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BUA Group: The Other Side Of The Story

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The Source
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By Femi Adesina

The common, and perhaps, popular narrative for political, baleful and pernicious reasons, is for people to say that the Muhammadu Buhari administration has run down the economy of the country completely since its advent in 2015.

The fact that the global economy is spiraling out of control with inflation, stagflation, recession and depression staring hitherto vibrant countries in the face does not matter. The United Kingdom battles worst inflation figures in 40 years. The United States of America is not faring better, with an all time high in 41 years. Turkey and South Korea, 24-year high. Russia, 20-year high. Israel, 11 years, South Africa, 13 years, Ghana, Nigeria, Rwanda, Botswana, facing 19, 17, 14, and 14, years inflation spike, respectively.

Those playing politics with the economy want Nigerians to believe that we are the only ones in the bind. Not true. It is a global phenomenon.

Nigeria recently recorded its best Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rate since 2014, but it does not matter to the naysayers. All they love to trumpet is the negative part of things. No room for redeeming developments.

But something happened at State House, Abuja, on Friday, last week, which shows that like a double-faced drum, what faces one direction turns the back in another direction. President Muhammadu Buhari hosted the Management Team of BUA Group, led by its Chairman, Alhaji Abdulsamad Rabiu, and it was, indeed, an eye-opening session.

What did Alhaji Rabiu tell the President? I call it the other side of the story of the Nigerian economy since 2015.

“Your Excellency, we are here today to thank you for your support to business and industry, as well as acknowledge the work that has been done so far by you and your government in creating an enabling environment that will secure a better Nigeria for investments, and the future. It is in this environment that BUA has thrived and become one of the success stories out of Nigeria to Africa and the world, despite the numerous global economic shocks that have occurred in the past few years since you became President in 2015.”

Shocking. Revelatory. Insightful. Those are the words of a chieftain of the second largest conglomerate in the country. Under the Buhari administration, BUA has thrived, “and become one of the success stories out of Nigeria to Africa and the world.” And that is not what the so-called ‘economic experts’ want us to believe.

But the BUA Chairman was just warming up. He went ahead to reel out facts and statistics.

“Your Excellency, in 2015, when you became President, we were on the verge of transitioning from a company focused on commodity trading to one that is focused on production using locally available raw materials. We were also constructing our first greenfield cement production plant in Edo State, which the Vice President commissioned. That project became a pivotal moment in our history as a proudly Nigerian foods, manufacturing, mining and infrastructure company because due to the success of that investment, we became even more convinced of the need to invest further in local production across various industries in Nigeria, in line with your charge to Nigerian businesses to do more in adding value to our God-given natural and mineral resources.”

Sounds like music in the ears. Sonorous. Resonant. Resounding. But Alhaji Rabiu was still shooting from the hips. He enumerated the successes of BUA Group under Buhari to include the following: three new cement factories of 7.5 million metric tonnes capacity in Edo and Sokoto States, additional cement plants of 6 million metric tonnes nearing completion to give BUA Cement a total capacity of 17 million metric tonnes upon completion in the second quarter of 2023.

In sugar, the Group has added a new 750,000 metric tonnes factory in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, acquired two shipping vessels to enable it export sugar seamlessly to the rest of Africa.

“We also have a 20,000 hectares, 4-in-1 fully integrated sugar plantation in Kwara State with a sugar mill, refinery, ethanol plant and 350MW power plant…and upon completion, we will be producing 200,000 tonnes of refined sugar and 20 million liters of ethanol on site from the plantation.”

All under Buhari. But that is not what the ‘economic experts’ usually want us to believe!

And still more from Alhaji Rabiu, a renowned philanthropist leading a socially responsible conglomerate:

“We have built flour and pasta factories and are expanding additional lines in Port Harcourt, to be completed at the end of this year. That should give BUA Foods a total capacity of 1.5 million mtpa of flour and 600,000tpa of pasta on completion.”

In the construction space, the Group has acquired the well known PW Nigeria, and in the oil and gas sector, has commenced a 200,000 barrels per day refinery with a petrochemical plant to also produce 300,000 tonnes of polypropylene in Akwa Ibom State. All under Buhari. But didn’t revisionists and so-called ‘experts’ say the President has run down every aspect of the economy? Liars. Big, fat liars, playing crude and damaging politics.

