Tuesday 21 July 2020

Alaibe’s Political Affiliations: Bayelsa Gov, Diri Has Moved On



By Benjamin Forge

There is definitely time and season for everything; a time to wine and dine together and a time when political ideologies of main actors are no longer in alignment. And perfectly, that would be the right and best time to move on and open a new chapter of life. This no doubt amounts to political liberation and time for deep reflection and introspection on the next political calculation. That exactly is the story you find in the political journey and relationship between incumbent Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, and former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Chief Ndutimi Alaibe.

Unknown to many that the friendship between the Governor Diri and Chief Alaibe has spanned many years, Senator Diri, has been playing partisan politics long before Alaibe. Aside that they are from the same Local Government Area, Kolokuma/Opokuma, they have been political allies since 2002, when Chief Alaibe, decided to challenge the second term ambition of the first civilian Governor of the state, Late Chief Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, in the build up to the 2003 general election. Since that first attempt at Governorship by the young Alaibe at the time, Diri, became a very loud apostle of Timi Alaibe’s Governorship project. He was unapologetic about the aspiration of a brother and friend. He was not just an ordinary member of the Alaibe’s New Vision Team but a power house from where Alaibe himself drew inspiration, knowledge and support. He was a master strategist in the Alaibe’s team since 2002 when he chose to support him against late DSP Alamieyeseigha. What a commitment to the personal ambition of a brother? He was in the Alaibe’s political family in the general interest of the state.  In 2007, Alaibe was in the race for the gubernatorial ticket of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against incumbent Governor, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, who had taken over from Alamieyeseigha late in 2005. 

Alaibe had everything going well for him including holding firm to the party’s structure but he was pressured to withdraw from the primaries ahead of the 2007 election against Jonathan. By providence, Jonathan, later became the Vice President of Nigeria and the development created a void for the Governorship seat until former Governor, Timipre Sylva, current minister of state Petroleum, who came a distant second in the primaries ‘maneuvered’ himself into the coveted seat. 

For Douye Diri, it was ‘loyalty’ to a course when as a sitting Commissioner (Youths and Sports) under then Governor Jonathan, he stood with Alaibe, against the Governor. A political risk indeed for another man. Again, in 2011, Sen. Diri, alongside other allies such as Rt. Hon. Talford Ongolo, and Senator Inatimi Spiff, supported Alaibe’s ambition when he moved into Labour Party, because incumbent Timipre Sylva, was having a strong hold on the party structure. Chief Alaibe, later returned to the PDP with his allies to vie for the governorship ticket against Hon. Seriake Dickson but was disqualified as he was not granted a waiver. Alaibe, then played key role in the election of Dickson, and inauguration on February 14th, 2012. 

Yes, ambitions are personal but insightful strategies must be on the card for great political engagements to unseat an incumbent. Again in 2015, Alaibe, left the PDP to join APC to contest governorship. He saw ‘hell’ in the hands of Chief Sylva and his foot soldiers including Chief Tiwei Orunimighe, then APC State Chairman, who insisted the party’s ticket was not for a new entrant. That was the fourth attempt by Alaibe. Orunimighe, by 2019 had left APC back to PDP and became a strong backer of Alaibe. 

Regrettably, it was in the build up to the 2015 Governorship election that Alaibe and Diri, parted ways politically when the man they call ‘Principal’ defected to the APC, to realise his ambition. What a level of political inconsistency, harlotry and impatience displayed by Alaibe? Diri, who had been his staunch supporter for over ten years had served under then Governor Seriake Dickson, as Principal Executive Secretary. At this time in 2015, political ideology of Diri was no longer in alignment with Alaibe. Incidentally, Diri, had been elected member of the House of Representatives for Yenagoa/Kolokuma/Opokuma Federal Constituency under the PDP and it would have amounted to a political suicide to join Alaibe in the APC. So, the duo went their separate ways politically until years later when Alaibe, returned to his original party, PDP. 

