Allow lawmakers to elect their leaders — Eso

As the controversy surrounding the choice of the new leadership of the seventh National Assembly rages, a retired Supreme Court justice, Justice Kayode Eso, has asked Nigerians to allow the lawmakers to elect their leaders themselves.
He said it was morally wrong for the choice of NASS leaders to be decided outside the chambers of the legislative houses.
Eso made his position known on Friday shortly after a legal luminary, Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), administered oaths of office on prefects and members of parliaments of the Bodija International College, Ibadan, who were recently democratically elected by their colleagues.
The retired jurist, who is the chairman, Board of Governors of the college, said since lawmakers had been elected to represent their constituents at the NASS, such representatives should be given the free hands to elect their leaders.
He urged the nation to learn from the students of the school, who elected their leaders in a free, fair and credible election without an undue influence as prevalent in the larger society.
He said, “These prefects were elected by their peers and were not nominated by the authorities. I wish the nation will learn from the college. There was no stealing of votes and stuffing of ballot boxes in the election conducted in the college.
“We decided to adopt this style shortly after the so-called 2003 general elections in the country, which was a mere selection. We thought the best thing to do was to start inculcating the tenets of democracy in these children when they are still young.”
Eso regretted that when some of the students were taken to the Oyo State House of Assembly to learn the legislative process, they were alarmed at what they saw.
“In the gallery were people who had no business being there. Even the lawmakers who were supposed to be passing useful bills were busy chanting party slogans. That was why we decided that we must teach the nation how to do it,” he said.
Another legal luminary, Chief Folake Solanke (SAN), observed that many of the problems bedevilling the nation emanated from poor leadership.
Solanke, who is the first female SAN in the country, regretted that rather than serve the people, Nigerian leaders were busy serving their pockets.
He urged the students to continue with the legacy and refuse to be put off by the poor leadership being exhibited by the present leaders.
“Be guided by the content of your oath of office,” she said. “Many of our national leaders see their oaths of office as mere recitation; they mouth it and forget about it. You should not emulate them.”
By Olalekan Adetayo, Ibadan                  Courtesy Of: Punch

May 29: Ogun deploys 4,000 security personnel

A total of 4,000 security personnel have been deployed in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, to ensure a hitch-free handover at the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, the venue of the inauguration ceremony of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as the next governor of the state.
While the Commissioner of Police for the Ogun State Command, Mr. Musa Daura, had deployed 3,000 policemen, including men of the anti-bomb disposal unit, the Corps Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Ogun State Command, Alhaji Poopola Bamidele, deployed 1,000 men.
Our correspondent observed that personnel from the Police Bomb Disposal Unit were already combing the entire stadium and adjoining premises with bomb detection devices, while traders and visitors to the stadium were denied access to the area until after the Sunday inauguration.
The command’s spokesman, Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, told our correspondent in an interview that a reasonable number of security dogs had been assembled to help in crime prevention and control during the exercise.
He added that the police parade team had started rehearsing for the handover, while giving the assurance that all necessary arrangements had been concluded to ensure a hitch-free handover.
In a statement, the NSCDC spokesperson, Ogun State Command, Mr. Kareem Olanrewaju and the commandant, Poopola, charged the officers to be committed and display a high level of professionalism in discharging their duties. He enjoined politicians, their supporters and the general public to cooperate with the security agencies for a peaceful transition.
By Francis Falola, Abeokuta                  Courtesy Of: Punch

