Politics

THE POLITICAL MORALITY OF 2023 ELECTION PART 2

Published

4 years ago

April 9, 2021

CUSTOMSGATE: $3 BILLION PROJECT RUNS INTO DISPUTE

THE POLITICAL MORALITY OF 2023 ELECTION PART 2.

Today is the 2nd stanza of my special focus on the political correctness of the 2023 Presidential election in Nigeria. I tried to focus on the chances of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s chances of winning the APC ticket in the face of mounting avalanche of multi-party opposition that may be lined up against him. The truth of the matter remains that it will amount to injustice against the Southeast geopolitical zone for the North or Southwest to produce the next president in 2023. It will be a POLITICAL IMMORALITY to deny the zone of this position.

The basic logic proving that the South East is next in line to produce the President of Nigeria in 2023 is predicated on the zoning within rotation principle which has been the convention since the return of Nigeria to democracy in 1999. Note that the principle has two parts: the first part is the rotation between North and South Nigeria. We saw it with Obasanjo/Falae, with Yar’Adua/Atiku/ Buhari, with Goodluck Jonathan vs Buhari in which Buhari won based on that same sentiment that power ought to shift North in 2015. Then in 2019 when it was Buhari and Atiku – all northerners in the 2 two main political parties, APC and PDP.

Power having stayed in the North for two straight terms of 8 years, by the same rotation principle, the power ought to move South in 2023.

The second part of the principle is zoning within the rotation. It simply means that power rotates also between the part of the country to produce the President of Nigeria. And since South-South and South West have both produced Nigerian President in this dispensation in the persons of Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, the principle in question leaves the South East as the only logical zone to produce the South Nigerian President.

In its wisdom and patriotic zeal, the PDP has allowed power to rotate between North and South and made it both a manifesto and a constitutional matter. What this means is that going by the party constitution, which outlays where its presidential candidate must come from between North and South Nigeria, the subsisting principle of rotation leaves PDP with no political party with an option. Those encouraging the political parties to violate this Convention such as Tinubu are unfairly bent on obliterating the interest of the southeast to produce the President of the Country based on zoning in rotation principle.

In fact, based on this principle of zoning within the rotation, both the North and the South aspirants cannot vie for the presidential ticket in the parties’ primaries or convention at the same time. One divide – either North or South – is barred since the express acclamation of one is an express exclusion of the other. In the case of 2023, northern aspirants cannot vie if they really love Nigeria in terms of equity and justice.

In the avalanche of well-qualified persons for Nigerian President of Igbo/South East extraction, I can easily single out 4, namely: Peter Obi, who has maintained visibility and is known to have integrity and strong on the economy. Though he is still reluctant to declare for President and seems to be still hiding in the shadows of Atiku. In the same PDP, I can also easily see Anyim Pius Anyim. He has played at the apex levels in both the Legislature and the Executive as Senate President and SGF. He is also a consummate politician and well-educated. I hope he doesn’t have a hard time explaining to Ndigbo what he did for them with such positions. The man I see in APC is Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, a solid political trojan and thoroughbred, consummate politician, knowledgeable, and a team player. He has been governor and now a minister. Though some say he is too quiet and could be a weak President. I think Nigeria needs such a bridge builder now to reconnect North and South and inspire confidence in Nigeria and engender unity.

Nigerians may also look to the corporate world and there, Igbos qualified to govern Nigeria creditably and acquit themselves with distinction are also an avalanche. Top on the list should be Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa, the President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria. He may not be a politician but he is sufficiently political. I do not see the political lightning rod that rooted out former president Obasanjo to become Nigeria’s president in 1999 happening twice in our generation. It’s very rare for people to drop off from the sky or some obscure woodworks and handed power at any level of governance. Although power comes from God, one must have the interest to want to lead his State or country. I am also aware that the tide of choosing the Southeast as the zone to present the candidate for president in the 2023 elections is swimming against the Southeast going by the blemish Nnamdi Kanu and his Biafra protagonists have brought to the Southeast zone. Secondly, it’s an open secret in Nigeria that my IBO kinsmen and women have an absolute trust deficit with other zones because of the Biafra factor. However, the former president was elected president on the backdrop of the upsurge in a barrage of militancy in the Niger Delta region. Jonathan became president and nothing untoward shook Nigeria’s foundation because of the incessant threats from the Niger Delta militants. In the same light and under any circumstances, I suggest that all the political parties need to nominate persons of the Southeast extraction as Presidential candidates to ensure equity and justice in our polity and by extension, peace in the country. With the literal failure of our oft-touted security architecture culminating in the massive attack on the Imo State police and prisons infrastructure, some of my mischievous friends are pointing their 10 fingers at the government’s fifth columnists who are feverish about finding reasons to deny the zone of their perceived right to produce the next president in 2023. Or how else did the former IG of Police, Mohammed Adamu jumped to unrestrained conclusions that the dastardly attack was perpetrated by the IPOB? Such an audacious criminal act didn’t take hours to plan. It didn’t get executed in few hours. I come from Imo State and pretty well understand the limited topography of Owerri. Fact is, as usual with our intelligence-bankrupt security agencies, they were caught with their loose pants during the planning stage of attacks. The main spots of the attacks are touching distance to the government house, the official residence of the Governor, Hope Uzodinma, the DSS Headquarters, the army Headquarters in Obinze is less than 10 minutes from spots of attacks. With the security cobweb around the Police HQ and the Prisons facilities, the operations must last for hours to execute.

I Am compelled to say the above considering the swift response of the clueless former IG of police. Interestingly before we wrongfully conclude that the IPOB or ESN, may have been involved in the attack, let us ask ourselves some important questions.

* Is it possible that the attack may have been set up to prepare enough grounds to attack IPOB and ESN, by extension the southeasterners.

* If indeed the attack lasted as long as it’s being suggested, was the commissioner of police/governor not contacted within the period?

And if they were contacted, what were their reactions even calling for help from the Army at Obinze, which is about 10 minutes drive to the government house could have reduced the damage done. Does it mean that all the security men on duty left their phones at home while coming to work that night?

* How and where did the IG of police, generate all the evidence to conclude that it was the ESN and the IPOB that carried out the attack? If our intelligence gathering and response team failed to act within the long hours that the attack lasted, how comes that within few hours after the attack their investigations have already produced a conclusive report.

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Politics

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

Published

24 hours ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate

As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.

Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.

Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.

“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”

Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”

Politics

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Published

1 day ago

November 14, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration

Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.

In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.

“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.

He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.

He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.

Politics

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

Published

2 days ago

November 13, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic

ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.

Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.

“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.

The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.

“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”

The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.

“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.

“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.

“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”

The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.

“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”

Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.

On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.

He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.

Source: Daily Independent