Will Unity Covention End AD Crisis?
With the October deadline given to the Alliance for Democracy (AD) by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) fast approaching, the party, Wednesday took its critics by surprise when it held its unity convention at the Onikan stadium, Lagos state. Tokunbo Adedoja, Olawale Olaleye and Ndubuisi Ugah, who covered the event report
Though, there were conflicting media reports on the likelihood of the proposed "Unity Convention" of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) taking place. As early as 8.am on Wednesday, it had become obvious that a major political gathering was billed for the Onikan Stadium, Lagos State. A detachment of regular and Mobile policemen was already stationed both inside and outside the stadium ostensibly to ward off any unforeseen eruption of violence. Vans with AD boldly inscriped were also seen moving in and out of the stadium while finishing touches were being put to the preparations at the venue.
At the entrance to the football field was the podium positioned right at the centre for easy viewing from all angles. Round the podium were canopies lined across the field with tags bearing the names of each of the 36 states of the federation, including the Federal Capital Territory, for easy identification of the various stands by delegates. And on the left hand side from the main entrance was the high table, a few metres away from the podium erected at the centre.While serious efforts were intensified by the organisers and concerned persons for the success of the day's event, several other side attractions also added colour to the event. Expectedly, such could not ruled out at an event as big as the national convention of a political party.
Scores of political praise -singers, trumpeters, drummers were also seen working desperately to make the event livelier. Infact, at each each of the over 36 stands were one activity or the other. While some of the attractions appeared interesting and serious, others were better laughed off.
Just about then, some party members started arriving in expectation of an early accreditation of delegates for the convention.
Three hours later, the venue was already agog as notable party leaders and members had fully arrived. First to arrive among the former Governors of the party in South-west geo-political zone was Alhaji Lam Adesina of Oyo State while Chief Olusegun Osoba and Otunba Niyi Adebayo came almost about the same time.
Their arrival was closely trailed by that of the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Femi Pedro. Also at the convention were Pa Ayo Fasanmi, former AD Chairman, Amb. Yusuf Mamman, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro, Senator Sikiru Shitta-Bay, members of the AD caucus in the House of Representatives, Prince Dayo Adeyeye and Administrative Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Yinka Odumakin.
Elder statesman, Pa Anthony Enahoro, Chairman, Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, his National Secretary, Chief Maxi Okwu, National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie all came as observers to the convention.
The convention was also monitored by a high-powered delegation from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) led by two national electoral commissioners. The INEC commissioners who led the delegation comprise not less than six directors, are Dr. Ishmail Igbano (in charge of political affairs and operations) and Dr. Muhammed Jumare (in charge of political affairs).
The convention billed to commence activities at 10 in the morning did not start until about 1.50 pm, over 32 minutes after Governor Tinubu arrived the Onikan venue. The governor in his usual manner, went round the stadium acknowledging cheers from party members before heading for the high table to join other leaders of the party.
Shortly after, the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Dele Alake mounted the podium to introduce the day's event and started by giving insight into how far the AD has come. Alake spoke on the journey of the AD since eruption of the crisis to date. His remarks were followed by those of the state Commissioner for Youth, Sports and Social Development, Barrister Opeyemi Bamidele who was saddled with the responsibility of introducing the dignitaries present at the convention.
Conscious of the dangers of working behind schedule, organisers of the convention had to cut short some of the items on the agenda by only allowing just the acting Chairman of the AD, Chief Michael Koleoso and the Convention Chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan to speak.
Midway into the exercise however, heavens were let open as a heavy down pour nearly disrupted proceedings. But delegates ,inspite of this, still queued to cast their votes for candidates of their choice. At the end of voting, former Governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande emerged as the national chairman of the party, having secured the highest number of votes. Akande polled 3,010 votes to defeat Professor Sola Adeyeye, a House of Representatives member, who had 400 votes and Dr. Lanre Idowu to clinch the party's chairmanship position.