Ministerial list: Fresh storm in Lagos PDP over nominees

THIS rainy season, it is raining endlessly for the Lagos chapter of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which just lost the governorship elections in Lagos to the Action Congress of Nigeria, ACN, by a very wide margin. One party faithful, who declined to be named, described the party’s performance in the governorship elections as “the worst outing of the party in Lagos since return to democratic rule.”
However, the fresh tempest brewing in the party’s state chapter has to do with nominees for ministerial considerations. Shortly after winning the presidential polls, President Goodluck Jonathan directed each state chapter, through the party’s National Working Committee, to nominate 10 persons worthy of consideration as ministers. It is the President’s first major step towards forming a new government after May 29, when he would have been sworn in.
Vanguard’s probes revealed that on the Lagos list, which is generating furore, are the current Finance Minister, Dr Olusegun Aganga, the party’s gubernatorial candidate in the April elections, Dr Ade Dosunmu, a former aide to ex-president Obasanjo, Bode Oladele, a senatorial candidate (Lagos Central), Tolagbe Animasaun, and Mr Moshood Salvador another senatorial contestant (Lagos West).
Others on the list include state party chairman, Setonji Koshoedo, former health commissioner in the state, Dr Segun Ogundimu, a governorship aspirant, Barrister Owolabi Salis, Hon Shelle, and Chief Abaniwonnda. Salis is believed to have made the list because of his popularity, hard work and contributions to the development of the party.
Lagos PDP comprises four major groups —  Network Group (led by Chief Bode George), Harmony Group, led by Dr Abayomi Finnih, Global Mandate Group, led by Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, and LSF group, whose chief promoters are Dr Wahab Dosunmu, Ms Bola Sasore, and Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro.
The brewing storm is over the allegation that most of the nominees are members of Chief Bode George’s Network Group. Indeed, Dr Ade Dosunmu, Tolagbe Animasaun, Bode Oladele, Moshood Salvador, Setonji Koshoedo, Hon Shelle, and Chief Abaniwonnda – seven of the ten nominees on the Lagos list are Network Group members.
The rest on the list are Dr Olusegun Aganga and Barrister Owolabi Salis, who do not belong to any group, and Dr Ogundimu, who is of the Harmony Group. Leading lights of the party from these groups are bracing for war and pointing accusing fingers at Chief Bode George, alleging he is plotting to have only his nominees appointed minister from Lagos.
“His calculations are clear,” alleges an aggrieved party member who spoke under strict anonymity. “If he has seven of his people in a list of ten, the odds are that it is his men that will be picked. It is too much.”
Thus, the other groups, unhappy with the list submitted by Chief George are not just sulking; it was gathered that they have submitted parallel lists to the national secretariat, details of which could not be obtained at press time. Network is the largest group and the majority of the party members have accused them of not taking everybody along and that was responsible for the woeful failure in the last election which was the worst in the history of Lagos State.
The candidates were also being accused of not campaigning enough. Some were even accused of taking money from ACN leader, Senator Bola Tinubu.
“In our party, there are lots of disloyal candidates who were actually working for ACN and who have been paid to work against their ticket,” said a member from Mainland, who spoke under anonymity.
“It is better to give it to someone without a group than give it to someone with a group because grouping is responsible for polarizing the party,” lamented another member of the party from Alimosho.
“If Network gets it, then the party has lost 2015 elections from day one,” he further said.
A reliable source from Lagos Island disclosed that the 2011 candidates for House of Assembly election have held meetings to play a role on who is appointed as Minister from Lagos. They have also met with Dr. Ade Dosunmu, Musiliu Obanikoro and Barrister Owolabi Salis.. They also met with Chief Olusegun Obasanjo in Abeokuta. A member of the group called us that the odds favor Barrister (Dr.) Owolabi Salis because of his popularity with everyone.
“If our interest is to appoint a minister to unite the party, with wide exposure, diverse in knowledge, humble to the grassroots people, I think I will prefer Barrister Owolabi Salis.
However, another member opined: “Since Dr. Ade Dosunmu was the 2011 guber candidate, I believe he should get the position to compensate him”
Some members of the state executives are also arguing for Dr. Aganga Williams. This argument has annoyed wide members of the party particularly the indigenes and the women at the grassroots who vowed to protest his nomination for Lagos.
“I think he should be nominated for his State- Edo. We have qualified politicians from Lagos who can handle Finance ministry” said one of the members.
“Enough is enough. It is because we do not have a grassroots politician as minister from Lagos, who is also popular that we lost Lagos,” he further lamented.
By Kunle Adekoya                Courtesy Of: Vanguard

Inauguration: FG designates Lagos, Abuja airports entry points

The Federal Government has designated Nnamdi Azikiwe Airport, Abuja, and Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, as entry points for Heads of State and their delegations to the inauguration of President Goodluck Jonathan on May 29.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Martin Uhomoibhi, who briefed members of the diplomatic corps on Wednesday, said protocol arrangements had been made for the arrival and departure of guests for the event.
Uhomoibhi said that government would provide transportation and accommodation for the guests and their aides, adding that the expected date for arrival of Heads of State was May 28.
On security, he said each delegation would be allowed to bring into the country a maximum of five firearms and that such weapons required clearance prior to their arrival.
“For the smooth facilitation of the entry of security personnel, lists of security officers accompanying Heads of State and Government should be communicated to the protocol department of the ministry,” he said.
According to him, accreditation and invitation cards for state banquet and other activities lined up for the event will be provided to the guests.
Other activities for the event include an inauguration lecture, football match, and First Lady’s banquet for women, among others.
Jonathan will be sworn in with Vice- President Namadi Sambo for a four-year term at the Eagle Square, Abuja.
By Agency Reporter               Courtesy Of: Punch

