Education means the instruction of youths in certain rules of conduct by which they will be able to support themselves when they come to age and to know the obligations they are under to that society of which they constitute a part. Robert Coram, English-born American educationist 1761 – 1796.

As the new Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC chairman dusts his table for the task ahead alongside his new Resident Electoral Commissioners, veteran journalist and two time executive governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba has joined some of the progressives who do not share the optimism that the new INEC umpire is capable of conducting a free and fair election merely because some of the electoral commissioners cannot be trusted.

The Constitution review exercise embarked upon by the National Assembly has led it to a distorted view of the process prescribed by section 9 for altering its provisions.

It is a victory for our constitution because all the years, once we had issues with our constitution, what we did was to throw it away and do a new one, even when there are provisions for its amendment. So, we have taken full advantage of the provision of section 9 to successfully amend our constitution, something we have never done before.

Those who might have no ideas about the nature and character of opposition politics in Jigawa State and the agenda of its godfathers which some surrogate writers pretending to be Lamido praise-singers are now carrying out may not be in a position to appreciate this disapproval.

The harmonisation gave birth to an Anenih loyalist, the late Chief Samson Ekhabafe, from Akoko Edo local government, as chairman. Angered by what happened, Sado and his group went to court, but later withdrew the case. Orbih from Anenih’s camp was made the chairman, but the problem lingers against the backdrop that Elder Sunny Uyigue from Ogbemudia’s camp says he is the acting chairman.

We also know that another circumstances have arisen whereby President Yar’Adua who took over in 2007 died in office. That circumstance has brought President Jonathan to where he is today. And it is this new circumstance that necessitated the argument on whether Jonathan should continue or not.

He is an instrument of unity, progress and peace and I will say that Nigeria centainly is lucky to have him at this time. Now Nigeria has a chance to move forward or break depending on the vision and aspirations of our dear Goodluck Jonathan in whose hand Nigerians might find the goods if they are lucky. Nigeria struck Oil in 1956 and got independence in 1960, the year we gained political and economic independence (economic independence in quote).

Imo State holds the ace for recording over 24 legal battles since the gubernatorial elections were concluded by the Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) in 2007. I am not too sure that there is any other state or personality that can boast of this feat since the current democratic engineering started.

But honestly, I think there are a lot of things we need to tackle, a lot of things we need to ask for. For some months now, nothing else is being discussed in the country except zoning or no zoning. We should keep busy with serious national issues that need attention.

The frenzy over creation of new states from the current 36 is reaching a crescendo with general elections knocking on the doors of politicians a few months from now.

What do you have to say concerning media reports that some governors actually hijacked and manipulated the constitution amendment process for the purpose of frustrating the proposal for independent candidacy and denying the state legislatures financial autonomy?

The former Governor of Kaduna state and the current Vice President, Architect Mohammed Namadi Sambo is one of those who believe that the state is a mini Nigeria with all the complexities. Namadi would not complete any of his public speeches when he was in charge without reminding his audience about the enviable position of Kaduna in the north in particular and the country in general.

The declarations at the just concluded political summit in Kaduna State may have come as a new political realisation on the part of northern political elite that the social, economic and infrastructural development of the region cannot be tied to ethno-religious interest and cleavages given the fact that the North has dominated the political arena for over 35 years and has not progressed better than the South.

OLOROGUN Kenneth Gbagi is a former Chairman of Legal Aid Council, LAC and a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party,PDP.