NSCIA, others advocate peace in elections

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs has hailed Jonathan, Buhari and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, for the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s Presidential election. 

A statement by the President, Ekiti chapter, Alh. Yakubu Sanni, commended Jonathan for his rare display of “courage and statesmanship” by conceding victory to Buhari even before the declaration of the final result.

“This singular act, apart from being in line with the best democratic practices internationally, has further elevated his status as a statesman and a true democrat.”

The Islamic body, however, urged the INEC to rectify all the teething problems confronting the use of card readers before the forthcoming April 11 Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections.

The NSCIA commended Nigerians for the maturity, candour and peaceful disposition displayed by the electorate.

It also urged Buhari to be magnanimous in victory and strive to ensure the realisation of his campaign promises and manifesto.

Also, the Catholic Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye, has appealed to the Ekiti people to be peaceful and orderly during the April 11 Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state.

 

Speaking during Chrism mass at St. Patrick Cathedral in Ado Ekiti, the bishop decried wanton destruction of property and attack on innocent people during jubilation of Buhari’s victory.

He said, “The coming election should be peaceful. I appeal to you to be peaceful and cast your votes according to your conscience.”

The Ekiti State Labour Party  Elders’ Forum has also congratulated Buhari on his victory, saying his emergence was akin to a bloodless revolution predicted by the late sage, Chief Obafemi  Awolowo.

In a statement by the Chairman of the Forum, Prof. Joseph Oluwasanmi, in Ado Ekiti on Thursday, the elders urged Buhari to pilot what they described the ‘New Dawn,’ which his victory symbolised, with civility and the fear of God.

“The result confirmed the resolve of all Nigerians to continue to live together despite their religious and tribal differences. The electorate in Nigeria showed they have come of age,” it added.

Kunle Afolayan endorse the All Progressive Congress governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

Kunle Afolayan

Ahead of April 11 governorship and states’ House of Assembly election, award-winning actor and filmmaker, Kunle Afolayan, has joined a long train of artistes that have endorsed the candidacy of the All Progressive Congress governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode.

While the likes of MI, Flavour, Banky W, Yemi Alade, Ice prince, Desmond Elliot and Ali Nuhu have been part of various productions selling Ambode’s candidacy, Afolayan’s endorsement is coming through a new commercial in Yoruba language, in which he uses footage from “Ija Ominira”, the popular movie shot in 1978 by his late father, Adeyemi Afolayan (Ade Love).

Described by the Ambode Campaign Organisation as a ‘smash hit’ production and is a blast from the past mixed with contemporary reality, the 60-second production uses the goje musical instrument together with the traditional chant of Ajobiewe, the talented actor and poet, to spice up the creative appearance he made with his father, who passed on in 1992.

The message in the production is simple: Lagos is working because it has built on the solid foundation laid since 1999 and, therefore, deserves to continue with that tradition of excellence by having an astute administrator who understands governance succeed the incumbent Governor Babatunde Fashola, SAN.

Afolayan’s production joins the rich list of quality television commercials and artistes who have enlisted to use the creative arts to drum up support for Ambode’s candidacy.

Popular TV commercial, “I Believe”, and the “Ambo” soundtrack, featuring the best of Nigeria’s music and film artistes including MI, Flavour and Banky, are widely acknowledged to have distinguished Ambode’s campaign in the last four months.

Meanwhile, Ambode has said that the emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as the President-elect portends good omen for the development of arts, entertainment and tourism in Nigeria. Speaking through his Director of Communications, Mr. Steve Ayorinde, the APC candidate said Lagos State would benefit from an APC-led government at the federal level.

“The entertainment and tourism sectors will benefit tremendously from an APC-led government at the centre from May 29. We are not talking about occasional monetary hand-outs to select artistes.

“We are concerned about building enduring structures and empowering creative artistes and producers who invest their time and resources in these thriving sectors.

“With an APC-led government at the centre and in Lagos, our aim is to work with the Federal Government to have the National Theatre at Iganmu rehabilitated once and for all, and turn it into a profitable base for artistes. We can extend similar thoughts to the National Museum and National Gallery of Arts.

Those places should not be dead-ends. Yes, they are Federal Government properties but they are in Lagos and an APC-led government at the centre and in Lagos State will work in sync to turn those places around.

