When the news of the Supreme Court judgment sacking five state governors broke on Friday, January 27, 2012, the landmark ruling certainly changed a lot of political calculations and tactics of the major stakeholders in the affected states. However, apart from those alterations, the political fortunes and strengths of some individuals have also been enhanced by the change.
The pronouncement automatically made four Speakers of the Houses of Assemblies in Sokoto, Cross River, Adamawa and Bayelsa States to become acting governors for at least 30 days before elections would be conducted in their respective domains, as expected to be organized by the Independent National Elecoroal Commission (INEC).
All the actors (‘governors for one month), have different stories in the course of their political journey to the various government houses.
Cross River, where loyalty still rules
In Cross River State, before fate threw him up to preside over the destiny of over three million people of the state as the acting governor, the former Speaker, Hon. Larry Okori Odey, narrowly escaped impeachment about three months ago.
More than half of the 25-man Assembly said they suspected him of hobnobbing with the erstwhile governor’s rival whom much of the PDP family in the state agreed was going beyond his bounds for breaching the ‘agreement’ that none from the ‘PDP family’ should challenge Governor Lyel Imoke.
However, it was learnt that following stronger persuasions and ‘in-house settlement’, the law makers backpedaled even though Odey’s sins were not totally forgotten.
Representing Yala state constituency in the Assembly, Odey has been in the legislature for the third term now. He is not known to be a loquacious legislator or a prominent figure. Journalists see him as that fellow who shies away from publicity.
He is said to have moved a few motions in the House although he was an active and regular participant in much of the debates on the floor of the House; one of the reasons that prompted his colleagues to pick him as the Speaker.
Perhaps because of his simplicity, he refused to run the state from Imoke’s seat preferring instead to do so from the governor’s conference room. He is quoted to have told staff of the Government House that he cannot sit on his boss’ seat.
As a deeply sensitive political juggler before fate placed on his laps powers of the acting governor, his plan has been to become a member of the National Assembly after his tenure as Speaker.
“My primary responsibility, among others, will essentially be to stabilise the polity and prepare the enabling environment for the conduct of a free and fair election as will be directed by the Independent National Electoral Commission.”
Adamawa, where the ‘arch-enemy’ holds the Ace
When the news of Nyako’s ouster filtered into Adamawa State, many supporters of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), took to the streets in jubilation. The people are basking in the euphoria of Nyako’s ouster because the acting governor is perceived as an arch-enemy of the former governor.
The Adamawa drama took a rather surprise dimension because, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, former Speaker who was hitherto prevented from even entering the state Assembly complex by a PDP cabal in the state is now acting governor.
The swearing-in of Fintiri inside the executive chambers of the Government House last Friday as acting governor, has added another twist to the power logjam in the state. As soon as he mounted the rostrum as acting governor, the hitherto closed state legislative complex was immediately re-opened after being shut for 53 legislative days.
In another show of accepting fate, the ruling PDP in the state has chewed its words by describing the hitherto denounced speaker as “member of the one big family -PDP.”
Former Governor Murtala Nyako said he was not rattled by the judgment as he is confident that the acting governor will not let him down, adding “Your Excellency, (the acting governor) I can assure you will not disgrace his party, PDP, more less his father, Murtala Nyako.”
Four days after assumption of power, the acting governor proceeded to the state Assembly, his main constituency to present the 2012 budget that was delayed by the former governor.
Fielding questions from reporters shortly after presenting the budget, the acting governor assured that the change of baton in the state would not avail him of the much-needed opportunity to settle his perceived political scores with former Governor Nyako either for good or bad.
Bayelsa: From Acting Governor to floor member?
Meanwhile, in the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan, the story remains the same. History was recreated last Friday as the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly, Chief Nestor Binabo, emerged the sixth civilian governor of the 15-year-old state following the Supreme Court verdict even though in an acting capacity.
The scenario in Bayelsa State seems much the same with other states, but the intrigue appears deeper than others do.
Even though speculations are rife that the Acting Governor, Binabo, representing Sagbama II constituency, may eventually not return to clinch the Speakership of the Bayelsa State House of Assembly at the expiration of the assignment, his colleague lawmakers are hoping that he will hurriedly sign into law the bill to grant the House financial autonomy.
An insider who confided in Weekly Trust said members are not leaving any stone unturned to judiciously cash in on the privileged opportunity at hand to gain the financial independence bill from the executive arm of government, as this will help the House to have genuine independence.
However, Binabo may also become the first Speaker who may return as a floor member if the PDP wins in the forth-coming election based on the zoning arrangement.
Sources hinted that the position of the Speaker will now be zoned to Bayelsa Central since the PDP flag bearer, Seriake Dickson, hails from the same area with the acting governor.
In the meantime, it is not certain what the governor intends to do about his continued political relevance on completion of his assignment as he is seen at the moment to be engrossed on series of unscheduled visits to project site and places.
Sokoto: Where royalty blood and loyalty is at work
As if the ousted Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, had a premonition that he would be thrown out of office by the court at the twilight of his administration when he asked the acting governor, Alhaji Lawal Mohammed Zayyana, to drop his ambition to contest a House Representatives seat and rather contest the state House of Assembly seat during the run up to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), primaries in the state.
Zayyana, a crown prince of the Sultanate dropped his ambition and heeded the advice of his boss. He contested the Gwadabawa constituency to the House of Assembly, and won the election. When the state House of Assembly was proclaimed, Wamakko facilitated his emergence as the Speaker even when he is a first timer.
Alhaji Muhammadu Zayyna, a kingmaker in the Sultanate is rgarded by many as one of the loyal boys of the ousted governor.
The relationship between the duo of Wamakko and the acting governor is cordial according to close associates of both politicians. The acting governor has severally, pledged unalloyed support to the candidature of the erstwhile governor of the state.
“Nothing has changed in Sokoto State, Wamakko is still our leader. We are already in an election mood. Our great party, the PDP has a candidate for the governorship election in the person of Wamakko. By God’s grace, anytime the election is conducted, our governor would win.
“We are here in transition to see that our great party maintains its leadership position and to also maintain peace and harmony in the state,” Zayyana stated.
The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to former Governor Wamakko, Sani Umar, described the acting governor as a cool-headed, responsible and easy going person. “He is not Wamakko’s ‘boy’ as people are saying but a loyalist.
They are both princes and there is a kind of agreement between the royal lineages not to hurt each other,” he added.
