Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, has ruled out the possibility of handing automatic tickets to the party’s members in the House of Representatives. Mu’azu was reacting to a request by the House Leader, Hon. Mulikat Adeola-Akande, at a PDP caucus meeting with the lawmakers on Tuesday, where he described automatic ticket as undemocratic. Adeola-Akande, in an address at the meeting, had said the issue of automatic ticket was part of the promise made to the legislators by the executive arm of government, which it did not fulfill, thereby leading to a frosty relationship between the lawmakers and the party. But responding, Mu’azu said: “Automatic tickets are given by parties that are undemocratic; we have a democratic process and we will go through that. Those that deserved it will surely be there.” When reminded about the earlier promise made by the immediate past National Chairman of the Party, Dr. Bamanga Tukur, that PDP members in the National Assembly would get automatic tickets, the party chair said: “I have no knowledge of what you are telling me.” On whether the leadership of the party was jittery over the loss of PDP majority in the House, Mu’azu said: “Does any of us, the speaker, the governors or I look panicky, if I may ask?” The meeting, which Mu’azu chaired, was also attended by the House Speaker, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal; his deputy, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha; Governor of Kaduna State, Alhaji Ramalan Yero; Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Saidu Nasamu Dankigari; Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Chief Godswill Akpabio and Governor of Katsina State, Alhaji Ibrahim Shema. Others governors in attendance were Emmanuel Uduaghan (Delta), Liyel Imoke (Cross River), Theodore Orji (Abia), Babangida Aliyu (Niger), Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), who is from Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi (Anambra) and acting Governor of Taraba State, Alhaji Garba Umar. Also, deputy governors of Kogi and Jigawa States represented their principals.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Associates and political leaders of former Vice-President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, in the South-south geo-political zone were yesterday split between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM) as preferred platforms in place of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The leadership and stalwarts of the APC had following a courtesy visit to Atiku on December 18 last year invited him to come and join the opposition party. Atiku had assured them that he would consult widely with his associates before taking a decision on the matter. Subsequently, he had commenced extensive consultations at home and abroad and last week stepped up the tempo with consultative meetings in Kaduna, Abuja and Enugu. A snap vote at the end of Atiku’s consultative meeting with his associates and political leaders in Benin City, Edo State, however, showed a near-tie by the attendees in their choice of a party to defect to. At the end of the vote, which followed the well-attended Atiku held with his associates at the Protea Hotel, 47 per cent were inclined to his movement to the APC as against 48 per cent for PDM. Only five per cent wanted his continued stay in the PDP. Atiku had in his remarks at the meeting, recalled that his political struggles, which commenced during the military regime, had always been about advancing the cause of democracy. He noted that the PDP, which he co-founded was now a shadow of its past and had little regards for promoting internal democracy. “I do not have any problem remaining in the PDP but it appears that the PDP has a problem with me remaining in the party. I am not invited to BoT, NEC and caucus meetings that I am statutorily qualified to attend,” Atiku told his associates. Noting that the decision to defect was one of the most difficult political decisions he had to make, the Turaki Adamawa said it was imperative that he consults with his associates, who have over time made good the support base he had. He assured them that the decision he would make at the end of the consultative process would be predicated on the interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. “The most important thing is the future of Nigeria and its people and not about (me),” he said. Atiku, who had consulted with his supporters and associates in the North-west, told Governor Adams Oshiomhole during a courtesy call on the governor yesterday that the consultation was a follow-up to the visit of the APC leadership to him in Abuja last December. The former vice-president stated that it was at that occasion the party requested him “to come back home,” adding: “I look forward to doing that this afternoon.” He commended the governor for his good work and urged him to continue in that direction. He also described Boko Haram’s killings in Adamawa State “as unfortunate”. Atiku also held private a meeting with the interim National Vice-Chairman (South-south) of the APC, Chief Tom Ikimi, at his residence. The consultations continued today in Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital, with a stakeholders’ meeting for the South-west associates. Meanwhile, Responding, Oshiomhole said the former vice-president had enormous capacity to interact and engage without bitterness, adding that he learnt a lot from him as a labour leader. According to him, that Atiku is consulting, shows he is keeping his words, pointing out that in every liberal democracy, there are two parties because there are two broad ideas- left and right. The governor said in Nigeria, the forces were not different and were made up of those who want the status quo to remain and those who want change. He added that unless there was a fair balance within the two forces, the expected change would not come. Oshiomhole, however, warned that in politicking, Nigerians should recognise that it was all about the country and prayed God to guide the former vice-president to take a decision would be in the best interest of the country.