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Ekiti Gov-Elect, Oyebanji, Seeks Royal  Fathers’ Support

By
Ayodele Oni
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Biodun Oyebanji

By Ayodele Oni

In continuation of his consultations, Ekiti State Governor-elect,  Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji has called on traditional rulers in the state to see him and his deputy, Chief (Mrs) Monisade Afuye as their children, adding that his administration would rely on their wise counsel and constructive criticism.

Speaking  during his “thank you” tour to Ise-Orun, Emure and Ikere Local Government Areas, in appreciation of the support given to him and APC during the June 18 election,  Oyebanji urged the traditional rulers not to hesitate to call him to order for any wrong step he takes when he mount the saddle.

“I want our royal fathers to see me and my deputy as their children, not as their governor and deputy governor. Seeing us as your children will not make you to be reluctant to call us to order for any wrong step taken by our administration.

“I don’t lay claim to perfection. As a governor that doesn’t mean I cannot make mistake. Please don’t hesitate to call us to order,” he said.

The Governor-elect who said the All Progressives Congress (APC) has no bitterness against any monarch, promised to run an all inclusive government saying “Our party has no bitterness against any monarch in Ekiti State. I stand before you today that I will not be a sectional governor but governor of Ekiti State”

The Arinjale of Ise-Ekiti, Oba Adetunji Ajayi, expressed  appreciation over the thank you tour which he described as “unusual”. “I am deeply happy for the thank you tour. You have taken a step that is very unusual with this ‘thank you tour. This further underscores our belief that you will be a good governor that will keep to his promise.

“I want to assure you of our total support for your administration. I also want to thank you for acknowledging our illustrious son, Senator Adeyeye. I pray that God will make your administration a prosperous one”

Earlier, Oyebanji had said that his administration would accord, a former Minister of State for Works, Senator Adeyeye, his deserved respect and make sure his interest and that of his Ise-Ekiti community are protected.

“Our government will give Senator Adeyeye his deserved respect. Everything that he deserves will go to him. Aside being a brother to me, Prince Adeyeye is one of the leaders I have great respect for. I see him as my elder brother and he relates with me  as his younger brother,” Oyebanji said.

Attack On Media: Policemen Arrest People’s Gazette Editor

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Usman Baba Alkali - IGP
The Nigerian Police on Friday, raided the office of the People’s Gazette in Abuja arresting one of the online newspaper editors, John Adenekan.
The policemen were said to have demanded to see the paper’s Managing Editor Samuel Ogundipe and Adefemola Akintade, a reporter who were not around at the time.

Adenekan, an assistant managing editor, was taken away at about 12:35 p.m. by five armed police officers who broke into the paper’s office opposite NNPC Quarters in Utako, the medium reported, sources in the company said, adding that the officers declined to state the reason for their assault on the journalist.

Adenekan, the magazine learnt has now been taken to the Utako police division following the raid.

The arrest has further worsened the President Muhammadu Buhari reputation with the media, and has been receiving scathing remarks from Nigerians who said the administration is not making effort to improve it’s bad image with the vibrant Nigerian media.

The officers declined to state the reason for their assault.

NNPC New Status: Atiku Says A Lot Still Needs To Be Done

By
Ayodele Oni
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By Ayodele Oni

Presidential candidate of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has said a lot still needs to be done to make the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation, (NNPC) a private entity.

Atiku, speaking as a guest on an Arise Television programme, said the present administration has commenced the process but a lot still needs to be done.

He said “a lot still needs to be done, it is being done secretly now. Nigeria and the international community have not seen it being transparently done.

“How much percentage is still being retained by Government and how much is being given out to private sector?

“When we were in Government, I took a proposal to my boss that 10 percent should be given to international community to increase efficiency and integrity of the NNPC, but was not accepted.

“We have seen a secret transaction by Government, no element of transparency.”

Atiku also said that States ought to have been involved in the entire process.

On Muslim/Muslim ticket of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) the PDP flagbearer, he stated “This is my fundamental disagreement with Asiwaju and political departure.

