Buhari’s appointments: A tilt towards the North

LEKE BAIYEWU examines the controversy that has continued to trail President Muhammadu Buhari’s appointments, which are seen as lopsided to favour a particular section of the country

Amidst grievances from the different parts of the country over the appointments made by President Muhammadu Buhari, which are widely believed to be lopsided in favour of the North, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Ita Enang, on Wednesday dismissed such insinuations.

Enang, who is from Akwa Ibom State in the South-South geopolitical zone of the country, at an event in Abuja, said the Federal Government deserved the support of the Cross River and Akwa Ibom people as well as the entire inhabitants of the South-South because the current administration had been kind to them and generous in terms of appointments from the two states.

He noted that Buhari gave the two states the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation and Chief of Naval Staff.

Enang said, “He (Buhari) has given us the Chief of Naval Staff, a very high ranking officer in the federal security council. He has given us the Minister of Budget (and National Planning) and, then, my humble self, as the Senior Special Assistant (to the President) on National Assembly Legislative Matters. He has also given us the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs.

“In the entire South-South region, he gave us Minister of Transportation in charge of about three ministries merged together. He also gave us the Minister (of State) of Petroleum.

“When I see people trying to incite others against the President over matters of appointments, I conclude that they are being unfair; and that is why we gather here today to appraise the appointments and to appreciate the President.”

But out of the six appointees in the batch named by Buhari on August 27, 2015, Enang, who defends the lopsidedness, was the only one from the entire southern part of the country.

Along with Enang, the President had approved the appointments of Babachir David Lawal from Adamawa State as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation; Abba Kyari from Borno State as his Chief of Staff; Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd.) from Kano State as Comptroller-General, Nigerian Customs Service; Kure Martin Abeshi from Nasarawa State as Comptroller-General, Nigerian Immigration Service; and Suleiman Kawu from Kano State as SSA on National Assembly Matters (House of Representatives).

Then, several individuals and groups had raised their voice against the perceived preference for the North to the South under the new administration.

It was then that the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, told the critics of the lopsided appointments that the President would respect the Federal Character as stipulated by the Constitution.

He said, “Nobody can fault the fact that the persons appointed were appointed on merits. In terms of the spread, the President has prerogative to appoint and he knows there is Federal Character. I am sure that there will be balance in the future.”

Like Enang, Adesina was the only southerner in his own batch.

The northerners in this batch of appointments were the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura; Acting Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Mrs. Amina Zakari (who succeeded Prof. Attahiru Jega, a northerner, and had since been replaced by another northerner (Prof. Mahmood Yakubu); the Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, Mordecai Danteni Baba Ladan; and the Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris.

Also in the batch were the President’s Chief Security Officer, Abdulrahman Mani; State Chief of Protocol, Abdullahi Kazaure; Aide-De-Camp, Lt.-Col. Muhammed Abubakar; and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu.

Only Adesina, who hails from Osun State in the South-West, came from the South.

The President would later on June 23, 2016, get another CSO, Abdulkarim Dauda (who replaced Mani), and Officer in Charge of Presidential Movement, Kayode Sikiru Akande, after their promotion from the rank of Assistant Commissioner of Police to Deputy Commissioner of Police.

Many observers saw Enang’s epistle on Wednesday as an effort to shoot down the fresh outrage over Buhari’s recent appointments, against their hope in Adesina’s words that the appointments would “balance out.”

The latest public outcry is on the lopsided appointment of heads of security and safety agencies in the country. Less than two weeks ago, several southern groups had kicked against what they described as pro-North appointments.

Findings have showed that 14 of the nation’s 17 security agencies are currently being headed by northerners; only three are from the South, while the majority of them were appointed by President Buhari.

For instance, the current Minister of Interior, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau (retd.), under whose purview are the Nigeria Prisons Service, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Federal Fire Service and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, hails from Kaduna State.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, is from Borno State. The National Security Adviser, Maj-Gen. Babagana Monguno (retd.), is also from Borno State. Also from Borno State is the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr. Ibrahim Magu.

The Minister of Defence, Brig.-Gen. Mansur Dan Ali (retd.), hails from Zamfara State, while the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, is from Bauchi State. The acting Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, hails from Niger State.

Also from Niger State is the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Abdullahi Muhammadu. The Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Musa Daura, is from Katsina State.

All of them are from the North.

However, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, is from Ekiti State in the South-West.

Also from the North are the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Immigration Service, Muhammed Babandede, (Jigawa State); the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service, Col. Hameed Ibrahim Ali (retd.) (Bauchi State); the Controller-General of the Nigeria Prison Service, Ja’afaru Ahmed (Kebbi State); and the Federal Road Safety Commission boss, Corps Marshal Boboye Oyeyemi, is from Kwara State.

But the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Cross River State) is from the South.

The heads of security and safety agencies, who were appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan and have not been replaced, are the Comptroller-General of the Federal Fire Service, Joseph Anebi and the Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency, Sani Didi, from Kaduna State. They are both from the North.

The only Jonathan appointee in this category who remains in the office is the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ayo Oke, from Oyo State.

One of those who criticised the imbalance in the distribution recently was the Secretary General of the Igbo socio-cultural group, Ohanaeze Ndi’gbo, Dr. Joe Nwosu, who said the appointments so far had not reflected the Federal Character as embellished in the country’s Constitution.

He said, “We have been crying out loud since the first appointments — of the ministers were made — when out of the 36 ministers, 24 were chosen from the North. Now that other Nigerians are complaining, it means we are not alone. As a tribe, we have had a long history of marginalisation from governance in Nigeria.

“The President said the appointments were made on merit, so are we now saying that only the Northerners have merit? Where is the federal character which we talk about in Nigeria?”

Nevertheless, two days after the outrage by the southern groups, President Buhari on Monday removed the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Ibe Kachikwu, as Group Managing Director of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation and replaced him with Dr. Maikanti Kacalla Baru.

Kachikwu is from the South; Baru is from the North.

The President also approved the composition of the Board of the NNPC as provided for under Section 1(2) of the corporation Act of 1997, as amended.

