First term governors seek to inspire change

The newly elected governors especially the first term governors are acting in a hurry as people who are eager to promote positive change in their various states. YUSUF MOHAMMED reports

May 29, 2015 would be remembered as a day that marked the beginning of a new era in the political history of Nigeria. On that date, at the Eagles’ Square, Abuja the opposition presidential candidate and President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari was sworn in amidst fanfare. While President Buhari’s inauguration was ongoing, the inauguration of 29 governors who got elected in the April 11 election was being done simultaneously across the country.

While in some states the outgoing governors were on hand to hand over power to the incoming, in others the reverse was the case. In Rivers state for instance, former governor Rotimi Amaechi failed to attend the swearing in ceremony of Nyesom Wike of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Amaechi and the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Rivers state have not hidden their intention to get Wike out of government house because of the process that brought him into power. Amaechi rather decided to be at the Presidential inauguration in Abuja.

Similar incident took place in Jigawa state where outgoing governor Sule Lamido of the PDP failed to attend the inauguration of his successor and APC’s candidate for the state. Also is Kaduna state where Alhaji Yero was absent at the inauguration of Governor Nasir El-rufai and in Benue where Gabriel Suswam was absent at the swearing in of Samuel Ortom of the APC.

Already some of the new governors have started off on a revolutionary note. Some have announced some key appointments with a promise to cause change in the system. In Abia state where Dr Okezie Ikpeazu has taken over government, the new governor promised to step on toes in the cause of his duties.

In this report, Hallmark highlights the first term governors and what they want to achieve.

Nasir El-Rufa’i

Although his name is not new in the political scene, this would be his first time as a governor of Kaduna state. It would be recalled that El Rufai served as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja under President Olusegun Obasanjo from 2003 to 2007.

His antecedents and the popularity of his party, the APC played a big role in his electoral success. He defeated the incumbent governor, Ramalan Yero with a wide margin which many described as embarrassing.

However, his inauguration in Kaduna State ended abruptly on Friday due to the actions of some youths. They pelted dignitaries with stones, sachet water and other objects which couldn’t be identified in the pavilion.

The security agents were prompted to fire tear gas into the crowd at the Murtala Square, Kaduna. Hallmark gathered that the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris and other traditional rulers in the state were in the pavilion during the fracas.

Already El-Rufai has announced the forfeiture of 50 percent of his salaries and that of his deputy as part of measures to reposition the state. Kaduna people are earnestly waiting for the change.

Abubakar Sani Bello

In Niger state, a similar scenario played out when angry youths took to the venue to pelt stones at the out gone governor, Dr. Muazu Babangida Aliyu.

While it has almost become a norm for the outgoing governor not to attend the inauguration of the incoming, Aliyu summoned courage to be there despite the fact that the incoming governor, Bello is a member of APC.

Besides the stoning incident, it was a colorful event. History was also made as the Bello was sworn in by his mother in-law Fati Lami Abubakar, the Chief Judge of Niger, who is the mother of his wife, Dr. Amina Bello.

Sani Bello won his election on the platform of the APC by defeating Umar Nasko of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to the new governor, a forensic audit of the state’s coffers would be carried out to determine its debt profile and bonds as well as ascertain whether there was transparency in the process of obtaining loans.

Akinwunmi Ambode

Ambode’s who ran the most vibrant campaign in the view of many stakeholders, had his inauguration amid thousands of well wishers, among whom are former Governor of Lagos, Babatunde Fashola and his wife, Abimbola; former Deputy Governors, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, Femi Pedro and Sarah Sosan; Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu; Senator Oluremi Tinubu, among other dignitaries.

Although it is known to all that Ambode was not Fashola’s choice, he gave him the necessary support during the campaigns and he was also present at the inauguration to give him support.

Fashola described the day as historic and thanked Lagosians for giving him the privilege to serve the state. In his inaugural speech, Ambode said his being sworn-in was an act of God and expressed gratitude to all Lagosians for electing him.

According to the governor,” As we collectively face the challenge to make Lagos a better place to live in, we must also recognize our strength in diversity. We must have common national identity where everybody counts. I shall run an open government of inclusion that will not leave anyone behind. No matter your age, sex, tribe or any other status, as long as you reside in Lagos, we will make Lagos work for you,” he said.

Abdullahi Umar Ganduje

Ganduje was Deputy Governor of Kano State from 1999 to 2003 and 2011-2015 under the administration of Dr. Rabiu Kwankwaso. He was elected Governor of Kano state on April 11, 2015 and was sworn in on 29 May 2015. He was elected on the platform of APC.

Ganduje and his Deputy, Prof Hafiz Abubakar, were sworn in by the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Mrs. Patricia Mahmud at about 10a.m at the Sanni Abacha stadium, Kano.

Governor Ganduje of Kano state, on Friday promised to submit a Bill on Free and Compulsory Primary School Education to the state House of Assembly for consideration.

“The law will make it compulsory for all children of school age to access free primary education in the state’’, he said.

He said this was part of efforts by the new administration to sustain the free education policy of the former Gov. Kwankwaso.

However, the Transition Committee set up by  Ganduje a day to the inauguration, said that the outgoing governor, Kwankwaso has not only left an empty treasury but additional liability of N379 billion.

According to a reliable source, “Ganduje was not the choice of Kwanwkwaso but the choice of President Buhari so we are likely to expect more of this.” However, Ganduje has defended Kwankwaso on the debt issue saying it is too much considering the works he did.

Aminu Bello Masari

Bello Masari was the speaker of the House of Representatives between 2003 and 2007. Masari, ran unsuccessfully for the office of Katsina State Governor in the 2011 election under the platform of defunct Congress for Progressive Change. He was elected on the platform of APC.

In his inaugural speech, Masari vowed to run an administration that would respect the rule of law. Rather than being oppressive in its approach to governance as was the case in the past, Masari who was Buhari’s candidate has vowed to adhere strictly to lay down law and to operate an all-inclusive government.

Masari pulled a total of 943,085 votes to defeat his closest rival and PDP candidate, Musa Nashuni, who pulled 476,768 votes at last month’s governorship elections.

Udom Emmanuel

Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel of the PDP served as General Manager of Zenith Bank Plc. He joined Zenith in 1996 from Diamond Bank Limited and was the pioneer Manager.

The new governor of Akwa Ibom State pledged to fill the big boots of out gone governor, Godswill Akpabio.

He assured the people of his commitment to bringing to fulfillment all the promises he made during his campaigns.

He said, “I stand before you today not as a master, but as a servant and not as a boss, but as a co-labourer. I accept, with great humility and sense of responsibility, the mandate you have freely given to me to hold power in trust for you as your governor. You have kept your part of the covenant and I intend to keep my part by executing the programmes I enunciated to you during my official declaration to run for the office of the governor,” he said.
Benedict Ayade

At the core of Prof. Benedict Ayade’s inaugural speech was the promise to build a new seaport for the movement of goods and services to and from Cross River state.

The teacher turned politician maintained that his administration would also embark on the construction of a dual carriage super highway from Calabar through Ikom and Ogoja to the Ranch Resort in Obudu Local Government Area of the state.

“Let me use this opportunity, to announce our signature projects, we shall undertake the construction of a dual carriage super highway from Calabar through Ikom and Ogoja to the Ranch Resort in Obudu,” Ayade added.

“There will be jobs for the youths and prosperity for the working class. The resurgent middle class shall find anchor for their roots and everyone shall find independence and pride in their work,” he said.

Samuel Ortom

Former governor of Benue State, Gabriel Suswam on Friday shunned the inauguration of the newly elected governor, Samuel Ortom, of the APC and his deputy, Benson Abounu.

At the inauguration ceremony held at IBB square, Markudi, Chief Ortom promised to provide the needed developmental projects that the state had lacked over the years to better the lot of the people.

Despite Suswam’s absence, the event which was witnessed by a mammoth crowd was successful. There was a renewed sense of hope by the government workers after several months of not being paid by Gabriel Suswam.

Hallmark learnt that Suswam and his aide sneaked out of the state on Thursday at about 10pm. He however, performed the handover ceremony before he left.

Simon Lalong

In a similar vein, Jonah Jang shunned the inauguration of his successor Simon Lalong leaving his deputy, Ignatius Longjan to take charge.

Although Jang won his senatorial election, it is believed by many that he has not got over the loss of his candidate, Gyang Pwajok of the PDP in the governorship election.

Pwajok who was Jang’s anointed candidate was defeated by APC’s Lalong in a keenly contested election. At the core of his inaugural speech was his quest to foster unity in a state which is divided along ethnic and religious lines.

Aminu Tambuwal

Former Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal was sworn in as governor of Sokoto State on Friday.

It would be recalled that Tambuwal was a member of the PDP as the Speaker before dumping the party for the APC. Tambuwal’s defection sparked so much controversy which led to the crisis in the lower chamber of the National Assembly.

He got the APC governorship ticket on a platter of gold from former governor Aliyu Wamakko who had his eyes on him even when he was a member of the PDP.

Without any delay, Tambuwal appointed Imam Iman as his Special Adviser on Media and Public Affairs.  Imam also served as his Special Adviser in the same capacity when he was a lawmaker.

Nyesome Wike

The former minister of state for education, Wike defeated Dakuku Peterside of the APC to become the new governor of Rivers State.

While Wike was being sworn-in as governor of the oil rich state, former governor; Rotimi Amaechi was at the Eagle Square, Abuja, to attend the inauguration ceremony of President Buhari.

The quarrel between the two kinsmen is public knowledge with their supporters going as far as attacking each other.

It would be recalled that the events leading to the victory of Wike was unpalatable as so many lives were lost and properties destroyed.  Already he has appointed a chief Judge for the state and also recalled lecturers sacked by Amaechi. However, his inauguration was conducted peacefully.

Okezie Ikpeazu

Dr. Okezie Victor Ikpeazu might have not been the choice of many people in the state, but the crowd that gathered on Friday suggests otherwise, as the 5000 capacity arena was filled to the brim.

He became the fourth elected governor of Abia State following his inauguration in a colourful ceremony at the newly-built international conference centre Umuahia.

Ikpeazu is a former university lecturer who has become the first Governor of Abia state to come from the Ukwa/Ngwa area of the state in Abia South senatorial zone.

Ikpeazu of the PDP defeated former Managing Director of Diamond Bank, Dr. Alex Otti of APGA to become the governor of the state. The election was controversial to the extent that INEC ordered a rerun in some polling booths in three local governments. The APGA and Otti are in Tribunal to challenge the election of Ikpeazu.

Patrick Okowa

It was an historical event in Delta state on Friday when Patrick Okowa from a minority group in Delta was sworn in as governor of the state.

Before Okowa emerged as the PDP flag bearer there were reports that former governor, Emmanuel Uduaghan was not in support of him.

Many are of the view that the mild drama on Friday as the immediate past governor of Delta State, Uduaghan, declined to speak at the inauguration ceremony of his successor, is not unconnected with their differences prior to the latter’s emergence as the party’s candidate.

Hallmark learnt that Uduaghan refused to speak despite the fact that he was invited by the Master of ceremony to speak. The new governor has appointed Hon Festus Agas as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF. Agas, until his new appointment was the director general of the Direct Labour Agency. Okowa promised to run a transparent and credible government.

Darius Ishaku

Darius Ishaku on Friday said he is on a mission to rescue the state from the strangleholds of socio-economic and infrastructural backwardness hindering the development of the state.

Ishaku of the PDP defeated Hajia Jumai Al-Hassan of the APC in an election which many political analysts view as controversial in Taraba state.

He said “the task of governance ahead of me would be enormous and daunting in view of the dire financial situation of the state, but I am confident in surmounting the challenges with your cooperation”.

Atiku Bagudu

In Kebbi state, the ceremony commenced without the outgoing governor, Saidu Dakingari. However, the outgoing Deputy Governor, Ibrahim Aliyu, made an un-ceremonial appearance and quickly presented the handing-over note to the new governor amid boos from the crowd at the Haliru Abdu Stadium.

Security personnel found it difficult controlling the mammoth crowd who climbed the podium and the VIP section of the arena, which resulted in a stampede that forced all journalists to scamper for safety.

Mohammed Abubakar

Speaking after being sworn-in by the state’s acting chief judge, Justice Rabi Talatu Umar, at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Stadium in Bauchi, Governor Abubakar lamented the poor economy of the state. He said, “the state is completely empty therefore, the people have to give us time to correct all wrongs perpetrated by the PDP administration. The people have to understand and be patient with us because it’s not going to be an easy task”.

Muhammadu Abubakar

While delivering his inaugural speech governor Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar disclosed that his administration has inherited over N117billion debt from the government of Sule Lamido.

He stated that “the liabilities left by the previous government are N117 billion contrary to what was in the transition note presented by the past government”.
He further explained that “in considering with this month (May) state’s federation allocation, it would take the state seven years before it is able to settle the debts we inherited”.
David Umahi

Thousands of Ebonyi residents stormed Abakaliki, the capital of Ebonyi state, to witness the inauguration of Governor David Umahi. Prominent citizens who were present at the ceremony expressed hope in governor Umahi’s ability to turn around the fortunes of the state.

Former Chief Whip of Ebonyi House of Assembly, Mr. Uchenna Oji, expressed joy at the inauguration of Umahi as governor, saying that his era would usher in progress and
development in the state.

“People are confident that his leadership will bring great force for good and positive decisions to move the state forward, “he said. Umahi promised to hit the ground running in no time.

Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi’s inauguration attracted citizens of Enugu from all walks of life. The colourful event was attended by past and present political leaders in the state, as well as religious leaders.

In his inaugural address, Ugwuanyi promised to justify the mandate given to him by Enugu people.

Unlike many other states the embattled former Governor, Sullivan Chime was present at the event and handed over to his successor, Ugwuanyi. It would be recalled that in 2007, ex-governor Chimaroke Nnamani did not show up at the inauguration ceremony of Sullivan Chime.