By 2015, Diri, had fully aligned with Dickson and had cut all political ties with Alaibe, his former leader. A new and free man he was to redirect his own political fortunes. According to a popular quote from an American writer, Mark Twain, “I have found out that there ain't no surer way to find out whether you like people or hate them than to travel with them.”  Diri, now knows better drawing experiences from his political journey since early 2000 with Alaibe. After all, politics they say, is a game of interest. For Douye Diri, the interest has changed and it was time to move on. This critical decision was in line with a common saying that, “there comes a day when turning the page is the best decision for you because you realise there’s so much more to the book than the page you were stuck on”.

Since the political ideologies of the two personalities changed in 2015 when Alaibe left the PDP to join APC for his fourth Governorship contest, Diri, remained consistent and worked hard for the victory of the PDP and reelection of Governor Seriake Dickson. He really had moved on! Diri, in 2019 while Alaibe was still in the APC won election to represent Bayelsa Central in the Nigerian Senate. This singular political success was a pointer to the next big news for Diri, whom many believed had won the confidence of the outgoing Governor Dickson. And yes, they were right. 

And the hours have come; the great political season for horse-trading was here and all those who had been inactive within the PDP for over four years were back with one mission to stop Seriake Dickson, from influencing who takes over from him in the build-up to the 2019 Governorship election. And truly they had gathered but Dickson, as a political ‘caterpillar’, was up to the task and played a fast one to narrow the seat to only interested aspirants from the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District. And that was the thinking of many Bayelsans too but who was the most qualified aspirant within the senatorial district?

Dickson, a strategist, knew exactly what he wanted and the personality of the man he would love to hand over to. Unknown to Douye Diri, Governor Dickson, has kept close eyes on him since 2012 when he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff and later Principal Secretary to the Governor. Dickson, was apparently preparing Diri for the higher office, hence, he asked him to contest for House of Representatives in 2015. For more worldview and national networking, Douye Diri, in 2019 won election into the senate to represent the Bayelsa Central Senatorial District. By this time, Diri, was fully ahead of all other intending aspirants in the PDP. If only many could read the X-ray film of Dickson's choice of candidate, even two years before the 2019 Governorship election, Douye Diri is it; a man of immense administrative capacity full of meekness and calmness. And while all these were happening, Alaibe was still in the APC.

And for fairness and political balancing, it was almost a consensus that the Governorship should go to the Central Senatorial district (Yenagoa, Kolokuma/Opokuma and Southern Ijaw Local Government Areas). A further micro zoning arrangement, ordinarily eliminated Southern Ijaw, having produced a governor before now in the person of late DSP Alamieyeseigha, leaving aspirants from Kolokuma/Opokuma and Yenagoa Local Government Areas to jostle for the PDP ticket. By this time, Diri, was in pole position for the seat being a very ranking politician from Kolokuma/Opokuma. Alaibe, of course was still in the APC, a strong signal that Diri, has moved on politically and by the time some forces mounted pressure on Alaibe to return to PDP to contest the guber ticket, the political leaders in the Restoration administration had shortlisted three leading aspirants from the Central Senatorial District. 

The reality of the decision to move on was at play and many questions were being asked, will Douye Diri, contest the PDP ticket with his former leader, Alaibe, if he eventually returns. Yes, he returned and a powerful power blocs across Nigeria ensured Alaibe, was granted a waiver to enable him contest the primaries. This time, Alaibe, is up against his friend and political ally, Diri, a man who knew him so well, a man who has been part of his political journey for over a decade and a man who held tenaciously to Alaibe’s aspiration until 2011. 

Instructively and lucidly, Douye Diri, had move on and Alaibe, was a known adversary in the build up to the September 3rd, 2019 primaries of the PDP. Sometime, they say it is very hard to move on, but once you move on, you then realise it was the best decision you have ever made. That is the story of Senator Douye Diri as he went ahead to defeat his former political ally in the primaries as expected because of the rock support from the outgoing Governor Dickson.

Bayelsa State has been in the news for different reasons since last November 16th Governorship election.

Political arithmetic have not particularly, ceased since the divine arrangement that brought Senator Douye Diri into the office as Governor of the state through the Supreme Court verdict of Thursday February 13th, 2020. And if there was anyone trying to unseat Governor Diri, it should certainly not be Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, who surreptitiously went to court to challenge the emergence of Diri, as PDP candidate. This appears to be the real betrayal of friendship when you look back at the huge political sacrifices Diri, had to make to support Alaibe’s governorship agenda.