The new board would now have Kachikwu as its chairman, while most of the members are northerners. Members of the board are the Baru; Chief of Staff to the President, Abba Kyari; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Finance; Dr. Thomas M.A. John; Dr. Pius O. Akinyelure; Dr. Tajuddeen Umar; Mr. Mohammed Lawal, and Mr. Yusuf Lawal.

The cries of marginalisation, especially from the southern part of the country, did not start now. The criticisms had begun from the first sets of appointments made by the President.

It is mandatory for the President to appoint at least one minister from each of the states in the country to form his cabinet. However, apart from ministers, the President has the powers to appoint whoever he chooses as member of his kitchen cabinet and head of parastatals, agencies, institutions and departments, including members of their boards – who are far more than the presidential cabinet.

In this regard, while a school of thought believes that all geopolitical zones and states have been represented in the Federal Executive Council, to another school of thought, the appointments have been unfair outside the mandatory ministerial appointments.

For instance, before ministerial nominations were made and the ministers were sworn in on November 11 – about six months after Buhari came to power – the president had appointed a number of Nigerians – mostly northerners – into different non-political and executive offices.

By the end of July 2015, the president had appointed nine persons as aides and heads of departments and agencies. Eight of them were from the North, while one was from the South.

By the end of August 2015, of the 30 appointments made by the president, only seven of them came from the southern part of the country, while the rest were northerners. And out of those from the South, none was from the South-East geopolitical zone.

While the alleged lopsided appointments generated protests from within and outside the All Progressive Congress, Buhari had defended his appointments in an interview with BBC Hausa on September 9, 2015, saying he chose those he could trust and who he had worked with over the years.

He said, “If I select people whom I know quite well in my political party; whom we came all the way right from the All Nigeria’s People Party, Congress for Progressive Change and APC, and have remained together in good or bad situation; the people I have confidence in and I can trust them with any post, will that amount to anything wrong?”

Speaking on the appointment controversy, a lecturer of political science in the University of Lagos, Prof. Solomon Akinboye, noted that while he shared the sentiments of those aggrieved by the lopsided appointments, Nigerians should also consider the eligibility and competence of those appointed.

Akinboye, who is also the Dean of the College of Post-Graduate Studies of UNILAG, said, “I also share in the belief that they are a bit lopsided but one has to take into cognisance the fact that some of these appointments are based on certain criteria, irrespective of where somebody comes from. And once that is the case, then, it will be difficult to say that something untoward has been done.”

But another lecturer in the Department of Political Science of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof. Emmanuel Onyebuchi, told SUNDAY PUNCH that all those eligible for various positions cannot all be from a section of the country.

According to the political scientist, Buhari is the President of Nigeria and not that of any particular group. He stated that whether a section of the country voted for him to be president or not, the election had been won and the preoccupation of the president should be how to unite the country.

Onyebuchi said, “A critical analysis of the appointments made so far (by the president) shows that all the appointments are skewed in favour of a particular section (North) of the country, and even within the particular section, a particular geopolitical zone – the North-West. It appears from the appointments made so far that the South is disadvantaged.

“Some people have argued that they (the appointments) are based on merit but I don’t want to believe that we have more qualified people from the North than from the South.”

BREAKING: Former speaker’s father kidnapped

Gunmen have kidnapped Chief Tsegba Gbor, the father of former speaker Pro Tempore of the Federal House of Representatives, Terngu Tsegba.

Gbor was abducted on Saturday at about 8pm at his residence in Adekaa, Gboko-West, Gboko local government area of Benue State.

It was gathered that gunmen stormed the residence of the traditional ruler at about 8pm and whisked the 80-year-old away.

The eldest son of the abducted chief, Mr. Igba Tsegba, told our correspondent that the abductors had yet to make any contact with the family.

He explained that the kidnappers came to his father’s house in Gboko and demanded to see him. When the old man came out, he was bundled into a vehicle and taken to an unknown destination.

Details later…

Osinbajo’s wife visits family of murdered Redeemed preacher

The Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo, on Sunday, visited the family of the late Assistant Pastor of the Divine Touch Parish of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Abuja, who was murdered while evangelising, Saturday morning.

The 42 year-old mother of seven, Mrs. Eunice Olawale was killed by assailants while preaching around Gbazango-West area of Kubwa in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.

Osinbajo, also a pastor of the RCCG, visited the family of the deceased at about 1:30pm and was received by Pastor Elisha Olawale, his children and other church members.

In her condolence message, Osinbajo wrote, “May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.

10 Gems From ScHoolboy Q's Heartfelt Interview

Friday was an emotional day for ScHoolboy Q as he released his Blank Face LP, but also received tragic news. The TDE rapper gave an interview to Letty and Real 92.3 to share the emotions he was experiencing in his own life and put his album into context with what the world is experiencing.
This past week, two Black men, Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, were shot and killed by police. The incidents put the country's racial tensions on full display.

ScHoolboy Q tries to put everything in perspective as he analyzes what's going on and gives his fans 10 insights into his thoughts.

"It's a tragic day for me, even though my album dropped," he says. "To be honest, it's gonna be another day that's gonna be just as tragic. It's called life. We lose people, we bring people into the world. We have expectations on things and then things come out sideways. Nobody's perfect."

ScHoolboy Q Details Breaking Out Of "Retirement"

Earlier this week, ScHoolboy Q shared the story of how he almost stopped making music after his 2014 album, Oxymoron. He said it was a matter of making sure his daughter was his priority in his life. He further details the situation in the new interview.

"I took a break from music to the point where I quit," he says. "I didn't even like tell people I'm retired or tell Top or like Interscope. It was just a thing where it was just like I'm never gonna give 'em my album so they'll get the point."

He says he broke out of his retirement after he "just woke up one day." ScHoolboy Q changed his music making process, which inspired him to formulate Blank Face LP.

"I just put the studio in the crib and it was like, I'd rather just do it that way," he says.

"Blank Face LP" Reflects ScHoolboy Q's Maturity

While Oxymoron told ScHoolboy Q's story balancing being a father and a gangster, the 29-year-old says that he was able to reach a new level of introspection on Blank Face LP.

