OVER the weeks and indeed months on end, the man from the seat of power in Yenagoa, has continued to dominate the headlines and has been a good news copy for newspaper editors and the electronic media.

Since he assumed office as governor, his state has regularly engaged national attention. From mindless activities of religious fundamentalists to his celebrated marraige to one of President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua’s daughters, to his grand defection to the ruling People’s Democratic Party and the recent impeachment of his deputy, Bauchi and indeed Governor Isa Yuguda have always been in the news . In this interview he spoke on those he described as religious militants and Niger Delta militants whom he referred to as ungodly people. Excerpts:

Elder statesman, former governor of the old Gongola State, one-time Minister of Industries and former General Manager of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA and lately, former member of the Board of Trustees of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur recently in Yola spoke on some burning national and international issues. Excerpts:

First, it was the ANPP. How it is the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, that is being turn apart by internal crisis arising from its participation in the Government of National Unity, GNU. By Jide Ajani, Deputy Editor THE crisis now rocking the Progressive Peoples Alliance, PPA, is symptomatic of the malaise that serially afflicts the […]

*Our problem with Orji Uzor Kalu LISA Olu Akerele , a seasoned administrator, former personal assistant to Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, former national publicity secretary of the Progressive Peoples Alliance (PPA) and the deputy national chairman, south of the party, was, on Friday, at Halal Palace Hotel Wuse, Abuja adopted the acting national chairman of […]

A former minister of state for defence (2006 -7), Mr. Mike Oziegbe Onolememen, cannot hide his anger over the outcome of the Akoko Edo Constituency rerun election which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Action Congress (AC) candidate, Mr. Kabiru Adjoto, to have won, having scored 5,335 votes against the 3,741 votes polled by the PDP candidate Mr. Anslem Agbabi.

Minna – RELIGION has become a matter of war leading to the death of innocent people with property worth millions of naira lost.

Saturday last week, Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital went agog when militants left the creeks and came to town. This time, not to wreck havoc but to surrender their arms and ammunition. They came in their hundreds and numerous arms were given up.

AFTER a petty and unnecessary muscle flexing over “chair_sharing”, the House of Representatives and the Senate parted ways over Constitution Review. While the House simply calls its own “Committee on Constitution Review”. the Senate in an avuncular and cynical manner still carries on the initial name Joint Committee on Constitution Review (JCCR).

Governor Ibrahim Idris of Kogi State can be described as a conqueror. Three times, he defeated his predecessors in elections. Despite this feat, his critics say he is not in charge in the state. With journalists in Lokoja, the state capital, Gov Idris spoke on his numerous achievements, politics in the state and the legacy he intends to leave behind . Excerpts:

GOVERNOR Adebayo Alao-Akala of Oyo State is seen by many people from different angles. Some see him as being smart for grabbing a an opportunity in time to become governor for 11 months when his former boss, Senator Rashidi Ladoja was impeached until the courts overturned that, while others saw it as betrayal.

ALHAJI Sagir Mohammed, a Jigawa born former military intelligent officer, leader of defunct Arewa People congress (APC) and a stalwart of PDP, spoke with Vanguard over the lingering crisis in Niger/Delta and why amnesty will not solve the problem in the region: Excerpts:

As governor of Abia State between 1999 to 2007, Dr Orji Kalu was an engaging personality. He distinguished himself as a fearless and outspoken governor. He exposed the principles and tenets of democracy. He was a loyal member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, but he never fagged in telling the then president Olusegun Obasanjo, that his actions or utterances were wrong whenever he perceived it so.

On June 20, the Ibeju-Lekki Federal Constituency bye-election was conducted. The contest was between PDP and AD, but actually, PDP contested against AC which supported AD. Despite the support, PDP still won the election. However, Hon Okanlawon Soniyi, the PDP candidate, who insisted that AC cannot win elections in Ibeju-Lekki in this interview, spoke on the factors that made PDP win the poll. Excerpts:

THERE is fresh tension in Edo State following the Appeal Court decision annulling the election of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) House of Assembly candidate, in Akoko Edo constituency 1, Mr Anslem Agbabi.