News Release: Oshiohmole’s Victory As Triumph Of Peoples’ Will

Oshiohmole

The Committee for the Protection of Peoples Mandate (CPPM) sincerely and wholeheartedly congratulates the good, dynamic and progressive people of Edo state for their resoluteness and doggedness in exercising their franchise and ensuring that it prevailed in the gubernatorial elections of July 14, 2012 which produced a winner in the person of Comrade Adams Oshiomole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

While acknowledging that the election was not without some noted hiccups such as, in its character, INEC lateness in arrival of election materials, missing and void voters register, haphazard deployment of security personnel which resulted in their presence in some areas and total absence in other areas, the elections was generally orderly and peaceful.

We are however gladdened by the fact that despite all the hiccups, threats of intimidation and manipulative tactics of the enemies of democracy to supplant the peoples will, they were completely overwhelmed by the resoluteness of the people to make their votes count and which counted. The Edo people by this courageous conduct have once again giving credence to the fact that there is no force on earth that can withstand the peoples will, because the voice of the people is the voice of God.

CPPM wants to use this medium to commend the personnel of the fourth estate of the realm, the media for their indefatigable role in ensuring that democracy takes root in Nigeria by their exemplary coverage of this election. We also want to acknowledge the patriotic and unbiased role of our security agencies in performing their constitutional functions. We as well commend the personnel of INEC and the adhoc staffs comprising members of the NYSC for a job well done. To you all, we say a big thank you and God’s continued blessings in your endeavours.

While celebrating this victory as a triumph of the peoples will, we want to admonish Governor elect Adams Oshiomole to rededicate himself to selfless service to the good people of Edo state for posterity sake. However, in the euphoria of this celebration, we wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the families of the INEC staff and security agencies who lost their lives in the discharge of their constitutional duties, we say to the families that the dead did not die in vain because they will forever be remembered as heroes of our democracy.  

Long live democracy,

Long live the good people of Edo state.

Nelson Ekujumi,

Executive Chairman.

Editorial: Matters Arising In The Appointment Of Mrs. Patience Jonathan As Permanent Secretary

Mrs. Patience Jonathan

Since 11^th July, 2012, the Nigerian news circuit have been agog with news of the appointment of the wife of the President of Nigeria, Mrs. Patience Jonathan as a Permanent Secretary in the Bayelsa State Civil Service by the governor, Mr. Henry Seriake Dickson.

Mrs. Jonathan was appointed alongside eighteen others in line with the provision of section 208, sub section 2c of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria, which empowers the governor to carry out such exercise.

Since the appointment was made public by the Senior Special Assistant(Media and Public Affairs) to the governor, a cross section of opinion leaders have volunteered opinions on the matter, with most questioning the rationale for such unprecedented action. Mrs. Jonathan has a scant Civil Service career history.

Responding to those questioning the rationale, the senior Special Assistant provided some kind of insights into Mrs. Jonathan’s Civil Service career history.

The public was informed that Mrs. Jonathan joined the Rivers State Civil Service “in the 90s” and transferred her service to the Bayelsa State Civil Service, when her husband was elected as the deputy governor of that state. She was said to have been “last appointed into the directorate cadre as a level 15 officer in 2005”.

The Civil Service regulations in Nigeria stipulate that Permanent Secretaries are the Chief Accounting Officers of the Ministries. The responsibilities for guiding the workforce and the implementations of the policies of Administrations rest on the Permanent Secretaries.

chidi opara reports is of the opinion that persons to be appointed as Permanent Secretaries among other qualifications, must have consistent history of quality Civil Service careers. Their continuous assessment profiles must also be a reference point in such appointments.

This is where the appointment of Mrs. Jonathan becomes most worrisome. From 1999 to date, Mrs. Jonathan have been actively playing the roles of wife of the Deputy governor, Governor, Vice-president and President. These roles in Nigeria are full time roles that leave very little or no time for other endervours. It is thus clear from the above that Mrs. Jonathan’s appointment was not based on professional considerations.

It was even said that Mrs. Jonathan would act in absentia and would not draw salaries and allowances. If this is the case, what is the rationale for the appointment of a Permanent Secretary who would not be working for the state in that capacity, even if it is without salaries and allowances, when there are more qualified persons on hand, who are eager to work? Moreover, would Mrs. Jonathan not one day draw arrears of her salaries and allowances? Would she not be drawing pensions at the end of her absentee Civil Service Career?

News Report: Adams Oshiomhole Declared Winner Of Edo State Governorship Election

Oshiomhole

Mr. Adams Oshiomhole of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has been declared winner of the  just concluded Edo State governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission(INEC)Returning Officer; Professor Osayuki Oshodin, formally declared Oshiomhole winner at state INEC office today. Oshiomhole polled a total of 477,478 votes, representing 73 per cent of total votes cast.

Charles Airhiavbere of the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP), polled 144,235 votes, representing 22 per cent of total votes cast to come second.

President Goodluck Jonathan has already congratulated Oshiomhole on his victory.

Reuben Abati, Presidential spokesperson said Oshiohmole's victory is "a fresh mandate to build on his outstanding first term performance."

He further described Oshiomhole's victory as "an expression of the people's desire for a continuation of his focused, purposeful and dynamic leadership."