"I was just in a growing up stage," he says. "I'll be 30 in October. I know I look 45 it's ok. I'll be 30 in October. When you hit that age, it's almost like you done seen things twice. You done experienced things. Things went your way then it didn't go your way. The kid is seven now. I still remember when she was nine months. Life is changing. I'm not really a gangbanger no more, but I also wanted to touch on that and let people know. That's why I got lyrics where I say, 'Let's put the rags down to raise our kids.' I have stuff like that where I say, 'The teachers ain't teaching / The judge taught us numbers / Pops was never home so through the streets we learn colors.' It's just like certain things I woulda never said I woulda been like 'Aw, no, I'm too tough, I can't be going all on that.' That political thing, I just opened up myself and that comes with recording at my house."

The Game & Snoop Dogg Lead Peaceful Rally To Meet With LAPD Officers

 The Game and Snoop Dogg put their words into action today as both West Coast legends led a peaceful rally called H.U.N.T.,

an acronym for "Hate Us Not Today." They led a group of men through the streets of Los Angeles to the police station where they spoke with LAPD officers.

"Live and direct," the Doggfather said in an Instagram video. "Finna get some dialogue with the LAPD, the new recruits, the graduating class of 2016. This is how you make moves, man. You make it happen. You get some dialogue, some understanding with the new recruits before they hit the streets so that way they know that we, just like them, we trying to live and go home and get some understanding, so we advise you all to do the same. Follow protocol."

This comes days after two Black men were shot and killed by police officers this week, Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and Philando Castile in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. Yesterday, five police officers were shot and killed at a rally protesting those men's deaths in Dallas, Texas.

n response to the violence, The Game made the announcement for the rally on his own Instagram page, calling all men of any color to join him and Snoop in walking to the police headquarters. "LEAVE ALL WOMEN & CHILDREN AT HOME... THIS IS OUR MISSION FOR THEM," he says in his caption.

He reinforces the necessity for the protest to be peaceful and advises the attendees to leave all weapons and illegal substances at home. The Compton, California rapper says that the goal of the meeting is to triumph over fear and to create unity.

"Objective: to make the Californian government & it's law branches aware that from today forward, we will be UNIFIED as minorities & we will no longer allow them to hunt us or be hunted by us !!! Let's erase the fear of one another on both sides & start something new here in the city of Los Angeles, a city we all love & share !" he writes.

He continues that this is only the first step in truly solving America's problems, but emphasizes the importance of taking the first step.

"I LOVE EVERY ONE OF YOU & WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES & OUR FAMILIES TO BE MEN & TAKE A STAND MY BROTHERS.. THE TIME IS NOW," he says.

Problem joined in and brought Dunkin Donuts to help nourish the troops.

Beyoncé & Jay Z Cheer on Serena Williams at Wimbledon—to Victory!

When a queen cheers on a queen, one of them is sure to get crowned again.


Beyoncé and husband Jay Z attended Serena Williams' match against Germany's Angelique Kerber at Wimbledon Saturday. Serena beat her opponent 7-5 6-3, winning her seventh Wimbledon singles crown and 22nd Grand Slam title.

Beyoncé wore a white lace outfit with a high collar, while her husband matched her in a white T-shirt. The singer seemed stunned for a moment after Serena won the match, throwing up her arm and cheering seconds after people sitting around her had already gotten up on their feet.

Fresh loan: FG doles out N50bn to 35 states

The Federal Government has begun the disbursement of the first tranche of the N90bn conditional loan facility to some of the 35 states that have so far applied for the loan.


The Minister of Finance, Mrs Kemi Adeosun, had on June 14, while announcing the N90bn conditional loan facility to states, said the funds had been secured from the private sector to state governments through the issuance of bonds in the bond market.

She had during a meeting with commissioners of finance from the 36 states of the federation said the loan would be given within a one year period.


The minister had explained that based on the agreement with the governors of the states and the commissioners of finance, N50bn would be released within the first three months where each of the 36 states would get about N1.3bn.

Thereafter, she noted that N40bn would be released over a nine-month period as the second tranche through the bond market where each state would received the sum of N1.1bn.

Investigations by our correspondent on Saturday in Abuja showed that the ministry of finance had commenced the disbursement from the first tranche of N50bn to some of the 35 states that applied.

It was gathered that Lagos State opted out from accessing the loan and as such did not send in any application.

A top government official, who spoke in confidence, told our correspondent that the precarious situation that most of the states found themselves which had made it impossible for them to pay workers’ salaries made the ministry of finance to start releasing the funds at the end of June.

The official said, “The disbursement of the budget support facility to states has started. Disbursement started in June and has been made to some of the 35 states that applied. Only one state which is Lagos State did not apply for the loan.

“Why we started in June was because of the precarious situation in which many of the states found themselves. There have been complaints about non-payment of salaries and there is no way we can just sit back and watch while workers continue to suffer.

“We have started monitoring the states based on the milestones that they are to achieve before further disbursements would be made. You know that there were conditions that were given to them before they could get more money.

“As soon as any state meets its threshold, that state would get additional funding but any state that fails to meet up with its agreed milestone will not get further disbursement.”

When contacted, the Media Adviser to the Minister of Finance, Mr Festus Akanbi, confirmed that the disbursement of the loan to the states had started.

He, however, said while 35 states applied for the loan, the ministry had commenced the disbursement to only some of them.

He, however, could not provide the number of states that have so far been given the loan.

He said, “35 states applied for the loan and disbursement commenced in June but I don’t have the total number of the states that have benefitted now.”

Some of the conditions attached to the loans are that a restriction would be placed on states borrowing from commercial banks; that all states must publish their financial statements, budgets and the quarterly budget performance; that states’ finances would no longer be shrouded in secrecy and items like security vote, feeding, travel among others would be made visible.

Other conditions are that states would review obsolete revenue laws and tariffs; and redefine Internally Generated Revenue to include non-tax revenue sources that will reflect local opportunities in each state especially in solid minerals.

In the same vein, the states have been directed to set target limits for recurrent to capital expenditure; set target for personnel costs as percentage of total budget; clean up their payroll by eliminating ghost workers as well as set up Efficiency Unit to reduce cost of governance.

Akanbi had last week told our correspondent that disbursement would not be made to any state in any month that the Federation Account Allocation Committee distributes over N500bn among the three tiers of government.