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday said the much anticipated Diaspora voting would not feasible until the Electoral Act is amended. The Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said this at a three-day national stakeholders’ forum on electoral reform in Abuja. Jega, represented by INEC Commissioner, Election Party Monitoring, Hajiya Amina Zakari, said INEC might not be ready to conduct Diaspora voting until the Electoral Act was passed into law. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), he said since the people in the Diaspora were citizens of Nigeria, it was necessary to include them in the choice of electing their representatives at all levels of governance. At the moment, only citizens residing in Nigeria at the time of registration of voters can vote at any election. Section 77 (2) of the Electoral Act says: “Every citizen of Nigeria who has attained the age of 18 at the time of the registration of voters for the purposes of election to a legislative house, shall be entitled to be registered as a voter for that election.” The INEC boss, however, said it was proposing an amendment to the Act, to enable Nigerians in the Diaspora who are 18 years as of the time of registration to vote. Jega said denying the Diaspora the right to vote would be an infringement on their right, adding that the proposed amendment would enable them to exercise their fundamental right. The electoral umpire, however, expressed concern over the conduct of party primaries, saying most political parties flouted the electoral law while conducting their primaries. The INEC boss said the Electoral Act did not give the commission enough power to deal with such cases. Jega stated that INEC had to resort to self help on such cases by writing to the affected party to correct the anomaly. He said such impunity where candidate who did not stand for primary was substituted for those who did, would no longer be tolerated, if the proposed Electoral Act was approved.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Strong indications emerged wEDNESday that the lingering feud between Enugu State Governor, Sullivan Chime, and the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, may soon be over as the two leaders met behind closed door last week in Abuja to explore possibilities of working together ahead of the 2015 general election. The meeting which was reportedly convened by the National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) South-east, Col Austin Akobundu (rtd), was said to have taken place at the residence of the former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, in Abuja. Among those who were present at the meeting, according to THISDAY checks, were a former Governor of the old Anambra State, Senator Jim Nwobodo; Chairman of the state chapter of the PDP, Vita Abba and a personal friend of the governor from his Udi Local Government Area, Chief Tony Eze. Although, no official statement emerged from the meeting, sources close to the two political gladiators told THISDAY that both Chime and Ekweremadu were given time to freely express themselves on the reasons for the war of words between them in the media. It was also gathered that the deputy senate president had told the gathering that he was not having any personal differences with his state governor but that there was need for them to openly relate with each other without unnecessary bickering which had become the case in the state. After pleading with them to sheathe their swords, the meeting had prevailed on the two of them to ensure that the ongoing media war ended in the interest of not only the state but the party in view of the challenges it was currently facing across the country. The PDP national vice- chairman, according to a source, had told the Enugu State political leaders clearly that he was not ready to allow any crisis within the party circle in the zone, insisting that any form of crisis would adversely affect the party in the 2015 election, a development that would not be good for all the stakeholders. THISDAY gathered that after the meeting, both Chime and Ekweremadu were asked to go and sort out all issues concerning their individual ambitions and aspirations, but to ensure that whatever be their decision, it should not undermine the peace currently existing in the state and the zone at large. “I can tell you clearly that both of them agreed after the meeting to stop the ongoing media war. The only issue remaining now is for them to sort out the issue concerning their 2015 ambitions. To show their commitment in ensuring that peace is achieved, you will have noticed that their aides are no longer exchanging messages in the media since last week,” the source, who pleaded for anonymity told THISDAY. Efforts to reach out to Akobundu on THISDAY findings could not yield any result as his mobile phone rang repeatedly without response. Meanwhile, THISDAY also gathered that the crisis rocking the PDP in Udi Local Government Area culminating in the alleged removal of the party Chairman, Uche Ogbodo, as well as the purported suspension of some top government functionaries including, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Patrick Okolo; state Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Chijioke Agu; Commerce and Industries counterpart, Jude Akubuilo as well as three other officials would soon be resolved. A source said the national leadership of the party had already waded into the matter and reportedly asked the state chapter to ensure that the matter was resolved amicably without blowing the matter out of proportion.