13 minute read
NnamaniTakingBulletsforSupportingTinubu
from Asiwaju
Redirect our nation from misrule,” thepartyadded.
However, in a swift reaction, the Senator who has secured the PDP ticket to contest the Enugu East Senatorial District, in the forthcoming National Assembly electionshasdescribedhisexpulsion fromthepartyasajoketakentoofar Nnamani in an open letter to the Senator Iyorchia Ayu-led National Working Committee (NWC) of the peoples Democratic Party (PDP) specifically said Ayu and his team had no powers to suspend or expel himfromtheparty Nnamani's letter to the PDP NWC wassignedbyhisCounselOlusegun O. Jolaawo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He stated that the NWC has no powers to suspend or expel him except the National Executive Committee(NEC).
Advertisement
Nnamani said theAyu-led NWC did not follow due process and strict compliancewiththeprovisionsofthe PDP Constitution and therefore lacked the powers to suspend or expel him as a member of the NationalAssembly
He quoted copiously the relevant sections of the PDP constitution breachedbytheAyuled NWC.
Part
oftheletterread,“Article57(7)
the competence to entertain any question of discipline against our client,excepttheNationalExecutive Committeeoftheparty
“Quite apart from the obvious and undeniable fact that the purported proceeding of the National Working Committee of your party held on 20 January, 2023 and the decision reached there at suspending our clientfromthepartyisnullandvoid, asourclientwasneitherinvitedtothe meetingnorgiventheopportunityto be heard before the decision against himwastaken.
“SeeArticle57(6)oftheConstitution of your party, the National Working Committee lacks the requisite powers to entertain any question of discipline against our client to the extent of suspending or expelling himfromtheparty
“The proceeding and decision reached at the meeting of the National Working Committee of your Party which was held on 20 January, 2023 is therefore, both illegalandanullity
ForsupportingAllProgressives
Congress presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu,aformergovernorofEnugu State and Senator representing EnuguEastSenatorialDistrictinthe National Assembly, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani, is being punished by his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, over alleged anti-party activities SundayAborisadereports
Since Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State emerged as the standard bearer of the All Progressives Congress for the February 25, 2023 Presidential Election, his friend who served as governor of Enugu State from 1999 to 2007, has not hidden his preference for the APC candidate abovetheflagbearerofhisownparty, AtikuAbubakar, a situation that had earned him, an instant expulsion fromthemainoppositionparty.
TheNationalWorkingCommitteeof thePDP,weildedthebigstickagainst Nnamani on February 10 after reviewing it's earlier decision taken on January 28, this year, to suspend the Senator and six others, based on thereportofitsNationalDisciplinary Committee, which recommended theirsuspension.
In a statement signed by Debo Ologunagba, the PDPspokesperson, the party said, “The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at its 566th meeting today, Friday, February 10, 2023, approved the expulsion of the following individuals from the Party for antiParty activities and other grave offences in violation of the ConstitutionofthePDP(asamended in2017)
“Those expelled from the Party are: Senator Chimaroke Nnamani –(EnuguState) andHon.ChrisOgbu (ImoState)
“Othersare:AjijolaLateefOladimeji (Ekiti Central), Olayinka James Olalere (Ekiti Central II), Fayose Oluwajomiloju John (Ekiti Central I), AkereleOluyinka(EkitiNorthI) and Emiola Adenike Jennifer(EkitiSouthII).
“The expulsion takes effect from today,Friday,February10,2023.”
ThePDPexplainedthatthedecision of its NWC was sequel to the recommendation of the National Disciplinary Committee and pursuanttoSections58and59(1)(g) ofthePDPConstitution(asamended in2017).
“ThePDPchargesallmembersofour Party across the country to remain unitedandfocusedonthemissionof our Party to Rescue, Rebuild and
Notwithstandinganyotherprovision relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level, except the NationalExecutiveCommittee,shall entertain any question of discipline as may or concern a member of the National Executive Committee, DeputyGovernorsormembersofthe NationalAssembly,
“Provided that nothing in this Constitution shall preclude or invalidate any complaint submitted through the National Working CommitteetotheNationalExecutive Committee concerning any person whatsoever
“Article 59(3) Notwithstanding any other provision of this Constitution relating to discipline, no Executive Committee at any level except the National Executive Committee shall entertain any question of discipline asmayrelateorconcernamemberof the National Executive Committee, President, Vice President, Governors, Deputy Governors, Ministers, Ambassadors, Special Advisers or member of any of the legislativehouses.