What a man of honour Douye Diri is? A man with genuine belief in the aspiration of others including Chief Alaibe. Diri, is exemplary in nurturing friendship and that much he has done with Alaibe over the past years. Diri, paid his dues to the Alaibe’s political family and should not be vilified for his own political movement to serve the state. Unfortunately, the assumed political dexterity and sagacity of Alaibe, over the years has failed to land him in Creek Haven, the seat of Government of Bayelsa State. Yes, yesterday, it was Alaibe time as the political leader but today, it is divinely Douye Diri. That is fate and destiny. 

The emergence of Governor Diri, is beyond human comprehension and no wonder he described himself a ‘Miracle Governor’. It is Alaibe, who is heavily indebted to Diri, golden fortunes and not litigation. Posterity no doubt is a recorder of events and actions. 

Interestingly, all contentions attending the case instituted by Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, against Governor Diri, was officially brought to an end recently following the dismissal of the appeal by the Supreme Court. In his characteristic manner as a man of peace, Governor Diri, has called on Alaibe, to come join him in moving the state forward and that he would be Governor to all. That is leadership. What a man will become or achieve in life is not cast on stone as the heavens do not dictate ones destiny. It is up to an individual to create the life he or she wants to live. 

This position was supported by an English playwright and poet, William Shakespeare, when he wrote, “it is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.” Douye Diri, must have realised this great philosophical saying at the point he decided to disentangle himself from the former political family to move on. 

That was a striking move that has divinely changed a lot of stories. Chief Ndutimi Alaibe, should rather be proud of Diri’s accomplishment as a brother and long term political ally. It is a new Douye; Governor of Bayelsa State. Wisdom, they say is profitable and Diri, as a man of deep conviction took a very sound and wise decision to officially dump the Alaibe’s political affiliation and moved on. 

And truly, it is evidently clear that he has moved on and that is why Douye Diri, is the Governor of the oil-rich Bayelsa State today.


Forge, a public commentator writes from Yenagoa

Friday 17 July 2020

Emir Of Gombe Took Tour Of Galaxy Backbone Centre




The Emir of Gombe HRH, Alh. Abubakar Shehu Abubakar on Friday took a tour of Galaxy Backbone Network Monitoring and Operations Centre and the Government Approved Tier III Data Centre run by Galaxy Backbone

In his welcome address, the Managing Director / CEO Prof. Muhammad Bello Abubakar, he said that Galaxy Backbone is the information technology and shared services provider of the Federal Government of Nigeria.

"We were also charged with the responsibility of building a common services platform consisting of in-country and offshore VSAT hubs, a data center, a Federal Capital metro fiber backbone and multiple redundant internet gateways.

"A substantial amount of work has been done in this regard and recognizable impact noticed across the federal government agencies.

"We can state there has been a lot of improvement in the way government communicates with government especially through the deployment of Virtual Federal Executive Council meeting due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Prof. Abubakar reiterated.

Prof. Abubakar further said that Galaxy Backbone has built and operates the National Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure Backbone; a cross-country optical fibre backbone. In its first phase, which has been completed, commissioned and covers a distance of 1484 km, the backbone spans 13 states across the South East, South South, North Central and South West of Nigeria with base stations installed in 17 cities.

"The Services on the infrastructure include Internet Bandwidth, Clear Channel, Dark Fiber, Lastmile connectivity, Video Conferencing, Prof. Abubakar said.

The Emir of Gombe later took a tour of the facilities at the National Shared Services Center (NSSC), the only Uptime Institute Certified Tier III data center within the nation’s public sector.

Our Data Center & Cloud Services consist of Co-location of Servers, Cloud Back-up, Cloud Storage, Disaster Recovery among others.

