The National Women Leader of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Dr. Betta Edu, says the president elect Bola Tinubu has already spelt out what his government will do in the first 60 days in office.
Tinubu was on Thursday, alongside side the Vice President elect Kassim Shettima, conferred with the GCFR and GCON, respectively, by President Muhammadu Buhari ahead their inauguration on May 29.
Also, ahead their swearing in, the Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a suit filed by Atiku Abubakar and his party, the People’s Democratic Party, PDP challenging the nomination of Shettima and vice president by the APC.
The Apex Court in its ruling after its five-man panel of justices considered the suit said both Atiku and PDP lacked the local standi to file the suit, thus clearing the coast for the swearing in next Monday.
Speaking of what to expect from the Tinubu-led Government, Edu said Tinubu will hit the ground running immediately after his inauguration, saying the President-elect already mapped out programs which will benefit Nigerians in his first 60 days as President and commander-in-chief.
She said by the time Tinubu finished his first term in office Nigerians will be begging him to contest for another four years, noting that the former Lagos state governor has studied the pitfalls of the current administration.
Edu said: “The first point we must understand is that Nigeria is a work in progress. If you listen to the speech of President Muhammadu Buhari today at the state banquet hall, he stated very clearly that he has fought a good fight.
“He said he is handing over Nigeria to someone who he believes will continue from where he stops and do better.”
“If you know Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, he is a deep thinker and doer. One who is very strong in terms of analysing and strategising,” she added.
“I can boldly tell you for free that the next 60 days have clearly been spelt out by Tinubu — what he hopes to do, what he hopes to achieve, at what point and where.
“He fully understands the task ahead of him. He is fully prepared. He wants to hit the ground running.
Residents of some communities in the southern part of Ondo state have again cried out over their continued sufferings occasioned by deplorable roads, electricity and other social amenities in the area.
In an open letter to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, by one of the residents, Oluwafemi Odofin, appealed to the governor to extend development to the area.
“Sir, Ondo South is the cash cow of Ondo State as we are richly blessed with human and minerals resources.
“However, the growth and development of the south is not commensurate with the vast human-capital and mineral resources we are being greatly endowed with.
“The social amenities and infrastructure across the length and breath of the southern axis of the state is nothing to write home about.
“Most of our roads are in a terribly deplorable state and it is not longer news as well that four local government areas which comprises: Okitipupa, Irele, Ilaje and Ese-Odo have been in perpetual darkness for over 15 years now- a worrisome situation that has crippled our socioeconomic activities in the entire area.
“Presently, the Ore-Okitipupa road, which has been left unmaintained for some years now is in a horrible state.
“The bad state of the said road has negatively impacted the people as passengers now pay higher fares. Also, motorists take a longer time plying the road while the rate of auto crashes has also be on the increase.
“The nightmare that has come to be associated with navigating this road has made some drivers to stop their daily business.
“I really sympathize with our pregnant mothers plying this road on daily basis because information has it that some expectant mothers have had miscarriages because of the terrible state of the road.
“In a nutshell, this is a passionate appeal to Mr Governor to help intervene by rehabilitating the Ore-Okitipupa motorway so that the people living in this axis of the state can again experience a new lease of life.
“It is my candid belief that this plea will not fall on Your Excellency’s deaf ears. We are counting on your responsiveness in this regard, Sir.”
The coast is clear for Monday’s inauguration of Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima as the President and Vice President of Nigeria, respectively.
The Supreme Court on Friday dismissed a suit filed by the People’s Democratic Party, (PDP) challenging the eligibility of the President-elect, Bola Tinubu to contest the Presidential Election which was held on February 25th.
Nigerians had been patiently waiting to know the stand of the apex court in the suit which was thought to be a make or mar for the May 29 inauguration.
A five-member panel of the Supreme Court held on Friday that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lacked the locus standi to institute the suit.
The PDP had contended that the manner the APC and Tinubu nominated Mr Shettima as a Vice Presidential candidate for the election, was in gross breach of the provisions of the Electoral Act,
The party argued that there was evidence to establish that Mr Shettima was nominated twice, both for the Vice Presidential position, as well as for the Borno Central Senatorial seat, an action the PDP maintained was in contravention of the law.
