May 29Th 2013 has come and gone. The Democracy
day celebrated marking the 14Th year of the return to a Democratic
Government. Listening to score cards yesterday on the various media from the
sublime to the ridiculous, one could tell certainly that the Politicians had
little or no records of achievements to count but the people’s records of dissatisfaction
were innumerable. So, I asked myself a big question; who has been responsible
for the development/non development during the 14 year period in view? The
general answer is ‘all Nigerians’. However, you will agree with me more
specifically that certain people to whom responsibilities have been trusted are
more responsible than the rest of Nigerians. Permit me therefore, to take your
time and review to you these people who should account for the 14 years.
PRESIDENTS
On May 29Th 1999, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo took
power as the first president of the fourth republic. He ruled for four years
and was re-elected for a second term in 2003. He attempted a third term but it
was an effort in futility. He handed over to Umaru Musa Yar’adua (deceased) in
2007. Yar’adua died in 2010 and his Deputy Goodluck Jonathan became president
to complete the four year term which ended in 2011. Jonathan then contested and
won elections in 2011 to become the 3rd president of the forth
republic.
SENATE PRESIDENTS
Sen. Chuba Okadigbo (deceased) was the first senate
president of the fourth republic. He was impeached in 2000 and Sen. Anyim Pius
Anyim replaced him. He lasted in that capacity until 2003. Enter Sen. Aldolphus
Wabara who handed power to Sen. Ken Nnamani in 2005. Ken Nnamani handed over to
Sen. David Alechenu Mark in 2007. Mark became the first to be re-elected
president of the senate in 2011 and has been senate president to date.
GOVERNORS
ABIA
In 1999, Orji Uzor Kalu was elected governor of the state on the
return of democratic rule. He ruled for four years and was re-elected in 2003
for a second term. He handed over power to Theodore A. Orji in 2007. Theodore
Orji was also re-elected in 2011 and is governor to date.ADAMAWA
The government house of this state had certain fancies. Boni Harunna was governor in 1999 and re-elected in 2003. He handed over to Murtala Nyako in 2007. Nyako was suspended for two months (Feb 26 – April 29) a period which saw James Barka as acting governor. Nyako reclaimed power on April 29 2008 and is still governor of the state.
AKWA-IBON
Governor Victor Obong Attah was governor of two successive terms;
1999 t0 2003 and 2003 to 2007. He handed power to Godswill Akpabio who is also enjoying the
second term to date.ANAMBRA
This state has been politically excited. Chinwoke Mbadinuju claimed the mantle of leadership in 1999 and ruled for one term. Came Sen. Chris Ngige (2003 - 2006) whose election was nullified to grant power to Peter Obi in 2006. It was not easy for Peter Obi as he suffered impeachment in Nov. 2006 and his deputy Virginia Etiaba acted for four months, becoming the first ever female governor in the history of Nigerian politics. Obi challenged his impeachment and reclaimed power on the 9 0f Feb. 2007. When after the elections in April 2007, Andy Uba was declared winner of the polls, Peter Obi again went to court to challenge the declaration on the ground that his tenure of four years only started in 2006. He won, bringing an abrupt end to Andy Uba’s rule. Peter Obi’s rule of four years ended in 2010 when he again re-contested and won elections for another four years.
BAUCHI
Politically calm, saw Adamu Muazu ascend to power in 1999 and enjoyed two terms. He handed over to Isa Yuguda in 2007. Yuguda is also enjoying his second term to date.
BAYELSA
This is another melodrama state. First on stage was popular
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha (1999-2005) whose act was quite entertaining. He left
the stage rather prematurely on accounts of gross misconduct and Goodluck Jonathan succeeded him in 2005.
Jonathan ruled for two years and was picked as PDP presidential running mate
for Umaru Yar’adua in 2007. This team won and Jonathan became Vice president of
Nigeria. Timipre Sylva was declared governor after 2007 polls again the stage was
heated following the challenge of this result by Sylva’s opponent and Silva’s
election was nullified to see Werinipre Seibarugo (the then speaker of the
state house) as acting governor until a repeat election. Silva again won and was
inaugurated on may 28 2008. On
January 27, 2012, his tenure was teminated by the Supreme Court with an acting
governor (Nester Binabo) appointed to oversee the state until the election of
February 2012. Henry Dickson won the 2012 elections and is current governor.BENUE
BORNO
Mala Kachalla (1999 - 2003) and Ali Modu Sheriff (2003 - date). Sheriff is enjoying the 3rd term.
CROSS-RIVER
Also politically calm, this state has seen only two leaders since
1999. They are Donald Duke who did two terms (1999 - 2007) and Current Governor
Liyel Imoke who is also enjoying his 2nd term.EDO
Chief Lucky Igbinedion did two straight tenures from 1999 to 2007 and handed power to Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor whose election was nullified in 2008 and his opponent Comrade Adams Oshiomhole was declared winner by the tribunal. Adams was again re-elected in 2012 and is current governor.
EKITI
Ekiti state has had her drama too. It was Niyi Adebayo from 1999
to 2003. He left stage for Ayo Fayose who was not fit enough to dance the
surugede dance. He was removed in 2006 and Friday Aderemi acted for 1 day when
an administrator (Tunji Olurin) was appointed to serve until 27th
April 2007. An acting governor was installed in the person of Tope Ademiluyi (April
27 – May 29 2007) when after elections Segun Oni was declared governor. This
declaration was protested by his opponent Dr. Kayode Fayemi. There was violence
in the state and in 2010, a re-run produced Dr. Kayode Fayemi as governor. He
is governor to date.ENUGU
In Enugu state, it was the one time This Day governor of the year Chimaroke Nnamani that started leadership in 1999 and enjoyed two successive terms. He handed power to Sullivan Chime, who although contestably too ill to run the affairs of the state, is currently ruling for the second time.
GOMBE
In Gombe, only Mohammed Danjuma Goje has had two terms (2003 t0 2011). In 1999 it was Abubakar Hashidu and he did just a term. At present, Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo is the governor of the state.
IMO
Similar to Gombe, Imo has been calm too. It was Achike Udenwa from 1999 o 2007 then Ikedi Ohakin who could not repeat power in 2011 as Rochas Okorocha was, so to say, wanted by the people.
JIGAWA
Ibrahim SaminunTuraki (1999 to 2007) and Sule Lamido (2007 to date)
KANO
Musa Kwankwaso was governor in 1999 and handed power to Mallam Ibrahin Shekarau. The baton was again returned to Kwankwaso after the 2011 polls.
KADUNA
Ahmed Makarfic (1999 to 2007), Mohammed Namadi Sambo (2007 to 2010 whem he had to leave for the V. President spot after Jonathan became president following Yar’adua’s death). His deputy, Patrick Ibrahim Nyako then ascended to power as governor but had a short lived tenure after he died in a Helicopter crash in 2012. Muktar Ramalan Yero took over the mantle of leadership since then.
KEBBI
Power is sweet. Adamu Aliero can tell better. He ruled Kebbi state for three terms (1999 to 2007) and handed power to Usman Saidu Dakingari. There was a brief leadership break for Dakingari when Aminu Musa Jega acted as governor in Feb. 2012. Dakingari returned to power almost immediately and is still governor.
KOGI
Prince Abubakar Audu was governor from 1999 to 2003. He did not
find favour with his people and could not be re-elected in 2003. Instead,
Ibrahim Idris was elected. Idris also saw a brief off the stage moment which
saw Clarence Olafemi in the government
house from Feb 6 to March 29 2008. Idris reclaimed power and rulled till
the 2011 polls. Idris Wada is now the governor.
KWARA1999 was Mohammed Lawal who lasted only for one term. In 2003, Bukola Saraki became governor and a ‘family affair’ thing was attempted in 2011 to bring another Saraki but it failed. Abdulfatal Ahmed is governor of the state.
LAGOS
Bola Ahmed Tinubu ruled from 1999 to 2007 for two consecutive terms and handed over to Babatunde Raji Fashola who is also enjoying his second term.
NASARAWA
Abdulahi Adamu did a double (1999 to 2007) and handed over to Aiu
Akwei Doma in 2007, who succumbed to Umaru Al-Makura’s ambitions in the 2011
polls.
ONDO
He was the oldest governor by age. Adebayo Adefarati ruled for
only a term and handed over to Segun Agagu in 2003. Agagu’s election was voided
in 2009 to give way to his arch rival Olusegun Mimiko. Mimi was again
re-elected after his four year term. He is still governor.
OSUN
Adebisi Akande was governor in 1999 and ruled for a term. In 2003, Olagunsoye Oyinlola
became governor and re-contested and was declared winner in the 2011 polls. His
opponent Rauf Aregbesola challenged his victory at the tribunal but failed. He appealed
and was granted victory in 2010 following a court ruling that Oyinlola did not
win in 2007. Aregbesola has been governor since then. Of note, Oyinlola had at
one time during his rule banned the Igbos from parading themselves as Eze Ndigbo (King of Igbo) in the state.
OYO
The rich culture people had Lam Adesina as first governor of the
fourth republic. He handed over to Rashidi Ladoja in 2003. Ladoja was lost
favour of the political heavy weights in the state, specifically Lamidi Adedibu, and was
impeached in 2006. His impeachment saw his deputy Christopher Alao-Akala took over power until the impeachment was
nullified and Ladoja resumed office. However, he failed to obtain ticket for
the second term. Instead, Akala was favoured and he won the polls to return as
governor in 2007. He handed over to Abiola Ajimobi who is current governor.
RIVERS
Peter Odili (1999 – 2007). In 2007 Chris Omehia (May to October
2007) emerged governor but was battled by Rotimi Amaechi. Ameachi won this
battle and has been governor since then. As you may all know, Amaechi is
trending now following the NGF election saga.
YOBE
Bukar Ibrahim (1999 - 2007). He handed over to Mamman Bello Ali in
2007 who died in 2009 and Ibrahim Geidan became governor and has been governor
to date.
ZAFARA
The Sharia state was first ruled by Ahmed Sani Yerima for two
terms from 1999 to 2007. Then came Mahmud Shinkafi (2007 to 2011) and now
Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari who is current governor of the state.
Remember that most of the names mentioned above are now either
senators or ministers or some other form of political appointments.
Long Live Nigeria!
Long Live The People!
_Andropov Abuul.