“On 20 January, 2023, the NWC conducted preliminary disciplinary hearing against our client and approved his suspension from the party for one month, purportedly actingpursuanttoArticle57(3)ofthe ConstitutionofthePDP
“ItisevidentonthebasisofArticles 57(7)and59(3)oftheConstitutionof your party excerpted above, that no organ of the party, including the National Working Committee, has
“It therefore gives us great concern, that your proposed disciplinary hearingof8February,2023asstated inyourletterof1stFebruary,2023,is built and erected on the illegal and invalid meeting and decision taken bytheNationalWorkingCommittee of your Party at its meeting of 20 January,2023,suspendingourclient fromtheParty
“Your letter to our client dated 1st February, 2023 made it abundantly clear that the complaint against our client was made to your committee bytheNationalWorkingCommittee.
“However,byvirtueoftheprovisoto Article 57(7) of the Constitution of your Party, the National Working Committee is required to make complaintonanydisciplinarymatter against a member of the National Assembly, only to the National Executive Committee of the Party Yourcommitteehasnotclaimedtobe theNationalExecutiveCommitteeof thePDPandinfact,isnot.
“Your committee therefore, has no powersundertheConstitutionofthe Party (under which you claim to be proceeding against our client) to entertain or hear any question of disciplineagainstourclientasheisa member of the National Assembly OnlyaproperlyconstitutedNational Executive Committee of the party can entertain such question of disciplineagainsthim.
“Wetherefore,urgeyoutoreconsider your proposed disciplinary hearing against our client and abort it immediately
“We have only requested your committeetocomplystrictlywiththe clear provisions of the Constitution ofthePartyunderwhichyouclaimto be proceeding Your proposed disciplinary hearing of 8 February, 2023 is wholly erected on illegality and your committee equally has no powersundertheConstitutionofthe party to invite our client for the purpose of entertaining any disciplinarymatteragainsthim.”
Meanwhile, keen watchers of the politicaldevelopmentsinthecountry would obviously notice that Nnamani has been consistently making public statements, explaining why Tinubu should be electedasNigeria'snextpresident.
He had defended Tinubu's health status,hiscompetenceandhadgone furthertotellhiskinsmeninIgboland that they should support the APC candidateandwaitfortheirowntime inthenearestfuture.
OnNovember23,lastyear,Nnamani inastatement,saidTinubu'sreforms and mentorship as governor from 1999- 2007 transformed Lagos State.
He described Tinubu as a great mentor who has guided numerous mentees from various states, from political boyhood to political adulthood in his capacity as a politicalmentor
Nnamani added that Tinubu has repeatedly proven himself to be a professional politician and the greatest political leader and mentor; whobuiltthenecessarybridges,paid his dues, and nurtured political heavyweights.
Part of the statement, personally signed by him, read: “Before I talk about the leadership and mentoring philosophies of the governors from theclassof1999,Iwanttofirstshed some important insight on what politicalleadershipandmentoringis all about, as opposed to godfatherism, which has been the norm for teeming youths. We must understand that effective leadership requiresavarietyofabilities.
“A successful leader, according to Thomas Paine, is one who understands when to take the initiative, follow others and step aside. Successful strategic plans for thepresentandfuturearecreatedby competentleaderswhobuildashared vision for the future, they discuss howtogetwhatisrequiredwhilealso takingintoaccountwhatisdesired.
“A competent leader develops support for their plans in order to involve people and groups in the decision-making and policyenactmentprocesses.
“Similar to how different organisations require different kinds of leaders tailored to their needs, local,state,andfederalgovernments require political leaders who can translate divergent viewpoints and conflicting interests into laws and practicesthattoadvanceequalityand opportunityforall.