He had said once the monthly distributable revenue is up to the threshold of N500bn, the amount that would be available to each state government in that month would be enough to run its programme.

How Female Redeemed preacher was killed during morning evangelism

A female pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God and mother of seven, Mrs. Eunice Elisha, was on Saturday morning killed by unknown assailants while preaching around the Gbazango-West area of Kubwa, a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory.


Elisha, whose birthday was just a couple of weeks away, was stabbed in the stomach and she also had a cut in her neck.

The 42-year-old woman was a deaconess at the Divine Touch Parish of the RCCG, Old NEPA Road, Phase 4, Kubwa.


The RCCG preacher was found dead in a pool of her own blood with a copy of the Bible, a megaphone and a mobile phone.

She was found dead by residents who alerted policemen who came to evacuate her remains to the police station where her husband went to identify the body.

Speaking to journalists at their residence, Eunice’s husband, Mr. Olawale Elisha, who is also a pastor at the RCCG, said his wife had gone out to preach in the neighbourhood around 5 am only for him to hear the report of her murder.

Elisha, who looked pensive and dejected, said, “My wife always went out early in the morning for ‘Morning Cry’ (evangelism). There was a particular day she went out and she told me that there was a mosque at the back where they commented about what she said. So I just cautioned her.

“This morning (Saturday), she went out around 5 am and I was still in bed because we had a vigil which she participated in for a short while because of the ‘Morning Cry’ she planned to undertake. Two of my boys are footballers, thus, they went to the football pitch to play. And when they came back, they told me that they heard some footballers saying that some hoodlums had butchered a woman who was preaching early this morning.”

Following the report of his children, he decided to check if his wife was safe.

“When I heard this, wearing only a pair of shorts, we walked towards the area my son had said the incident occurred; we didn’t see anybody but we saw blood on the ground. I asked a policeman around and he said it was true but that they had taken the body to Phase 4 Police Station.

“I went to the police station with my children and when we got there, I saw the lifeless body of my wife at the back of a police van. She was later taken to a mortuary. The incident happened between 5 am and 5.30 am because she usually went out at 5 am and returned by 6 am,” the husband of the deceased said.

The couple got married in July 2000.

“My wife was so committed to anything that is of God. She was a reckless giver to God’s work. She rarely missed any programme in the church. We have seven children,” he stated.

According to him, his wife had no quarrel with anyone that could have warranted her murder.

“I see her as a martyr and she died for Christ and whether the people are caught or not, they should forgive them. My prayer is that if they can accept Christ, that will be a gain to Christ,” the bereaved husband said.

A senior police officer at the Kubwa Divisional Police Station, confirmed the incident, but referred our correspondent to the Divisional Police Officer, who was not available.

The FCT Police Command told the News Agency of Nigeria that it had arrested some suspects in connection with the killing of the RCCG preacher.

FCT Police Public Relations Officer, Manzah Anjuguri, confirmed the arrest on Saturday.

He stated that the Command Commissioner of Police, Mr. Alkali Usman, had directed the homicide section to take over the investigation.

“We have made some arrests and they are helping in our investigation,” Anjuguri said.

He, however, did not mention the number of suspects arrested.

He said the personnel of the command had visited the scene of the incident, adding that further investigations had begun.

A lawyer and friend of the Elishas, David Ude-Chukwu, described Eunice’ murder as a hate crime brought about by religious insensitivity, noting that the constitution allowed every Nigerian to practise their chosen religion.

Ude-Chukwu, said, “I have known this family for about 20 years and I can describe Mrs. Elisha as an industrious, humble and Christian preacher who was passionate about Christ. When I heard that a woman was killed, I was wondering who it was until I learnt she was the victim of this barbarous and dastardly murder. Obviously, she was killed on account of her religious activity. Under the law, all Nigerians were permitted to practise their religion, but I don’t know why some people are intolerant. Her murder also showed that there is no security in this country.”

Another neighbour, Pastor Adebayo Tiamiyu, said of the slain preacher, “Mrs. Eunice Olawale was known as a passionate preacher who went out every morning to evangelise and she had been doing this for many years. Everybody loved her because of her passion for things of God. I learnt that she went out to preach as usual when she was attacked and killed by unknown people. She was stabbed in the neck and the stomach and nothing was taken from her because we saw her GSM phone, megaphone and Bible with her, so obviously, the intention was not to rob, but to kill her. The husband is still in shock and we had to sedate him, so that he can sleep. It is a very tragic incident and we call on security agencies to track down the perpetrators and bring them to book.”

A woman simply known as Asabe also said neighbours were shocked over the preacher’s murder.

She said, “Mrs. Olawale normally go out for evangelism everyday and she was well known in this area. We heard that a woman was killed around Pipeline junction, some metres from the house. In fact, it was one of her sons who came back to tell his father that he learnt a preacher was killed at the pipeline junction. We all went there and saw lot of blood on the ground, but the police had evacuated her corpse to their station. When Mr. Elisha got to the station and saw his wife’s corpse, he fainted and had to be revived.”

The RCCG Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Olanike Olaomo, said she was in a meeting of the church’s leadership and would get back to our correspondent.

She said, “I am in a meeting now, I can’t pick your call. But will send an SMS.”

She had, however, yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.

Buhari’s body language is changing — Prof. Akinyemi

A professor of political science and former External Affairs Minister, Bolaji Akinyemi, who is also a delegate at the 2014 National Conference, speaks with BAYO AKINLOYE about calls to restructure Nigeria, the Supreme Court, and the nation’s electoral process, among other issues

What is your view about the way the President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government is handling issues in the Niger Delta?

Let me start by making a general statement which may surprise you and your readers, I am a happier man today (Friday) than I was last week (penultimate Friday). The reason is that I have seen some rays of sunshine beaming into the Nigerian landscape. What are the constituents of these rays of sunshine? The first is that I have noticed a positive shift in the attitude of the President (Muhammadu Buhari) towards the Niger Delta. I am a political scientist and I like to extract policy positions from de-constructing the body language of those in authority. And I think there are four constituent elements – positive elements that I have noticed.