Delivering judgment the Supreme Court held that the issue of locus is important. A plaintiff’s locus is linked with the court’s jurisdiction.
“A plaintiff must show harm or substantial harm done to him by the action he is complaining about.
“The appellant relied greatly on section 248(14c) of the constitution.
“This section deprived the appellant of the locus as it bars interference of political parties into the affairs of other political parties.
“The appellant did not participate in the election or nomination of the 4th respondent( Shettima).
“Section 84 of the electoral act only empowers an aspirant of a political party to institute an action in a pre-election matter.
“No political party can challenge the Nomination of the candidates of another political party, no matter how pained any person may be on how a political party nominated its candidate, the person must remain an onlooker.
“The determination of a pre-election matter has a time limit, the 180 of the trial court to exercise its jurisdiction and the 60 days for the appellate court to exercise its jurisdiction has lapsed.
“The suit was a waste of judicious time of the court.”
A cost of N2million is awarded against the plaintiff.
Amid obvious plot to remove the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, from office by some forces in the country, the Conference Of Nigeria Parties (CNPP) and the Coalition Of National Civil Society Organisations (CNCSOs) have called on President-elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, not to fall for the antics of those they described as Anti-Bawa elements.
The CNPP and the Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja and jointly signed by the CNPP Secretary General, Chief Willy Ezugwu and the National Secretary of the CNCSOs, Alhaji Ali Abacha, the groups noted that from their investigations, “allegations against the EFCC chairman were mere concoctions and at best, imaginary.”
They stated that “the plots to frustrate the anti-graft war in Nigeria, as seen in the last few weeks, through consistent attacks on the country’s anti-graft agency, the Economic And Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and its Chairman, Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa, remain worrisome.
“We almost believe what we have now discovered to be tissues of lies against the EFCC chairman and the commission itself, especially the alleged $300,000 said to have been spent by Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa for Sheraton Hotels accommodation for himself and his family in Jedda and Mecca during lesser Hajj.
“Some groups alleged that Mr Bawa spent $15,000 for 10 days per room and paid for 6 rooms, which they totalled to be $300,000 and considered same far above his means as a public servant.
“First, from the face value of the allegation, the mathematics is faulty because the figures were hurriedly generated to blackmail the executive Chairman of the EFCC. If we go by the allegation, it is obvious that figures being quoted cast serious doubts on the entire allegation.
“If the EFCC Chairman truly booked 6 rooms for himself and his family at the cost $15, 000 as being alleged, the total will be $90, 000 per day and in 10 days, it will total $900, 000 and not $300, 000 being bandied about. Therefore, anyone who believes the allegation can believe anything.
“Secondly, our independent findings show that Mr. Bawa neither spent anything close to $900,000 nor the $300,000 for accommodation.
“We therefore challenge anyone with contrary view to make available his or her evidence.
“Equally amusing is the accusation by the outgoing governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, that the EFCC Chairman, demanded $2 million as a bribe from him. He has been challenged by the EFCC about a week ago to produce the evidence of such request for the alleged bribery sum but he is yet to make his evidence public.
“It has, therefore, become very obvious that the attacks of the EFCC Chairman are sponsored by politicians who are now going for the jugular of Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa to get him out of the way.
“All conscious Nigerians will notice that the attacks on the EFCC as an anti-graft commission and the Chairman of the agency as a person have been incremental since it became public that the EFCC has concluded plans to go after some outgoing governors and other public officials after May 29.
“EFCC Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa, had in March this year revealed the readiness of the commission to nab corrupt elected officials and government appointees, specifically saying that arrests would be made immediately after May 29.
“With about 18 outgoing governors and their deputies under the EFCC radar, it is expected that corruption will fight back, which is what has been happening in the last few week.
“Besides targeting those to be picked at the end of this administration, Bawa also disclosed that at least two ministries are currently under the radar of the commission for fraudulent activities that border on procurement processes.
“These are some of the forces behind the Bawa Must Step Aside campaign.
“We therefore urge the President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to start on a wrong footing by being a victim of the desperation of thieving politicians who want to mislead him into sacking Mr. Abdulrasheed Bawa as EFCC Chairman.
“Suspending Mr Bawa under any guise will certainly send a wrong signal to Nigerians and the international community that the incoming administration will be corruption-friendly.
“We equally call on conscious political class and the Civil Society to rise up in defence of anti-graft war in Nigeria and support the EFCC to recover our stolen commonwealth which has been stashed away by corrupt politicians and their allies in Nigeria and in foreign lands.
“We demand for an end to the ongoing campaign of calumny against the person of Mr Abdulrasheed Bawa and the EFCC as an anti-graft agency.
“We hereby urge the EFCC Chairman and all operatives of the commission not to be deterred by the calculated attempts to use the media to intimidate and frustrate them in their avowed determination to arrest and prosecute all corrupt politically exposed individuals, including governors and others officials of government after May 29 handover date”, the statement concluded.
Former President Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has felicitated with elder statesman Chief Edwin Clark on the occasion of his 96th birthday, wishing him peace and sound health as he continues to work for a united and prosperous Nigeria.
Dr Jonathan described Chief Clark as a great leader who has been consistent in his advocacy for a peaceful, just and prosperous country.
In a goodwill message he personally signed, Dr. Jonathan stated:
“I join your family and friends and other Nigerians to felicitate you on your 96th birthday and to thank God for the gift of long life in good health.
“You are a great leader, who has been consistent in the advocacy for a peaceful, just and united Nigeria.
“As an elder statesman, you have continued to lend your voice on critical national issues as a dogged crusader for justice and role model to millions of youth across the country.
“ I wish you more years of peace and sound health as you celebrate.”
There is simply no nice way to speak about the Buhari era.
Under him, the country became of no consequence in the councils of power and diplomacy and even in Africa – except as a grave source of concern and fear of the fall outs of its quite possible implosion.
It also became of no consequence to many of its people except as a source of pain and affliction.
For a man who was so determined to occupy Aso Rock that he became something of a career presidential candidate, President Muhammadu Buhari’s eagerness to leave the seat of power he occupied for eight years says it all: he was a desperately incompetent failure.
Every which way you look, there is nothing to hold up as a viable achievement. So pathetic is his record that he was left to declaring open major projects like the Dangote refinery and the second Niger Bridge that are in fact uncompleted. Yet he had all of eight years to do so.
Such has been his indifferent, slothful leadership that the past several months left ample room for a thieves carnival with a scramble to award contracts of questionable value – from multibillion naira fire trucks to resuscitating the flying elephant( the unfortunate symbol of the long defunct national airline and our mothballed hopes).
If a wrecking ball had been applied to the national edifice, it couldn’t have done greater damage than what Buhari managed to inflict on Nigeria. All that his one-time admirers touted as his strong suit proved to be hollow shells.
Corruption, nepotism, impunity, indiscipline, callous indifference to pain and suffering, insecurity ran amok under his watch.
Many times in its post-independence history, Nigeria has been on the verge of dissolving in chaos. Under Buhari it came closest such that even those who had long believed in keeping the country together no matter what began to lose faith. Trained professionals- doctors, nurses, bankers, teachers- who are the backbone of any functioning society gave up on the country and joined the exodus to other climes with nary a concern expressed from official quarters.
Appointments were made on the basis of the recipients falling within the rather narrow comfort zone and rather constricted world view of the president even if they were in blatant violation of the constitution and unwritten codes of fairness and equity that helped to keep the country together.
Apart from the economic wasteland that he has bequeathed, the most consequential damage has been the utter devaluation of life such that rising statistics of deaths and kidnapping now barely elicit a shrug.
Nearly every institution has suffered devastation. Procedure, systems,ethics and mores function in the breach. More than ever before Nigeria’s is a case of everyone for himself – and the devil for us all. Apart from policies, programmes and projects being seemingly driven by how they enrich the originators and implementers, individuals seem able to readily procure the services of agents and agencies of government to enforce their private, often nefarious agenda. The epitaph to the tenure of Buhari, a man who his once ardent supporters invested with messianic qualities can well be in the boast of an individual In one reported ongoing case: ” you can get away with anything in Nigeria. It depends on who you know, the language you speak and your sex.”
It was indeed an era of impunity writ large.
The process had been incremental. But why under Buhari did we fall so far so fast and how do we avoid worse to come?
What should be obvious to all is that leadership recruitment based primarily on regional, religious or ethnic considerations often bring all to grief. The whole country has suffered but the devastation of the north has been particularly gruesome. Fortunately, and particularly with the enlightened youth, the repudiation of such proclivities is becoming quite consequential. We saw this flowering with the EndSars protest of 2020 and it again manifested in the undeniable electoral achievement of Peter Obi and his Labour Party in the recent elections.
The next administration has its work cut out. Put an end to the egregious forms of impunity that have ruined the country.
While wholesale probes are probably distracting, no serious administration can move forward without taking stock of the nature and perpetrators of an utterly baleful inheritance. For instance, the borrowing frenzy. The huge Chinese loans that have put us into peonage and ostensibly contracted to modernize our airports and rail system need to be investigated and those who corruptly enriched themselves identified and severely punished with assets confiscation and long prison terms.
The gravity of our woes means it can no longer be business as usual and with past wrongs swept under the carpet.
If there is one good eight years of Buhari has done it is to bring us to the realization that we are at a tipping point with our very survival depending on the next step we take.
Sully Abu is of FrontFoot Media Initiative, a non-profit
COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF A CRUCIAL MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN AND MIDDLE BELT LEADERS’ FORUM (SMBLF), HELD IN ABUJA, ON WEDNESDAY, 24TH MAY 2023
A crucial meeting of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders’ Forum (SMBLF) was held on Wednesday, 24th May 2023, in Abuja. The meeting which was chaired by elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark, OFR, CON, had in attendance leaders of the component organizations: Afenifere for the South West, Ohanaeze Ndigbo for the South East, Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) for the South-South and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) for the Middle Belt.
Delegations of the constituent organizations were respectively led by Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Leader of Afenifere (South West); Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, CFR, President-General, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide (South East); Dr. Pogu Bitrus, President, Middle Belt Forum (Middle Belt); as well as Senator Emmanuel Ibok Essien, FNSE, National Chairman, Pan Niger Delta Forum, PANDEF (South-South).
Delegates to the meeting who were drawn from former Governors, Ministers, Federal and State legislators, Community leaders, top politicians and professionals from the Southern and Middle Belt regions, had Oba Oladipo Olaitan – Deputy Leader Afenifere, General Lawrence Onoja rtd., former Military Governor of Plateau and Katsina States, Potter L. Dabup, D.I.G (Rtd.), Chief John Nnia Nwodo, former Minister of Information & former PG Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR, Secretary-General Ohanaeze Ndigbo, HRM Dr. Eze Ibe Nwosu, Amb. Eddy Onuoha, Chief Dr. Simon Okeke, former Chairman of Police Service Commission, Amb. Dr. God knows Igali, OON, FNAH, Professor G. G. Darah, Chief Barr. Sola Ebiseni – Secretary General, Afenifere, Dr. Akin Fapohunda, Chief Supo Shonibare, Professor Charles Nwekeaku, Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, Dr. Ene Ede, Elder Mac Emakpore, Prince Maikpobi Okareme, Engr. Ben Akaakar, Hon. Jonathan Tsaku, and Dr. Ken Robinson, among others.
The meeting deliberated extensively on the present state of affairs in Nigeria, especially the renewed siege of insecurity around the country, the ongoing post-election judicial process in the various Tribunals and the national economy.
At the end of the discussions, the SMBLF resolves as follows:
On the State of the Nation
Restates its time-tested position that the future of Nigeria can only be sustained on the basis of true federalism and respect for the autonomy of the federating units.
Express shock at the escalation of killings, pogroms, total destruction of entire communities and means of livelihood in several targeted areas in select states since after the 2023 General elections, mainly in Plateau, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Southern Kaduna, Kebbi, and various states of the South East, where hundreds of armless citizens are being slaughtered daily.
Notes with grave concern that the nation’s security agencies have continued to show unwillingness to decisively deal with the perpetrators of these monstrous acts, or rather, deliberately turned a blind eye to the atrocious occurrences, thereby exposing the country to a seeming state of war. It is shameful that non-state actors are allowed to openly tote dangerous weapons about and rampage the country unhindered.
Condemns, in unmistakable terms, the cavalier and totally nonchalant attitudes of the outgoing governors of some states over the collapse of security in certain parts of their states, which has continued to exacerbate the worrisome situation, and hopes their successors will show greater commitment to the welfare of their citizens who are the victims of this sad situation.
Further warns that the continuous abdication of Government’s primary and abiding constitutional responsibility of safeguarding the lives and properties of its citizens is an irresistible signal to Nigerians to exercise their inalienable rights of self-defense, by all means.
Again deplores the inhuman plight of thousands of indigenous people in the Middle Belt states driven out of their homes and have now become Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for years as well as several other Internally Displaced Persons in different parts of the country, left to live in conditions that impinge on their human rights as citizens of this country. Hence, calls on the Federal Government to, without any further delay, facilitate the return and reintegration of these Nigerians to their Communities.
Outcome of the 2023 General
With regards to the 2023 General elections, SMBLF commends Nigerian youths for their courage and astuteness in expressing their interest in the future of this country and calls on them not to become discouraged by some of the seeming outcomes.
Accordingly, calls on the youths of Nigeria to remain undeterred and emboldened to carry their foresight of building a new Nigeria to fruition, and to note that the STRUGGLE FOR THE NEEDED CHANGE has just begun.
The Judicial Process
SMBLF strongly urges the Nation’s Judiciary to be aware that all Nigerians are watching with very keen interest the ongoing judicial processes at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal as well as various election tribunals across the country.
Further cautions the judicial arm, at all levels, to be mindful of the fact that the present process is a true test of our effort at building a country based on rule of law and respect for our constitution. It is the expectation of Nigerians that the outcome of the processes will be a reflection of the provisions of the Constitution of the country, which must be sacrosanct, and the rights of all affected parties upheld based on the provisions of the laws of Nigeria.
SMBLF commends the various parties for subjecting themselves to the expected judicial processes in line with the Constitution and the Electoral Laws of the country.
On the Economy
SMBLF notes with serious concern, the continued snowballing level of indebtedness being incurred by the Federal Government, particularly the recent request for $800 million World Bank loan, and calls on the Federal Government to rescind that request.
Decries the rising cost of living in the country and the hyper inflation rate, confining a vast majority of ordinary Nigerians to a dire state of survival. Implores government at all levels to take urgent, practical steps to rejig the economy, check inflation and help improve citizens’ well-being and prospects.
General Issues
The meeting congratulated Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu over his emergence as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The meeting eulogized its National Leader, Chief Edwin Clark on the occasion of his 96th birthday on Thursday, 25th May 2023.
The meeting observed moments of silence for the memory of the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb. Prof. George Obiozor, CON; the late leader of the Middle Belt, Commodore Dan Suleiman, and late Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff, who was Chairman of the Bayelsa State Chapter of PANDEF.
The meeting was held in an atmosphere of peace and collective commitment to the decisions.
DONE IN ABUJA, THIS 24TH DAY OF MAY 2023.
Signed:
Chief (Dr.) Edwin Kiagbodo Clark, OFR, CON – Leader
Those who are poised to work against the success of the recently proposed Imo Charter of Equity may be doing so at their own peril as the traditional rulers in Imo State have taken the idea to the gods of the land, asking them to deal mercilessly with overt and covert saboteurs.
The monarchs also asked the gods for yet another thing – to support the reelection of Governor Hope Uzodimma with everything within their reach.
Led by the Imo State Chairman, Council of Traditional Rulers, HRM Eze (Dr.) Emmanuel Okeke, the monarchs assembled on Thursday, May 25, 2023 at the Government House Roundabout where they poured libation in support of the Imo State Charter of Equity and the re-election bid of Governor Uzodimma and more importantly, against any person or group of persons, that will go contrary the Charter.
