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Between Jonathan And Atiku

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The stage is set for the clash of the titans for the seat of the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria under the umbrella of the PDP. Burning issues in the polity, based on zoning, power shift, power rotation, exploitation and domination of minorities, resource control, federal revenue derivation has turned the contest to a North-South South struggle.

The Northern disposition of upholding the PDP zoning agenda, reinforced by their claim that the tenure of northerners as president is stiff and unfinished business, given the demise of late President Umaru Yara’Adua, who led for three years before given up the ghost. The emergence of politicians like Maj-Gen IBB, Atiku Abubakar, Shekarau etc. tend to endanger the chances of the northerners from grabbing the position. This motivated  the Adamu Ciroma-led NPLF to conduct the consensus election for all northern aspirants in PDP, in which Atiku  Abubakar emerged the winner. Now the question is, Atiku and Jonathan who does the cap fit?

Answering questions of this magnitude requires and unparalleled analytical ability of this two personalities, their political antecedents, their economic strength, strength of their campaign teams, people –oriented acceptability analysis, their current political form, the needs of the politico-economic entity Nigeria in the next four years.

Personality Analysis:

Atiku, Sarkin Turaki is a firm personality; he’s got guts, he’s a kind of person that goes for what he wants unmindful of whose ox is gored. He looks pretty hard, a bit rigid, and unlikely o favour a bargain against his conscience. He has a fighting spirit, dogged, as clearly seen in his face-off with OBJ, loves and lives a life of affluence, capital accumulation and continuous acquisition of properties. His ostentatious life outside the country, makes him so high an unapproachable capitalist in the eyes of his kinsmen, which makes his social life, popularity, degree of integration with the masses questionable. IBB proves to be a more down to earth politician than he is.

Jonathan is a gentleman in words and in action, a lecturer before he joined politics. He is a humane, lighter personality, who is willing to trade off some of his personal interest for the interest of peace, not over-ambitious, quiet, patient man. He is a kind of personality whose silence, calm disposition is quickly misconstrued by many, but he is on the contrary a pragmatic, rationale person in decision taking. Though he is not a kind of shouty politician, with much popularity, he has made millions of open and secret admirers and has few problems with his colleagues if any, actually favoured by the masses.

Political Antecedents:

Atiku has been a former governor of his state, a former vice president under OBJ, that’s his political antecedents in mainstream national politics. Jonathan Goodluck has been a former deputy governor of Bayelsa State under DSP Alamieyeseigha, a governor of the state, a former vice president under late president Umaru Yar’Adua, a former acting president and now the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Sarkin Turaki’s tenure as vice president of the country was marred with power tussle between him and his master OBJ, this led to his indictment by the EFCC on case of money laundering, siphon of government funds and misuse of office in the acquisition of many companies via his privatization policy during their regime. Struggling with the master and the powers that be, SARKIN TURAKI gained ground, had loyalist and has been fighting to fill the no I position of the country amidst the political tides. Now, he is back with the slogan “the man OBJ and EFCC could not stop” an eloquent testimony of his preparedness to break into piece all bars of iron and gates of bronze inhibiting his emergence as the president, including OBJ.

On the contrary, JONATHAN, have not had much scores to settle with his colleagues, masters in the game, he has almost prudently observed Robert Greene’s law no. 1, his 48 laws of power, “never outshines the master”. His trying times came when his master Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s health crisis reached its peak. The state was in anarchy  for  5 months. He did not strategise to take over, he only sat down and watch the northern political juggernauts play their gimmicks. But if GOD propose who can dispose? Others championed the course that made him acting president, not that he hadn’t the strength to go for it, but he wasn’t ambitious.

Economic Strength:

An unbiased analysis, in the declaration of assets of Jonathan before assuming the position against Atiku’s current financial state. Atiku is more financially robust than Jonathan.

Campaign Strength:

Atiku’s campaign organization which has its branches in almost all the states of federation with its headquarters at No 1 Luanda Crescent Off Adetokunbo Ademola Crescent Wuse 2, Abuja parades professionals, sophisticated, highly equipped staffs, volunteers, analyst, prominent politicians working round the clock. Spearheading  his campaigns are persons of the caliber of Senator Ben Obi, Mr Chris Mammah, Dr Adeolu Akande, Garba Shehu, Bashir Yussuf, Prof Gidad Maxwell, Dr Udenta with a host of other fellows integrated from four campaign organizations of four northern aspirants.

They have succeeded in securing Atiku a successful return to PDP. A waiver to contest the position of the presidency which OBJ has incessantly denied him in the platform of PDP, and they also helped him emerge as consensus candidate of the North in PDP via NPLF.

Jonathan campaign team parades men like Ambassador Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, Sully Abu, Dr Godsday Orubebe, Mike Omeri, Dr Saidu Samaila Sambawa, Mrs Biodun Olujuna, Abubakar Muazu et.

From all indications, sources gathered that though other professionals are said to be at work for Jonathan’s, the level of proficiency, hardwork, dedication in Atiku’s camp is far more greater than what is available in Jonathan camp.