Under Buhari, BUA Group has gone to the capital market, and listed two of its businesses, BUA Cement PLC, and BUA Foods PLC. The latter is now the most profitable publicly listed company in the Nigerian foods industry, creating value for shareholders.

Alhaji Rabiu concluded: “Your Excellency, I must say that you have done so much and tried in creating an enabling environment for businesses across Nigeria going by the strides we-and many others-have made. The results can-and will speak for themselves-long after you have left office. We know where we were in 2015 when you came in..Nigeria is indeed filled with opportunities, and we want to, therefore, identify with you.”

Alhaji Abulsamad Rabiu is already blessed, but I pray that God will bless him more for this truth he has spoken. It is uncommon, a very courageous thing to do, in the light of what the ‘economic experts’ say. Thanks for telling the other side of the story. Nigeria is, indeed, filled with opportunities, a thing BUA Group and many others are tapping into, and making conquests.

President Buhari appreciated the BUA Team, and said he was impressed and proud of the transformation the outfit has made from trading concern to a manufacturing conglomerate. He added:

“A key pillar of our administration’s policy thrust is import substitution especially when it comes to essential items such as food, household consumables and shelter. A nation of our size and with our natural and human resources is exhibiting its weakness if it continues importing essential commodities.

“For every grain of rice, wheat or maize we import, we destroy the livelihoods of our local farmers while creating jobs abroad. It is because of this that seven years ago, our Government introduced numerous laws, executive orders and incentives that support businesses with import substitution projects.

“Our immediate goal then was job creation, and economic security.  In the medium term our hope was to see Nigerian companies expand their production expertise and capacity to other African nations helping them to also achieve their food and economic security goals. In the long term, our desire is to create a peaceful and prosperous continent with its young and talented population feeding, clothing and housing themselves.

“Today, through the BUA story, it is clear that we are on track!  The company has continued to invest in domestic production and processing, leveraging our local raw materials and youthful talent.

“As a Government, this is a clear testament to the correctness of our programs and policies. We have also seen similar successes especially in the food and agri-input value chain.

“You have shown through your efforts at BUA, what is possible in our country and this is what I have always been working towards, a situation where we have businesses that can add value, create employment opportunities and reduce our dependence on imports whilst positioning ourselves for exports and global competitiveness.”

“Your success story, and those of many more Nigerian entrepreneurs, give us the motivation to do more as a Government to support the aspirations of all businesses big and small.”

BUA Group has done what all Nigerians should do across sectors; in business, education, security, healthcare, everywhere. Appreciate whatever Government has done, and encourage it to do more, rather than endless caviling, bellyaching and bad-mouthing everything. Whatever we say about our country is what we get.

Adesina is Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity

2023: Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Organization Names Onanuga, Keyamo, Alake Heads Media Directorate

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

As the 2023 Presidential Election gathers momentum, the All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed and his running mate, Kashim Shettima have announced the composition of the Media and Communication Directorate of its campaign.

The directorate, approved by the presidential candidate is made up of three departments.

The three departments are Public Affairs, Media and Publicity and Strategic Communication.

In the approved directorate, Bayo Onanuga, the Managing  Director of The News/PMNews and former Managing Director of News Agency of Nigeria, will continue his role as Director of Media and Publicity.

Dele Alake, a former Commissioner of information and veteran Journalist, will serve as Director of Strategic Communication. He served in this role for the Buhari campaign in 2014-15.

Minister of State for Labour, Festus Keyamo will continue his role as spokesman of the Campaign as Director of Public Affairs.

The Directorate will also have six Deputy Directors that include Mallam Lanre Issa-Onilu, Deputy Director, Communication Strategy, Hannatu Musawa, Deputy Director, Public Affairs, Kehinde Bamigbetan, Deputy Director, Media relations.

Mallam Modibbo Kawu will be Deputy Director of Media and Publicity, while Mohammed Bulama will be in charge of multi-media. Seun Olufemi-White will be the deputy director New Media.

The tripodal arrangement, the first in a presidential campaign, has a line of other assistant directors and senior officials, representing the nation’s various regions with job specifications spelt out.

The campaign structure will also soon unveil representatives and spokesmen in all the States of the Federation.

