By Ayodele Oni

With the Presidential primary of the ruling All Progressive Congress, (APC) concluded and the victory pendulum tilted to Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the Party, the next focus now is the Ekiti state Governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC) has fixed 18th June for the poll with 16 political parties cleared to contest.

The first litmus test of the APC Presidential flagbearer will be how to consolidate his victory by delivering Ekiti state for his party come June 18.

With the way the Presidential primary went, especially the last minute realignment among the aspirants which saw Governor Kayode Fayemi stepping down to pave the way for Tinubu’s emergence, there is no doubt that this will reflect in the Ekiti poll.

Before the Presidential Primary, supporters of Tinubu in the State, under the name South West Agenda(SWAGA) being led by Senator Dayo Adeyeye were in the camp of the candidate of the Social Democratic Party, (SDP) and former Governor of the state, Chief Segun Oni.

Adeyeye, though still claims to be a member of the APC, and  Chief campaigner for Tinubu for President, parted ways with Fayemi and his Government following the way he was removed from the National Assembly.

He had won election to represent Ekiti South at the green chamber three years ago. He was even inaugurated as a member of the 8th assembly untill his removal by the Court of Appeals, which gave his victory to his opponent in the election, Senator Biodun Olujinmi.

Dayo Adeyeye believed Governor Fayemi had a hand in his defeat at the court and had since surreptitiously pulled out his supporters from the APC.

He was being touted as a running mate to the SDP candidate after he lost out in the APC Governorship primary, but concentrated his efforts on the Tinubu project.

With Tinubu’s victory, a realignment of forces within the next few days before the election is imminent, as already members of SWAGA who are divided and scattered in the SDP and African Democratic Congress, (ADC) are expected to return to their root, which is APC to ensure the victory of its candidate, Abiodun Oyebanji in June 18.

Tinubu was earlier fingered to be among the financiers of the SDP candidate in the state. It was even being rumoured that one of the plan B for Tinubu was his possible defection to SDP if he lost out in the APC primary.

Even the Presidential bid of Dr Fayemi, made the APC national leader to distance himself from the politics of Ekiti state to the extent that aspirants that sought his support before the primary were given cold treatment by Tinubu.

But another trend to the issue is that Prince Adeyeye seems not to be in a hurry to forgive Fayemi, going by his statement released immediately after the national convention.

He is still embittered and wants to ensure that he truncates the victory of the APC Governorship candidate in the state.

Hear him,  “It has been brought to the notice of Senator Adedayo Adeyeye about the fake news spreading around about the endorsement of one Abayomi Oyebanji for Governor.

“While the news should not have been given utmost priority, it becomes imperative to make it clear to the people of Ekiti State that the information is false and that it was generated from the pit of hell.

“Therefore it should be disregarded and thrown into the dustbin of irrelevance.

“The good and conscious people of Ekiti State will recollect that in an attempt to ensure we reposition the South West Agenda SWAGA’23 for the task ahead, Senator Adedayo Adeyeye was removed from the Senate just because of his passion, love and support for Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“I wish to inform all Ekiti Indigenes that Adeyeye’s victimisation was to ensure some selfish and devil sent politicians perpetually put Ekiti State into bondage.

“Hopefully, the victory of our Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will rework the ethics of the party and ensure sustainability of rule of law.

“I, therefore, plead to all Ekiti SWAGA members to continually keep the spirit alive, remain focused, dedicated and resolute till the mandate for a new Ekiti is delivered.

“We have not for a day forgotten the wicked and draconic act of those who daily worked against the interest of the party in Edo State, went out of the party hierarchy to do that which pleases them for selfish reasons.

“The members of Ekiti SWAGA are not unaware of the drastic position taken to humiliate, victimize and oppress their activities before, during and after Ekiti Governorship primaries like they are not members of the APC long before now. Why now the call on SWAGA?

“The mandate for a new Ekiti is non negotiable as negotiating Ekiti for political relevance is like negotiating the future of our unborn kids which I will not be part of.

“It is our collective responsibility to protect the Heritage that binds Us together and that will be our guiding principles for the prosperous future of generations coming behind.

“Conclusively, the freedom of Ekiti is long overdue, and I can assure you all that it is not negotiable and will never be negotiated.”

It was signed by one Yomi Abegunde, Director of media and Publicity on behalf of Adeyeye.

Even with this, political observers in Ekiti still believe that with Tinubu as a candidate, his supporters will have no choice than to return to APC fold and work for the victory of the party’s candidate.

By Adesina Soyooye

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has conceded defeat  to his former boss, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Osinbajo conceded even before the result was officially announced.

He had, earlier, stormed out of the Eagle Square venue of the Primaries when he saw the handwriting on the wall.

At the All Progressives Congress Presidential Primaries just concluded in Abuja Wednesday morning, Tinubu beat all the aspirants  by a very wide margin.

He scored a total of 1,272 votes to win. The second place went to the immediate past Minister for Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi.

Osinbajo  surprisingly came a miserable third, with a score of 235 votes, putting a question mark on his relationship with his South-west people and APC Governors.

In a congratulatory statement on his Facebook page the Spokesperson to Osinbajo Campaign Organisation, Richard Akinnola,  said in a contest, there must be a winner.

Akinnola:

“Congratulations, Asiwaju Tinubu, the presumed winner of the primaries.

“In any contest, there must be a winner. However, I’m very proud of my choice of support in the person of Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

“I have no iota of regret over my support for him. It was a privilege to play a pivotal role for him during the process. I would gladly do it over and over again. It’s a matter of conviction.

“And for all our supporters and other volunteers who worked assiduously, day and night on the PYO project, God bless you all. I’m so proud of all of you.

“As l often say, God rules in the affairs of men and He has a purpose for what just happened.

