For now, attention has shifted from the recently concluded general election to the frenzied jostle for who occupies the plethora of political positions in the soon to be constituted cabinet. From key positions in the National Assembly, to ministerial appointments and sundry positions in President Goodluck Jonathan cabinet, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), specifically, in the South West is presently embroiled in a fierce tussle over who calls the shot in terms of submission of nominees. This report plays up the returning zoning arrangement, contenders, pretenders and other emerging issues. Edegbe Odemwingie writes with additional reports from LEADERSHIP SUNDAY’s South-West correspondents, Olaolu Oladipo, Sarkin Babalola, Sefiu Ayanbimpe and Abiola Alo.
For now, top on the bill in the country, at least, politically is who occupies available political positions in the new administration scheduled to kick off after the May 29 swearing in. The intense horse-trading, lobby and intrigues by party stakeholders to gain advantage for sundry interests are visible pointers to position. Up for grabs are key positions in the National Assembly, office of Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF) and Chairman of the party. The preceding is along with other appointment including ministerial, ambassadorial and various appointments.
Pundits say what probably would have easily been an easy allocation, going by PDP existing rotational regime was made complicated by the death of late President Umaru Yar’Adua and the emergence of Goodluck Jonathan as president- in effect forcing a rearrangement of the zoning formula for key offices across board.
Going by a monitored report, the official position of the PDP favours the application of Federal Character principle in allocating positions. “The PDP leadership which has the majority in the National Assembly shall responsibly abide by the principle of federal character as enshrined in the 1999 constitution; the president and the vice president have emerged from two different geopolitical zones,” the party’s legal adviser, Olusola Oke, was quoted as saying recently, adding that “the ruling party shall ensure that other principal officers to be elected or appointed come from other geo-political zones outside the zones the president and his vice hail from.”
“In sum, zoning/rotational system is an informed political proposal for Nigeria. It will help to cure ethnic domination and promote peace and orderliness in political races or contests. It will foster unity and sharpen patriotism and sense of belonging in an intrinsically heterogeneous society, like Nigeria. It will reduce unnecessary electoral expenses and help to fish out periodically the best human beings from all corners of Nigeria for her political leadership. I believe that every geo-political zone/tribe/clan in Nigeria has capable persons who can steer her national or state ship of governance in the right direction. The system will help to eliminate electoral frauds and unhealthy political contests or rivalries. “Alphonsus Nwadike captured the zoning/rotational sentiment in his report, Rotational/zoning political system, the sure key to Nigerian unity and patriotism.
On the heels of underground moves by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) to forge an alliance with a view to equally jostle for principal offices with the dominant PDP in the National Assembly, an expanded national caucus of the PDP recently agreed it was in the party’s best interest to maintain its old zoning formula in sharing political offices in its secretariat and the National Assembly.
The caucus meeting held at the presidential villa had in attendance President Goodluck Jonathan, his deputy, Alhaji Namadi Sambo; members of the PDP National Working Committee, and some PDP governors.
In essence: the South-South (president), North-West (vice-president).
The North-Central, where the incumbent Senate President, David Mark hails from, has been given an ‘all clear’ to fill the position. Major beneficiary, Mark, who has coincidentally shown interest for the position and is returning to senate for the fourth time is in pole position to capture the position. Outgoing governor of Kwara State, Bukola Saraki, is also rumoured to be in the race as well-clearly a long shot as he is a first time senator.
The South-West will find a replacement for the Speaker of House of Representatives, Mr. Dimeji Bankole, following his failed re-election bid. Bankole was defeated by the candidate of the Action Congress of Nigeria during the National Assembly election.
The choice of the South-West for the House Speakership is not enjoying a smooth sailing. It is receiving knocks in several quarters going by PDP’s poor showing in the zone during the election.
“The South-West has rejected PDP. Look at those who won elections in the South West apart from the presidential election... As far as I am concerned, I am in complete support of the South East having the Speakership of the House of Representatives because of their performance and because of what they did in all the elections. The South West should take the Deputy Senate President.” Frontline politician and a PDP stalwart, Dr. Godwin Daboh Adzuana said.
Reportedly, the position of the National Chairman of the party has been zoned to the North-East. The zone is also to produce the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Lastly, going by the arrangement, the South-East should produce the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
It will be recalled that the PDP adopted the principle of zoning six positions among the geo-political zones of North West, North East, North Central, South East, South West and South-South at the return to democratic governance in 1999.
Election results released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) shows that PDP produced a majority of the senators-elect with over 60 of them while the Action Congress of Nigeria, which came second, has about 14. The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) has six senators-elect, All Nigeria Peoples Party 7, the Democratic People’s Party 1, LP 3 and All Progressives Grand Alliance 1. The situation is not different with the House of Representatives.
