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No, To Divided Nigeria …Again, Addressing Ciroma’s Threats
Last week, this column virtually begged Mallam Adamu Ciroma and his co-travellers under the aegis of Northern Elders Political Forum to check their vexatious vituperation that are capable of dividing the nation along North-South lines. It would not be the first, and from all indications, not the last.
Only last week, Mallam Ciroma, in an obviously sponsored news report repeated his earlier annoying warning that should President Goodluck Jonathan continue with his presidential election bid, picks the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) ticket and eventually wins the election, he would see a Nigeria that would be too ungovernable.
Since Jonathan viewed Ciroma’s warning for what it truly was, hues of a dog in a manger, and went ahead to declare his intention to contest the presidency, Nigerians have not slept with both eyes closed. Infact, it has become the senior citizen’s pastime to pretend to speak for the entire North, on an issue he should know lacks merit and is no longer contemporaneous, using on tabloid and another on virtually daily basis.
For instance, the issue of zoing within PDP started as a normal debate, first questions on the existence of zoning, then, its constitutionality and later, whether or not President Jonathan has a moral right to contest . So disturbing were the divisive comments, threats and outright campaigns of calumny against Jonathan that many feared that the project might be enjoying the blessing of the entire North, and Ciroma, the arrow-head, spokesman and ultimate defender of the entire Northern political interest.
But when the PDP eventually debated the issue, at the highest level, the National Executive Committee (NEC) where, all the legitimate six geo-political zones were represented, the ruling party decided that nothing in its books forbids Jonathan to vie for the office, then and now.
That position, which received wide commendation, even from among Northerners, came after countless gang-ups spearheaded by the same Ciroma in a desperate attempt to tilt the party’s ruling in his favour.
As it is today, so were the threats, appeal to Northern unity, fear mongering and pursuit of everything except national unity.
But long after the NEC took a stand on the issue, a decision which revealed that Ciroma and his ilk were indeed paper tigers, generals without troops and infact voice of themselves not the entire North’s being the bad losers that they are just wont let go. If they were who they claimed, leaders of the North, on whose behalf the gang-ups were hatched, with the familiar huge Northern members, the PDP would have decided otherwise.
Why was it difficult for the Ciroma’s to see that they were indeed on their own? And still are? That even the Northerners know and believe that if their own had utilized the many years they monopolized the headship of state, the average Northerners would have little to cry over? That all this clamour for one-North was just about one thing- their large pockets?
This is why I consider it most despicable that months after the PDP decided on the zoning issue, based on which President Jonathan has indicated not just willingness but readiness to contest as did many others, some people are still talking of zoning as their only known justification to grab the presidency of a country that clocked 50 years October 1, this year
So nauseating are the campaigns of calumny and the issue-less criticism of the Federal Government that President Jonathan was recently forced to break his long silence on the issue, when he cautioned Mallam Ciroma against ‘playing God’ because, my fate is in God’s hands in 2011’.
For the first time, the President accused the former Minister of Finance, former Central Bank Governor and former Managing Director of New Nigerian publication among many others plum jobs of playing divisive politics” in run-up to the 2011 presidential polls.
In speaking through Director, Media and Publicity of Goodluck/Sambo campaign Organisation, Sully Abu, the President said he kept quiet over Ciroma’s campaigns against his legitimate aspiration because of the respect he had for the elder statesman, one he expects would help build the country by shunning ethnicity.
Part of the statement said, “the reluctance was derived from our utmost respect for him as an elder statesman, a party grandee and a man to whom this country has given a lot. The least the people of Nigeria expect from a man of his status is to help build the country and help repair any ethnic and sectional fault lines that may exist.
“But alas, Mallam Adamy Ciroma has taken on a rather divisive role, insisting that he is speaking for the North, he has been playing the politics of division and in way which would not edify the country’s unity. Those insistence flies in the face of overwhelming evidence of the yearnings of all Nigerians, including those Mallam Adamu Ciroma said he is speaking for, to see change in the way this country is governed and especially in their material condition.
“Indeed, every available indication is that our people are sick to death with the divisive politics of yesterday and those who have been responsible for the country’s under-development and regression.
“No one should delude himself that he is speaking for the North or any other part of the country for that matter, unless they are willing to go along with the people’s yearning for change, fundamental change”
Simple. But does it really require a statement of this kind to wipe a Ciroma’s prejudices, an innate desire to perpetually remain close to the corridors of power? For the umpteenth time, I ask, what again does Ciroma want from Nigeria, considering the lot Nigeria gave him?
Just one man , former Governor of Central Bank, twice Minister in charge of Finance, and later Agriculture and earlier Managing Director of the New Nigerian Publication.
How many Northerners had such opportunities like himself? Why did they not demonstrate the craze for zoning then, even among his people?. Why did he not for instance say, one is enough let the positions go round?
In fact, where was he when the North, comprising North Central, North West and North East, together monopolised the headship of the Nigerian state for 38 years, three months and nine days out of the 50 years Nigeria recently celebrated.
Since Ciroma will not stop his dog in a manager approach to politics, perhaps a repeat of last week’s cursory tenure census would help.