This is why it is of utmost importance that Lagosians take advantage of this God-given victory of last Saturday to vote to retain APC in Lagos State. We have waited for 16 years for this to happen and we shouldn’t blow it now,” Ambode said.

He added that one of his proposed flagship programmes, Project T.H.E.S.E, aims at harnessing the hospitality, arts, entertainment and sport sectors to further drive excellence in Lagos State.

Other artistes who have recorded hit songs for the APC candidate include Alhaji Kollington Ayinla, King Wasiu Ayinde (K1), Dede Mabiaku, Dammy Krane, Wasiu Alabi Pasuma, Seun Bankole, Sefiu Alao, Fatai Akanbi Valentine and Gbenga Adewusi.

I’ll speak at the right time, says Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday promised to break his silence on his experience in office and other sundry issues at the appropriate time.

He however did not give any indication on when the appropriate time would be.

Jonathan made the promise when State House correspondents approached him for interview at the end of the Good Friday Service organised by the Aso Villa Chapel.

“Don’t worry, I will talk to you at the appropriate time,” the President said amidst smile as he made his way from the chapel to his official residence.

He was accompanied to the about three-hour service that featured the Seven Words of Christ on the Cross by Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State; and the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Christians Pilgrims Commission, Mr. John-Kennedy Okpara.

The seven short exhortations that accompanied the seven lessons all centred on the sacrifice the preachers said Jonathan made to keep the county united.

They likened his decision to concede defeat in last Saturday’s presidential election and congratulate the President-elect, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), of the All Progressives Congress, to the sacrifice Jesus Christ made to safe mankind.

All the preachers agreed that that bold step, taken by the President at the appropriate time, was commendable.

They urged him to remain focus because his future is in the hands of God.

“This man (Jonathan) said here that he is the most criticised President and he prophesied that by the time he will be leaving, he will be the most celebrated President. That has come to pass with the way he is being celebrated worldwide for conceding defeat,” one of the clergymen, who led intercessory prayers, said.

The service also featured renditions of special hymns as well as intercessory prayers for the President, for peace and for the country at large.

Apart from Dickson and Okpara, the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission, Mrs. Joan Ayo; Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Mr. Ima Niboro; and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, also attended the service.

Wife of the President, Patience; and his mother, Eunice, were however absent.

Both of them had hitherto been accompanying Jonathan to such service.

The service saw only the first three rows of both sides of the chapel occupied by worshippers.

10 candidates drop gov bid for APC’s Ambode

Governorship candidates of 10 opposition political parties in Lagos State on Friday dropped their ambitions to contest the April 11 governorship elections in the state.

The candidates in the presence of their party chairmen, however, declared their total support for Mr Akinwunmi Ambode, the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress.

They also directed all their supporters to vote for Ambode during the governorship and State House of Assembly elections on April 11.

The parties and their candidates are Accord Party, Mr Adeshina Buruji; Independent Democrats, Mr Obadia Akinola; Action Alliance, Mr Ishola Aregbesola; and Allied Congress Party of Nigeria‎, Mr Babatunde Sarumi

.

Others include the African People’s Alliance, Mr Abiodun Oyegunle; KOWA Party, Mr Victor Adeniji; All Progressives Grand Alliance, Mr Adeshina Olayokun; NNPP, Mr Sesan Olatunde; the Citizens Popular Party, Mr Sylvester Eze; and the Progressives People’s Alliance, Mrs Pauline Ojochide.

Mr Obadia Akinola, the governorship candidate of the Independent Democrats, spoke on behalf of the other candidates at the declaration event in Lagos.

Akinola said the decision was taken in the interests of the people of Lagos State.

“What we are saying is that we, the 10 undersigned governorship candidates, have shelved our individual governorship ambitions and aspirations as we unanimously give our unwavering solidarity to work together with Ambode of the APC,” Akinola said.

Fayose planning to attack us – APC lawmakers

The 19 All Progressives Congress lawmakers in Ekiti State House of Assembly have raised the alarm over an alleged plan by Governor Ayodele Fayose to attack them ahead of the April 11 Governorship and House of Assembly elections.

The embattled Speaker, Dr. Adewale Omirin, said their fears were based on information from Government House sources, hinting on a plot to attack‎ them.