Prime Movers Behind These  Men:

For Atiku, rpime movers like Mallam Adamu Ciroma, Alex Ekwueme, Chief Matthew Mbu, Chief Tom Ikimi, Major Gen. IBB, Aliyu Gasau, Governor Bukola Saraki, Mr Bashir Yussuf Ibrahim, Sabo Abdulahi and many more.

For Jonathan, his movers are Maj Gen OBJ, Gov Godswill Akpabio, Sen David Mark, Speaker Bankole, Tony Anenih (Mr Fix It). The man that said that there is no vacancy in Aso Rock. Many other governors, ministers, house of rep and senate members seeking re-election.

The war of words between these two sects of political groups has taken another dimension since the emergence of Atiku as the Northern consensus candidate, coupled with his campaign slogans which depicts his violent pride over his achievement of returning to the PDP, securing a waiver to contest amidst strong opposition from the PDP Board of Trustee chairman, OBJ.

This is a game, perceived by Adamu Ciroma as the struggle for the maintenance of the politico-economic containment of the Northern hemisphere in the nation, through its renowned Mafia. A battle by Atiku against the bewitchment his intelligence, human right to contest and win by claims of unquestionable political hegemony of Obasanjo and a total war against the insurmountable nature of the power of incumbency with Jonathan. Who wins this war?

Their Current Political Form

Atiku is just a citizen of Nigeria, currently without any political portfolio, but who strongly believes that with his wealth and former political structure by him, he can move mountains. Goodluck Jonathan is currently the president of the country.

What Nigeria Needs In The Next Four Years.

Nigeria needs political stability, Nigeria needs economic stability in the form of increase in Government revenue, high per capita income, economic restructuring to aid equitable distribution of the nation’s resources. Nigeria needs creation of employment opportunities for graduates and everybody seeking employment, Nigeria needs relative price stability, inflow of foreign direct investments and a total stop to money laundering and capital flight. Nigeria needs a drastic reduction of salaries of lawmakers, by at least 30%, use it to finance unemployment benefits for people unemployed. The question is who is in a better position to make these things happen?, Jonathan or Atiku?

Conclusion

In the personality analysis, I think Atiku’s personality would be utility oriented in times of taking hard decisions, in matters of war and peace to protect the territorial integrity of the nation. On the other hand I think Nigerians who prefer the soft person in Jonathan, who can still reconsider his stand for the interest of his people. This can be seen in his withdrawal of his ban on Super Eagles, football in Nigeria after a poor outing in South Africa considering the consequences of the FIFA hammer on the future of upcoming talents and the happiness of Nigerians. On that paraphernalia we give it to Jonathan.

On the political antecedents and experience, from the analysis above, Jonathan has occupied more positions in the smallest period of time than Atiku, also having few or now personal issues with his colleagues during his stay in those offices gives him an edge on that. Judging from their economic strength, Atiku is more prepared for the battle than Jonathan with respect to their equity capital. On their campaign strength, Atiku steal leads Jonathan given the information symmertry, cohesion, dedication, hardwork, connectivity among his group and their successes so far.

On the men behind them, Atiku’s men are majorly veterans in the game, the Northern mafia with a lot of experience. It is still very difficult to undermine the strength of people like OBJ, Tony Anenih on the side of Jonathan, but what makes this struggle classical is the personal challenge between OBJ and Atiku. OBJ’s statement “I dey laugh o” and Atiku’s campaign group’s response “we dey laugh too o” on that standpoint it’s a 50-50 game.

With respect to their current political form, Jonathan is excellently on top. Finally giving an unbiased analysis of the needs of Nigerians against the potentials of these aspirants, for political stability to remain Jonathan is the man, because the emergence of Atiku would mean a total dismantling of the Niger Delta which is inimical to capital inflows in form of FDI (Foreign Direct Investments), FPI (Foreign Private Investments), which would affect availability of jobs and reduce government revenue through potential taxes from these firms.

For economic restructuring and equitable distribution of income wouldn’t work with Atiku given his orientation towards privatization of companies, capital accumulation, acquisition of properties. Given the position of Karl Marx in his Das capital concerning capital accumulation, he said” accumulation of capital, wealth on one sie of the pole is at the same time accumulation of poverty, misery, agony of starvation on the other side of the pole.”

On the case of price stability, this is an index that is usually transmitted in Nigeria through movements in prices of petroleum products, especially fuel, but since Goodluck Jonathan became the president, he quickly declared for sale our oil in northern reservoir, this has made the supply of the commodity more than its demands, a singular reason that can make any Nigerian vote for him, this stability in the internal price of petrol has reinforced stability in other goods and services in the country, on this standpoint Jonathan is favoured. The last but not the least is the government revenue. Crude oil contribute 75% of Nigerian revenue and all the crude oil that sustains the country is drilled from the Niger Delta area, who have been crying out since 1960 of the domination, exploitation of the government on the area without corresponding development strides for the goose that lays the golden egg. Now, by an act of God, one of their sons manages to be at the helm of affairs of the nation and someone from the same north that has been ruling the country for years wants to outwit him. The consequences are at our tips, no more oil drilling which implies no more money for the economy, any attempts to use force on them metamorphoses into a holy war and finally a possible disintegration of the country, but we don’t pray so.