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Constituent members of Ilorin North-West state constituency in Kwara State have disowned their lawmaker representing the constituency in the state House of Assembly, Hon Fatai Salman. Salman was one of the state lawmakers that refused to follow other 22 members of the assembly to the All Progressive Congress(APC) during their recent defection to APC on the floor of the assembly in Ilorin. The lawmaker vowed that he would continue to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) alongside with his other colleague, Hon. Ilyas Ibrahim, representing Oloru/Ipaye state constituency in the assembly. Addressing a news conference in Ilorin yesterday, the spokesman of the APC elders in Ilorin North-West constituency, Malam Tunde Alagbo, told journalists that “Salman’s refusal to defect to the APC as directed by the leadership of our party does not and will not have any negative effect on the party.” He said: “Therefore, the APC members in Ilorin North-West constituency hereby notify the public and the lovers of our amiable leader, Senator Bukola Saraki, that Alhaji Abdufatai Babakinni is hereby disowned as a result of his political insincerity and disloyalty.” The APC leader added that “It would be recalled that all former members of the PDP in Kwara State defected to APC based on the conviction that the PDP could no longer protect our interest. In line with this, any member who fails to follow the directives of APC elders will not see any favour from us. “As a member of the state House of Assembly, he is there to represent Ilorin North-West constituency, consequently before any decision is reached, he must consult with his constituency which he has failed to do.” “His refusal to defect to the APC has not affected us negatively as he has not impacted on the lives of his people as member of the state House of Assembly,” he stated.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) caucus in the House of Representatives has condemned the plan by their counterparts from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to block the passage of the 2014 Appropriation Bill and other executive bills in the National Assembly. In a joint statement signed yesterday by five APGA lawmakers in the House, Hon. Lillian Uche Ekwunife (Caucus Leader), Hon. Afam Ogene, Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwogbo, Hon. Cyril Egwuatu and Hon. Chris Azubogu, made available to THISDAY, the party caucus said the APC’s move, apart from punishing Nigerians, was capable of further polarising the lower legislative chamber. “We decry and deplore current moves to polarise the House and divert it from the broad objectives of making life more meaningful for the generality of Nigerians as the contrived budget stand-off would seem to suggest,” the lawmakers said. The APGA caucus reminded their colleagues that though political affiliation, tribe and tongues may differ, they remain united in the pursuit of one goal, the peace, welfare and well-being of all Nigerians. According to the lawmakers, they decided to meet last Tuesday to review the current happenings within the House and the nation. They advised that even though members of the party’s caucus were free to pursue whatever legislative interests they should however, they must do so only as individuals and “not on subterfuge that they are representing our party in such pursuits.” The APGA legislators promised that despite the motley groupings springing up, the party would at all times remain as a distinct political party and take positions on any issue after careful consideration it’s consequence on national unity and cohesion. “Consequently, we reaffirm our faith in the Federal Republic of Nigeria and restate our commitment to the survival of our democracy and the success of this administration,” they added.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
Interview Chief George Moghalu, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress was until recently the secretary of the All Nigeria Peoples Party merger committee. He was also the Director General of the Chris Ngige Campaign Organisation for the November 16, 2013 governorship election that held in Anambra State. In this Interview with Charles Onyekamuo, Moghalu speaks on issues of national concern. Excerpts: A lot of PDP members, including governors have been defecting to the All Progressive Congress. Does your party see any danger in managing the influx? APC is a brand, and what is happening is expected because the situation where we are today in the country, people have always clamoured for a viable alternative. So it is expected because APC as a party is seen as that alternative and people are moving into APC in droves. There is nothing actually wrong with that because a political party is like a church or mosque where you don’t restrict people from coming in, only that you must have rules and regulation and anybody coming into the party must accept. Are you one of those who believe the PDP as a party has collapsed because of its internal crisis? I wouldn’t say that the PDP as a party has collapsed because they have government at the centre and they have