Opposition too
It will be recalled that Jonathan in his ‘no victor no vanquished’ message following his success at the fiercely contested presidential ballots extended an invitation to other political parties to join him in an ‘inclusive’ government
“We are all winners.... There is no victor and no vanquished. This is a victory for democracy (not for me); a victory which all Nigerians irrespective of creed, ethnicity, or state of origin should celebrate... We must quickly move away from partisan battleground and find the national common ground.... I promise to run an all-inclusive government. Come join me, let’s continue on the road of national transformation....” Jonathan’s message read.
Reportedly, two ministerial slots would be given to each of the two opposition parties, the Labour Party (LP) and the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), that have indicated interest to be in the new cabinet.
The Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) opted out of Jonathan’s proposed inclusive government.
Ministerial posts tear PDP apart in South West
In keeping with its tradition, the leadership of PDP has written its state chapters to come up with a list containing ten names from their respective states for consideration for appointment as ministers in the Federal Cabinet.
From the list to be submitted are members who would also be appointed as Special Advisers as well as Members of Federal Boards and Parastatals. In all, each state chapter of the party is expected to send 10 nominees.
The action has been generating ripples as potential appointtees have engaged in series of schemes to outdo one another, now that the party has lost ground considerably in the region, a situation that has forced a reduction in the level of political patronage.
Ondo
Two lists came from Ondo State; one from the faction led by the immediate past governor, Dr. Olusegun Agagu and the other from another faction led by the current Minister of Defence, Prince Adetokunbo Kayode.
Making the Agagu list are former governor himself, Senator Bode Olajumoke, businessman, Mr. Jimoh Ibrahim, Mrs. Febi Adeyemi and former state deputy governor, Otunba Omolade Oluwateru.
Others are PDP National Legal Adviser, Chief Olusola Oke, the Special Adviser to the President on Niger Delta Affairs, Honourable Kingsley Kuku, Lady Folake Akinjoko, state chairman, Dr. Omotayo Dairo, and Hon. Gbenga Elegbeleye, who currently represents Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.”
Reacting, the Kayode faction alleged that the list was compiled by seven of the 10 names on it in one hotel room in Lagos with Agagu and Dairo in attendance and went on to suspend Agagu as well as dissolve the Omotayo Dairo-led state executive council.
Reacting to their expulsion from the party by a faction of PDP members in Ondo State, the chairman, Dr Omotayo Dairo, described those who perpetrated the “childish but heinous crime” as political jobbers who are not known to the party or the constitution of the party.
Osun
Though the content of the list submitted by the party in Osun State is still shrouded in secrecy, LEADERSHIP SUNDAY gathered that those that make the list include former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Senator Iyiola Omisore, another member of the upper legislative chamber, Senator Isiaka Adeleke and the current Minister for Youth Development, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi are interested in being appointed into the Federal Cabinet and would have made the list. Others in the list include Dr. Oluwole Alabi, Chief Ebenezer Babatope, Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun, Francis Fadahunsi, Chief Yemi Faronbi, Alhaji Kazeem Adio and Mrs. Olubunmi Patricia Etteh, former Speaker of the House of Representatives.
In-between them, there is strong acrimony over who should be appointed as they all covet the same prize, they are said to have individually commenced moves to outdo one another in the race. Their ambitions have polarized the party down the ladder, thus generating unnecessary schism in the party.
Apart from the gladiators, those who have felt left out in the scheme of things are also angling not to only supply the candidates that would fill the party’s slot; they are also calling for a new order that would give control to new, creative and energetic minds to pilot the affairs of the party in the state.
Two groups are said to be at the fore front of this agitation, Osun PDP Rebirth Group, and another unnamed one led by Chief Abiola Ogundokun. At a recent parley with the media recently, he urged the national secretariat of the PDP to discountenance the list purportedly sent by the Ademola Rasaq-led state executive committee.
“Abuja must not relate with us on individual level, Abuja should relate with us as a party and Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun is the leader of the Elders’ Forum of Osun PDP. Minister of Youth Development, Senator Akinlabi Olasunkanmi, is the highest federal appointment officer in Osun,” he told the media.
On its part, Osun PDP Rebirth Group, urged former President Olusegun Obasanjo and leaders to order the disbandment of the state executive to be replaced by “an interim committee of credible people.” It added a caveat that the new body “must have a complete break from the immediate past of recklessness, greed, avarice and shallow-mindedness.”
The group concluded, “No nomination for any political or party office should be forwarded to any quarter from Osun without exhaustive deliberation and input of all major stakeholders in the Osun PDP.”
The statement was signed by Messrs Yunus Salami, Sarafa Awotunde and Bamidele Salam, who are the group’s interim chairman, interim secretary and interim director of public relations respectively.
