Headline

How Awolowo Bagged GCFR Without Being President

Published

6 years ago

June 11, 2018

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

The feverish acceptance of President Muhammadu Buhari’s declaration of the ever popular June 12 date as the new Democracy Day in place of the regular May 29 has remained a topic of discussion in literarily all the spaces of human endeavor in Nigeria – political, social, economy, entertainment, creative and many more in recent days.

The desire to recognize the June 12 as a special day in Nigeria has been a topical issue since 1993 when on June 14 of the same year, the Military President, General Ibrahim Babangida went on national television to declare that the election credited as the fairest and freest in the history of Nigeria could no longer be adopted, and as a result everything concerning it hereby becomes null and void. In simple terms, Babangida annulled the election and suspended the release of further results.

However, as at the time of cancellation, about 14 out of the then 30 states of the Federation, had had their results released, with the candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, popularly known as MKO, winning virtually all of them. His opponent, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, of the National Republican Convention (NRC), was trailing far behind.

Then the shocking annulment! It took the entire nation by surprise.

The politicians kicked, the civil society cried blue murder, the activists raised their voices to high heavens while the entire populace wondered aloud, yet the visible architect of the annulment, Babangida, did not change his mind. In the midst of the crises the generated afterwards, Abiola stood stoutly on the mandate given to him by the generality of Nigerians, and refused to be intimidated.

Three months after the annulment, Babangida ‘stepped aside’ as the hit from the civil society and activists became hotter. He handed over to a civilian technocrat, Chief Ernest Shonekan. Another three months was all he could stay in office before General Sani Abacha, on November 17, 1993 conducted a palace coup that ousted Shonekan. Abiola celebrated with Abacha in apparent belief that a Daniel had come to judgment, but that was not to be as Abacha proved to be the problem waiting to happen. He threw in to the dungeon as many that raised their voices in favour of the annulled June 12 1993 election.

On June 11, 1994 therefore, Abiola declared himself president in a speech he titled Enough is Enough at Epetedo area of Lagos. He went ahead to declare that he was forming a government of National Unity. He drew the displeasure of the military junta, and was subsequently arrested and incarcerated. He was never released until he died in custody on July 7, 1998 under the leadership of General Abdulsallam Abubakar. Recall that Abaha had died a month earlier on June 8, 1998.

Abubakar’s speedy return to democracy the following year did not douse the hunger for the return of June 12. This time to honour the champion of the date with recognitions not limited to declaring him as the winner of the annulled election, and then announcing him as a former President of the country.

One of the activists, who later became the Governor of Lagos State wasted no time in declaring June 12 the authentic democracy day in the state. He replicated the act in all the states in the west under the then Action for Democracy (AD), and beckoned on the Federal government to do same. The government of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo will not. Instead, the clamour was divided on party line with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) states recognizing only May 29 and AD controlled states recognizing June 12.

But Abiola needed to be recognized, and much as subsequent governments understood, no one was willing to tamper with the May 29 date. Jonathan’s attempt to honour Abiola was rebuffed when he named the University of Lagos after the hero of democracy. He reversed his decision because majority of Nigerians, especially from the Southwest refused. But the clamour for a sustained recognition continued unabated.

Today, the government of Mohammadu Buhari has actualized the yearnings of democracy activists, and honoured Abiola with the honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic GCFR as well as made June 12 a national holiday to mark Democracy Day though May 29 remains handover day in order to avoid tenure elongation.

Buhari’s pronouncement elicited reactions from many quarters, especially from the judiciary which claimed it was illegal to honour Abiola with GCFR as it is only reserved for presidents and ex-presidents, and more especially that it is meant for living beings and can never be given post humously.

However, President Shehu Shagari broke the jinx when in 1982, he honoured Chief Obafemi Awolowo with GCFR honours in as much as the statesman was yet to become a president, and never was.

Awowolo bagged the honour as a deserving citizen based on the good works that are credited to his person including establishing the first television station in Africa, giving free education and health care the people of the Western region of his time.

Again, Awolowo was succeeded by Alhaji Shehu Shagari as a Federal Commissioner, and it was obvious the later to be President understood the magnitude of work the acclaimed Yoruba leader put into the job. Shagari Awolowo as a deserving citizen, and honoured him with the award.

Later in his administration, President Goodluck Jonathan declared that he would not hesitate to confer the highest national award, Grand Commander of the Federal Republic, on any deserving individual.

He said although many believed the award was for presidents, former President Shehu Shagari conferred the same category of award on the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was never a president.

Jonathan spoke in defence of the criticisms he got for conferring the award of Grand Commander of the Order of Niger on a bussinessman, Alhaji Aliko Dangote.

