Front Pix
Sacrifice For Peace …Reward For Jonathan, N’Delta
Goodluck Jonathan
Various studies have shown that most African leaders choose to remain in power, if possible, till death, not so much for the lure of power but for the uncertainties and dishonour that often trail life after power. To prevent that, some political leaders would prefer to die in office rather than face the humiliation often meted to them by successors.
In the months leading to the last general elections, Nigeria sat on a keg of gun-powder, ready to explode. The scenario tended to confirm an earlier predication by institutions in the United States of America, that a break-up of the country was imminent.
The height of desperation demonstrated by political parties and politicians, the nature of violent vituperations and the level of acrimony in the land, indeed portended grave danger to the unity of the country. There was so much bad blood, small arms proliferation, threats of civil disobedience and formation of parallel government and indeed readiness for ‘War’ that held the promise of claiming several lives.
The campaigns by various political parties lost steam. Rather than focus on ideas, policies and programmes, appeal to ethnicity, religion and cultures, took the front burner. In some parts of the North, anyone who was perceived to be supporting a candidate other than their own, was tagged an enemy and risked losing everything after the outcome. That flogged many into line.
There were also tales of illegal militia training and stockpiling of weapons in readiness to raise hell once the electoral outcome was unfavourable. In other climes, non- indigenes were forced to return to their areas of origin to avoid likely annihilation.
Such was the scenario when the elections of March 28, 2015 took place. It was a project that should produce a President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and members of the National Assembly. The two leading political parties, the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) were virtually at each other’s throat in the scramble for power.
Interestingly, the highest position in the land, which both parties were scrambling for, was not vacant. There, indeed, was an incumbent, in the person of Dr. Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan. In that position, going by antecedents and indeed rulership style of previous Nigerian leaders, Jonathan could, in many ways, influence the electoral process in his favour.
As Command-In-Chief, he could deploy troops to ‘enemy areas’ and reduce votes by disenfranchising many. He could also interfere with the electoral body, by sacking suspected black-legs, and replacing them with trusted friends that would deliver. More than that he could frustrate the purchase and use of card readers, and instead do the familiar, prepare results for announcement. But he didn’t.
Instead, in months leading to the polls, former President Jonathan repeatedly assured Nigerians that the electoral process would be free, fair and credible and promised never to interfere with the work of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Secondly, he assured that no one’s ambition, not even his, was worth any one’s blood. Of course, those were promises African leaders often made but were never compelled to keep.
Jonathan was under no compulsion to deviate from such leaders’ double-speak. But when the early results showed unfavourable outcome, the incumbent President, and Commander-In-Chief, did the extra-ordinary, what no Nigerian Presidential candidate had ever done, not to talk of a sitting President: He called his opponent, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to congratulate him, something even Buhari could not have done if both were to change positions.
The implications of that early concession of defeat were indeed huge. First, he should have known that his presidency was the first by a Niger Deltan since independence and after years of violent agitation against marginalisation, discrimination and indeed socio-economic strangulation, in spite of the fact that the area accounted for over 80 per cent of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. Thus, he carried with him the hopes and fears of the people of the oil bearing region.
Secondly, knowing the kind of exuberance that new administrations often demonstrate, the former President should have known that most, if not all, those who worked with him stood the risk of being witch-hunted, to fulfil the initial threats of vendetta and vindictiveness which the various political party campaigns held.
Thirdly, President Jonathan, did not consider the fate of the states and geo-political zones that invested their votes in his re-election, instead of his opponent’s. In a country where a politician sees himself as a partisan tin-god, even after elections when, he ‘should belong to no one and belong to everyone,’ it was indeed a deadly gamble to expose such supporters to the now familiar post election marginalisation and discrimination.
Within barely months into his Presidency, Gen Muhammadu Buhari seems set to teach Jonathan and his supporters how not to concede defeat in sacrifice for peace. In course of his recent US visit, Buhari did not mince words when he said “… Constituencies that gave me 95 per cent cannot in all honesty be treated equally, on some issues, with constituencies that gave me five per cent. I think these are political realities. While certainly there will be justice for everybody, but the people who voted, and made their votes count, they must feel the government has appreciated the effort they put in putting the government in place”.
Ironically, in all his previous three attempts at the Presidency, Gen Buhari won nearly all the Northern States. That meant, former President Jonathan lost those States to the general in the 2011 elections, yet virtually all development projects ranging from Railways, Almajiri Schools and indeed new Federal Universities were sited in those areas.
The Niger Delta, where, Jonathan hails from, and which voted massively for him could not boast of 30 per cent of the worth Buhari’s North-Western Zone enjoyed. And that became Jonathan’s waterloo.
In campaigns after campaigns, prior to the elections, former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi challenged the former President to point to development projects initiated by his administration, completed and commissioned for the Niger Delta peoples’ use. Amaechi, said he was opposing Jonathan’s re-election bid because his presidency had not proven to be a blessing to those who voted for him.
Is that what Buhari plans to correct? Developing first, those areas that gave him 95 per cent votes; reserving all plum appointments for them and indeed encouraging them to vote same way, in next elections? Conversely, abandoning the South East and South-South to their fate?
A fate, compounded by an early concession by their own, in sacrifice for national peace?
Sadly, Jonathan is also not spared.
This is because, President Buhari, whose previous promise to Nigerians was that all stolen public funds would be re-covered under his anti-corruption drive, has decided to probe only and only the Jonathan administration, as a reward for the former President’s democratic maturity and statesmanship.
Nigerians can still recall the Hallibuton scam, for which all foreign collaborators were punished in their own countries, while all Nigerian actors still walk the land freely. An administration that prides itself with the toga of fighting corruption, wants to limit its searchlight to six years.
This is why many Nigerians feel that Buhari’s resolve amounts to ingratitude, personal vendetta and political vindictiveness. Not only is the approach selective in justice delivery, it amounts to punishing a patriot for his statesmanly disposition to an electoral outcome.
My Agony is that most of those hanging around the President in the name of party solidarity are indeed no less corrupt than Jonathan’s Ministers, whom Buhari seeks to probe, convict and punish. By all means.
Any probe must be holistic and not targeted at a former President, whose geo-political zone accounted for and still accounts for the economic survival of the country but which resources were managed to its exclusion until the last six years, yet without real gains.
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.