The traditional rulers said Governor Uzodimma has performed above expectations, initiating and completing many Federal and State projects in Imo and therefore deserves to be re-elected.
Eze Okeke told the media that “His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma has performed creditably well to the admiration of the entire State and especially, to the traditional rulers and their spouses.”
He added that the libation and prayers they came to offer were their own way of endorsing the unanimous agreement of Imo State Council of Elders and all stakeholders in the State who support the full implementation of the Charter of Equity.
According to Eze Okeke, it was also an opportunity for them to pass a vote of confidence on Governor Uzodimma “having seen all the good works he has done in the State.”
Eze Okeke was joined by his brother monarchs in charge of the three Zones in Imo State to pour the libation and offer the prayers.
They were HRH Eze Thomas Obiefule (Orlu), HRH Eze Goddy Okeke (Okigwe) and HRH Eze Osuagwu Akujobi (Owerri).
The Zonal monarchs in unison with all their colleagues prayed against any individual or group of persons that would oppose the Imo Charter of Equity or work against the reelection of Governor Uzodinma.
The Chief of Staff to the Governor, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie and other top government officials witnessed the occasion.
Governor Samuel Ortom has just carried out his final, and most irresponsible action as the Governor of Benue State. He called a confirmed, executed, Coupist a hero. He did not stop at that. He proceeded to immortalize him. He praised him for his good works. He praised him for being a leader in one of the most bloody coup d’etats in the Country. He regretted the failure of the Coup. Ortom wished the Coup had succeeded.
In that aborted Coup, 42 officers and men were executed. A part of the Country was excised from Nigeria, just like that. And Governor Ortom, in one mad moment of abuse of power, called the man who read the Coup speech a hero, a great son of Benue State. He clapped for the man. But who is clapping for Ortom?
For months, nobody has clapped for this Governor. For that long, he has done nothing for anybody to be proud of. For this long, Ortom’s value has been reduced to a nuisance value. For that long, he did nothing for the State and its people. All he did was to tag along his fellow Governor, Nyesom Wike of Rivers State, younger than him in age, like an Orderly, and went wherever Wike went. It is one of the reasons Ortom is where he is where he is today. Confused. Looking for where to perch.
Ortom belongs to the group of Governors who became popular, no, I take that back, who became known by playing to the gallery. By being talkative. And garrulous. And not surprisingly, on May 29, 2023, Ortom will go out of the Government House, Makurdi, empty handed. He will leave, clothed in failure. Nothing cheery to remember him by. But he has a consolation.
His wealth did not diminish.
A very wealthy man, by his account, before he became a Governor, Ortom did not come out of Government House, Makurdi, poorer than he was, financially. My guess is he came out richer – what with free food, free everything, not to talk of security votes. But aside from that, and his CV to which he would add “former Governor”, what else did Ortom gain politically?
On all fronts, Ortom lost.
He was unable to install his successor as Governor. The very sellable Presidential Candidate, Peter Obi, who he claimed he backed in the Presidential election, lost in his State because Ortom neither had the muscle, nor the popularity to push votes his way. He pushed his Party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP to its most disastrous outing in the State. And the worst: Ortom was roundly defeated in his bid to become a Senator and represent his people at the National Assembly. When a Governor fails to even win in his Senatorial Zone, in an election to represent his own people at the Senate, the conclusion can only be that the Governor was a no-no in both governance and human relations. That’s Ortom.
I first marked Ortom as a no-no over his choice of words when he dumped the PDP, for the All Progressives Congress, APC in 2015. Before then, I was full of admiration for him. I liked his grass to grace story – a story he told a number of times. He talked of his struggles to find a place under the sun. He was a motor boy, he said. He was a motor park tout, he added. Unlike a number of people, including some of his colleagues, he was not ashamed of his background. He made no false claims to being born with a silver spoon. Not even with a wooden spoon. So, I admired him.
When there were doubts and jabs over the Dr. he prefixes his name with, I defended him robustly. And, why not? Isn’t it that which many illiterates, many money-miss-road prefix their names with? And, in his case, he said he earned it!
But I digress.
