What Gave Buhari Edge over Jonathan – Ofehe

Buhari should stop free money to militants but give them jobs
Comrade Sunny Ofehe is Chief Executive Officer of Hope for Niger Delta Campaign, a Non Governmental Organisation (NGO) which has been in the forefront of campaign against environmental pollution, gas flare, pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta region. In this interview with JOE OGBODU, Ofehe bares his mind on why he thinks President Goodluck Jonathan lost in the last Presidential Election to General Muhammadu Buhari and the implication of the defeat in the Niger Delta among other sundry issues.
Jonathan became the first incumbent President to be defeated in a Presidential election in the history of Nigeria, why do you think Buhari won?
You know PDP is the biggest and most powerful political party in Nigeria until all the other political parties formed an alliance and APC was born. So APC became the largest opposition party in the country. That alliance gave APC the momentum and when the choice for Buhari was announced, the momentum became even stronger. The idea of Yemi Osinbajo as his running mate was a good decision because he was not controversial that was why all the criticisms were directed at Buhari while Prof. Osinbajo, as a pastor attracted majority of Christians in the South-West.
APC was also very organised during the campaign and for the first time in history took their campaign offshore. They paraded The General very well internationally, organised town hall meetings with Nigerians in the Diaspora, international community’s senior government officials and diplomats. With the image of President Jonathan already damaged abroad, Buhari was certain to get the support of the West and that clearly showed from the joint warning given to the government by the US and the UK few days to the elections that they must ensure that the elections were peaceful and fair. While all these were going, on the President’s media team was busy being petty!
How did Nigerians in Diaspora received the news of Buhari’s victory in the March 28th Presidential election?
If the election was conducted in Diaspora, Buhari would have won landslide. It was clear that the popularity of President Jonathan plummeted to a record low since after the Chibok girls were abducted.
Gen. Buhari and his running mate Yemi Osinbajo spent the last months of their campaigns addressing Nigerians and the international communities of their determination and reasons why they are the best choice for the country. They engaged in constructive and productive meetings with top international politicians, government officials, and civil society organizations. Take for example the much publicised Chatham House meeting in London.
Meanwhile, President Jonathan’s media moguls were busy fighting a detrimental war with the opponent. They tend to forget that the highest percentage of Nigerian political debaters on the social media are the diasporans. Nigerians in the Diaspora can influence their families back home to exercise their votes in favor of their choice candidate. Remember, majority are the breadwinners in their family.
When I observed that the popularity of the opposition was more than that of the President, I tried many times to raise this with some people I know in the government or close associates of the President but they ignored my warnings.
Though there were tons of supporters for him but they had no sense of direction and real purpose. It was also very difficult to publicly defend the President on an international platform. Though he had some achievements to his credit but they were not properly publicised.
Why do you think he lost the election?
President Goodluck Jonathan was a very popular person among Nigerians and that reflected on his winning in the 2011 Presidential elections. I was one of the unpopular voices from the South – South who felt Jonathan should have allowed the North to complete the Yar’Adua term particularly when it became controversial and led to a national debate.
The President would have positioned himself in a way that his heroic antecedent would have started from bowing out to the wishes of the Northerners and position himself as the best and credible candidate from the South-South to take over the reign of affairs. He could have still retained his position as Vice President under any Northern President. If that had happened he would have completed his constitutionally mandated two terms in office. I think he was misled by those who saw his Presidency as an opportunity to enjoy political affluence and wealth. It was from that moment he fell out with a few powerful forces from the North and even South-West and that played a role in the overwhelming rejection he got from the polls in those areas.
On the issue of corruption, he didn’t really impose himself on it and his administration was plagued with so much corruption whereas, he was never a part of it but he never took any drastic action to convince anybody he was the answer to our quest to eradicate corruption in the country. He also made some questionable decisions that portrayed him as a president encouraging corruption. Take a look at some of the recipients of his national award, State pardon and political appointments, you are left wondering about his intentions.
Boko Haram and the abducted Chibok Girls
Also the insecurity in the North-East of Nigeria caused by Boko Haram made him very unpopular, particularly after the abduction of the Chibok girls. I wouldn’t say he was affected because he didn’t defeat Boko Haram or released the girls, it was the way he managed the crisis that contributed to his loss. It took him a long time to meet the families of the girls.
I never saw any Nigerian fallen soldier getting a heroic and national burial like what we saw in France after the terrorist attack that left four police officers dead. As a leader, little actions like this will restore confidence in the people you serve and draw up sympathy for you even when you are losing the battle.
Also, the strategy to attack the opposition personally was wrong. The issue of Buhari’s certificate, the issue of his health and what he did and did not do as a military Head of State was baseless, at a time when Nigerians were hungry and unemployed, these topics became meaningless.
There is no doubt that President Jonathan despite losing his popularity took some bold steps in the economic sector. It was in his administration that Nigeria became the largest economy in Africa, the rebasing of the economy reached an unprecedented half a trillion dollars and the agricultural sector got a massive boost while at it.
You have met President Goodluck Jonathan, how can you describe him?
The President is a very good person. He is humble and very respectful to everyone irrespective of your social status. Those who have met him will attest to this. He is also a very shy person who will always smile and make friendly gesture whenever he is around strangers. Unfortunately, many people around him particularly those in his inner circle took advantage of his simplicity. The majority of them became demi-gods, egoistic, arrogant and power drunk; their actions brought the good President many enemies even from the Niger Delta region.
I have heard many people say President Goodluck Jonathan was too corrupt, I stand here to say without fear or favor that Goodluck Jonathan was never corrupt and has never been and is not materialistic either. I agree when people say he surrounded himself with very corrupt people and the fact that he couldn’t manage them well affected the public opinion of him.
People of the Niger Delta voted overwhelmingly for Jonathan; have they lost out?
The defeat of Jonathan is a big loss for the region. The people would have loved the opportunity to give their candidate the second chance to complete a second tenure in office. However, it cannot be considered to be a lost election for the region. Nigeria is a very big country with so much diversity in ethnicity and region. We should not forget that late President Yar’Adua’s administration was hailed for his handling of the region’s problems. It was in his administration that some of the policies enjoyed today by the region came into full force.
We must not forget that despite the regions complain of marginalisation, the states from the region still receive the highest share of Federal revenue allocation. Besides, it is only the states in the region that gets 13% derivation from profit made from crude oil. If these resources are well managed, our dependence on who becomes the President of Nigeria will be insignificant. The election should rather be a wakeup call for the people of the region to remain steadfast and appreciate the fact that their votes counted. The country has elected a new leader and since that leader has called for unity, we must look beyond regional lines and embraced the new administration for the betterment of a united Nigeria.
In my opinion, those who lost are those who were looking for ways to foment trouble and create disability. Nigerians rose above that and the people of the region have refused to be drawn into their plot thanks once again to President Jonathan’s quick response to the election result.
Could the outcome of the elections signal a possible new political isolation of the region?
There can never be any political isolation of the Niger Delta region despite the support of the people for Jonathan. The region is very significant to the nation’s economic and political stability. Remember Nigeria is the 8th largest exporter of crude oil to the world and nearly 90% of the country’s revenue comes from crude oil which is largely from the Niger Delta region.
Apart from the threat posed by Boko Haram, the Niger Delta region has had its fair share of insecurity despite relative peace achieved in the last years because of the government Amnesty. I think it will also be Buhari’s priority to ensure that the region maintains this same peace knowing fully well that insecurity in the region will affect oil output and consequently unsettle the economy.
I am hopeful and optimistic that Buhari will lead a government of uniting all regions in order to ensure the promotion of a peaceful and united country. It is only in this way that the dividends of his policies can affect the people who elected him positively.
What will be the reactions of Niger Delta people and militant leaders to the victory of Buhari?

