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We will send erring politicians to jail
–Chairman,
IPAC
Chief (Dr.) Perry Opara is
pioneer chairman of Inter Party Advisory Council (IPAC), a body
inaugurated by the federal government about three weeks ago. He is
also the international president of the West African Association of
Political Parties (WAAPP), as well as the national chairman of the
National Unity Party (NUP). In this chat with LEONARD OKACHIE during
the week, he bares his mind on the three-point agenda of the council,
his N1m endowment fund for journalists; and declared that with the
newly established council, it’s no longer business as usual for erring
politicians. Excerpts…
How do you feel about your new
appointment?
I’m excited that it came to pass
like I was asked to lead the council months after my return from
Ghana, where I went to monitor elections, I have not been comfortable
with the way we do our elections in Nigeria. Based on my meeting with
chairman of Electoral Commission of Ghana, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Djan, I
understand that the panacea for peaceful conduct of election in Ghana
is the Inter Party Advisory Board in that country...
Yar’Adua not ready to fight corruption —Adesina
Debo Adesina, chairman, Coalition Against
Corrupt Leaders (CACOL), a non governmental organization (NGO), in
this chat with SAM NZEH, insists, among others, that the future of
anti-graft war in the country is bleak under the present
administration. Excerpts…
How would you assess the 2 years of President
Yar’Adua’s administration?
The administration of President
Umaru Yar’Adua cannot be assessed in isolation of the one before it,
i.e., the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. This
is because the administration of President Yar’Adua is an off-shoot of
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s government....>>More
How S/East senators have
fared
This week we conclude
assessment of performance of South East Senators after two years in
the Senate as reported by our Assistant Political Editor, COSMAS
EKPUNOBI.
Senator Joy Emordi (PDP, Anambra)
Senator
Joy Emordi is one politician some people may have reasons to like or
hate. Some of her colleagues, especially the female ones, may not like
her style....>>More
Chime, Nnamani friction has really affected
Enugu
–Nnaji
Hon. Raymond Nnaji, lawyer
and one-time national auditor of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP),
is also the factional chairman of the party in Enugu state. Known by
many for "blowing very hot" even when he "ought to maintain cool
temperature," Nnaji bluntly spoke to TONY ADIBE in Enugu on the
much-talked about deep-rooted rift between the state governor,
Sullivan Chime, and his predecessor, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani; why
Nnamani rejected Chime’s car gift; how Nnamani built Chime’s living
house, and also how Nigerian politicians failed the electorate since
10 years of civil administration in Nigeria. Excerpts…
How can you react to allegation
that politicians have failed Nigerians, considering the 10 years of
democracy in the country?
No. How could you have said
that? We have not failed the country. We have only practiced democracy
for only 10 years compared to the military that ruled the country for
over three decades. And if you compare the achievements made by the
military and democracy, you find out that politicians have actually
done better because so many things have been liberalized; so many
achievements have been made.
>>More
How Orji’s sledge hammer fell on 2 monarchs
The recent dethronement of two traditional
rulers in Abia State by the state government may have introduced
another dimension in the efforts to arrest the crime of kidnapping
fast creeping into the state and other states of the South East.
Saturday Champion in this report, looks at the circumstances
surrounding that action of Abia government as well as reactions that
have followed it.
It took eight months for Governor Theodore Orji
of Abia State to make good his threat of dethroning any traditional
ruler in the state found to be aiding kidnappers that are now making
life unbearable for residents of the state.>>More