The first was his ordering a ceasefire – a cessation of hostilities. The second was his appeal to the militants to come forward for negotiation. That marked a difference from what people normally perceived as a man who has a tendency towards a military disposition. The third was even the language in which he couched his appeal to them. It was not like an ultimatum; even (there was) a recourse to God (when he said) he was appealing to them ‘in the name of God’. Having spoken in that sense, he sent out a warm vibration towards the people he was addressing and of course, the fourth element was his meeting with the traditional rulers from the Niger Delta, who are part of the stakeholders in the current situation of that region.

And I welcome this move on the part of the president. It is a responsible, positive move that could only contribute to the solution (concerning resolving the Niger Delta crisis). And the fact that he did this by himself – not that he asked somebody to do it on his behalf; remember that one of the conditions by some of the militants was that they wanted the president to take personal charge of the negotiation. Now, some may see this as challenging the president. I don’t. I see it as an act of respect that ‘we want you to take charge (of the dialogue process) because we believe you hold in your hand the solution to the problem.’ To me, that is a mark of recognition; it’s a mark of respect for the president.

Does that signify a way to finding a solution?

I feel more optimistic that perhaps we are on the way to finding a solution. Of course, nobody is talking about what will be the package. But we have taken the first positive step and that has come from the president. And, to use the Nigerian language, I appreciate him for that.

The second ray of sunshine that I see is the decision of the House of Representatives’ Committee on Constitutional Making to adopt the 2014 National Conference Report as a working document. Let me stress that: they haven’t adopted the report in toto. They haven’t adopted the report as a full document that will go to the whole House. Now, this is a small step; but human progress is made up of small steps that accumulate because this marks a shift in the attitude of, at least, a section of authority from being dismissive of the report to now say ‘we’ll read it. We’ll consider it. We’ll see what it contains.’ The Chinese have a saying that a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step away from home. Thus, I hope that this is the first positive step away from home in our journey of several numbers of miles in the contribution that the 2014 National Conference report will make towards making Nigeria a better place for all of us. If you recall, when the first man landed on the moon, he said this is a small step for man and a giant step for mankind. Thus, I recognise this as a small step forward – but it is a forward step nevertheless.

Will you say the attitude of the presidency towards the confab report is positive, especially considering the language of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who referred to the confab delegates as ‘boys’?

Let us put that issue behind us. I prefer to focus on the positive steps forward rather than that isolated issue.

Through a referendum, the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union. Should that be a cause for jubilation for Nigeria, considering the fact that Britain can now pay more attention to the Commonwealth and also trade directly with Nigeria?

No. I don’t think there should be cause for jubilation. Brexit is an ill-wind that is not going to blow anybody any good. People have been focusing on the economic consequences for Britain, for the Europeans Union, for Nigeria, for Africa and for world trade. People have forgotten what actually motivated the setting up of the EU. What led to a group of far-seeing European statesmen to come together and propose and come up with a set of proposals that eventually led to the creation of the EU was a determination to prevent the horrors of two world wars that Europe had witnessed. Today (Friday) is the anniversary of the carnage at Somme – which is a battlefield in Europe –where the Germans faced an onslaught from the French and British troops and on both sides the number of casualties was frightening even to the Europeans; that even 100 years later they are still marking the anniversary today.

Thus, Europe faced such devastation from the first and second World Wars, leading to some of their far-seeing statesmen saying ‘look, to avoid another war, we must come up with a package that will first of all bring Germany and France and then eventually other European countries into an institutional framework of economic prosperity and political unification. This is to ensure that the rivalry among nations in Europe can be eased off within a constructive mechanism. And, that is what has eventually led to what we now call today the European Union. What worries me, as a political scientist is the devastating effects on that raison d’être of the European Union –devastating effects on the psychological, emotional and political underpinnings of the European Union.

Is the United Kingdom’s leaving the EU going to have a copycat effect on some other European countries in the union? Is this going to lead to the disintegration of the European Union?

There is no doubt the momentum has been halted – let’s not deceive ourselves. All the energies of the European leaders now are going to be channelled into applying breaks to make sure that other European nations don’t copy Britain (UK). Because problems will always be there; there is no perfect union for the simple reason that each new day brings its own new problem. You cannot have all the mechanisms that sort out all problems eternally – not anything that is under the control of human beings.

Now, how does this affect Nigeria?

This also applies to the Nigerian situation – the Nigerian federation. We talk about restructuring of the federation as if it is a new demand. It is not. The 1960 Constitution which led us to independence was what I will call the independent restructuring of Nigeria. Based on what? Based on several constitutions that we had had before then; and the British didn’t simply sit down and said ‘OK, this is your 1960 Constitution.’ This constitution came about as a result of several conferences held in Lancaster House in London and amongst our leaders. It was not a perfect constitution but it addressed the critical issue of the day and it represented the compromise that our leaders, with the British moderating, could achieve as of that time. (But) that’s not meant to last forever; no constitution lasts forever.

Then, (Gen. Yakubu) Gowon came on the scene in 1966 facing a different (problem) – it may be the same kind of problem – but a different manifestation of the problems of unity. Hence, he restructured Nigeria into a 12-state structure. Also, he transfered the power of the regions to the centre; so, his restructuring was both structural and legal framework in terms of devolution of power. Similarly, Murtala (Muhammed) did his own restructuring – again based on the assessment by the military of the problems they faced. Then, (Ibrahim) Babangida did his own restructuring and (Sani) Abacha also did his own. All along when the forces calling for change got to a particular point, the authorities of the day addressed the demand. They didn’t give in 100 per cent – no government ever does. You give in sufficiently so that the steam does not boil over. It is a delicate balancing act; that ‘these forces have reached such a momentum that they can no longer be ignored. But before it boils over let’s meet them at this point.’  Therefore, the debate on restructuring will never stop. We made that much known in the 2014 National Conference that the country needed restructuring in some areas. Take the United States that started in 1776 for instance, the debate over Obamacare – or, should it be done by the Federal Government or the state – was a debate on restructuring. Interestingly, the Americans left that decision to the Supreme Court to adjudicate.

What can Nigeria learn from that?

