Fintiri Vs Bindawa: Here’s how Adamawa Will Vote

The contest for Adamawa governor will be neck and neck because the two major candidates Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and Mohammed Jibrilla Bindawa share some similar treats and are poles apart at few. 

Fintiri is a serving member in the Adamawa House of Assembly, while Bindawa is a serving Senator. Both are Muslims from the so-called Adamawa minority tribes- Fintiri a Marghi from Madagali Local Government while Bindawa, a Njayi from Mubi South Local Government. Both candidates are young, and were catapulted to their present positions by rare circumstances.

Apart from their lives and political profiles, there are certain five factors that will determine the votes they will get. These are: the ‘political-strength’ of their running mates; mother-tongue; geography; faith and the usual Nigerian money-politics. These five factors have become pivotal in shaping voting pattern in the state because of the present politics and the history of Adamawa politics since the former Gongola state.

Both candidates meticulously selected their running mates in order to attract maximum votes; Umaru Fintiri’s running mate, Barrister Afremu Jingi is well educated and has been in politics for some time, though he may not be conversant with the current reality of Adamawa grassroots politics because of his long stay at Abuja. 

Fintiri pick Jingi to represent Adamawa Central. However some political pundits are surprise of this because of the current political permutation in Adamawa- the PDP has already stretched its limit in Fufore local government area, as regards positions allocated to Adamawa Central. Senate member, Bello Tukur, House of Representative member, Aminu Hamman Ribadu and the state chairman of the PDP, Joel Madaki are all from Fufore LGA. Moreover, Barrister Jingi is Joe Madaki’s nephew, so the votes that Jingi is expected to bring from the Bwate ethnic clan, Madaki will bring it. Thus, choosing Jingi may not add political value. Many observers opine Fintiri could have picked his running mate from Hong or the Numan federation and thus be sure of massive votes from there. 

On the other hand, Senator Bindawa’s running mate- Honourable Babale Martins was Chairman, Toungo Local Government from 1997 to 1998; Member, House of Representatives, 2003 to 2011. He is a well experienced grassroots politician. But of what value is he to Bindawa? Babale is from the Chamber tribe in Adamawa south, if the Chamber tribe decides to vote their son, it will be a game changer. The Chamber tribe has the largest voting population in Adamawa south. And have had the quest to produce a governor or deputy governor for long. 

However, retrospectively, having been allocated all of Adamawa south slots (Kanasari was running mate to Adamu Modibbo, Yusuf Janwe was the senatorial candidate, while Mahmud Gurumpawo was the candidate for House a Representative,) by the defunct ANPP in 2003, the ANPP lost massively to the PDP in Adamawa south, albeit owing to Atiku being in the PDP then. If APC must celebrate victory in Adamawa south after the election, they dearly need Atiku. Though Atiku’s candidate- Ibrahim Mijinyawa was defeated at the APC primaries, getting Atiku’s support for Bindawa should not be difficult because Babale was the Director General of Mijinyawa’s campaign organization. 

Senator Bindawa will count on three things from Adamawa south- Atiku’s influence, the Chamber people’s votes based on ‘sentiment’ and ‘scavenge’ votes.

As earlier said faith, mother-tongue, geography and money-politics will also shape the voting pattern in some localities. These are touchy issues, but regrettably have always played a major role in the politics of Adamawa state. 

Religion will be of less prominent influence in the election because both candidates are Muslims, but Fintiri will get most of the votes from Christians of the so-called minority tribe, because their displeasure of Murtala Nyako has turned into admiration for Fintiri. 

Tongue will also play a major role; the choice of running mates already indicates that. Fintiri will do very well in Michika, Madagali, while Bindawa is expected to do well in Mubi North and South. Numan federation will vote massively for Fintiri, while Chamber/Ganye chiefdom is expected to be won by Bindawa. One interesting place will be Hong/Kilba- the kilba tribe appears undecided in the present politics. For instance there were five gubernatorial candidates from the kilba tribe –Marcus Gundiri, Aliyu Kama, Idi Hong, James Barka and Boss Mustapha- Mustapha lost at Hong to Senator Bindawa during the APC primaries. Voting pattern from Hong will be very interesting, but Fintiri may win in Garha, Pella and Hong, while Bindawa may capture Uba Hilde. 

Another interesting place will be Adamawa central; the zone has a very large voting population and predominantly Hausa-Fulani. It is a cosmopolitan area and occasionally record voter apathy. Yola North and South have a very large voting population; whoever wins those two areas may have tremendously heaped his votes.

The October 11 Adamawa governorship election result may be neck and neck, but as mentioned earlier, mundane factors- mother-tongue; geography; faith and usual Nigerian money-politics will have a major impact on the outcome of the election. One unfortunate thing in Adamawa politics is, most poor people and local politicians will vote based on their ‘stomach’ needs, while a number of the educated and working class population will vote based on faith and tongue. This is how most people usually vote in Adamawa; they eat their future, instead of them to use today in the spirit of tomorrow.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com 08036070980. He blogs at www.zayyaddp.blogspot.com

Why Atiku Lost Adamawa APC Primaries

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar didn’t contest the September 7, 2014, Adamawa All Progressives Congress (APC), Governorship primaries, but he suffered a defeat- a bitter one! Adamawa (APC) Governorship primary election was a litmus test for how strong and rooted Atiku’s political structure and men are in the APC. 

