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Ajimobi faults federal character principle

From Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan

Governor Isiaq Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State says the implementation of federal character principle is responsible for most conflicts in Nigeria while adoption of true federalism holds the ace for enduring national development.

He stated this yesterday while delivering the 2015 convocation lecture of the University of Ibadan, titled ‘Prospects and Challenges of Good Governance in a Developing Economy’.

Ajimobi lamented that empirical data “has demonstrated that Nigeria’s federal structure is indeed far from being a balanced one, both structurally and in terms of power relationships.”

He said: “Virtually all segments of the federation, both majority and minority ethnic groups, are complaining of marginalisation thereby driving home the significance of federal character principle as a mechanism for national integration.”

The governor said enhancing good governance in a federal arrangement is a function of equity and justice among diverse ethnic groups, and this can only be guaranteed by “scientific application of federal character principle.”

LP alleges plot to rig Kogi governorship election

From Itodo Daniel Sule, Lokoja

Governorship candidate of Labour Party (LP) for the November 21 governorship election in Kogi State, Dr Philip Salau, yesterday raised alarm over alleged plot by a political party to rig the forthcoming election in the state.

Salau, who was former deputy governor of the state, said at a press conference in Lokoja that “credible intelligence reports” have it that agents of the said party are planning to use officials of INEC to manipulate the smart card readers and also use thugs to rig the poll.

“We are aware from our intelligence services that a particular political party which I would not want to name now, has arranged to rig the election. They have bought some guns and distributed to all the senatorial districts,” he alleged.

He, therefore called on INEC and the Inspector General of Police to take proactive action.

Journalists hail Lalong over state burial for Pwajok

From Lami Sadiq, Jos

The Plateau State League of Veteran Journalists yesterday hailed Governor Simon Bako Lalong for announcing a state burial for the late PDP gubernatorial candidate, Gyang Pwajok.

Senator Pwajok died on the 28th of October and is slated for burial tomorrow.

A statement signed by the league’s state chairman, Dr. Gideon Bard and secretary Tunde Oladapo, commended the vision of Governor Lalong “for his political soul mate, late GNS Pwajok and urged the larger society to co-operate and put politics behind them and join to move Plateau State to the promised land.”

According to the league, “This singular action of the governor is a clear manifestation that the APC government in the state is ready to share moments of happiness or sorrow with the cross section of the people.”

Tribunal ruling will draw Taraba back – Coalition

By Sakina Abubakar

The Niger Delta Youth Coalition yesterday said last weekend’s ruling on the Taraba State governorship election petition may draw the state back.

National coordinator of the coalition, Comrade Odih Rowland, in a statement issued in Abuja, said Governor Darius Ishaku should be allowed to continue his good work and take the state to the promised land.

The election petition tribunal sitting in Abuja had upturned the election of Ishaku and declared Senator Aisha Alhassan of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the election.

The coalition alleged that the ruling of the tribunal and the actions of the ruling party are inimical to development and good governance in Taraba State.

“Governor Ishaku is an experienced hand. So we urge President Muhammadu Buhari and the APC to allow the man, who clearly won the April 2015 election to concentrate and work for the state. Senator Aisha has been confirmed as a minister and should concentrate on delivering on her mandates and responsibilities as a minister,” the statement said.

Oyo Igbo assembly backs ban on ‘Eze Ndigbo’ in Diaspora

From Dele Ogunyemi, Ibadan

The Igbo General Assembly in Oyo State, an affiliate of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, rose from a meeting in Ibadan yesterday where it declared its support for the ban on the use of ‘Eze Ndigbo’ title by Igbos residing in non-Igbo states across the federation.

The president-general of Igbo General Assembly, Oyo State, Chief Emeka Enwereonye, told journalists at the end of the meeting that the decision was “in compliance with the directives of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers and Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide that Onyendu is the only approved title for traditional Igbo leaders outside Igboland.”

“The ‘Eze’ remains the exclusive royal title of kings in autonomous communities and kingdoms in Igboland”, he announced at the crowded press conference. He also emphasised that “the stand of the South East Council of Traditional Rulers in the matter is clear.”

‘Why APC must reconcile Ganduje, Kwankwaso now’

By Muideen Olaniyi

A member of the Board of Trustees (Bot) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Sam Nkire, has advised the ruling party to do everything possible within the law to ensure that the PDP is not allowed a foothold in Kano State.

Chief Nkire also urged Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to call their supporters to order in the interest of peace and good governance.

He warned that if the ongoing media war between their supporters was left unchecked, it was capable of tearing the state apart before long.

The APC chieftain said although none of the principals has said anything to confirm or deny the unhealthy rumour and stories, it was in the best interest of the state for them to “call the attack dogs back to base.”

He blamed the disquiet in Kano State on some selfish political aides and rumour mongers.

Nkire recalled how not too long ago, Kano State was adjudged the first or second fastest developing state in the country in both physical infrastructure and human capacity building due to the hard work of Dr Kwankwaso and Dr Ganduje as governor and deputy governor respectively.

Buhari, El-Rufai team shuts office, share campaign booty

From Dickson S. Adama, Kaduna

Having concluded its assignment of ensuring the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Nasir el-Rufai of Kaduna State, the Buhari/El-Rufai Support Team (The BEST) has closed all campaigns and shared vehicles to some of its outstanding members.

Speaking at the presentation of the vehicles in Kaduna yesterday, chairman of the group, retired Col Usman Umar, thanked the sponsor, Alhaji Sama’ila Barau Maigoro (Falke), for his contribution towards the success of both President Buhari and Governor El-Rufai at the 2015 general elections.

“Today, the sponsor of BEST has asked this organisation to share cars to three individuals in the three zones. They are Alhaji Umar Sambo (Goga) from Kaduna North, Barau Emmanuel from Kaduna Central and Murtala Shuaib from Kaduna South.

“This is for their outstanding contributions towards the activities of the group from inception till date,” he said.

In his remarks, Falke said having achieved their aim, the organisation would now move onto another stage which is ensuring that the masses get the dividends of democracy from the leaders they voted into power.