Alhaji Ahmed Gulak, a lawyer and politician, is a man who does not shy away from his duty. As the Special Adviser to the President on Political Matters, he is naturally responsible for the political decisions taken by President Goodluck Jonathan. With the emergence of the All Progressive Congress, APC, and the insistence of some politicians that Jonathan should not contest the 2015 election, Gulak says the President is entitled to run in the poll. The presidential aide asserts that it would be wrong for any Nigerian or group to abridge Jonathan’s tenure on account of the fact that he came in by circumstance to serve out the remainder of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Ádua’s tenure.

Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, 68, is chemical engineer product of University of Liege, Belgium. A farmer that he also is, Ladoja was one of the very few Nigerian figures that created the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Between 2003 and 2007, he was elected governor of the Oyo State. For three hours at his Bodija GRA home in Ibadan last weekend, he told Sunday Vanguard the story of what transpired between him and Governor Abiola Ajimobi and how the attitude of the governor has led to the current strained relationship between the ACN-led government and his young but vibrant Accord Party. On the state-of-the-nation, he said since Nigeria cannot be discussed without a mention of the PDP, that PDP’s biggest mistake was its failure to make the late Sunday Awoniyi its national chairman.

Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye clocked 80 two Fridays ago, precisely February 8, 2013.
An economist, seasoned administrator and former President of the Alumni of National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) Kuru, which is the highest body for policy formulation and leadership training in the public sector of Nigeria, the Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State- born democrat put in 35 years of meritorious service in the public service including 28 years in the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) where he rose to the position of Director. In 1992, he was an aspirant to the office of the President of Nigeria on the platform of the defunct Social Democratic Party (SDP). He later became an elected Senator of the Republic (1999-2003).Durojaiye, currently a constitutional lawyer, speaks, in this interview, on many issues.

Ever since the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Onyeabor Azubuike Ihejirika, ordered the redeployment of Major General Mohammed Isah, the former Commander, Infantry Corps and Centre, co-located with the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji that was bombed by Boko Haram terrorists, last November, the COAS has known no peace.

Prince Tony Momoh, 72, is a journalist, lawyer and politician. He was the Minister of Information and Culture (1986–1990) during the military regime of General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida, when he concurrently operated as Chairman, African Conference of Information Ministers (1988-1990). He became the Chairman, Board of Directors of Nigerian Airways (1991-1993) and was elected National Chairman, Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in January 2011. Momoh, an Auchi, Edo State-born author, for two hours, spoke to Sunday Vanguard in his office in Abuja on his new book, “Echoes From The Past”, the ride by the opposition parties toward the formation of a mega party and rounded it off by saying, “2015 elections will be fought at the polling units not in courts.”

Dr Simon Imuekheme is one leader in Edo State who assisted in the stabilization of the Comrade Adams Oshiomhole-led administration from its inception in 2008. He was Permanent Secretary, Head of Service and Secretary to the State Government until November 9, 2012, when the State Executive Council was dissolved. Following his accomplishments in the civil service, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) honoured him.

“CAPTAIN” Mark Anthony was the spokesperson for the Niger-Delta Liberation Force, NDLF, a defunct militant group, led by “General” John Togo who was killed in a bombardment by the Joint Task Force, JTF, on Niger-Delta in 2010. Togo initially accepted amnesty in 2009, but reneged when he returned to the creeks to wage a fresh oil war.

The Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Rules and Business, Hon. Sam Tsokwa (PDP Taraba) heads a very vital committee which could be likened to the engine room of the Green Chambers of the National Assembly. In this no-holds-barred interview he granted to a group of journalists, he postulated that the Farouk Lawan saga was contrived by the executive arm of Government to rubbish the report of the House Committee on Petroleum Subsidy which the embattled Lawan chaired.He asked why the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar who investigated the allegations against Farouk refused to charge him to court?

In view of the recent communal clashes that have displaced over 12,500 persons in four villages in Nasarawa state last week, many displaced are still living in apprehension of possible reprisal attacks though the governor assured them of adequate security while urging them to return to their respective domains

Former National Woman Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mrs Josephine Anenih was in Benin City last Monday for a sensitization training on rights of persons living with HIV/ AIDS. She spoke passionately about the rights of victims and women in politics. Saturday Vanguard in this interview discusses the rights of victims. She also speaks on the PDP crisis and other national issues.

In this exclusive interview with Vanguard, the Honourable Commissioner for Finance of Imo State, Deacon Chike Okafor speaks with Vanguard on his invitation to EFCC on what he described as a spurious allegation to tarnish the image of the present leadership of Imo State. While addressing a number of issues, he emphasized that the roadmap of development is sure and that all sons and daughters of the State should be rest assured

The dust raised by the crash of Dana Air plane at Iju Ishaga, Lagos, killing all 153 passengers and crew on board, and others on ground is yet to settle, as National Assembly members and regulatory agency, Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority are still on war path.

Francis Okpozo is a Second Republic senator and a Niger-Delta leader. He is one of those in the forefront of the agitation that the 13 percent derivation must go straight to oil producing communities and not the state governors. In this interview, he warns that the agitation may snowball into another round of crisis in the Niger-Delta if President Goodluck Jonathan fails to take urgent steps towards addressing the issue. He also speaks on the 2015 presidency, just as he calls on the old brigade politicians to quit politics and allow the younger generation of Nigerians take the mantle of leadership. Excerpts:

THE National Examinations Council (NECO) has the mandate to conduct five major examinations, namely, National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE), National Entrance Examination into Federal Unity Senior Secondary Colleges (NEEFUSSC), Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) and Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE) (Internal and External).

The OMBATSE traditional prayer group of Eggon people of Nasarawa state has been described by other ethnic groups in the state as a militia group which is being linked with the crisis that has bedeviled the state in recent times. In this interview with Zachary Zamani Allumaga, our correspondent in Lafia, ABEL DANIEL seeks to unravel the secret behind the OMBATSE group and their activities.

Captain Hosa Okunbor is a business mogul and a lover of the less privileged. Last weekend, he bagged the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science Award from the University of Benin (UNIBEN). Eminent people across the country were in Benin-City to celebrate with him on the honour. The soft spoken Captain, who also is a close friend of President Goodluck Jonathan, spoke with Sunday Vanguard shortly after the award on his life and some national issues.

As Comrade Adams Oshiomhole settles down for his second term in office, he has told Edo people that he will not leave any stone unturned in his determination to take the State to the next level.