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CBN: Removing 43 Items From Import Prohibition List Inimical To Economy- Reps

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The CBN governor, Yemi Cardoso has been summoned by the House of Representatives to explain the rationale behind the lifting of the foreign exchange ban on some imported items.

The lower chamber of Nigeria’s National Assembly made the decision to summon the CBN governor following a motion raised at plenary on Tuesday by a lawmaker Sada Soli who argued that the lifting portends serious ramifications for the local manufacturers of such items.

The Cardoso-led apex bank, last week, made the decision to remove the 43 items from the import prohibition list amidst serious complaints form major stakeholders that the policy has serious implications for the nation’s economy.

Instructively, financial analysts posited that the apex bank’s action will put serious pressure on the country’s foreign exchange market, leading to a further slide in the value of the naira.

Recall that the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari imposed a forex ban on these items in 2015 to conserve the nation’s forex reserves.

Speaking on a motion of public importance today at the House of Representatives chamber, Soli, a lawmaker from Katsina state said the CBN’s decision will greatly affect local production of such items.

The lawmaker stated that it was wrong to encourage the importation of items that could be produced in the country, adding that local manufacturers are now at the mercy of foreign producers of these items.

He warned that the removal of these items from the import prohibition list would lead to factory closure, as local manufacturers would not be able to compete with their foreign counterparts because the production of some of these items is highly subsidized by their home governments.

He explained that the decision would also lead to job losses in the country, adding that the policy is inimical to the unified forex exchange market.

According to him, the lifting of the FOREX restriction on the importation of 43 items may not have a meaningful impact on the rising food inflation as a result of the soaring exchange rate.

Soli said: “Almost all the 43 items are from two critical sectors which have been identified by all policy documents from NEEDS, SEEDS to Vision 2022 as being areas that are critical to economic diversification.

“Some of the listed items enjoy 60%-70% subsidy from their countries of origin, thus putting Nigeria’s local products at a comparative disadvantage and without any protection, and will lead to job losses and social exclusion.

“The benefit of the cheaper imported inputs as stated by the CBN will give undue advantage to middlemen to drive the economy, which is inimical to our economic growth and not suitable to the current unified FOREX market in the country.”

The Godwin Emefiele-led apex bank had in 2015 restricted the items from accessing FX from the I&E window, saying they were “not valid for foreign exchange and could be produced in the country. Items affected include rice, cement, palm kernel, meat and processed meat products, poultry, soap, and cosmetics among others.

Defilement: Convicted Doctor, “Always Shoulder-Up” – Kate Henshaw

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By Akinwale Kasali

Accomplished Nollywood Actress, Kate Henshaw, has slammed convicted Oncologist, Dr Olufemi Olaleye, for showing no remorse for the trauma and mental damage he inflicted on a minor.

Olaleye, the Proprietor and Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Foundation, Ikeja, was sentenced to a double life sentence by the Ikeja Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court on Tuesday, October 24, 2023.

The otherwise renowned Oncologist was found guilty of the shameful act of defiling his wife’s niece, a minor, who lived with them.

He not only forced himself on the 15-year old, a number of times, but he taught her how to perform all kinds of weird se€ual acts on him, and threatened her with death if she ever let-on.

It was a devastated Olaleye’s wife who reported the case to the Police as soon as she found out what was happening behind her and confronted her husband.

Dr Olaleye denied the two’count charges brought against him, but the Honourable Justice Rahman Oshodi found him guilty as charged and sentenced him to a double life sentence.

In reaction to the sentence, Henshaw applauded the Judge for being incorruptible and upright.

Henshaw, a former ardent fan of Olaleye, who had joined him on a number of his charity outreaches for the poor, was one of those who insisted on justice for the minor. From onset, Henshaw revealed that Olaleye confessed to her when she confronted him after the story broke.

She, also, followed up by being present at some of the Court sessions which lasted about one year.

But what upset the Actress the most is that Dr Olaleye showed no remorse all through the trial period.

Henshaw: “I want to give kudos to the incorruptible Justice Rahman Oshodi for a detailed judgement.

“He listened attentively throughout the proceedings and left no one in doubt that his judgment is his.