Our Data center features include: Reliable & Efficient & Scalable, Available Back-Up/Disaster Recovery facility, 128 rack real estate, scale-able to 512 racks, Modular data center design, 600KW of Cooling available, scale-able to 2800KW, 825KW of power, scale-able to 2000KW, A team of certified and well trained Data center experts, 99.982% Uptime, Ability to support carrier class infrastructure, Optimized internet connectivity, Cutting edge, round the clock logical and physical security, with biometric access control, Diesel Generators that can run for 14 days non-stop if public powers fail totally and Robust fuel contracts in case of disruptions to supply

The operations and procedures of the Centre are in compliance with ISO/IEC 27001:2013 and ISO/IEC 20000-1:2011 compliant.

The Emir of Gombe, HRH, Alh Abubakar Shehu Abubakar was full of joy after the tour of the facilities National Shared Services Center.


Monday 6 July 2020

Re-arraignement Of Orji Uzor Kalu; The World Is Watching You, Coalition Tells EFCC


                                                                             
The Global Centre for Conscious Living Against Corruption has called on the Economic Financial Crime Commission to immediately commence the re-arraignement Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and others as the World is watching the body language of the Commission.

While addressing the media on Tuesday in Abuja, the Director General of the Coalition, Dr. Nwambu Gabriel, said it is exactly 3 months since the ruling of the Supreme Court nullifying the judgement of Justice Mohammed Idris and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court but unfortunately the ex-governor was given a red- carpet reception and even integrated to a political party campaign committee and seems to give a connotation that Nigerians are a people that celebrate theft and embezzlement of public funds even when Abia state is already hemorrhaging as a result of the alleged massive looting perpetrated by Mr. Orji Uzor.

It will be recalled that the Supreme Court; as the Apex Court in Nigeria nullified the trial of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, his firm, SLOK Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu (an accomplice), a former Director of Finance and Accounts of Abia State Government. 

Excerpt is the full text of the press statement from the coalition;

GLOBAL CENTRE FOR CONSCIOUS LIVING AGAINST CORRUPTION. EFCC; LIVING UPTO EXPECTATIONS.
Good morning, Gentlemen of the Press and welcome to this briefing.
On the 7th of April 2020, the Supreme Court as the Apex Court in Nigeria nullified the trial of former Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, his firm, SLOK Nigeria Limited and Jones Udeogu (an accomplice), a former Director of Finance and Accounts of Abia State Government and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court.
The apex court based its verdict on the grounds that Justice Mohammed Idris, who convicted Kalu and others had been elevated to the Court of Appeal before the judgment and returned to the lower court to deliver the judgment which it considered as illegal.
Although the EFCC had responded to this judgment in a letter signed by Dele Oyewale, Head, Media and Publicity on the 8th of May, 2020, stating that the anti graft agency considers the judgment of the apex court as 'quite unfortunate'. He stated that it was a 'technical ambush' against the trial of the former Governor. He further stated "The commission is prepared for a fresh and immediate trial of the case because its evidences against Kalu and others are overwhelming. The entire prosecutorial machinery of the EFCC would be launched in a fresh trial where justice is bound to be served in due course".
Ladies and gentlemen, today is Tuesday, the 7th of July, 2020 which is exactly 3 months since the ruling of the Supreme Court nullifying the judgement of Justice Mohammed Idris and ordering their fresh trial at the lower court. Again, the letter signed by Dele Oyedele who is the Head, Media and Publicity of the EFCC reaffirming the determination of the anti-graft agency to re-arraign  Orji Uzor Kalu and others, since according to him the evidences against the suspect in the 7.65 billion naira theft is overwhelming. It is also worthy of note that the Apex court did not acquit the ex-Governor and others of the alleged crime. 
Again, the manner the ex governor was given a red- carpet reception and even integrated to a political party campaign committee seems to give a connotation that we are a people celebrate theft and embezzlement of public funds even when Abia state is already hemorrhaging as a result of the alleged massive looting perpetrated by Mr. Orji Uzor.
Now, this is a criminal matter expected to be dispensed expeditiously but unfortunately has been on for the past 13 years with the attendant depletion of tax payers money. The question that readily comes to mind of most Nigerians are: (1). When would the re-arraignment of Orji Uzor Kalu and others be or has it been swept under the carpet?
(2). Why would a criminal matter of an individual take as much as 13 years with justice continually eluding the people of Abia State.
(3). The present delay tactics or what we may call 'SLOW MOTION'; is it punitive enough to deter intending perpetrators of such crime? 
By this medium, we hereby call on the EFCC to live up to expectations and commence the re-arraignment and the trial of Ex- Governor Orji Uzor Kalu, his company SLOK Nig. Limited and Jones Udeogu (an accomplice), and a former Director of Finance and Accounts of Abia State Government.
It is pertinent to remind the EFCC that the world is watching. Nigerians and indeed the people of Abia state suffering from the direct impact of the alleged embezzlement are also watching, waiting for justice to be served. This is indeed a test of the degree of sincerity and unbiased position of the present administration's commitment on the war against corruption, a true test whether it is lips service targeted at opposition or a true fight to recover the Nigerian nation from the shackles of political undertakers who have plunged the nation to her present economic quagmire. 
Finally, our coalition hereby promise Nigerians a continuous update on this matter as events unfold. 
Thank you.
Signed:
Dr. Nwambu Gabriel,
For the Coalition.

