Nigerian Newspapers
Democracy must win people’s confidence
Professor Steven Torkuma Ugba Benue State governorship candidate of the ACN
By ROSE EJEMBI, Makurdi
Governorship candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, in Benue State in the 2011 general elections, Professor Steven Torkuma Ugba, speaks on the leadership crisis rocking the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Boko Haram insurgency and other pertinent national problems militating against the institutionalization of democracy in Nigeria.
Implication of Nigeria’s Governors’ Forum’s crisis for democracy?
If it was a PDP (Peoples Democratic Party) affair, it would have been no problem. But Nigerian Governors’ Forum is not all a PDP affair. It is a national affair, a microcosm of the problem at the national level. Nigeria is trying to institute democratic process, but there are some people hell-bent on ruining the process through the election of a chairman for the forum. If 35 people cannot declare a winner, then, that body and Nigeria have a big problem. If the trend continues, only God knows what would happen. I feel sad for Nigeria because if executive governors who should decide who will lead them cannot, then, it is a big problem.
I don’t care less whether it is Jonah Jang or Rotimi Amaechi. The issue is that the democratic process cannot stand on one leg. Where 35 highly educated persons who have high degree of awareness cannot elect a leader, they have destroyed the democratic confidence. It should be seen as the symbol of the elections to come and the kind of people to expect in the general elections of 20
On the allegation that the president may have a hand in the crisis?
I will treat it as a rumour but if that is the case, it is unfortunate. Lobbying, canvassing can be used but if 35 people cannot line up for election, and president is accused, and his men have denied, I don’t see anything wrong but if he was involved in causing confusion after someone had been elected, then, it is unfortunate.
He may have had a hand in the governor’s forum before the votes were cast but if governors had signed a document choosing a governor as chairman, governors’ decision should be the overriding decision. But if they decided to change their minds, no problem.
That somebody signed a piece of paper does not mean that he cannot change his mind but if president caused a change in the decision, it is unfortunate. Obtainable substitution is alleged. He can lobby for a candidate but should not interfere with result of the election.
Handling of Boko Haram insurgency and Fulani herdsmen attacks on farmers
The question of insecurity in Nigeria is a complex one. The major factors causing it include: lack of opportunity for ordinary persons to maintain himself and the intractable general economic problem; Politics, whereby people are doing calculations to secure for themselves tickets as the time for election approaches; chief executives at various levels have various interests that could be conflicting. This has made them to miss the duty of maintaining law and order.
It is unfortunate. Chief executives should pre-occupy themselves by initiating dialogue and arranging for the ordinary persons to speak on matters affecting them. Such arrangement should not be hijacked.
What is happening in Benue as regards insecurity is unfortunate. All we need is to cry out. Guma, Makurdi, Agatu, Gwer-West are being attacked. The problem was in Zaki-Biam, now, it has spread. What is the governments doing to curtail these attacks?
You cannot be running an absentee government and expect results. Dialogue is a strategy that will help people to express their worries and anxieties so that proactive steps can be taken.
If the people are being killed, where are the paramount rulers? Chief executive officers of the states, sometimes, can hold discussions in the open at the local, state and national levels.
There is the crisis of confidence on ground. You see, what Boko Haram, MEND and the other groups are involved in is a complex problem, so, we need more concerted efforts. We have big, big issue on hand.
Those in authority can do more; local government chairmen, governors, the president can do more and they should do more.
Emergency declaration in some states
Presidency has responsibility of protecting lives and property. It gives Mr. President the opportunity to use his wisdom because the buck stops on his desk. He needs wisdom to do it, those who take initiatives, those advising him need to plan a grand strategy in addition to the issue of unity.
In as much as one supports the president’s steps, he needs a much more grand strategy to cover the entire country, he must not be doing this to score a cheap political point.
He must win the confidence of the people. Some people say president must come back in 2015 or Nigeria will be no more. That kind of statement is not good. President must absolve himself from such things.
Assessment of 14 years of democratic rule
At the state level or even national, are we doing enough to create opportunity for the people at Otukpo, Makurdi, Gboko and Katsina-Ala? Are we raising their standard of living? You must agree with me that we are not developing. I am fully aware that we don’t have the money but let us have the structures that can sustain development. By consideration, we don’t have money but we should not abuse the privilege given to us. I don’t think any Nigerian is too big to sacrifice anything for the good of the country. Why are we still talking of bad roads between Makurdi and Abuja and even between Makurdi and Otukpo?
At the slightest provocation, the roads are blocked. Sometimes, your life is in jeopardy. The Federal Government should ensure the roads are awarded for construction. We appear to be thinking that government should not be about serving people or assisting them to grow. We should do what is right for our country, give thought to what to do for our state and country.
Plan for 2015?