“He saw that there was no remorse in Femi Olaleye and that he would repeat the same offences if let go.

“I watched Femi’s body language all the time I came to this Court and he showed no remorse as he was always shoulder-up.”

African American University Honours Ekiti Chief, Olubunmi, With Honourary Doctorate Degree

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By Ayodele Oni

Former zonal editor and Agric page editor of the defunct National Concord newspaper, Ajibade Olubunmi has  been conferred with a Doctorate Degree  in Journalism by the African American University.

The programme, held last Saturday, coincided with the day, the former director at the Directorate of information Ekiti state University,(EKSU) was installed as a high chief at his country home, Ilawe Ekiti.

In his Facebook page, the Odolofin of Ilawe wrote “Saturday was an eventful day that I clocked 10 years as the traditional chieftaincy title holder of Odolofin of Irorin quarters, Ilawe Ekiti.

“The University  conferred  a Ph.D (honoris Causa) in Journalism on me in recognition of my ‘ingeniously outstanding contributions in the  field of JOURNALISM in different capacities  in Nigeria.’

“The ceremony took place in Lagos. To me, this is  a double barrelled  celebration ordered by God.  I thank the University for this and  appreciate my people for their support.”

Meanwhile, the Alawe of Ilawe Ekiti, HRM Oba Adebanji  Alabi has congratulated  his media Adviser, High Chief Ajibade Olubunmi  who was conferred with a Doctorate Degree in Journalism by the African American University last Saturday.

The University conferred a Ph.D (honoris Causa) in Journalism on the erudite journalist.

In a release personally signed by the Alawe, he described the degree as a well- deserved honour conferred on Chief Olubunmi in recognition of his versatility and exemplary contributions to the field of Journalism.

Oba Alabi was full of praises for Chief Olubunmi for impacting positively on the throne of Alawe, describing him as a dependable, trustworthy and conscientious traditional title holder who is well-endowed with native intelligence and sagacity.

The monarch prayed for God’s protection over the quintessential Chief in the service of humanity.

Ondo Deputy Governor Aiyedatiwa Advises Chief Judge To Ignore Assembly Order On Impeachment Panel Insists Court Injunction Stays

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Lucky Aiyedatiwa

By Ayodele Oni

The Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa has advised the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Olusola Odusola, to ignore the request of the State Assembly to constitute a seven-man panel of investigators to probe allegations of gross misconduct against him.

This is contained in a seven-page letter written by the leading counsel to the Deputy Governor, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa, SAN,  to the Chief Judge in Akure on Tuesday.

The Assembly on Monday wrote a letter to the Chief Judge, asking him to constitute a seven-man panel to probe the Deputy Governor, claiming that the injunction granted by the Federal High Court, Abuja, had expired.

Aiyedatiwa, through his lawyer, faulted the position of the Assembly, which he said was based on conjectures, misconceptions, inconsistencies, undue desperation and misconstruction of the law.

He argued that the Orders granted by the Federal High Court, Abuja on September 26, 2023, were still in force and remained valid and subsisting, contrary to the conclusion of the Assembly that the said Orders had expired by operation of law.

The Deputy Governor insisted that the Court in Abuja has been given wide discretion to determine the nature, status and duration of any order granted and “in this case, the Court directed that the Orders granted on 26th September 2023 should last till the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice for interlocutory injunction, which is still pending before the Court.”

The Deputy Governor stated that based on the two proceedings of the Federal High Court, Abuja of October 9 and 16, 2023, the Court has not set aside the pending orders and the order cannot be extinguished by application to set it aside since it was combined with the hearing of the substantive suit.

Aiyedatiwa drew the attention of the Chief Judge to the inconsistent action of the Assembly, which on one hand is claiming that the Orders have expired whilst, on the other hand, it is pursuing an appeal against the said Orders.

The Deputy Governor referred the Chief Judge to the Motion on Notice filed by the Assembly at the Court of Appeal, Abuja on October 20, 2023, where it stated that the Orders granted by the Federal High Court were still valid and subsisting because they were tied to the hearing and determination of the Deputy Governor’s motion on notice for interlocutory injunction.