Sunday 5 July 2020

Ekeremor Traditional Council, Women/Youth Groups Back Ex-Gov Dickson For Bayelsa West Senatorial Election




...As hundreds of APC members defect to PDP

The traditional ruler of Ekeremor town, HRH Agbodo Gbaseimor, his traditional council, the elders, youth and women groups have backed former Governor, Chief Henry Seriake Dickson for the Bayelsa West Senatorial District election.

The traditional ruler whose community has the highest voting strength in the Ekeremor Local Government Area praised Chief Dickson for his bold decision to frontally tackle the problem of development in the area.

He said that the ex-Governor performed beyond expectations to bring development to Ekeremor community when he held sway as the state Governor and should be given the opportunity to go the Senate to continue with his enviable legacy of development and love for his people.

The traditional ruler said that it was pay back time to the ex-Governor who administration built a standard free secondary boarding school, several other schools and awarded scholarship to hundreds Ekeremor students

The ex-Governor initiated the construction of the multi billion Naira Sagbama/Ekeremor Road which had been abandoned by the Federal Government for over 40 years.

The critical Road project made it possible for the indigenes of the area to drive to Ekeremor, Sampou, Aleibiri and other communities for the first time.

A statement by the Media Advisor to Chief Dickson, Mr Fidelis Soriwei, quoted King Agbodo as having said that the community endorsed the ex-Governor as the community’s sole candidate for the Bayelsa West Senatorial election on the strength of his laudable antecedents and exploits.

The traditional ruler called on the present administration under Governor Douye Diri to ensure the completion of the Sagbama/Ekeremor Road and put to effective usage the 80-bed general hospital built by Dickson for the community.

Meanwhile, a large number of supporters of the opposition All Progressives Congress defected to the Peoples Democratic Party in support of the Senatorial bid of Chief Dickson.

The leader of the defectors from Ekeremor Ward 8, Hon Ebicks Lokpobiri, said that the decision to defect to the PDP was informed by the need to reward the ex-Governor was his commitment to issues of development in the area.

He said, “With the massive development the former Governor has brought to us and his unique brand of politics, we have made up our minds to join the PDP and we are ready with our voters card to come out on the day of the by election to vote for the man who has given us road, schools, hospital and other social amenities.

”The former Governor has done a lot for our people and the only way we could return such kind gesture is to vote for him to go and represent us at the Senate.”


Saturday 4 July 2020

Pantami Is Too Focused To Be Distracted




By Kelvin Adegbenga

My attention was called to a publication by the controversial online media; Sahara Reporters on the Honourable Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Dr Isa Ali Pantami titled “Buhari’s Minister of Communications, Dr Isa Pantami Living Large in Abuja, Purchases Three Houses in Wuse for his Three Wives”.

When I was searching for the news, I came across the excellent response from the Minister’s spokesperson Uwa Suleiman which received accolades from Nigerians who are used to the tissues of lies published by Sahara Reporters.

Browsing through Sahara Reporters this afternoon, I came across a poorly written opinion titled “ Minister Isa Pantami Abuja Houses And The Lies Used To Cover Mores Lies” written by one Mashood Musbau, who I strongly believe is a pseudo name of course.  

To answer his uninformed opinion, I will like to go into who Dr. Isa Ali Pantami is.

