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The Task Before A Patriot In Choosing A Running Mate

Published

2 years ago

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By Tai Emeka Obasi

While politicians, in the real sense of the word, are forever interested in how to win an election, patriots are deeply concerned with how to improve dear nation by his/her actions at all times.

The major problems we encounter as a democratic nation is that politicians, who are supposed to be diligently selfless in the discharge of their duties are the most selfish set of beings in our society. Hence, any candidate of any major political party seeking for an executive office searches for the best partner with intent of winning the election as the only consideration.

But here is a nation that has survived on the fringes of running mates for over a decade. President Umaru Yar’Adua didn’t go through even half of his first term before illness and eventual death disrupted his good intentions. Was his running mate able to deliver on the solid structure the patriot outlined before his unfortunate demise? Your guess is as good as mine.

President Muhammadu Buhari, dogged by serious health challenges that hoisted the nation on auto pilot for most of his seven years in power, hasn’t effectively been in full physical charge to deliver on his firm promises. Has the man he chose as running mate been able to effectively take charge in the disruptive absence of the man many Nigerians voted for? Again another guess to be pondered about.

Had Nigerians been allowed to choose the next leaders after Yar’Adua and Buhari, would they have chosen HE Goodluck Jonathan and HE Prof Yomi Osinbajo? Again, another good guess.

Narrowing to HE Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential candidate…here is a man, whose first year in office was equally disrupted by a mindless impeachment. What if the judges in court that returned him after three months were as corrupt as those members of the State House of Assembly that executed the illegal impeachment? We would have been stuck with Obi’s deputy for at least the remainder of the first term. Would HE Dame Virgy Etiaba, a woman chosen basically to balance gender and denomination, been able to continue with the solid plans laid down by Obi? Another guess worth chewing about.

Yesterday, Obi announced the choice of Dr. Doyin Okupe in the ‘interim capacity’ as his running mate. Any kid in kindergarten knows this was just to beat INEC deadline which struck at the hour of 1800 yesterday being June 17.

The former two-term governor of Anambra State has said he’s not desperate to be president but rather desperate to see a working Nigeria of our dreams. And he meant every word.

Such a man wouldn’t just go for any running mate just to help him win the election. He will diligently search for a personality, who would deliver on the major promise, amongst others, of turning around our dear country from consumption to production economy. He is always futuristic. He planned Anambra State beyond 2050 and started saving to actualise the great dreams he had of the youths and general well-being of his dear people. He might not be around in 2050 but he had planned for those that would to enjoy a far better society than he met.

The man we also call Okwute would want to settle for a running mate, who can deliver on the promises he is making to Nigerians should any reason make him unavailable at any time of their tenure. That is how selfless he is and that is as patriotic as he can be.

Finding such personality within just about three weeks he joined the Labour Party isn’t just an easy task. Such a personality, as difficult it is to find in a hurry, will also satisfy other moral obligations of being a Muslim as well as coming from the Northern part of the country.

As the search continues, we wish Obi, his team and Labour Party God’s guidance in unearthing the most suitable choice. The march to turnaround Nigeria has already started. Finding a selfless and patriotic running mate is as important as the candidate most Nigerians have already chosen.

We, as a people, should get our PVC, continue supporting and building our structure. Something very good is cooking. I can perceive it.

#PeterObiIsComing
#NigeriaNeedsPeterObi.

(Tai Emeka Obasi, a public affairs analyst, wrote in from Abuja)

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Politics

Soludo Appoints Law Mefor as Anambra Commissioner for Information

Published

3 months ago

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September 18, 2024

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By Elizabeth Okwe

The governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, has appointed renowned media consultant and Forensic Psychologist Dr Law Mefor as the state’s commissioner for information.

In a statement on Tuesday by Christian Aburime, the chief press secretary (CPS) to the governor, Soludo expressed confidence in Mefor’s ability to foster a robust information environment in the state.

The governor also commended Nwosu for his contributions as commissioner for information during his time and wished him the best in his future endeavours.

“The governor of Anambra state, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, has approved the appointment of Dr. Law Mefor, who has been sworn in as the new commissioner for information in Anambra state,” the statement reads.

“Dr. Mefor replaces Sir Paul Nwosu, who has moved on after over ten years of meritorious service to the Anambra state government.

“Dr. Law Mefor, a distinguished academic and public intellectual, brings a wealth of experience to his new position.

“With an impressive academic portfolio, he holds a Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, alongside degrees in General and Applied Psychology from the University of Jos, Forensic Psychology from Nasarawa State University, a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Calabar, and a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja.

“Over the years, Dr. Mefor has established himself as an educator and media consultant, lecturing for over a decade at the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja.

“He has also made significant contributions as a syndicated columnist, publishing thought-provoking articles in TheCable and various online and mainstream newspapers.

“Wishing him success as he assumes his new role, Governor Soludo expressed confidence in Dr. Mefor’s ability and extensive experience to strengthen the communication machinery of the state and foster a more vibrant information environment for the government’s developmental strides.

“Also, the governor commended Sir Paul Nwosu for his dedication and contributions during his tenure as Commissioner for Information, wishing him the very best in his future endeavours.”

A perfect choice 

Meanwhile,  the choice of Dr Law Mefor as the state’s commissioner for information by Governor Soludo has been described as a fit-to-type one which will raise the bar in the state’s information management.

According to Public Affairs Consultant and Chief Executive Officer of Sunrise Media Limited, publishers of SunriseNigeria magazine and sunrisengr.com, Dr James Odaudu, Dr Mefor is not only a consumate academician but also a thoroughbred media professional with a wide reach who will definitely deploy his wealth of experience and professional expertise to make a difference.