You need a clever, forward-looking and extremely intelligent Supreme Court to make an assessment of the forces and come up with a decision that they feel also addresses the issue of the day. Now, why did I say we need an intelligent, forward-looking Supreme Court? Look at the way they (US Supreme Court justices) vote; five to three, or five to four. All the nine judges of the US Supreme Court are very intelligent people. They are honourable people, so how come they cannot all agree (on the same issue)? It is because when we are dealing with human affairs we don’t all sleep and face the same direction. The same Supreme Court which at one time gave a judgment that a black man was three-quarters of a white man several decades later they now say one black man is equal to one white man. The same Supreme Court that said it was constitutional to have separate schools for blacks and separate schools for whites somewhere along the line decided that equality would not be satisfied by having separate schools. But it did this without going and amending in so many words the constitution. Thus, I am appealing to the Nigerian Supreme Court.

The Nigerian Supreme Court should move away from the elementary interpretation of the constitution and of the laws. They denied themselves that prerogative given to law to be an arbiter. They denied themselves when they relied on ‘what does the law say’ and nothing about when the law was made in 1911 –what were the circumstances that led to it? And what are the circumstances now? The American Supreme Court never changes the law; it will never admit that it changes the law. But you and I know and every American knows that the constitution is what the American Supreme Court says it is. Hence, the Nigerian Supreme Court must take charge because politicians often cannot resolve matters. The American Congress and the White House are often at loggerheads but who resolves it (their difference)? It is the Supreme Court and everybody accepts that. That is why the American constitution has not been amended one thousand times; no. the Supreme Court has done the job for them through its constructive interpretation – this is the appeal I am making to our Nigerian Supreme Court (to offer constructive interpretation on legal and political matters).

But the Supreme Court cannot meddle in political affairs unless the politicians and other players involved take a matter to it. Is that correct? 

Yes; but cases often come before the Nigerian Supreme Court – cases come before them all the time that actually give them an opportunity (to offer constructive interpretation).

Do you think the Nigerian Supreme Court has not been using its prerogative effectively?

Not all the time. I mean, if you actually talk to lawyers they can tell you about cases that had been so fundamental that the Supreme Court had risen to the occasion. One of them was the (former Governor of Rivers State, Rotimi) Amaechi’s case; and this is what one is asking of the Supreme Court; adopt the Amaechi template, rather than debating on issues ad nauseam. (Former) President Olusegun Obasanjo had to bring up the issue of local government recently about how they have been emasculated, castrated by the state government and rendered almost a nullity.

Since 1999, all governments – irrespective of party disposition – have never allowed elected local governments to function without interruption. And yet, the constitution states it clearly that the local government shall be made up of elected individuals. The word elected is in the constitution and cases have gone before the Supreme Court. I would have expected that the Supreme Court would then say point-blank to the Federal Government ‘don’t give money meant for local governments to states that don’t have elected officials into the local councils unless they have elected members in the local governments.’ That is what the constitution says; that would have solved this entire problem.  Instead we now want a constitutional amendment that will either say local governments will be abolished and everything will be in the hand of the state government or there will be a strict adherence to what the constitution says (about how local governments should be constituted). There is no need for that amendment. What we need is the Supreme Court’s directive arising out of cases before it that this is what the constitution says and ‘arising from that our judgment is that the Federal Government should no longer give money meant for local governments to states where there are no elected members’ – that ends the issue.

The British Prime Minister David Cameron decided to resign following the decision of the UK to leave the EU. What can Nigerian politicians learn from that?

While it is commendable, a decision like that will not happen overnight if a Nigerian or African politician is involved. You remember the case of someone who wanted a third term in office but didn’t get it – though he denied ever making an attempt to seek office for a third term. In Zimbabwe, you have a president who wants to rule forever because there is no term limit in that country. In Nigeria, the customs easily lend itself to rulers wanting to perpetuate themselves in power. If you look at the traditional ruling system a ruler reigns till he dies. It will take a while before we get to the point where people voluntarily resign due to moral burden they carry or because of having failed to achieve what they promised the people. We will get there. What Nigeria needs especially at this time is an electoral system that works; that is reliable and transparent. It doesn’t matter whether a politician wants to adopt a sit-tight stance, once the people get tired of him they will vote him out in the next election. I think our electoral process has to be strengthened so that the people’s will can be respected.

It is the thinking of some people that the current leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission isn’t capable of conducting credible, free and fair elections, following its many inconclusive elections. What does the INEC need to do?

The Chairman of the INEC, (Yakub Mahmood) is a gentleman who can be entrusted with great responsibility. I do not doubt his integrity. But why will elections not be inconclusive when politicians have devised a means to outdo one another during polls. Also, in the 2014 confab report we noted that the Nigeria Police Force is understaffed. We pointed out that the number of policemen to the number of citizens was (and still is) grossly insufficient. It is nowhere near the recommendation given by the United Nations. If at a polling booth you have a policeman or two with or without firearm and a gang of thugs invade the place with cutlasses, guns and broken bottles, what do you expect the policemen to do? The recent drive by the Federal Government to recruit 10, 000 police officers will not address the issue of not having enough policemen.

How many policemen does the country need?

Nigeria will need about 900, 000 additional policemen to effectively provide adequate security especially during elections.

Nigeria is a member of the Organisation of Islamic Countries which many have described as an anomaly given the fact that the country is considered to be secular. What is your view?

I was the foreign minister when this issue first raised its head. I have nothing new to add to the position I took at that time.

What was your position at that time?

You should go and find out.

PDP crisis: Peace talks hits a brick wall

The much talked about peace talks between the Senator Ahmed Makarfi-led Peoples Democratic Party Caretaker Committee and the Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff-led faction, appears to have hit a brick wall.


This followed the insistence of both sides to negotiate from a position of strength.

Findings by Sunday PUNCH in Abuja, on Saturday, revealed that none of the two groups had shifted positions on the contentious issue of who the authentic leader of the party was.


While none had agreed to withdraw the pending litigations in court, each was calling on the other to renounce any claim to the leadership of the party.

Although it is not clear if the Makarfi-led committee has filed contempt charges against Sheriff, the committee’s call for his arrest by the police, has not been rescinded.

It was gathered that the committee also insisted that last week’s judgment by the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, which upheld the convention and its appointment, should remain the basis of any negotiation.

Sheriff and his supporters on the other hand, our correspondent learnt, insisted that since they had appealed the judgement and that other cases were still pending, the judicial process should be allowed to run its full course.