In his book, Nigeria: The Way Forward Erefagha Ezekiel-Hart attempted a cursory tenure Census on Inter-Zonal Rotation of the Nigeria Presidency from Independence to May 29, 2011, in hope Yar’Adua would live to that day. In that attempt, Ezekiel-Hart writes, “During the period the county has been ruled as follows.
i. Middle Belt-Zone (North Central) Gowon + Babangida + Abubaka = 17 years, 11 months, 20 days.
ii. North East Zone Balewa + Abacha (Akanun) = 9 years 10 months 6 days
iii. North West Zone: Murtala + Shagari + Buhari + Yar’Adua = 10 years, 5 months, 13 days
iv. South-East Zone Aguyi-Ironsi = 6 months 14 days (Azikiwe was a ceremonial President with Executive Powers)
v. South-South Zone No ruler = 0
vi. South-West Zone Obasanjo + Shoneikan + Obasanjo = 11 years, 9months 6 days.
Added together as whole between North and South, as apologists of zoning insist, the outcome will even be more annoyingly in favour of the South, than the North.
For instance, the three geo-political zones in the Northern area according Ezekiel Hart’s account have produced Headship of the Federation a whooping nine times spanning 38 years, three months and nine days as against the South’s four, spanning 12 years, 3 months and 20 days, that is, if it is understood that Jonathan is serving Yar’Adua’s tenure which should terminate, May 29, 2011.
Going by these facts, how could any Northern Political element accuse President Jonathan of breaking the same structures that made him President? Or could it be those that attempted to stall his Acting Presidency, they meant, before Nigerians found God’s Hands in the Nation’s Political affairs.
My Agony is that more than thrice, the same Ciroma attempted to get the presidency by election and failed, but now believes that he could give away to the North what he does not have and could not have, when he tried.
Why is that?
Front Pix
DEPLOY YOUR CAPACITY, TECHNICAL KNOWHOW TO REVITALISE SONGHAI FARMS, FUBARA TELLS TASK FORCE
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that diversifying the economy of the State has become inevitable because of the need to solve the problem of food shortages while also providing jobs for the teeming unemployed youths.
These, he said, are the reasons why great care has been taken to critically look at the prospects of revitalising the Songhai Integrated Farms, which is located in Bunu Tai, in Tai Local Government Area of the State.
Governor Fubara insisted that if the problem associated with food shortages is tackled with good intent and purpose, about 40 to 50 percent of current problems of economic hardship plaguing the country and its people would have been solved.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Chairman, Mr Biedima Oliver, and members of the task force saddled with the responsibility of supervising the revitalization of Songhai Integrated Farms by its partners: Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Other members of the task force included, the Rivers State Commissioner for Agriculture, Engr Victor Kii; Commissioner for Finance, Barrister Emmanuel Frank-Fubara; Dr Ayebaesin Beredugo; and Mr Maurice Ogolo.
The Governor explained that it took him time to approve the constitution of the task force being inaugurated because of the ugly experience with the previous group that shown such interest.
Governor Fubara stated that a process was initiated and driven halfway into the handing over of Songhai Farms on concession to an interested partner who latter showed a total lack of the needed capacity to undertake such task.
He said, “As a matter of fact, if few of you could remember, we even conceded the place to an investor who came in after he had made his presentation, and we, believing that he has the capacity, we said okay to him, and we had already signed up.
“But something happened. He came back to tell us that he wanted us to give him a N5billion bank guarantee. We then asked him, why? If we have the N5billion, why do we need you to come and even revitalize Songhai Farms? We would have put that N5billion there ourselves. For that reason, we cancelled that arrangement.”
Governor Fubara said now that two separate companies have come together to indicate interest and given the assurance of having the needed capacity to drive the process, he is delighted to see them meeting that expectation.
Governor Fubara pointed to the expectation of the people who want to see the Songhai Farms back on stream on a sustainable basis.
That expectation, he insisted, is also what his administration wants to see actualised within its lifespan.
He noted, “We want to see food sufficiency, because we know when Songhai Farms comes on board, there will be food, which is one of the problems we are having in this country. If we are able to tackle the issue of food, 40 to 50 percent of our problem will be solved.”
Governor Fubara also stated that although he believes in the presentation made by the group and has taken their assurance to heart, but warned that he would not tolerate a repeat of what happened before.
The Governor said, “I hope your story will not be (end) halfway too. I hope you have the capacity and all the technical knowhow to handle it. It is not when we start now, after we had finished inaugurating the task force, you will come back to tell us that you need $2million. If we have $2million, we won’t need you. We will invest it by ourselves.”
Governor Fubara, however, praised the capacity of the Chairman of the task force, Biedima Oliver, saying that incidentally, he was one of the personnel that convinced the then administration to develop the Songhai Farms, and had worked with the Rivers State Sustainable Development Agency (RSSDA) to manage the project.
He said, “He knows and understands the workings of Songhai, and now that we are making you the chairman of the task force, we want to believe that you will make that place come back to life.
“I don’t have any doubt in your capacity. A few things you’ve touched, you turned them to gold. Please, bring it back to what we used to see in Songhai. Bring it back with the help of your committee.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will remain committed to providing all the necessary support that they may require to make their assignment a success.