So, I was full of admiration for this Governor. But Ortom lost it by the irresponsible statement he made when he dumped the PDP. A National Officer of the Party at the time who aspired, but failed to pick the Governorship ticket of PDP Benue State, Ortom said, on dumping the Party to pick the APC ticket, that “I know how they (PDP) win elections, the method they use.” Obviously referring to rigging, Ortom meant that he was a participant in the unwholesome business, and kept quiet till he fell out with the Party. A lucky guy, perhaps, using same method which he had mastered, he won the Governorship election under the APC.
But Ortom soon fell out with the APC and his political godfather who gave him the APC ticket, former Governor George Akume, former Senator, and outgoing Minister for Special Duties.
Ortom claimed his problem with them was because of President Muhammadu Buhari’s silence over the gruesome killings of his people by, alleged, Fulani herdsmen.
On that, Ortom had my full sympathy and tears. But he spoilt it by his constant threats of war. He abandoned governance for the threats of war. Most times, I felt he spoke unstatesmanly. I felt he was caused more tension than he looked for the solution. I felt, atimes, that he was playing to the gallery. Yes, his people were being killed, still sadly being killed, but he was so fixated on those he suspected were the culprits that most times, his choice of words rankled, and put even Security Agencies off. And atimes, too, he held a couple of innocent people responsible for the heinous crime, even Security Agents, some of whom lost their lives in the condemnable, blood cuddling murders.
At a point, not a few people thought Ortom was beginning to play politics with the sad situation, especially, just before he got his second term under the PDP where he shamelessly went back to. Each time he spoke, he presented himself as the only messiah of the people. The only person who could willingly die for his people. Not true. Many felt his eyes were on his re-election bid. But, perhaps, not, because, on winning, Ortom became more aggressive than ever in his attacks on everybody, almost.
He saw wolves everywhere. The drama over the alleged assassination attempt on him in his farm stood out. It was surprising that nobody was injured; that Ortom’s Security personnel were so “useless”, they arrested nobody; they shot at nobody; and till date, nobody has been arrested. Ortom said he did an Usain Bolt, along with his many Security Aides. He cursed the APC-led Federal Government no end.
But soon, Ortom turned against his Party, the one returned to – the PDP. In connivance with four of his Governor- colleagues – Nyesom Wike, Rivers State, Okezie Ikpeazu, Abia, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Enugu, Seyi Makinde, Oyo – the PDP was destroyed. Aside from Wike, Ortom was the most talkative, the most vocal, the most garrulous of the G5 Governors. He is, reportedly, the leader of the Group. Not Wike. Wike was, according to reports, financier and Spokesperson. With Ortom as the leader, it is no wonder the Group scattered so easily after the General Elections, where three of them – Ortom, Ikpeazu, Ugwuanyi – were disgraced by their people. They performed badly, and lost their Senatorial bids. With a leader like Ortom, it is no wonder the Group was not able to agree on a particular Presidential Candidate, and it became to “Your Tents O Israel.” It is no wonder the Group lost relevance thereafter.
Ortom, inspite of his gra-,gra and foul mouthedness, was not able to safeguard his people. In his Senatorial Zone in particular, Ortom will be remembered for his role in the removal of his kinsman, Dr Iyorchia Ayu, as the National Chairman of the PDP.
Benue people refused to clap for him for that inexplicable action. But Ortom has now upped the ante of his bad behavior.
A few days to the end of his tenure as Governor, Ortom decided to shock his people and other Nigerians. He did the unbelievable. In the name of Benue State, Ortom declared a coupist a hero, Benue State’s hero
Late Major Gideon Orkar is the guy after Ortom’s heart. He is, according to Ortom, Benue State’s hero.
Governor Samuel Ortom
For the records, Orkar was the guy who siezed Radio Nigeria in Lagos, and announced a Coup plot. On that April 22, 1990, Orkar sauntered into the Studios of Radio Nigeria, held staff hostage, traumatized them, and announced a Coup plot to overthrow the Military Regime of General Ibrahim Babangida. He also excised some parts of Nigeria from Nigeria.
That aborted Coup went down in the history of Coups in Nigeria as one of the most bloody. 42 Officers and men, including Orkar, who was arrested two days after the Coup, were executed, perhaps some, innocently.
