Lagos. A general belief among party members is that the supposed consultants are channels through which party funds are piped out of the secretariat by the chairman.

Members continue to grudge over his strategy which they claim is a major reason APC lost the presidential election in Lagos. Ojelabi lost the presidential and National Assembly elections in his federal constituency. He lost all the polling units around his Iba/New Site residence too to the Labour Party. A strongly held view among party members is that the APC under his watch would hardly match the fortunes recorded under Chief Henry Ajomale and Tunde Balogun, who once held sway as chairmen. As it is, party members are left confused. They say it does not look like there are structures in place to begin to smarten up from the last election as activities at the APC secretariat are at their lowest ebb.

ONE-MAN SHOW

For some members of the State Executive Committee, the APC secretariat on Acme Road is run more like it is handled by a sole administrator and a member of the party lamented: “you either shape in or fall out. You don’t only fall out if you oppose, you also fall out of every favour. Whatever opportunity you have to make a contribution, the chairman thinks he is doing you a favour.” According to them members, no other member of the exco has a say in the running of the party. And for his decisions? They are final once he takes them. No recourse to anybody. An evidence of this, they pointed out, is how he had allegedly constantly cowed and intimidated the party secretary and treasurer frustrating them at will. It is a gossip within the secretariat that anybody who tries to oppose him should be ready to face frustration beyond limit.

“His word is law oh! That was how he orchestrated the suspension of an exco member leading to other exco members being mindful, conscious, and scared of making inputs no matter how important and beneficial such would be,” an aggrieved party member within the secretariat complained.

In fact, it is claimed that one reason attributed to the loss of the party at the 2023 election was that Ojelabi “moved the secretariat from Acme to an unknown location making it a Herculean task for party chiefs, LGA and ward party chairmen who had complaints about developments during the election from reaching or accessing him.

PARTY LARGESSE/SHARING FORMULA

One baggage that Pastor Ojelabi carries on his shoulders is the allegation that his leadership makes sure that largesse and palliatives to party members are skewed in favour of the Justice Forum within his constituency and the state. This is believed to have happened consistently. Examples are said to have been noted in the federal and state governments’ palliatives and cash transfers. One such occasion occurred when he was said to have under-declared the number of palliative slots given to the party at a meeting he held with his exco members. Some of the exco members at the meeting could not stomach this. They openly criticised him at the meeting.

AMBITION 2027

Those kicking against Ojelabi’s current style of leadership say he is tilted to achieving an acclaimed goal of becoming the running mate to Deputy Governor Obafemi Hamzat in 2027. Engineer Hamzat is believed to be eyeing the governorship seat and according to insiders, Ojelabi has mapped out his own plan ahead of the election and has begun “hatching the eggs” by cajoling council chairmen to either belong to the Justice Forum overseen by Hamzat or get their fingers burnt.

CHALLENGE BEFORE OJELABI

A major headache before the party chairman and the exco currently is how to effectively mop up the suspension letters issued out already. It was learnt that leaders within the Governance Advisory Council had blamed him for his shoddy handling of the protest. He was also said to have been reminded that as chairman, he should allow democracy thrive in every of his actions. Coincidentally, while the intervention by the GAC was ongoing, the suspension letters had been released creating for difficulties in retrieving them. The only option left to the chairman was for an outright public denial of the order suspending the members. A press release was issued by the party in this regard, but those already suspended, said the letters sent to the ward chairmen ordering investigation as well as the suspension letters to the members were proofs that the Ojelabi meant to ostracise them. There is no doubting the fact that despite these challenges reeled out, APC in Lagos remains strong in comparison with other political organisations. However, this health, though fragile, is laced with injuries. What is left to be done is for well-meaning party leaders to salvage the party, heal these injuries and make it hale and hearty again.

Ogundele, a political analyst and APC supporter, writes from Lagos.

Politics

Simon Ekpa Will Be Extradited To Nigeria To Face Charges

Published

4 hours ago

November 22, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Simon Ekpa Will Be Extradited To Nigeria To Face Charges — Defence Headquarters Says

The Nigerian Defence Headquarters, Abuja, has stated that Simon Ekpa, the self-proclaimed prime minister of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) will be extradited to the country to face charges against him.

Speaking on the arrest of Ekpa in a short press statement made available to SaharaReporters, the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Chris Musa, was pleased with Ekpa’s trial.

Gusau wrote: “CDS is happy with his arrest in Finland, with the hope this will be a step towards his extradition to Nigeria so that he will face justice.”

Recall that the Finland district court in Lahti had ordered the remand of Simon Ekpa on probable cause for public incitement to commit a crime with terrorist intent in Nigeria.

Ekpa was accused of using social media platforms to spread separatist propaganda linked to IPOB, a group advocating for the secession of southeastern Nigeria.

The court alleged that the offences dated back to August 23, 2021.