Politically thirsty, Atiku fought doggedly for his preferred candidate- Ibrahim Mijinyawa (Yayaji), but Mijinyawa was convincingly defeated by Senator Mohammed Umar Jibrilla (Bindawa) by 2,718 votes to 2,268. 

There were some salient reasons Atiku’s candidate didn’t make it. 

Firstly, Atiku and his men went to the primaries without a clear-cut direction. Three candidates; Ibrahim Mijinyawa, Boss Mustapha and Yakubu Tsalla all flew Atiku’s flags, and together they garnered 2,930 votes (Mijinyawa - 2,268, Boss - 515 and Tsalla-147). Thus, Atiku and his men wasted their votes. Pundits were surprised by this, considering Atiku’s vast political experience and sophistication. Had they gone to the election with a clear-cut direction in support of one candidate; their collective 2,930 votes would have neutralized Bindawa’s 2,718.

Secondly, Nyako’s men also played a prominent role in defeating Atiku’s. Adamawa APC governorship primary election was a kind of test of wits between Atiku and Nyako’s political structures. Nyako’s men have not forgiven Atiku for his lackadaisical attitude towards assisting former Governor Murtala Nyako during Nyako’s most difficult political moment- the impeachment ‘wahala’. For instance, there are at least five members from the Chamber/Ganye chiefdom in the Adamawa House of Assembly who would have listened to Atiku, if he wanted to save the former Governor. 

Thirdly, from all indications, Atiku wanted a puppet and also wanted to restore his hitherto lost unmatched-grip of the politics of his home state. However his candidate is not a ‘governor-material’. Though, young, cool-headed and a onetime local government chairman, Yayaji is not ripe to be a governor in the current political and economic situation in Adamawa. And he does not match Bindawa’s resume. Thus, APC delegates and Almighty God stopped Atiku.

Fourthly, at the time Atiku joined the Adamawa APC, the deal has already been sealed. The party’s executive positions from wards to state level have already been shared among its stakeholders-; Atiku in Adamawa APC is a like a commander without troops.

Well, being a typical Nigerian politician, one should not just blame Atiku, the former vice president dearly needs one of his political associates to win the October 11 Adamawa state governorship elections. Reason being that, he will be able to restore his lost leadership of Adamawa politics; get an opening to control a strong political platform at home front as well as to serve as a soft landing for him if his presidential ambition fails again. Despite this defeat at the primary elections, we should not forget that Atiku’s style of politics is unique- he looks at the future instead of the past. Senator Mohammed Umar Jibrilla needs Atiku’s support and  he will definitely enjoy the former vice president’s full support.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com 08036070980

38-Year Old Banker Steals 6.3 Billion Naira

A banker, Godswill Oyegwa Oyoyou, an Information Technology staff of a new generation bank is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in a case of fraud involving N6.28 billion.

Godswill allegedly conspired with some scammers and obtained the sum of N6.28Billion (Six Billion and Twenty-Eight Million Naira) from his bank after hacking into the bank’s database. 

The 38-year- old is from Isoko South local government area of Delta State, Nigeria

source: EFCC

North East, Insurgents and Bad Leadership.

Slowly and steadily, some parts of the Northeast of Nigeria are slipping out of the control of the government of Nigeria. If one wants to see Africa’s new social-disorder in a poverty-ridden society, please visit some areas in the Northeast of Nigeria.

The number of people living in abject poverty in the Northeast of Nigeria has increased due to the rising insecurity in the region. Apart from the insecurity, other factors such as poor leadership, unequal distribution of resources, lack of basic education, overpopulation, absence of employment opportunities, including environmental degradation have also helped in entrenching poverty in the Northeast.

Often, Individuals who found themselves in leadership positions in the Northeast of Nigeria (especially Adamawa, Taraba and Borno States) are never prepared for the job. Furthermore, the political system in that region is so corrupted that the easy way to secure an elective office is to have the right godfather (money bags); belong to the political party in power whether at the centre or in State and during electioneering campaign all that is needed of one is to climb to the podium, rain abuses on the opponents, shout the name of your political party and dance. Shikenan! How do we expect such system to produce good leadership?

In the Northeast of Nigeria, political office has become an opportunity for self enrichment and it is associated with pride, arrogance and larger than life attitude. Though, it is a Nigerian phenomenon.

On the other hand; the people of the Northeast are to be blame, in some instances-, the society expect or encourage ‘their people in power’ to have or to do certain things even if they are wrong; just because one ‘Olodo’ did have or did it before. 

While in other parts of Nigeria, it was reported that some people sold their votes for a bag of rice. The leaders in Northeast have impoverished their citizen; a vote will go for just a 100 Naira in that region.

The People of the Northeast are the first Nigerians to witness Africa’s new social disorder- courtesy of insurgency, poverty and extremely bad leadership. 

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980.

The Gang-up Against Ribadu

Most of the contestants for Adamawa PDP governorship ticket are busy fighting Nuhu Ribadu; while Nuhu Ribadu is doggedly gaining momentum and delegates support.

The waiver, PDP’s NWC granted Nuhu Ribadu most have devastated these ‘posters and briefcase’ politicians. Nevertheless, there is still time, they should come out of their political-inferiority-complex and seek for delegates’ votes. It is delegates’ approval they need, not the pointless hullabaloo about Nuhu’s candidacy.

Well, complex moment like this, gives the people the opportunity to differentiate between third-rate and first-class politicians.

Atiku and Adamawa Governorship Race

Whoever wins Adamawa governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress (APC) will get an extraordinary support from Atiku Abubakar. Thus, whoever wins the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primaries must get ready to face a ‘politically thirsty’ Atiku; who has lost his hitherto unmatched-grip of the politics of his home state. 

Atiku dearly needs the APC and perhaps one of his political associates to win the October 11 Adamawa state governorship elections, reasons being that, he will use that opportunity to restore his lost leadership of Adamawa polity; get an opening to control a strong political platform at home front as well as to serve as a place for him to fall in, if his presidential ambition fails again.

On the other hand, the PDP has within its fold quite a number of Adamawa bigwig politicians and Abuja backing, who will be in the forefront for the party; the APC will heavily, if not entirely rely on Atiku’s Abubakar political experience and war-chest

Atiku will for sure lead the APC to present a calculated approach against the PDP, but Atiku’s major headaches would be: The PDP with its large and strong local political bigwigs and Abuja support, seems most likely to settle for a politically untainted Youngman- Nuhu Ribadu, as its gubernatorial candidate, while the APC is yet to have a sellable candidate and the Murtala Nyako faux pas are still hunting the party. 

The battle for Adamawa governorship position will be very interesting for both pundits and students of politics.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980. 

The Nuhu Ribadu Formula

Nuhu Ribadu

Now that Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has declared his intention to contest for the governorship of Adamawa state on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP); the Adamawa political scene has changed. Thus, poster and briefcase politicians who were waiting for the PDP governorship ticket to be given to them on a platter of gold will have to work for it. In addition, those segments of the society which were hitherto indifferent to the political scene because of the absence of new and reliable candidates are now reawakened.

Almost all the contestants for Adamawa PDP governorship ticket; their supporters and godfathers are now jittery because of Ribadu’s entry into the race. Their fears are genuine and understandable–like some people think- Nuhu will be given an automatic ticket- no primaries.

Hitherto, most of the contestants have not put on ground serious campaign structures- they were waiting for Abuja to bulldoze the way for them. Out of the blue! Abuja is now looking the other way. So, they are now groaning. One of the contestants was even quoted saying Nuhu needs a waiver. Nuhu Ribadu is joining the PDP, not rejoining. He does not need any waiver. Chapter II part 1 of the PDP constitution (2012 as amended) is very explicit- admission into membership and procedure for rejoining are two different things.

Nuhu is well-cultured, well-read and has integrity to jealously protect- thus, the general belief is that he won’t use this opportunity to deny other contestants the opportunity to test their popularity.

Despite having the support and encouragement from those whom each of other contestants needs dearly, Nuhu must work for a level playing field to allow PDP delegates to decide their flag-bearer, because, first, at the end of the day, the flag bearer needs the support of other contestants, and second, to show that he indeed believes in the values he fought for, of which transparency and equality are prominent.

Many factors were responsible for drafting Ribadu into the contest on the platform of the PDP. First, a lot of stakeholders in Adamawa state have come to the conclusion that Adamawa need a paradigm shift in terms of development. Secondly, the state needs a governor that is relatively young, incorruptible, committed, well-read, urbane, with a clean record and one that has the capacity to leapfrog the state’s development to where it is supposed to be. Nuhu possesses these qualities.

Apart from the aforementioned, there are also some salient political factors that necessitated the drafting of Ribadu into the race. There is a general consensus that Adamawa central should produce the next governor and Nuhu is the perfect candidate from that zone. Though there are other well-qualified candidates, considering the present political and economic atmosphere, Nuhu is the best. Another factor is, the PDP has realized its big errors- the Murtala Nyako error for instance- Nuhu has the mind to correct such errors.

Some observers are of the view that, if Nuhu is good, must PDP be the vehicle for him to be governor? Nuhu’s immediate constituency, his senatorial zone, most of his friends and peers and indeed Adamawa state are overwhelmingly PDP, so naturally he should be in the PDP.

However, the battle will not be easy for Ribadu both at PDP primaries and the main elections. Other contestants will put up a fierce fight for delegates’ votes or for juicy political compensation. On the other hand, the APC with Atiku’s guidance will present a sophisticated counter-move to get massive support from some segments of Adamawa people. The APC would also use the Adamawa central ‘card’, but with an additional political move- its candidate will be from Adamawa central, but may be different from Nuhu in terms of tongue and faith.

The advantages Nuhu Ribadu has are: he is naturally charismatic, young, well-read, urbane and ‘clean hands’. He also has a higher chance of winning the elections on the platform of PDP than APC because the PDP is well rooted in the state. The recent woes of APC in the state too would work against them.

Nuhu’s superb qualities further give him and whichever party’s flag he bears, an edge over every other candidate and party. So, with the current political and economic situation in Adamawa state, Nuhu Ribadu is the formula for any political party to win the October 11 governorship election- the PDP is smart to quickly grab the opportunity.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980.

Why PDP Needs Nuhu Ribadu

If Nuhu Ribadu finally succumbs to pressure from PDP’s high level to accept the party’s governorship ticket in the forthcoming Adamawa governorship election- some major events will occur and the present dynamics of Adamawa politics will change.

