ACTORS OF THE 14 EPISODES OF THE DEMOCRACY

May 29^Th 2013 has come and gone. The Democracy day celebrated marking the 14^Th 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 29^Th 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 3^rd 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

Sen. Dr. George Akume enjoyed two straight terms from 1999 to 2007. He then handed power to Gabriel T. Suswan. Suswan again fought power away from opposing ACN’s Prof. Ugba. Although ACN is still challenging PDP’s victory is this state, Suswan is the ruling governor.

BORNO
Mala Kachalla (1999 - 2003) and Ali Modu Sheriff (2003 - date). Sheriff is enjoying the 3^rd 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.

 DELTA

James Ibori (1999 - 2007) and Emmanuel Uduaghan (2007 to date).

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 27^th 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.

KWARA
1999 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.

 NIGER

Abdukadir Kure was the first to lead when democracy returned. He gently handed over to Babangida Aliu in 2003. Aliu however became power drunk and after a second term in 2011, he re-contested and won controversially in the April 2011 polls even as he was allegedly denied a ticket by his party PDP. It may be a thing of the Babangidas to love power. (Just an opinion)

 OGUN

Olusegun Osaba (1999 to 2003). Handed over to Gbenga Daniel who ruled from 2003 for two terms to 20011. Ibikunle Amosun then became governor from 2011 to date.

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.

 SOKOTO

Attahiru Bafarawa ruled for two terms from 1999 to 2007. He gave power to Aliyu Wamakko whose election was later annulled on grounds that he was still a member of the ANPP when he won the PDP nomination. Abdulahi Balarabe (April 2008 to May 2008) was appointed acting governor. There was re-run and Wamakko won. He is still governor of the state.

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.

 

With the last entry, I have concluded the record of the leaders of the 14 years of democracy since it returned in 1999. Their achievements have deliberately been left to your judgement.

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.