Opinion
Anambra guber: Umeoji, Soludo and equity in APGA
Such a man that loved his bottles, this lawyer was! Yet, he was actually in the legal team of the Ibrus! I can’t really recall the circumstances, because I know it was the late Kehinde Sofola SAN, that eventually won the case for Ibru over the late Rotimi Williams, who represented Opia. However, my man actually came from the state ministry of justice in the state. He always passing notes to one of the female lawyers, who was leading the team.
Even with my little experience as a rookie, few months into journalism and being in a courtroom for the first time, I had wondered then, how such a person could be entrusted with such a responsibility. But I was to learn later that he was a brilliant lawyer apart from being a senior officer in the ministry.
It was while reviewing the case during one of the intermittent breaks that I heard for the first time the expression – he who goes to equity, must go with clean hands. As he lectured me further about the implications of the argument of the team, he added – when equity is equal, the law prevails. What is the law in this case? The votes!
I didn’t quite understand the second leg of this lecture, talking about equity being equal and the votes. But the first part held a kind of fascination to me that for a long time after, I found a way of infusing it into my lexicon, oral or written.
I couldn’t help recalling my encounter with this lawyer with whom I became very attached mainly because of his gifted sassy wits, concerning the political macabre dance that is going on in Anambra State, particularly in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), as it relates to the adherence of this time-tested principle or lack of it.
Could anybody in good conscience discountenance the issue of equity in the entire APGA saga or play down the import and consequences of not approaching it with clean hands? That is the question anyone getting involved either as an active participant or an observer, must attempt to answer.
Is it not evident that like in other Nigerian political parties, APGA habours its own fair share of injustice against its members, particularly aspirants? Would it even be farfetched to infer that the party has even elevated crooked selection of candidates for its elections as a way of life? Isn’t this what is playing out in the current saga?
“APGA is a fraud. It is more than a ponzi scheme and a continuous criminal enterprise. It is an Anambra business to defraud and make money using aspirants every four years. It’s a scam. Every four years, people are defrauded. It’s no longer this is our own; it now means this for thieves. Some people lost millions and millions to the cartel, some people were given certificates of returns four times.”
That was one Tony Gray Okpe, an aspirant for the senatorial elections in Imo State about three years ago, at the approach of the 2019 elections. Of course, you needed to hear the version of other candidates including Bianca Ojukwu, widow of the late Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, on whose back the party rode to power in Anambra State to underscore that Okpe’s vituperation, utter disappointment and anger and those of the likes of Sam Amadi, former chairman of the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), whose fingers were burnt trying to contest elections under APGA.
Incidentally, many analysts simply paper over this central issue. Even Chukwuma Charles Soludo, while on Channels Television a fortnight ago failed to focus on this unfortunate aspect in his analysis of the current crisis in APGA in Anambra State. That he did so, speaks a lot to the odious nature of Nigerian politics and its propensity to taint, if not consume those who venture into it, no matter their pedigrees, hitherto.
Instead, the former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), regaled his audience with how Anambra people were begging him to become governor. He conveniently failed to stress how the disqualification of Chukwuma Umeoji, his major opponent for the APGA ticket in the November 6 governorship election in the state birthed the crisis. As usual, he also blamed outside forces.
Addresses Ndi Anambra
Umeoji had posed the greatest threat to the professor of Economics, whether real or imagined in the run up to the party’s primaries. Unlike Soludo, who has never held any political office in the state or even in Nigeria, either elective or appointive, apart from his CBN job, Umeoji, was not only a local government chairman through elections, but a two-time member of the House of Representatives, relying on the votes of the people – the same people that would likely have voted at the primaries.
Obviously, he was only too happy that this obstacle was removed for him by the APGA hierarchy and that a make-shift arrangement was made to select him as the candidate of the party by his camp by putting him up against some agreeable, but paper-weight candidates, to give the process a veneer of credibility.
Now, should Soludo have accepted that the process be skewed in his favour in any political contest? Should desperation for power, no matter how genuine his intentions drive him to the dark part of history as a beneficiary of a rigged process? Having done so, hasn’t he lost the ground to wax moral and submit himself to the jankara politics that is now playing out as the outcome? These are the questions begging for answers – the crux of the matter.