“I mean the issue of muslim-muslim ticket of a thing. I opposed it and this reinforced decision of Buhari to pick a Christian as running mate in 2015. It is not good for Nigeria. I believe there should be balancing of interest.”

Atiku advised that animal  grazing is a state issue, saying “I have over 1,000 cattle and they have never left the shores of Adamawa. The Federation should not have anything to do with that matter at all. It is the responsibility of the State.

On the choice of his running mate, Atiku pointed out that “There was actually no vote. Three names came up from the committee and I picked one.

“Okowa even chaired the Committee. So, I think people should be fair to me. We are reaching out to Wike and talking to him and, very soon, we will reconcile.

“Okowa is qualified in all political parameters. He has acquired experience and he is intellectually qualified. I don’t miss Peter Obi because he did not consult me before he decamped.”

Speaking on corruption allegation  against him, Atiku stated that “I once challenged Nigerians to bring up corruption charges against me, but nothing was presented. I was once investigated but nothing found.

He also spoke on relationship between him and his former boss, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, saying  “I’ve been talking to him but yet to meet him after my emergence. Why will he not give me support? He is my former boss.

On the source of his wealth, Atiku explained that he had been into private business while still in active service.

“Being a public officer does not stop you from engaging in business, since there is no conflict of interest and so far it is a legitimate business.

He promised that his administration will reposition public sector to become more accountable, disciplined and performance-oriented.

“Service delivery shall be more efficient and effective.”

Atiku hinted that  “If I am elected President today, Ayu leaves the seat of Chairman.”

2023: Atiku Says Obi Can’t Pull ‘A Miracle’

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says presidential candidate of the Labour Party cannot win next year’s presidential election, noting that the former Anambra will require massive votes from the northern part of the country to win.

Unfortunately for Obi, Atiku said many northerners are not on the social media where the former governor has received massive supports.

Atiku spoke just few days after former Governor of Kano state, Rabiu Musa Kwakwanso, said northerners will not cast their vote for the LP candidate.  Kwakwanso, a former minister of Defence has received robust condemnations from not a few Nigerians for the comment.

Two days ago, Governor Nasir Elrufai of Kaduna state also prevented supporters of Obi to use the Arewa House in Kaduna for a scheduled summit.

Speaking on Arise television on Friday, Atiku who’s the presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP said Obi cannot pull any surprise in next year’s election without northern votes.

“I really don’t expect the Labour Party to take as many votes from the PDP as people are suggesting. We could have seen it in the last election in Osun state. What is the performance of the Labour Party?

“This is a party that doesn’t have a governor, doesn’t have members of the national assembly, doesn’t have state assembly members, and politics in this country depends on the structures you have at the various levels — at the local government level, at the state level, and at the national level.”

“So, it is very difficult to expect a miracle to happen, simply because Peter Obi is in the Labour Party. After all, they were saying through social media, they had more than one million votes in Osun state,” he said.

“But how many votes turned for the Labour Party? And then again, mark you, you’re talking about social media. In the north, 90 percent of our people are not tuned to social media,” Atiku said.

Obi had on Tuesday said his supporters on the social media will be used as ‘structures’ to win the presidency next year, in response to critics who have taunted him for depending on netizens to win the election in 2023.

“I have said it before when people talk about structure, that my structure [is] the 100 million Nigerians living in poverty. That’s five million people unemployed.

“Those people who are finding it difficult to live. Nigerians are here today spending over 100% of their money on feeding, that is my structure. And above all, the most important structure is the Almighty God,” the LP candidate said.

FCT Minister Demands N21bn To Complete NASS Complex

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Muhammad Bello - FCT Minister

A whopping N21 billion will be required to complete the ongoing renovation of the National Assembly complex, Muhammad Bello, the FCT minister has said.

Bello spoke during an oversight visit by the Senate Committee on FCT to the FCTA, noting that the National Assembly Phase II project popularly known as the ‘White House’ has not been rehabilitated since it was built in 26 years ago.

He said the current contract was awarded on December 30, 2021 to be completed in 16 months at the sum of N30,229,290,830.35, and the amount already paid stood at N9,200,000, 000.