Omirin, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Wole Olujobi, said the leaked report had already gone viral on social media,‎ adding that he would have disregarded the information if not for a similar‎ experience they had shortly after the governor assumed office.

The statement said, “Our fear is not without foundation following similar experience we had when gunmen in black jeeps were visiting our homes at nights to attack us.

“Shortly before that, our party petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Suleiman Abba, and National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki, calling their attention to special request by Governor Fayose to the Police authorities to post back to Ekiti some of the policemen the governor used to attack his opponents between 2003 and 2006.

“Unfortunately, our petition was not treated‎. As a result, gunmen in unmarked black jeeps started visiting the homes of APC lawmakers at nights issuing threats to APC leaders and Assembly members.”

The lawmakers, who said the governor should be held responsible if anything happened to them urged the Commissioner of Police, Taiwo Lakanu, to provide security for them as they could no longer take threats to their lives lightly.

“We can no longer take our security lightly as the governor has been boasting around that he would do anything to win all the 16 seats in the House of Assembly in the coming election,” the statement added.

Meanwhil‎e, Omirin has sent Easter greetings to all Christians and Ekiti people in general, urging them to imbibe the virtue of sacrifice as exhibited by Jesus Christ in the most trying moment of his life.

“Jesus Christ demonstrated that making sacrifices is a virtue through which we can save our fellow men. Let this spirit guide you in all you do. It is through generosity of the heart that we can make our impacts felt by our fellow human beings for the life of happiness,” Omirin said.

We will dominate Kogi Assembly – APC

The Kogi State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has said it is ready to prove that the victory which it had in the state in the March 28 poll is not a fluke.

A leader of the party in the state, Benjamin Okolo, said the party’s next target is the 25 State House of Assembly seats in the April 11 election.

The APC won the Presidential elections in the state while also winning the three senatorial tickets and seven out of the nine House of Representatives seats in the last elections from the Peoples Democratic Party.

Okolo, who defected from the ruling PDP to the APC, told our correspondent that the division in the Kogi PDP was responsible for their failure.

“When I and some other people were leaving the party, they said we were politically irrelevant people in the state,” he said.

“But now, we are the ones responsible for their failure and we have not stopped doing so. The March 28 victory will not be a fluke because we will ensure that the State House of Assembly is occupied by the APC in the next elections.

“The PDP are presently controlling the house but we also will motivate the people to vote for us to ensure that the change they want at the national level is also replicated here in Kogi State.”

Detention: Card reader consultant sues DSS, demands N100m

BY ADE ADESOMOJU

A consultant to Act Technologies Limited, one of the firms engaged by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the supply of Card Reader Machines, Muhammad Musa, has sued the Department State Services.

Musa, in his fundamental rights enforcement suit which he filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja‎, alleged that he was illegally detained by the DSS since March 24, 2015.

According to an affidavit filed in support of his suit, Musa is being held in DSS detention along with the Chief Executive Officer of the consultant to Act Technologies Limited.

Musa wants the court to award N100m damages against the security organisation for illegally detaining him.

He also wants the court to order his release and declare his arrest, detention and continued intimidation by the respondent (the DSS) in relation to the card reader issue, as illegal, unconstitutional and a violation of his fundamental rights.

The suit, FHC/ABJ/CS/292, was filed on his behalf on March 27 by his lawyer, Mahmud Magaji (SAN).

The plaintiff was said to have, on March 24, received a phone call from the Director General of the DSS inviting him to the organisation’s headquaters in Abuja and had since been held in detention upon honouring the invitation.

He was said to have since 1pm on March 24 been held without any charge.

Wife of the applicant, Mrs. Sa’adatu Musa, deposed to a supporting affidavit because he was still being held in the DSS detention.

The wife said the respondent’s officials had refused her access to her husband since he honoured the DSS boss’ invitation.

‎
Musa, who is praying the court to award N100m as general and exemplary damages against the DSS for its unlawful acts, also seeks an order of perpetual injunction restraining the respondent and its agents from engaging in further harassing, intimidating, arresting and detaining him in relation to the card reader used by INEC.

He hinged his prayers on three grounds, one of which included that DSS agents unlawful interference with his liberty in connection with the procurement of the card readers constituted an infringement of his fundamental rights guaranteed by the constitution.