It is unfortunate that the selfsame Soludo, was once a victim of the APGA’s poisoned chalice, having been similarly disqualified in 2009 a few days to clinching the ticket for that year’s election, using the same inexplicable hammer of electoral roguery. It is more saddening that the same man, who did not accept the situation then and ran to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where he contested and lost, would now be singing praises of what he condemned only a few years ago.
That makes a terrible statement on the nature of politics in Nigeria. People like Soludo are supposed to be change agents in politics. They are supposed to go into that arena to beautify the colour and make it more attractive, by cleaning all the slurs that taint the process no matter how caked and entrenched they have become.
Yes, they should also aspire to win elections to play the same role at the bigger stage. But, if at the smaller level of party primaries you accept a rotten package, how do you redeem it at that level? The history of Nigeria is replete with technocrats like Soludo, who going into the ring, either became hostages to the wicked and outlandish political system or even the purveyors and patrons of the wacky products.
Imagine Umeoji, posting such tall political qualification being disqualified on the flimsy reasons of ”defiance and insubordination to the party leadership and alteration of forms” – whatever that means. Who does that?
Soludo, boasts that his turning the tide and becoming the governor is a matter of time. On the other hand Umeoji, currently swimming the tide as the candidate whose name is in the ballot at the moment believes he would be sworn in next year to “continue the good work” of the present government. It doesn’t really matter who wins at the end of the day. What is evident is that nothing has changed in Anambra, as in Nigeria.
By Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim
If I had the power to do so, I would name Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan the freedom fighter of the decade. She is an irrepressible combatant for her rights, she lives beyond intimidation as she has no fear and above all she is very conscious of her constitutional rights and ready to defend her. The most recent episode was when her governor learnt she was going home for Sallah celebration with her constituents.
He immediately banned public meetings and processions in her constituency, closed all roads leading into the State and barricaded access to the constituency. His concerns were easy to see. He is leading a campaign to recall her and her presence would have revealed the lie that half of her constituency had signed a petition to recall her. By now, virtually all Nigerians know the signatures were forged. She knew it and had to expose the lie. She checked the law; freedom of movement and association remain fundamental human rights in Nigeria that no governor could withdraw. She rented a helicopter and went and the entire country saw the massive and enthusiastic crowd that welcomed her home. Being intimidated is not her portion.
Almost the entire Senate considers her a loose cannon that is ready, willing and above all ABLE to challenge the autocracy and myogenic institution that the organ has become. It is no longer an organisation of peers as it has lost its collegiate nature. It is today a crass dictatorship run by a dictator that will not even allow “distinguished” members to vote as he interprets the voice vote he organises to be what he decides no matter how loud the nay or ayes voices are. The decision of INEC yesterday that even the forged signatures procured for her recall did not meet the 50% + 1 requirement is another dagger at the heart of the Senate dictatorship.
It would be recalled that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the brave warrior, had accused Mr Akpabio, the Senate President of sexual harassment but the upper Chamber had dismissed the allegations in a cavalier manner. Senator Akpoti reported the matter, along with her suspension from the Senate, to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), a move that shocked and destabilised the Senate.
After all, they know that the evidence is clear that the Nigerian Senate’s decision to suspend Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan for six months is an unconstitutional move that undermines democracy and sets a dangerous precedent for legislative governance. The suspension of an elected senator contradicts Sections 68 and 69 of the 1999 Constitution, which clearly outline the lawful processes for a legislator to lose their seat. Section 68(1) & (2) states that a legislator’s seat can only be declared vacant under specific circumstances such as resignation, defection, conviction, or recall by constituents through the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“Section 69 stipulates that the recall process is the only constitutional means for removing an elected legislator, making the Senate’s decision legally baseless. By suspending Senator Natasha, the Senate has effectively denied the people of Kogi Central Senatorial District their right to representation, an action that constitutes an abuse of power. Many judicial rulings have consistently declared legislative suspensions unlawful.
