THE battle for the political soul of Edo State between Governor Comrade Adams Oshiomhole and Chief Tony Anenih moved to the State House Assembly last Monday and as at the time of writing this report, Oshiomhole’s troops seemed to have won and taken the spoils of war- the position of the Speaker of the State House Assembly.

I built two police stations, the one in Okiriwhre and the one in Elume. I tarred roads. I also in my time made frantic effort to do the electricity step down that every body in Sapele is enjoying today whether my enemies, my detractors, my friends. It is a milestone project, that is the power step down you are seeing today at Amukpe.

FOR Consultants, Senior Special Assistants, Special Assistants and some other political functionaries in the twenty local government areas of Ogun State, these are not the best of times. Since September 2009, not a dime has been paid to them.

THE 2011 general elections is gradually gaining momentum. Already, various contenders aspiring to hold public offices have begun subtle moves to achieve their ambitions.

The Senior Special Assistant to the Acting President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro, raised the alarm on Wednesday about an alleged plot by some individuals to bring Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s name to disrepute through the sponsorship of allegations against him in the media.

Senator Roland Owie is a former chief whip of the Senate. He is currently the leader of the Action Congress (AC) in Edo State. In this interview, he expresses support for the decision of the National Assembly to empower Dr Goodluck Jonathan as acting president and calls for the dissolution of the Federal Executive Council with a view to appointing fresh hands that would assist Jonathan move the nation forward. Excerpts:

For Acting President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, the tasks ahead are daunting but time to accomplish them is limited. But it appears time is not the only factor he has contend with, at least for now. Jonathan has the hawks hovering around Aso Rock portal of power and various powerful individuals and interest groups to worry about.

There are strong indications that the intense pressure that has been mounted on the Federal Executive Council this week may be extended to the Senate President this weekend.

Tuesday, last week, will indeed remain an indelible date in Nigeria’s history, following the historic resolution by both chambers of the National Assembly, declaring the phenomenon Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan as the first Nigerian Acting President in a manner reminiscent of the election of a President.

When pro-democracy groups forced the military junta to retreat into the barracks in 1999, the obvious assumption was that a worst civilian government was better than the most benevolent military dictatorship. This was the maxim that is beginning to cut a big gash at the heart of true democrats who risked their lives to ensure that Nigeria returned to the civilized ways of governance.