Shina Peller Arrested, His Club, Quilox, Sealed By LASG

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December 23, 2019

By Akinwale Kasali

The Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency, LASEPA, an agency under the Lagos State Government, has sealed Quilox Club, located at Victoria Island, Lagos. Its owner, Shina Peller, has also been arrested and detained at Moroko Police Station.

In a statement by LASEPA, it said it was necessary to seal off Quilox Club, following series of complaints by residents of the area over noise pollution.

Peller, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa Federal Constituency, Oyo State, was allegedly arrested while trying to take the bail of some clubbers, who were arrested during Police raid of the area.

In a statement by Peller’s Press Secretary, Kola Popoola, he claimed that the lawmaker’s offence was not disclosed to him as his phones were seized, and subsequently detained at the Moroko Police Station.

“Peller had visited Moroko Police Station to bail some of Club Quilox’s customers who had allegedly parked on the road during a show at the club.

“Prior to the kickoff of the 36 hours non-stop show which usually holds every year at Quilox, Peller had informed the concerned Lagos traffic authorities to avoid unnecessary traffic gridlock.

“On getting to Moroko Police Station, the police started harassing Peller and even went as far as seizing all his phones for no reason.

“The continuous harassment and unjust detaining of a member of House of Representatives, Peller, by the police calls for urgent attention of the media, and the Commissioner of Police.”

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on New Media, Jubril Gawat, in a tweet on his handle confirmed the sealing of Quilox Club by LASEPA, just few days after the Club held its 36-hour party, which saw Fuji Icon, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, perform, with Burna Boy in attendance.

Confirming the arrest of Peller, the Lagos State Police Public Relation Officer, Bala Elkanah said that Peller was arrested by the police for mobilizing over 60 thugs to attack men of the Maroko Police station. His statement:

”The honorable has a club house. They operated up till 9am. The trouble there is all the customers parked on the road and blocked the road and other road users could not access the road because that has been the practice there so it is causing a lot of obstruction for people and hardship for road users.

Now, police went and moved out vehicles that have blocked the road there and towed them to the station. The honorable mobilised thugs, over 60 thugs, to attack Maroko police station and then moved those vehicles out. Police exercised restraint if not it would have been disastrous.

Having respect for him as a honorable member, quickly, we also mobilised and he was arrested alongside 5 other thugs. Others were jumping through the fence and ran away but we got him and five others which is the reason for his arrest.

He is currently being moved to the state CID for investigation” he said.

Breaking: Orji Kalu Denied Bail, To Stay In Jail; May Lose Senate Seat

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December 23, 2019

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By Chidi Levi

A former two-time Governor of Abia State, and Senate Chief Whip, Orji Uzor Kalu has had his hope of spending both Christmas and New Year with family and friends dashed.

Convicted and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment, two weeks ago, by Justice Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, Lagos, on a-39 Count charge of embezzling the sum of N7.2billion, while serving as governor, brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Kalu had applied for bail, pending the suit he filed at the Court of Appeal, challenging his conviction.

In asking for bail, he said he needed to see his herbalist over his failing health. He, also, said he needed to go back to his work at the Senate.

But ruling on the bail application on Monday, December 23, the Hon Justice Liman rejected Kalu’s request.

The Judge wondered why he quickly filed for bail when his appeal to over-turn his conviction was still pending at the Court of Appeal.

The refusal is in line with the fate that befell former Governors Jolly Nyame and Joshua Dariye of Taraba and Plateau states, respectively, whose requests for bail were, also, denied before their appeals against their conviction at the Court of Appeal were decided.

Both men lost at the Court of Appeal, and are serving various jail terms in prison.

Meanwhile, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu may soon kiss goodbye to his Senate seat.

This magazine has learnt that the former governor’s traducers, including, some of his own All Progressives Congress, APC, party men in Abia, are working on a two pronged strategy to get him out of the Senate.

The Court Option

One of the strategies, allegedly, being deployed against Senator Kalu is the Judiciary. It was gathered that in the coming weeks, some groups in Abia will approach the court, praying it to declare Kalu’s seat vacant on the account of his conviction and imprisonment for corruption.

The anti-Kalu groups, this magazine (https://thesourceng.com) was told, will insist that the former governor has lost the moral compass to remain in the seat, and that his constituents do not want a convict to continue to represent them from prison.

Recall Looms

There is also the recall plot which this magazine was told is already in full swing. Elements behind the moves to recall the embattled former governor from the Senate are said to have mobilized, and will start collecting signatures of voters in Abia North Senatorial district, which Kalu represents in the Senate immediately after the Christmas and new year festivities.

APC, PDP, Collaborate to Castrate Him

Multiple party sources in Umuahia, the Abia state capital, and in the National Assembly, were emphatic at the weekend that the plot to politically castrate the jailed Senator has assumed bi-partisan dimension.

In Abia, some APC chieftains see Kalu as a usurper who hijacked the party from the original founders. This category of party chiefs are said to be involved in the push to either recall the Senator, or get the Senate to declare his seat vacant in March 2020 by which time he would have spent 90 days in prison should he fail to secure bail, which has now failed as he was rejected bail on Monday.

It was gathered that a number of party chiefs in Abia North are already queuing up to be selected as APC’s Senatorial candidate to replace Kalu in the expected by-election.

