Leadership (Abuja)
Chibuzo Ukaibe
11 January 2009
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They were once colleagues of President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, yet after their tenure as governors, they still seem to wield some form of influence or relevance in this present administration.
Most of them are of the 1999 set of governors, who heralded the present democratisation process. Their influence however is indicative of the role they have played or about to play in this government since its emergence. While some have just been made ministers, others have operated from behind the scenes. Some have decided to pitch their tent in the Senate. This category include Chimaroke Nnamani (Enugu), Bukar Ibrahim (Yobe), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa), George Akume (Benue), Sani Yerima (Zamfara) and Ahmed Markafi (Kaduna).
Chief James Ibori
He is perhaps the most influential governor of Delta State ever. He is alleged to be in the President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua administration. Chief James Ibori conveniently held tight the power structure in Delta State, and effortlessly silenced whatever opposition there was in the state, particularly Chief Great Ogboru of the Gideon Orkar coup fame.
His influence in the Yar'Adua administration is hinged on the allegation that he was very instrumental to the success of the presidential campaign of the incumbent president, and also that he is linked with some of the key appointments in the Yar'Adua administration. This was further heightened following the redeployment of erstwhile chairman of the EFCC Nuhu Ribadu and his subsequent ouster.
Sani Yerima
He emerged onto the scene when he introduced of the Sharia law in Zamfara State. Yerima, after successfully stalling his deputy as governor, took a seat at the Senate. He was governor of the state for eight years. But despite being an extract of the ANPP, his influential disposition in this present government is evident in his stance as regards his party's involvement in the Government of National Unity. From the onset, he, with the ANPP party, Chief Edwin Ume Ezeoke, spearheaded the marriage of his party in the arrangement, which resulted in the crevice within the party. On the platform of the GNU, he was alleged to have influenced the appointment of his candidates as federal minister and directors in parastatals to the dismay of other members of the party. Following the cabinet reshuffle recently, and the outburst of the opposition parties who thought they had been sidelined by the president, he was instrumental to dousing the resulting friction as he, in company of his party chairman, visited Aso Villa and subsequently announced that their slots were guaranteed. In spite of being a key member in the ANPP, he had severally been accused of frolicking with the PDP. This was attested to by his surprise appearance at the PDP gubernatorial campaign re-run in Sokoto State.
Sam Egwu
After serving as governor of Ebonyi State for eight years and his presidential ambition gone sour, he decided to run for the position of the PDP national chairman which was zoned to the south-east. But he made headlines as a perceived Obasanjo pawn at a time when the yearnings within the party were aimed at dislodging the enormous influence of the immediate past president. Nevertheless, following a late consensus arrangement adopted by major stakeholders in the party, much to the chagrin of other contestants, Egwu was schemed out of the contest, which was eventually given to Prince Vincent Ogbulafor. But just when it seemed that he had relaxed into political obscurity, he made the list of ministerial nominees and currently serves as the minister of education. Feelers are that he is being compensated for his loyalty to his party following the political misadventures he has had to endure.
His influence in this government is played up by his track record in the educational sector while he served as governor. In 2001, he reached an agreement with the Higher Education Partnership and Action (HiPACT) for exchange programmes with British universities affiliated to the body with the aim of improving the quality of education in Ebonyi State's higher institutions and the training of higher cadre manpower. Like Yar'Adua, Egwu was a lecturer.
Adamu Aliero
From the stables of the Senate, he was picked out by President Yar'Adua to serve as the minister of the Federal Capital Territory. Senator Adamu Aliero was Kebbi State governor from 1999 to 2007. He was notable for dishing out political patronage as he wished. At the expiration of his tenure last year, Aliero proceeded to the Senate having installed a reliable successor, Alhaji Saidu Usman Darkingari, who incidentally is the son-in-law of the president. Beyond this, he was remarked to have built and rehabilitated a network of roads in the region of 1,000 kilometres and made social infrastructure available in both towns and villages in the state.
Abdullahi Adamu
Abdullahi Adamu is the immediate past governor of Nasarawa State, and was popularly referred to as the "bridge-builder". He held the saddle as chairman of Governors' Forum for a long time. He was regarded as a foremost loyalist of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. In 2007, he sought the presidency of Nigeria but had to withdraw his contest for President Yar'Adua. While it appears he had maintained a private life, he is a member of the PDP Board of Trustees.