“Understandably, many of you are dispirited and downcast but do not let your heart be troubled. There must be a reason God allowed this. It may not be manifest to us now but later as He is all knowing.

“I’m unfazed, unbowed and proud of PYO. Our supporters, abeg, make una shake it off. No be say person die, Life goes on. No yawa.”

By Emeka Nwajiuba

STATEMENT OF APPRECIATION AND THANKSGIVING

1. Good morning compatriots.

2. I am issuing this statement after a careful review of our campaign for the presidential ticket of the APC.

3. First, I thank our Almighty God, creator and giver of all things, for the gift of everything we are or have. I then will thank all of the many persons, those a far and those around, who through personal services, prayers, texts, advise, financial gifts, donations, and numerous other means, encouraged me.

3. I thank my Family, who have endured my incessant derision of their preference for a less public and risky, lifestyle.

4. I thank all my friends, well wishers and even those who may not wish us all that well, but have played their parts in the National discuss.

5. I would urge that no one should be despondent or disappointed. My approach to the Nigeria presidency, is hinged on being able to present a progressive vision of an inclusive, united and focused brand of energy to transform Nigeria into a wholesome economic power house, whose citizens will be better secured to live more fulfillingly.

5. I choose to take the tedious path of following the law, meeting requirements and staying disciplined, in other to sell a paradigm of same.

6. I appreciate all the sacrifices of time, resources and emotions that have been invested by so many persons, young and old, near and afar in this tedious path.

7. I and almost all other aspirants agreed to a consensus approach to the selection of our candidate, to effectively maintain the outlook of a progressive family ,away from an all for money by highest bidder image, which had already been assigned to another political party.

8. I and other aspirants now of the south east, wrote the leadership of our party to appreciate the commitment to move the presidential ticket to the south, and requested a further deepening to the southeast to reflect our primary reason for seeking the office, which remains, “to build a more united and inclusive secured and prosperous nation.” This much has been captured in the communique south east aspirants issued on 22nd May, the speeches of Mr. President at his meetings  with APC Governors, that of aspirants and of stakeholders.

9. Following the failure of all these entreaties, it became clear that the convention was headed away from these lofty ideals I subscribe to and will still pursue. I therefore declined to attend.

10. These ideals reflected in what some of the south east aspirants who choose to attend referred to in their pleas for Justice, or need to constitutionally require it, in the face of the absence of conscience. Even their elderly wailing on national television could not move a vote, if I had shouted same in a more youthfull voice, it may have become inciteful in face of our current security difficulties in the southeast and may thus spite our efforts. Better to stay out.

11. I am committed to pursuing the ideals of a more united, inclusively secured prosperous nation for us all, lending to our dear country, its citizens and those who may be positioned to use it, the experiences acquired, lessons learnt and the various matrix that I may bring to bear.

12. I am gratefull for the opportunity to engage all strata of our society, all cadres of of leadership both in our party and our country. I appreciate the luxury of your various audience, in sharing this message.

Thank you all , so very much.

Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba  08.06.22

By Gideon Njoku

He, did not want to be part of the Dollar and Naira bazaar -Professor Nwajiuba

For those wondering why the immediate past Minister for State, Education, Emeka Nwajiuba, and a Presidential aspirant under the All Progressives Congress, APC was absent at the Presidential Primaries, wonder no more.

From his brother, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, an explanation has come.

Even though many people were taken aback when he declared interest in the office of the President, Emeka Nwajiuba showed a strength of character once he made up his mind to run.

He was amongst the first to pay the sum of N100m for the Expression of Interest and Nomination forms. Taken to task on how he was able to afford it, he was the only aspirant who tried to explain how. He sold thousands of yam tubers, it was gathered, and added to the donations from hundreds of people and interest groups who believed in his ability.

And, long before President Muhammadu Buhari asked his cabinet members interested in elective offices to quit their positions, he had, on his own, resigned, and  earned commendation from the President who recommended him to his colleagues, a number of who were reluctant to resign.  They wanted to eat their cake and still have it.

However, a number of people began to sense that things were not quite right when Nwajiuba was absent at the valedictory session for departing Ministers. There was no explanation. The climax was his absence at the Primaries.

According to his brother, Professor Nwajiuba, the former Minister boycotted what he stopped short of calling a charade and an injustice against the South-east. He was disillusioned and disappointed at the turn of events.

The Professor said his brother entered the race with the understanding that the Presidential ticket was to come to the South-east.

“The understanding from the highest levels prior to his involvement, and considering his role in the founding of the APC, was that of consensus as was with the National Chairmanship a few months ago.”

With that understanding, he thought it would go to his Zone, the South-east.

Said Professor Nwajiuba:  “This has been the hope till the end of negotiations. He, not wanting to be part of the Dollar and Naira bazaar, is convinced that what Nigeria needs now is no more of the same thing that has kept Nigeria at the low level it has been.”

Following, Professor Nwajiuba’s explanation of Emeka Nwajiuba’s boycott of the APC Presidential Primaries.

“Many friends are calling to find out why my brother, Dr. Hon. Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba did not come out to address the APC convention.

“Simple: The understanding from the highest levels prior to his involvement, and considering his role in the founding of the APC, was that of consensus as was with the National Chairmanship a few months ago.

“With that understanding, the Presidential ticket was to come to the South, and the southeast.

“This has been the hope till the end of the negotiations. He, not wanting to be part of the Dollar and Naira bazaar, is convinced that what Nigeria needs now is no more of the same thing that has kept Nigeria at the low level it has been.

“Our challenges as a country cannot be addressed at the same energy  level by which they were created

“God order our footsteps towards a better life for all Nigerians.

God bless you.

“Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba,

Umuezeala-Nsu,  Imo state, Southeast, Nigeria”