I want to participate and ensure that our party emerges victorious at the polls in 2015. My case which started in 2011 is very much alive. I am not in any way ready for the 2015 governorship race. If I must run, it will be a collective decision. When the time comes, we must see that the 2011 case is decided. We know that the apex court which is the Supreme Court, is yet to decide the matter.
Is the case not being delayed? I am not unmindful of that, but only those who see it as a do or die affair will be worried. When you are institutionalizing a democratic process, you must have the patience.
I am almost 50 years old. Some people may not have the wherewithal to withstand the process of the making of a good democratic process through the judiciary.
We need to know the final stage of the case. Some people say 2015 is around the corner, no, no, no, God knows, even if it is within a few weeks, the democratic process should win the confidence of the people.
On the allegation that your court case is detracting Suswam from governance
I didn’t have any personal issue with my younger brother, Suswam. We were all seeking to better the lots of the people. I don’t have commissioners, I don’t go to Abuja, I do not control the treasury, I only consulted with the lawyers, I only want to encourage the institutionalization of the democratic process.
We are questioning what INEC did that was not correct, we questioned that at the court of law. I don’t have a fleet of private or official cars, how could I be held responsible for the poor performance of a sitting governor who has been there for years and has spent two years in his second term? Federal Government has not given me money. I don’t understand.
Relationship With Georg Akume, the Senate minority leader
My relationship with him could not be any stronger. He is my political leader in Benue State. In terms of national politics, Akume is my friend, my relationship with him is very strong. We have the ambition to salvage our state. I have no issues with Akume, he does not have issues with me; we are allies. He is my political leader, I believe in Benue, I believe in Nigeria, we will not like a situation where Nigeria will deteriorate. I want my country to be the best in the whole world, not only in Africa.
————————————————————————————————————————-
Posted in Nigerian Newspapers. A DisNaija.Com network.
Source: The Sun Newspaper
DisNaija.Com publishes regular posts on Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Online Nigeria Gist.
Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.
Nigerian Newspapers
Follow @Dis_Naija
Your Opinion Counts. Be sure To Leave A Comment, If You Have Any.
Please Like, Share or Tweet. Your Support Is Appreciated.
•Deploy more personnel as army chief vows to wipe out terror group
•Security beefed up at N’Assembly
Deji Elumoye and Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja
Abuja, Nigeria’s seat of power, is under a massive security cordon following threats of attacks by insurgents and the increasing wave of banditry in the contiguous states of Kaduna, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger States, THISDAY’s investigation has revealed.
There has been a wave of kidnappings in the outskirts of the federal capital, notably Pegi, Tuganmaje and Kuje among others, which the police have battled in recent times.
The security situation in and around the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) was heightened by the pronouncement of the Niger State Governor, Mr. Sani Bello, that Boko Haram fighters who he said sacked 50 villages in the state and hoisted the terror group’s flag, were about two hours drive away from the FCT.
Security has also been beefed up at the National Assembly as operatives, yesterday, thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja.
The deteriorating security situation nationwide prompted the National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Uche Secondus, to warn that the 2023 general election may not hold, demanding the declaration of a state of emergency as well as the convocation of a national conference.
However, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday restated the Nigerian Army’s determination to annihilate Boko Haram.
But the Governor of Katsina State, Hon. Bello Masari, cautioned against declaring a state of emergency, saying doing so isn’t the solution to combat the security challenges facing the country.
The security of the nation’s airports was also in focus yesterday as the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) said there was no threat to them.
THISDAY’s investigations showed increased presence of troops, police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel and intelligence operatives at the three strategic entrances to the city notably, Keffi, Zuba and Gwagwalada.
More checkpoints were also mounted around Gwagwalada and Keffi.
THISDAY also observed increased intelligence deployment at the entrance and the borders of FCT with contiguous states.
Beyond the borders, there were more deployments and police patrols inside the city and increased intelligence deployments as well.
Security sources told THISDAY: “There are deployments here and there but they are routine. Alertness is key to a secure environment.”
It was also learnt that security agencies were involved in frenzied meetings throughout yesterday.
The meetings, coordinated by the office of the Chief of Defence Staff under the new joint operational strategy of the armed forces, were aimed at coordinating a joint response to possible threats of attack to the FCT.
“I understand the security teams have been meeting for some days now and if you look around you, you will notice that there are increasing patrols and numbers of security personnel. The threats are not been taken lightly,” a source said.
National Assembly workers, lawmakers and visitors also had a harrowing experience accessing the legislative complex due to heightened security in the area.
Security operatives thoroughly screened every vehicle approaching the National Assembly complex in Abuja, impeding both human and vehicular traffic.
The Sergeant-at-arm of the National Assembly and other security agencies supervised the operations, leading to huge traffic build-up inside the complex.
Legislative staff, visitors and lawmakers were seen patiently waiting for their cars to be searched so that they could go ahead with the business of the day.
Some staff and visitors at some point got tired of waiting and were seen alighting from their cars to trek from the gate to the complex.
Meanwhile, the ONSA has said there is no threat to the nation’s airports.
A statement by the Head of Strategic Communication, Mr. Zachari Usman, said the reports of threats to the airports were an internal correspondence of security threat assessment misconstrued as security threat to the airports.
PDP Demands State of Emergency
In a related development, the PDP National Chairman, Prince Uche Secondus, yesterday demanded the declaration of a state of emergency, warning that the 2023 general election might not hold if the federal government failed to tackle insecurity.
He called on the federal government to summon a national conference to address the spike in insecurity.
Secondus added that the national caucus of the party will meet today to discuss the state of the nation.
Addressing members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) in Abuja, Secondus said: “We are worried Abuja is not even safe. It is no longer politics. We got alert of plots to bomb and burn down our airports.
“We urge the federal government to declare a national state of emergency in security. There is the need to call a national conference to discuss the insecurity in the country.
“There may not be any election in 2023 in Nigeria due to insecurity. This government must listen to the people. The Buhari government should call a national confab to discuss security and state of the nation. It is no longer politics. This time we are not playing politics. Let’s keep politics aside and move the nation forward.”
He said the country had been grounded, regretting that there had been no matching response from the federal government.
Secondus said in the past, terrorism in the North was confined to the North-east, but with the report of Boko Haram occupying villages in Niger State, terrorism had spread to the North-central
“Herdsmen are also menacing in the West; gunmen causing havoc in the East; and the militants in the South; all killing, looting, raping, maiming and burning down homes. The situation is bad; Nigerians all over are living in fear,” he said.
The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, said the problem of Nigeria was outside of the PDP headquarters, while pledging the support of the Senate to the declaration of state of emergency in security.
Abaribe said he deliberately decided not to speak on the floor of the Senate but to allow the APC senators to speak so as to avoid being accused of giving a partisan colouration to the issue of insecurity.
He stated that only electoral reforms would give victory to the opposition party in the 2023 general election and ensure a democratic defeat of the APC-led federal government.
Also, the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, commended the NEC and the PDP leadership for their collective efforts at resolving the House leadership crisis.
The NEC meeting adopted the position of Secondus, calling on the federal government to convoke a national conference to discuss the state of insecurity in the country, according to a communiqué read by the National Publicity Secretary, Mr. Kola Ologbondiyan.
Army Chief Vows to Wipe Out Boko Haram
The army yesterday reiterated its commitment to wipe out Boko Haram.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, told reporters in Maiduguri, Borno State that Boko Haram had been defeated in many encounters and would continue to be defeated until it’s annihilated from Nigeria.
“We will take on Boko Haram decisively, and we are committed to the focus of the operations, which is the total annihilation of Boko Haram from Nigeria,” he said.
The COAS, who was visiting the headquarters of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri for the fifth time since his appointment four months ago, said the visit was to boost the morale of the troops, reassure them and listen to any issues affecting them.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, Maj. Gen. Farouq Yahaya, lauded the visit, which he said had continued to boost the morale of the troops.
“We are honoured, we are grateful, we are encouraged by those visits. You provided us guidance, logistics and other things we required. We are most grateful for those visits,” Yahaya said.
State of Emergency Won’t Solve Security Challenges, Says Masari
Katsina State Governor, Hon. Aminu Masari, has, however, said declaration of a state of emergency won’t solve the security challenges facing the nation.
Masari, who spoke yesterday with journalists after meeting with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari at the State House, Abuja stated that he was against the recent call by the House of Representatives for the declaration of a state of emergency in the security sector as it would not solve the problem.
According to him, declaring a state of emergency will not achieve the desired effect as the security structure and personnel to be used to execute the emergency are already overstretched in a bid to safeguard lives and property.
Sourced From: THISDAYLIVE
Tribune Online
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) has recorded 62 new cases of COVID-19, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 165,110. The NCDC disclosed this on its official Twitter handle on Friday. “55 new cases of #COVID19Nigeria; Lagos-21, Yobe-19, Ogun-6, Akwa Ibom-3, Kaduna-2, Plateau-2, FCT-1, Rivers-1.” YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE COVID-19: Nigeria Recorded […]
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Tribune Online
Sourced From: Tribune Online
Kamaru Usman has raked in a mammoth £1.1million, about N584.2 million after his impressive knockout victory over Jorge Masvidal on Saturday night, Sportivation.com.ng reports.
The Nigerian Nightmare has been handsomely rewarded for his stunning performance and he was the best-paid fighter on the card which was witnessed by 15, 000 fans in Florida.
According to Daily Mail, Usman earned £538,000 to show up, £459,000 pay-per-view bonus, a £43,000 sponsorship bonus and a well deserved £35,000 Performance of the Night bonus.
Jorge Masvidal also earned £358,000 to show, £186,000 in pay-per-view money and a £28,000 sponsorship bonus.
This is the biggest payday of Usman’s career so far and the Welterweight champion also benefited from the fact that Masvidal is also a top draw for the fans.
Kamaru Usman is a Nigerian-American professional mixed martial artist, former freestyle wrestler and graduated folkstyle wrestler.
Sourced From: Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics
By Olasunkanmi Akoni
The people of the South East region have been urged to explore the power of negotiation and mutual settlement in the face of ongoing killings and security challenges in the zone because the east can not afford another war at present.
Stakeholders from the South-East geo-political zone made the remark on Thursday, at the unveiling of the book, “Igbo, 50 years after Biafra,” written by Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Drainage Services, Joe Igbokwe, held at Ikeja G.R.A.
Speaking at the unveiling of the book, the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Cutis Adigba,
urged the people of the South-East to learn to build bridges across the country, so that they can realise their ambition of producing the next president of Nigeria.
Adigba urged leaders from the zone to discourage the move and agitation by some youths in the South East to go to war and secede out of Nigeria.
Also read: Banditry: Disregard viral video, Niger State gov’t urges residents
He said that Igbo have always found it difficult to rule Nigeria because they refused to build bridges across the six geo-political zones that made up Nigeria.
While describing the agitation as uncalled for, Adigba noted that after two decades that Nigeria returned to civil rule, the Igbo has predominantly identified with only one political party.
He maintained that remaining in one party can not advance the cause of the people of South East and cannot make them realise their objective of producing an Igbo man as president.
He maintained that the publisher of the book, Igbokwe played politics outside his state, so that the Igbo race can be integrated with one another race.
Adigba said the failure of the Igbo to reintegrate with other ethnic nationalities politically was responsible for the retrogression of the race in Nigerian politics.
Igbokwe, also addressing guests on the occasion, maintained that the Igbo are not advancing politically because they refused to be integrated into National politics, lamenting that, despite their success in business, they are not successful in playing politics at the national level.
Corroborating Dimgba, Igbokwe noted that there was the need for the Igbo people to stand up and build bridges so that their objective of producing the next president of Nigeria could be realised.
According to him: “I have decided to raise my voice, I hope my people will hear me while trying to quell the effect of the war, our people are spoiling for another war, mayhem is being unleashed in Igbo land, and there is palpable fear.
“Those who could speak have lost their voice, mindful of the consequences of their actions, I am calling on all Igbo leaders to speak up because all actions carry consequences, consequences of the silence will be too dastardly to sustain.
“Those silently supporting the wild wind should be careful or else they hand over to their children,” he said.
Igbokwe urged those spoiling for war to jettison their plan and embrace dialogue, urging them to learn from the South West region that despite the challenges faced after the annulment of the June 12, 1993, election, they did not go to war, and the region had the opportunity of producing two of her sons for presidential position in 1999.
“You have to build bridges to become president of Nigeria, but it is unfortunate the Igbo are burning bridges.”
Speaking at the event, Chief Uche Dimgba who is the coordinator of Igbo in All Progressives Congress, APC in Lagos, described Igbokwe as “a Frank, fearless and reliable leader, who based his views on issues and stand by his opinions, and we the Igbo have confidence in him and believe he can lead us aright.”
“He is a leader we Igbo believe in and we will follow him. If he can serve all the governors produced in Lagos State since 1999, he is a better man to follow because he possesses all the experience that can be of benefit to Igbo both at home and in the diaspora.”
The post Attacks on S’East: We must explore all options of negotiation — Stakeholders urge Igbo appeared first on Vanguard News.
Sourced From: Vanguard News
Nigeria records 55 new COVID-19 infections, total now 165,110
Military, Police Ring Abuja to Forestall Boko Haram Attack
UFC: Usman gets N584m after beating Masvidal
Insecurity: Lagos bans occupation of abandoned buildings
Buhari Will Win In 2019: US Institute
The United States Institute of Peace (USIP) has predicted that President Muhammadu Buhari will win the 2019 election. The organisation...
Why Buhari Deserves Second Term – Lai Mohammed
The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed has said that President Muhammadu Buhari deserved second term election because,...
Atiku Presidential Campaign Council: PDP Releases List of Members
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Tuesday released the list of party members to handle the campaign team of the...
Obasanjo Forgives Atiku, Endorses Him For President
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Thursday said he has reviewed his stance on not backing his former deputy for the...
Buhari, Atiku In Battle Of Integrity Over 2019 Poll
THE brickbats continued yesterday between President Muhammadu Buhari and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and...