Some of the contestants for the PDP governorship ticket, their supporters and godfathers will be aggrieved- the bubble may burst. 

With Ribadu (a less tainted politician) as its candidate, the PDP will be very comfortable at campaign rallies- PDP’s campaign’s pay-off would be: Ribadu is a complete opposite of Nyako. And, Adamawa central will have the chance to produce the Governor of the state.

On the other hand, the APC with Atiku’s guidance will present a sophisticated counter-move to get massive support from some portions of Adamawa people. The APC would also use the Adamawa central ‘card’, but with an additional political move- its candidate will be from Adamawa central, but different from Nuhu in terms of tongue and faith.

The way high-wired consultations and calculations are taking place in Abuja; Nuhu’s PDP’s candidacy may be a done deal- except if Nuhu tenaciously refuses.- a real Nigerian politician wouldn't; Nuhu has since learned how to be a true Nigerian politician. 

Nuhu Ribadu’s likelihood of winning the governorship position on the platform of the PDP is 85%, while on APC’s is 40%. PDP’s likelihood of winning the governorship position with Nuhu as its candidate is 85%, while APC’s likelihood of winning with Nuhu as its candidate is 55%. – So, Nuhu is the ‘beautiful bride’

Nuhu Ribadu has charisma, he’s well-read, urbane and not tainted, but Nigerian politics does not recognize such a beautiful Resume! 

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980

The Next Adamawa Governor

The race to the Government House in Yola will be keenly contested, with unflinching interests from Adamawa bigwig politicians and Abuja. However, tongue, faith, geography and money will also play crucial roles.

The bigwig politicians that would try to pull the strings are former People’s Democratic Party (PDP) national chairman, Bamanga Tukur, Senator Jibril Aminu, Minister Boni Haruna and Atiku Abubakar, while the presidency and some of its aides will also have inputs. indeed, the presidency’s interests may likely decide who gets the PDP ticket.

The battle will be between quite a few strong candidates within the two major political parties. The APC have Nuhu Ribadu, Salihu Bakari, Abdulazeez Nyako, while the PDP have former deputy governor Bala Ngilari, Awwal Tukur, Dr Ahmed Modibbo, Senator Bello Tukur, Buba Marwa, Marcus Gundiri, Dr Umar Ardo, Dr Idi Hong, Senator Abubakar Girei and probably Acting Gov. Umaru Ahmed Fintiri.

Considering the vast interests and the number of probable candidates each party has, internal party struggle is bound to play a major role on who emerges as each party’s flag bearer. This will cause certain permutations and cross-carpeting, it will also bring to the fore sensitive issues such as religion and ethnicity. For example, some people strongly feel the next Adamawa Gov should be a Christian, from the minority. Their argument is, Boni Haruna, a Christian, governed for 8 years and was succeeded by Murtala Nyako, a Fulani-Muslim who governed for about 7 years.

Without any written agreement of power rotation between Fulani/ Muslim and Christians/other tribes, Boni Haruna doggedly fought for a Fulani /Muslim- late Ibrahim Bapetal to succeed him. This set the trend and led to the emergence of Nyako as PDP candidate.

So, if the PDP do not properly manage the issues, the government house may be occupied by the ‘broom’ and not the ‘umbrella’.

On their own parts, the candidates will have to rely on their political pedigree and connections with both power brokers and the grassroots.

Nuhu Ribadu has vast connections across Nigeria. Interestingly, his actions and inactions during his reign as EFCC chairman had helped in the emergence of Nyako as governor. Nuhu is well-read and urbane, but lacks grassroots contacts. He is the best candidate the APC can present because he does not have ‘lot of baggage’. However, if the APC gives him the ticket; the party has to painstakingly work on his inadequacies in the area of grassroots connection.

If Nyako had not been impeached, his commissioner and in-law Salihu Bakari could have been a candidate to beat. Bakari has built for himself strong grassroots support. But the current situation has changed things- his political significance has reduced drastically.

Another possible candidate that was hit hard by Nyako’s impeachment is his son- Abdulazeez. Abdulazeez Nyako was the de-facto governor of Adamawa state when his father was in-charge. Abdulazeez could have used government machineries and resources to secure the APC governorship ticket, but sheer fate has robbed him that rare opportunity.

Apart from their political pedigrees, candidates for PDP ticket must be in the good books of the presidency and the PDP stakeholders. Former deputy governor Bala Ngilari had the best chance of clinching the PDP ticket before he was forced to resign, greatly reducing his chances.

However, we should remember that in Adamawa, apart from political bigwigs and Abuja interests, tongue, faith and mundane issues also sometimes determine who gets what. Among the strong contestants in the PDP, Ngilari is the only Christian and minority, if tongues and faith prevail in the PDP, Ngilari will easily win. Notwithstanding he is an unlucky man- the politics of impeachment has thrown a spanner in his work.

Senator Bello Tukur is one of the astute politicians among the Adamawa MPs in the National Assembly. Tukur is also one of the strongest candidates in the PDP governorship ticket.

Tukur is a ‘smart’ politician- by Nigerian standards; he has been in the corridors of power since 1999. The Senator was once deputy to former Governor Boni Haruna when Atiku group was in control, then he jumped to Jibril Aminu’s camp, later to Nyako’s. He has a formidable structure and war-chest to contest for the PDP ticket.

Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Modibbo is one of the new entrants into politics in the state. He is the only contestant coming without any political baggage; he is well-educated and looks serious in terms of manifesto and political war-chest, including his wife’s strong popularity among youths and women. However, his opponents say he is into the contest and the PDP just to have a soft landing to avoid any investigation into his tenure as Executive Secretary of the Universal Basic Education. 

Senator Abubakar Girei, - came to limelight when he was elected senator. He contested against Boni Haruna in the 2003 PDP primaries- and got only two votes, from then he lost ground. His chances of winning the PDP primaries are very slim.

Dr Aliyu Idi Hong, a former Minister, relied heavily on Senator Jibril Aminu. Dr. Hong’s politics always start and end with Senator Aminu. Hong will not pose a big threat to the well established contestants.

Dr. Umar Ardo, is the most vocal of all the contestants in the PDP- his opponents and some pundits see him as an armchair critic- because, since his venture into politics Dr Ardo has never filled any INEC form, nor contested let alone win any elective post.

For Gen Buba Marwa and Marcus Gundiri, their fate is in the hands of PDP national executives, because they have to get waiver for them to contest. However, Gen Marwa has been on ground for long, he is a strong candidate with past record of performance and experience and high-tech approach to winning electorates’ heart. During the 2011 PDP ward congresses, Marwa smartly beat Nyako, but his victory was later reversed.

Awwal Tukur, some people call him the man of the moment. He has been in politics for quite sometimes. Being the son of Bamanga Tukur and Bamanga’s life-long ambition is to see his son become the governor of Adamawa state. Awwal is seen as one of the candidate that will get strong support from the presidency and the Adamawa PDP executive.

For Acting Gov Umar Fintiri, if majority of the PDP bigwigs give him their nod- the game is over for the other candidates. This is because he has the incumbency advantage and currently enjoys strong support from Adamawa people.

On another hand, power brokers also have a dictate on who will occupy the government house. As things stand now, former vice president Atiku Abubakar would certainly exert huge power on the Adamawa APC. His huge war-chest will definitely give him the advantage to decide who gets the APC governorship ticket.

The PDP ticket will definitely be for the man that ‘Abuja’ chooses. And this is where the bubble will burst. Most of the PDP stakeholders that championed the impeachment of Nyako did so to achieve one cause or the other. 

As earlier said, all the candidates in both the APC and the PDP need support from the Adamawa bigwigs – those from the PDP will require support from Bamanga Tukur, Jibril Aminu, Boni Haruna, PDP executive and ‘Abuja’. While for the APC, current situation entails that, Atiku Abubakar and APC national executives will pull the strings.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Jimeta, Adamawa State, zaymohd@yahoo.com, 08036070980. 

ADAMAWA COUNCIL CHAIRMEN DEFECT TO PDP

All Local government Council Chairmen and development area administrators in Adamawa State are returning to the People Democratic Party (PDP), following impeachment of former governor, Murtala Nyako.

Daily Trust learnt that Adamawa State Acting governor, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri has spent most part of the Thursday, holding discussion with 21 local government chairmen and 50 Development area administrators.

Speaking to Daily Trust in Yola, the Chief Press Secretary to the Acting Governor, Solomon Kumangar said the council chairmen are willing to defect from the All Progressives Congress to the PDP, adding that preparations are being made to receive them.

culled from http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/

Ahmed Fintiri Sworn-in As Acting Gov Adamawa State

How Nyako Was Impeached

Embattled Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, has been impeached.

The governor was removed Tuesday afternoon as the state House of Assembly deliberated on the report of an investigative panel that probed allegations of financial misconducts against him.

Seventeen of the 25 members of the Assembly adopted the report of the panel after Speaker Umaru Fintiri read the report on the floor of the House.

The report found the governor guilty of all the 16 allegations of gross misconduct leveled against him by the House.

The report was endorsed by all members of the panel.

The motion for the governor’s impeachment was moved by Jerry Kumdisi, the member representing Gombi state constituency.

The motion was seconded by Kwamoti Laori, the Deputy speaker of the Assembly and member, representing Numan constituency.

All the 18 members present at the meeting signed the resolution removing the governor.

The House also passed a motion that Speaker Fintiri should be sworn in as the state’s acting governor.

Earlier, the state Deputy Governor, Bala Ngilari, resigned from office to avoid being impeached.

Mr. Ngilari’s resignation letter was read at plenary by the speaker of the Assembly, Umaru Fintiri, after which the lawmakers approved it.

The House is sitting today to consider the report of the seven-member investigative panel, appointed to probe allegations of financial impropriety against the governor and his deputy.

The committee submitted its report to the House on Monday.

There is high security presence on the road leading to the Assembly and inside the complex.

A source, who works with the Assembly, told PREMIUM TIMES only staff and journalists are being allowed access into the Assembly.

The source requested not to be named because he had no permission to speak to journalists on the matter.

culled from http://www.premiumtimesng.com/

BREAKING: Adamawa Assembly sacks Governor Murtala Nyako

Embattled Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, has been impeached.

The governor was removed a while ago as the state House of Assembly deliberated on the report of an investigative panel that probed allegations of financial misconducts against him.

Earlier, the state Deputy Governor, Bala Ngilari, resigned from office to avoid being impeached.

Mr. Ngilari’s resignation letter was read at plenary by the speaker of the Assembly, Umaru Fintiri, after which the lawmakers approved it.

The House is sitting today to consider the report of the seven-member investigative panel, appointed to probe allegations of financial impropriety against the governor and his deputy.

The committee submitted its report to the House on Monday.

There is high security presence on the road leading to the Assembly and inside the complex.

A source, who works with the Assembly, told PREMIUM TIMES only staff and journalists are being allowed access into the Assembly.

The source requested not to be named because he had no permission to speak to journalists on the matter.

Details later….

culled from premium times 

BREAKING: Adamawa Deputy Governor, Bala Ngilari, resigns

There is high security presence on the road leading to the Assembly and inside the complex.

The embattled Deputy Governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngilari, who is facing impeachment charges alongside his principal, Murtala Nyako, has resigned from office.

Mr. Ngilari’s resignation letter was read at plenary by the speaker of the Assembly, Umaru Fintiri, after which the lawmakers approved it.

The House is sitting today to consider the report of the seven-member investigative panel, appointed to probe allegations of financial impropriety against the governor and his deputy.

The committee submitted its report to the House on Monday.

There is high security presence on the road leading to the Assembly and inside the complex.

A source, who works with the Assembly, told PREMIUM TIMES only staff and journalists are being allowed access into the Assembly. The source requested not to be named because he had no permission to speak to journalists on the matter.

Details later…

culled from www.premiumtimesng.com

Nyako May Escape Impeachment

After weeks of uncertainty hanging over him, the Adamawa State Governor, Murtala Nyako, may have escaped the impeachment bid initiated by the legislators of the state House of Assembly following the decision by six of the anti-Nyako lawmakers to back out of the plot against the governor.

Making this known yesterday, sources in the Adamawa State Government House said the decision by the six lawmakers not to go ahead with the impeachment bid stemmed from the realisation that Nyako’s removal would have led to emergence of the Deputy Governor, Bala Ngillari, as the new governor of the state.

Though the impeachment notice served by 19 out of 25 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers last month was targeted at Nyako and his deputy, the investigative panel constituted by the former acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Ambrose Mammadi, to probe them for gross misconduct, cleared Ngillari, while Nyako was indicted.

It was on this basis, THISDAY learnt, that stakeholders in the state, who bowed to ethnic and religious calculations, moved to save Nyako.

“If Nyako had been removed, it dawned on many people including some of the lawmakers who are all PDP members that the state would be headed by a Christian.

“Even the speaker, Hon. Umaru Fintiri, who thought that his job was safe would have been removed because both he and Ngillari are from the same town and local government area in Adamawa.

“With the decision by six of the 19 lawmakers to move back to Nyako’s camp, those against the governor no longer have the constitutionally required two-thirds majority to impeach him.

“Remember that the state assembly has 25 PDP lawmakers, of which 19 signed up to remove the governor. But with six going back to Nyako’s camp, the anti-Nyako legislators no longer have the number to impeach him,” the Government House said.

Meanwhile, the seven-man investigative panel constituted by Mammadi has submitted its report to the state House of Assembly.

Presenting its findings and recommendations to the speaker of the House in his office under tight security yesterday at exactly 2.30 pm, the chairman of the panel, Buba Kaigama revealed that during the sitting of the panel which lasted for two days, the respondents refused to appear before it.

The chairman explained that despite the ample opportunities given to the two respondents to appear before the panel, they refused to honour the invitation and failed to send their representatives.

“Unprecedented opportunities were given to the governor and his deputy to appear before the panel but the opportunities were not utilised, the panel listened to the only witness called by the House of Assembly”, said panel’s chairman.

Kaigama futher noted that the report was summarised into eight volumes, four each for Nyako and Ngillari, adding that a letter of their findings was equally attached to the volumes.

“We have summarised our reports into eight volumes, four for Governor Murtala Nyako and four for his deputy, Ngillari and a letter of our findings are included in the volumes submitted to the assembly,” he said

Shortly after the presentation of the panel’s reports, the chairman of the panel told journalists that the sitting of the panel was done publicly at the federal secretariat’s conference Hall in Yola, adding that the panel was fair and transparent and that the reports submitted were the true position of the investigative panel.

Receiving the report of the panel, Fintiri congratulated the chairman and members of the panel for a job well done and for their recognition and appointment to serve the state.

It was gathered that the assembly will reconvene today to adopt the panel’s report. 
Specifically, a member of the panel told THISDAY that the report of the panel will be made public, during the assembly’s sitting.

But commenting on the impeachment bid, Nyako yesterday accused those he described as some irresponsible elements based in Abuja as the brains behind the plot to oust him and his deputy “through some state House of Assembly renegades”.

He said: “Despite the unwarranted state of emergency enforced on the people of the state, coupled with the dusk-to-down-curfew, some irresponsible elements based in Abuja are trying to create additional hardship for the people.”

Nyako who was addressing his supporters who paid him a solidarity visit at his residence in Yola at the weekend insisted that the impeachment saga was a deliberate plan to cause disaffection among the good people of the state, adding that his administration would continue to deliver the dividends of democracy to the people irrespective of area, tribe and religion.