“The commencement date is April 16 and the project is expected to be completed August 15, 2023,” Bello said.

He lists some other priority projects embarked upon by the Administration to include rehabilitation of Federal Secretariat complex, construction of southern parkway from the National Christian Center to Ring Road.

Others he said were rehabilitation of the expansion of the Outer Southern Expressway, provision of engineering infrastructure for Wuye District, rehabilitation and expansion of Outer Southern Expressway Villa Roundabout and completion of B6, B12 and Circle Road in the Central Area.

He said paucity of funds has limited the capacity of the FCTA to complete many projects in the nation’s capital city.

According to Bello, “What we did was because of the scarcity of funds, we prioritised key infrastructure projects to get them completed.

“And in deciding the ones that fit into that category, we looked at the ones that will give the maximum benefit to the maximum number of people.

“All the four projects we visited, you find that they are all road projects that are meant to link one section of the Abuja city to another and that is the whole idea.

“The masterplan has been designed in such a way that they complement each other.

“So if you finish one portion and you don’t do the other one, then you don’t get the full utility of that particular road, ” Bello added.

Senator Tolu Odebiyi, Chairman of the Senate Committee on FCT, who led the committee members on the oversight urged the minister to complete the projects before the end of the administration in 2023.

“We believe that in the twilight of this administration, in the next months, it is important we catalogue all the projects that are being done and prioritise the ones that must be completed before the end of this term.

“This is so that we can also make sure we provide the adequate funding and budget for it.

“Their budget is going to be forwarded to us very shortly and it is important we come and see the state of the work and the completion rate of the programme before we take them on,” Odebiyi said.

ASUU: The Fight Between Ngige, Adamu

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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Chris Ngige

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Chris Ngige has appealed to the Nigerian Labour Congress to shelve its planned protest in support of the prolonged strike of the Academic Staff Union of Universities and other university-based unions. Ngige,spoke just few days after President Muhammadu Buhari directed the Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu to find solution to the ASUU strike within two weeks.

His appeal also comes on the heels of suggestions that Ngige and his counterpart in the Education Ministry, Adamu Adamu are yet to agree on how to proceed with the negotiation with ASUU.

Recall that Ngige had few months ago blamed Adamu for the prolonged ASUU strike, saying it was hard to get the latter’s cooperation on the issue.

The NLC had announced that it would embark on a nationwide protest on July 26 and 27 to compel the government to resolve the over five-month-old strike.

The federal government, however warned the workers not to go ahead with the protest, describing it as illegal.

Speaking to labour leaders in Abuja on Thursday, Ngige said the federal government is seriously working to end ASUU strike, and permanently solve the problems in the nation’s universities.

In a statement signed by the Head of Press and Public Relations in the ministry, Olajide Oshundun, the minister said the protest could distabilise the country, apart from the its security implications, adding that hoodlums might hijack the protest to unleash mayhem.

According to him, Nigerians may also misconstrue the protest as NLC support for the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Recall that the labour leaders have recently met with Obi, a former Governor of Anambra state where they assured him of their support for the 2023 presidential election.

“The masses might wrongly interpret the rally as a ploy by the NLC to enhance the chances of the Labour Party presidential candidate, a situation which could spur the supporters of the other political parties into violence,” Ngige said.

The minister explained that, “Section 40 of the constitution is clear on Freedom of Association. One of the provisions is that people of like minds can organise themselves and form a political party. There is also a provision that people in work or employment can organise themselves into unions. They are two parallels. Parallels don’t meet.

“I heard when you said you are mobilising for the Labour Party. But, a trade union is not a political party. Look at the Trade Union Act. It does not allow trade unions to use their contributions to support any political party.”

Meanwhile, not a few Nigerians have condemned Adamu and Ngige, the two ministers in charge of negotiations with ASUU for allowing the strike by the university teachers to drag on for too long. The federal government appears not serious to resolve the issue with ASUU, critics of the Buhari administration said, noting that there’s no coordination among key members of the Federal Executive Council, FEC who are supposed to handle the issue with the urgency it deserved.

