In Nigeria, alliance politics is a historical staple. In the 1960s, the NCNC and NPC forged an alliance to stabilize the newly independent country. But the marriage segued from harmony to divorce.
The skirmishes among the political parties – NCNC, NPC and AG – heightened the political temperature of the country to a frightening degree, and eventually the military struck in 1966.
In 1979 (Second Republic), NPN (Shehu Shagari’s party) entered into a relationship of “convenient necessity” with NPP (Nnamdi Azikiwe’s party). The reason for the entente was so that the executive could get bills passed by the national assembly, where there was vicious opposition.
But corruption brought an end to the union. In 1981, members of both parties went for each other’s throats over access to government’s largesse. The military struck two years later.
In 2013, AD, CPC, ANPP and ‘nPDP’ emulsified into APC. But a few years after the marriage, the party cannot keep its broomsticks together. The marriage was one of convenience; simply contracted for the sake of taking over power.
Now, it is obvious that the APC polygamous marriage was just for political expediency and not for delivering quality governance to Nigerians.
But we are back to where we were in 2013 with a new union of kindred political parties – Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).
I will not write off the coalition yet because Nigeria deserves good governance and a better alternative at this point. The country is in an intensive care unit and needs urgent surgery.
But my only issue with the coalition is that it is an erratic response to a pungent malady. Obviously, the throbbing aim of the coalition is to take over power from the APC. No programme, plan or agenda of how to deliver good governance to Nigerians.
After taking over power what next? Are we going to return to an era of excuses and arrogant incompetence? And of ‘we are not performing because APC wasted four years?’
Nigeria needs a doctor. But we should not be in a hurry to take this patient to a Babalawo.
Again, I will not write off the coalition just yet, but I hope the 32 parties in the alliance will begin to show singularity in the agenda of how they will rescue Nigeria.
I hope CUPP, if it succeeds, will serve Nigeria the needed cup of elixir.
I hope.
Fredrick is a media personality and can be reached on Twitter: @FredrickNwabufo, Facebook: Fredrick Nwabufo
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he had long known Ekiti people to be very intelligent and politically aware and that no politician should be allowed to brainwash them.
He said to them: “don’t allow yourself to be insulted by stomach infrastructure. Your future and the future of the upcoming generations are in your hands today. Vote for APC and grow beyond Stomach Infrastructure.
“The Ekiti people are a politically aware and well informed electorate. They cannot be brainwashed or deceived.”
President Buhari spoke today at the mega rally of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to drum support for the party’s governorship candidate in the Saturday, July 14 election, Dr. Kayode Fayemi.
Buhari said: “Ekiti State people are dear to me. My earliest interactions with people of this State dates back several decades ago, and I have always found them to be very intelligent and honourable people.
“For those of us with a background in the military, we have come to know officers and men of Ekiti origin to be of exemplary courage, discipline and integrity.
“Today, alongside indigenes of other States, many officers and men of Ekiti origin continue to follow in the footsteps of their forebears, under the command of the current Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin from Ode-Ekiti.
“Outside of the military, over the years, many of your leading lights, especially in the academia, have distinguished Ekiti indigenes in the comity of states in our federation.”
Buhari rolled out a number of projects which his APC federal government has, in the last three years, executed in the state, governed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor
“The APC Government has executed 13 Federal Roads and Intervention Projects in Ekiti State. Some have already been completed and some are near completion.”
The President put the total cost of the roads that have been completed at N766,739,968.37, emphasized that spite of the fact that the current administrations in Ekiti State and the Federal Government belong to opposing political parties, “we have always ensured the State got her fair share in the allocation of resources, the siting of federal projects, and the selection of beneficiaries of federal government programmes.
“We will never play politics with the welfare of the people of Ekiti or any other State regardless of the partisan affiliation of the government of the day.”
President Buhari described as mischievous, allegations being made by some politicians abut his roles in the herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts across the North Central States of the federation, saying “this is cheap blackmail.
“Like I said recently, the protection of lives and property of Nigerians is my responsibility. This, I have vowed to do, and will stick to the oath of office. I assure you that measures are being taken to ensure lasting solutions.
He asked Ekiti people to use the opportunity offered by the Saturday election to correct historical injustice and restore Ekiti State to the path of peace and prosperity.