This is just a personal opinion.

Egege Justice

 

Justice Egege

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Reps Seeks To Retain Immunity For President Only

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On Wednesday, the House of Representatives passed, through a second reading, a bill seeking to retain immunity for the Office of the President and remove immunity from the Vice President, the Governors and the Deputy Governors.
The bill was one of the 42 considered and passed through the second reading stage during plenary presided over by the Deputy Speaker, Mr Benjamin Kalu, in Abuja.
Sponsored by Hon. Solomon Bob (Rivers PDP), the bill is seeking the amendment of Section 308 of the 1999 Constitution to guard against abuse of office and to ensure transparency in governance.
The long title of the proposed legislation read: “A Bill for an Act to alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to qualify the immunity conferred on the President, remove the immunity conferred on the Vice President, the Governors and their deputies, in order to curb corruption, eradicate impunity and enhance accountability in public office and for related matters.”
Key amendments include changes to Section 308 of the Constitution, which currently grants immunity to the president, vice president, governors, and deputy governors while in office.
The proposed bill will amend subsection 3 to ensure that immunity only applies to the President and the vice president when acting as President under Section 145 of the Constitution.
Additionally, a new subsection 4 will be introduced to make the immunity clause inapplicable if the office holder is acting in an unofficial capacity, engaging in actions beyond the powers of the office, or involved in criminal conduct.
“The bill seeks to foster transparency and strengthen the fight against corruption by making public officials more accountable for their actions, both in and out of office.”
“Section 308 of the principal Act is amended by:(a) substituting a new subsection (3) as follows: “(3) This section applies to a person holding the office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Vice President only when acting as President, in line with Section 145 of this Constitution.
Creating sub section (4) thereto as follows:”(4) The foregoing provisions of this section shall be inapplicable where the person to whom this section applies is acting in an unofficial capacity or where the conduct of the person is beyond the powers of his office or the conduct is criminal in nature.
“This Bill may be cited as the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (Alteration) Act 2024.
The bill is currently awaiting further debate and consideration by the National Assembly.

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Recall From NASS: INEC Confirms Petitioners’ Contact Details Receipt, Notifies Natasha

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The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has written to notify Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi Central, about the petition by constituents seeking her recall from the national assembly.
INEC said it has also received the contact details of the petitioners.
“Pursuant to section 69 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I write to notify you of the receipt of a petition from representatives of registered voters in your constituency seeking your recall from the senate.
“The notification is in line with the provisions of clause 2 (a) of the Commission’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall 2024.
“This letter is also copied to the presiding officer of the senate and simultaneously published on the commission’s website. Thank you”, the letter read.
The letter was signed by Ruth Oriaran Anthony, secretary to the commission.
Meanwhile, in a statement issued on Wednesday, INEC said it has now received the updated contact details from representatives of petitioners seeking to recall the senator.
In the statement, Sam Olumekun, INEC’s National Commissioner and Chairman of Information and Voter Education, said a letter notifying the senator of the petition has been delivered to her official address, copied to the senate presiding officer, and published on the commission’s website.
“The next step is to scrutinise the list of signatories submitted by the petitioners to ascertain that the petition is signed by more than one half (over 50%) of the registered voters in the constituency. This will be done in the coming days.
“The outcome, which will be made public, shall determine the next step to be taken by the Commission. We once again reassure Nigerians that the process will be open and transparent”, Mr Olumekun said.
Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan had recently accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio of sexually harassing her.
The allegation came in the wake of seating arrangement related altercation between Senator. Akpabio and the Kogi Central senator at the red chamber
She was subsequently suspended from the senate for six months for “gross misconduct” over the incident.
The constituents behind the recall move also accused her of “gross misconduct, abuse of office, and deceitful behaviour”.
The senator has denied wrongdoing and called the recall effort a “coordinated suppression” of her voice.

 

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Bill To Upgrade Lagos LCDAs To LGAs Pass Second Reading

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The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed the second reading of a bill to upgrade the Lagos State 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) to full-fledged Local Government Areas (LGAs ).
The bill, was sponsored by James Faleke, Babajimi Benson, Enitan Badru, and 19 other lawmakers.
The bill is titled “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) to Accommodate the Thirty-Seven (37) Development Area Councils of Lagos State as Full-Fledged Local Government Areas, Increasing the Total Number of Local Government Areas in the Federation to Eight Hundred and Eleven (811), and for Related Matters (HB. 1498),”
Once fully enacted, Nigeria’s total number of LGAs will rise from 774 to 811, with Lagos overtaking Kano and Katsina, which currently have 44 and 34 LGAs, respectively.
Proponents of the bill argue that granting full LGA status to the LCDAs would bring governance closer to the people. The 37 LCDAs were created by President Bola Tinubu in 2003 when he was governor of Lagos State.
However, it’s worth noting that the Lagos State House of Assembly has been working on a bill to replace the 37 LCDAs with newly designated administrative areas.

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