“I will continue to keep faith with my people and nothing will deter me from identifying with them,” Nyako said.

The governor appealed to his supporters and all well-meaning citizens to remain calm and pray to God to protect them from falling along ethnic and religious lines, even as he described those behind his planned impeachment as the enemies of peace.

He said legitimate sons and daughters of the state would never cause hardship on their brothers and sisters.

In her remarks, the Adamawa Women’s Leader, Hajiya Hauwa Abba, said women and youths in the state were in the governor’s residence to register their support and solidarity with him.

In another development, however, the wind of impeachment seems to have been blown beyond Adamawa State, as 20 out of 24 lawmakers from the Nasarawa State House of Assembly have been accused of collecting N30 million each to impeach Governor Tanko Al-Makura.

The Special Adviser, Special Duties to Al-Makura, Mr. Mohammed Abdullahi, made the accusation yesterday while explaining the motive behind the impeachment moves against the governor who was indicted for 16 offences by the lawmakers.

The assembly, yesterday, directed its Clerk, Ego Maikeffi, to serve the governor with the notice alleging gross misconduct, following an endorsement by all 20 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers in the House during a sitting presided over by Speaker, Ahmed Mohammed.

Of the assembly’s 24 members, only four are in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state. The impeachment notice followed a motion of public interest raised by the Deputy Majority Leader of the House, Mr Yahaya Usman (PDP-Umaisha/Ugya) during plenary in Lafia, the state capital.

A document signed by the 20 members of the assembly which contained the allegations of gross misconduct against the governor was presented by Usman.

The notice accused the governor of violating the 1999 Constitution, stating: “Today being the 14th day of July, 2014, the 20 members of the 24 members of this House unanimously endorsed to serve Gov. Tanko Al-Makura notice of impeachment.”

The Chief Whip Mr. Mohammed Okpede, (PDP-Doma North) seconded the motion.

The speaker, who received the impeachment notice, said the House had complied with the provisions of the constitution to serve the governor with impeachment notice.

He directed the clerk to immediately serve the notice on Al-Makura on July 14. He said: “In the event His Excellency, Gov.Tanko Al-Makura cannot be reached for service, the clerk is directed to serve him with the impeachment notice through the media.

The impeachment notice confirmed earlier reports this week that the lawmakers met at a guest house in the high brow Asokoro District, Abuja, last week with a view to hatching plans to remove the governor.

Commenting on the notice, Al-Makura’s aide, accused some unseen hands in the presidency of being behind the impeachment notice, using proxies which include a Minister from Nasarawa State, some National Assembly members from the state and a point man from the South-south currently serving in the Constitutional Conference, Chief Asara Asara, among others.

Abdullahi accused the said individuals of selling the impeachment dummy to the presidency for the PDP to reclaim the governorship of the state.

It was alleged one of the point men disbursed the N30million monetary inducement to the 20 lawmakers.

The special assistant, who said information reaching the state indicated that the bribe was given to the lawmakers in US Dollars on Sunday, with the state’s deputy governor, Damishi Luka supporting the impeachment in order to actualise his longstanding ambition to become the state governor while the speaker would emerge the new deputy governor.

Al-Makura’s aide added that these were plans aimed at destabilizing the state and not in the interest of the state.

“If this is not coming from the presidency, why did the Inspector General of Police (IG) deploy 160 mobile policemen to guard the assembly and the members to hatch the plan. This is the single largest deployment in peacetime!

“When over 70 security personnel were killed at Alakyo, the IG did not deploy personnel to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators, but finds it convenient to deploy mobile men to perfect an impeachment plot!” he said.

The deputy governor less than a year ago decamped from the APC to PDP, a moved that was viewed by many as signaling the continuation of the frosty relationship between him and Al-Makura.

culled from thisdaylive.com

Ali Sheriff dumps APC, joins PDP

“APC has no solid foundation; a party cannot be built around an individual.”

A former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, on Monday in Maiduguri, the state capital, said he was in the state to initiate the process of defecting to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.

Mr. Sheriff arrived in Maiduguri alongside several members of the National Assembly and was received at the airport at about 2 p.m. by a mammoth crowd: supporters both of the PDP and the state’s ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

It took a convoy of hundreds of cars, residents said about 5, hours to accompany the ex-governor to his Giwa Barracks road home.

Mr. Sheriff has been blamed by locals and reports of being a major cause of the Boko Haram insurgency in the north east. He has been accused of financing the sect for political gains while in office with a member of the sect even serving as commissioner in his administration. He, however, later fell out with the sect.

His arrest and prosecution has always been a major demand of the Boko Haram in earlier efforts at negotiation with the sect, who partly blame him for the killing of their founder, Mohammed Yusuf; while various government panels had without mentioning him also always sought the prosecution of former and serving public officials who financed the sect at inception.

On Monday, various posters of the PDP with the pictures of the former governor as well as some of his political cronies were hurriedly printed by supporters who brandished them along the highways.

Mr. Sheriff later confirmed his exit from the APC to journalists who interviewed him in his house. He said he also came to pull his “people” out of the APC.

“There is nothing to hide as you can see, I have come to consult with my people on our resolve to pull out of the APC and join the PDP. But this is just a private visit which turned out to be some kind of rally because our supporters wanted it that way”, said Mr. Sheriff.