He added, “So, I hereby inaugurate you. Your task is very simple: Do everything within your powers and with our support to make sure that Songhai becomes operational to the benefit, not just the people of Tai, but to the entire Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole”.
In his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the Task Force to Supervise the Revitalization of Songhai Farms with Vitalcrop Ventures Limited and Imagine Adama Limited, Mr. Biedima Oliver, expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the opportunity and confidence reposed in them to revive Songhai Farms.
Mr. Oliver assured that they will deliver the expected goal on Songhai Farms, and doing so on time and on target so that the good people of Rivers State can eventually be happy and also benefit from the huge investment.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that all the policies and programmes of his administration are tailored towards the protection of interest of Rivers people, especially the youths.
This, he said, is borne out of the importance his administration attaches to youths’ development and empowerment as leaders of tomorrow.
Fubara, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, disclosed this when he received the youths of Emohua Local Government Area under the auspices of “Emohua Youths For SIM” on solidarity visit to Government House, Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He said that his administration has put in place modalities that will boost the livelihoods and well-being of Rivers citizens, which youths of Emohua will also benefit when they materialise.
The governor, who spoke through the Rivers State Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, pointed out that the recently awarded Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku Road, the ongoing Emohua-Kalabari Road, reinstatement of illegally sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Area and the approval for electrification of the area, are part of deliberate measures to open up the area to make life conducive and more meaningful for the people.
According to him, “Everything about the governor is putting the interest of Rivers State first. He is looking at and taking action on those things that we need to do to restart the wheels of progress in Rivers State.
“There are many things the governor has planned and is already doing that will boost the life and welfare of every citizen of Rivers State, but most importantly the youths.
“Growing up, I learnt that Egbeda is one of the biggest communities in the whole of Ikwerre, and it’s predominantly an agrarian community. They have food in Egbeda, they have food in Ubimini, they have food in Omudiaga and other natural resources. The whole world is tilting to agriculture, and this is the way to go.
“The Elele-Umudioga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Omoku road, when completed, will open up the area for real development. Your food and everything you produce there will now have value, they will no longer be thrown away. In all these, you the youths are going to be the utmost beneficiaries.”
He added, “Same will be applicable to the Emohua-Kalabari Road which will also, trigger development in the area, and you will be the greatest beneficiaries. When the LGA is also electrified, you will be having 24 or 20 hours of electricity, and those things the youths can do with electricity, you can stay at home and create wealth for yourself and children.
“All the totality of what the governor is doing, when they are completed, or even as some are completed now, the youths are going to be utmost beneficiaries.”
While acknowledging that youths are the true leaders of tomorrow and any government that fails to carry them along in the scheme of things is doomed to fail, the governor assured them of his administration’s commitment to always address issues concerning youths and ensure that they are part of his government.
He commended the youths for toeing the path of truth by identifying with his administration, urging them to sustain the tempo and shun evil, as his government will ensure that the trend whereby politicians turn youths to beggars are over.
He said, “Youths are, indeed, the leaders of tomorrow. The time of youth is a very important time. It a time that your parents or whoever is your leader at that time have to make the greatest investment in you. And any Government that decides to only carry the elderly, chiefs aling and abandon the youths is bound to fail,” he asserted.
“But I am happy that Governor Fubara has concentrated his energy on everything that will benefit the society, especially the youths.
“And based on these, I want to thank you for recognising what is good and calling it good, for shunning what is evil, for saying the Governor is standing for you.
“Let me tell you, you are on the right direction. Let me tell you again, Rivers State is the bride of Nigeria. The whole Nigeria is looking at what will happen here. As they look here and see you standing on the path of truth, this is a very important step that you have taken to right all the wrongs of the past, to make Rivers State stand on the tripod of justice, peace and security. That is what we are going to gain through the governor, taking all the wise actions that he has already initiated.
“The projects the governor is embarking on are meant to prepare nets for the youths to fish and put food on their table, hence you should continue to follow him.
“The SIMplified Movement brought upon by the governor will ensure that Rivers youths stop the habit of going to bow down before politicians, pledging loyalty before they can eat.”
Earlier, spokesman for the Emohua Youths for SIM, Comrade Ovamale O. Ovamale, had said that the visit by youths from the 14 political wards in Emohua Local Government Area was to thank the governor for the award of the Elele-Omudiaga-Egbeda-Ubimini-Ikiri-Omoku road, the approval for electrification of the area and reinstatement of sacked workers of Emohua Local Government Council, of which the youths were mostly affected.
According to him, “Siminalayi Fubara of recent has given Emohua Local Government road that links Elele to Omoku, which comprises over four communities in the local government.”
“Emohua Local Government has also been in darkness for eight years. No community in the local government that has light. But, of recent, because of the passion and love the governor has for the people of Emohua, he has approved the electrification of the local government.
“Also, the illegal sack of Emohua Local Government workers, for which the youths were mostly affected and without the approval of the Local Government Service Commission, the governor, in his compassionate nature, has reinstated them, and that is why we said we must come and thank His Excellency”, he said.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.