Chairman of the National Convention Committee (NCC), the body that was saddled with the task of organising the convention, Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan while declaring Akande winner said "Akande emerged victorious having fulfilled all that necessary conditions which the post demanded for him to qualify as the chairman which reflected in the kind of votes he polled".
He said his committee, in ensuring that the convention met the stipulated criteria as demanded by INEC, had to tour the 36 states of the federation, in a bid to provide a level playing ground for all aspirants and delegates.
In justifying his argument, Hassan said it was in fulfillment of this that INEC Chairman, Dr. Abel Guobadia sent in the officials as a way of legalising and dousing speculations over the possibility of holding the convention.
According to him, "Guobadia has assured us (AD) that the commission is in support of the convention through the high-powered delegation who have come to grace the convention with us".
The NCC chairman, while acknowledging that the committee was determined to achieve result, explained that out of the 16 members that participated in last year's parallel conventions (both in Lagos and Abuja), 13 were physically at the venue, an indication that the Lagos convention was indeed a unity convention.
"My committee is the only committee that is legally backed to organise this convention as 13 out of the 16 members that participated in last year's conventions are all here present with us", he said.
While explaining the modalities for the election, which was done through the open secret ballot system, the NCC Secretary, Hon. Wunmi Bewaji said a total of 4,792 delegates were accredited for the convention across the 36 states of the federation.
Bewaji said at the close of nomination, Alhaji Rafiu Ogunleye (Deputy Fin.Sec.), Muftau Olatunji Hamzat (Vice Nat. Chairman), Chief Caleb Akani JP, (Asst. Nat Sec.) South-west, Mr. Jude Eke, (national treasurer, Mr. Donatus Obiyeneche (dep. nat. pub. sec.), Rev. Okechukwu Obioha (dep. nat. vice chairman) were all returned unopposed.
Also Prince Ben Iki, Senator U.J. Yohanna, Alhaji Ahmed Aseni, Comrade Farouk Umar and Mr. Yunana all emerged as the national vice chairman (South-south), national secretary, deputy national chairman, national publicity secretary deputy national officer respectively.
In his acceptance speech, Akande said that "the leadership of the party exist not for the presidential ambition of any particular person but for the collective aspiration of all Nigerians towards noble achievements".
Commenting on the focus of his administration, Akande said that AD will ensure that President Olusegun Obasanjo does not succeed himself in 2007 and that the present hike in the prices of petroleum products is reverted.
"Our first assignment is to ensure that President Obasanjo does not use the present docile National Assembly to elongate the tenure of his administration with a view to succeeding himself. We shall resist the elongation of his tenure, we shall resist his contemplation of self-succession", he said.
In his own remarks, Enahoro commended the party for extending invitations to leaders of other parties noting that this is the first time in the history of the nation that chairmen of other political parties would be attending a political convention other than theirs. He said this has opened a new chapter in history of inter-party relations.
He maintained that the future of the country lies in the hands of progressive forces and canvassed that all progressive forces should come together to form a common front in order to take the nation out of the woods.
The elder statesman, Chief Anthony Enahoro also declared that any attempt to impose any form of dictatorial rule on Nigeria would fail maintaining that nowhere in the world has dictatorship lasted maintaining that Nigeria will not be an exception.
Citing examples of dictators in history, the elder statesman said that despotic rulers like Idi Amin of Uganda, Sese Seko Mobutu of Congo and General Sani Abacha of Nigeria only lasted for a period before their reigns were abruptly terminated.
He consequently called on all lovers of democracy to be prepared to suffer inoder to defend it adding that that is the only way for this cherished system of government to survive.
Noting that the nation can not afford to be under any form of dictatorial rule again, Enahoro said that democracy must be nurtured by all Nigerians.
Enahoro, who also took a look at the state of the nation, said that Nigeria has all the resources to make her citizens to be comfortable but that due to mismanagement, the country is grouped among the poor nation's of the world.
"Nigeria has all the resources to make all of us comfortable, but what do we have? Mismanagement!", he said. Enahoro also reiterated his call for the convocation of a National Conference where all the various tribes that make up the country would come together to decide on the terms of their union.