In a congratulatory message to the new commissioner, Odaudu expressed the hope that he will continue in his well-documented trajectory of devoted service to his people which has been his hallmark even as a private practitioner.

The SunriseNigeria publisher assured the Commissioner of his organisation’s readiness to partner with the Anambra state government to achieve its desired goals in information dissemination and public engagement.

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International

Some Top Republicans Secretly Pray for Kamala Harris Massive Win

Published

3 months ago

on

September 5, 2024

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By Dan Ladden-Hall

It seems it’s not just Democrats who are hoping that Donald Trump will be dealt a devastating defeat in November.

Several notable Republican figures also want the former president to lose to Kamala Harris but aren’t saying so publicly, according to Politico. Some GOP lawmakers see the possibility of a new Trump term as bad news for the party, the outlet reports.

Among those concerned are proponents of free market economic policies who are concerned by Trump’s proposed import tariffs, while abortion rights opponents are also skeptical of his inconsistent messaging on that issue, according to Politico.

They’re also reportedly concerned that Trump winning in 2024 could hurt the GOP’s electoral chances in the future.

“There’s a lot of anxiety about what Trump does to Republican ability to win in 2028—and what he also may do to the party in terms of policy long term,” one anonymous conservative leader told Politico. “There is just this concern that like, ‘OK, if the party just goes in that direction, then what kind of party is it going forward? And can conservatives, then, have a home going forward?’”

The outlet also claims concerned Republicans hope Trump’s loss is by a wide margin in order to help stifle any attempts to cast doubt on the legitimacy of his hypothetical defeat.

In a separate column, Politico’s columnist Jonathan Martin claimed the best outcome for the future of the Republican Party is for Trump to “lose soundly” in November.

“For most Republicans who’ve not converted to the Church of MAGA, this scenario is barely even provocative,” Martin writes. “In fact, asking around with Republicans last week, the most fervent private debate I came across in the party was how best to accelerate Trump’s exit to the 19th Hole.”

In a statement, Trump spokesperson Brian Hughes told the outlet that Trump has “unified the GOP like never before” and “expanded his coalition of support across partisan lines to Democrats and Independents.”

“Our campaign and down-ballot Republicans are poised for a great result in November, despite a few hand-wringing, anonymous sources who are not bold enough to attach their names to this drivel,” Hughes added.

* Reuters

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Politics

Former Finance Minister, Nenadi Usman Emerges Labour Party Caretaker Chairman

Published

3 months ago

on

September 4, 2024

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As part of efforts to bring the seeming intractable crisis that has bedeviled the Party since the 2023 elections, the Labour Party on Wednesday announced the composition of a 29-man caretaker committee to be chaired by former Minister of Finance, Senator Nenadi Usman.

Similarly, the Immediate-past Senate Minority Deputy Leader, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, was appointed to serve as Secretary to the committee which will midwife an election of a new leadership of the party within the next 90 days.

This development effectively ended the tenure of the party’s erstwhile National Chairman, Julius Abure and members of his executive Committee.

The party reached the resolution at the end of the Party’s NEC/Extended Stakeholders meeting held at Government House Umuahia, according to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor of Abia State, Ukoha Njoku,

He said that the Terms of Reference of the Committee include, ensuring the conduct of Ward, Local Government, State Congresses and National Convention as soon as possible and in accordance with the Constitution of the Labour Party.

READ ALSO: More Moles Will Be Exposed, Fumigated Out — Labour Party

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At the end of the NEC/Extended Stakeholders Meeting held in Umuahia, the Abia State Capital, a roll call was conducted and the meeting was confirmed to be duly convened that a 29-member Caretaker Committee was constituted immediately to ensure that there is no vacuum in the Leadership of the Party.

Other members representing various interest groups including NLC, TUC, Senate, House of Representatives, House of Assembly, and Gubernatorial Candidates in the last election.

The meeting equally commended Governor Alex Otti for his leadership in hosting the meeting and enjoined members of the party to support the Caretaker Committee to achieve its mandates.

The resolution named other members of the Committee to include 3 Senators, 4 members of House of Representatives, 3 members from States House of Assembly, 3 members from the Nigeria Labour Congress, 3 members from the Trade Union Congress, 3 members from the Gubernatorial Candidates in the last election among others.

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The Governor of Abia state, Alex Otti, said that the meeting was convened to deal with the existential problems confronting the party and chart a way forward for the Party.

He noted that the tenure of the National working Committee of the Party headed by Bar. Julius Abure had elapsed since 10th of June 2024 and called on all stakeholders of the party to join forces together to resolve every internal problems of the party.

Governor Otti said that the overall interest of all Labour Party Stakeholders is the survival of the party and not necessarily the composition of the NWC as far as it is constitutionally composed.

Also Speaking, the National Leader of the party and Presidential Candidate in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, said that all they are doing is to follow the guidelines established by law to save the party from total collapse.

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He noted that Labour Party being the third largest party in Nigeria has the potential of being the brightest if things are put in the right perspective and urged members of the party to give the caretaker Committee the needed support to enable it succeed in its assignments.

Responding on behalf of members of the caretaker Committee, the Chairman, Senator Usman thanked the National Leader of the party Mr. Peter Obi and other stakeholders for finding them fit for the task and assured that they will justify the confidence reposed in them.

Highlights of the meeting was the reaffirmation of the solid confidence in the leadership of the National Leader of the party Mr. Peter Obi and the resolution that all members with legal case against the party should withdraw same for the overall interest of the party.

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