government in some states. At the same time, sight should not be lost to the fact that there are some problems because of the vantage position they are occupying. That is not to say that the party has collapsed. The party is still there as a strong platform and an alternative also to the APC. For me, I don’t wish them collapsing, I wish them to be there so that some of us who have always wished that we have two strong political parties will have it in place. There are upcoming issues that will definitely be a test case for the survival of APC. I am sure you know that the interim committee of APC now in place will snowball into an elective convention for the party. Also the Ekiti State governor His Excellency, Kayode Fayemi and his Osun State counterpart are up for re-election in 2014. One of the biggest test cases for APC was the Anambra election and the party lost. Can you actually take us through what happened? I agree with you that the interim leadership of the party from the timetable that has been released will soon commence membership registration. From there to the issue of congresses that will culminate in a national convention where a substantive leadership will be elected and put in place. Regarding the Anambra elections, I make bold to say, being an insider and at the forefront of what happened that there was practically no election in Anambra State. To say APC lost the election is totally unacceptable because it is not true. We found ourselves in a situation where both the government at the centre and in the state collaborated with the supposedly Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to manipulate the entire voting process with a view to installing a pre-determined candidate which I consider a betrayal of people’s trust and confidence, even the international community. What happened in Anambra State cannot be considered an election but a charade. If they want to test popularity of APC in the state, let them organize free, fair and credible elections. Let them stop deceiving themselves by saying there was an election. How can you say there was an election when the voters register had no integrity? What happened in Anambra was not an election because if it was an election, Jega won’t come out to say there were issues. So there was no election in Anambra State. What happened is not a basis for any test to determine the strength or the capacity of APC. If that is what they intend to do in Ekiti and Osun States, God help them because I can guarantee you that our democracy will not survive it. The concern of a lot of your supporters is in the funding and mutual suspicions amongst all the parties that merged. Is it true that Ngige had problems of funding prior to the election? I make bold to say that funding wasn’t a problem. In actual fact, what are you doing with the funding? Your funding is to handle your logistics and we had no problem or challenge handling our logistics. One thing about an election is that any amount of money you put into it will surely finish, whether it is in billions or trillions. It is just for the organization to plan properly, applying the funds available to their specific needs to achieve desired results and that is exactly what we did. So funding wasn’t an issue at all. Let’s look at APC at the national level with regards to the 2015 general election. Most people feel that APC is a paper tiger, just blowing hot air? APC as a party is fully prepared for election. We only keep throwing this challenge to the establishment: give us the enabling environment; we want an INEC that is truly independent, committed to delivering on their mandate of providing free, fair credible election. Their attitude must change if they are sincere about giving us a credible election in 2015. We are asking the security agencies to see themselves more as Nigerians who have a responsibility to Nigerians more than an individual or a political party who certainly will go one day; they must be neutral. Whatever it will take, I am among those who will continue to champion it, I know the party is focused on it, there must be internal democracy in APC as a political party, and we must have internal democracy, create the enabling environment. Everybody has to have access to power, if you are the popular candidate of your people, you must be allowed to contest election, whoever wins primaries should be the candidate, whoever shows interest to contest for any office, please allow him to contest. The moment we agree on all these things, I am sure we will be on cruise control and the party will continue to grow. The only time we are going to have problem is when we deviate from these principles. What can you say to the beliefs that APC is ideologically bankrupt and has become an all-comers affair? If you read our manifesto and constitution you will understand that basically progressivism and the welfare of the people are the two key cardinal points in the party. As to people who are coming in, if you are willing to follow the rules, you are welcome because we already have a manifesto written down and we agree that everybody must implement this manifesto and the manifesto covers every aspect of our national life. Ahead the APC national convention, speculations are rife that people like you are gunning for the removal of the zoning process to enable you run for the chairmanship of the party. It is true? Well, speculation is part of political life; anybody can speculate anything. I believe there is need for zoning so that every interest will be accommodated. As for the speculation, I like you to know that once you are in the open, anybody can say anything about you. But