2011: The race begins on the Plateau

Former Governor of Plateau State, Chief Joshua Dariye

By Jude Owuamanam
Friday, 11 Jun 2010

The recent verdict of a Jos High Court, which upturned the suspension of the Prof. Dakum Shown-led executive of the Peoples Democratic Party in Plateau State might have opened a new vista on the political landscape on the Plateau.

For one, the governorship election and the choice of who occupies the Oval Rayfield office have turned out to be quite interesting for not only are the people anxious to decide who governs them, outsiders are also very much interested in who governs Plateau State.

In the heat of the political crisis in the state, a group, led by Chief Emmanuel Mangni, had formed a parallel faction, which came to be known as PDP2. The group was backed by politicians such as a former Deputy Senate President, Alhaji Ibrahim Mantu; a former Sports Minister, Mr. Damishi Sango, and the immediate past governor, Chief Joshua Dariye.

With the tacit support of the national secretariat of the party, especially the National Working Party, officials of PDP2 had convinced the NWC to suspend the state executive led by Shown and appointed a caretaker committee headed by Chief Abu King-Shulluwa. The caretaker committee was working towards congresses in all the local governments in the state, when the court judgment threw a big spanner in their works.

In his judgment, Justice Mohammed Sirajo said that the NWC was not empowered to dissolve the state executive of the party without ratification by the National Executive Committee.

The presiding judge had also contended since the Shown executive was elected for a period of four years, the party could not give with the right hand and take with the left hand” what rightfully belongs to them, stressing the decision to push them aside on the pretence of sudden and emergency circumstance did not arise.

The judgment threw the camp of PDP2 in disarray in spite of the fact that the group had appealed against it. The PDP’s problems were also compounded by the order of the state command that its office should be shut.

Shulluwa was forced to relocate to Abuja where he told our correspondent that he had gone to make consultations with the national leadership of the party on the next line of action to take. He said as far as he was concerned, no court directed the police to shut the group’s office.

The acting Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Ikechukwu Aduba, said in a statement in Jos that both sides should maintain the status quo and explore all legal options open to them.

The acting police commissioner warned that the command would not hesitate to visit the full weight of the law on any person that violated the order.

A source at the police headquarters told our correspondent that Aduba, who was acting on the orders of the Inspector- General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, had reasoned that the problem could worsen the situation in the state, which had witnessed several violent crises.

In spite of the crisis in the PDP, some aspirants are hoping that they could use the confusion in the PDP to ride to power. Among them are a former sports minister, Mr. Damishi Sango, a retired civil servant, Jimmy Cheto; Senator John Shagaya; Dariye’s former aide, Mr. Chris Giwa; a former transition committee member of Jos North Local Government Area, Dr. Danladi Atu, a former governorship aspirant under the Action Congress, Mr. Pam Dung Gyang and another retired civil servant, Mr. John Alkali.

Sango is also said to be drawing support from some powerful northern governors who are said to be aggrieved because of what they perceived as Jang’s lack of will power in handling crises in the state.

Apart from these men, another powerful contender is a former Attorney General and Commissioner, Mr. Yusufu Pam, who is said to be enjoying the backing of retired General Olusegun Obasanjo and Theophilus Danjuma. Pam is Obasanjo’s alternative to Jang whom he has fallen out of favour with.

The reckoning of this camp is that Pam, who is Jang’s Berom tribesman, would be made to finish the second term of Plateau North. But the camp is being opposed by people, who argue that the position is not zoned to the Berom, but to the northern zone that comprises the Anaguta, the Jarawa and other minority groups.

But another camp believes that zoning will not bring out the best governorship candidate in 2011 and is, therefore, arguing that the candidate should come from any of the three senatorial zones. This group is said to be rooting for a former governor of the state, Mr. Fidelis Tapgun, who is from the southern zone.

According to one of his loyalists, who preferred anonymity, “Even if we have to go by this zoning arrangement, the southern zone has Chief Solomon Lar, who was not allowed to complete his second term and Tapgun, whose tenure was truncated by the military. So he should be allowed to complete his first term of four years at least.”

There is also an Obasanjo/Danjuma alliance to stand behind former Attorney General of the state, Mr. Yusuf Pam, a scion of the late Col. Pam dynasty. The duo have been a constant source of support and strength for the family of their former military mentor.

Apart from this, Jang’s recent comments on the zoning arrangement of the PDP, have led a series of activities on the political scene with many aspirants from all zones ready to contest the governorship poll. He was also quoted as saying that President Goodluck Jonathan is free to contest the 2011 presidential election.

But Jang, who obviously is aware of all plans to ease him out, has taken moves to solidify his position. Basking in the recent court decision sacking the PDP caretaker committee, Jang has started to reach out to opposition members and pacify them.

He has reopened the Plateau State University , Bokkos, which he closed down immediately he assumed office. He has also reinstated the university’s Vice- Chancellor, Prof. John Wade, and all principal staff. To get the civil servants on his side, he ordered the re-absorption of all the civil servants who were sacked on account of taking part in a strike.

The state’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Edward Pwajok, said that he believed that Jang deserved a second term in office. According to him, the court judgment has cleared the way for Jang to contest under the PDP. It has also reinforced the need for the party members to close ranks to ensure that the party wins the 2011 election.

Indeed Pwajok’s view was reinforced by the thinking of the party members who convened a stakeholders’ meeting on May 3 to reappraise the situation in the light of the Shown-led executive’s victory. At the end of the meeting, they agreed that the party needed to put the past behind it to move forward.

Jega’s appointment’ll not solve INEC’s problems — NBA

Attahiru Jega

By Tobi Soniyi
Friday, 11 Jun 2010

The Nigerian Bar Association has said that the appointment of Prof. Attahiru Jega as the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission will not necessarily usher in a regime of free and fair election.

In a statement by the association‘s President, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN), on Thursday, the NBA cautioned Nigerians against believing that Jega possessed the magic wand to perform miracles in the absence of institutional structures to check potential aberrant attitude.

It warned that those who had no visible means of livelihood outside politics would be relentless in ensuring that the status quo remained.

NBA commended President Goodluck Jonathan for appointing Jega but urged him to go the full hog by embarking on a total overhaul of the commission.

It said, ”The Bar must throw in a caveat to the new appointee who will be moving into an ambience already polluted by iniquitous acts. The commission must be overhauled. Prof Jega must start on a clean slate.”

The association also said that the judgment of a Federal High Court in Calabar declaring a former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Chief Michael Aondoakaa (SAN) unfit to occupy public office has vindicated it.

NBA further said that a former Zamfara State Governor Ahmed Sani should vacate his seat as a senator after marrying a 13-year old minor.

Referring to the aspect of the judgment which directed NBA to punish Aondoakaa for the role he played in the disobedience of a court order by directing the Independent National Electoral Commission not to issue a certificate of return to Mr. Emmanuel Obot after he was declared the winner of the elections into the Uyo Federal Constituency, NBA said the association would not shield any of its members accused of any wrongdoings.

It said, “We hasten to state, without gloating, that the Bar feels vindicated on its positions on national issues which certain political jobbers twisted to paint us with the brush of partisanship undeservedly.

“We expect more of those whose activities have brought this country to this sorry pass to be exposed.”

The association described Sani’s marriage to the 13-year old Egyptian girl as disgraceful and criminal.

It said that it was even more unfortunate for him to hide under Islamic religion which preached continence.

It said, “The position of the Bar is that this man cannot continue to sit in the hallowed chamber of the Senate, contributing in the making of laws he does not believe in.

“Characters like this man should not be allowed to hide under religion to perpetrate acts inimical to the well-being of the citizens of this country, most especially children who must be protected by reasonable adults.”

Bankole fights back

by Yusuf Alli and Victor Oluwasegun ( The Nation Newpaper)


Speaker Dimeji Bankole yesterday launched moves to stop "the progressives" pushing for his sack.
Minority Leader Mohammed Ali Ndume, who described the Bankole-must-go lawmakers as "plotters", accused them of using fictitious documents to dent the House’s integrity.
But the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) supported the lawmakers, urging Bankole to resign for alleged fraud.
Bankole was said to have met in camera with some members to put a lie to the claim by "the progressives". The group is accusing him of corruption and highhandedness, among others.