Bankole to Reps-elect: Make your tenure rancour free

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, on Wednesday, enjoined members-elect to ensure their tenure ended well as legislators.
Bankole, whose tenure will end midnight, June 4, gave the piece of advice as he met with the members-elect at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The newly-elected lawmakers met with him under the aegis of the Seventh Assembly Group.
He said their first assignment upon inauguration was to choose their “leaders wisely”, as Nigerians expected so much from them.
“Whatever you do here, remember that the end matters more than the beginning,” the speaker added.
The meeting later went into a closed-door session, which lasted close to three hours.
When the meeting rose, the Chairman of the group, Alhaji Abdulmumini Jibrin, claimed it discussed “issues of mutual interests and to learn from the experience of the leadership.”
“Politics is about dialogue, understanding and compromise”, Jibrin added.
Investigations, however, showed that the group used the meeting to negotiate on the sharing of positions in the House between returning lawmakers and members-elect.
Findings indicated they complained of being “neglected” by the House, as no efforts had been made to integrate them into the operations of the legislation since they were elected on April 9.
It was gathered the group was angling to present a member-elect for the position of the Deputy Speaker of the House.
“For this reason, they are challenging the rule of the House, which gives priority to ranking members in the race for leadership positions in the House”, a National Assembly source informed The PUNCH after the meeting.
The development came as the North-East caucus of the House declared support for the zoning arrangement of the Peoples Democratic Party for the sharing of political offices.
By this position, the caucus insisted the seat of deputy speaker (currently held by the zone) would be retained in the North-East.
The Chairman of the caucus, Mr. Tony Madwatte, told a news conference on Wednesday the zone met on Tuesday and resolved it “should be allowed to produce the next deputy speaker, a position the zone currently occupies (Alhaji Usman Nafada).”
Madwatte, who read the communiqué of the meeting, signed by the Zonal Secretary, Adamu Gurai, said, “The caucus supports in-to-to, the zoning arrangement of political offices at the national level, which cedes the deputy speakership to the North-East Zone.”
By John Ameh, Abuja                        Courtesy Of: Punch

Alaafin: Oyo descendants fault Alao-Akala

A group, Oyo Descendants’ National Congress, Lagos State, has condemned the recent removal of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, as the permanent chairman, Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs by the outgoing Governor of the state, Otunba Adebayo Alao- Akala.
In a statement by its General Secretary, Mr. Adeyemi Mustapha, the group added that Alao- Akala had created a gap in Oyo State by recognising a village head as a traditional ruler without the Alaafin’s consent.
“Governor Alao-Akala has gone far as causing some rifts in Oyo by giving an unusual recognition to a village head as a traditional ruler without Alaafin’s consent; he even went to pay homage to the village head with fanfare without any reference to the Alaafin in whose backyard the ceremony took place,” the group said.
The group also commended the Alaafin as a foremost traditional ruler in Yoruba kingdom, adding that he had installed many traditional rulers in Yoruba land.
“It is not an overstatement to say that Alaafin of Oyo is the foremost traditional ruler in Yoruba land whose territory extends beyond the shores of Nigeria. Oyo State is a very small unit of his territory; even the military despite their arbitrariness still recognised the historical and cultural importance of the Alaafin,” the group stated.
The group expressed its disappointment over such anomalies by Alao-Akala.
It said, “If more than two-third members of Oyo State Council of Obas and Chiefs are solidly behind the Alaafin continuing as the permanent chairman, of whose interest is Alao-Akala’s actions?”
The group submitted that the actions are “ill-timed, hasty, vindicative, politically motivated, unnecessary and unacceptable.”
By Peace Oyebode              Courtesy Of: Punch

Traffic bottleneck: Oyo provides vehicles for agency

As part of his administration’s effort to ensure free vehicular movement in Oyo State, outgoing Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, on Wednesday inaugurated operational vehicles procured by his administration for the use of the state Road Traffic Management Authority.
Alao-Akala, shortly after reviewing the passing out parade of the newly-trained traffic officers at the Police Training School Ground, Police Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan charged them to conduct themselves in a disciplined manner before members of the public.
He also urged them not to engage in extorting money or receiving bribe from the people.
He further admonished the officers to see their employment as an opportunity to contribute their quota to the development of Oyo State in the area of road traffic management and prevention of accidents on the highways.
The governor also enjoined them to be friendly to members of the public and be fair to all in their judgment. He said they should be prepared to serve in any part of the state where their services are required.
Alao-Akala expressed the confidence that with the rigorous training they had received, they would perform their duties effectively and creditably.
Operational equipment provided by the government to aid the performance of the traffic officers included nine towing trucks, eight Hilux pick up patrol vehicles, two buses and eight motorcycles.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the 30-man transition committee set up by the Oyo State Governor-elect, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, Dr. Busari Adebisi, has accused the outgoing administration in the state of not cooperating with the committee to ensure a hitch-free transition.
Adebisi made the allegation at a press conference in Ibadan, the state capital, on Wednesday.
He said the administration had been withholding information critical to the transition from his committee.
He said when his committee raised the issue with the transition committee set up by the state government, the chairman who is also the state Head of Service, Alhaji Tajudeen Aremu, said he did not have the governor’s mandate to make such information available.
Based on Aremu’s advice, Adebisi said his committee wrote to the outgoing government, stating the documents needed.
He added that the HOS later replied that the outgoing governor did not approve the request.
He said that the implication is that it would be tedious for Ajimobi to be abreast with the present situation of the state by the time he takes over on May 29.
By Olalekan Adetayo, Ibadan                 Courtesy Of: Punch