What pushed Ortom to proclaim Major Orkar a hero? What did he want to gain? What point did he want make? Many think he was hitting at the Fulani, those Orkar excised from Nigeria in his Coup speech, whose herders Ortom holds responsible for the rivers of blood in his State. Perhaps.
But by calling Orkar a hero, and naming a-9.7 km Road after him, Governor Ortom has not solved the problem. Instead, he has endorsed violent Coup d’etats. He has peed on the graves of those who died innocently in that Coup. And he did it at the wrong time.
With a Country so tensed up one could cut the tension with a knife, Ortom is telling the youths that it is okay to behave like Orkar. Who is clapping for Ortom?
My opinion is that Ortom just wanted to be relevant, the relevance he has since lost. He lost it when he was not able to install his successor in office. He lost it when his Senatorial Zone rejected his representation at the Senate.
On Wednesday, 14th May, 2023, Ortom, in a bid to look for some relevance, tried to curry the favour of President-elect, Bola Tinubu. On a national television, he announced that he would work for Tinubu’s success. How? When did that begin? In case he has forgotten, Tinubu is now the authentic National leader of the APC, a Party he thrashed with his tongue for over five years. What will Ortom bring to the table?
And look at this: On the one hand, Ortom is calling a Coupist a hero. On the other hand, he wants to participate in a Civilian regime. How contradictory can one be?
Ortom should be kept at arms length by any Government. He should go back to his house and bemoan his fate, a fate he brought upon himself.
Finally, the incoming Governor of Benue State, a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, should reverse Ortom’s mortalization of Orkar. It is a sacrilege, almost. Orkar should be allowed to sort himself out before God. And, since Ortom is so enamored with him, the Governor is free to name his own personal house in Makurdi, or Abuja, after Orkar. Nobody will worry. Or ask questions. It will be his business, entirely.
The minister of works and housing, Babatunde Fashola has revealed that persistent pressure by minister of state for transportation, Ademola Adegoroye on federal government led to the award of contract for dualization of Akure/Ado Ekiti Road.
Contract for the project was awarded at the cost of N90 billion and is expected to be completed in 24 months.
Speaking on Thursday at the flag off of the project in Akure, Fashola commended the Minister of State (Transport), Ademola Adegoroye, for his unrelenting efforts in ensuring the road is awarded, saying he has done well, even more than those who spent four or eight years as a minister.
According to Fashola, “Barely under a year, I know how many memoranda he (Adegoroye) had presented. He chases me with telephone every day on this road.
“He told me he would not be able to return home (to Ondo State) after the expiration of tenure if the road is not awarded and reconstructed.”
Adegoroye was appointed less than 10 months ago by President Muhammadu Buhari on the recommendation of Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
On the delay in awarding the contract, the minister explained that when the issue of the road came up, some people suggested that the road be rehabilitated and re ashphalted, but I said it would be dualized
“It took this long because we have to do the redesigning of the road and other necessary documentation.”
Fashola disclosed that the award and flag-off of the road took so long because of the necessary process required by the new procurement law.
The former governor of Lagos State assured that the financing of the project has been taken care of by NNPC and construction work would not stop till completion.
He apologized to the people of Ondo and Ekiti states for the delay in reconstructing the road, assuring that every necessary payment had been made to the contractor handling it in order to complete it within 24 months.
Minister of State for Transportation, Ademola Adegoroye said he fulfilled that he achieved his vision of seeing to the reconstruction of Akure-Ado Ekiti road for economic prosperity of the two states.
“Each week I go to his office and he briefed me every week with development. /Akure/Ado road is so important to us. A lot of people live in Ado and work in Akure and vice versa.
“Our governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu sent me to Abuja. He asked me to do something about Akure/Ado road and get the Ondo Port Approval. I am fulfilled today that I have delivered.”
Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu represented by the Commissioner for Infrastructure, Lands and Housing, Engr Raimi Aminu and a message by Governor Biodun Oyebanji, expressed delight that the project when completed would reduce suffering of residents of the two state and boost economic activities between them.