The plaintiff’s wife said her husband was not an employee of Act Technologies, but a consultant, who was being held with the company’s Chief Executive Officer.

The wife, who prayed the court to order the immediate release of her husband, including granting all the prayers in the application, said if not restrained by the court, the DSS would continue to detain her husband without arraigning him before any court if the respondent has anything against him.

The case was said to have been assigned to Justice Adeniyi Ademola, but has yet to be fixed for hearing

Rivers’ collation officer challenge

INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega

I want to use this platform to draw the attention of the Independent National Electoral Commission to the incident that happened on Monday at the national collation centre in Abuja. While we can’t mock any elderly citizen for any health challenge, I think we should be careful in engaging them in such a taxing national responsibility.

We all saw that somebody somewhere should be questioned on why such a person of advanced age should given such a job that demands careful watch and accurate manipulations.

I am sure the INEC chairman, Attahiru Jega, was highly embarrassed on what happened that day, especially with the controversial Rivers State votes. We may not be interested in questioning who employed him, but we will recommend the removal of the collation officer, and given the conflict in the Rivers polls last week, we may witness another one next week unless an urgent step is taken.

INEC should as a matter of national interest change him, and not give an impression of a nation not well-organised.

Samuel Osehenye,

Borno Way, Yaba, Lagos State,

+2348037233:

Polls: Atiku, Tinubu meet

Following the success recorded by the All Progressives Congress, its leading figures have started consultations with a view to forming an inclusive government that would take care of the various political interests within the party.

Bola Ahamed Tinubu

It was learnt in Abuja on Thursday that party leaders began the process with consultations with those who contested in the party’s Presidential primaries.

As part of these consultations, the national leader of the party, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, was at the Asokoro private residence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Thursday.

Although details of the meeting were not made public because both men met behind closed doors, it was learnt that it was part of consultations to work out modalities of filing cabinet positions.

It was further learnt that party leaders had since reached an agreement to ensure that all nominees for cabinet positions must meet strict guidelines to complement the high standard set by the President-elect.

It is however unclear when similar meetings will be held with other presidential contestants including Governors Rabiu Kwankwaso, Rochas Okorocha of Kano and Imo states respectively.

A highly placed party member, who pleaded anonymity, because he was not authorised to speak to the media said, “ What do you expect? Our party is proactive and we want to hit the ground running by ensuring that rough edges are ironed out in good time.

“The party is run with a lot of consultations. So, it is not unusual that our leader met with another respected leader of our party privately. I do not have details of what was discussed but I have no doubt it is nothing less than how to move our dear nation forward.”

Calls to the mobile telephone numbers of Tinubu’s media aide, Sunday Dare and the National Publicity Secretary of the APC, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, indicated that they were unavailable as of the time of filing this report (8:05pm).

I’ll lead massive campaign against APC – Bode George

Chief Bode George

The leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Lagos State, Chief Bode George, says the loss his party suffered in the presidential election has strengthened his resolve to ensure victory for his party in Lagos.

He, therefore, said that he would strategise and lead a massive campaign against the All Progressives Congress, which has been in power in Lagos for the past 16 years.

George told our correspondent during a telephone interview on Wednesday that he would lead the campaign of the PDP governorship candidate, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, like an army general.

He said, “I am here and I will be at the centre of operation. The people of Lagos also want a change and we are going to be here to lead the battle. The battle is on and the people of Lagos want a change and we will ensure that we get it right.

“Lagos people know that this administration has mismanaged their resources. We are not leaving anything undone. We will reach out to the people during the campaigns.”

George said he would never defect to another party. “I will remain a member of the PDP till I leave this world,” he said.

The PDP leader denied reports that he said he would go on exile following the victory of Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential polls.

He said he would rather travel outside the country for a while in order to finish writing his autobiography, saying he had been unable to finish the book because of his busy schedule.

He said, “I have been travelling long before now and now I need a long rest. I am 70 and I need to tidy up my memoirs and if you want to do that, you need a lot of time away from all of the hassles. But it does not mean I will no longer be a Nigerian. I have no personal grudge against Buhari or all the other people.