At the meeting, the Speaker reportedly explained why he would not collapse budgetary allocations to jack up allowances of members from N27million per quarter to N42million.
A source said: "The Speaker has embarked on one-on-one lobbying of members, which is acceptable in a democracy. He has reached out to some of our members on vacation abroad. Politics is about dialogue.
"Since Wednesday night, some of us have had cause to attend some meetings and the Speaker has appreciable backing."
A respected House member, who spoke in confidence, said: "Well, I can tell you that the threat against Bankole is more imaginary than real. We know the stock-in-trade of these "disgruntled members".
"From our meeting, these so-called progressives cannot go far because in fairness, most members are satisfied with the performance of the Speaker.
"There is no perfection anywhere in the world, but we have launched counter-moves and I can tell you that the pro-Bankole members are in the majority."
Another source added: "The issue of seven-day ultimatum cannot work because aggrieved members are expected to come properly before the House.
"They cannot take undue advantage of our recess to abuse the House rules as if we are in a military era. What they are expected to do is to table their grievances on the floor of the House and we will discuss it."
Ndume told reporters in Abuja that the House refused to sanction those whose activities were detrimental to its stability because the leadership believes in working as a collective.
He said members of "The Progressives" had at one time or the other had weighty issues pending before the House leadership which warranted stiff penalties. The House pardoned them after intervention by peace-loving members, he said.
"I look at the set of people who issued that ultimatum to the Honourable Speaker and discovered that they are the same set of members raising the same issue at different times. They are colleagues to whom we ascribed much of integrity and high sense of acumen, law and order. We are not to join issues with them on the pages of newspapers and so we are seizing this opportunity to call them to order because enough is enough."

According to Ndume, the House leadership would not allow a crack in its fold or among members.
"What we had expected is that any member who had issues against the leadership would come forward and table such issue before the gathering of members most especially during the plenary, if only for the House to take common decision on such.
"We had done that before and several times too. That is why we hold executive sessions to resolve key issues common to the interest of every member. The law has never allowed any member to vent his or her anger on the pages of newspaper while ignoring the proper channels for doing so."
Ndume said those listed in the media as aggrieved members who issued the ultimatum still have a chance to make peace with the leadership between now and resumption of the House.
Spokesperson of "The Progressives", Dino Melaye, denied that the group is parading fake documents. "My reaction is simple. Do they have celestial powers to read the future? Or how did they know that our documents are fake?"
Melaye said the House should prosecute any member of the group found to be involved in any deal, adding: "It is shameful that the House leadership can harbour criminals. Everything they are saying is cheap blackmail ... Why are they proposing an amnesty if they have weighty security reports against us?"
To CNPP, Bankole should resign because of the alleged fraud perpetrated under his leadership.
CNPP told reporters in Abuja that the acquisition of 380 Peugeot cars by the House was fraught with fraud. It claimed that N2.3billion was paid for the cars when the top of the range 407 ST pack sport Peugeot could have been bought at a lesser price.
Its National Secretary, Willy Ezugwu, accused the House of wasting public funds in the power and other probes and ending up compromising itself.
CNPP said it was at a loss why the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had not done anything about the issue, adding: "Which section of EFCC Act is Mrs. Farida Waziri, EFCC chair, relying on when she gave the excuse of reporting the matter of fraud to Mr. President, hence delaying the prosecution of those invited."

Buhari, Tinubu ask Nigerians to defend votes

Friday, 11 June 2010 00:00
•Group kicks over constitutional amendments
FORMER Head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, has tasked Nigerians on the need to “stand up and be counted” in the 2011 election if they are to sustain true democratic principle in Nigeria in continuation of the June 12 struggle.
Similarly, erstwhile Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu, has reiterated that a credible 2011 election would hinge on electoral reforms, credible voter’s register and the people’s will for sovereignty.
Burahi and Tinubu spoke alongside others yesterday during the 17th anniversary of the June 12, 1993 presidential elections organised by the Independent Newspaper in Lagos.
Meanwhile, a non-governmental organisation, the Electoral Reforms Network (ERN), has kicked against some provisions of the amended constitution and called on the state assemblies to take a second look at them before endorsing the document.
In a position paper, South-South Coordinator, ERN, Excellence Uso, who led his team on a visit to the Cross River House of Assembly Committee on Judiciary, Public Matters, Ethics and Human Rights, opposed the position of the National Assembly relating to the power to appoint National Commissioners of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He said: “The amendment made to Paragraph 14 of the third schedule to the Constitution does not accord with the views of majority of the Nigerian people, especially those of us from civil society. We believe 
that the National Judicial Council should be given the responsibility to ensure quality control in the appointment of the National Commissioners of INEC. It does not matter whether the ultimate appointment is made by the Council of State or the President.
“While the nomination of the Resident Electoral Commissioners by the President and their confirmation by the Senate is a progressive addition, it would be better if the Senate had taken a careful look at the report of the Electoral Reform Committee wherein it was proposed that Resident Electoral Commissioners should be re-designated as Directors of Elections and must be career officers trained and posted to serve in states other than their own.

“We also believe that the membership of the board of INEC will respond better to the challenges of the electoral process if it is broadened to accommodate civil society groups, professional associations and women’s groups.”


Buhari, who chaired the June 12 anniversary event, said: “I want to assure you that unless we are serious about democracy in Nigeria and unless we stabilise democracy, we are wasting our future and prospect of development away.
“It is up to Nigerians to rise up and mobilise themselves next year, to insist on an credible electoral system and political groups in 2011, to ensure that elections are free, fair and credible.
“I assure you that you are not going to get the much desired development and infrastructure unless you put in power the people you have confidence in and are trustworthy to deliver.”
In his lecture titled: “Between June 12, 1993 and May 29, 2011: The Obligation of Electoral Reforms,” Tinubu observed that June 12, 1993 is “a date forever” as it marked the nation’s struggle for freedom, equity and justice.
He added: “Without electoral reforms, we are all working towards consolidating, elaborating and providing democracy for a grand fall in 2011. Going to election in 2011 without electoral reforms will amount to handing over of our country to eternal colonialists.
“Let me state categorically that against the backdrop of our national experience, electoral reform is not a law. It is a fundamental authority. I will say that electoral reform is a task that must be done.
“I have also added that the year 2011 elections will determine whether we will have the stable democracy, the unity of free and fair election. To do that, we have to first trash the rubbish we have as voter’s register. We do not have the voter’s register that has everyone in this country on it.”

Deji of Akure deposed, banished, arrested

Friday, 11 June 2010 00:00 News - National


• Police arrest ex-monarch
IT was a day of reckoning for the Deji of Akure, Oba Oluwadare Adepoju Adesina, Osupa III. He was very fond of the refrain of “e e siun k’Akure a se” in the local dialect, meaning “there is nothing Akure can do”, anytime he ran foul of the law and tradition, which was quite often.
Yesterday, however, Akure did something: Adesina was deposed by the state government following a barrage of criticisms from his subjects against his official conduct which the town’s traditional council of kingmakers that appointed him five years ago, described as “desecration of the royal stool of the land”.
Indeed, the anger of the people of Akure against Adesina was exhibited when he was beaten by an irate mob which gathered to protect his estranged wife when the former controversial monarch went to her house to assault her penultimate Sunday.
The deposed monarch was stripped of his royal paraphernalia of a cap and beads and his attempt at escaping the mob in his underpants was restricted until a team from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) of the State Police Command came to rescue him from the visibly angry mob.
Adesina was given staff of office on November 6, 2005 as a Prince from the Osupa Lineage of the Akure monarchy thereby putting a halt to the century-old grip on the throne by the Adesida Dynasty, which had become almost synonymous with the stool.
Minutes before the decision to depose him was announced by the state government after an Executive Council meeting, the former monarch was arrested by a team of armed policemen led by John Mark, the Officer in Charge of the SARS of the Ondo Police Command.
Sources at the Police Command said the deposed monarch would be tried for assault against his wife, Olori Bolanle who is currently undergoing treatment at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo for chemical burns.
At the press conference where the deposition was announced, the trio of the Commissioner for Information, Ranti Akerele, his Chieftancy Affairs counterpart, Diran Iyantan and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Eyitayo Jegede, said government acted in the interest of the general public.
Akerele said the kingmakers have been directed to nominate three regents from the Ruling House to the state government to enable the state executive council approve the best that would handle the affairs of the town pending the formal selection of a new monarch who will emerge through the acceptable tradition and norms of the town.
He added that the former Deji would be relocated to a safe place somewhere in the state for an initial period of six months pending further decisions of the security agencies on him.
“The state executive council rested its decision on the provisions of section 17 (1) and (2) of the Chiefs Law 1984 as amended, which vest on it such powers to suspend or depose any chief if it considered it reasonably justifiable.
"Before arriving at this decision, government had taken its time to study the reports of the security agencies, reports from well-meaning Akure citizens on both sides of the divide and particularly the response of the deposed monarch to a query issued by the relevant office of government.
"Government also studied the position of the State Council of Traditional Rulers before arriving at the decision, which it believes is in the best interest of the people of Akure and the larger society.
"Government has been deliberate, meticulous and firm in looking at all sides. We have taken our time to follow the provisions of the law in taking our decisions, issues involved," he said.
The commissioner said that the allegations leveled against the deposed monarch are very crucial to the existence of the people as a cultural group and touched on the deep values held dearly by the people of the state. He enjoined residents of the state to go about their normal legitimate duties as the security agencies have been directed to maintain law and order and to punish anyone that may foment trouble
Confirming Adesina’s arrest to The Guardian yesterday, Commissioner of Police Magaji Nasarawa said the monarch was arrested following a directive from the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, after going through the report of the State Police Command on the assault of the monarch against his wife.