“People are believed to follow a leaderwhowilltakethemwherethey want to go, but a competent leader will also take them to where they shouldgo.
“I can't help but feel that when Tinubu and his Transition Working
Group began what will be remembered as Nigeria's largest political reform, which elevated Lagos State to one of the biggest economic centers in Africa, the majority of residents of Lagos State didnotenvisionthecityasitistoday after living through three decades of military rule, during which they witnessed first hand a crumbling health system, collapsing school buildings, poor social services, and therest.
“The city-boy (Tinubu) substantially enhanced the lives of individualswhoresideinLagosState with his visionary reforms in the health, school, justice, works, and infrastructuresectors,whichwehave reviewedinthepastweeks.
“Tinubu has guided numerous mentees from various states from political boyhood to political adulthood in his capacity as a political mentor A trait transformational leaders likeTinubu andtheclassof1999governorshave. Tinubumenteeshavegoneontohold various leadership positions in Nigeria.
“But we cannot discuss some of his menteeswhohasbeennurturedfrom political boyhood to adulthood without mentioning our very own AnambraSon,BenAkabueze,whom Tinubu influenced his appointment as the commissioner for economic planning and budget in Lagos state after seeing his achievements as the CEO of NAL Bank Plc, (now SterlingBankPlc).
“Ben Akabueze, a well-known charteredaccountantthroughTinubu rosethroughtherankstobecomethe Director General of the Federal RepublicofNigeria'sBudgetOffice.
“Currently serving as Nigeria's Minister of Youths and Sports, SundayDareof Oyo Stateservedas Tinubu'sspecialadviseronmedia.
“After eight years as governor of Osun State, Rauf Aregbesola, who also served as Lagos State commissioner for works under Tinubu, is currently Nigeria's Minister of Interior.The philosopher king and consummate intellectual former Governor of Ekiti state KayodeFayemiwillalwayscometo mind.
“Similarly, Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, who was Tinubu's Chief of Staff, before serving as Lagos State governor, is currently the Minister for Works and Housing, while the current governor of Lagos State Babajide Sanwo-Olu, served as Tinubu's commissioner for commerce.
“Tinubu's first Chief of Staff,Alhaji Lai Mohammed from Kwara state is currently serving as Minister for InformationandCulture.
“While The Right Honorable Femi Gbajabiamila,CurrentSpeakerofthe House of Representatives, was first electedtotheHousein2003courtesy ofTinubu.
“Don't forget, our own Vice
President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON, served as Lagos State attorney general and commissioner forjusticeduringTinubu'stenure.
“While leaders in comfortable conditions offer an even easier life whether they can provide it or not, revolutionarysituationslikethefight for Nigeria's democracy prior to 1999 forged exceptional leaders like Tinubu and many others who demand great work ethics, confidenceand'candospirit'
“Because of Tinubu's mentoring philosophyandmotivationtofinding the best brains from wherever to complete the required job, Lagos Stateiswhatitistoday
“In today's political sphere, our inability to distinguish between confidence and competence, our attraction to charismatic people, and ourinabilitytowithstandtheallureof narcissistic people have led several nations to elect individuals with no backgroundinpoliticstothehighest office in their various countries, thereby turning a bad situation worse.”
Nnamani therefore opined that “Nigeria's currentdispensationcalls forreadyandexperiencedhandslike Tinubuand notbeginners toleadthe nationtogreaterheights.”
Similarly, the former governor of EnuguState,inanotherstatementhe signed some time in October last year, advised the Igbo to reflect on the looming reality of Tinubu, emergingaspresident.
Nnamanistatedthisinthepiecetitled “The Igbo Insularity and it'sYoruba Wahala, ” made available to journalistsinAbuja.
Accordingtohim,itwasnottoolate for the Igbo to reflect on, and carefully x-ray the imminent reality of Tinubu winning the 2023 presidentialelection.
Nnamaniinthepiece,askedtheIgbo several questions bordering on their relationshipwiththeYoruba.
The Senator, who is the Chairman, Senate Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa/NEPAD, noted that the Yoruba were not the problemoftheIgbo.