He said countries all over the world honour people who had contributed immensely to national growth like Dangote is currently doing. The President said the earlier individuals and groups especially opposition politicians stopped playing politics with every decision of government, the better for the country.

He said, “One of the problems we have is that some Nigerians play politics with everything, but we cannot destroy our country because of personal political ambitions.

“We now have a constitutional democracy and no one can stay in office forever. It will therefore be best for our nation if we all support whoever is there for the development of the country instead of trying to pull him down by all means.”

Recall that in July 2017, the House of Representatives advised the Nigerian government to immortalise the acclaimed winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, MKO Abiola with a posthumous Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (GCFR). They were emphatic and categorical on the basic award needed.

The mentioned that would be in recognition of the deceased sacrifice and contributions to the unity and development of Nigeria and Africa.

The sponsor of the motion, Sanni Zoro (Jigawa-APC), said “It is worthy to remember him always as a Nigerian who touched lives more than any other person in his life time.”

“Abiola also contributed in ensuring religious harmony by building bridges between faith organisations in the country,’’ he added.

Zoro argued that apart from being acclaimed winner of June 12, 1993 presidential election by polling eight million out of the 14 million votes cast, Mr. Abiola contributed immensely to the political development of the country.

“It will not be a novelty to bestow the GCFR on someone who is not a president of the country.

“Former President Shehu Shagari bestowed the same honour on late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in 1983.

“I believe that we should immortalise MKO Abiola by conferring on him this highest honour in the country,” he said.

Contributing, Anayo Nnebe (Anambra-PDP) urged the federal government to declare June 12 of every year as Democracy Day in the country.

“June 12, 1993 election had more significance for the country’s democracy compared to May 29, which is currently being celebrated as Democracy Day.

“The annulment of June 12 is an act of irresponsibility and recklessness by the then military regime.

“I want to add that June 12, should be declared a national holiday to reflect issues that transpired; It should be seen as a national issue and not regional one,” Nnebe stated.

Member representing Epe Federal Constituency of Lagos, Wale Raji, urged the federal government to declare the result of the annulled election by announcing late Abiola the posthumous President-elect.

In reality, all the members prayed for are exactly what the President granted. It is therefore uncalled for when diverse views are heard condemning the award.

Chief Awolowo hitherto was the only non-Nigerian President who has the award. Today, the late MKO Abiola has joined the fray.

Headline

Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway: Prioritize Existing Unfinished Projects, Peter Obi Tells FG

Published

5 days ago

April 22, 2024

Eric

Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, has advised the federal government to prioritize existing unfinished projects spread across the country instead of the Lagos-Calabar coastal highway project.

Obi, in a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, stated that the project was a misplaced priority given the numerous unfinished roads throughout the country.

The former governor of Anambra State mentioned that the budget allocated to the Ministry of Works is insufficient for significant progress on the country’s various unfinished roads, much less their completion.

Obi therefore, advised that the government prioritize the existing infrastructural projects in the country before embarking on any new and colossal projects like the Lagos-Calabar super highway project.

“The Federal Ministry of Works 2024 capital budget of N892,461,262,656.00, additional funding from multilateral loan projects of N94,828,535,243.00, alongside other expected contributions from sources like the China-Exim Bank and the World Bank, will not be enough for serious work on all the critical roads, some of which I enumerated above, let alone their completion.

So, why embark on another huge project that will not be completed in the next 20 or 30 years?

“To do so will only exacerbate the problem of abandoned, uncompleted projects that are not contributing to economic growth and overall development.

“Therefore, while acknowledging the potential benefits of coastal superhighway infrastructure, I urge prioritization of our existing uncompleted projects. We must allocate resources towards repairing and completing existing infrastructure.

“In any development formula, the primary focus should be on completing and rehabilitating existing infrastructure rather than embarking on colossal new projects that may never reach completion within the next 30 years,” Obi said.

Back in March, the Federal Government began constructing the 700-kilometer Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, designed to extend through 9 states with two spurs leading to the Northern States.

Recall that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, had earlier described the project as a fraud.

“Umahi had announced that Hitech would fully fund the project, and based on this, there was no competitive bidding. He (Umahi) then said that Hitech could only raise just 6% of the money for the pilot phase. This smacks of deceit,” Atiku said.

Headline

2027 Presidential Race: Opposition Parties Under Attack

Published

5 days ago

April 21, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

While it is still a whole three years before the next general election in 2027, The Boss has learnt that opposition parties in the countries are being muffled to pave the way for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to return to, and retain power.