Lagos, Ogun Plan Train Services For Residents

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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The Secretary to the Ogun state government, Tokunbo Talabi says his government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Lagos state government to construct a 32km redline rail project. The red line rail project is the baby of the Lagos state government which initially was to terminate at the boundary between the two states.

With the MOU, many believe that the rail line will now be extended to parts of Ogun state.

“Many people work in Lagos and live in Ogun state. This synergy will go a long way to bring succor to residents of the two states, particularly those who live in Ogun, but struggle everyday to get to their work places,” a Lagos civil servant who live in Ogun state said.

Speaking on the MOU, the Ogun state SSG said the project when completed would run from Oyingbo in Lagos to Agbado in Ogun State.

Talabi explained that the passenger train would begin operations in the first quarter of 2023, adding that project was another significant achievement in the series of developments engendered by the Lagos/Ogun Joint Commission.

He added that the development was another achievement from the robust understanding and synergy between the governors of Lagos and Ogun States in taking advantage of their proximity to better their economies and the lives of their citizens.

He described the project as, “yet another testament of more initiatives to be undertaken by the joint commission.”

The SSG said, “the two states have the understanding that what benefits one, benefits the other and what brings convenience to one will mean the same for the other due to their close proximity. Integration of the transport system between the two states is highly probable for the benefits of both states.”

While pointing out that the transport system of any nation or state was critical to its civilisation, Talabi affirmed that Ogun State was committed to taking advantage of the sector to improve the livelihood of commuters and citizens alike in Ogun and Lagos

On his part, the Lagos state Commissioner for Transportation, L Dr. Frederick Oladeinde, explained that the redline rail project is 31km, the first phase of 25km stretch from Oyingbo to Agbado. It is expected to be completed by the end of 2022 while passenger operations would commence first quarter of 2023.

Oladeinde added that the two contiguous states will benefit from the project through employment generation, and investments rising up in the two corridors.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Commissioner for Transportation, Gbenga Dairo, hinted that the Ogun state government intends to latch on to the initiative to extend train services beyond Agbado to other parts of the state such as Ijoko, Kajola among others.

According to him, “the two states are already taking advantage of the significant investment of the Federal Government through the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC) along the Lagos/Ibadan standard guage railway infrastructure to ensure transportation is effective and efficient to serve the economic needs of Lagos and Ogun as the commercial nerve and industrial hub of the nation respectively.”

HURIWA Slams Tambuwal Over Silence, Delayed Justice For Murdered Deborah Samuel; Alleges Cover Up

By
Akinwale Kasali
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By Akinwale Kasali

Rights Group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has alleged a plot by the Governor Aminu Waziri led- Sokoto State Government to circumvent justice and cover up the gruesome murder of Deborah Samuel, a student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto State by Islamic extremists.

The Group said it is shocked and disappointed that in this 21st century, the Sokoto State Government under constitutional democracy can cover up a crime of broad day murder of an innocent lady, with the State Government playing lip service instead of ensuring quick dispensation of justice.

Condemning the hierarchies of the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) whose operatives reportedly witnessed the lynch mob action meted out to the defenseless Christian girl from Niger State, HURIWA said it is vexed by what appears like sweeping under the carpets of impunity of this heinous crime of murder and extra legal execution by armed non- state actors witnessed by armed security forces which was instigated by Muslim classmates following unproven allegation of blasphemy of Islam. The  Rights group warned of the profound implication of letting murderers walk freely in the streets of Nigeria by a democratically elected Sokoto State government.

“The loud silence by Governor Aminu Tambuwal on this despicable, primitive, irrational, vexations crime against humanity and the deliberate lack of information to the general public on this matter, is a severe blight on the public image of the Sokoto State governor who for many years was a senior national legislator and even became a speaker of the federal House of Representatives”.

“Deborah Samuel was a Christian who went to find knowledge in Sokoto the citadel of learning but was killed over purported blasphemy by an unruly mob in the presence of law enforcement agents.The Sokoto State governor even put up a flimsy excuse for the armed security operatives’ inability or unwillingness to disperse the killer mob that killed Deborah and thereby watched until the young innocent Northern Christian girl was lynched to her death and her remains set alight.