Hiswords:“HowdidtheIgbogetto this?WhosoldthismassiveConjob? Whoarethesnakeoilsalesmen?
“Why the perceived mistrust of the Yoruba? We never fought? Our properties never seized? Our businesses thriving in their Homelands? Blossoming intermarriages with multiple offsprings? Commonlanguageetymology.”
He further said, “They stayed out of Nigeria/Biafra war until the Benin expedition. Fajuyi died for Ironsi's sake. BolaTinubu gave his financial lifelinetoIgboBenAkabueze.”
Nnamani added that President Olusegun Obasanjo had highly dependent Igbo people including himself, that the retired general was mentoring.
The Senator said, “He (Obasanjo) calls me son and seriously shared confidentiality with me. That I will carrywithmetotheLord'svineyard.
“Our properties were returned immediatelyinthesecondquarterof 1970 with collected rent and interests.
“The 'ontogeny' of our revered kolanut Yoruba. My brothers where is the disconnect? Okpara and our forebears saw it. The NCNC/ NPC alliance was a colossal failure for
SouthEast.DittoNPN/NPP History repeats.
“Action Group/National Council of Nigerian Citizens alliance 1956/57 was aborted. It could have provided Chief executive to either party The AG/ NCNC alliance in United Progressive Grand Alliance, AwolowoandOkparamiredinPre66 Coupimbroglio.
“TheUnityPartyofNigeria/National Peoples Party alliance could have done the same The threat of Ekwueme Presidency writers claim added Filip to collapse of the Third Republic.
“When you shift power to Yoruba, you don't go to Kwara or Kogi, you go to South-West. But the weakness of the South-East zone is patently obvious such that they throw any bonestousandwebite.
“We must always be expected to showgratitudeforanypittance.After all we were spared with “no victor , novanquished”Weshouldbehappy anddon'tworry
“We canalwaysresorttospareparts and hugging containers For this ongoing political expedition, my Igbo people have suffered the consequences of sociopolitical Insularity
Hecategoricallystatedthat“thetwo political parties with emotional capture of my people will lose the Presidentialelection.
“The Igbo are out of the power echelon of an African State they helped found. Product of self injury and own goal. We need a restart. Based on a paradigm shift. Careful butcalculatedrisk.”
He cautioned that “the Igbo has to retrace the steps of Okpara and Awolowo, The United Progressive GrandAlliance.
He said, “An Igbo-YorubaAlliance. ItisnotlatefortheIgbotoreflecton and carefully X-Ray the looming reality of a President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”
OnOctober10lastyear,Nnamaniin another statement said Tinubu, was medicallyfittogovernNigeria.
The medical doctor and surgeon, said“Tinubuhadnohealthchallenge aserroneouslybeingspeculated”and insisted that the former Lagos State Governor'shealthcannotinanyway affect the discharge of his responsibilitiesasPresident.
TheSenatorsaid, “Ijoinmillionsof our people in welcoming Tinubu home. It is to God's Glory that he returnedinsuperbhealth.
“I continue to strongly condemn those who wallow in ignorance in celebration of real and fantom infirmities.Rather,Ilendmyvoicein celebrating his giant strides in governance, reforms and local administration in all its spheres. I salute his political deftness and sagacity
“As a medical professional, with honour, I attest to his good health and capacity Tinubu has a robust general system, acute awareness of his holistic environment, political andinallramifications.
“A bubbling and vivacious personality his confidence easily apparent, sharing and transferable. Engaging him clearly demonstrates goodhealth,energyandreadinessto rumble.”
He reaffirmed his acquaintance with Tinubu over the years which is without prejudice to his current politicalcommitments.
Nnamani, in another post on his verified Facebook page on August 10, 2022, gave comprehensive
“The Judges stopped writing physical notes More advanced vehicles were provided and participation in Conferences guaranteed. Our two Attorneys General worked closely Mrs Gloria Egbuji steered us throughAccess to JusticeProgram,thenowfamousDr Joe Abah assisted and supervised underthedirectionofDFID.