Dr. Pantami studied Computer Science at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Bauchi, Nigeria, gaining a BTech in 2003 Session and an MSc in 2008, before obtaining a PhD from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland. He spent his life pursuing both formal and informal education, by switching from one form to another. He is also trained on Digital transformation in Harvard University, USA then Management Strategy in both, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Institute of Management Development in Loussaune, Switzerland. He was also in Cambridge University for Management Programme, among others. Pantami lectured at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in Information Technology before joining the Islamic University of Madinah as Head of Technical Writing in 2014.

In 2016, he was appointed as the Director General/CEO of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA). He was confirmed by President Muhammadu Buhari as part of 13 newly appointed chief executives for 13 government agencies. His directive for NITDA upon employment was to develop the ICT infrastructure in the North East in the aftermath of the destruction caused by Boko Haram insurgency. Shortly after the WannaCry ransomware attack, he organized the second annual conference on “Financial Fraud and Cyber Crime” in Abuja with the Federal Ministry of Justice and private sector partners. 

He also initiated the Nigerian national public key infrastructure (PKI) programme, and went into a security partnership with ESET, an IT security company that offers anti-virus and firewall products. Pantami received an award as the “ICT Promoter of the Year 2017” in London by The Nigerian in recognition of “positive contributions to the ICT revolution in Nigeria, youth empowerment & good governance”. Within two years of his stewardship, he has received over 50 awards and recognitions both within and outside Nigeria.

Dr Isa Ali Pantami is a fellow of both British Computer Society (FBCS) and Nigeria Computer Society (FNCS).  He also has many fellowships to his credit. Pantami is a Jummu’ah Chief Imam who has been leading the Jummu’ah prayer for over 20 years in both Nigeria and the United Kingdom. He serves as a Member of Shari’ah Board of Jaiz Bank. He is also a Shurah member and Deputy Secretary General of the Supreme Council for Shari’ah (SCS) in Nigeria. 

He was educated in Islam by scholars including Muhammad Umar Fallatah, Muhammad ibn Al-Uthaymeen and Abdulmuhsin ibn Abbad. He is also the Chairman of Board of Trustees of Al’Hudah Islamiyyah & Mosque Foundation, and a Member/Secretary of Bauchi State Elders Advisory Committee and Bauchi state National Qur’anic Competition Committee among other committees. Pantami authored more than a dozen books on ICT, STEM, technology, politics & community reconciliation, religion and peaceful coexistence, as well as over 20 publications in international journals, including International Journal of Innovative Research in Engineering and Management (IJIREM), Macrotheme Review, and International Journal of Computer & Information Technology. Religious books authored by him include Islam and Politics, Synonimity or Dichotomy?, The Essentials of Marriage in Establishing An Ideal Family, Month of The Qur’an & Its Virtues, and 63 Steps of Performing an Acceptable Hajj and Its Spiritual and Moral Lesson. On 23th July of this year 2019 he the list of new ministerial nominees of President Muhammadu Buhari. He is now the Honourable Minister of Communication and Digital Economy.

In response to the fictitious Mashood Musbau poorly written opinion; full of spelling mistakes, I will like to clarify that the Minister's spokesperson remained professional as testified by seasoned journalists. It is her duty to clear the air around her Boss and she has done an excellent job.

I don’t know the moral right of the fictitious Mashood Musbau to question the Minister's Spokesperson on questions such as the movement of the Minister's two wives; who pay the house rent; his salary at the University in Saudi and the kind of business he was doing.

A man of Pantami's status deserves houses in Maitama, Asokoro, Guzape and any part of the World.

Pantami has occupied his present house since January 2017; more than two years before becoming a Minister.

The other house he rented since 17th December 2019 was as a result of his Status as a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which he is entitled to like other Ministers.

For the ignorant of the fictitious Mashood Musbau, Pantami as never used religion for worldly gains as most of his staffs are Christians.

I challenge the fictitious Mashood Musbau to show evidences of journalist paid "to quite down the truth".

Kelvin Adegbenga is a Public Affairs Analyst based in Lagos. kelvinadegbenga@yahoo.com
@kelvinadegbenga