He then queried whether the Assembly can approbate and reprobate at the same time by stating under oath in Court that the Orders are still valid and pending, while at the same time writing a letter to the Chief Judge claiming that the Orders have expired.

“Contrary to this misconception of law and the facts, the same House of Assembly filed a Motion on Notice dated 20th October 2023, before the Court of Appeal, Abuja in respect of the same orders of the Federal High Court, praying for abridgement of time to hear its appeal against the said orders.

“If it is true that the orders expired by operation of law on 18th October 2023 as being falsely canvassed, why would the same House of Assembly file a fresh application two days later.”

Military Discloses Readiness For Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo Governorship Elections

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By Akinwale Kasali

As November 11th, 2023 draws closer for the Governorship Elections in Imo, Kogi and Bayelsa States, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, on Tuesday, said the military is prepared for the off-cycle elections in the three States.

Musa warned against any act of violence that may disrupt the electioneering process in the aforementioned States, stressing that the Military is fully prepared.

Prior to the November 11 election, the three are known for electoral violence over the years, but the CDS has said that the Military would stop at nothing to ensure that the election in the three States is devoid of violence.

Speaking at the Defence Headquarters in Abuja during the maiden visit of the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, Musa said: “We are also prepared for the coming elections in the three states of Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa states. I want to ensure that the elections go on democratically, without any fear or intimidation.

“We don’t want any violence. I want to appeal to all stakeholders that it does nobody any good if anybody is killed because we have to go and vote. So it is important that we all put hands on deck. We will make sure that the elections are free and they are peaceful so that the results can also bring out what people want. ”

Musa also said the Federal Government has allocated special funds for the treatment of soldiers wounded at the various theatres of operations across the federation.

He added that this was to boost the morale of troops on the frontline.

Musa said, “President, we want to say thank you for the improved funding for the armed forces. We know the situation on the ground that the armed forces are doing the best they can, but we are limited due to the dearth of funding.

“Also, there are special funds for medical. What we realise is the morale of our troops. They see how the injured are treated. If they’re not treated well, they will never want to be committed. But we are happy to see how they are doing and we are happy that more have been promised and more will be done. ”

Musa, however, assured the president that despite the wave of military coups in West Africa, the military would protect the nation’s democracy.

He said, “We want to assure President and to you all Sir, that the Armed Forces of Nigeria is fully committed to democracy. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that we protect our nascent democracy and for it to thrive and to also extend same to the sub-region because we know we have the capacity and we are happy.”

Obasanjo Flays Lifting Of Ban On Rice Importation, Urges President Tinubu To Protect Local Fabrics Industry

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By Ayodele Oni

In what looks like his first condemnation of the administration of President Bola Tinubu, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has told the Federal Government (FG) to protect local textile industry and impose a ban on the importation of Chinese Adire into the country.

This, he stressed, is crucial to safeguard the local market of adire fabrics from potential dilution by the influx of Chinese imports.

The former President, also, condemned the decision of the Federal Government to lift ban on importation of some food items into the country, especially rice.

“Government just lifted ban on the importation of Rice with Dollars, so those of you the Rice farmers should be ready for challenges because the cheapest Rice will soon be imported from Thailand.

“Thailand government has invested a lot of funds in to Rice Farming for massive exportation to bastardize Nigeria Rice.”

Obasanjo passionately implored the Government to take every possible measure to shield the domestic production of Adire from the impact of imported Chinese counterparts, as well as other items that could be feasibly manufactured within the country.

The former president, who spoke at the ‘Canada Trade Mission ’24’ pre-conference session in Abeokuta, Ogun state capital, expressed concern that the materials traditionally used for producing Adire, which were once procured from Kano, Kaduna, and Ado-Ekiti, have become scarce.

Obasanjo said “I want to appreciate the Traditional rulers who attend this event, you have shown that you are real custodians of Culture.

“People are saying China want to bastardize our Adire product, if not that we don’t value what we have. I want to commend Ogun State government for the initiative of Oja Itoku for Adire market. It is good but not good enough if we don’t have Adire sellers in the market.

“The clothes for the production of Adire is in Nigeria where they used to buy it in Kano, Kaduna and Ado-Ekiti, but there is nothing like that anymore.