“Her broad daylight execution will forever be a very dangerous incident that shows that Nigeria is primitive, uncaring, and the political rulers are heartless and lawless. Why on earth are the killers not yet sanctioned in accordance with the law? why is no single police or DSS Chief punished for dereliction of duty? And why the loud silence from Sokoto State government or is mob action a part of the modus operandi of the Sokoto State government.

“The Government of Sokoto needs to adequately inform Nigerians on the steps it has institutionally taken to punish the perpetrators or it would be assumed that this despicable and reprehensible crime has the imprimatur of Sokoto State government in the year 2022.

“HURIWA as a non-religious body committed to the advancement of human rights including FREEDOM OF SPEECH, RELIGION AND ASSOCIATION, is scandalized that Sokoto State administration led by a very senior lawyer who rose to become National publicity secretary of Nigerian Bar Association, Speaker of Nigerian parliament and now the governor, has not successfully prosecuted mass killers captured on video or is he making effort to inform Nigerians and the World on what his government has done to bring the killers to the long arm of the law.”

The Rights group recalled that one of Deborah’s coursemates, identified simply as Rakia, said that the last word of the deceased was ‘what do you hope to achieve with this?’

Narrating the incident, she said Deborah was flogged, killed, and burnt and it was the most horrible thing she has ever witnessed.

“Deborah was my course mate. I just stepped into the class when the uproar on her voice note started.”

HURIWA further recalled the eye witness testified thus: ”It was her own coursemates that started it. One of them said Deborah dared them by refusing to apologise when she was asked to. It all started with a debate on the upcoming examination on a general WhatsApp platform created for our coursemates. One of the students asked her how she passed the last semester’s examination and in response, she said it was ‘Jesus o.’

“Immediately, about three other chats came in from two Muslims and one Christian, telling her to retract the statement. Two students from other departments who overheard some Muslim boys discussing the matter told Deborah’s close friends to prevail on her to retract the statement. But she replied via a voice note on the platform ‘Holy Ghost fire. Nothing will happen to me. ”Is it by force that you guys will always be sending this religious stuff in this group? The group wasn’t created for that but rather as a notice on tests, assignments, exams, etc, not these ‘nonsense’ posts’. “We were made to understand that some young men were brought from outside before the outrage. I was in class when some of our coursemates rushed in, saying ‘there is fire on the mountain o’.

HURIWA recalled that Rakia further stated that the Muslim students led the strangers to the class to look for her, adding that some classmates tried to help Deborah escape as they had gotten a cab waiting outside to drive her straight to the police station but unfortunately, the mob overpowered everyone who tried to save her.

”The last word in her mouth was ‘what do you hope to achieve with this?’ By then some of our coursemates were making calls to some of our lecturers to save the situation. It was when I got home that I heard she was set ablaze. Since the incident, I have been having a flash of her pleading expression. She pleaded for mercy and called out for help but it was far from her. What a cruel way to die,” she said.

HURIWA said if the Sokoto State Governor is unable to resolve this unique but disturbing case of murder as soon as possible, CSOs will definitely approach the international community to take steps to compel the governor to fish out the killers for appropriate justice in line with the laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Oshoala Makes History, Wins CAF Footballer Of The Year Award For The Fifth Time

By
Akinwale Kasali
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0

By Akinwale Kasali

Super Falcons of Nigeria and Barcelona Football Club of Spain Striker, Asisat Oshoala has been crowned the 2022 African Female Footballer of the Year, following her superlative performance for both Club and country.

Oshoala becomes the first African to achieve the feat of winning Five African Footballer of the Year Award, surpassing former Super Falcons midfielder, Perpetual Nkwocha who had won the award Four times.

The CAF Award Ceremony held in Rabat, Morocco saw Oshoala picking the coveted award ahead of Indomitable Lioness of Cameroon Striker, Ajara Nchout Njoya, who plays her Club Football in Italy with Inter Milan Football Club and Zambia international, Grace Chanda, who plays her Club football in Kazakhstan with BIIK Kazygurt Football Club.

The 2021-22 campaign was arguably Oshoala’s best yet as she played a key role in her Spanish side’s treble charge – the Spanish Women’s Super Cup, Copa de la Reina and the Primera Division.

Although, she missed a couple of matches due to injury, that did not stop her from emerging as league joint-top scorer after netting 20 goals in 19 league appearances to share the award with Brazilian Geyse Ferreira, who managed the same number of goals in 27 appearances for Madrid CFF.

Impressively, she scored a hat-trick against Real Betis and a double versus Real Sociedad, Valencia, Villarreal, and Real Betis.

In the Copa de la Reina, she scored in her only appearance in the tournament against Real Madrid.

Her side could have won a quadruple, but Barcelona lost 3-1 to Olympique Lyonnais at the Juventus Stadium in Turin.

Internationally, she contributed little as she did not score a single goal for the Super Falcons in the period under review.

To make things worse, she was ruled out of Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 with Nigeria through injury after suffering a medial collateral ligament strain in the West African’s 2-1 defeat to South Africa in Rabat.

Oshoala is the fourth Nigerian to land the women’s version of the award, following in the footsteps of Mercy Akide (2001), Nkwocha (2004, 2005, 2010 & 2011) and Cynthia Uwak (2006 & 2007).

Senegal and Bayern Munchen Forward, Sadio Mane was crowned the CAF Male African Footballer of the Year, ahead of Senegalese Compatriot, Edouard Mendy and former Liverpool Football Club of England teammate, Mohammed Salah.

Singer David ‘Davido’ Adeleke and Austin ‘Jayjay’ Okocha were some of the leading Africans in sport and music to present an award at the 2022 CAF awards.

While Davido, alongside Emmanuel Adebayor, presented the award for young female footballer of the year to Ghana’s Evelyn Badu, Okocha presented the award for goal of the year to Papa Ousma Sacho.

Davido joined eminent sports personalities and dignitaries in Rabat, Morocco for the 2022 edition of the major African sporting event.

The winners of others awards are;

Club of the Year (Women) – Mamelodi Sundowns

Interclub Player of the Year (Women) – Evelyn Badu (Ghana & Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies/Alvaldsnes)

Young Player of the Year (Women) – Evelyn Badu (Ghana & Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies/Alvaldsnes)

Coach of the Year (Women) – Desiree Ellis (South Africa)

