Politics
North needs development, not empty political power – Okai-Austin
Political activist and youths leader, Usman Okai-Austin, has said that what the North needs most is development, not just holding on to political power.
Okai-Austin, who was the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for Dekina/Bassa Federal Constituency in the 2023 elections, revealed this in an exclusive interview with Ekwutosblog.
He argued that northern leaders have failed to address poverty, insecurity, and the growing number of out-of-school children despite having held power for many years.
“The North wants development, not empty political power. What is the use of political power when you don’t alleviate the poverty of your people?
“Do we have good hospitals in the North today? Do we have well-planned schools for our children?”
He recalled that former President Goodluck Jonathan, who came from the South-South, built Almajiri schools across the North to modernize the system and take children off the streets.
But, according to the political analyst, the administration that followed did not sustain the programme.
“Jonathan was a Christian from Bayelsa, but he introduced a programme that directly addressed unemployment and the out-of-school children in the North.
“Jonathan introduced what we called the modern Almajiri school system in the north. 157 almajiri schools were established during his administration,” he said.
“When Buhari came, those schools were destroyed. Can anybody be more northern than Buhari? A muslim from Katsina, and a former military president. Yet, what did he do for the North?” Okai-Austin asked.
The activist also dismissed claims of northern marginalization being pushed by some politicians.
He said those who left power recently, such as former governors and ministers, had the chance to change things but failed.
“People like El-Rufai, Babachir Lawal, and Malami were in power. Malami was as powerful as the president for eight years. What did they do? Now they are crying marginalization,” he said.
According to him, those truly marginalized are not actually taken along in decision making.
Okai-Austin insisted that the true marginalized people are unemployed youths, women without access to healthcare, farmers who cannot go to their farms safely, and children who remain on the streets instead of classrooms.
He called for a new generation of northern leaders.
“The younger generation of the North should take over leadership. Those who have been in power have failed. They only use the North as a bargaining chip for their personal interest,” he added.
Chairman, Policy Manifesto Committee of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, John Odigie-Oyegun, says former president Muhammadu Buhari gave him the shock of his life, six months into his administration as Nigeria’s leader.
Oyegun made this disclosure on Friday when he featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Prime Time’.
He revealed that as National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, he went to tell Buhari that he was not delivering his election promises to Nigerians but that the late president told him he would not rule with strictness, but rather wanted to show Nigerians that he is a true civilian president.
The former APC National Chairman lamented that it became business as usual, from there.
“I was national chairman of the APC. Six months or less into our assuming office, fairly alarmed, I went to the late President Buhari for a one-on-one talk. I said Mr President, this is not what the people were expecting. They wanted a bit of the old president Buhari.
“And he explained to me, Mr Chairman, I have learned my lesson. I was shocked. And don’t forget at that time, a lot of prominent Nigerians took their holidays abroad, just to be sure and see what this new sheriff in town will be.
“Buhari told me he wants to now show the people that he’s a true civilian president in Agbada. And by the time we finished the conversation, I said Oh God, we are finished. Because, if he’s not ready to be strict, what’s the point?
“Weeks later, months later, years later, I was proven correct. And of course, it became business as usual, only that they are a new set of tenants in Aso Rock. That was a shocker,” he said.
Former lawmaker, Dino Melaye Esq, has raised concerns over the Senate’s reported rejection of the electronic transmission of election results.
The move, according to Melaye, is a clear endorsement of election rigging and an indication of a sinister plan to rig the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Friday, the former lawmaker criticized the Senate’s decision, stating that it undermines the credibility of the electoral process.
The African Democratic Congress, ADC chieftain, also stated that the move opens the door for electoral manipulation and fraud.
He further warned that the rejection of electronic transmission of results is a step backwards for democracy in Nigeria.
Melaye called on lawmakers and citizens to stand up against “this blatant attempt to undermine the will of the people and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and transparent”.
Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili, has said Nigerians have every reason to be mad at the Senate over the ongoing debate on e-transmission of election results.
Ezekwesili made this known on Friday when she featured in an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ monitored by DAILY POST.
DAILY POST reports that the Senate on Wednesday turned down a proposed change to Clause 60, Subsection 3, of the Electoral Amendment Bill that aimed to compel the electronic transmission of election results.
Reacting to the matter, Ezekwesili said, “The fundamental issue with the review of the Electoral Act is that the Senate retained the INEC 2022 Act, Section 60 Sub 5.
“This section became infamous for the loophole it provided INEC, causing Nigerians to lose trust. Since the law established that it wasn’t mandatory for INEC to transmit electoral results in real-time, there wasn’t much anyone could say.
“Citizens embraced the opportunity to reform the INEC Act, aiming to address ambiguity and discretionary opportunities for INEC. Yet, the Senate handled it with a “let sleeping dogs lie” approach. The citizens have every reason to be as outraged as they currently are.”
How Buhari shocked me 6 months into his administration – Oyegun
Gunmen k!ll President General of Ogidi community and one other in Anambra.
Police bust syndicate behind nude photo blackmail in Lagos
-
Business1 year ago
US court acquits Air Peace boss, slams Mayfield $4000 fine
-
Trending1 year agoNYA demands release of ‘abducted’ Imo chairman, preaches good governance
-
Politics1 year agoMexico’s new president causes concern just weeks before the US elections
-
Politics1 year agoPutin invites 20 world leaders
-
Politics1 year agoRussia bans imports of agro-products from Kazakhstan after refusal to join BRICS
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky falls ill in police custody, rushed to hospital
-
Entertainment1 year ago
Bobrisky transferred from Immigration to FCID, spends night behind bars
-
Education1 year ago
GOVERNOR FUBARA APPOINTS COUNCIL MEMBERS FOR KEN SARO-WIWA POLYTECHNIC BORI