“The whole country looks to Ekiti to do the right thing by voting for the APC candidate in the election this Saturday, July 14, as you commence the journey to Reclaiming Your Land and Restoring Your Values.”
The President assured that one of the cardinal points of his government is free and fair election.
“In my party, the APC, we do not believe in manipulation of electoral processes. The will of the people must matter. And that is what we will uphold here in Ekiti – FREE and FAIR ELECTIONS. No manipulation of any form.
“I urge all the stakeholders of this important election to ensure free and fair election, embrace peace and promote democracy in Nigeria.”
The former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and presidential aspirant of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), Professor Kingsley Moghalu, has said that the only reason some political parties formed Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) yesterday, was to grab power and continue the business as usual without any agenda to improve the lives of Nigeria.
Ina statement today, Tuesday, Professor Moghalu said: “it is interesting to note that the MOU signed yesterday by the PDP and over 30 other parties, on the face of it, is a legitimate move but we must be clear about what it represents: power for the sake of power, without any real agenda to improve the lives of Nigerians.”
He said that a memorandum aimed at 38 political parties sponsoring a single presidential candidate in next year’s election raised some questions which Nigerians must ask, which is that how have the parties involved changed?
“Has PDP purged itself of its bad actors that led to its downfall in the first place? Have these other parties demonstrated any true commitment to an open or transparent democracy?”
The Presidential aspirant said that Nigeria needs something new, bold and different to place the country on a sustainable path, emphasizing that the current ruling party, All People’s Congress (APC) C is a product of a similar merger consisting of many of the same elements that have now broken off to form yet another coalition to capture power.
“We’ve watched this film before and know how it ends. For those who want a true, lasting democracy, now is the time to join forces and square up against the old guard. It is time for those who truly want to fix this nation to realise we must build a coalition of progressives that can truly lead this nation, beyond any one person, beyond any one group. This is about a Nigeria that works for all. This is a Nigeria that – for once -will deliver victory for the people.
“It is time for the people to win in 2019! Enough is enough.”
The minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngigehas said that any labour contractor who promotes unfair labour practices in the oil and gas sector risk having his license revoked.
He said that his ministry is already working on reforming the process of granting and renewing Recruiters License to Labour Contractors with the aim of ensuring adherence to expatriate quotas and to eschew unfair labour practices.
Ngige, who addressed the newly elected National Administrative Council members of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, (NUPENG) who visited him today, Tuesday said: “we have started reforming the process of granting and renewing Recruiters’ License and we will not grant or renew the license of recruiters who compromise by aiding and abetting “yellow dog” contracts, as any recruiters found abusing expatriate quotas will have his license revoked or not renewed.”
The minister emphasized that the move is in line with the Executive Order of the present administration led, by President Muhammadu Buhari, to ensure that jobs that are reserved for the Nigerians are not given to expatriates as well as protect indigenous products over foreign ones.
According to him, efforts are being made to close up identified gaps in the operational guideline and labour laws in the oil and gas sector.
“In 2016 despite the shortfall in the oil revenue, the Federal Government brought both the International Oil Companies and the workers together to agree and fashion out ways to ensure that there is no job loss. This is something to cheer because all parties agreed and we were able to save jobs in the oil and gas sector.
“We were never happy when people lose their job because the pressure will always come back to the government. Today oil prices have picked up and activities have commenced so we expect new jobs to be created in the oil and gas sector.”
Dr. Ngige said that the desire of workers for decent work is in tandem with the Change Agenda which is aimed at improving the living standards of Nigerian workers and promote decent work agenda, as well as ensure that harmonious milieu that will enhance productivity, occupational safety and health is maintained at workplaces.
“The federal government is now wiser because revenue accrued from the oil and gas sector will be channeled towards steering the economy in other profitable direction such as agriculture, skills acquisition, mining, education and entrepreneurship. The previous administration made the mistake of not saving or making concrete efforts at diversification.”
The newly elected President of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers, Comrade Williams Akporeha decried unfair labour practices being perpetrated by Labour Contractors in the Oil and Gas Sector.
“It is so sad that in the oil and gas industry as it is in other sectors, our employees have become more or less slave labour with no hope for career growth and development. In almost all multinational oil companies in Nigeria, there are no more direct permanent jobs for the middle level to lower level cadre. Labour Contracts of 5 + 1 in the oil and gas industry in the years past have all been virtually turned to service contracts with a shorter duration of 1 +1 or even sometimes less.”
He said that uncertainty of job security is of grave concern to the union and all other stakeholders, saying that this uncertainty is responsible for violent crises the country has been witnessing, as well as increase in criminal activities among the youths.
The inter-bank Foreign Exchange Market has received the sum of $210 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to meet customers’ requests in various segments of the market.
The apex bank offered $100 million to authorized dealers in the wholesale segment of the market, while the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) segment got the sum of $55 million.
The figures, which were released today, Tuesday, showed that customers needing foreign exchange for invisibles such as tuition fees, medical payments and Basic Travel Allowance (BTA), among others, were also allocated the sum of $55 million.
The Bank’s Acting Director of the Corporate Communications Department (CCD), Isaac Okorafor, assured Nigerians that the Bank will continue to intervene in the interbank foreign exchange market, in line with its pledge to sustain liquidity in the market and maintain stability.
According to Okorafor, the CBN will not renege on its promise to manage the forex with a view to reducing the country’s import bills and halting depletion of its foreign reserves.
It will be recalled that the apex bank had, on July 3, intervened to the tune of $210 million, to cater for requests in the wholesale segment of the market.
Meanwhile, the naira continued its stability in the FOREX market, exchanging at an average of N360/$1 in the BDC segment of the market today, Tuesday.
Senator Dino Melaye, representing Kogi west has said that he and former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, have been politically blind only that Fani Kayode got healed before him.
“My brother FFK and I are both returnee to PDP. He only got healed of political blindness before me. Thank God we both can now see. Once we were blind and now we can see,” Melaye tweeted.
Melaye was responding to Fani-Kayode’s earlier tweet in which he said: “I am glad that those that deserted us, fought us, insulted us, persecuted us and derided us for supporting @GEJonathan in 2015 are now singing that they are coming back ‘home’ to PDP. Their error of judgment, lack of foresight and love affair with Buhari cost the nation dearly.”
Senator Melaye had released an Instagram video clip of Friday, doing his usual dance with a song indicating that could not wait to be back “home” to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which he left to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) before the 2015 general election and which platform he won the senate seat.
Similarly, Fani Kayode left APC for PDP in 2014 and campaigned actively for ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, just like Melaye did for President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
And in his response, Melaye said that he and Fani-Kayode were blind, but that the former Minister recovered before him. [myad]
The Peoples Democratic Movement (PDM), has distanced itself from the coalition of opposition political parties that agreed to present a common presidential candidate to contest against President Muhammadu Buhari in the 2019 presidential election.
Its National Chairman, Bashir Yusuf Ibrahim, in a statement, dissociated the PDM from such coalition, saying: “the PDM is not part of any coalition of political parties or part of any arrangement to work with a group of political parties for the purpose of 2019 general elections. PDM has never attended any meeting at which such a coalition was discussed, let alone be part of it.”
Flaunting its aims and objectives, which he claimed was not in agreement with other parties mentioned in the coalition, Ibrahim described the PDM as a party of hnonorable people whose single objective may not be to capture power for its own sake.
The PDM is famously known as the political vehicle of the late former General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua who died in detention under the military regime of General Sani Abacha.
Following his demise, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar assumed headship of the organisation and led it into a working relationship with the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
The PDM caucus in the PDP was believed to be instrumental to the success of the Chief Olusegun Obasanjo/Atiku Abubakar joint ticket in the 1999 and 2003 presidential elections.
The PDM was largely quiet until it emerged in 2013 as a registered political party by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria shares in the pains and difficulties of 12 children and their coach trapped in a cave for more than two weeks in cave in Thailand.
In a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu today, Monday, the President said: “although Thailand is located thousands of miles away from us, we in Nigeria share the pains and difficulties of these trapped teenagers who face imminent danger to their lives.
”In a globalised world, the bond of our common humanity is getting stronger day by day.
“The way the international community responded with empathy and enthusiasm, is evidence that our common humanity is greater than our differences.