We must not forget also that despite the overwhelming victory of Jonathan in the Niger Delta states, Buhari still had support from Niger Delta people who still believe that Jonathan as President did not favour the region as they expected. Besides that, it will rather shock you that some of the former militant leaders may not be able to command the respect they had among the people during the days of militancy.
The Niger Delta people are peace loving people and they are smart enough not to be swayed into any unwarranted civil disobedience. The principle actor in this case, the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan has called for peace and I know the Niger Delta people will respect that. Buhari also has not made any statement that will galvanize tension in the region.

What should the new president do or shouldn’t do on the Niger Delta?
I think the first thing the new president must do is recognise the significance of the region to the Nigerian economy and admit the suffering of the people while promising to steer up policies that will provide basic infrastructure and social amenities. Unlike previous administrations, it should not just be promises but policies that will lead to accomplishment.
He has promised to tackle corruption particularly in the oil and gas sector. Any success in this area will surely benefit the people of the Niger Delta. Many are calling for the end of the Presidential Amnesty which provides monthly stipend to the absorbed ex militants. I will advise him not to end it because that will make them see his administration as being against the ex-militants and that can cause chaos.
My advice will be for him to engage the private sector and make those ex-militants to get jobs for the current free money they now receive. The culture of free monthly money for the ex-militants must stop some day and I think this should be the best way to stop it.
Buhari must ensure that the oil majors adhere to strict internationally accepted environmental standards while operating in the region. He should also expedite the implementation of the United Nation Environmental Protection (UNEP) report on the Ogoni region. A clean Niger Delta environment will help improve the people’s main occupation of fishing and farming.
One of the areas the administration of Jonathan failed the people of his own region was the government political contracts given to ex-militants particularly in the area of pipeline surveillance and security. This created a divide among the people of the region. Buhari must be seen to deviate from this practice and create legitimate opportunities that will embrace those qualified for jobs and contracts.
In appointing political leaders from the region to his cabinet, he must chose characters with proven dignity among the people of the region. This will restore confidence in his administration.
Politics Monday Page 1 cover Contd page 3. Pic- Lai Mohammed, Gani Adams
Lagos Polls: Lai Mohammed, Gani Adams tango over violence
The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) Alhaji Lai Mohammed are in a war of words of the reported violence in Lagos State during last Saturday’s governorship and house of assembly elections in the state.
Alhaji Mohammed had raised the alarm on Friday following the visit of President Goodluck Jonathan to Lagos on the eve of the election wondering what was going on. The visit had raised concerns following President Jonathan’s meeting with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Jimi Agbaje, Minister of state for Foreign Affairs, Senator Musiliu Obanikoro and Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) National Coordinator, Otunba Gani Adams.
But Adams, described Mohammed’s alarm as unfounded saying it was cheap propaganda wondering whether it was a crime for the president to meet with citizens of Lagos. In this interviews, both spoke more on their convictions.
Violence: We’ve been vindicated- Mohammed
How do you see reports so far?
We have reports of ballot box snatching, in Ikorodu also, there was a skirmish between INEC offices and party agents and even in Oshodi, there have been some complaints as well as Lagos Island. The last I got was from Surulere, where they allegedly went for the ballot box. Also in Ibeju Lekki, an INEC official was said to have been found with N100,000.
Comparing the election with the Presidential
It depends. Most of my reports are concentrated in a few states; Lagos, Rivers Akwa Ibom, Abia and mostly about the bad ones, where the INEC people come early, nobody reports it because its not news; where materials are not sufficient and I think there is a rampant report of electoral shift. On the balance, given the concentration of this malfeasance in Lagos, one may say it’s a bit alarming. We have about 3,000 polling units and if the report is about 300 while some are not reported, I think its bad enough. There have been more violence, more incidences of ballot snatching than before.
President’s presence in Lagos