“I recall a National Competition on Reform advances amongst States c o v e r i n g G o v e r n a n c e , Transparencies, Budgeting and Ease ofdoingbusiness.Supervisedbythe causetoengagewithhimonjobsfor Enugu spouses In the Education Sector, he introduced Tutor General and raised the bar for earning by teachers.InEnuguweapprovedthat Primary School Teachers could rise tolevel16. reasonshewassupportingTinubu.
“We also approved elevation for those who obtained graduate qualifications I also admired his pupilGovernorforaday SomehowI never got to it. Tinubu also directly intervened in Enugu spouses who hadissuesasteachers.
“IntheHealthSector,Ifaintlyrecalla Soyinka heading his HIV program and later becoming Health Commissioner!AsadoctorIkepttab onhisstridesinmyprofessionalarea. WithamodernDiseaseSurveillance system and Emergency Medicine programinplace.
“He put in programs cordinating healthandJusticeforabusedwomen and children. Tinubu had first class social work response program. His reform advocacy was second to Enugu State. I had the advantage of background but gravely limited by resources.Heleftalastinglegacyof hard work in Lagos State in infrastructure(roadsandhousing).
“When Bola Ahmed Tinubu was governor, Lagos state's IGR rose from600millionNairapermonthto over8billionNairapermonth.
“He had an impressive track record as a governor; his state contributed morethan30%toourcountry'sGDP, accounted for more than 65% of industrial investment in Nigeria, 80% of its international trade, and collected more than 60% of the country'svalue-addedtax.
“In the area of Human capacity, his mentorship was first class and his mentees have spread out and like littleacornsmanyhavebecomegiant oak trees in Nigeria's political firmaments.
Thepostread,“BolaTinubu,the12th governor of Lagos State, was a cogovernor with me (1999–2007). As colleagues we worked together in pioneering the first meetings of Conferences of Southern Governors which we interchanged hosting the firstandsecondandvisitedEnugufor themeetings.
“That meeting brought to the front burner, issues of Federalism both PhysicalandFiscal.Istillremember the educative contributions of Gov BisiAkande.
“Imustconfessofoccasionalenvyas we interchanged ideas and implemented reform decisions. He had more resources and quickly implementedthefullrequirementsof ACCESS to Justice reform project. Making the Lagos State Criminal Justice System, one of the best in Africa.
EconomicAdvisertothePresident(a guy from Benue State), DFID and other development partners also participated.
“Enugu emerged tops, followed closely by either Lagos State or the FCT.Enugualsoestablishedthefirst Poverty Reduction Study, Review, Guidelines and Implementation before the Federal Government or indeedanyotherState,verifiedbyDr Joe Abah, former DFID staff in Enugu. Enugu tried considering our Financial dilemma The Justice system also paid close attention to WomenandChildrenwelfare.
“Both governments pioneered Development Centers. For obvious political reasons he was denied due Federalallocationsforyears.Hekept ploughingon!
“HisJusticesectoralsoprovidedjobs to many spouses of non Lagosians workingandresidinginLagos.Ihad
“JustlikeinEnuguweappointednon Enugu people (avoiding the meaningless and retrogressive anathema“nonindigene”)Irecallmy brother Ben Akabueze being a repository of the financial and economic secrets of “Yoruba” TinubuLagosStateGovernment. “Fashola, Osinbajo, Aregbosola, Fayemi, etc. All first class with Agame always. I vigorously oppose, protest and detest the shameless campaigns and parody targeting Tinubu'shealth.
“AsaHealthworkerIamamazedby the ignorance, foolishness, wickedness and callousness of these idioticoperators.
“I believe they are unwarranted, extremely unprofessional, and have no place in our polity As the GenZ grow and Nigeria merges with the newworld,theywillcryatthefoibles oftheirprogenitors.
“Get it folks, life is turn by turn limited(apologyUncleBode).These actions which bleed my heart personallyareofpublicrecords.
“History and The Almighty will be very harsh to these bad political comedians. Since we all desire a betterNigeria,ourpoliticsshouldbe grounded in facts and reliable evidence.