FG, States Must Develop Rural Communities To Decongest Cities – NIESV

By
Ayodele Oni
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Johnbull Amayaevbo

By Ayodele Oni

Nigeria Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers has made case for rapid development of rural communities to check over population of major cities. NIESV charged federal and state governments to extend infrastructural development to rural areas in the country in a bid to decongest the cities.

The institution also urged that the most appropriate way to prevent cities from being overpopulated by those in search of greener pasture, was to ensure that institutions, industries among others thrived in communities outside the cities.

NIEV President, Mr. Johnbull Amayaevbo, made the remarks in Akure over the weekend during the investiture ceremony of Mr Idris Oloruntoba as the 15th Chairman of the Ondo State Branch of the institution and the inauguration of the 2022/2024 executive committee.

According to Amayaevbo, the institution has been making moves to partner the government on how the decongestion process can be achieved seamlessly.

“Take for instance, a country like South Africa, if you have been to Sun City, it was a bush, but some people came up and did a proposal. Sun City is one of the best cities in South Africa today.

“So we will partner and collaborate with the state governments to extend infrastructural facilities to rural communities to decongest the cities.

“If we have good infrastructure outside the cities, if we have higher institutions outside the cities, if we have good industries outside the cities and if there is power, many people will not come into the city and start dragging for nothing.

“So we will advise the government and we have been doing that but we will not be tired of doing it to making sure that they take our proposal and I know that this state governor (Akeredolu) listen a lot and most other governors too.

“So we will collaborate with government to ensure that infrastructural provision is key and we will give them more technical advice and report on how to achieving the decongestion of our cities in collaboration with other professional bodies.”

On quackery within NIESV, Amayaevbo, said “However, we are doing a lot of advocacy right now to let the public know who the quacks are and who the estate agents are.

“Currently, we are part of those sponsoring a bill at the National Assembly regarding estate agency law in Nigeria. The last visit we had with the Chairman of EFCC, he was very much interested.

“We are doing everything as a professional body to bring across the country agents, train them and asked them to belong to that association, so that if anything is done wrongly by them, they can be traced. As it is, you hardly can trace them.”

While pledging that the general interests of the profession will be the focus of the his executives, the new state Chairman advised that the public and government should rely on the professional body on policy formulation, valuation as well as land administration.

“The Executive Committee members have met and wish to let you know that we have hit the ground running knowing that two years is such a short time.

“We have made up our minds to leave the branch much better than we met it. We wish to let you know that we have a number of strategies in place which we shall strive to execute.”

How Politicians Lure Our Kinsmen To Crime – Ebira Community

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Ebira Community resident in Ondo has said politicians in the state aided involvement of some of its kinsmen in criminal activities.

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu had last week addressed representatives of the Kogi state indigenes resident in the state and implicated them in series of kidnappings.

Representatives of Ebira from 18 local governments in Ondo state accused some politicians of recruiting their kinsmen as thugs during elections and thereafter take to crime.

Spokesman of Ebira Community in the state cautioned against politicizing the fight against insecurity so that the war against banditry and kidnapping will not be difficult.

The spokesman, Barrister Vincent Abiodun lmoru noted that Nigeria’s security challenges could not have gotten to its present alarming level if stakeholders have not been politicizing it and called for collaborative efforts to win the war.

They particularly pointed out the listing of one Idris Ojo, who was an Escapee from Kuje prison that was attacked on July 5, 2022 in the list of those arrested for carrying out the massacre in Owo on June 5, 2022 a month after.

He  lauded Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) for making the clarification shortly after the list was released by the Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen. Lucky Irabor.

The spokesman maintained that Ebiras are not ready in any way to support or defend any of their kinsmen arrested for criminal activities in the state.

He advised that instead such persons should be reported to appropriate authorities and called on the security agencies to always carry out thorough and verifiable investigations before going to the press as their intelligence gathering, investigations and conclusions are always open for public evaluation and analysis.

“We advise security agencies in the country to always extend their intelligence and investigative tentacles for thorough investigation of crimes so as to come up with clearcut conclusions which will command public interest and trust.”

Imoru pleaded with the Ondo state government to establish Amotekun Posts in some communities which are predominantly inhabited by Ebira people.

He warned politicians, who have cultivated the habit of importing Ebira youths from their state to Ondo State as political thugs, saying that they are ready to deal decisively with such youths.

The spokesman announced that the forum has banned all Ebira traditional festivals from being held in any part of Ondo State for now.

According to him, the forum will be collecting data of suspected criminals of Ebira origin in the state for periodic presentation to the Paramount Ruler, the Ohinoyi of Ebira Land, Alhaji Ado Ibrahim for further tracing, invitation and interrogation of their parents at the palace of their monarch in Okene, Kogi State.

Anthony Joshua’s Boxing Career In Trouble As He Is Beaten Again; Usman Loses Title Fight To  Edwards

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Anthony Joshua and Oleksander Usyk

By Akinwale Kasali

The hope of Nigeria-British pugilist, Anthony Joshua of regaining Heavyweight Titles lost to Oleksandr Usyk in an earlier fight suffered a major setback, as the Ukrainian out-punched the Ijebu, Ogun State -born, to defeat him for the second time. The title fight was held  in Saudi Arabia.

Also, Nigeria’s undisputed UFC Champion, Kamaru Usman was also defeated by British Fighter, Leon Edwards, to become the second ever British UFC Champion at the Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, USA early this morning. It was by a technical knock-out.

A fuming Joshua lost on a split decision.

Joshua threw two of Usyk’s belts on the floor at the end of the fight following the result and headed for his changing room before storming back to the ring to shake Usyk’s hand.

He then picked up the microphone and went on an expletive-filled rant, discussing the fight, his career,  and  the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.

Joshua’s emotions were clearly running high following the loss after twelve rounds of great boxing.

“If you knew my story you would understand the passion. I ain’t no amateur boxer from five years old that was an elite prospect from youth.

“I was going to jail, I got bail and I started training my arse off, I wanted to be able to fight.

“I’m stealing this Usyk I’m sorry, but it’s because of the passion we put into this. This guy to beat me tonight, maybe I could have done better, but it shows the level of hard work I put in so please give him a round of applause as our heavyweight champion of the world.’

Joshua pushed Usyk all the way and produced a more impressive performance in his first fight at Tottenham Hotspur stadium last year but couldn’t find a way past his Ukrainian counterpart.

The former champion insisted he was a ‘new breed of heavyweight’ in the aftermath of defeat as he labelled Usyk as a ‘phenomenal talent’.

“I’m not a 12 round fighter, look at me, I’m a new breed of heavyweights, Mike Tyson, Sonny Liston, Jack Dempsey, ‘you don’t throw combinations like Rocky Marciano’, I’m 18 stone, I’m heavy, it’s hard work.

“This guy here is a phenomenal talent, we’re going to cheer for him three times.”

Seven years ago, Usman outpointed Edwards as part of what became a 19-fight win streak for the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’, earning him the title of UFC’s pound-for-pound king.

Edwards also came into this  fight on an undefeated streak, winning nine bouts in a row, while patiently waiting for his first title shot.

The Jamaican-born Briton avenged his loss to Usman in 2015, leaving Utah as welterweight champion after landing a vicious kick that sent Usman sprawling to the canvas with just seconds left of their five-bout clash.

The fight started with both fighters throwing caution to the wind and a confident Usman landing solid blows on Edwards’ face and sides. The Brit countered and locked Usman down getting his own clean hits in.

In the subsequent rounds, Usman kept his feet on the ground as an ankle injury hampered his movement, but he was still able to land some solid punches on Edwards.

The fight wasn’t close as the fourth round ended with Usman winning 3-1 and only needed to avoid a knockout to retain his title and match MMA Greatest of All Time Anderson Silva with six successive title defences.

However, in round five, the unlikely happened as the Brit feinted and tricked Usman, using the opening to land a solid left kick on Usman’s head, which sent the ‘Nigerian Nightmare’ to an early rest.

On becoming the new UFC welterweight champion, Edwards said, “I feel great. They all said I couldn’t do it, they all said I couldn’t do it. Look at me now.

“It doesn’t matter. From the trenches. I’m built like this. I go until the final bell. Pound-for-pound, head shot, dead.

“I told you we could win a belt from the UK, now look at me. There is no pound-for-pound, the belt belongs to nobody.

“I told you, mum, I’d change our lives. World champion, world champion, look at me now. I was born in Jamaica with nothing. I lived in a wood shack with a zinc roof.”

Ondo: Deji, Iralepo Clash Over Traditional Festival, Issue Contradictory Directives

By
Ayodele Oni
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Oba Oluwadare Ogunlade - Deji of Akure

By Ayodele Oni

The unhealthy rivalry between the Deji of Akure, Oba Oluwadare Ogunlade and Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Oluwagbemiga Ajimokunola continues as two different directives were released from their Palaces concerning the celebration of an annual traditional festival.

Oba Ogunlade, who is Chairman, State Council of Obas, announced the closure of all Markets and Shops in Akure on Monday 22nd August, 2022.

According to a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Deji of Akure, Michael Adeyeye, the closure becomes necessary as part of the age-long tradition in observance of the annual Aheregbe Festival.

The statement informed residents that no trading or opening of shops under any guise will be allowed during the festival.

The Palace urged Market Women and shop owners to comply with this directive adding that only Pharmacy shops and Patent Medicine Stores will be allowed to open during the festival.

Another statement credited to the Iralepo of Isinkan, Oba Ajimokunola felicitated with the Deji of Akure kingdom over the Aheregbe festival and prayed for the success of the festival.

The statement added that the Iralepo used the opportunity to invite shoppers in Akure to come to Isinkan for their business and shoppings during the Aheregbe period as shops and businesses shall remain open in every part of the Isikan domain.

Apparently reacting to a statement issued by the Deji’s Palace that market and shops should be closed in observance of the annual Aheregbe Festival, Iralepo said such directive does not affect traders in Isinkan Kingdom.

In a statement personally signed, the Iralepo, who said it is a taboo to bring such festival to Isinkan said forcing such on the community would have grave consequences.

While saying though Akure and Isinkan share what some may consider blurred boundaries, the Monarch said indigenes of the two communities know their domains. Their boundaries are not blurred.

“For the purpose of emphasis, I will like to say that Isinkan shares boundary with Akure at Imogun, just before Saint Thomas’ Anglican Church, Isinkan, and Ondo at Owena river. In all these areas markets and shops are not closed for Aheregbe festival.

“It is a taboo and has consequence on Isinkan Community as well as the priest of the festival. So, for peace to reign, Akure people should not bring the festival to my community and neither can they enforce market and shop closure here. This statement is necessary in order to remove any iota of doubt.”

While saying security agencies have been informed about the development, Oba Ajimokunola enjoined market women and traders on Isinkan land to go about their lawful businesses.

He equally enjoined the youths of the community to remain calm.

Also, the Elemo of Isinkan, High Chief Olasehinde Abidakun while providing clarification explained that Isinkan community is not and has never been part of Aheregbe festival celebration of the people of Akure or any other such celebrations.

The Elemo stated that all Akure festivals stop at Imogun. He explained further that exporting Akure festivals into Isikan land will amount to courting trouble and affirmed the support of all the chiefs and people of Isikan for Iralepo.

Just a few weeks ago, the two Monarchs installed two different persons as Head of a Quarter within their domain.

Ogun: Serial Killer On The Lose – Police Command Warns

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Nigeria Police Force

By Adesina Soyooye

Ogun State indigenes and residents especially women, and those who live around the Remo area of the State, are in danger. They are not only threatened, a number of them could lose their lives

A serial killer is on the lose, a worried Ogun State Police Command has warned. And he kills mercilessly and brutally.

According to the Ogun State Police Command in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi,  the killer’s method is simple. He prtends to be a motorcyclist, popular as an Okada rider. Then he picks his preys, mostly women, and kills them.

Nobody knows what he does with the bodies of his victims. Is he a psychopath? Does he kill for the fun of it? Is he a ritualist? Or a body parts seller? Does he have  customers?  What does he look like?

Unfortunately, the Police did not give much information or even a description of him – age, height, color of skin, make of the motorcycle he uses. The only information the Police gave is that he operates, especially, around the Remo area of the State.

Following is the statement released by the Police.

“The Ogun state Police Command wishes to inform the general public that a yet to be identified serial killer is on the prowl in Remo axis of the state.

“The modus operandi of the serial killer is to pretend as a commercial motorcyclist popularly known as “okada” and pick his targeted victim as passenger. Such victim who are mainly women will be taken to an isolated area, raped and brutally murdered in cold blood.

“While the Command is doing everything possible to apprehend the hoodlum, it is necessary to alert the public to be on their guard and be wary of any okada man with whom they want to embark on a journey, most especially in the night.

“For safety reasons, the command hereby advise that passengers should endeavour to demand for the phone number of okada rider who wants to carry them in the night.”

“They should also make a call to such number to ascertain its authenticity.

This will give security agencies a lead in their investigation in the event of any untowards development.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, while assuring the public that everything possible will be done to fish out the serial killer within the shortest possible period, urged the public to cooperate with the police by giving adequate and useful information that can assist in this onerous task.”

Obasanjo Denies Tinubu; Puts A Lie To Gbajabiamila’s Claims; Says  I Did Not Endorse Tinubu For President

By
Adesina Soyooye
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0

By Adesina Soyooye

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has decried the lies told against him by some supporters of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

If a number of people were taken aback that Tinubu had the courage to visit Obasanjo, apparently, to seek  support for his Presidential aspiration, considering that Tinubu had, months back, dragged Obasanjo in the gutter, they were more surprised read that Obasanjo endorsed Tinubu during that visit.

The story of the endorsement had gone viral, pushed, especially, by the pronouncement of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, who was among those who accompanied Tinubu to visit Obasanjo in Abeokuta a couple of days ago.

Gbajabiamila, narrating to his Surulere Consttuents what transpired between Obasanjo and Tinubu during the visit,  more than hinted that Obasanjo endorsed Tinubu’s aspiration. With what Obasanjo told Tinubu, Gbajabiamila told his constituents, Tinubu has already become the President.

Presidential candidates in Nigeria have a habit of visiting some high profile Nigerians, including Traditional Rulers, to seek for support. So Tinubu did nothing out of the ordinary by visiting Obasanjo.

However, such high profile hosts rarely endorse their guests. They usually wish the aspirants the best in their aspiration. Which was why the story that emanated from Tinubu’s camp after the visit surprised not a few people.

However, Obasanjo has debunked the story of his endorsement of Tinubu. He dismissed Tinubu’s supporters who peddled the story of the endorsement by him as liars. He warned them to desist from such lies, and disclosed that their discussion never got to the stage of endorsement. He dismissed the claims as unauthorised and fake.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Saturday, the former Presient noted that “the statements coming from those claiming to be supporters of Bola Tinubu are unhelpful.”

He explained that the discussion between the two of them was more brotherly than political, adding that at the behest of Tinubu, he, Obasanjo “agreed to no statement from either side.”

Obasanjo: “Those claiming to be insiders at the meeting issuing statement on the discussion and those crediting to me statement I had not made are enemies of the visitor and are not doing the visit any good.”

Obasanjo was a two-term President of Nigeria under the PDP. But in 2015, he declared himself ”partyless”, and in an unprecedented action at his level, tore his PDP membership card.

He, then,  supported the then opposition party, APC, and its Presidential candidate, Muhammadu Buhari, to defeat the ruling PDP and the incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.

From all his utterances since after Buhari’s first term in office, Obasanjo seems to have regretted backing Buhari.

In 2019, he backed the Presidential candidate of the PDP, his former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar. But Buhari still held sway, earning a second term.

Against 2023, Atiku is, again the candidate of the PDP. It is not known, yet, who Obasanjo will back.

However, political analysts insist it is not likely to be Tinubu.

Secondus Rebukes Governor Wike; Tells Him “You Cannot Be Governor Forever”

By
The Source
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0
Uche Secondus and Nyesom Wike

By Charles Igbo

The immediate past National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Prince Uche Secondus,  has reminded  the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, of the transient nature of power. “You will not be Governor forever”, Secondus told Wike.

Secondus said this in a terse statement while responding to Wike’s threat that he would crush all those associating and conniving with Secondus in support of the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

On Saturday at a function in Omagwa, Ikwerre, Wike had, in his usual brash and blunt manner, allegedly said he would crush all those working with Secondus for Atiku, noting that a number of them has shifted their loyalty away from him.

Wike: “We will take every might that we have. We will even leave our enemy and finish you first.

“So, all of you going to Abuja to hold meetings with our enemies in the State,  I’m going to finish you to the last.”

But Secondus, in a terse statement released from his Media Office reminded Wike that he would not be Governor forever.

He derided what he described as the Governor’s “disdainful threat that he would crush anybody who works with him in support of the PDP Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.”

He went further: “Wike, you cannot crush anybody. I cannot fight or join issue with you. Only God can crush.

“No condition is permanent, and nobody can become Governor of a State or President of his country forever.”

Secondus and Wike were close political allies. It was Wike who literally installed Secondus as the PDP National Chairman. Ironically, midway into his tenure, Wike moved against Secondus, and removed him from office over, according to Wike, incompetence.

Secondus on his part said Wike went after him because he refused to allow Wike run the office of the National Chairman for him.

However, not a few people now think that Wike wanted Secondus out because of his (Wike’s) Presidential ambition. They say Wike did not Secondus to preside over the Presidential Primary. Unfortunately, that did not help the Governor much.

In the case of Atiku, Wike declared him a political enemy after Atiku defeated him at the PDP Presidential Primary. The relationship soured more than ever when Atiku picked Delta State Governor, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa as his running mate instead of Wike.

Since then, the PDP has known no peace as it has been literally divided into Camp Atiku and Camp Wike.

In Rivers State, Wike has gone after his allies who  visited Atiku without his knowledge. He, also, wants the National Chairman of the Party, Iyorchia Ayu to step down since the Presidential candidate is, like Ayu, a Northerner. Ayu has refused to do so insisting he was elected to a four-year tenure.

The PDP is desperate to make peace between Atiku and Wike. The two PDP chieftains have nominated representatives from their different camps to meet and find a lasting solution to the crisis between them.

Oshiomhole: As Governor, Obaseki And I Slept Same Suite; Says Edo Governor Among Very Few who Call Him By Nickname

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0
Adams Oshomhole and Godwin Obaseki

By Akinwale Kasali

Former All Progressives Congress, APC, National Chairman, Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole has  revealed that as Governor, he was sleeping in same Hotel suite with the incumbent Edo Governor, Godwin Obaseki each time they traveled. He was, however quick to add that they slept in separate beds.  He explained that the bond he shares with Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki goes beyond politics.

Obaseki was Oshiomhole’s Chief of Staff, and he was instrumental to Obaseki succeeding him in office.

This comment is coming barely two years after the duo battled for the soul of Edo State, as Obaseki faced his one time godfather squarely in the battle for supremacy.

Oshiomhole had caused the disqualification of Obaseki from running for a second term in office, and imposed , Osagie Ize-Iyamu on the  APC,  prompting Obaseki to  defect to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to actualize his dream.

The fight between Oshiomhole and Obaseki who were once bosom friends put the political landscape of the State in crisis.

But in a landslide victory, Obaseki defeated the former Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, boss and his candidate at the polls, and was  re-elected as the Governor of the State.

Both men,  though  political enemies, are always in their best behaviour each time they ran into each at public functions.

On several occasions, Obaseki had denied having any grudge or issues with his predecessor, except on  his style of politics.

“I don’t have anything personal against Oshiomhole. I may not like his politics, but he has not done anything personal against me. We all are interacting with the interest of the country and the development of our community at heart,” he said.

Oshiomhole in an interview with THE PUNCH Newspaper on Friday said that Obaseki remained his close brother and friend despite their reported frosty relationship.

The two-term governor of Edo State also affirmed that he still had fond memories of their time together.

“For me, I have moved on. Obaseki remains my brother and friend. I have had the honour of working with him and God in his infinite power used me to ensure that he became the governor of Edo State.

“Sometimes, God wants us to know that He is the only one that is all-knowing. He is the only one who knows the beginning and the end. When, as human beings, everything seems to add up, we celebrate our intellect. But sometimes, God intervenes just for us to know that we don’t know it all and it is meant to remind us of our limited knowledge of life. He remains my brother and friend.

“When I was governor and he worked under me, my relationship with him was not that of boss and subordinate. He was one of the very few who called me by my nickname. When we travelled together on foreign trips, we didn’t book different suites in a hotel. Instead we shared the same suite in a hotel but slept in separate rooms. That’s how close we were.”

Political analysts have said that the statement credited to Oshiomhole may be mere  political talk as he is also vying for the Edo North Senatorial District Seat, having gotten the ticket on the platform of the APC.

As there is no permanent friend nor permanent enemies in  politics, maybe Oshiomhole is trying to put that  into practice by indirectly wooing Obaseki, some political analysts say.

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