Reuben Abati tried to debunk our story, but he did a very poor job because he admitted the president was in town and met with the people as we said and I don’t know where we went wrong. Whereas the President has the right to be anywhere in Nigeria, when he now comes to Lagos on the eve of the election and now met with these characters, of course, it won’t be too wrong to conclude as we did. And I think this is what is manifesting. Don’t forget we spoke about gun running by PDP, we spoke about money being given, reports sheet being distributed and we also spoke about violence I think we have been vindicated largely about what is happening today.
Low turn out of voters?
What we were told is that people were more interested in Presidential election that governorship election and since the last election had been decided in one way, they felt every other thing was academic. Governorship politics is local and there is usually more turn out because lets face it, how many people can relate with the Presidential candidate whereas in each states there are governorship candidates and house of assembly candidates. It is strange there is a low turn out.
Violence: Count OPC out- Gani Adams
Our members have been given instruction to cast their votes and go back to their various homes. No member of OPC will be used as thugs or cannon fodders. That’s the standing instruction. What’s our interest? Our groups will not be used as thugs during the election. So, definitely, I think Lai Mohammed saw that something is coming, that is on of the reasons they are moving this unnecessary and uncalled for information. Last two weeks, they alleged that OPC members will put on army uniform to rig the presidential election in Ikorodu, but that did not happen in the presidential election. He made another allegation yesterday evening in a press statement, our editors should be very careful and balance their story when they see such statements from Lai Mohammed. Im here now, this place is peaceful, we have conducted our election, the result is out, nobody is involved in malpractices. When a principal of the organisation is not involved in rigging, who will take part, the followers will not be encouraged in rigging. Here, nobody is threatening anybody, so I don’t know where he got that information and I belief it’s a fallacy.
Alhaji Lai Mohammed alleged that OPC is intimidating voters and causing mayhem
This allegation is coming 24 hours after we were shocked with an online strong allegation that Mr. President, myself, Obanikoro and Jimi Agbaje met. I belief that something is wrong with the position of Lai Mohammed because from the beginning of this election since January, Lai Mohammed has made 13 different allegations against OPC on negative information. And 99 percent of the information is not true. I wonder how you want to depend on propaganda to win an election. When you build a house on the basis of falsehood, there is no way that house can last in any society. You can judge by yourself here now, the votes have been counted, the result is out, nobody is fighting each other. From the information at our disposal, there is crisis affecting OPC, the crisis I heard is in Idi Oro that involved street urchins. Idi Oro is den of criminals and people of questionable characters, but OPC members are not involved in any crisis in Somolu. At the same time, I would use this opportunity to appeal to the public, they should not take Lai Mohammed serious. Most of the information he disseminates to the public is false.
Jonathan in Lagos?
How long will you continue to harass this man? What else do you want this man to do for you? He lost an election, before the announcement of result conceded to you? Buhari came to Lagos on Wednesday, he campaigned for APC openly, he went to Imo, he went to about 12 states between 24 hours, so what are you talking about. Are you saying Jonathan should not come to Lagos because he lost an election? Is Lagos State not part of the Federal republic of Nigeria? Does he not have the right to come to Lagos? Does he not have the right to meet his subjects again? Does he not have the right to do any activity as president? We cant be fooled. Why should you attack the president for meeting people? He has the right to summon anybody in this country to move this nation forward. in the process of handing over to Buhari, he has to consult. And what do you mean, are you saying the president should not meet the governorship candidate of APC in Lagos? Are you telling me the president should not meet Obanikoro, a minister in his cabinet? Are you telling me as a citizen of Nigeria, if Jonathan calls me, I should not meet him? Meeting Jonathan does not mean we should be involved in crime. He is a friend, he is a brother and we have been in relationship since he was vice president. Even when he is no longer in power, I will never deny Jonathan in my life. I’m not a politician that when your friend lost and election, you will now take the winner as your friend. Anybody who relates well with me even in the past will always be my friend for ever.
Politics Monday page 4 pix- Amaechi, Jega
Rivers election result, a sham- Amaechi
Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has described Saturday’s Governorship and House of Assembly elections in the state as a sham saying the elections witnessed thuggery and ballot box snatching in most parts of the state coupled with violence.

