Politics

2023: MUSING OVER OSINBAJO AS APC’s JOKER FOR PRESIDENT

Published

3 years ago

September 27, 2021

News Net Global

2023: MUSING OVER OSINBAJO AS APC’s JOKER FOR PRESIDENT

By: Inuwa Bwala

If truly Nigeria’s diversity is an asset, then our quest for peace, justice and equality must be seen in our attitudes towards each other, in trying times, as we seem to be now.

To this effect, where the next President of Nigeria should come from ought not to elicit any form of debate. It may not be in our written laws, neither does there need to be an agreement that power should rotate between the North and the South, but common sense dictates that we should give each other a sense of belonging.

We all know and are witnesses to attempts by particular groups in other climes to dominate leadership and the often disastrous outcomes of such attempts.

It may be needless restating my position that in the spirit of justice and fair play, the next President of Nigeria should come from the Southern part of the country. Those who argue that it can come from any part of the country are being uncharitable to Nigerians, in the face of the tension being generated.

Except if we accept that the North wants to dominate political power perpetually, we need to give others a chance. Since 1999 when Nigeria returned to Democratic rule, the position of the President has been oscillating between the North and the South. The attempt to breach that unwritten accord was what saw the back of Goodluck Jonathan from the Presidency in 2015.

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Many highly placed Nigerians who are concerned about a future peaceful country have echoed this position to the effect that the South should produce the President after Muhammadu Buhari. It is therefore needless restating justifications for the call to allow the South produce the next President, as the reasons for it are all known. What should occupy our minds should have been the type of person who has the capacity and who commands acceptance across regional, ethnic and religious lines.

This argument supports the submission of the South East, to the effect that one of their own should be given the chance. This throws up such names as Rochas Okoraocha, Peter Obi, Ike Ikweramadu, and Hope Uzodinma amongst others. But the activities of IPOB have generated too much suspicion lately, and insisting on a South Easterner at this point may not be feasible. Perhaps, we need someone who will stabilize the feelings of exclusivity.

Many people also want former Lagos State Governor, now National Leader of the APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, but the odds do not seem to favour him either, given his state of health and other considerations.

It was while musing over the right calibre of person Nigerians should consider in the days ahead that my mind switched to the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. Nobody seems to be talking about Osinbajo, since he cautioned against using his perceived ambition to heat up the polity. And he does not appear ambitious either.

But come to think of an Osinbajo leadership, in the face of the potential he has exhibited as vice President. We have seen the impacts he made on governance and politics, during his regency, when the President was away.

I have not met the Vice President before in life, but I have keenly monitored his activities and utterances and I dare say the man is intellectually well grounded, easy going, unambitious, God fearing and exhibits a high sense of patriotism and deligence.

In his several outings, I have seen a man, who even as a lawyer, has good organizational ability, high economic sense and brutally frank, besides his noticeable unalloyed loyalty to the President.

If truly we seek for a leader with broad knowledge of contemporary trends in governance, and who has the requisite connections in every endeavour, I think there cannot be a better choice for the APC than the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. This is assuming if the party hopes to win the 2023 elections.

He may not have shown any form of desperation, nor exhibited the type of contumacy often displayed by people in leadership, rather, he has demonstrated a rare sense of retrospection towards the good of Nigeria.

I know that Professor Yemi Osinbajo is being nudged to join the fray, but he may feel it is too early in the day to speak. But if the journey of a thousand miles starts with a step, then I feel it is time we begin taking that step now by identifying suitable combinations for the Presidency in 2023.

Should Yemi Osinbajo be the APC joker, I am of the view that his running mate should come from the North East. This is given the fact that, the region will be better off with the Vice Presidency than they would with any other position, Is including that of the National Chairman if the APC.

After a more critical reexamination of the situation, I feel the North East should produce the Vice President to make up for what it lost with Ambassador Babagana Kingibe in the 1993 annulment. The region should therefore support the emergence of the National Chairman of APC from either the North Central or North West, while pursuing the possible emergence of the Vice President from the North East. I will not suggest names, as that is a more likely choice, as that will be a topic for another day. But the body language of Nigerians are suggestive of the likely choices from Borno in particular, who could fit into the combination.

With Osinbajo, a Christian from the South West and a Muslim, North Easterner, I feel Nigerians will be coming closer to erasing perceived notions about domination and suppression. The South East could have the Senate Presidency for now, and the North Central the Speaker of the House of Representatives or National Chairman of the APC, while the Secretary to the Government of the Federation or the National Chairman of the APC goes to the North West. The next Chief Justice of the Federation can go to the South/ South as well as the Head of the Civil Service. The Security Chiefs and heads of Security agencies will be evenly spread.