A Corps member's succour to prisoners

By Alemma-Ozioruva Aliu, (The Guardian Newspapers Benin city)

WHEN Miss Ijeoma Igbonwelundu, a Batch B member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) from Anambra State was posted to Edo State for her primary assignment, little did she know she would have her first close contact with convicted prisoners and other detained but awaiting trial at the Oko Maximum Security Prison.
The prisoners too must have seen Youth Corps members come and go, but they could also not have known that Ijeoma Igbonwelundu would touch their lives in a special way.
But for her, many of them on Awaiting Trial might have stayed for only God knows how much longer as detainees.
Now, the Edo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Osagie Obayuwana has promised to look into such cases with a view to facilitating their trial.
He said it was unjust that so many people could be held in detention, their freedom denied even when the state had no case against them.
Obayuwana 
 spoke at the commissioning of a basket pitch and a volleyball pitch for the inmates of Oko Prisons Benin City constructed by Ijeoma Igbonwelundu. 

She said the project, which was part of her community development service project was borne out of her desire to make some positive impact in the lives of the less-privileged in the society. 

The 24-year-old graduate of Mass Communications said she realized that inmates in the prison needed more than food and clothing to remain psychologically fit.
“I discovered that they needed sporting facilities that would keep them healthy and fit while in jail as well as equip them with talents that may enhance their livelihood after their term as such can help keep them off the path of crime. 

“This project is an avenue to let the inmates know that the society cares about their welfare and rehabilitation and wants them to acquire skills that will enable them integrate fully into the society without having inferiority complex.
“It is envisaged that with the sporting facilities, inter and intra -prison competition would be organized, with members of the public as spectators.
“It would be a great day to see novelty football matches between inmates and lawyers or doctors which will send good signals to the society at large.”

Ijeoma, however, noted that there was need to upgrade the facilities in the prison just as she called on governments and individuals to provide the inmates with functional libraries to build up their intellectual capacities. 

“Volunteer teachers and lecturers should also consider it an honour to teach these persons. That will contribute towards reducing illiteracy, unemployment and insecurity in the society by educating the over 900 inmates and prepare them for clean, productive life after regaining freedom.”

The provision of the sport facilities at the prison, she said, was financed partly from her monthly allowance, savings and donations from family. friends and government functionaries from the state.
Ijeoma said she was challenged to make a difference in any little way during her service year in the state, which ends later this month.
She had also donated clothes, food items, stationeries and toiletries to Amadin Orphanage Home for Women and Children. 

Ijeoma also told The Guardian that a construction firm, Servetek, which is currently reconstructing the Airport Road along which Oko Prisons is located, also donated some items to facilitate her project and had promised to build two more of those pitches in the prison. 

Edo State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Miss Anita Evbuomwan, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Jerry Iyamu, commended Miss Igbonwelundu for constructing the sports facilities for the inmates.
She noted that the facilities would enhance the reorientation of the prison inmates to begin new ways of life and make them have a sense of belonging.

She urged the prison authorities to use the facilities for the purpose for which they were constructed and endeavour to improve and expand them.

Commissioning the project, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Obayuwana urged members of the public, particularly the youths to see it as a challenge to provide other infrastructure for the reformation of prisoners.
He commended the Corps member, whom she said, has written her name in gold by realizing that the inmates needed sports facilities to keep fit and healthy. 

He said the Ministry of Justice was working towards the speedy release of all inmates whose case files showed they had committed no offence against the state. 

The NYSC Head of Community Development Service, Mrs. Stella Igechi said it was the first time community development projects would be extended to prisons.
Deputy Comptroller, Oko Prison, Sam Iyakoregha said the gesture would boost the morale of the inmates. 

“It is something wonderful as it is well appreciated and as we all know, sports is a veritable instrument of relaxation.” 

Some of the inmates who participated in the match played during the occasion expressed their joy and begged for kits to play the games now available to them.

Nigerian Airports Groan Under Fund Starvation

BY WOLE SHADARE
FOR more than a month, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has come under scathing criticisms over decay of infrastructure, poor service delivery, among others. WOLE SHADARE writes that the airports are deprived of funds to function Unless the Federal Government takes the initiative to refurbish infrastructure at the nation’s airports, the issue will continue to dominate discourse no matter the effort to sweep the matter under the carpet. Events in the last few weeks has further revealed the decay that daily stare travellers and other users of the airports in the face-no thanks to the slow pace of efforts to make the nation’s airports pride to the generality of Nigeria. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) had come under scathing criticism for poor service delivery, and alleged under performance, but the authority has defended itself, arguing that one mistake of power outages should not lead to blanket condemnation of the agency in its determination to reposition the airports. FAAN stated that all efforts had been met with commitment to renew infrastructure at the airports, but not a few were impressed with their efforts. Experts have; however, attributed breakdown of infrastructure at the premier gateway- the international wing of the Lagos airport to lack of dedicated fund to the managers of the airport. In short, users sweat profusely inside the hall, coupled with epileptic power supply to the airport, thereby heightening security lapses during passengers’ frisking, which in some cases are done manually without the aid of screening machines. Allocation for infrastructure at the terminal has not been released, a departure from the past where monthly allocation for emergency repairs of any facility is promptly done before the intervention of the headquarters. Statistics made available to The Guardian shows January 2008 maintenance allocation for the MMIA was paid in June 2008, while 50 per cent of February allocation was paid in August 2008. For March 2008 allocation, only 50 per cent of the February and March allocations were paid in October 2008, while that of April and May were paid on October 21, 2008. That of June was paid on January 26th, 2009. July’s allocation was released on March 25th 2009, while that of August was released on March 25th, 2009. Curiously, since February, 2010, no money has been released for the operations and maintenance of the terminal building, which stakeholders believe has been starved of funds to repair or change facilities like the conveyor belts, avio bridges, electrical cables and other things that are needed urgently to make the terminal comfortable for travellers. A source in FAAN who pleaded anonymity told The Guardian that the authority was seriously constrained with shrinking resources to tackle irregular water supply, power outage, unkempt toilets, unserviceable air conditioners, breakdown of conveyor belts, security lapses, insincerity of concessionaires, delay in the payment of salaries and low staff morale. Their problem is also compounded with huge debts owed them by concessionaires, airlines and other service providers, a situation that has made FAAN to go cap in hand begging for its money from them. The situation has further raised questions on whether FAAN would ever recover its over N10 billion. Aviation and travel expert, Olumide Ohunayo said that it was true the airports were generally starved of funds, adding that why the management introduced this option was not too clear. He stated rather rhetorically: “Are the managers misappropriating this fund or is FAAN not having the requisite funds to disburse to the airports as done in past? Ohunayo lamented that the unviable airports were in dire need, as their managers owed contractors and other utility bills that had necessitated some of them to switch off their phones for fear of creditors, or practically ran the airports from hideouts within the airport vicinity. He urged the government to simply fast-track the airport clustering concession process as reasoned early this year, was the best option out of this malaise; the present apologetic posture without a clear cut programme for our airports, would be heard but not taken seriously again. His words: “In the interim FAAN should release funds to clear the outstanding debts owed by the airport managers, improve synergies between its directors and review the archaic civil service procedure with attendant documentation, when dealing with operational issues.” Not a few believed that the woes of the sector would continue if nothing urgent were done to bring sanity into the industry, which was begging for immediate appointment of experienced and capable hands, there would be a total collapse of the airport. The airport was heralded as the best in Africa when it was commissioned in 1979. It was modelled after Schipol Airport in Amsterdam, but today, while the former has degenerated, the former has expanded to become a super hub in Europe and the world. Since the airport was built 31 years ago, the potential of the gateway has never being in doubt, but the decay has been a regular feature with allegations that the authority has refused to embrace change even when the Federal Government had declared that most of the agencies should embrace the idea of public private partnership (PPP) in consonance with the doctrine that government has no business doing business. Since the country cannot dwell in the past because of the dynamism of the aviation industry, the onus largely falls on the Minister of Aviation, Fidelia Njeze to brace up and ensure that infrastructure at the airports are upgraded to provide security and ensure service delivery for all users of the nation’s airports.

Jonathan: Challenge of picking PDP, INEC helmsmen

By Akpo Esajere, Group Political Editor ( The Guardian Newspaper)

IN terms of fresh rounds of appointments, this week is significant for President Goodluck Jonathan. The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seems set to announce a replacement for Prince Vincent Ogbulafor who quit the office of national chairman last month. Also, Chairman and federal commissioners of the crucial umpire, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) may also be unveiled on or before Thursday.
It is unlike the appointment of the Vice President, in which the President virtually has all the say; whereby Jonathan in a mild-mannered fashion kept his choice so close to his heart that the appointment of Vice President Muhammadu Namadi Sambo last month became one notable best kept secret of the Jonathan administration. It is however a different kettle of fish on the question of a new chairman for the PDP and appointment of national chairman and federal commissioners for INEC. One is a party affair and the other, an electoral reform concern, but both have serious implications, not only for Jonathan’s presidency but, more importantly for conducting free, fair, credible election in 2011, which is why they have been featuring highly charged political controversies.
Unlike Sambo whose name was never mentioned in the fiery speculations that presaged the unveiling of the Vice President, these appointments are following a known pattern, except perhaps the prospective INEC chairman, over which a little more politics is still being played.

PDP chair
As at last Thursday, it appeared fairly strong that Okwuesilieze Nwodo, a former governor of Enugu State and national secretary of PDP whom Obasanjo moved against and dropped, would be adopted. His expected success appears hinged on his perception by the top hierarchy of the party leadership that he could be counted on not to do the bidding of Obasanjo. The need to check the perceived overbearing approach of the former President, now the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) chairman, appears a major concern in the ranks of the leadership.
Incidentally, Nwodo was to be proposed last night at a meeting in Aso Rock villa of the party National Caucus, to set the stage for his formal presentation to the party BoT at a meeting this night (Monday). The BoT secretary and former governor of Nassarawa State, Alhaji Adamu Abdullahi, who resigned recently on account of being investigated over alleged financial improprieties, had in a paid advertisement invited members of the advisory body to Abuja for the meeting at 8.00 p.m. this night. Also, a meeting of the party National Executive Committee, a 120-member body reputed as the party’s highest policy organ, is slated for tomorrow (Tuesday) to ratify both the PDP and INEC chairmen. The President, according to sources, is to present them formally to the Council of State, expected to sit this week.
Nwodo’s name is believed to have come up some time after a caucus meeting at the presidential villa during which Jonathan briefed PDP governors of his choice for Vice President (Sambo). Sources described his choice as compromise between Jonathan and the party governors who are bent on “not supporting anybody from Obasanjo.” Initially, the President was said to prefer Chief Bernard Eze, a former secretary of the party and one-time deputy chairman (Southeast) for the job of national chairman. But Eze’s opponents dismissed him as being “too close” to Obasanjo.
At this time, the name of Ike Sanda Nwachukwu, a respected retired Army General who had done well with the party peace committee set up to deal with crises in some of the state branches, which he chaired, also came up. Here, opponents argued that after Obasanjo’s well-known high-handedness, they could not tolerate another military man for the sensitive job of national chairman.
On the other hand Eze has had levers he could exploit with President Jonathan. This had accounted for Eze’s initial strong mention as the choice for chairman. He had led the team that conducted PDP primaries in Bayelsa State in 2007-primaries, which produced Jonathan as the party governorship candidate before he was dramatically moved high to be presidential running mate and eventually elected Vice President. Also, Jonathan had initially not thought highly of Nwodo, owing to the famous alleged ID card scandal, which Obasanjo brought against the late S.M. Afolabi, Nwodo and others.
Now, Nwodo survived. As at last Thursday, Jonathan was said to accord him a much important okay, seeing that PDP governors, especially those of the three PDP-controlled Southeast states, have lined up behind him. Local politics back home in Enugu State worked for Nwodo who had his state governor Sullivan Chime’s (Enugu) active support. Ditto for Chief Martin Elechi of Enugu’s neighbour Ebonyi State. Ikedi Ohahim (Imo) was said to initially oppose Nwodo but by last Thursday when the caucus met to adopt him had changed his mind and thrown support for Nwodo’s adoption.
And so, Nwodo seems all set to make it as replacement for ogbulafor. The only other notable name was Chief Fidelis Ozichukwu, said to also the support of Obasanjo and importantly the Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremadu, a strong voice in the Southeast caucus, being the most politically ranking Southeasterner in Abuja by virtue of his federal office. Ekweremadu and Nwodo are from the Nsukka axis of Enugu State. His initial opposition to Nwodo was seen as borne of self-interest: he did not want an appointment that could negate his own political future. However, once it appeared that the President had agreed to go with the nomination, Ekweremadu’s office released a statement pledging unqualified support.

INEC chair
Until the President spoke to Nigerians abroad during his recent visit to France, campaigners for electoral reform based on the Justice Muhammadu Uwais panel recommendations were still hoping that the federal government would reconsider its position that the President should continue to hold the power of appointing the INEC chairman. The late President Umaru Yar’Adua government had rejected the Uwais panel recommendation that the National Judicial Commission (NJC) should be given the responsibility of advertising, interviewing and presenting the best person for the job to the National Assembly.
To the electoral reform community, this was “first clear indication” that the government is not “truly serious” about electoral reform. Thus, a tag of “cosmetic” easily hung over constitutional review activities at the National Assembly aimed at introducing some reforms to the conduct of elections as prescribed under the country’s (1999) constitution.
Especially electoral reform crusaders are now closely watching Jonathan, as he gets prepared to name the INEC chairman. He revealed to his audience of Nigerians resident in France that he had reached a decision on the candidate he would appoint as INEC chairman. He said he has never met the chosen candidate. He spoke of the chosen one’s unimpeachable character and also expressed confidence in his ability to conduct free and fair election, saying: “what I can promise Nigerians is that we will do everything possible to conduct credible election. New laws will help us. We must develop a system of electing credible leaders. That would be the beginning of real development for our country…”
In a sense, this speech may have led a national daily to report with assertiveness that Mr. Bukhari Bello, former Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is the chosen candidate for national chairman of INEC. However, as at last Thursday, three names were being mentioned in circles claiming to have good intelligence of what is happening, with Buhari as No three. The first two names are Prof. Attahiru Jega, a refined academic and Vice Chancellor of Bayero University Kano (BUK) and Justice George Adesola Oguntade, who retired from the apex court, the Supreme Court, last March after a distinguished career.
There are many contending forces and the race is obviously underscored by shifting sands, with the possibility that the President could indeed change his mind at any time, even in the last minute. But as last Thursday, Prof. Jega appeared the first candidate linked to INEC chairman, while Justice Oguntade appeared marked for a new electoral body being created as part of the electoral reform package, the Election Offences Commission (NOC).
Some government officials were said to be establishing contact with Jega’s friends while security officials were said to be busy doing more checks on him. Jega, a political scientist, had established distinct reputation as a very calm, calculated and progressive negotiator while serving as President of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). Using dialogue as a major weapon, he had led ASUU to confront the Babangida administration. ASUU under him and the federal government negotiated the 1992 welfare agreement for increased salaries and improved funding for the university system. If he is appointed, he would be the first northerner to be INEC chairman.
The respected jurist, Oguntade, whose distinguished career at the Supreme Court was remarkable, especially for his dissenting judgments, celebrated his 70th birthday last April.
Buhari Bello, now a director of legal services at the Defense Ministry, if appointed INEC chairman would be an obvious card played with an eye for the human rights community. His reputation went up greatly during his executive secretary-ship of the human rights commission when he publicly expressed concern about numerous human right issues in Nigeria, including harassment of journalists by security forces. He spoke at the 39th session of the African Commission of Human Rights. But back home the Obasanjo administration moved against him, whereby he fought back fearlessly and with resoluteness. He was a director of legal services of the then National Electoral Commission (NEC) under Humphery Nwosu, whom the professor of Political Science (Nwosu), who was teaching at Nsukka when he was made NEC chairman described glowingly in his (Nwosu) book titled, “laying the Foundation for Nigeria’s Democracy: My Account of June 12, 1993 presidential election and its Annulment.”
Nwosu described Buhari as a quiet but resolute force in checking the perceived moves of the then Attorney General of the Federation Mr. Clement Akpamgbo (SAN) and those allegedly aligned with him to frustrate the conduct of the election. Like Jega, Buhari from Sokoto State would be the first northerner to be INEC chairman if appointed.

Past Independent Electoral Commission Chairmen in Nigeria - the Profile

by olanrewaju ajala

Eyo Esua (1960-1966)
Eyo Ita Esua from Cross River State (South-south), led the first indigenous electoral body in the country. Esua’s commission organized the first post-independence federal and regional elections of 1964 and 1965. But the December 1964 election was marred by controversy and confusion which led to a military coup in 1966. The commission was dissolved thereafter.

Michael Ani (1976-1979)
Chief Michael Ani also from Cross River State was appointed in 1976 by the General Olusegun Obasanjo regime as the chairman of the Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO). Ani’s commission conducted the election which ushered in the Second Republic government of Alhaji Shehu Shagari. on October 1, 1979. However, the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), led by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, rejected the outcome of the election and challenged Shagari’s election in court but lost.