Finland authorities have also investigated Ekpa in the past for alleged financial crimes, including the collection of funds through questionable means.

The head of the investigation, crime commissioner Otto Hiltunen of the Central Criminal Police, stated, “The police suspect that the man has promoted his efforts from Finland with means that have led to violence against civilians and authorities as well as other crimes in the region of South-Eastern Nigeria. The man has carried out this activity, among other things, on his social media channels.”

However, the remaining four suspects, accused of financing terrorism, are believed to have committed the crime in August 2022, also in Lahti.

These individuals, who are of foreign background, were born in the 1960s and 1970s.

Helsingin Sanomat (HS) reports that five suspects were arrested during the first week of the investigation, with police highlighting international cooperation during the preliminary phase.

It was previously reported that authorities suspect Simon Ekpa of being involved in the crime of collecting money unlawfully. In February 2023, Ekpa was arrested in a private apartment in Lahti.

Ekpa was later released the same evening after being questioned.

At the time, police also disclosed that they had received multiple reports about Ekpa’s activities on social media. This prompted an investigation to determine whether he could be linked to other crimes.

Simon Ekpa is known in Finland as a local politician affiliated with the National Coalition Party.

He has served as a deputy councillor and represented the party on the Lahti region’s public transport board.

Meanwhile, from his home in Lahti, he has used social media to call for election boycotts and support for Biafra’s independence efforts.

Politics

Tinubu set to name envoys as ministry posts consular officers

Published

1 day ago

November 21, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Tinubu set to name envoys as ministry posts consular officers

Consular officers deployed to embassies in Spain, Malaysia, Brazil, others, concerns raised over state of country’s missions abroad

The Federal Government has begun deploying consular officers to diplomatic missions worldwide before the anticipated release of the ambassadorial list.

This move comes 14 months after 83 ambassadors were recalled in September 2023. Following President Bola Tinubu’s inauguration, a reassessment of foreign policy led to the recall of the 83 ambassadors; both career and non-career from their posts in September 2023, but the subsequent appointment of replacements has yet to take place.

The envoys were instructed to return to Nigeria by October 31, 2023, marking a shift in diplomatic strategy and suggesting that the government was looking to realign its foreign engagements to better serve national interests.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Amb. Yusuf Tuggar, had said the ambassadors served at the President’s behest in their host nations and that it was the President’s “prerogative to send or recall them from any country.”

Tuggar added that it was part of a strategy to realign Nigeria’s foreign engagements.

The recall was done but it left a diplomatic void as no replacements have been announced ever since.

However, the delay in appointing successors has raised concerns.

In April 2024, the government appointed 12 consuls-general and five chargés d’affaires to represent Nigeria in 14 countries, but these interim measures fell short of filling the leadership vacuum in key missions.

Consuls-general and chargés d’affaires can handle routine administrative duties and oversee the day-to-day operations of an embassy, but they do not possess the authority or diplomatic weight to engage at the highest levels, such as with heads of state or critical international negotiations.

On May 28, the foreign affairs minister acknowledged the situation, citing a lack of funds as the primary reason for the delay in appointing new ambassadors.

A few days later, former Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Amb. Eche Abu-Ode, said any new ambassadorial appointments would depend on budget allocations.

“I guess the funds may be included in the supplementary budget, but for now, there is no clear way forward without funds,” Abu-Ode stated.

The prolonged absence of ambassadors echoes similar delays during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, where ambassadorial appointments took up to 20 months.

Some diplomats fear Nigeria’s international partners may interpret this prolonged inaction as a sign of instability or disinterest in global affairs.

This perception, according to them, can be damaging, particularly for a country that relies on foreign investments and international partnerships to fuel its economic growth.

A senior official in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, voiced concerns over the lack of communication and direction from the government.

“There is silence on the issue. Nobody knows what’s going on,” the official stated.

Diplomats and foreign policy experts also warned that Nigeria’s absence from the international stage could have long-term consequences for its reputation.

However, speaking to The PUNCH on Wednesday, a senior government official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the ongoing deployment of consular officers to missions abroad.

“They are deploying them to our various missions and embassies abroad. Some are going to Malaysia and Spain while others will go to Brazil where the President participated in the G20 Summit,” the official said.

According to another source, some officers have already reported to their new posts, while others are scheduled to assume their roles later this month.

“Yes, some of us left last week. Others even left the last two weeks. But I’m going later this month. They have brought new hands from the Ministry (of Foreign Affairs) to replace us here [at the State House] because we are being posted out of the country,” the official revealed.

Another source from the Presidency said, “I was posted because I was due for posting.”

Many within Nigeria’s diplomatic community are calling for immediate reforms to address the country’s diplomatic challenges.

A retired Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ogbole Amedu-Ode, had voiced his concerns over the prolonged absence of ambassadors.