Okorie, who also spoke at the event, said he was looking forward to the day when AD and APGA will take over power at the center.
The downpour that started halfway into the convention, however forced the party to skip other programmes lined up which include the remarks of major stakeholders of the party.
What Becomes of Afenifere?
When it became obvious that the convention was for real, another news filtered in that some Afenifere had fixed a meeting for Ijebu-Igbo for the same day. Questions were raised by analysts about why some leaders of the group decided to hold it meeting on a day that would coincide with the convention that has been described as successful by all and sundry when ordinarily it should have held it yesterday, Thursday.
Not a few was oblivious of what would be the outcome of such a meeting since it was being convened by the same Afenifere members who had public endorsed Akinfenwa.
While the convention was on however, some leaders of the pan Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, in support of the Akinfenwa's faction, assembled for a meeting in Ijebu-Igbo residence of the leader of Afenifere, Pa. Abraham Adesanya where they opposed the Onikan stadium convention, saying it is unconstitutional. Adesanya, was however not part of the meeting.
While briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, newly elected National Secretary and Publicity Secretary, Dr. Femi Okurounmu and Prince Supo Sonibare respectively, declared that the Lagos convention did not enjoy support of members.
"No fewer than 500 people from all over the South west except Ekiti and all of them unanimously affirmed their opposition to the convention", Shonibare said
Sonibare who read the communiqu� issued at the end of the meeting, stated that the Afenifere General Assembly had ratified the Abuja convention which elected Mojisoluwa Akinfenwa as the AD chairman and urged him to ensure the reconciliation of the AD factions".
The meeting also condemned some press releases emanating from the organization's Secretariat at Jibowu Lagos. Okurounmu said Afenifere was particularly disturbed that releases were coming from unauthorised sources on behalf of the body.
"In particular, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, the Administrative Secretary, he has been issuing releases which are unauthorised and which are against the position of Afenifere.
"What we consider as an act of Indiscipline and rebellion especially, the recent one which appeared in the dailies (today) yesterday should be discarded as coming from unauthorised sources".
He said, the release that there would be an Afenifere Congress at Jibowu on Tuesday must be ignored.
"We seize this opportunity to remind our Youth to recognise the merit of standing by the truth and by honesty and Integrity which are the hallmark of Afenifere.
"Afenifere leaders are people who cannot be bought by any amount of money. There is no price that one can put on their heads that would change their conscience", he was quoted.
Even has it has become obvious that Afenifere is presently a house divided,while AD has recorded a milestone in its bid to resolve its internal crisis, the view is that, Afenifere may have finally lost its hold on AD. Not only, the cracks in the pan Yoruba socio-political group has become so obvious that, fears are even been expressed by observers that the group might not survive its internal crisis. Already, a statement issued by Odumakin on Tuesday said the congress of the group would be held at its national headquarter, Jibowu next week. But those who converged on Ijebu-Igbo on Wednesday said nothing of such would happen.
What Next for AD?
Questions has also been raised about what becomes of the Akinfenwa factions which had been laying claim to the leadership of the party since the parallel convention of last year. One thing that is clear is that, the presence of a high level delegation of INEC at the Wednesday's Onikan convention, has conferred a degree of legitmacy on the new leadership of Akande and that may have finally nailed the coffin of the Akinfenwa's faction, the unity convention has taken the steam off his factions claim to the leadership of the party.
Expectedly, the new executive has extended hands of fellowship to all groups and tendencies within the party maitaining that the convention has ushered the beginning of a new era for the party. As Professor Adeyeye, one of the defeated chairmanship aspirants rightly put it in a chat with THISDAY, Wednesday's convention has provided an opportunity for party to resolve its internal crisis once and for all.
But another sore point, however is the media reports that plans had been perfected to arraign Akande before the Independent Corrupt Practices Commision (ICPC) over the N127 million scam on Bola Ige House.
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