I believe my main concern today is that we should first build a strong party before we start talking of who aspires to be what. When the convention comes, we will be able to take our decision, but what I can tell you confidently is that there is consultation going on everywhere. Do you share the view that the president may have finally had a hold on the security of the country? We have had a lot of issues on security, but that we did not have any incidence in very strategic places in the country during this holiday is a welcome development and I am happy about it. This is one area nobody wants to play politics with because you can’t talk about driving an economy in an insecure environment. For me, anything that can be done, any sacrifice that can be made to make the country safe should be of primary consideration because I see it as a primary responsibility of government and I welcome it. So we will keep praying that everybody concerned will live up to expectation and live up to their responsibilities. Still on security, INEC has said the states under emergency rule may not be up for elections in 2015; what is your take on this? It is a joke because like the governor of Borno said which makes so much sense, the moment you say that you have given in to the insurgents, you have confirmed that they are in charge. You don’t do such a thing and more so, with the recent local government election in Yobe State which was reported as free, fair and peaceful with a large turnout has made nonsense of that assertion. So I think that we should not think about that. INEC should prepare and go and conduct elections in those states at the proper time.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, South-east, Chief Anyim Nyerere, speaks with Onyebuchi Ezigbo on Igbo presidency, APC’s in-roads in the South-east and other challenges facing the opposition party. Excerpts: How can you rate APC’s penetration in the South-east? APC is doing very well but we are not used to making noise. You see,God is working for us and things are working out for us naturally. This is because people over the years have not really had theirdesired expectations as it concerned the dividend of democracy and impact of good governance on the people. They are naturally yearning for this change which APC has come up with and everywhere you go people are clamouring for APC and this change. I believe that God has ordained this change at this particular time. What do you make of the campaign spreading around the South-east that APC is not an Igbo party? These are campaigns of calumny. We are talking about Nigeria and a party that all Nigerians belong. How do you ascribe it to one ethnic nationality? You see, such campaigns or propaganda is just designed to scare people away but they do not know the more they try it the more they attract more people to our party. Talking about being a Yoruba party or Hausa party, are there not Hausa’s and Yoruba’s in PDP? Look at the number of Igbos in APC. So it is not true and there is no amount of such propaganda that will deter people from embracing this change. For the first time in this political dispensation, the Igbo are taken into the main frame of Nigerian politics sincerely, not deceitfully. They are only using the propaganda to scare people away. The APC is a national party and the Igbos are duly represented and their interests well captured. Some people have said the continued operation of interim structure of leadership has not allowed the opportunity to fully extend its influence to the grassroots and that this is beginning to have negative impact on the party? No! This is a process. If we are hoping to make a change, we must be ready to do something right. It is not easy to have fusion of people from diverse political background coming together as one. But APC has been able to achieve that peaceful fusion among the merging parties. In the South East, we have been able to harmonize the state interim executive structures in all the five states. Last week in Owerri, we were able to resolve that to the glory of God. The interim executives at the states were elected and we have been directed by the national leadership to make sure that they are inaugurated before the end of December. Even before now, we had various committees working on our membership drive and this has been yielding positive results. What is the situation in Imo State, especially the threat by the All Progressive Grand Alliance to reclaim the state from APC? That is an illusion; people living in a dream world. We believe in free and fair election, where the wishes of the people should prevail. It is not a matter of making noise. APC is on ground in Imo state and in other areas of the South East. You saw what happened during the Anambra governorship election, that is, if it can be called an election. The conspiracy against our party means that something is happening. There is an Igbo adage that says anyone being talked about, has something to offer. If APC is a push-over, why then the hues and cries; why the conspiracy and gang-up? Allow it if you think they are not the party to beat in an election. As far as Imo state is concerned, APGA is living in a fool’s paradise; there’s no longer anything like APGA in Imo state. Party politics these days has gone beyond a family affair and people can no longer be deceived. Even the smallest boy in the street knows what he wants these days. Based on what happened in Anambra where in spite of the acclaimed popularity of your candidate, you still lost the election. Why? We did what we could under the circumstance in Anambra election. For the chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega to come out openly and acknowledge that what happened during the Anambra election was against their expectation and was not normal, what do you need to be told? Can the abnormalities in Anambra state produce a credible result? The answer is no. So whatever you are seeing in Anambra cannot be taken as a victory for anyone because the umpire, that is INEC has come out openly to tell Nigerians that there were fraudulent practices and abnormalities in the Anambra election. Having said that, how can Nigerians accept that there was an election in Anambra? This was why APC was calling for its total cancellation. We as a party has told Nigerians and the world that we do not accept the election conducted in Anambra state and we have gone a step further to go to the court to pursue our case which we believe is the final hope for justice. We have also tried to challenge what happened in Anambra state by carrying our protest march to the INEC office. We warned that if what was experimented in Delta and Anambra states is what they want to try in 2015, that they should better have a rethink, because once beaten, twice shy. It will never succeed. Nigerians will never accept it, not even APC. Your constitution stipulates a timeframe for the interim executives and some people have already started to agitate that the interim leadership has over-stayed its welcome; what would you say to that? There is no breach against the constitution but the period of the interim structure will soon elapse. What the interim leadership is doing right now is to prepare ground for the substantive leadership. After the membership registration exercise, we are going to organize congresses and then the national convention. By God’s grace before the end of the first quarter of 2014, we would have had our national convention. We are in the process now and have started mobilizing for the membership registration. Do you think that the APC can offer an opportunity for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction? Why not? The Igbo people are eminently qualified to do so and I do not think anything can stop them from aspiring to be President. The Igbo people are Nigerians and constitutionally entitled to do so. In looking at it, one of the best things that could happen to this nation is to have a president of Igbo extraction. If that happens, you will see a change, the desired change in the polity. But isn’t there any sign of interest or movements towards the direction of having an Igbo politician declare for presidency ahead of 2015? You know the ban on politics has not yet been lifted, so nobody will come out openly now to campaign. We have had people making a case for Igbo presidency, even the Ohaneze and other well-meaning Nigerians outside of the Igbo race, like the former governor of Kaduna state, Alhaji Balarabe Musa have been quoted as having said that the best thing that could happen to the country is have Nigerian President of Igbo extraction. We have so many Igbo sons and daughters who are yearning for the right time to come out and declare their interest and aspiration in the presidential contest. APC has been making in-roads in the North, South-west and even South-south and recently five governors left PDP to join APC but none of them are from the South-east, is it not a sign that the party has not gained acceptance in your area? As the days go by, most of our political leaders in the South-east will soon begin declaring for the APC. Former top members of the PDP are now in APC while some other from other parties are resigning and joining our party. Our doors are open to welcome new members who want to join us. Most of them have declared interest that they would come and register with APC. You know it is a continuous process. As far as we know, the entire South East is for APC. What is your political ambition in 2015 and beyond? People sometimes try to shy away from realities. I come from Abia State where there is a dire need for proactive leadership because over the years what we have had in Abia is better imagined than disclosed. So who says Nyerere cannot come out? I offer myself for a service that will emancipate the people of Abia state come 2015. The Bible said if you know what to do and you fail to do it, then it is sin. I have what it takes to make my State better and I will not hesitate to present myself to offer such service to the people of Abia state. What are some of the things you will be offering the Abia people which the present PDP administration has failed to do? Education is something that every Abia person should have access to and money should not be a hindrance. If I get to the helm of affairs in Abia state, I will look at what the state of things are and see how to approach the problem of education. But one thing that is paramount is that every Abia child should have the privilege to go to school comfortably without having to drop out of school because of money. It will be fashioned in a way that Abia people will be happy with our education system. If we will be in a position to offer a holistic free education from primary to tertiary level, we will not stop at doing that. We would do something to ensure that Abia people will go to school without tears.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