From the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to the Labour Party (LP), and down to the New Nigerian Peoples Paty (NNPP), crises have engulfed the rank and files, in what a source told this paper was the attempt and making of the ruling party, APC, to decimate, destabilize and make redundant the machineries of the opposition parties.

It is believed that by 2027, the apparatuses holding together the various opposition parties would have weakened irredeemably to the extent the country would seemingly nosedive into the inglorious one party state that every civil right advocate and democrats abhor.

It is alleged that all the crises in all the opposition parties are being engineered by the President Bola Tinubu-led ruling APC, with the hope of getting the fibres of their system weakened, thereby luring the members of the crisis-ridden parties into the APC.

Slightly one year after the last presidential election, the two major opposition platforms, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party, have separately been embroiled in a crisis of confidence which has diminished their capacity to provide viable opposition to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The crises in both opposition parties got to a head. The Labour Party led by its national chairman Julius Abure held its much-opposed national convention which was boycotted by its 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; its only governor, Alex Otti of Abia State; federal and state lawmakers elected on its platform, and the organised Labour.

In the Labour Labour, members have been embroiled in endless battle of supremacy with a faction led by Mr. Apapa steadily contesting the leadership of Julius Abure.

Consequently, the presidential candidate of the party in the 2023 elections, Mr. Peter Obi, reverence as a leader in the fold, noting that whatever the party faces presently, that Nigeria’s problems are far bigger than the crises in his party.

The LP has been embroiled in crises — ranging from allegations of misappropriation of funds, and leadership tussle, to calls for the resignation of the party’s national chairman.

TheCable reported that “On March 27, the LP conducted a national convention in Anambra state where Julius Abure was re-elected as its national chairman.

Obi did not attend the convention, fuelling speculations that he may be mulling over ditching the LP for another platform.

Speaking during an appearance on HaveYourSay247, an interactive online session hosted by Rudolf Okonkwo over the weekend, Obi said he is confident that the crises rocking the LP will soon be resolved amicably.

“Whatever is happening in the Labour Party is so minute compared to what is happening in the country,” Obi said.

“So, for me, it is something we will resolve amicably, and it is not anything to worry about. Let us worry about the country.

“Let us worry about how the average Nigerian would be able to have a means of livelihood to be able to eat, that should be our worry.”

Obi said he has no interest in being the party’s leader but only to make sure things are done properly.

“I don’t see what I do in politics as being the leader of any place or not. My position is that just like I always say, I am not desperate to be president of Nigeria, I am desperate to see Nigeria work because I know it can work,” he added.

“We have a more desperate situation. Parties are just a means to be able to contest elections. What is important is that being a leader of a party does not reduce the price of food.

In the PDP, the shenanigans of former Rivers State Governor, Mr. Nyesom Wike, has practically kept the party in constant crisis with many observers concluding that the now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is working for the APC, and is just a mole in the PDP. Wike has denied the allegation, however,

But news filtered in last week as that the immediate past Governor of Rivers State, and Minister may have concluded plans to attend the much advertised National Executive Council (NEC) meeting of the main opposition party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), billed to hold on Thursday, in Abuja.

Impeccable source, who is in the know, told The Boss that the minister, whose membership of the PDP is yet to be revoked even as he frolicks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and serving in the President Bola Tinubu government as a minister.

The Source told The Boss that Wike’s impending presence at the NEC meeting on Thursday was not unconnected with plans, already hatched with some governors, to weaken the opposition PDP.

“Yes, we have on good authority that FCT minister, Wike is planning to attend the NEC meeting tomorrow all in a bid to weaken the fabrics of the PDP, and pave the way for the continuation of the Tinubu administration come 2027, and by extension, relapse Nigeria to a full blown one party state.

“From every indication, Wike and his co-travellers, are bent on unleashing the same crisis ravaging the third force, Labour Party, and Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso’s Nigerian National People’s Party (NNPP) on the PDP for the APC to remain the only political party in the country, and ensure that Tinubu has no challenger, come 2027,” the Source said.

It would be recalled that Wike has boasted over and again that there’s no opposition against Tinubu’s re-emergence in 2027, and that they have made sure of that. He has been compensated with the Ministerial job after he withdrew support for his party, and supported the APC and Tinubu to emerge as national government.

The Source further revealed that in the attempt to actualize the intended one party state, a lot of funding is ongoing to ensure that concerned stakeholders are ‘settled’ handsomely.

Wike, prior, during and after the 2023 general elections, has been floating in between the two major political parties; the APC and the PDP. While he claim to still be a member of the PDP, he is functioning as a minister in an APC government, mocking the inability of his party to discipline him.