“I think it is a sham. You noticed what happened in Omagwa, what happened was that somebody called me and said they were been attacked at a particular polling booth and I went there, the thugs were overwhelming until another group of soldiers came before they ran away.

“Don’t forget that the report was that our people were being attacked, so I came to rescue the people who were being attacked. When we came, you saw the thugs yourselves, so how do you stabilise the system when already the system has been taken over by thugs”?, he lamented.

He noted that the Nigerian Police failed in their responsibility to the people to provide peaceful atmosphere for the electoral process.

“I think there must have been an arrangement between the police and the PDP for the state to be overrun by thugs and you know, the funniest part is that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) promised us over 2,800 mobile policemen. What you see is just one Deputy Commissioner of Police John Amadi, conniving with the PDP to orchestrate all these violence against APC members and Rivers people.

His words: “Yesterday, Mr. President (Goodluck Jonathan) withdrew the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Tunde Ogunsakin and ordered him to go back to Calabar just because he arrested a DPO who took out four wards result sheets and gave to militants working for PDP”.

Amaechi said that thuggery, violence and hijacking of electoral materials marred the electoral process across the state.

“You have been following me around and I am sure you must have seen the kind of thuggery that was on display, you have seen materials being hijacked”, he added as he noted some election officials were ambushed along the way by political thugs.

He blamed the retention of INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state Gesila Khan for the election malpractices in the State.

His words: “If INEC had posted the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) away, we wouldn’t have been here. If the Commissioner of Police and the President had allowed the police to function properly, we won’t be here.

“In the Ogoni area, you have one Area Commander, an Assistant Commissioner of Police, harassing people, arresting APC members. Then you have in the state, DCP John Amadi”, he added.
Politics Monday page 4, Pix- Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh
Election fallout: Fake soldiers arrested in Lagos, Delta
Fake soldiers were arrested in Badagry Lagos State and Avara, Isoko South local government area of Delta State by security operatives during last Saturday’s governorship and state assembly elections.
The fake soldiers were alleged to have been ‎linked to election malpractices in the states.
In Lagos, a highly placed source told Daily Times vigilant soldiers noticed the men in army uniform and a quick check on them revealed that they were not soldiers. They were immediately disarmed, arrested and taken into custody.
It was the same situation in Isoko where security agents discovered the fake soldiers very early in the morning of Election Day and were immediately rounded up.
There had been allegations and counter allegations by the political parties that one group was planning to use soldiers to intimidate the other during the polls.
The APC claimed to be aware of the PDP’s plan to influence the electoral process with the help of some army personnel during the polls.