“We are still consulting with the national officers of the PDP on how to go about it, because the pull out is going to be big, and we hope to organise it after fasting. Presently, as you can see, majority of our people are fasting and praying for peace to return to our dear state. But after the Ramadan we would come back and pull our people

out of the APC”.

Asked why he was dumping a party he helped build, Mr. Sheriff, who was involved in a ear-fisticuff with another APC leader, Bola Tinubu, at a party leadership meeting, said APC was not inclusive.

“The game has changed both in Borno and at the national level. APC has no solid foundation; a party cannot be built around an individual”, said Mr. Sheriff.

“I have taken time to study the package called APC and come to realise that it won’t work. And any serious politician, who knows his onions would not want to be in a ship that is bound to crash”.

“For now we are in high level consultation with our people and also with the PDP national officers. It is sad that our people here are in serious want; I came and saw many of them in serious difficulties, and we feel pained that we have to do something fast to assist them. We have no option now than to come and tell them that we are sorry, that we brought them a wrong party, but now we have come to correct our mistakes”.

Mr. Sheriff did not say if he would be exiting the APC alongside his erstwhile god-son, Governor Kashim Shettima; although it appears the latter would remain in the APC where he remains its leader.

“Kashim Shettima was my commissioner for four years before God gave us the opportunity of assisting him become the governor of Borno state in 2011. It cannot be doubted that I took him round the 27 local government councils of Borno and sold his candidature to the people before he was accepted and voted as governor,” the ex-governor said.

“But now the game has changed, and we have no choice than to do what the people of Borno State want; we know there was too much sufferings but we call on the people to be patient. We all pray that God should bring us peace so

that Borno state can regain its name once again as the home of peace”.

Mr. Sheriff’s visit to Maiduguri comes barely 24 hours after Governor Kashim Shettima left the state capital for Abuja by road, as the military the military said the airport was closed for security reasons.

The military had also barred intending pilgrims access to the airport for the lesser hajj. They had to travel to Kano to fly via the Kano airport.

Speaking for the Governor Kashim Shettima, his adviser on Media, Umar Gusau, said his boss was being politically witch hunted by the closure of the airport causing the governor and his family members to travel by road, even though they are at the highest risk of being attacked by Boko Haram.

Mr. Gusau said this in a statement emailed to journalist on Monday. Read excerpts of his statement below.

“Following the closure of the Maiduguri International airport by the Federal Government on June 27, 2014 for a period of three months, intending pilgrims for this year’s lesser hajj were forced to travel by road to Kano amidst fear over their safety.

“One of such intending pilgrims, Shettima Mohammed Shettima, the immediate elder brother of both parents, to Governor Kashim Shettima was on Friday involved in a ghastly motor accident resulting in the death of a policeman travelling with him while he had multiple fractures on both legs.

“A policeman was attached to him following threats to his life by Boko Haram elements in addition to being a high risk person due to his relationship with the Governor.

“The accident occurred 20 kilometres away from Damban in Bauchi State while the Governor’s brother was travelling to board a max airline to depart Kano for Saudi Arabia. The accident occurred at about 2pm.

“A max airline chartered flight had arrived Maiduguri airport on Friday, June 27, 2014 to airlift 276 intending pilgrims from Borno and Yobe States who had been screened and were awaiting airlift. Despite intervention by Governor Shettima, soldiers from the army however took over the airport and ordered the plane to take-off without a single pilgrim while the pilgrims were forced to travel by road, departing Maiduguri in the evening and arrived Kano at about midnight before they were airlifted to Saudi Arabia.

“Skynet International Limited which chartered the flight said it followed all processes and had gotten clearance from the army, air force and the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria before it began preparations for the airlift. The airport was thereafter closed till September 29, 2014 by the time hajj airlift would have been concluded.

“As the airport closure was still in force, Governor Kashim Shettima yesterday embarked on a trip by road to Kano to see his immediate elder brother and most senior member of his family since the Governor has since lost both parents. The Governor’s convoy was without soldiers.

“While the Governor went about travelling by road, Ex-Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff was permitted by the Federal Government to fly into the closed Maiduguri International Airport. Sheriff arrived the airport at about 1:32 PM, on board his private jet with registration number 5NBMH to the waiting hands of dozens of soldiers led by the Garrison commander, seven division of the Nigerian Army in Maiduguri, Colonel D.R. Hassan who led troops to give cover to the Ex-Governor.

“The plane departed the airport at 2:22pm and is expected to return on Tuesday to airlift the former Governor. Sheriff is expected to defect to the PDP and lead the re-election bid of President Goodluck Jonathan in Borno State.

“Dismembered youth political groups called ECOMOG that was associated with rival violence during the Sheriff administration were re-mobilised by Sheriff’s men as they stormed the airport. Governor Shettima had in the last three years introduced a policy of suspending political thuggery to have youths provided with vocational skills to

become self employed. Some of ECOMOG thugs were last year trained on poultry agriculture.

“A campaign office belonging to Sheriff was painted in white while it is expected to wear PDP colours in coming days. Some key associates of Sheriff including a serving member of House of Representatives, Kangar, had in an interview published last week in some Newspapers said Sheriff had made up his mind to defect to the PDP”, Mr. Gusau said in the statement.

culled http://www.premiumtimesng.com/