While political stakeholders concluded that the outcome of the Thursday’s PDP NEC meeting will determine the path Nigeria’s political trajectory will take, and that it may portend the end of multi-party system and political democracy if Wike succeeds in his plan; every page of what finally transpired at the meeting pointed to the fact.

The much touted removal of the party chairman, who is believed to be a crony of the Abuja minister, Damagum, retained his seat, with his executives.

“It is very clear to everyone that a lot of money politics is being played to cajole many loyal members of the party, forcing them into frustration, and eventually it of the party. The option afterwards, will be the APC. This, will for all intent and purpose actualize the intended one party state as an APC agenda.

The Musa Rabiu Kwankwaso-led NNPP is not faring better either. The only governor under their ticket, Abba Kabir Yusuf, just had the confidence of their party on him withdrawn. He was fighting for his political life until suddenly it was announced the the APC in Kano has collapsed its structure into the NNPP.

“This is just another APC strategy to actualize their hidden intentions. Time will reveal the very sinister agenda they harboring,” an analyst said.

Much as 2027 is still three years away, but intrigues are in play to render Nigeria a one party state, and perpetuate the APC in power. The three other opposition parties are basically under attack to bring to pass this unpopular agenda.

Headline

Akwa Ibom Government, Governor Umo Eno Receive Top Honors at the 10th Wonders of the World Expo in Lagos

Published

6 days ago

April 21, 2024

Admin

The Akwa Ibom State Government and Governor Pastor Umo Eno were recognized with Travellers Awards at the 10th Wonders of the World Expo in Lagos for their sustained enhancement of infrastructure, support for local talent, and dedication to investment in the tourism sector. The ceremony took place at the National Museum in Onikan, Lagos.

While Akwa Ibom won the Most Active Tourism State of the Year, Governor Eno was adjudged the most Tourism-Friendly Governor of the Year at the event that had Minister of Tourism, Mrs. Lola Ade John in attendance.

According to Amb. Ikechi Uko, Founder/Publisher of ATQ Magazine, the organizers of the event which is in its tenth edition, Akwa Ibom State won the top prize “in recognition of its valiant and resourceful efforts to drive and sustain domestic tourism by promoting the industry.

‘In 2023, Akwa Ibom was one of the states that hosted World Tourism Day (WTD ) events. The state also organized the famous Christmas Unplugged, which featured music, food, and cultures from all 31 LGAs as well as ensured friendly policies.”

While hoping that the Travellers Awards would spur Akwa Ibom to do more to dominate the domestic tourism industry, the organizers hoped that the state would gradually evolve into one of Nigeria’s top international tourism destinations.

That was not all, the state Commissioner of Culture and Tourism, Sir Charles Udoh was also recognized as one of the Top 100 Tourism Personalities in Nigeria for demonstrating exceptional leadership and innovation in the travel and tourism industry, while other Akwa Ibom indigenes and entity were also celebrated: Mrs. Ime Udo, Honorary Special Adviser to the Governor( Tourism) won Tourism Promoter of the Year, Favour Udo won Tourism Photographer of the Year, Loretta Effiong and Prince Uduak Sunday (Qua Tours) were listed among the Tourism Personalities of the Year and Ibom Air won Airline of the Year International.

In his remarks, Sir Charles Udoh, who represented the Governor at the event, thanked the organizers for the awards and noted that Akwa Ibom is certainly enjoying the golden era when it comes to tourism development. He stated that Governor Umo Eno is very keen on making Akwa Ibom a leading tourism destination with his programmes and policies.

He revealed that with the new Victor Attah International Airport nearing completion, the purchase of a ferry for the Oron-Calabar route, new developments along its coastline and the restoration work that will be done at all its major tourism sites, Akwa Ibom is well on the way to becoming the number one destination for all domestic and foreign tourists.

In her speech, Tourism Minister, Mrs. Ade John hailed the organizers for hosting the Expo, where practitioners were lectured by top experts while also rewarding those who have excelled in the past year.

She affirmed that her ministry is open to partnership with public and private sector operators, adding that tourism development can only be successful through collaborative efforts.

The event, which attracted leading and budding tourism professionals, also featured interactive and entertainment sessions.

Apart from Sir Charles Udoh and Mrs. Ime Udo, the Akwa Ibom State delegation, also included: Mr. Michael Effiong James, Senior Special Assistant (Lagos Liaison) to Governor, Mrs. Eme Bassey, Special Assistant to Governor (Lagos Liaison) and Akparawa John Offiong, Deputy Director ( Culture) Ministry of Culture and Tourism.

More photos below: