Politics
2011: Shekarau Joins Race For Presidency
Governor Ibrahim Shekarau of Kano State has declared his intention to run for the presidency in 2011 on the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) platform with a promise to engender change.
Shekarau, the only governor that has served two terms in Kano State, made the declaration on Thursday in Abuja at a ceremony organised by “Shekarau for Nigeria Project 2011” group.
According to him, 50 years have gone in the history of Nigeria as a country since independence, and it is therefore time for a new beginning for the nation.
He said the aspiration for a new and better Nigeria could be achieved only when Nigerians “elect a leader who cares, someone whose only interest is to build, whose only interest is to raise Nigeria above everything associated with corruption.”
“A leader whose only interest is to fight poverty and implement policies that will create employment, whose only interest is to put the country on the path of growth by restoring confidence in our system and by honouring our commitments.
“It is with great humility that I offer myself for this selfless service,” he said.
The ANPP presidential aspirant said that it was a common knowledge that Nigerians of every standing and circumstance were struggling relentlessly to improve their lives.
He noted that the entire country “is yearning for an operating environment that is rule-based and transparent’’.
Shekarau also said that the attitude of the components of the society in any nation depended largely on the qualities of its leaders.
“Citizens of a given nation cannot manifest a higher degree of discipline than their leaders.
“Nobody will contest that Nigeria in the First Republic possessed more sense of brotherhood and general decorum than we do today,” he noted.
Such landmark leadership, he noted, was achieved by people like Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Sir Ahmadu Bello, Dr Nnmadi Azikwe and others who displayed laudable virtues and values with the fear of God.
He declared that attitude ”left the colonial masters in no doubt about their sincerity of purpose and commitment to service of the people”.
According to the governor, the attention given to structural development in the place of attitudinal change in Nigeria “has left us with wider roads, but with narrower viewpoints, more degrees but less sense”.
“We planned more but accomplish less. We learn to rush but not to take our turn. We attempted to conquer outer space but not inner space.
‘We build taller buildings but with shorter tempers, so much that our apex law-making citizens could resort to exchange of blow while at work, instead of ideas,” he said.
He, however, argued that if Nigeria got its act together it could change the world.
“In order for that to be accomplished, however, we must take responsibility; we must participate in this new Nigeria enterprise, we must moblise and organise as groups, as communities and professionals and elect responsible leaders at all levels,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the people to come together and elect him as the president to build a better Nigeria.
“With great humility I present myself as one in your number who is committed to provide the kind of leadership you have been yearning for, if you elect me as your president in 2011,” he declared.
In his comment, the Chairman of the occasion, Chief Olu Falae, described Shekarau as a performer who transformed Kano State, that was known for riots and social unrest to a peaceful and stable state in the past seven years.
“I have told him more than once that I truly believe in his ambition to be president, which is motivated by his sense of patriotism and commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria,” he said.
The former Secretary to the Federal Government, said “the true characteristic of a true progressive movement is its commitment to welfare of the average citizen through policies and programmes”.
“The people of Nigeria deserve better progressive administration than what PDP government has inflicted on them,” he said.
The former presidential candidate on the AD/ANPP ticket called on all progressive parties to field a single list of candidates against the PDP in all elections in 2011.
“I wish to seize this opportunity to call on the leadership of progressive parties to agree to attend a summit of leaders to work out modalities for this historic alliance after Ramadan.
“Consultations are ongoing about the timing and venue.
“I hope and pray that we will not let Nigeria down by failing to reach agreement on this historic platform which is the only way to put the PDP out of business for many years to come,’’ he said.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.
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