The suspension of Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan from the Senate was designed to be punitive. Her salaries, allowances, and those of her legislative aides were halted. Her security details were withdrawn for the period while she was receiving death threats. She was even banned from going anywhere the national assembly building. She was then ordered to go on her knees and beg but has refused to do so and continues the struggle.
She filed a contempt against Imasuen, the senate committee chair on ethics, privileges, and public petitions, and president Akpabio over her suspension. Before her suspension, the federal high court in Abuja had restrained the senate committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions from conducting disciplinary proceedings against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. Obiora Egwuatu, the presiding judge, gave the order following an ex parte application filed by counsels to the Kogi senator. But the senator was suspended 48 hours after.
One of the clearest signs of the crisis of democracy in Nigeria is that elected legislators and executives believe and act as if the own the people. They are rude and dismissive when addressing citizens and literally expect ordinary people to hold them in awe and respect. They have completely lost sight of the core principle of representative democracy that the citizens are the masters and elected officials only mandate is to do what pleases the citizen. Of course, what has created great power asymmetry in Nigeria is that our elected representatives are among the richest in the world as they funnel resources from the public purse to their private pockets in a society that has become one of the poorest in the world. We cannot begin to address the problem of disrespect to citizens until we are able stop public office from being a permanent site of the looting of the national treasury.
One of the strengths of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is her commitment to building projects and distributing empowerment materials to her constituents. After just one year in Senate, the projects she launched in her constituency included:
Construction of a 1km road network at Abdul Azeez Memorial College in Okene;
The reconstruction of the college, which now includes nine classroom blocks, four boarding houses, and 5,000 digital learning devices for students.
Reconstruction of Ihima Police Station;
A scholarship scheme through the Natasha Foundation has supported empowerment programs have trained over 1,300 artisans in various fields, from renewable energy to catering, with start-up grants provided for all participants;
Water projects that have brought potable water to many communities, including a large solar-powered system that serves 300 locations with 1,800 water taps;
Lighting 30km of roads across Kogi Central to enhance safety.
If more Nigerians learn to defend their rights and freedoms, the lack of accountability that surrounds the exercise of power will begin to weaken. May we all learn to struggle for ourselves and our society.
By Fred Itua
The recent ruling of the Edo State Election Petition Tribunal, which saw the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lose its bid to overturn the election victory of Governor Monday Okpebholo, marks a defining moment in the state’s political landscape. While elections and legal challenges are essential aspects of democracy, what follows is even more crucial—the role of the opposition in ensuring governance is accountable, effective, and people-centered. However, this must be pursued in a manner that prioritizes the development and stability of Edo State rather than fueling acrimony, political tension, and divisive rhetoric.
A vibrant opposition plays a crucial role in strengthening democracy. It is expected to provide constructive criticism, propose alternative policies, and ensure that the ruling government remains accountable to the people. However, for this role to be beneficial, it must be driven by the genuine interest of the people rather than personal vendettas, obstructionist tactics, or an attempt to undermine the legitimacy of the government.
In Edo State, the focus should now shift from post-election bitterness to responsible opposition politics. The people of Edo have made their decision through the ballot, and the legal process has affirmed it. It is now imperative that the opposition, especially the PDP, restrategizes its approach by offering meaningful policy alternatives rather than engaging in actions that could destabilize governance.
One of the most damaging aspects of opposition politics in Nigeria is the tendency for acrimonious engagements that serve only to inflame tensions rather than address pressing governance issues. When opposition leaders resort to inciting the public against the government, spreading misinformation, or engaging in character assassination, they create an environment of hostility that hinders governance rather than improving it.
Edo State cannot afford to be embroiled in unnecessary political squabbles that distract from the task of development. The challenges before the Okpebholo-led administration require cooperation, innovative thinking, and a commitment to service delivery. Any opposition that seeks to continuously heat up the polity for selfish political gains is doing a disservice to the very people it claims to represent.
True opposition is not about opposing for opposition’s sake; it is about providing credible alternatives and engaging constructively with the government of the day. There are many pressing issues in Edo State—economic development, infrastructure, education, security, and healthcare—that require the collective input of all stakeholders, including the opposition.
Rather than staging protests or engaging in campaigns to delegitimize the government, the opposition should leverage democratic institutions such as the State House of Assembly, public discourse forums, and the media to articulate well-thought-out policy alternatives. Political parties that lost at the polls should focus on rebuilding, strengthening their grassroots engagement, and preparing robust policy proposals that can win public support in future elections.
Democracy thrives when all parties respect the electoral process and its outcomes. The people of Edo have chosen their leader, and the court has validated this choice. Any attempt to undermine Governor Monday Okpebholo’s administration through disruptive tactics would not only be undemocratic but also counterproductive. The opposition must recognize that its role is not to create instability but to ensure that governance is people-centered and effective.
As Edo State moves forward, it is time for all political actors to set aside differences and focus on governance. The ruling party must be open to constructive criticism, while the opposition must act responsibly, engaging in issues-based politics rather than resorting to acrimony. The interest of Edo people must remain paramount, and every political action should be geared toward their well-being and progress.
Governor Monday Okpebholo has a mandate to govern, and he must be given the space to deliver on his promises. The opposition, rather than being an obstacle, should be a partner in ensuring that democracy works for everyone. Politics should be a contest of ideas, not a battleground of personal or party rivalries. Edo State deserves better, and it is only through responsible and constructive engagement that true progress can be achieved.
Fred Itua is the Chief Press Secretary to the Edo State Governor.
By Adamu Muhd Usman.
“If you can think of it, you can plan it; if you can plan it, you can dream it; if you can dream it, you can achieve it.”
—Unknown author
Farming and livestock are Jigawa’s main occupations. The Jigawa people and its government are always interested in farming. So talking about farming, farmers, commodities and livestock prices are interesting issues for Jigawa people.
The prices of cash crops, grains, etc., are recording a steady drop in Jigawa State occasioned by the yearning and interest of the people of the state and also some state government commitment for both farming of animals and farm produce.
A check and investigations by yours sincerely showed and proved that the prices of many things had dropped by 20-30 per cent in the last four weeks and thereabouts in Jigawa state.
A 10 kg local rice farm (produced) in Jigawa State was sold at ₦9,000 as against the previous price of almost ₦12,000. Millet, sorghum, beans, wheat, Benny seeds, etc., indicated a similar price decrease.
People are of the opinion that the situation of a high supply of the produce from farms in Jigawa State has committed itself to producing a large quantity of farm produce and livestock to meet the demand in the region or the country at large. Surely, the increase in the supply of the produce from the farms or farmers had forced prices down in the recent past.
Others still attributed this price drop to the fear of Allah instilled in the hearts of hoarders because the clerics kept preaching against hoarding, which is seriously frown upon by God Almighty.
While some political critics viewed it as the bad economic policies of the President Tinubu administration, in which Allah used it to bring relief to the common man.
Quite obviously, Jigawa is amongst the three states in the federation that produce and supply the nation and some neighbouring counties with grains, livestock, fish and frogs. Jigawa state is also first in Hibiscus, sesame, gum Arabic, datefarm and also Jigawa is not left behind in the farming of cotton and Siemens. —-Jigawa is blessed.
But at the overround investigations, findings and outcomes, it was largely concluded that all these results and achievements were attributed to the people’s interest and passion for farming, but it is mostly because of the government’s commitments to assist, promote and enhance agricultural production in the state to make it a priority in Jigawa as a means of livelihood, occupation and income for the Jigawa populace and to be a source of internally generated revenue (IGR) for the state and also make the state feed the nation formula. Thank God, the airport (cargo) built by the former governor, Dr Sule Lamido, will now be very functional and useful.
The big question now is, can the state government sustain its support for the agricultural sector and continue to pay more attention and also sustain the package and gesture?
We hope that farmers in the state will continue to enjoy maximum support in crop production, including the use of mechanised farming. This will encourage livestock farming, which will go a long way to reduce or stop farmers’/herders’ clashes.
Also, the issue of soil erosion should be given due attention, and more roads should be constructed across the state in order to facilitate bringing out farm produce from villages and rural areas to urban areas.
As the saying goes, Success is getting what you want, and happiness is wanting what you get.
Adamu writes from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State.
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