“When we perceive the victims as our own children, we are bound to identify with the trapped kids and be moved to action.”
President Buhari commended the Government of Thailand and international volunteers in the current efforts to rescue the children.
He said that Thailand has inspired other developing nations that, despite limited resources, a people can achieve success through their efforts towards emergency response.
President Buhari is greatly inspired by the response of the Thai government to the crisis; and the dedication and enthusiasm of the rescue teams.
Thirty-nine political parties have come together to work as a team, along with the main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 general elections under a common name of Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP).
The CUPP, according to a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) the parties signed today, Monday, at the Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja, is for the emergence of a single presidential candidate under a National Unity Government.
The communiqué which was read after the endorsement of the MoU, by Chief Tom Ikimi, said that the objective was to vote out the government of the All Progressive Congress (APC) and rebuild and redirect the nation’s economy and security.
The coalition agreed to zone all political offices to the six geopolitical zones of the country with the membership of the coalition directed to vote for only its candidates across all levels of elections.
CUPP agreed to ensure the advancement of the common interest of the group, as well as inclusiveness in the administration of the party affairs just at it, said its manifesto will be a covenant between it and the Nigerian people.
All 39 political party chairmen signed the MoU after it was read by Ikimi.
National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, described the ceremony as a landmark event geared towards the rescue to the nation.
“We have all witnessed all forms of intimidation aimed at suffocating democracy in our land, frame-ups, arrests and total break down of law and order in some areas like Zamfara state where a Governor had to relinquish his chief Security officer status.
“Just last week, the APC conquest regime came up with Executive Order which all political watchers including civil society groups likened to Decree 2 of the military era.
“We know why they are doing this on the eve of a general election because they know the people have turned their back on them but they want to retain power at all cost including cowing us down.
“But we cannot be cowed. If our heroes past had been cowed down by these historic events I just highlighted above we would not have democracy or a nation today.
“We must stand up for the rule of law to prevail or posterity would judge us harshly.
“Our leaders were fearless and united and they rescued this country from draconian regimes in the past.
“By what we are doing today, fear has taken flight and spirit of God has taken over. We must stand up to defend our people.
“I, therefore, call on all of us to be strong, steadfast and courageous. Let’s chase out APC in our lives and form a National Government that will bring succour to our people.
“Let us be firm in our decisions anticipating that our enemies will come up with all form of intrigues and strategies to rig election but we call on the international community to watch happenings in our polity with an eagle eye to save democracy in our country.”
Chairman of the Reformed APC, Buba Galadima, said the coalition was an answer to the question about whether there exists in Nigeria people of courage and integrity “ to face the monster.”
He said if he were an adviser to President Buhari he would have advised him not to seek re-election, alerting that the APC has made plans to use public money for the coming election after accusing PDP of doing the same.
Galadima said: “My presence alone here signifies a lot. I’m highly delighted and elated by the presence of the cream de la cream of the Nigerian society seated here today.
“What we are about to do will send shivers not only to those on the other side of the coin but to the entire world. We are witnesses a significant event. Most diplomats and leaders of other countries of the world keep on wondering whether there are men and women of courage and integrity in this country that can face the monster.
“This significant event that we will be witnessing here very soon is the answer to the outside world and to Nigerians.
“Let me say since we made a declaration of the formation of the Reformed APC, we have received unprecedented messages of support, solidarity from all over the world and I am confident that should we put our acts together, should we tag together, if we are fair to ourselves, do things transparently and bring up one man or woman, we will save this country, we will provide a future for our children and grandchildren.
“But let me say before I conclude that this is not going to be a tea party, that the man we will be facing is a military general. But we know him and you that I know him.
“If I were him, if I were his adviser, I will advise him not to attempt to contest I have my reasons. If what I know, of what I have access to others know, I assure you that General Buhari not only will lose the election but he will lose his deposit
“My co-chairmen, because from the day we announced the formation of the R-APC, a lot of people of people received threats, a lot of people received gratifications, a lot of people received pressure from unsolicited quarters to persuade them to back out
“We are ready, prepared to take on this fight despite any deprivation, intimidation, even torture because this country belongs to all of us. We must together fight for this our right
“For my colleagues co-chairmen who are doing the sign the memorandum today, for some of them that will be looking for money, we have provided an envelope for them to make money because already they are thinking of setting aside public money which they accused others of using during elections for this purpose.
