Opinion

2023: Discordant tunes from Southern governors

Published

3 years ago

January 10, 2022

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By Ehichioya Ezomon

In the lead-up to the February 2023 general election, the main issue of discourse in the polity is the region, between the North and South of Nigeria, that will produce the next president.
Going by “a gentleman’s agreement” by politicians, and political parties in Nigeria to rotate the “Office of President” in every eight years, the odds appear to favour Southern Nigeria in 2023.
As President Muhammadu Buhari from the North is rounding off his eight-year tenure of two terms of four years each in May 2023, the South is expected to produce the president for the country.
The agitation has been intense for the 18 recognized political parties, and particularly the two dominant parties – the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) – to zone their presidential tickets to Southern Nigeria.
And Southern state governors, capitalising on the nationwide mood and sentiment, have stepped up campaign that the South deserves a carte blanche to produce the president in 2023.
In three consecutive meetings in Asaba, Delta State, Lagos in Lagos State and Enugu in Enugu State, the governors, verging on a non-negotiable approach that alarmed power-brokers in the North, demanded that the South should produce the 2023 president.
Consternated by the “effrontery” of the Southern governors, some Northern politicians and intelligentsia countered by boasting that the North would hold on to power after President Buhari, as the region has the numbers to so decide at its own time and choosing.
But before a groundswell of Northern opinion was formed, Southern politicians embarked on a damage-control, to mollify the “few enraged Northerners,” who, nonetheless, schooled Southern governors on how to approach matters they’ve no control over.
Meanwhile, as the North seems pacified, and voices of support for a Southern president gain traction in the region, Southern views on the presidency are expected to be coordinated for one accord.
Yet, in the matter of 2023 presidency, there’re individuals that cannot subsume their ambitions to be president or vice president in the overall aspiration of Southern Nigeria to produce the president.
That personal ambition was on display during the New Year celebrations, when two Southern PDP governors, reading from different political pages on the 2023 presidential contest.
At separate events in Bauchi and Abuja, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike and Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu were discordant on the 2023 presidency, with Wike voting for a Northern president, and Ikpeazu settling for a Southern occupant.
Wike aspires to be president or vice president, depending on the rotation of the office between the South and North. So, he didn’t mask his ambition, endorsing Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State that could pair him as a running mate.
On a one-day visit to Bauchi, Wike dispensed with protocols and craved the indulgence of his listeners to deploy the term, “over qualified” to describe Mohammed’s suitability for president.
Wike’s endorsement of Mohammed doesn’t appear like the typical, which can be debunked as a “misquote” with the drop of a hat. The backing is well-choreographed.
L”I endorse Bauchi State governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, for president come 2023…. He is ‘overqualified’,” Wike declares, adding, “let me use that word if there is any word like that at all.”
Wike lists the ingredients that recommend Mohammed for president to include: “He is qualified in every ramification. His relationship with people is second to none. So, people calling on him to run for president have seen the qualities in him.
“Apart from that, the fact that Bala has had all the experiences, from the civil service down to political office; from a director in the ministry, he became a senator, a minister and now a governor. That alone is enough to qualify him.”
Summing up his endorsement, Governor Wike called on members of the PDP, as well as Nigerians, to support Mohammed’s ambition, saying, “a vote for the governor “is not misplaced.”
However, at the same period Wike was drumming his support for a Northern president in Bala Mohammed, Governor Ikpeazu visited the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to confer with President Buhari.
Fielding questions from State House correspondents, Dr Ikpeazu stresses the importance of zoning the presidency to the South, and hopefully subsequently micro-zoned to the South-East.
The South-East zone has laid claims to the presidency in 2023 on ground of addressing perceived marginalisation of the area in the scheme of governmental affairs at the federal level in the country.
“I think that the Southeasterners have a right to take a shot at the presidency of Nigeria, and I dare say that our qualification starts from the fact that we understand and know Nigeria better than the other states of Nigeria,” Ikpeazu says.
“I dare say we go everywhere, we invest everywhere, we are pan-Nigerian people,” he says, adding, lightheartedly that, “today, a lot of people are afraid of Sambisa (forest in North-East of Nigeria) but for an Igbo man, Sambisa is a business opportunity.”
On how the South-East can clinch the presidency, Ikpeazu urges the political parties to be sensitive to the feelings of the contending groups, as “politics should not be a winner-takes-all thing.”
“It’s not at all times that you want to use your might. At times, you listen even to those whom you think are weak or unable to find themselves at the centre stage due to circumstances,” he says.Ikpeazu counsels that anything that’s self-serving, selfish, and leads to a winner-takes-all mentality should be jettisoned at this time, as”we need to rescue our nation; we need to work hard to put Nigeria in a strong footing before we can begin to look at other things.”
“So, if we have this at the back of our minds, my thinking is that we will arrive at the fact that there is a geopolitical zone that has been clamouring and yearning for an opportunity to lead. And we should be gracious and magnanimous enough to give consideration to such yearnings and aspiration,” the governor pleads.
Yet, Ikpeazu believes the issue of a Nigerian president of South-East extraction “is a national question that requires negotiation, discussion and conversation with all parts of this country,” stating that he’s the least qualified to determine what happens in 2023.
Governor Ikpeazu denies aspiration for the presidency in 2023, stressing that his concern is how to serve his people for the mandate bestowed on him twice that will lapse in May 2023.
“I also want to spend my time supporting the incumbent president to do his time and his best while we wait for what happens to begin to unfold. These are my views about the presidency,” he adds.
The difference between Governor Wike and Governor Ikpeazu is a matter of discretion, which Ikpeazu is wont to exercise than Wike, who’s a “tell-it-as-it-is character that shoots from the hip.
But in discussing the very sensitive and emotive 2023 presidency, discretion is advised, especially for Southern politicians so as not to present a divided house for the naysayers to capitalize on.
Presenting divergent positions is the kind of development Northern politicians wish for Southern politicians, who often go at each other’s jugular when elective and appointive offices are on offer.
With such divisions playing well to their liking and scheming to dominate, Northern politicians have repeatedly accused Southern politicians of being unable to present a formidable front when it comes to the issue of the presidency of Nigeria.
And aren’t Southern politicians showing their hands early on to blunt the campaign for a president from the region before they hammer out which of the geopolitical zones of South-East, South-South and South-West will produce the president?
Politicians’ driving force is self-interest, but opposition to a Southern president shouldn’t be a spoiler-game in which aspirants, with no chance of getting the ticket even when the presidency is rotated to the South, conspire with the North to retain the office in 2023.
It’s about time Southern politicians buried their personal ambitions for the overall aspiration of the South for the presidency, which time and circumstance can still decide for any aspirant. So, for once, let them speak with one voice and wait for God’s anointing!

Mr. Ezomon, Journalist and Media Consultant, writes from Lagos, Nigeria.

Opinion

Between President Tinubu and Governor Namadi of Jigawa State

Published

3 days ago

January 28, 2025

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Malam Umar Namadi

By Adamu Muhd Usman

The third American President, Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809), once said, “The care of human life and happiness, and not their destruction, is the first and only object of good government.” He also stated, “That government is the strongest of which every man feels himself a part.” Inspired by these quotes, I feel encouraged to appeal to His Excellency, the Governor of Jigawa State, Malam Umar Namadi (FCA), also known as Dan Modi, on certain critical issues affecting the state. These matters weigh heavily on me, as they directly impact the people of Jigawa, and the governor is in the best position to address them. If revisited and resolved, they will significantly benefit a large segment of the populace.

Currently, Jigawa State lacks substantial federal government presence in this democratic dispensation. Almost all the projects directly impacting the people are state-led initiatives executed by your administration. While intervention funds and empowerment programs are shared across states, they are often not visible or enduring. What Jigawa needs are sustainable projects or programs that benefit the majority of its residents—irrespective of tribe, religion, political affiliation, or nationality.

Jigawa is an agrarian state with over 3,000 hectares of Fadama land capable of feeding the nation, yet it has remained neglected for over 40 years. President Tinubu’s administration has failed to complement the state government’s efforts in executing capital projects, which could have supported Malam Umar Namadi’s 12-point agenda and improved the people’s well-being. The federal government’s neglect of Jigawa is evident, and it has taken the wisdom, experience, and determination of Governor Namadi, with the help of God, to execute key projects during these challenging times under Tinubu’s administration.

It is worth noting that the All Progressives Congress (APC) won the 2023 presidential election in Jigawa, with Tinubu securing more votes than Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). This obligates us to appeal to our governor to advocate for federal support, particularly for the promises made by APC and President Tinubu to Nigerians.

Take, for instance, the Hadejia Irrigation Project or Hadejia Irrigation Scheme, initiated in 1980 under the Shagari regime, nearly 45 years ago. The project, intended to irrigate over 2,000 hectares of farmland, remains underdeveloped. This administration has the opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to progress by allocating funds in the 2024 or 2025 budgets to revitalise the project. With proper funding, the Hadejia River Basin could significantly contribute to national food security. Jigawa farmers already grow crops like rice, cowpeas, wheat, and vegetables, which could yield 3–4 harvests annually with improved varieties and irrigation.

Unfortunately, the federal government appears to pay lip service to critical issues affecting the economy and the people of Jigawa. I urge Governor Namadi to leverage his experience, moral values, and close relationship with President Tinubu to push for the federal government’s intervention on these pressing matters. He should continue to appeal, remind, and advocate until tangible results are achieved.

