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Tension As Gov Fayemi Creates New Town In Ekiti Few Days To Exit

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Less than six days to his exit as Governor of Ekiti state, Dr Kayode Fayemi may hand over a state engulf in crisis occasioned by hurried decision of the outgoing administration to give recognition to a quarter chief becoming a monarch.

Governor Fayemi, in a letter, dated October, 4, 2022,  from the Bureau of Chieftaincy, had upgraded a quarter within Efon Alaaye community and promoted the quarter chief to a grade C Oba.

The new town identified as Ahun Ekiti from Efon Alaaye community has been part of the autonomous community with the people co habiting peacefully.

The letter indicates that a new King  should ascend the throne of newly created Ahon Ekiti, which formerly was part of the ancient Efon Alaaye Kingdom which has from its inception, known as an indivisible entity.

Governor Fayemi, through the Bureau of Chieftaincy Affairs wrote a letter dated October 4, 2022, to Prince Jacob Adelowo and appointed him as a Monarch of Ahun Ekiti.

In a swift reaction to the development, the traditional ruler of Efon Kingdom, Oba Emmanuel Aladejare described the development as an affront to the community and Nigeria’s Judicial system.

Oba Aladejare kicked against the recognition of Ahun Ekiti as an autonomous town in the Efon Alaaye community and the appointment of Prince Jacob Adelowo as king of Ahun Ekiti saying the matter is subject to litigation before the Supreme Court in Suit No SC/CV/1063/2021.

The Alaaye who stated this in Ado Ekiti while briefing journalists on the development, said Efon is one entity, adding that a Government white paper on the report of Aladejana Chieftaincy Review Commission, 2019 frowned at granting Ahun autonomy because the matter is a subject of litigation.

Oba Aladejare wondered why the state government has to hurriedly give Ahun recognition and appointed a monarch, even though the matter was still pending at the Supreme Court describing the state government’s action as an affront to the judiciary.

The government through the Bureau of Chieftancy Affairs wrote a letter dated October 4, 2022, to Prince Jacob Adelowo stating that “Consequent upon the recognition of Ahun Ekiti by the Ekiti State Government as an autonomous community, the state government has approved your appointment as the Alahun of Ahun Ekiti and a recognized traditional ruler (Grade C) under the provisions of Ekiti State High Chief Law, 2012″.

The letter was signed by the Bureau’s executive secretary, Morakinyo Adegboyega.

The Alaaye stated that the suit in which he clearly stated his objection to granting autonomy to Ahun filed at the State High Court, was yet to be heard to date.

Ova Aladejare is one of the 16 royal fathers in Ekiti that took Governor Fayemi to Court to challenge his decision to appoint Oba of Ilawe Ekiti as chairman state Council of Obas, before some prominent indigenes waded in and the case was withdrawn.

Opinion: Dangote ‘Under The Table’ Purchase Of Obajana Cement

By
James Orji
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0

BY Duro Meseko

I am an indigene of Kogi state. I have the interest of the state at heart. But I must confess, an issue has been bothering me so much that sometimes I lose sleep for days — the issue of Dangote Cement and how Kogi practically lost out in the company!

I was tormented by this sad reality almost on daily basis until last week when the state government took the bull by the horn and sealed the cement factory, citing irregularities in the processes leading to the so-called 100% acquisition of the shares or stakes of the initial Obajana Cement owned by Kogi state government. I have not stopped dancing till this moment.

The Obajana debacle did not start today. I was a secretariat staff of the blueprint committee set up during the early days of former Governor Idris Wada’s administration in 2011. And part of the committee’s brief then was to look into how Obajana Cement was acquired by Dangote, what percentage of shares accrued to the state, how much had been paid to the state and so on and so forth.

Officials of the ministry of justice that appeared before the committee to brief it on these details shocked members when they confessed they could not lay their hands on a single document linking the state with Dangote Cement as necessary documents, according to these officials, had mysteriously disappeared! I was astounded by the revelation.
It was therefore a jackpot of some sort for me when I learnt that Governor Yahaya Bello had decided to fight back to get what rightly belongs to the Kogi people.