“If we want to produce Adire, where would we get the clothes to produce it? What we have to do is that, the Adire sellers, manufacturers and those who promote it, let us join our hands together.

“What government needs to do for us is not much. The first thing the government need to do for us is the revival of Textile industry, let us beg them to do that for us.

“Second one is the formal training institution where people will be learning how to produce Adire and get certified at the end of the period of their learning.

“Let us beg government to do all their possible best to protect our local production of Adire so that Chinese will not have access to bastardize it for us.

“Government should ban the importation of Chinese Adire and not only for Adire alone but all other things we produce in Nigeria.

“On the Adire sellers Association alone, let join hand with those who promote Adire and other stakeholders to have an Association that will be named as ‘Adire Association’ with chapters where Abeokuta will be the Headquarters and I’m ready to devote myself as the patron of the Association.”

South West Governors Solidarize With Akeredolu

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By Ayodele Oni

Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi  Akeredolu, SAN, on Tuesday,  met with Governors from the region to discuss issues of interest.

The Governors present at the meeting held at the private residence of Akeredolu in Ibadan, Oyo state, were Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos,  Dapo Abiodun of Ogun,  Seyi Makinde of Oyo, and Biodun Oyebanji of Ekiti.

Akeredolu’s continued stay in the Oyo state capital after his return from medical leave abroad has generated reactions from a cross section of people of Ondo State.

His aides and some lawyers insist that the Governor can decide to stay anywhere to govern the state while those opposed, especially opposition parties, say the continued stay outside the state is affecting governance.

Akeredolu, who appreciated the Governors for their solidarity, harped on continuous collaboration among the Southwest States.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, said the Forum is praying for Governor Akeredolu, adding that he has the support of all the Governors in the region.

A statement by Chief Press Secretary to the Ondo governor, Richard Olatunde, stated that the Governors discussed National and other Issues affecting the region and the people.

Shame As Optimal Cancer Care Foundation MD, Dr. Olaleye Bags Life Imprisonment For R€ping Minor

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By Akinwale Kasali

After several months of interrogation, the Lagos State Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence sitting in Ikeja on Tuesday has sentenced Dr. Olufemi Olaleye, the Medical Director of Optimal Cancer Care Foundation, to life imprisonment for the r€ping of his wife’s niece, a minor.

Olaleye had been arraigned on a two-count charge which bordered on defilement and se€ual assault by penetration of his wife’s niece, preferred against him by the Lagos State Government.

Justice Rahman Oshodi sentenced him after he found him guilty of the offence of defilement and se€ual penetration of a 15-year-old girl.

The Judge held that the prosecution was able to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and that all the evidence before the court corroborated that of the victim.

The convict was arraigned on November 30, 2022, and he pleaded not guilty to the offences.

It would be recalled that Olaleye who is known to have carried out free Medical Outreach to the downtrodden for several years, was at the enter of defilement, in which activists, Nollywood Actresses protested that justice must take it cause.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Babajide Martins had told the court that Olaleye had committed the offences sometime between February 2020 and November 2021.

He said the offence took place at No 17, Layi Ogunbambi close, Maryland, Lagos state.

Olaleye was accused of unlawfully having se€ual intercourse with his wife’s 15-year-old niece.

According to the prosecution, the offences committed contravened Sections 137 and 261, of the criminal law of Lagos State 2015.

Following his plea of not guilty, Justice Oshodi granted him bail in the sum of N50m with two sureties in like sum who must have landed property in Lagos state.

The Judge ordered that both sureties must also provide evidence of tax payments to the Lagos state government in the last three years.

Justice Oshodi further ordered that Olaleye must deposit his international passport including his British passport and original documents of landed property to the registrar of the court.

During the trial, the convict’s wife, Aderemi Olaleye, told the court that her husband had been se€ually abusing her niece during her stay with them.

She testified that the convict first introduced pornography and oral se€ to the victim and he released sperm into her mouth.

She said it started in March 2020 till July 2021.

The witness narrated to Justice Oshodi, that the girl confessed to a relative and their driver that the doctor had been sleeping with her and threatened to kill her and the witness if she told anyone.

The mother of two, who is the complainant said on oath, “My lord, on November 27, 2021, my second cousin told my aunty who is my mother’s sister that since March 2020 Femi has been se€ually abusing her and introduced her to pornography, from there he graduated to oral s€x with her, that he does this in different places in the home where there are no cameras.”

Police Recruitment: 46,868 Overaged Applicants Seek To Be Constables, 288,266, Applications Received Within One Week

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Nigeria Police

By Ayodele Oni

The Police Service Commission, (PSC) has announced that over 200,000 applicants have submitted applications for recruitment as constables into the Nigeria Police force within a week.

The police recruitment portal, which opened October 15, now has 288,266 applications for intending constables.

PSC spokesman, Ikechukwu Ani, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, in Abuja, stated that this was barely a week into the six-week set aside for the recruitment exercise.

The statement  revealed that of the 288,266 applications already received, 217,105 applications met the basic requirements for further consideration in the subsequent stages of the recruitment process.

It added that the six weeks duration was meant to satisfy the Federal Character Commission requirement for eligible candidates to apply for any government agency’s vacancies.

According to the statement, a total number of 217,300 Nigerian youths have so far applied for the General Duty post, while 70,676 applied for specialist posts.

Also, 69,426 applications have so far been rejected for their inability to meet the requirements for further consideration out of which 46,868 were rejected for over age.

“51,213 General Duty applications were rejected while 18,213 Specialists applications were also rejected.

“The online application requirements include; Applicants shall be of Nigerian origin and birth and must possess the National Identification Number, NIN;  Applicants must possess a minimum of 5 credits in not more than 2 sittings in WAEC/NECO or its equivalent with credit passes in English and Mathematics.

“Applicants must be aged between 18 -25 years; Applicants must have a valid email address and phone number and SSCE statements of results or certificates relating to examinations taken before 2015 will not be accepted.

“The application is without any monetary implications whatsoever and applicants are advised to take note.

“The Chairman of the Commission, retired Inspector General of Police, Dr Solomon Arase, commended the Nigerian youths for showing greater interest in pursuing a career in the Nigeria Police Force and assured that the commission will ensure that the ongoing recruitment exercise is transparent and merit driven.

“He called on the youths to continue to visit the recruitment portal to apply for consideration for recruitment.”

Politics Behind Executive Endorsement Of Oyebanji For Second Term

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By Ayodele Oni

One of the highlights of the first year anniversary celebration of Governor Biodun Oyebanji by the Government of Ekiti State is his endorsement for a second term during a Thanksgiving service to round off the celebration.

Three  of the former Civilian Governors of the State who attended the church service publicly declared their support for Oyebanji who has just completed one year  out of the four years which make up the first term.

The former Governors, Niyi Adebayo, Ayodele Fayose and Kayode Fayemi were all at the Church Service, while Segun Oni stayed away. In the endorsement team was Senate leader, Opeyemi Bamidele who has volunteered to Chairman the campaign team for second term.

First to be invited to make a speech among the former governors was Fayemi who said: “We are Ekiti and we observe seniority, even among Governors, we observe ranking.

“We all feel the same way on the current occupant of the seat. It is the most senior among us, that should address the people first.”

Adebayo said: “I am the most senior of the former governors, I will call my younger brother, Ayo Fayose, to address this gathering.”

Fayose said: “You know me very well that I am not the one who will tell you what you like. I will always tell you as it is.

“We are all together for Abiodun Oyebanji, I am not a member of your party, APC, and I will not be. I am with you, Oyebanji 100 per cent.

Social media has been awash with reactions on the endorsement of a governor that has just completed a year out of four years, making up a tenure. The one which really caught the attention of the people is that of Fayose, a chieftain of the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) who became two term governor on its ticket.

One major conclusion of the various voices is that the endorsement is meant to scare others that may be interested in contesting in 2026, after the expiration of Oyebanji’s first term. There have been speculations in some circles that the Minister of solid minerals, Dele Alake, an ally of President Bola Tinubu, may likely have a shot at the Governorship, using his connection with the President.