“They can use the big stick. You do know a desperate person can do anything. He can kill if he has powers, he can arrest detain. Whichever one they choose to do, we are prepared to lay down our lives for the sake of our country.”
In his remark, Chairman of African Democratic Congress (ADC) Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, congratulated the parties for coming together.
He said coalition which gave birth to APC had failed. He said that the disappointment was a wake-up call.
“I congratulate all of us for what is being achieved here today. A Memorandum of Understanding among more than 40 political parties in defence of democracy and its ideals is unprecedented in this country. It is a watershed in the quest to redirect the affairs of Nigeria.
“We all know that these are not the best of times for our country. The past three years have seen the people impoverished to the extent that the Brooklyn institute recently crowned Nigeria as the Poverty Capital of the world. Insecurity has become the new normal while the government is lost and continues to pass the buck in a most ridiculously unfortunate manner.
“When things like this happen, those of us who are the elite are hardly affected. Those who bear the brunt of misrule and its consequences are the helpless, ordinary people. Ironically, it is we the elite the same people look up to save them. That is why I see this initiative at rescuing our nation as an assignment from God which we must all carry out with all seriousness, honesty of purpose and patriotic commitment.
“As contained in the MOU, the Nigerian people saw the coming together of some political parties in the build-up to the 2015 elections. They had very high hopes that the vehicle called the All Progressives Congress would take them to the promised land. Regrettably, however, events of the past three years have shown that the hopes of the people in that arrangement were misplaced.
The APC failed – and tragically too. That disappointment is a wake-up call for us to do things differently now. And I am happy that from the very wordings of this MOU we are signing here today, the worst of cynics and critics would see clearly a determined resolve on our part to make Nigeria work.
“We are all here endorsing a commitment to working together in a CUPP to replace the present APC Federal Government with a new and acceptable National Unity Government in 2019.
“Beyond enthroning a new government, a key content of this agreement is a commitment to restructuring Nigeria into a true working and workable Federation.
“I plead that we respect the spirit and letter of this agreement in the overall interest of our nation and people. This coalition, I want to warn, is, to me, the last chance for us to rescue Nigeria.
“The patience of the long-suffering Nigerian people has been tasked and stretched to the very limit. I, therefore, plead that in conduct and comments, we must see that we give effects to what we have just endorsed.
“I have the firm belief that the spirit of a new Nigeria has just been born here today. And I congratulate all of us for making ourselves available as midwives of this dawn of a new era. We must not, however, rest until the set goals are achieved. It is only then we can look ourselves in the eye and say we have done well as leaders of our people and of our individual political parties.”
In his remark, Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Chief Olu Falae, said the elders would monitor the implementation of the coalition MoU as they were more interested in the wellbeing of the country.
Former Chairman of the new PDP, Abubakar Baraje, apologised on behalf of his group for going “astray,” saying that having realized their mistakes, they decided to rush back home.
He expressed gratitude that the PDP has received them back to their home.
In a statement shortly after the event, Atiku described it as a watershed moment towards the consolidation of democracy, politics of purpose and citizens centered development in Nigeria. “I commend Prince Uche Secondus-led National Working Committee of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, and our National Executive Committee, for having the foresight to bring together Nigeria’s opposition parties under one big umbrella. “I wholeheartedly endorse this exercise and look forward to a spirit of collaboration amongst ourselves as we continue the campaign for the deliverance of Nigeria from the forces of retrogression, recession, division and blame games. “It might be a cliche, but it still remains true that unity is strength and that only team work can make the dream work. I refer to the dream of our Founding Fathers for an indivisible united country that is progressive and founded on unity and faith. “Much work needs to be done. Sadly, in the last three years, Nigeria has become the world head quarters of extreme poverty. We must thus rub our heads and minds together to ensure that by 2019, extreme poverty is on its way to becoming history even as we usher in extreme peace, progress and prosperity in its place. “Once again, I thank all those who made this epoch making event a reality. You have etched your names in the sands of time and Nigeria will be better off because of your actions.” [myad]
Malam Adamu Ciroma, who died last Thursday was a statesman of uncommon gifts and outstanding ability and accomplishments. His versatility was legion; a Civil Servant, Journalist, Banker, Administrator, Politician. He was Master of all Managerial Trades and Jack of None.