“We are in two different parties with different ideologies and if he is the President, I have no objection and I wish him the best of luck. The break will give me time. Rather than running up and down to Abuja, I will be there (abroad) writing my memoirs and doing other things for myself. Of course I will come back, my mother is still alive. I am not scampering out of Nigeria.”

Power brokers who’ll lose influence after May 29

In this piece, OLALEKAN ADETAYO and eniola akinkuotu write on the influential personalities that will be largely affected by President Goodluck Jonathan’s exit

Mrs Jonathan, Alison-Madueke and Clark

That President Goodluck Jonathan lost the March 28 presidential election is no longer news. Although he has been in the saddle for about six years, he has not been leading the country alone. By virtue of being very close to the President, there are men and women who have been wielding huge influence on his Presidency.

It is therefore no gainsaying that Jonathan did not lose this election alone. These people calling the shots from their various comfort zones are also losers in their own right. Who are these President’s men and women?

Mrs. Patience Jonathan

Mrs. Patience Jonathan is the wife of the President. Like wives of Presidents before her, she runs the Office of the First Lady with glamour despite the fact that the office is not recognised in the nation’s constitution. So powerful is the woman who prefers to be called Mama Peace that she was also elected the President of the African First Ladies Mission, a body of wives of Presidents across the continent. She also founded a non-governmental organisation, Women for Change, which has the mandate of empowering women nationwide.

The influence she wields cannot be measured. Her hands seem to be on everything. She is believed to be the unseen hand behind the travail of a former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, which denied him a second term ticket. The former governor was made uncomfortable in the Peoples Democratic Party until he left to join the All Progressives congress.

They replaced Sylva with Governor Seriake Dickson. The current governor tried hard to please the President’s wife to the extent that she was made a Permanent Secretary in the state. The honeymoon, however, did not last. Dickson also ran into troubled water with the woman who is said to have pencilled down the Special Assistant to the President on Domestic Matters, Dr. Wariponmowei Dudafa, as the next governor. She has since resigned her appointment from the state job.

It is also a known fact the problem between the President and Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State which forced the governor out of the PDP started with a disagreement he had with Mrs. Jonathan over the demolition of some houses in Okrika, the ancestral home of the President’s wife.

To get something in this government, you must be in the good books of Mrs. Jonathan. That is why government officials and their spouses bow and tremble before her.

Senator Pius Anyim

Okonjo-Iweala, Anyim

Anyim is the Secretary to the Government of the Federation. By virtue of his position, he is a big man (not about his stature) in the cabinet. He coordinates the activities of ministers.

Because of his closeness to the President, the former President of the Senate wields huge influence. He was accused of providing cover for the former Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, when she was facing fire over the two bulletproof BMW cars bought for her. To avoid journalists, Oduah was on many occasions driven out of the Presidential Villa after weekly Federal Executive Council meetings in Anyim’s official car.

He is also alleged to have a hand in the crisis rocking the state chapter of the PDP in his home state, Ebonyi. The state governor, Martin Elechi, had claimed that Anyim was the brain behind the impeachment process initiated against him by some members of the state House of Assembly.

His camp was accused of foisting the state Deputy Governor, Dave Umahi, on the people as the PDP governorship candidate in the April 11 governorship election at a time when Elechi was rooting for a former Minister of Health, Prof. Onyebuchi Chukwu. The situation has forced many PDP stakeholders in the state to be working for the Labour Party.

Diezani Alison-Madueke

Alison-Madueke is the Minister of Petroleum Resources. To say that she is one of the most influential ministers in Jonathan’s cabinet is an understatement. She is very powerful. She is one of the few ministers who are driven straight into the forecourt of the President’s office through the Service Chiefs’ Gate. Others always walk a distance of about 300metres from where their official cars are parked to the President’s office.

The minister was recently elected the first female President of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries. Three weeks after, she was also appointed the first female President of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.

So powerful is she that she dragged the House of Representatives to court to stop the House from probing her for allegedly spending N10bn on the charter and maintenance of a jet for unofficial purposes. The Presidency remained quiet over the issue.

Alison-Madueke is no doubt a super minister in Jonathan’s cabinet.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Okonjo-Iweala is the Minister of Finance. Jonathan elevated her slightly below the Vice-President when he named her the Coordinating Minister for the Economy.