Ogun
Leaders of the PDP in Ogun such as State Chairman, Chief Dayo Soremi; Minister of Commerce and Industry, Chief Jubril Martin-Kuye and the party’s governorship candidate, Chief Adetunji Olurin compiled the list, whose content is yet unclear.
Outgoing governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel is believed to making moves to secure a place either in Jonathan’s cabinet or an ambassadorial appointment. Daniel is said to be making a case for at least two of his loyalists in Jonathan’s next government.
Lagos
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is in collision course with former South-West deputy national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, over ministerial list for Lagos State. LEADERSHIP SUNDAY gathered that while George has forwarded a list containing 10 members of the party to the Presidency for appointment as ministers, Obasanjo, on the other hand is backing another faction led by Dr. Abayomi Finnih.
While the former chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) is using his contact in the top echelon of the PDP to ensure that his ambition scales through, Finnih is relying on the former leader to sway support in his faction’s favour.
The two groups reportedly forwarded different sets of lists to the national headquarters of the PDP with George proposing Dr. Ade Dosunmu (Lagos Central), Chief Bode Oyedele (East) and state chairman, Mr. Setonji Koshoedo (West) as possible ministers.
Finnih is rooting for Musiliu Obanikoro (Central), himself (West) and a yet to be identified party member as his preferred candidates.
Other members of the faction led by Finnih include Nigeria’s former ambassador to Malaysia, Senator Wahab Dosunmu, former minister of works Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, two former deputy governors, Rafiu Jafojo, and Kofo Akerele-Bucknor and scores of other notable leaders.
The two leaders, (George and Obasanjo) are currently locked in a battle of wits with both of them at different times accusing each other of causing the misfortune of the party in the South-West.
Sources told our correspondent that, indeed, the Finni faction was getting the sympathy of the former president who reportedly gave a tacit support for their agitation on the basis that the perennial circle of loss being suffered by the party should be reversed by ensuring that all stakeholders were carried along in the running of the party.
“We (the Finnih-led group have met with Baba (Obasanjo) over the list and I can assure you that we have his sympathy on this issue. He has even assured us that the crisis rocking the party would soon end with equitable distribution of benefits to members” a source close to Alhaji Jafojo told our correspondent.
Speaking under the condition of anonymity, a high-ranked chieftain in the party described the situation of Lagos PDP as pathetic. He opines that the different factions in the party have decided to embark on a winner-takes-all strategy at the expense of other groups.
According to him, though all the factions conceded to a compensation for the party’s gubernatorial candidate but there are fears that the Establishment Group where Dosunmu belong might eventually swallow all other positions if the state gets just only one Ministerial slot.
Meanwhile, a coalition of PDP neutral members has called on the called on the national headquarters of the party to proscribe all caucuses in the state immediately.
Oyo
The story in Oyo State is not different as party big wigs, especially, those who lost in the just concluded general elections are battling to make the list. In Oyo, instead of a list that should be forwarded to Abuja, two seperate lists have been forwaded to the presidency. One was compiled by the outgoing governor, Akala and has the following people-Akala, Professor Taoheed Adedoja, Mrs Jumoke Akinjide, Brigadier General Raji Rasaki (retd) and Alhaji Taofeek Arapaja. The second list was compiled by a coalition of PDP leaders who are against Akala and led by Senator Lekan Balogun. It has his name on top of the list alongside that of Elder Wole Oyelese, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, Muiz Akintunde, Azeem Gbolarunmi and Teslim Folarin. Both parties have pleaded with the presidency to reject the list sent by the other group.
Outgoing Senate Leader, SenatorTeslim Folarin is said to be using his influence both in the presidency and senate to secure either a ministerial slot or any office that might be given to him.
Though the resistance to the list submitted had been somewhat subdued, Alao- Akala has been making trips to PDP secretariat to block whatever influence from either the Presidency or the Senate against the list.
From the situation on ground, plans are on to retain serving Minister of Sports, Prof Taoheed Adedoja based on his loyalty to the party and the outgoing governor. The third option could be Jumoke who like the other two has an overwhelming support of the party machinery in all the local governments.
Like the two, Alao-Akala and Jumoke Akinjide reportedly secured approval from former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Otta farm where all the state central working committee and party stalwart were in attendance.
However, a chieftain and former Minister for Special Duties, Elder Wole Oyelese, urged President Goodluck Jonathan to disregard the list.
In a statement recently issued in Ibadan, Oyelese said that the outgoing governor was yet to realise that his failure to work with other party chieftains cost PDP the gubernatorial and other slots in the last election.
According to him, “when an unbridled politician runs down his own party for personal gains, yet lobbies for position within the same system, his dilemma is better understood.”
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