Alake, an indigene of the state, is seen more as  Lagosian who is using the slot of Ekiti as a Minister. He once contested for Ekiti North senatorial seat on the ticket of the Action Congress and returned to Lagos after he lost out at the Primary. Since then, he has not been visible in the politics of Ekiti.

The PDP in reaction to Fayose’s endorsement of Oyebanji for second term in a statement by the Chairman caretaker committee, Sadiq Obanoyen stated that “It is preposterous to suggest that any member of the PDP would endorse the incumbent governor. To do so would imply that we desire the PDP to lose not only the upcoming Ekiti 2026 governorship election, but also the subsequent 9 National Assembly and 26 State House of Assembly elections. It has become a prevailing trend in the State that once a Party loses the governorship election, all subsequent elections are also lost.

“Furthermore, such an endorsement would deprive the Party of more than 20 Commissionership positions, as well as numerous Special Advisers, Senior Special Assistants, and Special Assistants roles at the state level.

“It would also hinder the Party’s ability to secure 16 Chairmanship, 16 Vice Chairmanship, and 16 Secretaryship positions at the Local Government Councils, along with 19 Local Council Development Chairmanship, 16 Vice Chairmanship, and 16 Secretaryship positions at the Local Council Development Areas.

“Additionally, it will deny the Party 177 Councilorship positions and over 1,000 Supervisors and Advisers roles at the Local Government and Local Council Develoment levels. The ramifications of such an endorsement are immense.No rational PDP member would join Fayose in his selfish voyage, except for the members of his PDAPC party in Ekiti State. For the sake of the Ekiti people who long for the return of the PDP to power in Ekiti, such an endorsement would be a great disservice.

“It is disappointing, but not surprising, to witness Fayose, who has been suspended by Ekiti PDP for his involvement with the APC and anti-party activities, playing a pawn in the APC’s chess game. A Party led by Adebayo and Fayemi, who have reduced Fayose to a figure of amusement with his fractured postulations as he gradually descends into irrelevance. The truth of the matter is that the Ekiti APC knows how to manipulate Fayose to their advantage, but they do not eagerly welcome him into their Party.”

Social media reactions to the endorsement are divergent, with some backing the move while others condemned the premature decision.

One writes “Personally, I’ve no problem having BAO for a second term. It’s a constitutional right.

However, I think it’s too early for such chicanery. It portends nothing but danger to the polity. While BAO would have loved to work harder and deliver on his 2022 electoral promises, the new fiat proclamation by those who believe Ekiti is in their pockets will distract him and there will be more of politicking than concrete achievements.

“Not only that, by January 2024, there will be an influx of aspirants who would want to challenge the declaration. At the end, we’re back to square one. That declaration, to me, is unnecessary and outrightly premature. It’s pure theatrics and a political chicanery that BAO should take with a pinch of salt. 24 hours is too long in politics. There will always be calculations and permutations which no one can always tell of its ends  – SnrKosija@oshojokini.

Another one “Alagba, let us stop deceiving ourselves, BAO himself knows that that endorsement is just for the mouth, 2026 is still far, a day or hours means a lot in politics, if the power hawks around the presidency prefer the man come the next election, they only need to flash the EFCC cases to the duo of the endorsers to wipe them to the line, pronto.

“Don’t forget that the possibility of independent candidate may likely scale the NASS before then what BAO should concentrate on right away is concentrating on real deliverables not satisfying or robbing any ego to satisfy all which will lead to satisfying no one. The man and others still have equal chances like BAO

‘Only a senseless PDP member will be moved by Fayose endorsing BAO, someone who vowed he will support his son with his last blood, his last blood couldn’t save his son’s ambition, ordinary councilor he has not produced since he left office, he won his local govt last in 2014,so what’s special, it is u APC that is turning yourself to element of mockery, allowing someone who lost it all to be using ur party to cover up his shame.

“Imagine someone who didn’t come to Ekiti to vote for Asiwaju claiming he made Asiwaju win in Ekiti, his son election was same day with Asiwaju, he lost. Only Fayemi knows Fayose better, others are just dancing to him unaware of the impending danger.

“Any Governor planning  for second term agenda in the just  completion of  one year in office is a  complete failure.  Too early for second term endorsement. Please, your selfish interest can  not place above Ekiti people.”