THE recent confirmation by the Anambra State House of Assembly and subsequent swearing- in of the chairman and members of the Anambra State Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC) by Governor Peter Obi on Monday, May 10, must gladden the hearts of many grass root politicians in the state who have waited since 2002 to be elected into the third–tier of government.

SENATOR Patrick Osakwe represents Delta North in the National Assembly. In this interview with Vanguard, he spoke on issues surrounding Jonathan’s presidency, his ambition to contest the 2011 elections. He said it is morally right for President Goodluck Jonathan to complete the tenure he and late President Yar’Adua started. Excerpts:

Dr Ese Owie, an Oxford University trained lawyer,is the Chairman , Edo State Board of Internal Revenue. He is one of the young technocrats in the administration of Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State. Until his appointment the state could not boast of more than N300million per month as internally generated revenue. That figure has now risen to N1.2 billion, a development he credits to the support of the governor. He is even confident that at the rate the board is moving the state should be financially strong by 2012.

Farouk Lawan, a ranking member of the House of Representatives and chairman, House Committee on Education, says, contrary to insinuation, the House leadership is not threatened. According to him, nobody has brought any notice of impeachment against the leadership to the floor of the House. He also announces his entry into the 2011 Kano governorship race, saying lack of purposeful leadership in the state, among other reasons, is why he is contesting the election.

The NCNC Political Training School was set up at Yaba in Lagos and apart from our youths who were trained in the school, Zik extended his hand of fellowship to contemporaries like Kaunda, Nyerere, and Banda to send their youths for training. Many of the youths who passed through this school at Yaba were to become Ministers and Leaders in various fields in their countries. I remember such names as Tom Mboya, Odinga Oginga and Sam Nujoma who later became the President of South West Africa.

We should play down sentiments that we know can provoke crisis. IBB is not going to join issues with those Bishops but we pray that those Bishops will search their conscience and see whether they are saying the truth…..in this context we are not talking about who is a sinner and who is not but I want you to tell me one Nigerian who is a purist and you will have my respect for life.

We are in partnership with some religious organisations and some tertiary institutions. Our logic is that the older generation who have procreated more than their domestic resources, cannot be changed anymore. But incoming youths or the younger generation should be made to realise the deep implication of their action to themselves and to the entire society.

Wednesday last week passage of former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua has further widened the frontiers of 2011 presidency struggle. Even before Yar’Adua’s death, it was certain he was not in contention given his critical health state.

Kwara State shares one basic feature with some states ahead of the 2011 general elections. The states include Borno, Kano, Ogun and Osun, where the incumbent governors are not eligible for re-election in the forthcoming general elections. By the time the new elected public officials will be assuming office in May 2011, they would have exhausted the maximum of two terms of eight years the constitution allows them in office.

Chief Akin Taiwo is a chieftain of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Lagos State. He was a close associate of late Engr. Funsho Williams for 18 years and is one of those who oiled the political structure of the late politician.

SENATOR Joseph Kennedy Nyik-wagh Waku is the National Vice chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF. He represented Benue North-West Senatorial District on the platform of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) between 1999 and 2003 in the Senate.

My opinion is that Jonathan has the right to aspire and my advice is, he should aspire. He should contest and I’m sure that he will win. The moment he improves on the problems affecting the country, nobody can stop him. Our greatest problem is this country in electric power.

Abubakar Yesufu, former President Student Union, University of Benin, current Chairman, League of Patriotic Lawyer, has not hidden his intent that the Acting President Goodluck Jonathan is best suited for the president next year.

CHIEF Don Etiebet served as Minister for Petroleum and Mineral Resources during late General Sani Abacha. The stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in this interview dismissed media reports that former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) and himself received $ 37.5 million from Haliburton. He also bared his mind on the crisis rocking the PDP and other sundry issues. Excerpts:

Mr Ikechukwu Oligbo,a lawyer and security expert in this interview with Vanguard spoke on delisting of Nigeria from list of potential terrorist countries by the United States of America, its implications, incessant kidnapping in the country and other national issues. Excerpts: