Date Published: 03/13/10

Re: Gov Goje's "Not my Desire" comment

At the Compass Media Award held 2009 at the Nicon Transcorp Hotels Abuja, Governor Goje of Gombe State emerged the best governor of the year. I was there live and remembered the ‘altercation’ between the MC, the popular Bisi Olatilo and the governor Goje.

Bisi said that the governor deserves to be the next President of Nigeria. But the governor came back to the podium only to disagree with Bisi Olatilo. Using his words, “I do not ever dream wishing to be the next President because I do not think I am the best”. Bisi back on stage insisted that he stood by his earlier statement on the governor.

The chips are down; it is all over town that Governor Goje is begging everybody who cares that he needs to be the Vice to President Jonathan. This would provide him the platform to be President by 2011. Now tell me who between Bisi and Goje is the liar? Recently in the media that Goje was touted would run for the presidency with Governor Godswill Akpabio as his Vice. None of the duo came out boldly to deny this, except a mild one by Akpabio few days back; probably noting that their conjecture would not see the light of the day.

But what baffled me was a statement credited to Goje who as the chairman at the ceremony of Daily Independent Man of Year Award to be won jointly by Mike Adenuga Jnr (who was not excited and refused to be present) and Governor Akpabio. Goje had said in the statement that Akpabio is better than himself and other governors when he said “....it is important to note that Governor Akpabio stand out very tall among us the Governors for his correct focus and total commitment to positively transform Akwa Ibom State...”  Poor Goje, he never knew that Akpabio would be smart to put up this as an advertorial with ‘highlights’ in select national dailies. If Goje’s statement to the effect that Akpabio stood out among his peers, including Goje, why does he not think of becoming Akpabio’s deputy in 2011 instead?

Mr. Kayode Kelani

Plot 243 Kenya Street

Abuja FCT