Victor Ovie-Whiskey (1983)
Justice Victor Ovie-Whiskey from Delta State (South-south) was appointed by the Shehu Shagari administration in 1983 as chairman of FEDECO. He was seen as upright and non-partisan. At the time of his appointment, he was the Chief Judge of the old Bendel State. The general elections of 1983 which he conducted were however marred by widespread irregularities. Under him, electoral officials were accused of rigging in favour of the then ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN).

Eme Awa (1987-1989)
Prof. Eme Awa, from Abia State (South-east) served as Chairman between 1987 and 1989. He was a professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He resigned his appointment around 1989 over alleged disagreement with former military President Ibrahim Babangida who appointed him.

Humphrey Nwosu (1989-1993)
Professor Humphrey Nwosu from Anambra State (South-east) took over from Awa, his former teacher, and served till 1993. He conducted the June 12 election seen as the freest and fairest election and presumed to have been won by the late Chief Moshood Abiola. It was Nwosu’s commission that introduced the novel voting system of Option A4 and Open Ballot System.

Prof. Okon Uya (1993-1994)
A professor history, Uya was appointed by former military President, General Ibrahim Babangida, to conduct a new presidential poll after the annulment of the June 12 election. The defunct NRC and SDP were asked to present new candidates for the new presidential poll. But the crisis that greeted the annulment did not allow Uya room to conduct the election, indeed any election at all before he was removed.

Sumner Dagogo-Jack (1994-1998)
The late General Sani Abacha appointed Chief Sumner Dagogo-Jack from Rivers State (South-south) as the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission of Nigeria (NECON). He served between 1994 and 1998 and conducted elections for the local government councils and the National Assembly. The elected officers were, however, never inaugurated before the sudden death of Abacha in 1998.

Ephraim Akpata (1998-1999)
Justice Ephraim Akpata from Edo State (South-south) was appointed by General Abdulsalami Abubakar’s administration in 1998. He registered new political parties in 1999 and conducted the election that ushered in the Obasanjo’s government in 1999.

Abel Guobadia (2000-2005)
After Akpata died in January 2000, President Obasanjo appointed Sir Abel Guobadia from Edo State (South-south) as the chairman of the commission. He conducted the election in which Obasanjo secured a second term in office in 2003. The election was also widely condemned by the opposition. In June 2005, Guobadia’s tenure expired.

Maurice Iwu (2005-2010)
Professor Maurice Iwu from Imo State (South-east) who succeeded Guobadia in 2005 was perhaps the most controversial of all the nation’s umpires. He conducted the 2007 general election characterised by wide spread irregularities.
Even the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua admitted that the election that made him president in 2007 was flawed. However, the Anambra governorship election last February redeemed the commission's image a little bit. The election was widely regarded as free and fair except for administrative hitches. But Iwu had already lost goodwill and his apppointment was not renewed.

In Defence Of Yerima

By Danlami Alh. Wushishi

The grey-bearded Senator Ahmad Sani, Yeriman Bakura, is a person that has been involved in numerous controversies by some self-seeking individuals, the recent is the clandestine motive by a few to use his purported marriage to his teenage new bride to ridicule his personally and instigate another Shariah debate.
Senator Ahmed Sani has since 2000 being involved in some religious related controversies, the famous being his proclamation of Shariah implementation in Zamfara State, the amputation of Jangebe, that convicted cow thief, the conviction of Safiya Tungan Tudu over adultery. But, the current controversy has to do with validity or otherwise of his marriage to a girl speculatively held to be 13yrs old, a native of Egypt, a Muslim dominated nation that has a Law that only permits marriage when the girl attains 18yrs.
According to media report, the marriage was conducted at Abuja National Mosque with bride family in attendance, the dowry paid on the bride has also been criticized just like conveying the family from Egypt to Abuja; which some people see as evasion to the “harsh” Egyptian Law on marriage.

Whichever way a person look at it, marriage under 1999 constitution is regarded as Muslim personal affairs, as such the validity and dissolution of marriage is confined to the jurisdiction of Shariah courts, provided both parties are Muslim and the marriage was contracted in accordance with Islamic rules and regulations. Though section 21, Child’s Right Act 2003 provides that `No person under the age of 18yrs is capable of contracting valid marriage and accordingly a marriage so contracted is null and void and of no effect whatsoever, now where constitution clearly provides for the execution of certain conduct; what happens when a subsidiary legislation maintain a contrary view; the undisputed answer is that, the provision of the subsidiary legislation is to the extent of its inconsistency null and void and of no effect.
The heavy reliance on Childs right Act 2003 is a grave misconception of in view of the provisions of Section 262 (2) (a) of 1999 constitution that confers Jurisdiction on Shariah Courts to decides validity of marriage in Nigeria. Senator Ahmed Sani being a senator of the Federal Republic whose power is derived from the constitution cannot be said to have violated the Constitution simply because he sat at the Upper chambers where Child`s right Act was passed, and vow to uphold the sanctity of the constitution, but you may do that just to heat up the polity.

Under Section 38 of 1999 constitution, every person is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion including the freedom to manifest and propagate his religion in relation to practice and observation. The wisdom behind the purport section is to curb unnecessary bickering that might arise on religious issues in view of our multi religious nature. As such, the argument that Nigeria is a Secular State has been exhaustively delibrated at different for a within and outside Academic circle.
Senator Ahmed Sani in a BBC Hausa interview admit to be married to an Egyptian girl, but declined to disclose her age, this keep the NGO and other opponents to speculate that Yarima’s bride is just 13yrs old bride. As a result they begin to launch campaign against Senator Ahmed Sani condemning his act vis a vis attacking his personality being a Senator of Federal Republic. The area of apparent disconnect is the fact that Age has never been a basis for categorizing a marriageable status of a lady in Islam. A lady is considered marriage once she attains the age of puberty, more so, a lady could be married from the age of nine while consummation can take place later, when she’s believed to have acquired the strength to bear the responsibility of womanhood.
It is pertinent to note the doubtful standard played by these NGOs as it relates to marriage. Sometimes last year, they all endorsed the marriage of Bello Masaba to 86 wives all in the name of freedom of religion, today Islam permit Senator Ahmed Sani to marry a woman of his choice, these NGO are raising false alarm, including some women groups whose claim to fight for cause of women, whereas they lock girls in their houses and pay them peanuts as house help, thereby denying them several constitutional rights, an act that also offends sections 9, 10, 11 & 12 of Child’s Right Act 2003 and Section 33 Child Rights Act that dealt with various forms of child exploitation.

Finally, let me conclude by drawing the attention of federal legislators to revisit the provisions of Child’s Right Act wish a few to making some amendments that will incorporate the interest of Muslims. Hence, God has brought us together as a nation, we should accommodate/appreciate our individual differences, and we should note the fact that Muslim don’t look at Arab world for the true meaning of Islam, rather we refer to Al-Quran and Hadith of the Prophet. I equally call on these groups to avoid unnecessary debate, Nigeria has more serious issues to tackle.
•Wushishi Esq writes from Minna

Africa’s Future in Our Grasp

By Obiageli K. Ezekwesili,

Africa, south of the Sahara, today faces its brightest prospects in a generation. Before dismissing this statement as yet another belied optimistic forecast, consider the following facts:
• Before the onset of the global financial crisis of 2008-9 that morphed into an economic crisis, African economies were growing at 5 percent a year for over a decade, accelerating to over 6 percent for the last three years.
• Growth was widespread, with 22 non-oil-exporting countries sustaining better-than-four-percent growth for over a decade.
• Poverty was declining by about one percentage point a year—a rate faster than in India.
• Child mortality rates fell by 25 percent in four years in about 13 countries and across the continent, the fight against the HIV/AIDS scourge is gaining mileage.
• Primary school enrolment rates were rising faster than in any other continent.
• Over 60 percent of Africans (and 80 percent of urban Africans) are in range of a GSM signal making mobile phones the most prized asset of the poor.
• While the global crises hit the continent badly, African policymakers have continued to pursue prudent macroeconomic policies and growth has rebounded to a forecast 4.5 percent this year.

These facts—as well as numerous success stories from Mali’s mango exports and Nigeria’s “Nollywood”, to Uganda’s gorilla tourism and to Kenya’s cut flowers--paint a robust picture of a continent that is clearly on the move. By enabling innovative financial solutions such as using mobile phones and the m-pesa service to make payments for bills or micro-loans, ICT is revealing the many transformational opportunities critical to Africa’s takeoff to sustained growth and poverty reduction.
But that is only half the picture. The other half includes the nearly 400 million Africans who live on $1.25 a day; the massive infrastructure deficit that leaves only one in four with access to electricity—and even fewer with access to clean water and sanitation; agricultural productivity that is still too low to help the 70 percent of the poor escape hunger and poverty—and now threatened by climate change; and weak institutions that often result in civil conflict, earning 21 of the 47 countries the label “fragile states".