This arrangement could go a long way in assuaging the feelings of neglect, now rampant amongst various interest groups. Just musing.

2023: MUSING OVER OSINBAJO AS APC’s JOKER FOR PRESIDENT

Politics

Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission

Published

1 week ago

April 28, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission

By: Michael Mike

The President of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has deployed an Election Observation Mission of 40 observers to Togo to monitor the legislative and regional elections scheduled for 29 April 2024

According to a statement at the weekend, the mission is in line with the provisions of Article 12 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and constitutes support from the regional organisation to its Member States for the conduct of their elections.

The mission is led by the former Vice-President of The Gambia, Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang.

According to the statement, the mission is made up of Ambassadors from Member States accredited to ECOWAS; representatives of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and Parliament; Civil Society Organisations; media professionals and election observation specialists from the West African region.

It revealed that: “This observation mission is being deployed following the recommendations of a pre-election fact-finding mission that visited Togo from 15 to 20 April 2024 to assess the preparatory phases of the elections.

“During its stay in Togo, the observation mission will hold consultations with the main stakeholders in the electoral process and monitor the voting process up to 29 April 2024.”

Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission

Politics

Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande

Published

2 months ago

February 22, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande

By: Bodunrin Kayode

A Plateau elder Ambassador Yahaya Kwande has described the just concluded re-run election into the national assembly as a Triumph of Democracy.

In a release titled Congratulations to the Winners of Plateau State Bye Elections of February 3, 2024, he noted that the entire exercise was a victory to the people of the state.

“With great joy and profound gratitude, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected Senator, (Plateau North Senatorial District), Prince Pam Mwadkwon Dachungyang, and the Member of the House of Representatives, (Jos North/Bassa Constituency), Hon. Daniel Asama, on their resounding victory in the recently concluded bye election held in Plateau State.

“Your triumph is a testament to the true spirit of democracy and the unwavering support of the people.

“I have no doubt that both Prince Pam Mwadkon and Hon. Daniel Asama will live up to the aspirations and expectations of the voters, as they embark on this noble responsibility of representing their constituents. May your tenure be marked by dedication, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of progress for our beloved state and nation.

“As we celebrate this momentous milestone, let us not forget the challenges we faced during the post-2023 elections period. It is my sincere hope that Plateau State will swiftly recover from the divisions and tussles that marred our unity. Let us unite as one, for the strength of our state lies in our togetherness.

“It is essential for the government and the people to undertake immediate measures to reconcile and bridge the gaps that have emerged. We must never forget that every citizen, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, is entitled to their fundamental rights. The use of religion as a tool of disfranchisement must cease; we must affirm that citizenship rights are not conditional on faith.

“Let us also strive to recapture the lost glory of our state, when Jos was hailed as the political Mecca of Nigeria, attracting momentous political events and embracing politicians from all shades and ideologies. We can revive this legacy by nurturing an environment that exudes peace, openness, and security for all. Together, we can restore Plateau State as a beacon of democratic excellence.

“In conclusion, I express my utmost optimism for the future of Plateau State. I extend my deepest appreciation to all who peacefully participated in the bye election, be it as candidates or enthusiastic supporters. Our journey towards progress and development continues, and I am confident that we will stand united, empowered by the unwavering spirit of our people.” said Kwande.

Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande

Politics

APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.

Published

3 months ago

February 13, 2024

Ochuwa Ibrahim

APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.

By: Jabiru Hassan

The National President of the APC Initiative for Good Governance (APC-IGG), Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening to ease the hardships affecting Nigerians.

In a message he issued to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Ambassador Tsoken described President Tinubu as a leader with listening war by giving a marching order for the release of different food items to ease hardships for the people of Nigeria, which is a good initiative.

”APC-IGG has recognized what Mr. President has done in order to ease the hardship affecting the people on the food price hike, which is very good foresight from our leader. We therefore thank all those who have helped with the implementation of the process to release the food items from the federal government reserves across the country for their well-deserved thought.” The statement was added.

Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken reassured the people of Nigeria that the APC Initiative for Good Governance would continue to work selflessly in order to ensure that Nigeria is progressive under the present democratic dispensation without bias.

Amb Tsoken emphasizes that the emergence of His Excellency Sen. Dr. George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation depicts the fact that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has reliable and credible individuals who have verse experience in governance from all ramifications; therefore, the deliverance of democratic dividends is something that Nigerians should believe in its workability and full efficacy in the near future, considering the fact that some of the policies and programs of the Renewed Hope Agenda have started gaining sway in the lives of the citizenry, he concluded.

APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.