“Thisistheonlywaywecanadvance this nation. Ahmed Bola Tinubu is the MOST successful Governor in modern Nigeria bar none. Result of disease.
“Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) the longest serving president of the United States ofAmerica served his termaspresidentonawheelchairthis was as a result of polio diagnosis whenhewas39yrsoldin1921.
“DespitehishealthRooseveltguided the country through the Great endin1919,asignofapartialstroke, according to a doctor, by October 1919,hewaspartiallyparalyzed.
“Dwight D. Eisenhower, elected in 1952,Americanrememberedhisera as the “happy days” one which they enjoyed nothing but a booming economy.Itisimportanttonotethat he was already suffering from abdominal adhesions resulting from a 1923 appendectomy and in 1956 during his second term He was diagnosed for having Crohn's disease,aseveredigestivecondition thatcalledforsurgery got Nnamani, a slot in the APC PresidentialCampaignCouncil
“Eisenhower has a stroke shortly after that in 1957. Americans were able to enjoy a booming economy regardlessofhishealth.
Defending the development then, a formerPDPgovernorshipaspirantin Enugu State, Dr Josef Onoh, gave reasons for Nnamani's inclusion in theAllProgressivesCongress(APC) Presidential campaign council of AsiwajuBolaTinubu combination of may truisms some beyondhim.
According to Onoh, even though NnamanibelongstothePDP,hehas cometoshareaffinitywithTinubuin manyways,particularlysincebothof them became governors of their respective states between 1999 and 2007.
“Permit me to mention some past presidents who stood out for being able to contribute to the growth and greatness of their countries despite healthissues.Thefirstpersononmy lineup is:- John F Kennedy (JFK). JFK actually experienced almost dailydiscomfort,
“He had digestive issues, allergies, and a persistent back condition that necessitated several operations and wasmadeworsebyhisparticipation in World War II. He had medical sequelaeofhypoadrenalism,anemia, low blood pressure, etc essentially later determined to be Addison's
DepressionandWorldWarII,twoof thebiggestcrisesofthe20thcentury
“He significantly increased the federal government's authority through a number of initiatives and reformsknownastheNewDeal.
“He was also a key figure in the successful campaign to eradicate Japanese militarism and German National Socialism Woodrow Wilson.
“After World War I, Woodrow Wilson founded the League of Nations (1914–18). He oversaw the passage of laws outlawing child labor and the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote. Wilson's mouth was sagging on one
“Ronald Reagan, even though there isn't much proof that the 40th president had Alzheimer's while he served as commander in chief, suspicions of dementia followed Reagan during his first presidential campaign, where the 69-year-age old'sattractedalotofattentionashe wastheoldestincomingpresident.
“Regardless,beingreferredtoas“the greatcommunicator”Bynegotiating effectively with Congress, Reagan was able to pass legislation that boosted employment, reduced inflation, and strengthened the nation'sdefense.
“H.E BolaTinubuneedstoworkon improving relationships with many othersespeciallymypeopletheIgbo. He needs to lead by advocacy, example, practice and openmindedness in assuaging the feeling and ongoing hostility to the Igbo in Lagos,Nnamanistated. ThemassivesupportforTinubueven culledfromThisDay
HerecalledthatTinubuandNnamani commenced the Southern Nigeria Governors Forum which has now crystallized into a major political force for balancing of power in the Nigeriafederation.
He further recalled that it was at the same Southern Governors Forum meeting hosted by Governor Ifeanyi OkowainAsabathattookadecision that the next President of Nigeria shouldcomefromSouthernNigeria, despiteanypoliticalpartyaffiliation.
Onohsaidhehoweverregrettedthat the initial host of that Southern Governor's meeting, Okowa, capitulated,soldoutadecisiontaken in his house and went behind to negotiate for a selfish vice presidential slot to the detriment of theentireSouthernNigeria.
Itisveryobviousandcertainthatthe expulsionofNnamanifromthePDP cannot stop him from contesting next week's election. Whether the Senator will defect to theAPC after thepoll,remainfornow,intherealm ofspeculation.