In this interview with John Shiklam, Mr. Mark Jacob Nzamah, a former National Legal Adviser of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Kaduna State, speaks on the growing discontent in the state chapter of the PDP and the alleged marginalisation of Southern Kaduna people, among other issues. Excerpts: You recently raised the alarm over the discontent that led to the defection of many members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party in Kaduna State, including a former state chairman of the party to the APC. What is the situation? Yes we have our internal problems in Kaduna state. Forget about all these issues of defection to APC. Even if people don’t defect, I can assure you that the discontent and anger of people within the PDP in Kaduna state is enough to cause the problem. Personally I am not defecting to any party, but that does not mean I am happy with the situation of things in the party. I will never change to another party when I know that there is no ideological difference. I can only move when there is indication in the air that the new platform is something different; that there will be internal democracy, that there will be fairness and equity, that state resources will be used for the common good. Nobody is talking about that; all the APC is saying is that PDP is bad and they want to seize power. When you seize power, what do you do with it? But in the first place I know that the APC will not get power with the way they are going about it because the confrontation that is facing the PDP will soon rear its ugly head in the APC when the time comes for them to decide who will stand election here and there. So it is not about moving from one cup of coffee to another cup of tea. It is the same ball game; people just want political offices. What specifically are the problems with Kaduna PDP? The people who left PDP in Kaduna to the APC had serious issues and I don’t blame them as such because unless you have the kind of conviction that some of us have, you don’t solve the situation by changing the vehicle. People have given reasons that instead of remaining in here and be insulted by a party leadership that is put in place and we supported, they will rather move to avoid the insult and possibly be allowed to play some roles elsewhere. It is the same game of seeking respect and recognition but it is not about ideology. People who are saddled with responsibility in the PDP have refused to open arms and accept different shade of opinions where people who hold different views and opinion can come and express themselves. We disagree to agree, that is politics; that is maturity. But we have had a situation in Kaduna where people run this party as a family thing. Unless you are one of those that come to lie down the floor and declare loyalty to them, you will never be allowed to be anything. That is wrong and that is what has caused defection in PDP in Kaduna state. It is not about ideology, it is about people insisting on being respected. It is about people who have played some role in the party being respected. I honestly don’t blame those who defected in Kaduna for their action. Some of us have carried on with the pains and have refused to run out. We will remain in the party and speak our mind without necessarily running away. I don’t believe in running away because the other place you are running to has its own kettle of fish. You come from the Southern part of Kaduna which is largely a support base for the PDP. But the people of the area are said to be disenchanted with the current situation of things in the state. Do you think the PDP will still maintain its grip on the area come 2015? It is going to be slightly difficult because from the Makarfi era, everybody knows that the PDP did not get blog votes from Southern part of Kaduna by magic. It was out of satisfaction that the people of Southern Kaduna voted massively for the PDP because there was a government that was responding to the basic need of our people. These are very simply things – road network, water and electricity. I can tell you that our people are very unhappy that immediately after Makarfi’s tenure virtually everything that was put in place deteriorated, virtually nothing was added. There was no addition to those things that Makarfi left. Instead of a policy of appeasement or discussion, we have a situation where people in government or leadership position make it a duty to insult the sensibility of ourpeople. So we can see discontent and sadness among our people who ordinarily would vote the PDP without asking questions. Today they are asking why there had been no improvement on what was left behind by Makarfi. So I can say without any shadow of doubt that the fortunes of the PDP in Southern Kaduna are highly at risk. This is largely as a result of mismanagement or failure on the part of people in government to build on the foundation that was laid. It is a failure on leaders of the party to play their part, convincing people. We have a situation where party leaders talk arrogantly and behave as if the people don’t matter. You are praising the Makarfi administration because you served as commissioner during that period and because you belong to the Makarfi camp of the PDP in the state? I don’t know Makarfi’s camp of the PDP you are talking about. The truth is that our people in Southern Kaduna are very simple but are very critical. If you don’t work for them, it doesn’t matter which party you belong to, they decisively will reject you. For them, all you need is to work; you don’t need to come around to ask for vote once you work well. I live among the people, I don’t live in Abuja or Kaduna and I interact with them so I know them very well. I am talking about the ordinary people in Kagoro, Zonkwa, Kwoi etc. As a journalist, do an independent investigation and find out what I am telling you. Our people are not happy. Yes, I served under Makarfi as commissioner, but am speaking as a serious member of