During a typical FEC meeting, ministers mill around the woman because of the kind of influence she wields in the cabinet. They consult her before presenting any memo to the council since they would need money to finance them.

Many Nigerians call Okonjo-Iweala the nation’s de facto Prime Minister.

Governor Godswill Akpabio

Akpabio is the Akwa Ibom State Governor. He is also the Chairman of the PDP Governors’ Forum. Without any fear of contradiction, he can be said to be the closest governor to the President.

The governor supports Jonathan to a fault. The PDP Governors’ Forum that he chairs was formed to solely drum support for Jonathan in the face of continued friction between the Presidency and the Rotimi Amaechi-led Nigeria Governors’ Forum.

He is also one of the governors who formed the parallel NGF being led by Governor Jonah Jang of Plateau State. In supporting Jonathan vehemently, however, Akpabio had unknowingly been enlisting more enemies for the President.

Chief Edwin Clark

Clark is not a government official but he wields the influence that is more than what a government official can do. He sees and carries himself like the President’s father.

The residence of the First Republic Minister of Information is like Mecca. Those in search of government jobs or contracts visit him regularly while government officials who want to remain in the President’s good book also lay siege to Clark’s house.

He is one of those who held the belief that Jonathan must be re-elected or we should all forget about what is called Nigeria.

Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu

Mu’azu is the National Chairman of the PDP. Popularly called “the game changer,” Muazu took over the office when the PDP governors moved against the then chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur.

By virtue of that position, the former governor of Bauchi State is very influential in and outside the government. He has inputs in many of government’s decisions.

With his party losing control of the Federal Government as well as its waning popularity in Bauchi, Mu’azu may be idle politically for the next four years.

Tompolo

For former Niger Delta militant, Government Ekpemupolo, otherwise known as Tompolo, power will not remain the same after May 29 when Buhari takes over government.

In 2009, he was declared the most wanted man in Nigeria by the Joint Task Force for allegedly killing 11 soldiers but his story has since changed following the amnesty he received from President Umaru Yar’Adua and his closeness to Jonathan.

So powerful is the ex-militant that not only did he ensure that his younger brother was made a local government chairman in Delta State, he reportedly nominated the current Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Ziadeke Akpobolokemi.

NIMASA awarded a N15bn contract to Global West Vessel Specialist Limited, a firm widely believed to be owned by Tompolo, to supply 20 vessels for the use of the nation’s military authorities to secure the waterways.

So powerful he is that he even stopped the President from going to Delta State to inaugurate the Export Processing Zone following a misunderstanding with Itsekiri leaders. He reportedly influenced Jonathan to sack a Minister of Transport, Yusuf Suleiman, following a disagreement.

With Jonathan’s imminent exit from Aso Rock, Tompolo’s influence will definitely decline.

Senator David Mark

Although he has made history by becoming the first senator to win a fifth term, Mark’s influence will wane in the 8th National Assembly.

Mark, who is also the nation’s longest serving Senate president, cannot retain his seat since the All Progressives Congress now controls the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly. At best, Mark can be made the minority leader.

Mark made life easy for Jonathan throughout the President’s tenure and defended the President even to a fault. He came under fire recently when he reportedly manipulated the screening process that ensured Senator Musiliu Obanikoro − who was accused of rigging the Ekiti State governorship election − was confirmed a minister.

Besides getting Obanikoro confirmed, Mark has never blocked any of Jonathan’s ministerial nominations.

Last year, he convinced his colleagues not to pass a vote of no confidence in Jonathan over the President’s failure to curb insecurity. In November last year, he foiled a move by some senators to impeach Jonathan.

In return, Jonathan gave him several benefits including the nomination of some ministers in his cabinet.

Jonathan’s defeat and the waning power of the PDP in the senate has certainly relegated Mark to the background.

Chief Tony Anenih

Anenih is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP. He took over from former President Olusegun Obasanjo who resigned from office because of some anomalies he noticed in the running of the party.

The former Minister of Works who hails from the South-South, the same geopolitical zone with the President, has never hidden his support for Jonathan.

Long ago, it was Anenih who first said it publicly that the President should be given an offer of first refusal as far as the party’s presidential candidacy is concerned.

He wields no small influence in the Presidency.