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The Dog, Its Shadow, The Bone …That Fall Of The President’s Men
The year 2014 has come and gone leaving trails of intrigues of monumental proportions. Among the surprises of the year, were the party primaries which saw some of the president’s confident men losing the governorship ticket of their states. This is one of the picks of 2014.
Knowing the awesome powers of a Nigerian President and Commander-In-Chief, it is almost unthinkable that he can be refused anything. In fact, a President does not need to ask for favours before getting them.
So powerful, a President’s name alone opens doors, generates compliance and indeed guarantees, approval of sorts. In the political realm, those believed to have a President’s ears are feared, adored or even worshiped.
Therefore, if a minister in a President’s cabinet resigns to contest for a higher political office, the conclusion is that such ambition must naturally enjoy that President’s support and approval. Some could even conclude that being the President’s men, to challenge them in any political battle shall amount to a perilous political voyage.
When therefore, some Ministers of the President Goodluck Jonathan’s Executive Cabinet chose to test their popularity in their various states, by contesting the governorship primaries on the platform of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the President’s own political party, very few Nigerians thought that their choice would amount to the proverbial dog with a big bone in his mouth, and goes after its shadow in a deep-well, in belief that that in the well must be bigger. But that was what the outcome of the primaries in some states boiled down to.
They were seven in all who attempted a replay of the dog and bone drama. Labaran Maku was Minister of Information and a successful one at that. The others are Samuel Ortom, Minister of Trade and Industry, Musiliu Obanikoro, Minister of State for Defence and Emeka Wogu, Minister of Labour.
The others are Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health and Dairus Ishaku, Minister of State for Niger Delta. Of the seven ministers who resigned, only the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike made it through the party primaries successfully.
But what should push polished professionals like Dr Chukwu, whose level-headedness, expertise and sense of duty successfully halted the spread of Ebola in Nigeria and Maku whose flawless oratory and convincing power of debate makes him more suited for the information minister or the classroom? It was all known that both indeed enjoyed the President’s respect because they were dutiful, but when they decided to contest the governorship the principal let them go.
Strangely, the President is also the leader of the political party on which platform the ministers sought tickets. As a leader generally perceived by the party faithful as well performed and unanimously adopted as lone presidential candidate, not many thought that Jonathan can be refused anything.
The Ministers themselves must have concluded that the mere mention of the President’s name or the mere thought that they work with the leader of the party, would be enough to frighten and scare away any competitor from the contest. At worse, even if they lost, the President could influence the outcome in their favour, after all, they all sought his approval to quit the cabinet in pursuit of more juicy political package.
But as it turned out, President Jonathan appeared too busy to put a word cross to the handlers of the primaries in various states or urge other contenders to drop their dreams. Or did the President consider the ministers’ resignation a good radiance to bad rubbish?
It is really unimaginable that men like Onyebuchi Chukwu, Labaran Maku and Obanikoro could fall the way they did without any extra help from the President, considering their perceived loyalty to the President and exemplary sense of duty.
In the case of Maku, his good governance tour of projects embarked upon by the media to showcase projects by both the Federal and state governments gave him so much visibility, even popularity that must have pushed him unto the governorship race. But who ever imagined that a man like Obanikoro whose popularity in Lagos, many boasted was a threat to opposition politicians, could be swept away with such ease as done in the state of excellence.
The President himself may be as surprised as many others, who believed that at least five of the ministers, if not all of them will come out victorious. But the question is, what if they had won?
Would the Presidency not be fingered for influencing the outcome? Won’t the National party executive be accused of doing the President’s bidding rather than ensuring a level playing ground for all? Would such outcome be considered credible enough to not generate petitions and complaints? Even bad press?
Now that the opposite is true what should be the likely conclusion? That the President is a true democrat, leader and father to all and should naturally not favour anyone against the other? That the party requires men and women popular enough to win primaries before going into general elections, could that be the President’s avowment? Does it confirm President Jonathan’s assurance that he would do nothing to influence the electoral process?
Stretched a bit further, could the fate of the ministers be seen as a verdict on the Presidency in the affected states? Or were the ministers, simply Abuja politicians who were considered strangers by their people whose mandate they sought? Were they unusually too distant until the primaries? We may never know.
But their experience indeed reminds many of the proverbial dog with one big bone in its month but out of greed goes after his shadow only to lose what he already had and at great risk to its life.
In a country where, none ever seeks elective office, as everyone is often persuaded by his or her people to lead them, it’s hard to tell which people actually persuaded the ministers to resign in pursuit of the unknown.
Where from will they now draw the required confidence and credibility needed to win souls for their former master, if they would? Or would they not feel abandoned now and do same to their principal?
Whatever their discretion does not matter now because they disobeyed the natural injunction of looking deeply before leaping. If they had, they probably would have remained relevant as ministers and not wasted resources on a perilous political journey that has led to nowhere but failure.
That may be part of the beauty of democracy, but what I found troubling is the list of ex-governors-to-be preparing to head to the Senate, some of them after nearly eight years in office. What do the governors really want that the executive positions they held failed to provide them? Or is the Senate the new third term for governors, since all of them cannot be President or Vice?
Truth is, considering the awesome influence of a state governor, seeking a Senate seat while in office cannot be as difficult as an Abuja based politician seeking office in his state.
But they indeed are an impediment to democracy as there is not likely to be any level-playing ground for other likely contestants in a state where they remain judges in their own cases. That indeed is what is playing out following the outcome of the various primaries in the major political parties.
While the parties consider such candidates as potential election winners others who may harbor same ambition may feel short changed or intimidated by the high credentials of such serving governors.
My Agony is that Governors in Nigeria are today the most influential with so much powers over all other arms of government, the state assemblies and the judiciary, and can do any and every thing to achieve their every ambitions, within their states. They are unlike the ministers who lept without looking.
Labaram Maku and Prof Onyebuchi Chukwu
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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.