When contacted, the Publicity Secretary of the Makarfi-led Committee, Dayo Adeyeye said, “The issue is very clear, it was Sheriff and a few party members who rebelled against the party. What we have said and have continued to say is that, they should sheath their swords and come back home.

“Our doors have always been open, they should come to the negotiating table and let’s talk. There is really no reason to continue to drag this matter.”

On his part, the Special Adviser(Media) to Sheriff, Mr. Inuwa Bwala said, “The fact which has not changed is that as at today, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff is the National Chairman of our great party the PDP.

“He is ready to receive all party members who due to one reason or another were mislead into going somewhere else. While the cases in court are still on, we are not opposed to a reasonable political solution.”

Dallas shooting suspect Micah Johnson 'acted alone'

Micah Johnson, the man accused of killing five police officers in a gun attack during a protest rally in Dallas, acted alone, officials believe.


"We believe now the city is safe," Mayor Mike Rawlings said.

Bomb-making material, rifles and a combat journal were found at the home of Johnson, who was himself killed.

The Dallas protest was against the killing of black men by police, and similar rallies drew thousands across many US cities on Friday.

The demonstrations followed the police killings of Philando Castile in Minnesota andAlton Sterling in Louisiana.
'Weekend of Rage'

Dallas police chief David Brown and US Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson also said the gunman appeared to have acted alone, although Texas Governor Greg Abbott said police would "continue down every rabbit trail... ensuring that we eliminate any other possible suspects or co-conspirators".

Three other suspects were arrested after the shootings but no details have been released about them.

A number of gun attacks involving police officers and civilians have occurred in other parts of the US in the aftermath of the deaths in Minnesota and Louisiana.

• In Tennessee, a black army veteran killed a woman and also injured three other people, including a police officer, as he opened fire on a motorway on Thursday morning, before the Dallas attacks. After his arrest, Lakeem Keon Scott told investigators he was troubled by police violence against African-Americans
• In Missouri on Friday, a police officer was shot from behind after he walked back to his patrol car to check the driving status of a black man who he had stopped. Antonio Taylor, 31, was later arrested but the motive for the shooting is unknown
• In Georgia on Friday, an officer was shot after he responded to a call from a man who said his car had been broken into. Again the motive is unknown
• Early on Saturday in Houston, police shot dead a man they said had pointed a gun at officers in a street. Tweets under the #Alvabraziel hashtag said he was black, with some suggesting he was shot 10 times and questioning whether he was armed

In the Georgian state capital, Atlanta, on Friday evening, thousands marched in protest at the recent police shootings but although roads were blocked off the demonstration remained peaceful.

Protests against police killings were also held in other cities including Houston, New Orleans and San Francisco. In Baton Rouge, Louisiana, protesters chanted "no justice, no peace, no racist police".

Davido flees Congo concert venue as riot breaks out

David Adeyemi Adeleke, popularly known as ‘Davido’, fled Congo’s concert venue as riot broke out.


Davido arrived Congo on Wednesday for a concert scheduled to hold Friday night.
However, according to one of his posts on a social media platform, the singer said riot broke out between the police and fans.
He was left with no option but to flee for his life.

He also mentioned that one of his artists opening for him was raped.

He, however, did not mention the actual cause of the riot.

I left Edo cabinet to spend more time with my family –Odion

The immediate past Commissioner for Information in Edo State, Mr. Louis Odion, shares his experience as a journalist and commissioner in this interview with Fisayo Falodi 

  

How has life been after your resignation as the Commissioner for Information in Edo State?

Well, life has not changed for me in the sense that, while in public office, I did not acquire taste I cannot sustain as a private citizen. Perhaps the only things I miss are some great friends I made in Benin as well as the jokes with the Comrade Governor.

To tell you something, as a commissioner, it was not until I narrowly escaped gunmen’s attack on April 29, 2012 that I formally applied for personal police security. If you get used to such things while in office, you probably will suffer adjustment problem when you leave office. As a journalist, your first instinct is to see the police as an opposition in the line of duty.

When the police commissioner heard I had been going around without escorts in such a volatile environment, he was really mad at me. But honestly, I never gave it a thought until then. Even after I was assigned security detail, I only allowed police protection around Benin during official hours. Once I was in Lagos or anywhere else, I moved alone.

Your friends and family members must have been shocked to learn about your resignation. How did you handle this?

I think the only people who were most pained by my exit were people of my native community in Odiguetue in Ovia North-East. They were excited when Oshiomhole broke the rule by making me the second commissioner from the council beside Dr. Osagie Obayuwana (the immediate past Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice). We are not just from the same local government area but also from the same ward. It was a bit of a record. Of course, there was ululation at my Lagos home that evening in October last year when I announced via phone that the governor had accepted my offer of resignation. To my inner cycle of friends with whom I share the same values, it was a bit of pride that I resigned and was not fired.

How will you compare life in the newsroom as a journalist and life as a commissioner?   

They are a continent apart. As an editor, when I gave instruction, it was executed before the deadline in the newsroom, otherwise someone’s job may be on the line. But life in the Government House is different. First, you have to understand the civil service is driven by different impulse. If you are a sprinter, the bureaucracy has a way of turning you to a crawler. At times, it could take a whole day to get something as simple as a seven-paragraph memo out. But in the newsroom, you know we don’t work that way. Civil service closes by 4pm. But to a journalist, the day is just starting by 4pm. The editor never goes to bed until the printing press starts rolling, usually by midnight. By then, the civil servant would probably be snoring already in deep sleep. That is the first culture shock you get.

Again, there is also the issue of provocation. Oshiomhole often puts it philosophically that public office is a leveller. It is a very treacherous environment. For me, perhaps the biggest benefit I took away is the virtue of patience and tolerance. You have to deal with a whole lot of rats, serpents and swine daily. You have to accept the fact that a few upstarts who ordinarily would not have had the privilege to come near your office, much less lace your shoes, would now see themselves as your mates, if not your competitors. So, to last in that environment, you have to learn to pocket your ego and be ready to endure insults in order to get a task done.

What will you say the appointment denied you of? 