The late Mal. Adamu first came to the fore as a brilliant and industrious officer in the Northern Nigeria Civil Service which he joined after graduating with an Honours Degree in the renowned University of Ibadan. He rose rapidly by catching the eyes of his superiors whilst serving both in Kaduna and the provinces.
One incident marked him as a truly independent and fearless official. A private businessman dealing in Pilgrim Affairs appeared to want to keep some funds rightly belonging to the Northern Nigerian Government. The complication was that the man was very close to the Premier. Nobody wanted to tackle the problem. But Adamu took the matter head on, as it was on his schedule. His minutes to the Premier is preserved in the Archives in Arewa House, Kaduna.
“Hon. Premier, this money belongs neither to you nor to Alhaji X. It belongs to the people of the North”. In the interest of good manners usually associated with these columns I have refrained from identifying the man. In any case, he is dead now. Adamu’s Nigerian and expatriate superiors were horrified at his forthrightness. One of them asked: “Are you sure you want the premier to see this?” to which Adamu replied “Yes”. To cut the story short although the great man was slightly annoyed the money was swiftly returned to Government coffers. Thereafter Adamu became a minor celebrity, his minutes was the talk of town for several weeks.
His Civil Service career was not limited to the North. He had a stint in Lagos where he gathered valuable Federal experience before returning to the North and to one of his landmark achievements. A new newspaper, The New Nigerian, was set up by the Regional Government just before the bloody military take-over of Jan 15th 1966. The mood of the people in the North was that the paper should be run by Nigerians.
The Regime’s leadership of the Civil Service cast around far and wide for a suitable candidate who will spearhead the campaigns to publicise and protect the interests of the North. They picked on Adamu Ciroma. He was the first and the best Editor of the New Nigerian. He wrote powerful, thoughtful but always constructive editorials and articles. His command of English was uncommonly brilliant.
It was during this time, 1966 – 1967, that a group of enlightened young men, sensing that a vacuum was being created because the military leadership was hopelessly inexperienced and they were beginning to be surrounded by opportunists with dubious bona fides. This group decided to cohere and assist the governments with proposals and advice on running the country. Adamu Ciroma was usually their spokesman, such were his gifts of articulation and communication. It was during these heated debates that Mal. Adamu uttered one of his memorable dicta. He said the North must modernize and to modernize it must Westernize. This was a subject of discussion for months.
Unsurprisingly, the New Nigerian developed a love – hate relationship with the military governments with a few instances threatening to reach breaking point. Luckily Mal. Adamu survived and handed over to a carefully planned set of successors.
Having grown out of the New Nigerian the new Military Government of Murtala Muhammad appointed him as Governor of the Central Bank and good judges within the Bank still regard his tenure as one of the best in the Bank’s history. It was during his time in the CBN that knowledgeable people began to rate him as a possible future leader of the country.
He resigned from CBN and stood election in the Constituent Assembly that was the precursor to full blown political activity and democratic government.
It was during the proceedings amidst the severely tense Sharia debate that Adamu Ciroma announced to the assembly the North’s ‘’irreducible minimum’’ condition for a closure to the issue. After gathering support and making extensive contacts among Assembly members, Mal. Adamu built a formidable team and network to vie for the Presidency in 1979 when the military promised to hand over.
On the first day of the convention Adamu’s team was confident of the outcome. Evidently, those in control of the NPN Party machinery became aware that their preferred candidate was unsure of winning. We sat at the venue from 9am to 10pm without any announcement of when the convention would begin. The convention was adjourned without achieving anything that day. If the vote had been taken that day I fancy Adamu would have won the nomination. Late Samuel Ogbemudia subsequently told me that a distasteful amount of money was sourced from a major multi – national company and delegates were heavily bribed overnight and the result of balloting the following morrow put Adamu in third place. As the French say, Plus ca change… (the more things change, the more they are the same).
Nonetheless, Adamu Ciroma participated first as Secretary to the party and later a Minister of Industries and Steel, and later still as Minister of Finance and Minister of Agriculture. As I say he was master of all tasks entrusted to him.
When the military again took over the Government, Adamu was detained along with many Ministerial and Gubernatorial colleagues. He was completely exonerated and released early but the strain of incarceration left indelible injury on his psyche and outlook on life.
However, you can never keep a good man down. When the civilians returned for a second time President Obasanjo re-appointed Adamu again as Minister of Finance. He brought gusto and competence to his old job, but it was during his chancery at Finance he suffered a dreadful road accident which nearly cut short his political career and spent months on end in a German hospital. His recovery was slow and his face hideously disfigured.
Nonetheless when he resumed work, the difference in his performance was not noticeable. He retired honourably although still active in politics. As a man, Adamu Ciroma was forthright, easy to make friends and had a zest for life. All in all he was a man of good character. For leisure, he enjoyed his golf and was a fierce competitor.
Historians may recall that the 19th Century English Queen Victoria complained that one of her Prime Ministers, Gladstone, addressed her like he was addressing a public meeting. Frequently in conversation with Adamu Ciroma he would address even his closest acquaintances like he was addressing a public meeting, with his right index finger pointing severely at one! His tone was usually didactic and stentorian. A sage once said “Of all Nature’s gifts, the chief masterpiece was the ability to write well”. Adamu could write well. He could speak well. And he could listen attentively and patiently. This aristocracy of virtues made him stand out among his colleagues.
In his senior years he became deeply religious and generous almost to a fault. But he had no time for dilettantes and scroungers. Once a couple of young men approached him saying that they wanted to write a book about him so that future generations would remember him. His brusque reply: “I don’t want to be remembered.” Fortunately his wish will not be granted. Adamu Ciroma will be remembered for as long as the present generation lasts.
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President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he had long known Ekiti people to be very intelligent and politically aware and that no politician should be allowed to brainwash them.
President Muhammadu Buhari has said that Nigeria shares in the pains and difficulties of 12 children and their coach trapped in a cave for more than two weeks in cave in Thailand.
Can Obj, Atiku’s CUPP Serve Nigeria A Hot Cup Of Coffee? By Fredrick Nwabufo
In Nigeria, alliance politics is a historical staple. In the 1960s, the NCNC and NPC forged an alliance to stabilize the newly independent country. But the marriage segued from harmony to divorce.
The skirmishes among the political parties – NCNC, NPC and AG – heightened the political temperature of the country to a frightening degree, and eventually the military struck in 1966.
In 1979 (Second Republic), NPN (Shehu Shagari’s party) entered into a relationship of “convenient necessity” with NPP (Nnamdi Azikiwe’s party). The reason for the entente was so that the executive could get bills passed by the national assembly, where there was vicious opposition.
But corruption brought an end to the union. In 1981, members of both parties went for each other’s throats over access to government’s largesse. The military struck two years later.
In 2013, AD, CPC, ANPP and ‘nPDP’ emulsified into APC. But a few years after the marriage, the party cannot keep its broomsticks together. The marriage was one of convenience; simply contracted for the sake of taking over power.
Now, it is obvious that the APC polygamous marriage was just for political expediency and not for delivering quality governance to Nigerians.
I will not write off the coalition yet because Nigeria deserves good governance and a better alternative at this point. The country is in an intensive care unit and needs urgent surgery.
But my only issue with the coalition is that it is an erratic response to a pungent malady. Obviously, the throbbing aim of the coalition is to take over power from the APC. No programme, plan or agenda of how to deliver good governance to Nigerians.
After taking over power what next? Are we going to return to an era of excuses and arrogant incompetence? And of ‘we are not performing because APC wasted four years?’
Nigeria needs a doctor. But we should not be in a hurry to take this patient to a Babalawo.
Again, I will not write off the coalition just yet, but I hope the 32 parties in the alliance will begin to show singularity in the agenda of how they will rescue Nigeria.
I hope CUPP, if it succeeds, will serve Nigeria the needed cup of elixir.
I hope.
Fredrick is a media personality and can be reached on Twitter: @FredrickNwabufo, Facebook: Fredrick Nwabufo