Coach of the Year (Male) – Aliou Cisse

Interclub Player of the Year (Male) – Mohammed El-Shenawy

Opinion: Osun: Buhari Does It Again

By
Tosin Olatokunbo
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By Femi Adesina
Let me start with some clarifications. I’m from Osun State, and my homestead is Ipetumodu, in Ife North Local Government Area. And I am not Osun in Diaspora. I was born in Osogbo, capital of the State, when my father was Principal of St Charles Grammar School in the 1960s.
When he retired home, after moving from Osogbo to Notre Dame College, Usi-Ekiti, I continued my education, primary and secondary, in our hometown. For tertiary, I went to the then University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. So, I’m a homeboy. Osun ni mi tokan tokan (I’m a thoroughbred Osun man).
I’m also a Buharist, a firm believer in the ideals of that honest man, the Mai Gaskiya from Daura, in Katsina State, though I am not a registered member of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
It was, therefore, laughable for some people to try and rope me into Osun State politics, as the gubernatorial election held last Saturday. First, they came up with the news that Femi Adesina had lost his ward to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). Which Femi Adesina. Me? Or another one? Do you lose what you don’t participate in?
Out of curiosity, I checked. The APC had, indeed, won my ward, in the Post Office area of Ipetumodu by 176 to PDP’s 130 votes. But it didn’t matter. It just shows how heinous and petty some people can be.
Again, this post later began to circulate on WhatsApp and other social media platforms: “The former Interim National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande, is from Osun State.
“The current National Secretary of APC, Sen Iyiola Omisore, is from Osun State.
“Bola Tinubu is from Osun State.
“Femi Fani-Kayode is from Osun State.
“Femi Adesina is from Osun State.
“The Deputy National Chairman of APC is from Osun State.
“The current Governor of Osun State is Tinubu’s cousin.
“These are the structures APC have in Osun State and they still lost the election.
“APC should expect more Wahala 2023. Indeed, people’s voice and votes do count.”
Yes, I agree that people’s voice and votes do count, and we will talk more about that, courtesy President Muhammadu Buhari.
My position is this. I work for an APC government, and it is my preferred party. But member? Not so. I have always rooted for good APC candidates and I would have loved if Governor Gboyega Oyetola had won in Osun last weekend. I’d known him since he was Chief of Staff to the former Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. They were both at the reception held for me in my town by the then Kabiyesi, when I was appointed media adviser to the President in 2015. Gov Oyetola had been focused, sure-footed.
But I’d also known Governor-elect, Ademola Adeleke, since he was a Senator. He had even paid me a brotherly visit at the Presidential Villa in 2017. So, I was a stakeholder in the Osun election in many ways, but it would be fickle for anybody to call me a part of the APC structure in the State. Not by any stretch of the imagination. Yes, APC is my preferred party, but I’m not a member, and won’t likely be, with my eyes set on farming and media work after leaving government service.
Without prejudice to whatever decision Gov Oyetola and the party would eventually take on the outcome, the election has held, and a winner has emerged. I would have preferred that the Governor be re-elected to continue with the steady, unobtrusive job he is doing for the State, but the people have decided otherwise. That was also the position of the President, a fair and just man, if ever there was one.
By Sunday morning when ‘come had come to become,’ the President did not waste time in causing me to issue a statement congratulating Senator Adeleke on his electoral victory. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared him winner, and so it must be.
He had his preference for Osun. I did too, as a political observer. But once the race was run and won, the President congratulated the winner. Fair and just thing to do. He said the will of the people must matter in a democracy, and that the will must always be respected. Is that not a radical departure from the past, particularly under PDP, in which all elections in States must be won willy-nilly by the party at the center?
I remember what happened in Ondo State. Olusegun Mimiko had wanted the ticket of the PDP to serve as Governor. He was wangled out. So he went to Labour Party, and won the election. But while the results were being announced, the then government at the center caused another candidate to be announced as the winner. When the people trooped out in protest, an order was given that they be gunned down. When Mimiko heard of it, he appealed to his supporters to stay calm, and went to court instead. It took almost three years, but he eventually regained the purloined mandate.
How many PDP Governors were eventually kicked out of office by the courts, simply because the party won the positions by artifice and sleight of hands? But count Buhari out of such. Even the Osun Governor-elect has this to say:
“When I saw the congratulatory message from the President, I said this is great for our country and democracy is at play here and I’m sure after I received my Certificate of Return from INEC, I would plan to visit him and thank him for the message because most of the times, the opposition don’t congratulate the winners. Maybe the President is trying to leave a legacy and the Electoral Act that he signed into law. I have to give the President the credit because if he didn’t sign the Electoral Act, there would be room for rigging because they did it in 2018. But this election is great because everything is coming out as expected.”
This election is great, because everything is coming out as expected. And thanks to President Buhari. Whereas, one election was always worse than the previous one in the past, with the do-or-die attitude of PDP, Buhari came with a new attitude since 2015. How many elections has APC lost? Many. If Federal might had been deployed, as it used to be, those elections would have been ‘won’ by force.
In fact, it has become very difficult to rig elections in Nigeria of today. And that is perhaps why vote buying is now so commonplace. But to just snatch and stuff ballot boxes? To alter winner on result sheets? Difficult, almost impossible. And it flows from President Buhari’s resolve. INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmoud Yakubu, can now beat his chest and say that the 2023 general elections would be the nation’s best. Yes, when you have a President like the one we have, you can go all out for fairness, probity, transparency, and you would be backed to the hilt.
President Buhari had always said if bequeathing free and fair polls to the country was the only thing he would succeed in doing (and he has succeeded in many other fronts), then he would do so. We see it happening, and our hearts are gladdened.
When the man from Daura finishes, and goes to take his deserved retirement, those who are fair minded would always remember him as the man who made a difference on many fronts, particularly in the area of free and fair elections. We will never forget him.
Adesina is Special Adviser to President Buhari on Media and Publicity
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