Of course, public office denied me of my right to express personal opinion in the public. As government’s chief spokesman, my personal views had to be subordinated to the position of the state government on any public issue. As a writer, there was no way I could continue to write, lest my views be misconstrued to be the position of Comrade Oshiomhole.

As a journalist, you were nicknamed Capacity by your colleagues. What brought about the sobriquet?

It started as a joke really. A group of editors was on a facility tour somewhere in one of the states in the South-South. I think it was around 2003 or 2004. It lasted two or three days. Along the line, a colleague observed out of mischief that my appetite was larger than his. On the last day the group had lunch together, he teased that all along, if he ate a dish of pounded yam, I consumed twice his portion. So, he mischievously said the food was to replenish energy being expended on some naughty activities at night. Everyone laughed. Then, another colleague chipped in that “You know Louis’ work rate in the news-room is very high, so also is his capacity for extra-curricular activities”. He went on to say that it required extra-ordinary capacity to have worked full-time as journalist and simultaneously run a full-time programme at the university. In his mischievous analysis, it was a case of input measuring up to output. That was how the legend of Capacity started.

 You rose from  being a reporter to becoming editor and later a managing director within a record short period. Can you share some of the challenges you encountered and how you overcame them?

I once read someone describing my own story as a fairy tale. I only came to journalism with nothing more than writing talent. I came to Concord in 1991 as an industrial trainee with Ordinary Diploma from the Federal Polytechnic, Ado Ekiti. I was 18 then. Along the line, I was fortunate to meet great men like Nsikak Essien, Dele Alake, Lanre Arogundade, Liadi Tella,  Segun Babatope, Taiwo Ogundipe and Mrs. Ewaen Osarenren and of course, Tunji Bello, who discovered my talent and gave me a platform in Concord even though I was not yet a graduate  then. Along the line, it was Tunji Bello who became my chief mentor. He encouraged me to enrol at the university to acquire more knowledge to ground my talent. As my editor, he shielded me from year one at the University of Lagos till I passed out even when some of my immediate supervisors saw me initially as a small boy who should still be trying to shed his milk teeth on campus. Years after I graduated from UNILAG, Tunji Bello did not stop harassing me like a big brother till I added a Master’s degree.

So, I worked full time and schooled full time. So, Tunji Bello taught me to be responsible early in life. I paid my own fees throughout the university. When MKO’s problems started and salaries were no longer regular, Tunji Bello was there to give me bailout. Not to forget Victor Ifijeh as well. I recall Sam Omatseye gave me books for my Drama Class at UNILAG.

In terms of the challenge I faced early, it was basically the energy to soak up the pressure of full-time studies and full-time work. I think my saving grace then was the fact that I still had youthful energy.

 How will you convince “doubting Thomases” that you did not resign due to the April 29, 2012 assassination attempt on your life?  

To be honest, I came close to being seriously shaken after that incident. But I believe quitting then would have put smile on the faces of the evil people who wanted to take me out. Recall that sometime in February 2012, I had this rather nasty encounter with a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party  at the palace of Oba of Benin. The occasion I think was at the wedding of the Oba’s daughter. It happened that my exit from the ceremony coincided with that of the then Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Nduaghan, who happens to be someone I had known as a journalist way back in 2000 as a top functionary of the James Ibori administration. So, when we met close to the door of the marquee, Nduaghan started by complimenting me, saying  “Well done, Louis. I’ve been seeing your professional touch since you took over as information commissioner. Everything is now working smoothly media wise for my brother (Comrade Oshiomhole)”. It happened that the PDP chieftain was just a step behind Nduaghan at that moment. He did not quite like the compliments. He just stepped forward and with fire in his eyes and finger snapping at me, he said, “You, Odion!, you will soon see what will happen to you” He said that four times.

I had wanted to challenge him there by asking what my offence was. But Nduaghan pulled me by the side not to respond. To be honest, I came under pressure from some of my close friends to quit in 2012 and return to my life in Lagos. But God gave me the strength to weather that very trying moment. So, my quitting last year was because I just felt my task as information manager was already done.

Can you recall the first impression that came to your mind when you were appointed as a commissioner for information, given the fact that journalists are poorly paid in Nigeria? 

I knew ab initio that my going to serve as commissioner in Edo State meant a massive pay cut. I was Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of a national daily then with the entire country as my oyster. A colleague who had  gone through the system in Edo before forewarned me the moment my name was announced as commissioner nominee that in Adams Oshiomhole’s administration, public fund is used to work for people and not for political appointees to live Champaign lifestyle. Of course, before then, I had turned down two or three offers of political appointment at the national level. In fact, in one of the South-East states, one of the governors once offered to make me a Special Adviser with the flexibility to reside in Lagos. I had politely turned down the offer. But when Oshiomhole asked me to come in 2011, I spent one week reflecting before accepting largely because I was fascinated by the kind of person he is.

As a young and handsome looking man in the cabinet, how did you handle advances from ladies, especially those interested in dating public officials? 

 You make my head swell with that compliment. Well, talking seriously, I would say that my own conception of beauty goes beyond the beauty of the face. It goes with solid character as well, being someone of principle, having self-confidence that comes with self-control. To me, these qualities tend to outlast physical beauty. The law of biology dictates that a beautiful face will, at some point, begin to wrinkle. But when you are beautiful or handsome inside and you now add the beauty of the outside, to me, that is when a guy or lady can be described as handsome or pretty. These are the qualities a lady would combine to really turn my head. As per fighting temptation, well I would say I try my best all the time. Being called Capacity also means having capacity to play hard as well. But my fight against temptation didn’t start when I was appointed commissioner in 2011. Being a journalist, I have always been fighting temptation.

In what ways will you say the appointment affect your family as you left them in Lagos for four years to serve in Edo State?

Of course, the family factor was one of the chief reasons I resigned. The life I lived then was spending Monday to Friday in Benin and spending the weekend with my family in Lagos. There were occasions I was away for two straight weeks. It was very, very stressful. I remember whenever I had to leave on Sunday for the airport or by road as the case might be, the look on my kids’ faces was often like “Ah, daddy!, again?” They are still very young and unable to understand that daddy had to be away most of the time. So, they were very happy when I announced to them daddy will no longer have to be travelling every Sunday to Benin.