For daring to thread this noble path, the White Lion as the governor is fondly called has scored a bullseye. And this may perhaps stand as one of his administration’s most profound achievements at the end of the day. I have heard the hues and cries from the side of Dangote Group especially the highly provocative, “we own Dangote Cement 100%” submission and could not but ask the million-dollar question — “What has Kogi gained from the acquisition of Obajana Cement to date? Is it procedurally feasible for a whole cement factory belonging to the state to be sold under the table without any official document?”

Let us even agree without conceding that Dangote bought Obajana Cement from the Kogi state government, how much did he pay? And into which of the state’s accounts? What percentage of taxes has Dangote Cement been paying to the state? I can go on and on.

Truth is, the earlier Dangote comes clean on this matter, the better for all the parties concerned. How on earth could a company as massive as Dangote Cement Factory operate in Kogi and for the state not have anything to show for it?

It has simply been a case of tears and sorrow for the citizenry daily traumatised by Dangote Cement trailers driven by drivers who would block the highways at will, kill/maim innocent souls at will with their recklessness on the wheels among others.

In the coming days, I would be examining and providing more details on the sad story of the acquisition of Obajana Cement for Nigerians and the world at large to know the naked truth, including the collusion of some government functionaries in the show of shame!

Meseko is a former member of the Nigerian House of Representatives

NIMASA DG Fetes Stakeholders

By
James Orji
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0

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, has stated that stakeholders would continue to occupy a premium position in the life of NIMASA, noting that it is the stakeholders who keep the Agency and maritime business afloat.

Speaking during this year’s celebration of Customer Service Week at the Agency’s Headquarters in Lagos, the DG averred his belief that investment in material assets by NIMASA would be meaningless without the staff and other external stakeholders. He added that for every investment in material assets, there was a need for a corresponding availability of stakeholders to make such an investment significant.

“Today, we at NIMASA are celebrating our existence. We are celebrating our existence because without you, our stakeholders, there will be no NIMASA. Yes, we must invest in maritime asset acquisition. But then, we know that in spite of the level of investment in both tangible and intangible assets by NIMASA, without the stakeholders, such investments will be meaningless”, the DG said.

Jamoh used the event to welcome the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of SERVICOM, Mrs. Nnenna Akajemeli, who was at the Agency to celebrate with the staff, noting that adherence to NIMASA’s core values was necessary to guarantee mutual satisfaction of both internal and external stakeholders of the Agency,

Jamoh stressed his belief in the founding principles of SERVICOM, reiterating that Public Offices were the shopping floors for government businesses and that there was a need to always leave whoever goes to the floor for shopping with a high level of satisfaction.

On her part, the National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer of SERVICOM commended NIMASA for all the achievements of the Agency, particularly in the areas of stakeholder support and complaint handling system. She applauded the NIMASA’s Maritime Stakeholders’ Experience Contact Centre (MSECC), noting that it is a world-class facility.

“We at SERVICOM are thrilled by what we are seeing in NIMASA today. The environment, level of professionalism exhibited by staff, customer-centric orientation and attitude, as well as the energies we have noticed and experienced are all worthy of emulation.

“We, therefore, urge other government parastatals to visit NIMASA leadership and learn from them. Your operations and individualized attention to some of my colleagues, who acted as mystery shoppers were amazing. We must confess our happiness and we are proud we are part of the celebration. We are part of this history”, Akajemeli said.

Highlights of the celebration were surprise rewards for some support staff and staff of the Agency with different gift items.

Customer Service Week is an international celebration that calls attention to the importance of customer service and the people who provide it. Celebrated in the first week of October of every year, and with the theme of this year’s celebration as “Celebrate Service”, the goals of Customer Service Week are: to elicit team bonding, boost morale, reward employees for the significant work they do, and raise awareness of the value of customer to organization’s successes.

Wike Gets Rare Recognition From Buhari  

By
James Orji
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Nyesom Wike

President Muhammadu Buhari will confer on Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers state the “Distinguish Award in Infrastructure Delivery” the presidency has said.

The award is considered by not a few Nigerians as a reward for the giant stride the Rivers governor has recorded since he came into office over seven years ago.

He has also commissioned many life-touching projects than his counterparts in other states, those watching his government said.

According to a letter signed by Dr. Nnamdi Mbaeri, the Permanent Secretary (General Services) in the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF’s Office, and addressed to Governor Wike, the president will on October 21 present the award to the governor at the State House Conference Centre, Abuja.

The ceremony is part of the forthcoming Nigeria Excellence in Public Service Award by the Federal Government, the SGF office said.

“Tinubu Is Healthy, Ready To Rumble” – PDP Senator, Dr Chimaroke Nnamani

By
Adesina Soyooye
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Chimaroke Nnamani

By Adesina Soyooye

A Peoples Democratic Party’s Senator, Chimaroke Nnamani, has certified Bola  Tinubu, the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, fit, healthy and ready to rumble.

There have been concerns, for months, over the health status of Tinubu. Many insist his health is fragile, and that he suffers from alleged Parkinson disease.

They insist that the alleged disease is responsible for Tinubu’s, atimes, unsteady steps, shaky hands and not too good manner of speaking.

Recently when he went to London, the Social Media was awash with reports that he traveled on medical grounds. His Campaign Office tried to debunk the narrative. Director of Publicity and Communications, Bayo Onanuga, invoked the wrath of God on those carrying the rumour of Tinubu’s ill health.  He said Tinubu went to London, not on medical grounds, but for a short rest in preparation for the grueling Presidential campaign.

Then, as proof, a photograph of Tinubu riding an exercise bicycle was released. This was followed by a dapper looking Tinubu, wearing a suit, posing with two of his grandchildren in London. Then followed a tweet by Tinubu denying his alleged withdrawal from the race, and his rumoured death. “I am not dead, and I have not withdrawn from the Presidential race”, he said.

Now enters PDP Senator Chimaroke Nnamani. A two-time  Governor of Enugu State, Nnamani is a medical doctor, a specialist in the most intricate form of surgery and a great surgeon.

On Monday, Nnamani told Nigerians that from a professional point, Tinubu is in top shape, health-wise, and ready to rumble.

The PDD Senator, whose Party’s Presidential candidate is Atiku Abubakar, assured Nigerians that Tinubu is okay and has the capacity to lead Nigeria.

Chimaroke: “I join millions of Nigerians in welcoming Tinubu home. It is to God’s glory that he returned in superb health.

“I strongly continue to condemn those who wallow in ignorance in celebration of real and phantom infirmities.

“I lend my voice in celebration of his giant strides in governance, reforms and locality administration in all its spheres. I salute his political deftness and sagacity.

“As a medical professional with honour, I attest to Tinubu’s good health and capacity.

“Tinubu has a robust general system, acute awareness of his holistic environment, political and in all ramifications. A bubbling and vivacious personality, his confidence is easily apparent, sharing and transferable. Engaging him clearly demonstrates good health, energy and readiness to rumble.”

Nnamani and Tinubu were colleague-Governors. He has continued to promote Tinubu’s positive credentials even though they belong to different political parties. He says Tinubu is his friend.

He broke the record when his name appeared as a member of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. He was number 350 in the 422  member-team. Onanuga first justified it, but later said it was a mistake as they meant to write Senator Ken Nnamani not Senator Chimaroke Nnamani.

The former Governor did not, immediately, distance himself from the APC list. But days later, one of his Aides asked that his principal’s name on the list be ignored as he is running for a third term to the Senate on the ticket of the PDP. This has, however, not changed his absolute belief in Tinubu.

Ogun 2023: Again, Amosun Goes Against His Party; Backs ADC Candidate, Otegbeye, Dumps APC’s  Abiodun

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has never hidden his dislike for his successor, Governor Dapo Abiodun, even though they are in the  same Political Party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.

During the 2019 Governorship Poll, Amosun backed the Candidacy of Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Adekunle Akinlade at the expense of Abiodun.

Now, he has repeated it as the election towards the 2023 Ogun State Governorship seat draws near.

Amosun has backed the Candidature of African Democratic Congress, ADC,  Biyi Otegbeye, in the 2023 elections, thus abandoning Abiodun who is seeking a second term in office.

Amosun, while he made his choice   known, emphasised he will be backing Otegbeye  against Abiodun, but pledged his support to the APC presidential candidate, Bola Tinubu.

He declared his stance during an exclusive interview with BBC Yoruba on Monday.

Amosun said, “For the Presidential poll, I can assure you, both right, left and centre, we are supporting one person (Tinubu). I believe we are supporting one person. On the Governorship poll, that’s a different ball game. I don’t belong there.

“For the Governorship, that is different. I don’t hide behind one finger to fight. That’s why people say to me ‘don’t say that.’ On governorship, my supporters and I, we don’t belong to that side. I do not support APC on that side, Biyi Otegbeye is the person I am supporting, and ADC is the party.”

Amosun’s anointed candidate, Otegbeye, is from Ogun West Senatorial district and is the Managing Director of Regency Alliance Insurance PLC.

Afenifere To Akeredolu: Our Support For Peter Obi Is To Ensure Equity; Insists Other Ethnic Nationalities Back the Position

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Peter Obi

By Ayodele Oni

Pan Yoruba socio cultural organization, Afenifere, has insisted that its preference for Peter Obi, Presidential candidate of Labour Party, (LP) is purely based on equity.

Reacting to remarks by Ondo State Governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, Afenifere said that its support for the LP candidate was purely that of the Group and not Yoruba interest. The Group pointed out that it is a principled stance of the Afenifere that the next President of Nigeria should be from the South and for equity, South-east.

A statement signed by Sola Ebiseni, Secretary General of Afenifere, stated that “The attention of the Afenifere has been drawn to the statement credited to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu on the Afenifere endorsement of Mr. Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State, for the 2023 Presidential election.

“On the statement widely reported today in the media, the Governor of Ondo State, who is also the South West Coordinator of the Presidential Campaign of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was quoted to have said “Afenifere doesn’t speak for the Yoruba people on the endorsement of the Labour Party Presidential candidate, Peter Obi and that  Afenifere is divided in respect of the purported endorsement”.

“To start with, we wish to reiterate the principled stance of the Afenifere that the next President of Nigeria should be from the South, and all things equitably considered, from the South East, for which we consider Mr. Peter Obi, by his verifiable records as a two-term Governor of Anambra State, most competent and suitable.

“It is a well considered corporate decision debated for over a year of  regular monthly meetings, validly conveyed in the best tradition of the Organisation.

“While we have our respect for Governor Akeredolu, and his colleagues of the Southern Governors Forum, which he leads, on their stand that it is only equitable that the next President of Nigeria, after the eight years of Buhari of Northern Nigeria extraction, should come from the South.

“We will not lend our support to those who betray that cause for the lucre of Vice Presidential porridge or those who see equity only from the parochial prism of their own ethnic benefits.

“We wish to state for the umpteenth time, that Afenifere is not an apolitical Yoruba sociocultural Organisation but, from its inception, a political machinery as the embodiment of the worldview of the Awolowo School of Thought on how Nigeria, a country of ancient and entrenched nationalities, may best be equitably, inclusively and peacefully governed.

“These thoughts are encapsulated in the theory and practice of True Federalism in its equitable and logical dimensions.

“This philosophy, which has inexorably becomes the Yoruba view, also defines Afenifere’s position, either as the initiator of NADECO, on restructuring and the need not to deny the South East their turn of  Nigeria Presidency.

“Those who strive to abridge or diminish the full effect of this covenant, on the altar of partisan or cheap tribal interests, cannot  claim to speak for the Yoruba and Afenifere is not in competition with them.

“The Yoruba know the Organisation which speaks for them, taking hard decisions which others may initially despise but come round to embrace in the fullness of time.

“Finally, let it be said that Afenifere is not alone in this decision that the next President of Nigeria should be from the South and South East specifically.

“Afenifere conveyed its resolution through a Press Conference on the 26th September 2022, the Middle Belt Forum converged on the Jos Township Stadium on the 28th of September.

“Other ethnic nationality Organisations, particularly of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum of which Afenifere is a member and other well meaning Nigerian leaders are in agreement with this resolution which the nation needs most for an all inclusive sense of belonging and attendant peaceful coexistence.

“Those seek equity that the rulership of Nigeria is not the exclusive preserve of the North must also do equity by not seeking to score the same goal for themselves by foul means.”

Akeredolu had said on Monday, that Afenifere does not speak for the Yoruba.

Why DSS Still Holds IBC Staff In Its Custody – Imo State Govt; Says His Collaborators Are On The Run

By
The Source
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Hope Uzodimma

The Imo State Government has explained why the State Command of the Directorate of State Services, (DSS), is still keeping, in their custody, a staff of the Imo State Broadcasting Corporation, Casmir Chinonye Uzomah.

In the past few days,  the Social Media has been awash with demands for the release of Uzomah who was arrested by the DSS for airing, on the iBC Radio Station, Orient FM, a criminal, libellous and extremely subversive song against His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, the Governor of Imo State. Uzomah did this while on duty at the radio station on 4th August; 2022.

The Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the DSS wants to ensure that investigation into the reason Uzomah was detained is not jeopardised.

“Some of those ignorantly calling for his release have gone far enough to baselessly claim that he was detained on the orders of the State Government,” Emelumba said.

The Commissioner, in a statement on Monday said: “For the avoidance of doubt, neither Imo State Government nor Imo Broadcasting Corporation is responsible for the arrest of the said Casmir Chinonye Uzomah. He was arrested by the DSS for airing subversive material capable of threatening national security.

“The  DSS has confirmed that upon his arrest he made a written confession that the said offensive and  damaging song he aired was given to him by some collaborators,  in a flash drive, and he duly smuggled same into IBC studio and willfully caused it to be aired, in violation of the terms of his employment and the ethics of the broadcast industry.

“This seditious and highly subversive song described the Governor of the State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma as a murderer, a vampire and  sucker of blood.  It was as bad as that, and indeed worse.  Yet an employee of the Government had the  audacity to air the song in a State-owned Radio Station. If that does not  qualify for the height of impudence and willful subversion, then nothing else can.

“That was a clear case of  criminal libel against a man who has never been accused of a high crime, nor convicted by a Court of law.

“The aim, of course, was not just to disparage the Governor but to maliciously damage his reputation and to incite the public against the Government.

“Those who glibly talk of freedom and  democracy in this matter are either ignorant of the potential crime of treason committed by Casmir Chinonye Uzomah, or they are being hopelessly mischievous.

“Indeed it may not be far from the truth to conclude that those in the forefront of the clamour for his release may indeed know how he came about the offensive song. This may well explain why they want him out of the hook fast enough so that they can obstruct further chances of getting to the root of who did what and why.

“It is instructive to note that apart from sabotaging his employers, Casmir Chinonye Uzomah also incurred the wrath of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC),which queried IBC for breaching its code.

“These are the weighty issues at stake for which the DSS is carefully trying to get to its remote and immediate motives.

“And from the explanation given by the DSS, the co-conspirators,indicated by Mr Uzomah, in his statement, have been on the run. The DSS insists that they have to be apprehended and questioned alongside Casmir Chinonye Uzomah to establish their sinister motive.

“It is, therefore, important that while we exercise the right to call for the release of a detainee, we must not sweep under the carpet the  need to first establish the motive for the suspect’s action, who his hasty released will most likely jeopardise  investigations.

“A man who, acting in collaboration with some unscrupulous elements, could brazenly use a Government   station to incite the public against the Governor of the State, can as well plan  to do something more dangerous using the same gang.

“This is why we think the  DSS is right in insisting that it’s important and urgent that he should help them track down his collaborators so that the motive behind their action can be unravelled and judiciously rested.”

2023: Tinubu Labels PDP ‘Party Of Termites’; Inaugurates APC Women Wing Presidential Campaign Team

By
Akinwale Kasali
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Inauguration of APC Women Wing Presidential Campaign Team

By Akinwale Kasali

The All Progressives Congress, APC, Presidential Candidate, Bola Tinubu has taken a swipe at the opposition Party,  Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, describing it as a “political party of termites.”

Tinubu said the Party was in the saddle for 16 Years and this never metamorphosed into any positive for the country, stressing that there is no way they will find their way back into power.

“Sixteen years of nothingness. Never again shall they come back. A new hope is here,” Tinubu said during the inauguration of the Tinubu-Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team at the State House Banquet Hall, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The former Lagos State Governor said that the nation is about to witness a new dawn with him emerging as the President that would take over the saddle from President Muhammadu Buhari.

Tinubu’s statement is coming at a time electioneering campaigns for the 2023 Polls have been declared open since September 28th, 2022, by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Present at the occasion were, at least, 1,250 women members of the APC from across the country, including the President, Buhari, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Ibrahim Gambari.

Others attendance were Tinubu’s running mate, Senator Kashim Shettima, National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullah Adamu; Governor of Plateau State and Director General of APC Presidential Campaign Council, Simon Lalong, Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State, among others.

A source at the party secretariat said that the inauguration of the 944-member team will signal the official kick-off of the party’s campaign.

The source also said the women’s team will enjoy a degree of autonomy to arrange and organise its own programmes at the national, zonal and state levels.

The ruling party had on Independence Day announced the composition of the women’s campaign train with First Lady, Aisha Buhari; Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Hajiya Nana, wife of the vice presidential candidate, Senator Kashim Shettima, leading the pack.

The campaign list, which contained names of 944 high-profile women and wives of prominent APC politicians, was released in the wee hours of Saturday by the campaign media admin, Rinsola Abiola, who is also the daughter of late Chief MKO Abiola.

In the 70-page campaign document, no fewer than 33 Nollywood and Kannywood actors were enlisted for entertainment.

They include veteran thespians such as Joke Silva who chairs the entertainment category, Fausat Balogun, Remi Oshodi, Mercy Johnson, Rose Odika, Sola Kosoko, Lanre Hassan (Iya Awero), Hajiya Nas, Lizzy Jay (Omo Ibadan), Princess Kalihat Bello, among others.

In the list tagged ‘Tinubu-Shettima Women Presidential Campaign Team,’ Aisha was appointed as Grand Patron, Tinubu, a three-term Senator emerged as Chairman; Nana was made Co-Chairman while Lauretta Onochie, Personal Assistant on Social Media to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), also made the campaign train as Deputy National Co-ordinator.

In the category of zonal leaders, the wife of the Kebbi State governor, Dr Zainab Baugudu, will coordinate the NorthWest; the wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr Ibijoke Sanwo–Olu leads South West; the First Lady of Borno State, Falmata Zulum will be in charge of the North East.

Olufolake Abdulrazaq, the first lady of Kwara State, will coordinate efforts in the North-Central and Mrs Sanwo-Olu, wife of the Lagos State governor, will superintend over the South-West.

While Imo State First Lady, Chioma Ikeaka-Uzodinma, will organise the South-East campaign; her counterpart in Cross River, Linda Ayade, will oversee activities in the South-South.

Peter Obi’s Endorsement: Akeredolu Says Afenifere Not Speaking For Yoruba

By
Ayodele Oni
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0
Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State
Rotimi Akeredolu

By Ayodele Oni

Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has said that the endorsement of Peter Obi, candidate of Labour Party, (LP) in next year’s election by the Pan Yoruba Socio-cultural organisation, Afenifere, is a self serving declaration.