How can we build on the momentum created by Africa’s recent performance to tackle the many development challenges facing the continent? By harnessing and scaling up the forces that brought the decade-long growth and poverty reduction—which include external resources (aid, debt relief, private capital flows, remittances), prudent economic policies, and a more open and vibrant civil society that is increasingly holding governments to account, and achieving results.
The latter is what marks this era as being different from previous ones. Policymakers continued with prudent economic policies during the crisis—in the face of a global recession and relatively lax fiscal and monetary policies in developed countries—because there was political support for these policies. The public has seen how populist policies such as price and exchange rate controls or high fiscal deficits can be counter-productive, especially to the detriment of poor people. And policies are increasingly debated and discussed in the countries—and adopted only when domestic consensus emerges.

These positive developments mean that Africa’s growth momentum can be sustained and accelerated, and the deep problems solved, if there are adequate resources and a vigorous, open debate on how to use those resources more effectively. Most development experts agree that the financial crisis has been a game changer, and growth policies will need to adapt to the new, undefined ‘normal.’ The World Bank needs to see how best it can provide financing, technical assistance, and mobilize global knowledge to support economic growth in Africa, and provide evidence to nourish public debate.
To that end, kick-off conversations in Addis Ababa, Abuja and Dakar will follow the Johannesburg discussions about how the Bank can be a better partner for Africa, with Africans. The conversations are the beginning of a process of listening and learning that will eventually lead to a renewed World Bank strategy for Africa. But they are also conversations about Africa’s future, because the possibility of leveraging recent growth performance to tackle the continent’s entrenched development challenges is well within Africa’s grasp. Now is the time for action.
•Ezekwesili is the World Bank Vice-President for the Africa region.

Onovo: Police‘ll Charge Deji of Akure with Assault

by Sufuyan Ojeifo in Abuja,

The travails of the Deji of Akure, Oba Oluwadare Adeshina, who is under threat of deposition, are far from being over as plans are afoot by the police to charge him to court with assault.
Adeshina has been in the eye of the storm for reportedly assaulting his estranged wife, Olori Bolanle, in public in Akure, the Ondo State capital. Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, who appeared before the Senate Committee on Police Affairs yesterday, said investigations by the police had confirmed that Adeshina physically assaulted his estranged wife.
According to Onovo, “Even though, it is said to be a husband and wife case, but the law cannot wait to allow a woman to be killed because she is a housewife. So we are taking him to court.

“Police investigations reveal that the Deji assaulted her and that she was beaten by the suspect and white substance poured on her by the Deji himself causing her severe bodily injuries.
“The attack was premeditated and he came to the victim’s house for a specific purpose and a mob gathered at the scene to protect the actions of the suspects.
“In view of the seriousness of the allegations and the need to preserve law and order, bearing in mind that no one is above the law, and considering the weighty evidence against the suspects, I have directed that they be charged to court for the assault occasioning harm, conspiracy and conduct likely to cause breach of the peace.”
In his remarks, Chair of the Senate Committee on police Affairs, Senator Gbenga Ogunniya, said the committee invited the IGP because it was concerned about public peace and order.

Ogunniya said the committee would want the police to expedite the trial of the monarch, suggesting that they could place him in confinement if it became necessary.
The committee reinforced the position of one of its members, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, that the police should ensure that the movement of the Deji of Akure was restricted in order to forestall a repeat of his action.
According to him, “such a man descending so low to engage in a street fight should be kept under surveillance so that he does not go and harm any witnesses who has already given statements.
“The best thing to do is to assemble your (police) lawyers so that the man could be taken to court immediately.
“By the time we come back from recess, we want to hear that this man has been arraigned and kept behind bars, so as to serve as a lesson to other people who like treating women bad.”
Meanwhile, the Federation of International Women Lawyers has petitioned the Senate over the incident. The president of the organisation, Mrs. Ezinwa Okoroafor, who appeared before the committee, said “the action of the Oba is a breach of the criminal code.”

She said action must be taken against the Deji of Akure because “as custodian of the tradition of the people, his action has put the women in Akure at risk because if such a matter comes before him, he is not going to be fair to women.”
The body, according to her, “wishes to express its concern and horror at this state of event and condemns same in the strongest terms.”
She declared that the action of the monarch, as reported in the media, was illegal and barbaric, adding that “it is quite unbecoming of a person of his stature.”


COMMENTS [total: 7]

FG to Cancel Concessions, Prepares for Airports’ Privatisation

By our reporter

A new wave of changes are about to take place in the aviation industry as the Federal Government has concluded plans to cancel all concession agreements entered into by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN).
It would immediately terminate the activities of the concessionaires operating at the airports.
The FG has also resolved to privatize the airports before the end of the year. As a result of this, it is studying reports on the issue in order to find the most effective way to handle it.

our sourced gathered from a source at the ministry of aviation that government reached this decision when it realized that set objectives in the agreements are not being realized.
Instead, it is thought that the concessionaires are exploiting FAAN.
The concession agreement was meant to boost the revenue of FAAN. It was believed that private companies partnering with the agency would enhance innovation and transparency and ensure that all the cash points from both aeronautical and non-aeronautical sources would be managed in such a way to increase revenue.
A senior ministry official told THISDAY that a body was set up to investigate all the agreements FAAN entered into in the last five years.

After investigation, the body recommended that instead of boosting the revenue of the agency, the concessionaires have left the organization in dire financial straits.
A source said that the workers of FAAN, through the unions, have decried the activities of the concessionaires and have variously written petitions to the FG requesting an appraisal of the activities of the concessionaires.
It was pointed out in the petitions that almost all the agreement FAAN had were against the interest of the agency.
On the privatization of the airports, a source said that the Minister of Aviation Fidelia Njeze is “at this moment deliberating on the terms of privatization; whether it will be partial or complete privatization.

“But government is likely to go for partial privatization for security reasons, but all the necessary information needed have been made available by the immediate past ministers; but concessioning through public-private partnership may be dropped because it did not work with the domestic terminal at the Murtala Muhammed Interna-tional Airport, Lagos, where a concessionaire in charge of a terminal saw himself as an owner of an airport.”
The source also said that the ministry is carefully studying the reports to avoid hasty decisions, noting that before the end of July government would come out with a final decision on the method of privatization.

He disclosed that instead of privatizing viable airports as was planned in the past, the privatization process will be done in zones.
“It will be done in such a way that each investor would take all the airports in each zone, including the so-called viable and non-viable ones. The truth is that the ones deemed to be unviable today can be revived and made viable and FAAN will still be there to supervise the airports and also monitor the activities of the investors,” the source explained.
FAAN workers who spoke with THISDAY on the planned cancellation said that it would be a welcome development because according to them, since the concessionaires took over major cash points of FAAN, the agency has been losing money.
“In the past FAAN never owed its workers but since these concessionaires took charge of the revenue sources of the authority, we have been finding it difficult to pay workers.

“Look at the airports; we are no longer maintaining them because the funds are not there. It was planned that we should be getting something on top of what we were generating if these revenue sources were concessioned. But it has become obvious that the FAAN workers were doing better,” said a source.

Why I’ve never worn a wedding ring —John Fashanu

By Mercy Michael


Why are you wearing your ring on the last finger of your hand?

This is not a wedding ring; it's a ring which was bought for me by one of the Saudi Arabian princesses and this was for all my goals, my matches H400 to 500 appearances, 150 goals and she bought me a signet ring and presented it to me when we were in Saudi Arabia. People have often asked me, Are you married? Are you not married? They bring out this story and that story. I've always said, 'Your private life is your private life and the only thing in life that you can protect is your private life'. All I can say is I have a private life and I have children.

Why are you not wearing your wedding ring?

I've never worn a wedding ring. In my life I've never had one. I've never worn one. You find out that most black Europeans don't wear wedding rings. And as a footballer, always I would have problem with my wedding ring. When I first got married, always I would put on my wedding ring and I would have to take it off again because I'm playing football. You are not allowed to wear a ring and because my knuckle is big, it will always be a problem trying to get it off. So after getting married for like six years ago, I never wore one anymore. You will never see any footballers wear wedding rings.

Doesn't your wife have a problem with it?

Nobody has a problem with it.

I didn't mean anybody; I said does your wife not have a problem with it?

You said that, but I said nobody. I know what you meant (laugh) but I tried to soften the line there. I don't think she has a problem with it. I'm sure after this period of time I would have known.

You seem to like to wearing African print. Who makes them for you?

All my clothes are African and they are all designed by one man. His name is Mudi. Mudi is a wonderful Nigerian designer who cut his cloth to suit a tall black man and his colours are unique. I met him three, four years ago. He had nothing then and he came in and he gave me some suits. In the picture you're holding, the suits I'm wearing is Mudi, the shirt also is his. I saw he had an exceptional talent and decided then that if I rise, I must try and make him rise. And he has risen, because from all my shows, deal or no deal, the football challenge, it has always been Mudi; even this I'm wearing now is Mudi.

