Bolade Omonijo, Deputy Political Editor
30 May 2007
Lagos — AS 28 state governors took their oath of office yesterday, at least seven of the former governors stayed away from the ceremonies to mark the hand over. Governors Rashidi Ladoja of Oyo State, Joshua Dariye of Plateau State, Boni Haruna of Adamawa State and Attahiru Bafarawa of Sokoto State boycotted the swearing-in of their successors by Chief Judges of the states.
Others who were absent at the colourful events that marked the transfer of power at the end of their four-year tenure were Governors Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State, Chimaroke Nnamani of Enugu State and Peter Obi of Anambra State.
Also absent was former Vice President Atiku Abubakar who issued a statement, Sunday, that he would not be available for the ceremony as he was in the United States of America for medical reasons. The former Vice President equally explained that his presence at a ceremony the foundation of which he was challenging before the Presidential Elections Tribunal would amount to legitimising fraud.
Although it could not be ascertained why the former governors shunned the ceremonies marking the hand over to new governors for their states, it would be recalled that the last elections created bad blood in the states.
Adamawa State
Unconfirmed reports indicated that the immediate past governor of Adamawa State, Mr. Boni Haruna, was out of the country as he was absent at the swearing-in ceremony of his successor, Admiral Murtala Nyako (rtd), in Yola.
His deputy, Alhaji Bello Tukur, acted as governor at the impressive handing-over ceremony at the Ribadu Square in the state capital.
The former Acting Governor while handing over the affairs of the state to the Murtala Nyako-led government said the whereabouts of the erstwhile governor were unknown.
Speaking after the Oath of Office was administered on him by the State Chief Judge, Mr. Justice Bamari Bansi, Governor Murtala Nyako said he had signed a contract with the people of Adamawa State, pledging that the contract would be speedily and perfectly executed.
Nyako promised to personally supervise the contract agreement to ensure that no stone was left unturned in its execution.
The former Chief of Naval Staff said he would use his wealth of experience in the military and his exposure contacts with developed countries to ensure rapid socio-economic development of Adamawa State.
Obi steps aside
In Anambra State, where Governor Peter Obi made last minute moves to stop the swearing-in of Dr. Andy Uba at the Supreme Court, the governor had said on Monday that he would step aside as directed by the Supreme Court pending the determination of his suit at the apex court but would not be handing over until the substantive matter involving the interpretation of the constitutional provision on what should be his tenure is laid to rest.
Ladoja absent in Oyo
In Oyo State, the bad blood between former Governor Rashidi Ladoja and his erstwhile deputy, now Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala, reared hed its ugly head yesterday as the former governor was absent at the inauguration of his successor. The relationship between the duo had broken down irretrievably since the former governor was illegally impeached on January 12, 1996. It took judicial intervention to restore Alhaji Ladoja to his office after 11 months of Akala administration. But, that was after Akala had used his incumbency to secure the People's Democratic Party (PDP) ticket.
Evidence of the bad blood between both men resurfaced last week when the departing governor organised local government elections which gave a landslide victory to the Action Congress and shut out the ruling PDP at the grassroots. Governor Akala, yesterday ordered the dissolution of the councils.
Dariye absent in Plateau
In Plateau State, Governor Dariye probably had the most turbulent administration. In April 2005, then President Olusegun Obasanjo slammed a six-month state of emergency on the state which sent the governor packing with the state legislators.
Again, last year, his deputy, Chief Michael Bot-Mang was sworn in as governor after Chief Dariye was impeached by six of the 24 members of the state House of Assembly. It took the intervention of the Supreme Court in April to restore him to power. Before the reinstatement, Jonah Jang, a retired Navy Commodore, had been handed the PDP ticket.
Bafarawa shuns ceremony in Sokoto
Governor Bafarawa of Sokoto State pulled out of the All Nigeria People's Party last year to found the Democratic People's Party (DPP). Ironically, what remained of the ANPP teamed up with the PDP to fight the governor at the polls.
Alhaji Magatarkada Wamako who used to be Alhaji Bafarawa's deputy was presented as governorship candidate of the local alliance with former Minister for Water Resources, Alhaji Mukhtar Shagari, as his running mate. Following the polls, Alhaji Bafarawa alleged monumental rigging and eventually stayed away from the oath taking ceremonies.
Haruna absent in Adamawa
In Adamawa State where Governor Boni Haruna had decamped to the Action Congress and a failed bid was made to impeach him on grounds of alleged misappropriation of state funds, it was no surprise that the former governor boycotted the swearing-in of Admiral Murtala Nyako of the PDP as his successor.
Senators-elect Nnamani, Turaki, absent
Dr Nnamani of Enugu State who is a Senator-elect, was said to be in the United States of America while his successor, Chief Sullivan Chime, who was his Attorney-General was being sworn in as his successor. Unlike other states where the governors were at loggerheads with their successors, Governor Nnamani contributed immensely to the emergence of Governor Chime.
Similarly, Governor Saminu Turaki of Jigawa State had no problem with his successor, Alhaji Sule Lamido. Both men worked together following the defection of Alhaji Turaki to the PDP last year. Consequently, while Lamido picked up the gubernatorial seat, Turaki was elected Senator. However, former Governor Turaki was absent from the hand-over ceremony in Dutse, yesterday.
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