The Governor declared that Afenifere does not speak for the Yoruba people.

Apart from that, Akeredolu noted that Afenifere is divided in respect of the purported endorsement and emphasized that the group’s views do not represent the stance of the Yoruba people.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Richard Olatunde, said Akeredolu made the remarks on Sunday evening while speaking on the topic, “Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Business of Nation Building”, during a Twitter Space session.

Governor Akeredolu pointed out that  Tinubu has always remained a progressive despite the prevalence of political prostitution in the country.

“Prostitution in politics is very common. When you have people who stick to their guns and stay in their parties, you must respect them. It is not common.

“We have seen a situation where governors left their parties and go to other parties. For me, it is integrity. Asiwaju has shown integrity. Asiwaju’s form of politics has taught us that political prostitution is unnecessary.”

Akeredolu, identified true federalism as one of the strong pillars that can be used to build a prosperous nation.

Governor Akeredolu said true federalism is important in a diverse nation like Nigeria, adding that it will properly address the fundamentals of nationhood.

He assured Nigerians that the APC Presidential Candidate, will bring a new vista into governance and ensure that true federalism thrives if voted into power.

Governor Akeredolu said the APC Candidate understands the serious issues affecting the wellbeing of the country.

“If voted into Government, Nigerians will see that we have someone in place who had gone through democratic tutelage. He has been Governor. He led a party.

“Asiwaju has deep knowledge about the problems of this nation. He has been part of the struggle to ensure that democracy is enthroned and that a true federal system runs in the country.”

The Governor recalled that Tinubu was part of the founders of NADECO and participated in the struggle that led to the return of civil democratic rule in the fourth Republic.

“Tinubu’s contributions in the NADECO struggle can not be denied. As you know, when the 1993 presidential election was held, MKO Abiola was deemed to have won that election. But the military junta canceled the election and set up an interim government.

“Asiwaju Tinubu and few others felt they weren’t going to take it. They formed the NADECO and fought the military. They stood on June 12.

“Then the whole country conceded that the next President must be from the Southwest. That is why in 1999, only former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Chief Olu Falae ran for the election.

“You can not deny Asiwaju his role. He ran away from the county and set up the Radio-Kudirat. Those were the struggles we had before the Fourth Republic came up.”

The Governor, also, applauded Tinubu for his efforts to build Lagos State when he was Governor, adding that the APC Presidential standard bearer was able to make Lagos State a country within the Country.

He noted that Tinubu promoted national unity by appointing people from different ethnic backgrounds across the country into his government.

“Asiwaju was able to make Lagos a country within country. As you know, Asiwaju was in the saddle for eight years in Lagos. And you will find out that because of Lagos peculiarities, people from virtually all parts of the country were part of his government.

“Asiwaju Tinubu assembled the best brains for the job and these people moved from Lagos to become leaders in their respective states. Aregbesola was there as a commissioner and went from there to become governor in Osun State.

“Everybody has its own part to play. Today, we have people who have been senators in Lagos and gone back to their states to contest. Lagos can be described as a mini Nigeria. An Hausa man can thrive in Lagos. An Igbo man thrives in Lagos.

“Aliko Dangote lives in Lagos and his business is in Lagos and he’s thriving. So many other people thrive in Lagos. Our brothers from the East own the whole of Alaba.

“They have representatives in the National Assembly and Lagos State Assembly . You must give credit to Asiwaju for laying the foundation for such things to thrive in Lagos.”

The Governor expressed confidence that the APC Presidential candidate would make state police happen in the country.

“I strongly believe that the Presidency of Tinubu will give chance for State Police. He is lucky.  Tinubu will give chance. Today, all governors in the 36 states of the federation support creation of state police. That should be a centre piece of his campaign.

“There must be restructuring and Asiwaju is one President that will come and restructure the country in accordance with the APC constitution. I look up to him as a leader who would say come 2023, a state police would happen.”

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