Achike Udenwa
His nomination and subsequent certification as minister of commerce was greeted by disenchantment from sections of his state Imo. But this was after he was screened out by security operatives following certain security concerns. He was however given a late clean bill of health. Having served as governor of Imo State for eight years, Udenwa tried to remain relevant by seeking the PDP national chairman during its last convention early this year. But like his colleague Sam Egwu, it did not work out for him.
Rabiu Kwankwaso
Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso was governor of Kano State between 1999 and 2003 under the platform of the PDP. He presently serves as a member of the Board of Trustees of the PDP. Although his bid to serve a second term was not successful, Kwankwaso was appointed minister of defence in the 2003 cabinet of Obasanjo and subsequently a special envoy to Somalia and Darfur by the same administration. He was shortlisted for ambassadorial appointment by the Yar'Adua administration.
Bola Tinubu
He is known to be a fighter and astute tactician when it comes to the power game. Ex-governor of Lagos State Bola Ahmed Tinubu severally made it clear that beyond the party divide, he enjoys a good rapport with the president. It would be recalled that after the verdict on the presidential election was given by the appeal court, he influenced the Lagos State commissioner for information to issue out a congratulatory statement on the verdict. He was alleged to have not been favourably inclined to contesting the victory of Yar'Adua any further at the Supreme Court. Having fought former president Obasanjo on various fronts during his term as governor, it is alleged that he is influential to the seeming smooth relationship enjoyed between the state and the federal government.
Where Are They?
Jolly Nyame
After his term of eight years in Taraba State as governor, Rev Jolly Nyame was accussed by the EFCC of stealing N1.64bn from the state coffers. He is therefore facing a 41-count charge and has pleaded not guilty. His father Mr Tavoro Nyame was also summoned by the EFCC in Abuja for questioning. His case has not been concluded. He has since gone out of the spotlight.
Adamu Muazu
He was governor of Bauchi State for eight years under the platform of the PDP, but presently in a sour relationship with estranged friend and present governor of the state Isa Yuguda. He had a failed senatorial ambition and resorted to the sidelines politically.
Joshua Dariye
After a turbulent spell as governor of Plateau State under the Obasanjo administration and a rigorous escapade at the hands of the EFCC over charges of financial corruption, Dariye has taken the back seat of political matters in the state.
Gabriel Igbinedion
The eight year ex-governor of Edo State was grossly accused of non-performance. The scion of the Esama of Benin has after his tenure been dragged around by the EFCC over charges of financial misconduct. The EFCC recently adjusted the charges against him at a federal high court.
Boni Haruna
He became governor following the elevation of Atiku Abubakar to the position of vice president. He was to deputise Atiku. But after eight years, and standing firmly by his benefactor Atiku, Boni was picked up by the EFCC over allegations of corruption with a 21- count charge slammed on him. His case is still pending in court.
Orji Uzor Kalu
Beyond serving as governor of Abia State for eight years, he was known for being a vocal critic of Obasanjo who he called "father" when the going was good. However after his tenure, he was picked up by the EFCC over problems in the management of the state resources. He succefully installed his former chief of staff Theodore Orji as governor and alleged to still have control over the state.
Rasheed Ladoja
He benefitted from the Obasanjo orchestrated PDP wind that swept through the south-western states. In his tenure as the Oyo State governor from 2003, the state became a political battlefield between himself and his deputy and present governor, Alao Akala, who enjoyed the staunch backing of the Amala politics exponent Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu. Presently however he has since visited the EFCC and has been charged to court over financial misappropriation.
Ayo Fayoase
He also rode to victory on the wings of the 2003 mauling of the Alliance for Democracy by the PDP. Having hit it off nicely with Obasanjo at his inception as governor, the Ekiti State ex-governor who barely finished a term subsequently heaped the blame of his sordid travails at the hands of the EFCC on Obasanjo. He has reportedly reconciled with the former president. However there are strong indications that he is warming up to contest the 2011 gubernatorial election in the state.
Peter Odili
Odili was the governor of Rivers State. He ruled for eight years. In the run-up to the 2007 election, he emerged as a strong contender considering his status as a staunch loyalist of former President Obasanjo. But he was allegedly asked to back out of the contest or have the EFCC unleashed on him. It was argued that the Presidency was zoned to the north, as such he stood no chance. But he spent a lot campaigning for the position. With the set-up of the truth and reconciliation panel by the Chibuike Amaechi- led administration in the state, Odili was accused by some witnesses of sponsoring militancy in the Niger-Delta. However, an effort by the EFCC to arrest him over financial crimes was aborted as he obtained a court injunction. He has since relocated to Abuja and has remained silent.
Victor Attah
Obong Victor Bassey Attah was elected governor of Akwa Ibom State on the platform of the PDP in 1999. He went on to serve two terms. He was in the forefront in the agitation for resource control. The architect-turn politician like most of his counterparts was unable to install his candidate as governor. He attempted to run for Presidency but it hit the rocks. He has since withdrawn to private life.
Niyi Adebayo
He was dethroned from office by Ayo Fayose in the 2003 guber election. Adebayo was elected governor of Ekiti State on the platform of the AD. After the PDP hurricane swept through the south-west region, he was sent packing, but as a legal practitioner, he has returned to his practice.
Abubakar Hashidu
He was governor of Gombe State between 1999 and 2003. He was defeated at 2003 polls by the PDP candidate, Alhaji Danjuma Goje. Hashindu was elected on the platform of the ANPP but later moved over to the Action Congress in the build-up to the 2007 elections. He was again defeated by Goje. But he went to court. Save for the pending case in court, Hashindu has withdrawn to the background.
Chinwoke Mbadinuju
His escapades as governor of Anambra State between 1999 and 2003 were one of the first episodes of godfather and godson feud. He was denied a re-election after a running battle with his political godfather Emeka Offor. In December 2005, Mbadinuju was charged to court for the murder of Barnabas Igwe and his wife Abigail. They were both murdered on same day in 2002 when Mbadinuju was still governor of the state. Mr Igwe was the Onitsha branch chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA. However, on March 10, 2008, he was acquitted by a high court in Onitsha after he had pleaded not guilty during the trial. Ever since, he has secured a space in the background of political activity, both at state and national levels.
Donald Duke
Mr Donald Duke ruled Cross Rivers State for eight years under the platform of the PDP. He was largely perceived as an Obasanjo supporter. A lawyer by training, he was one of the two governors cleared by the Nuhu Ribadu-led EFCC of corruption. After he left office in 2007, he has maintained a low profile.
Abdulkadir Kure
He held sway as governor of Niger State for eight years. He was unable to install his candidate as successor. Save for the probe of his tenure by the Governor Aliyu Babangida administration, he has been out of the news since he left office. His wife Zainab is in the Senate.
Abubakar Audu
He was first elected governor of Kogi State in 1991. Prince Audu failed to secure a re-election in 2003. He attempted it in 2007 but lost again. He contested the results and was granted a re-run election which he again lost last year. He has contested and lost the results of the re-run election at the tribunal a second time. It is anticipated that he will further move to the appeal court.
Bisi Akande
Now chairman of the Action Congress, Chief Bisi Akande was governor of Osun State for four years. He was elected under the Alliance for Democracy in 1999. He has since remained in active politics.
Lamidi Adesina
He was governor of Oyo State between 1999 and 2003. A former secondary school teacher and principal, he was elected under the platform of the AD. Having lost in 2003, he allegedly attempted a return in 2007 but was not successful. Since then, he has gone into political oblivion.
Attahiru Bafarawa
He ruled Sokoto State for eight years. He assumed office on the platform of the ANPP in 1999 and 2003. But he defected at the twilight of his second tenure to the Democratic Peoples Party as its presidential candidate. He lost. Bafarawa also had been invited by the EFCC. He was not detained but was asked to report to the commission every day at the time.
Olusegun Osoba
Former journalist Aremo Olusegun Osoba was governor of Ogun State between 1999 and 2003 under the stable of the AD. Renowned as a grass-roots politician, he still operates from the background as a chieftain of the Action Congress.
Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
Governor DSP Alamieyeseigha was governor of Bayelsa State from 1999 and was re-elected on the platform of the PDP in 2003. But he was not able to conclude his second term as a result of corruption charges which made him the first governor caught in the anti-corruption war of former President Obasanjo. His travails started when he was arrested at the Heathrow Airport in London with about one million pounds cash in his home. He was charged with laundering $3.2 (1.8) found both in cash and bank accounts. He however jumped bail and returned to Nigeria after he had been charged to court in the UK. No sooner had he settled down to work, he was impeached which paved the way for his arrest by the police. He forfeited a lot of looted assets as alternatives for his freedom.
On his release, he was greeted by a mammoth crowd of supporters along the streets of Yenogoa. To show that he was still relevant, he was welcomed by chants of admiration when he spoke at the gubernatorial election re-run campaign of incumbent governor Timipre Silver in Yenogoa.
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