It was the late economist, John Kenneth Galbraith, in the book: “The Nature of Mass Poverty,” who warned that: “Poverty is man’s (and woman’s) most powerful and massive affliction. It is the progenitor of much further pain – from hunger and disease on to civil conflict and war itself.” In our case in Nigeria, beyond our self-inflicted ethnic and religious conflicts, poverty is also at the root of all the kidnappings, abductions and banditry.
Browsing: Salihu Moh. Lukman
Another gentleman, on the platform of Prof. Toyin Falola-facilitated USA Africa Dialogue Series, asked the questions: “Are the parties (APC and PDP) anything more than instruments for capturing power? Do they have any significant ideological values? Are their members not the same people who have crisscrossed parties in the name of where to gain power?”
No doubt such a damning report should be disturbing to every Nigerian, including the President. For a government that prioritises the fight against corruption to have been condemn in the way the CPI report did, it is not only indicting but troubling.
Such messages are conveniently presented with often hypothetical identity of Nigerians bearing them. In this particular case, Prince Ifeanyi Sunday, who from the name, appear to be an Igbo man from the South East Nigeria, is the bearer.
This is clearly what is at play since the statement issued by His Excellency, Rotimi Akeredolu, on January 18, 2021 asking herdsmen to vacate Forest Reserves in Ondo State within seven days as well as banning night-grazing with immediate effect. The objective of the Ondo State Government was well articulated, which is to ensure that the forest reserves in Ondo State are disallowed from being used as hideouts for kidnappers, bandits and other criminals.
As loyal members of the All Progressives Congress and importantly as patriotic Nigerians, we need to appeal to our leaders, in particular President Muhammadu Buhari, to kindly and urgently hasten intervention through appropriate civic engagement across every parts of the country to ensure restoration of peace in the country.
The PGF is the umbrella body for the governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress.
No party in the history of Nigerian politics survived leadership crisis of the magnitude experienced in the APC, leading to the dissolution of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led NWC. From the First Republic to the current Fourth Republic, all political parties that went through leadership crisis ended up with divisions and breakaways. None survived and remained united.
Without any attempt to qualify electoral experiences since 2019, every member and leader of APC should be troubled. Being troubled should have spurred us into some sober reflections with the objective of remedying the situation.
The DG levelled the accusation in a memo he forwarded to the Chief Bisi Akande-led APC National Reconciliation Committee
The PGF is the umbrella body of Governors elected on the platform of the APC.
Although the President’s message is very clear, it risks being taken for granted and in the process simply become noted and no one, especially the party leadership, represented by the National Chairman, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and the Governors who the President directed his request to, will take any action or steps to ensure that the vision of institutionalising the party is achieved.
My teacher and mentor, both academically and in the practical world of politics and activism since the 1980s, Prof. Jibrin Ibrahim (Mallam Jibo), in his Daily Trust column of April 5, 2019 argued that the decision of the All Progressives Congress leadership
Events in the All Progressives Congress are curiously presenting very distinctive features especially in relation to contests for 2019 elections. A major unfolding change scenario is the issue of exercising political leadership prerogatives by President and Governors
Finally, President Muhammadu Buhari is meeting the expectations of diehard supporters. These are people who faithfully and anxiously have been loyal to that stubborn, indiscriminate and incorrigible anti-corruption fighter
Why are public statements issued by individuals and organizations? Are they just reflection of some desire to disseminate information based on some perspectives? To seek for relevance and recognition? Could it be for material and financial rewards? Is it to influence choices or endorsements by citizens, public officials, authorities
The position of the governors, elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, was contained in a statement signed by the Director General of the PGF, Salihu Moh. Lukman