Do you have a fragrance that is known with you?

I wear a lot of Arab scents because I'm very influenced by the North. I spend so much of my time in the North. I have families in Jos, Kano, and Kaduna, a lot of Fashanus there, many of them. I've always gone to the Arab countries a lot and I like their perfumes, they're very strong and it stays there, in your skin. This is a country you sweat all the time; you bathe all the time. In England they will teach that you will try out your skin when you keep having baths and showers but here you have no choice, you have to. And I always like to stay fresh, so I wear a lot of Arabic perfumes.

Tell us why you never got to play for Nigeria?

No, I don't have any regrets not playing for Nigeria because in my heart of hearts I know I tried and tried and tried. That was a very controversial issue because people got it all mixed up and people were saying, Fashanu, he turned down his country. It took me four years to explain to those people who cared to listen, that it was actually me trying to come home. I was invited three times to come back home. Each time I came back home, first time under a coach called Otto Gloria, a Brazilian. I stayed at a place called Games Village in Surulere.
Segun Odegbami, the late Muda Lawal, Henry Nwosu, I played with them all. The football I played was totally different; even the coach said, 'afterwards, you might be a star in your own country but over here you're not Playing too well'. In Europe, we play the football in the air, up high. In Nigeria, Africa, South America, the ball is played on the floor, totally different styles. So as much as I wanted to play I didn't fit in for that style. The truth is, for that style, I wasn't good enough.
I came the second time, I was benched.
I came the third time and I wasn't even benched, they didn't even invite me. My guys in London said, 'John, why are you going back home? Each time you go back to Nigeria you stay for one month, you don't get any salary, you don't get anything at all and when you come back to England, it takes you at least one month to get back in the team again, who loses? You lose!'

But in spite of that I still wrote a letter to Westerhoff begging him to put me in the team. I told him I'm one of the top strikers in England which I was at that time, I didn't get a reply. Nine years elapsed, I didn't hear from Nigeria. Then suddenly, Ericsson, the England Manager, saw my team, that day, that year, I was the leading goal scorer, 2nd leading goal scorer in the Premiership with 23goals, an Arsenal player just beat me to it. He said, 'You're are good enough to play for England, and now I'm going to give you an England shirt', It's the highest honour anybody around the world can achieve because you're playing for your adopted country and there it was and as you can see there on the wall, some of the most illustrious England players from Paul Gascoigne to Peter Shilton, the world famous players. That was the biggest day of my life because I played for England. International football standard and domestic standard is a different ball game. Once I put on the white shirt, the uproar started in Nigeria. 'Oh! He turned down his country; he doesn't want to play for Nigeria. It was complete rubbish! It took me time to let everybody understand that, but the whole world now knows that I never turned down my country, I came three times.

How will you describe your style?

I would say that I was fast, aggressive, and direct. A lot of my goals were scored by my sheer strength and speed. I wasn't a JJ and a JJ is not me. I wasn't a Kanu and Kanu is not me. I remember playing many games with Kanu, Aston Villa and Arsenal and he always used to confuse me because as he comes on I will always greet him as a Nigerian, and he always looked so gangling and so awkward, everything a footballer doesn't look like and five minutes to go, he scores the winning goal. He always used to do it. It actually used to sink my heart when I see him warming up, Arsenal and Aston Villa 2-2, 1-0, he comes on, and he has this funny walk ways, walking gangling like that, and five minutes to go Kanu scores the goal. He always used to do it and we always used to tell each other that if this guy comes on, be careful of him and that's the love and the respect that we've got for ourselves.

What outfit do you think you look best in?

I think when I stroll down my road with no clothes on, naked, that seems to get a lot of compliments (laughs). I often hear a lot of compliments, they're not nice but it's a lot of compliments (laughs). But if you're saying in clothes-wise seriously, one of the most beautiful ones is a white shirt with Chinese dragon, three dragons on it and Mudi designed that shirt because I'm also a Martial artist. For 16 years, I travelled round the world studying the Martial art and I realised it was better to heal than to destroy and so Mudi did a beautiful shirt for me and that's my favourite shirt.

How do you maintain your physique?

Let me lie and say, that everyday I run by 6'oclock 5'oclock and I never eat nor drink anything. The truth is born very lucky. God gave me a very good physique and because of my hard work during the years of Martial art, my stretching regimes, my exercises, I came up with, 'Focus on fitness with Fash', a CD tape for women for doing exercises in their houses. A lot of women who are not the right shapes, should we say diplomatically, don't want to go to the gym. Most Nigerian women don't want to go to the gym because most of our African women don't have the time, busy schedules. They've got children and they've got work load. So I say, 'You don't need to go to the gym, just watch the CD and pick three or four that you like. Most women want to get rid of the gut, arm, buttocks, and firm up the breast that's it. Remember, men have a tummy full stop, women have the tummy and they've the gut; so most women want to get rid of the guts and tighten up the tummy, waking up the bum. I'm a physiotherapist; I'm an exercise man; that's what I've done all my life. I'm not saying on the CD, 'Try and look like Fash'. I'm saying that because God has given me that. All I'm saying is, 'These are the ways that you as a woman can change your life. You can change your eating habit, sleeping habits, all other things by going through my fitness tape.'

What do you love doing in your free time?

Working! My work is my free time. I'm a workaholic. I also travel a lot. In Africa I think there're 53 countries, I have travelled to 48 and in 48, I think have met 27 heads of state. Since I've been back home, I can't even imagine, there is no state that I haven't travelled to. I'm always in Kano, Jos, and Port-Harcourt; tomorrow Saturday I'm going to Abuja.

What phrase or adjective describes you?

An enigma. I'm somebody who likes to diversify. From football to television, banking, tyre protector, oil business, construction, you have to be able to change; you have to be able to go into other businesses. I enjoy that and I take the example of people like Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Dr Mike Adenuga, they're the real pioneers, I'm just pretending. They're the ones who are going out there and are making it but you know, we are all learning and I'm somebody, I like to learn from people who, should we say my peers? Who would have thought when I came back to Nigeria three years ago, within three years I would now be involved with the bank, not in my wildest dreams in England could I ever own a bank however? Much money you've got, Couldn't happen! Here now, for the first time and I'm enjoying it, my name was cleared by the CBN. I'm a director of a bank and I have equity shares in the bank. Micro financing is the way forward in this country; it's not the big banks. We've got to appreciate it's for the people. I've been very lucky.

What's your typical day like?

Today Friday, I'm on my way to see some friends in Apapa where I'm going to talk to some of the young prisoners in Kirikiri. My days are crazy; I got in late last night from Port-Harcourt. I'm now in Lagos, and tomorrow Saturday morning, I would go back to Abuja. Then, from there to Kano, Kaduna, Jos and back to Lagos again. It's never ending.

2011: Gladiators perfect strategies to capture Oyo

By Bisi Oladele



In this report, BISI OLADELE examines the factors and individuals that will shape the much-awaited 2011 governorship election in Oyo State.


Eight months from now, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) would start the general elections for a new transition at the federal, state and local government levels according to the time-table released by the commission earlier in the year.

Unlike in previous times, the race for the governorship seat in Oyo State this time is rather slow, less exciting and beclouded with uncertainties.

This is not unconnected with the clamour for credible elections by interest groups and individuals which has become a major challenge for INEC, the demise of the master strategist, Chief Lamidi Adedibu and the seeming loss of cohesive power of bargaining among influential Ibadan politicians and elders.

The usual glamour, deep politicking and exciting political escapades that once characterized Oyo politics seem to have faded following the demise of Chief Adedibu and the emergence of the incumbent governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala who has been amaassing more power and breaking old blocs within the political landscape.

Though Governor Alao-Akala is yet to make an open declaration of his interest in second term, his aides and supporters have been drumming support for the bid which is well known to the people.

Curiously, with about eight months to the election, no political figure in state chapter of the ruling PDP seems to be confident enough to nurse or trumpet his ambition for the exalted seat.

Even across other parties, no other aspirant seems to come near the governor in terms of preparedness and political structure.

But the odds are many for the Ogbomoso-born politician who is the current PDP flagbearer though no one seems to be giving him a tough fight for the party’s flag within his party for now.

On the larger terrain, however, some astute politicians are itching to upstage him in the bid to occupy the Agodi Government House next year.

In the Action Congress (AC), the most vibrant opposition party in the state, seven aspirants are jostling for the governorship seat. They are, the former governorship candidate of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), Senator Abiola Ajimobi who is back on his natural turf; former Adviser to ex-Lagos State governor, Bola Tinubu on Political Matters, Chief Femi Lanlehin; Professor Wole Akinboade; former Lagos Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Dr Bayo Adewusi; former Special Adviser to Governor Lam Adesina, Hon. Soji Akanbi; a legal practitioner, Mr Kazeem Adedeji and Prof. Wale Oyemakinde.