the PDP and based on realities on the ground. I am not contemplating going to any mushroom political party. But I am saying that the PDP in my state has messed up. If we want to gain and retain our control of the state, we must wake up from our slumber. The people who are in the reins of governance must change the style of managing Kaduna state. Kaduna is not like one of these small states where you can behave anyhow and things get moving, particularly when you are dealing with the Southern Kaduna people. They are highly intelligent and very critical. Even if they don’t talk to you, they wait for the elections. People are going to be shocked if things don’t change. Governor Muktar Yero celebrated Christmas with the Southern Kaduna people. Do you see that as a fence mending effort? The governor is in a better position to say whether that was good or not. But for me, the problem is not centred on the governor or any commissioner coming to celebrate Christmas with the people. It is about administrating the people fairly and justly. It is about the welfare of the people; it is about the wealth of the state; it is about power sharing in the state. These are the critical questions being asked by our people. It is not about coming to Kafanchan and receiving selected groups, selected by your own cronies who bring some people to tell you what you want to hear. It is about what you are doing with state resources; which projects you are working on; which appointments have you given to the Southern Kaduna people. These are the critical questions some of us are being asked by our people. So it is not about visiting my traditional ruler during Christmas. It is about the resources of the state and how you are managing the resources. Have you shown our people respect, knowing that majority of the votes that brought you to office are from our people. I will give you an example. When Yakowa died, it was very painful and we were shocked that the Governor of Kaduna state and the Vice President Namadi Sambo waited until President Goodluck Jonathan reshuffled his cabinet before the very clear marginalisation of the Southern Kaduna people was taken into cognisance. For example, when Yakowa died, the Governor is from the Northern part of the state, the minister was from the northern part of the state, the Speaker of the Kaduna state House of Assembly was from the northern part of the state, the vice President is from the northern part of the state. Everything went on quietly. From the Vice President to the governor, nobody took steps to correct this anomaly until the President decided to reshuffle his cabinet. As I am talking to you now, there is even a plot to ensure that the ministerial slot for the state is given to the northern part of the state. These are very serious issues that should not be swept under the carpet by anybody who is serious about managing Kaduna state. These are the issues that make the Southern Kaduna people unhappy with the PDP. It is important that those at the helms of affairs in the state take note of these things. Will you support your people to vote against the PDP in view of what you said? Our people are highly intellectual and nobody needs to work on anybody to determine the votes. Southern Kaduna is not where you manipulate. We are raising this alarm so that those in charge can correct this glaring anomaly.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
In an obvious show of how fast-paced Konga.com is progressing as an emerging ecommerce powerhouse in Nigeria and Africa at large, a 12 member team of the social media giant, Facebook.com, paid a courtesy visit to Konga.com offices on the 28th January, 2014.
Leading the delegation of social media gurus, Nichola Mendelsohn; Head of Facebook, Europe, Middle East and Africa, met and addressed the Konga leadership and Marketing team, where she highlighted the role and importance of Konga as a success story with a reputation that has gone beyond local shores but quickly gaining traction around Africa despite having only being in existence for less than 2 years.
The team were really interested in how Konga has been able to stamp its footprint in Nigeria in such a short time with plenty of positive feedback coming from users on Facebook
Adding further, she also emphasized their admiration and satisfaction for the successful execution of Konga’s Black Friday/Cyber Friday-Fall Yakata and Konga’s Christmas Campaigns while expressing their desire to further strengthen Facebook’s relationship with the Konga brand with mutually beneficial partnerships that would help the brand and over 12 million active people using Facebook in Nigeria as a whole.
COO of Konga.com, Alex Kamara on behalf of the Konga team thanked the Facebook team for taking out time to visit and talked about how Konga always goes where its users love to go. He also spoke about some of the initiatives that Konga has planned for its users in the coming year.
This past weekend, Konga was also honored by the Creative Entrepreneurs of Nigeria with an award for excellence at a Gala night that was held at the British council gardens. The event had Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for Economy, Dr Okonjo Iweala and Dr Andrew Pocock, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria in attendance.
Anthony-Claret is a software Engineer, entrepreneur and the founder of Codewit INC. Mr. Claret publishes and manages the content on Codewit Word News website and associated websites. He's a writer, IT Expert, great administrator, technology enthusiast, social media lover and all around digital guy.
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