“That diplomatic missions are without substantive heads for a short period is widely acceptable. But their absence over a year leaves so much to be desired, especially against the backdrop of the Ministry’s funding challenges,” he said.

Similarly, a retired Consul to Cameroon and Delegate to the World Expo and Economic Development Centre in Paris, Amb. Rasheed Akinkuolie, echoed the need for reform.

“It is not the best option not to have resident ambassadors at a post. Chargés d’affaires may not be able to relate with host governments at the highest level, which includes heads of state. A chargé d’affaires can generally only relate with foreign ministries and other officials,” Akinkuolie explained.

He also expressed concern that host governments might question why Nigeria has not replaced its recalled ambassadors, potentially seeing the prolonged absence as a sign of instability.

Akinkuolie noted that diplomatic missions should be funded from dedicated dollar accounts at the Central Bank of Nigeria to ensure steady financial support for operations abroad.

He also stressed the need for a more streamlined process in deploying ambassadors, urging the government to prioritise ambassadorial appointments and ensure that the foreign missions are properly funded and staffed.

“Diplomatic missions should be funded from a dollar account, dedicated for the purpose at the CBN while running the ministry at home should be in the local currency,” the retired diplomat noted.

The People’s Democratic Party said the failure of President Tinubu to appoint ambassadors 13 months after the former envoys were recalled shows ‘’the ineptitude and indifference of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.’’

In an interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday, PDP Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, described the situation as unfortunate and stressed that it should be a concern for all Nigerians.

He stated “Well, every time one has to comment on Tinubu’s performance as President or as Chief Administrator of this country, one is forced to do so with a melancholic feeling of despair.

‘’It is not about Tinubu anymore or about me criticizing him; it’s about the system that his ineffectiveness has created for Nigeria and Nigerians.

“The truth is, a man who cannot even appoint a single spokesperson and needs three spokespersons—no one needs to tell you that the man is clueless and has nothing to offer Nigerians. That’s why he needs more than one, two, or three people to explain to Nigerians what he’s doing or what he’s about to do.

“That he cannot even appoint ambassadors speaks volumes. The current situation regarding the ambassadorial appointments tells you the level of ineptitude and indifference he has brought into government in this 21st century.

“It is critical, given the role that these ambassadors play in their respective countries, their importance to the lives of Nigerians abroad, and the diplomatic status of Nigeria globally.”

Osadolor alleged that those surrounding the President may have isolated him from reality.

The opposition party youth leader stated, “It is unfortunate, and it’s something that all Nigerians should be concerned about. This President has shown time and again that his trust is complicated, and he is not addressing the issues around him.

“I can tell you for free, the President may not even be aware that ambassadors have not yet been appointed to these embassies and foreign missions. I can tell you for free—he may not even know because he is clueless about what’s happening around him.

“The people around him have boxed him into a cocoon. The man lives in a world of his own, isolated from what’s happening around him. If his life were connected to the realities around him, I’m sure he would have made efforts to address it.”

The National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, lamented that the current administration came into power without a clear vision of its foreign policy.

Ifoh said this explained why the government has been unable to appoint envoys from the numerous qualified Nigerians.

He said, “The implication is that a consul or consul-general cannot meet with foreign ministers of any nation. It takes an ambassador to present the position of a country to his country of residence.

“To even think this government touts itself as one going around seeking foreign investments. In as much as we have not seen any, this is a big low for Nigeria.

“Now the question we want to ask is this: Is there a paucity of personalities, career diplomats or even politicians that this government can send to foreign nations?”

He added, “Everything about this government is politics. Nobody is even saying you should appoint a Labour Party member. Just go ahead and appoint your party members to man these foreign missions. We think that the President should wake up to his responsibilities.”

Politics

Group calls for zoning of Edo Central Senate ticket to Ewohimi, Esan South-East

Published

2 days ago

November 20, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Group calls for zoning of Edo Central Senate ticket to Ewohimi, Esan South-East

A group of concerned Edo State indigenes have called on the leadership of All Progressives Congress (APC) and governor Monday Okpebholo to zone the vacant Edo Central senatorial seat to Ewohimi, Esan South-East.

The group under the aegis of Concerned Esan People’s Coalition (CEPC) stated that considering the immense efforts that were put in place during the APC governorship primaries to ensure that Senator Okpebholo emerged the party’s flagbearer, it is only logical to compensate Ewohimi people with the senatorial ticket.

The convener, Jude Osariemen stated that “it is unfortunate that those who did not love Esan people or support Senator Okpebholo during the primaries now want to snatch the senatorial slot.”

Osariemen noted that “there is no moral justification to represent the good people of Edo Central at the Senate. They should stop campaigning for the seat of Senate in the upcoming bye election for hating the Esan agenda.”

He also opined that “There should be public debate for those aspiring to defend themselves on what transpired during APC primary that produced Gov. Monday Okpebholo if this allegation is false.”