Of the seven, only Dr Adewusi hails from outside Ibadan. He is from Eruwa, a major town in Oyo South Senatorial District to which the party has zoned the governorship slot. Ibadan is also in the district.

Analysts believe that AC is the only party that can give PDP a good fight at the next election, if it can put its acts together.

In the ANPP, no aspirant has officially registered intention to vie for the exalted seat though The Nation reliably gathered that a brilliant young politician of Ibadan origin has reached advanced stage in completing the procedure of flying the party’s flag in the next year election.

Again, the posters of Mr Taiwo Ositelu of the Action Alliance (AA) are all over Ibadan, indicating his interest in the plum job as he did in the 2007 election.

House crisis deepens - Resign or be disgrace

our reporters

THERE were signs yesterday that the crisis in the House of Representatives could escalate.

Some members issued Speaker Dimeji Bankole a seven-day deadline to resign.

But the House leadership stood by the Speaker, accusing the dissenting members of planning to destabilise the lower chamber. They have been reported to the security agencies, spokesman Eseme Eyiboh said.

The members, who tagged themselves as "Progressives", said they had resolved to force Bankole to resign to protect the House’s integrity.

Brandishing a voluminous document, which they claimed was a chronicle of Bankole’s corrupt deals since he became Speaker three years ago, the group threatened to release it to the media, security agencies and the Presidency – if Bankole fails to resign.

Their spokesperson, Dino Melaye, listed Bankole’s "sins" to include corrupt leadership; rift and disharmony between the House and the Senate; high-handedness and disrespect for members and frequent breaches of House rules.

Another allegation, according to Melaye, is making sweeping and unsubstantiated statements capable of causing disaffection among the various arms of government. He said the public perception of the House was dwindling, hence the need for a change in leadership.

Melaye said: "The House of Representatives that we read about in 1999, the House of Representatives that Hon. West Idahosa was a member of in 2000, the House of Representatives that Umar Ghali Na’Abba headed is not the same as the House of Representatives that we have today.

"The public perception of the House of Representatives has ingloriously declined. The perception of the House of Representatives, specifically under Hon. Dimeji Sabur Bankole, has nosedived.

"Therefore, we are asking Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole to resign immediately as the Speaker of the House of Representatives within seven days."

Melaye claimed that Bankole’s leadership style was responsible for the rift between the Senate and the House.

To him, the disharmony between the leadership of the Senate and the House has never been this bad, adding: "This disaffection can be traced to Bankole’s leadership style."

We are also asking him to resign because of his high-handedness and disrespect for members which are not just a breach but frequent breaches of the rules of the House."

"A simple example in this regard is when the Speaker accused civil servants of gross corruption and the then Head of Service, Ammal Pepple, wrote an official letter to the Speaker challenging him to substantiate his claim but the Speaker till date is yet to respond."

Stating that Bankole has brought the reputation, integrity and name of the House into disrepute, Melaye warned that the Speaker’s failure to comply with their call in the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians, especially the masses of the country, will leave them with no other alternative than to release reports of his alleged corrupt activities.

"We have overwhelming evidence and information, everything you see here (brandishing a voluminous document) is evidence and incriminating records that we will publish, give to you the media.

"And we are going to write petitions that every member you see here and even those that are on recess will sign and we will physically, personally deliver them to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), State Security Service (SSS), National Security Adviser, the Presidency, and indeed to the National Headquarters of his political party, the PDP," he threatened.

Insisting that "This is no child play," Melaye said, the group had resolved to "clean our house".

"We know that in the normal leadership style of Dimeji Bankole, tomorrow they will tell you that these documents are fake. Our challenge is that by the time we get them to you after the ultimatum, anything that has fake must have original. If it is fake, we challenge them to produce the original," Melaye said.

Another member of the group, West-Idahosa said Melaye captured the "very bitter feelings of members of the House of Representatives".

Hon. Independence Ogunewe, in response to a question, said: "We have been tolerating and accommodating things, believing that we can handle this matter but the cup of our forbearance has burst."

Eyiboh said the attention of the House has been drawn to the activities of some "self-styled progressives in the House misleading the perceptive public with their proverbial ostrich display of selfish tendencies in the guise of public interest. Their activities could best be a swan song from an orchestra of deception."

He asked the group to avail itself with the House rules and extant provisions of the relevant statutes in exercise of its rights.

Eyiboh said: "The present leadership is a creature and creation of the generality of the House and prevalent robust synergy, culminating in the successful constitution review and other legislative duties vindicate acceptability of the leadership.

"Those progressives, should vacate their theatre of the absurd."

Others at the briefing are: Chairman of Nigeria First Forum (NFF), Hon. Abbas Anas Adamu, Hon. Bitrus Kaze, Hon. Austin Nwachukwu, Hon. Solomon Ahwinawih, Hon. Asita Honourable Asita, Hon. George Dika, Hon.Ralph Okeke and Hon. Darlington Okereke.

NEWS UPDATE- Dubai Police revoke Ibori's bail

* By Our Reporter

Formal Delta State Governor, James Ibori, suffered a major set back today in his bid for political asylum in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The Dubai police have revoked his bail, preparing the ground for his extradition to the United Kingdom (UK). The UK has an extradition part with UAE.

Ibori is being detained at a police facility pending his extradition.

INEC: Jega’s Nomination Excites NLC

by sahara reporters
Wednesday, 09 June 2010 20:45


The Nigeria Labour Congress has expressed delight over the nomination of Professor Attahiru Jega to the chairmanship of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). In a statement, it said Jega “possesses the requisite competence, integrity and patriotism” for the job, in addition to having been a member of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee that made critical recommendations most Nigerians believe will ensure credible elections should they be implemented. Noting that the battle to establish a credible electoral body has only just begun, the NLC expressed preference for the core recommendations of the Uwais panel in terms of their potential to insulate the chairman of INEC from political manipulation in the future.
The NLC also pointed out that while it would give the Jega leadership of INEC the support it needs to succeed, it will speak out at any time the leadership works against the public interest.

Full text of the statement is as follows:
Jega’s Appointment Commendable
The leadership of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) is delighted by the nomination yesterday, June 8, 2010 of Professor Attahiru Jega as Chairman designate of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Our excitement derives from the fact that apart from the fact that Prof Jega possesses the requisite competence, integrity and patriotism, he was a member of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee that made very far-reaching recommendations that majority of Nigerians believe will ensure that their votes will count if implemented. It is therefore perfect wisdom to appoint him as he is conversant with the core sentiments of the Committee’s Report. Thirdly, the appointment pleases us because of Prof Jega’s character, particularly in distinguishing himself in whatever positions of trust he had held but which has not stopped him from being progressively active and forthright even against government.

While we commend President Goodluck Jonathan for the appointment, we would like to, however, quickly state that the battle to put in place a credible INEC is not over yet. It has, in fact, just begun!

The NLC still strongly believes that this commendable appointment does not vitiate the logic of the core recommendations of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform Committee. As altruistic as President Jonathan’s nomination is, we are particularly still of the strong opinion that the process for the appointment of INEC chair as recommended by the Committee is preferably more in the public interest because of its capacity to insulate the appointment to this very important position from manipulation in the future especially by an ambitious president whose intentions may be anything but patriotic.

Apart from this, we strongly believe that the question of financial autonomy of INEC is highly imperative at this time so that the new INEC chair would hit the ground running given the enormous responsibilities awaiting him especially in cleaning up the messed-up electoral register and other critical logistics that will ensure a smooth general election in 2011. Secondly, it is highly imperative that Prof Jega gets a team that is competent, upright and non-partisan so as not to sabotage any effort at rebuilding an INEC that is genuinely independent.

Although we will strive to give the new leadership of INEC under Jega every support it needs to accomplish credible elections, we would like to put it on record that the NLC will not hesitate to speak out any moment INEC under Prof Jega is seen to have gone against public interest. We therefore urge him to immediately begin an internal reform or cleansing process in INEC that will position it to face the immediate challenges of holding a credible election in 2011. We believe that there are numerous administrative or leadership challenges in INEC that do not require constitutional or legislative amendments before they are carried out and which are very crucial to credible elections. We urge Prof Jega to begin to do those things now!

We equally urge him to, in appreciation of the popular jubilation and goodwill that followed his appointment, endeavour to carry along every stakeholder in democratic governance, both locally and internationally, especially all true advocates of free and fair election.

Finally, we wish to call on the Senate to expedite the process for the ratification of the appointment given the enormous electoral challenges awaiting him and in view of the very short time before the next general elections. We also call on all Nigerians to give their support to the new INEC and be alive to their political and civic responsibilities as we approach 2011 polls.