During Dr. Sule Lamido’s tenure as governor, he actively lobbied the federal government under Presidents Umaru Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan for projects like the Federal University Dutse (FUD), the Federal Medical Centre, and the reimbursement for the Dutse airport construction. His efforts even led to a ₦10 billion allocation for the Hadejia Irrigation Project, though it remains incomplete. Governor Namadi should follow this example and persist in lobbying for federal support.

Another urgent issue is the reconstruction of the Hadejia-Gamayin-Kafin Hausa-Jahun-Ajingi-Gaya-Wudil federal road. Despite efforts by previous administrations, including Sule Lamido, the road remains in disrepair. This road connects Jigawa and Kano states and serves as a vital link to the northeastern region. Given the cordial relationship between Governor Namadi and Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf Kabir, as well as Vice President Kashim Shettima’s influence, there is an opportunity to collaborate and push for the road’s reconstruction.

The road, which leads to Sule Lamido University Kafin-Hausa, has become a death trap, with frequent accidents and armed robberies. It also serves as a crucial route for transporting farm produce and livestock from rural to urban areas. Its reconstruction would promote education, economic growth, and social development, while reducing insecurity. I appeal to Governor Namadi to prioritise this project and secure federal support.

Lastly, Governor Namadi should remind President Tinubu about ensuring equitable representation of Jigawa indigenes in federal appointments and opportunities. Allegations persist that Jigawa’s quotas in federal agencies and commissions are often sold or allocated to individuals from other states. Your Excellency, please investigate and address this issue to ensure fairness and transparency.

May Allah continue to unite, protect, and bless Jigawa State.

Adamu Muhd Usman
Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa State

Opinion

Celebrating the selfless contributions of the President, Emnamu Foundation

Published

3 days ago

January 27, 2025

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Emmanuel N. Musa

By Wilberforce Edward

In a world where kindness and compassion seem to be fading, individuals like Mr. Emmanuel N. Musa, President of Emnamu Foundation, remind us of the transformative power of humanity. Through his tireless efforts, Mr. Musa has been a beacon of hope for countless lives across Nigeria.

Based in Kala’a, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Emnamu Foundation has been a driving force for positive change under Mr. Musa’s visionary leadership. His unwavering commitment to empowering the unemployed youth, supporting the aged, and uplifting indigent communities has earned him a reputation as a true humanitarian.

Mr. Musa’s selflessness and generosity have touched hearts and transformed lives across several states in Nigeria. His dedication to creating opportunities for the marginalized and vulnerable is a testament to his character and compassion.

As we celebrate Mr. Musa’s remarkable contributions, we are reminded that one person can make a difference. His story inspires us to embrace our shared humanity and strive for a world where kindness, empathy, and generosity are the guiding principles.

We salute Mr. Emmanuel N. Musa for his outstanding work and encourage others to follow in his footsteps. Together, we can build a brighter future for all.

Opinion

Island of Harmony: Praslin, Seychelles, Where Humans and Animals Coexist in Perfect Peace

Published

3 days ago

January 27, 2025

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By Lamara Garba

Tucked away in the crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean, the town of Praslin some 120 km from Mahe the capital city of Seychelles is a haven of peace and harmony.

This picturesque town is home to a unique and fascinating phenomenon – humans, animals, and birds living together in perfect synchrony.

Unlike in Nigeria where human lives have no value whatsoever as evident by the frequent incidences of wanton destruction from the hands of bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and sometimes even from the “accidental discharge of fire arms” from the security forces, in Praslin, it was a completely the opposite situation.

As you stroll through the streets of Praslin, you’ll notice a striking absence of fear or aggression between the different species. Birds flit about, perching on shoulders and arms, while giant tortoises amble along, unafraid of the humans around them. Even the town’s dogs and cats seem to have made peace with the island’s wildlife, often lounging together in the shade.

What catches my attention was the way I noticed birds picking from the ground while I was pursuing them, but they never entertain any fear of aggression from me, rather, they seems to be unmindful of my presence and instead, busy with their business of picking items for their stomach

Therefore, this remarkable harmony is no doubt, a manifestation of the peaceful nature of the inhabitants of Praslin in particular and the good governance of Seychelles.

The island nation has long been committed to preserving its unique environment and promoting sustainable tourism. As a result, Praslin has become a model for eco-friendly development and community-led conservation.

Visitors to Praslin can’t help but be enchanted by the town’s laid-back atmosphere and the warm hospitality of its people. Whether you’re exploring the island’s stunning beaches, hiking through the lush forests, or simply soaking up the tranquility of the town, Praslin is a true gem of the Indian Ocean.

Perhaps in a world often marked by conflict and division, Praslin stands as a shining example of what can be achieved through peaceful coexistence and responsible governance. As you leave this enchanting town, you can’t help but feel inspired by the possibility of a more harmonious world.