Senate-President Ahmed-Lawan — **Dr. Lawan Ahmed, Senate President: Will he declare Kalu’s seat vacant?**

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP in the state is, also, involved in the plan to abbreviate Kalu’s stay in the Senate. Though both the Election Petition Tribunal and the Appeal Court validated Kalu’s election to the Senate, the PDP still believes that its candidate, in the election, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, squarely and freely defeated the former governor.

The party insists INEC assisted Kalu to rob Senator Ohuabunwa of his alleged resounding victory at the polls

Following Kalu’s travails, party sources confirm that the state PDP has activated its machinery in Abia North in readiness, according to one of the sources, to “reclaim our Senate seat which INEC robbed us of”.

Ohuabunwa, himself, is reportedly waiting in the wings to fly the PDP flag again.

The 2023 Connection

In the Senate, some elements in the APC who fear Kalu would throw his hat in the ring for either the Presidential or Vice Presidential ticket of the party, thereby reducing their own chances, this magazine was informed, are mounting pressure on the Senate President, Dr.Ahmed Lawan, to declare the jailed former Abia governor’s senate seat vacant as soon he clocks 90 days in jail.

The Source cannot, however, confirm if the Senate President will yield to the pressure. But a source hints that the arrowheads of the push may resort to the court to compel the Senate President to do their bidding after Kalu’s 90 days in jail.

2019 CAF Awards: Oshoala, Osimhen, Chukwueze, Make Final List

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December 23, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

For the sixth year running, no Nigerian footballer was significant or outstanding to make the cut for the prestigious Confederation of African Football, CAF, best player of the year.

The last time a Nigerian made the list was in 2013, when former Super Eagles Captain, John Mikel Obi, came second behind Yaya Toure at the Eko Hotel And Suites Convention Hall, Lagos, Nigeria.

Sadly, for the 2019 CAF Awards, no Super Eagles player made the final cut, though, Odion Jude Ighalo, 2019 AFCON tournament top scorer, was nominated to the top 10, likewise, Everton Football Club midfielder, Alex Iwobi. But the duo were dropped.

Liverpool Football Club of England forwards, Sadio Mane and Mohammed Sallah, alongside Manchester City Football Club forward, Riyadh Mahrez are the players contending for this award.

The duo of Sallah and Mane have won treble this year, having won the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA World Club Championship, defeating Tottenham Hotspurs 2-0, Chelsea 7-6 after penalties and Flamengo Football Club of Brazil 1-0 respectively.

For Mahrez, he won the domestic treble with Manchester City, winning the Barclays English Premier League, the Carabao Cup (League Cup), the FA Cup and the Charity Shield.

He also inspired the Algerian team, the Desert Warriors, to the 2019 AFCON tournament triumph, scoring a free kick stunner against the Super Eagles of Nigeria in the Semi final, and an assist for Baghdad Bounedjoh in the final against Mane’s-captained Teranga Lions of Senegal.

In the female category, three- time African Women Footballer of the Year, Barcelona Football Club forward, Asisat Oshoala, made the final cut, as she would be gunning for her third award.

Oshoala has been outstanding for her Club, Barcelona, becoming the first afrivan woman to play in the UEFA Champions League final, and also scoring, despite her club losing 4-1 to Olympique Lyonnais of France.

She was, also, instrumental for her club’s last season, scoring crucial goals that won the League and the Female Copa De La Rey trophy.

In the young player award, Lille Metropole Football Club of France top scorer, Victor Osimhen and his Villarreal Football Club of Spain compatriot, Samuel Chukwueze are been nominated for the award.

Kelechi Iheanacho, Alex Iwobi, Etebo Oghenekaro, Ahmed Musa, to mention a few, have all won this award before.

The duo of Chukwueze and Osimhen top the list this category.

The award ceremony is scheduled for January 7th, 2020.

Kano Emirate Crisis: Why Abdulsalami-Abubakar-Led Elders Want To Resolve It

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December 23, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

The North, especially, the Fulani-North is shaken by the crisis between Governor Abdullahi Umar Gadunje and the Emir of Kano, HRH Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

It is threatening to rubbish the revered Othoman Dan Fodio legacy.

It began, gradually, with the establishment of three Emirate Councils out of the Centuries’ old Kano Emirate Council, Kano State.

This has prompted some Statesmen, under the auspices of an ”Elders Group” to wade into the crisis.

Former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, is leading a group of elders to resolve the issues between both men. The aim is to find a way of resolving the Emirate issue that has dogged Kano state and reconcile all parties involved.

Members in the Elders Group consist of Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state and his Katsina state counterpart, Gov. Aminu Bello Masari.

Other members of the Committee include Alh. Adamu Fika (Wazirin Fika), CFR; Gen. Muhammadu Inuwa Wushishi, CFR, GCON; Alh Abdullahi Ibrahim, SAN; Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, OFR, CFR; Dr. Umaru Mutallab, CON; Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, CFR; Sheikh Sharif Ibrahim Saleh. Dr. Fika is to serve as secretary.

The Presidency, allegedly, selected the members of the Elders Group to bring a lasting solution to the crisis.

It was also gathered that the Presidency is supportive of the committee which was said to have already contacted all the parties involved in the crisis, especially Governor Ganduje and the Emir of Kano, urging them to desist from taking any further actions until the committee has fully undertaken and finalised its work.

Both the governor and the Emir have “undertaken to call on all their supporters and sympathisers including, social media operators, to refrain from making statements, declarations, songs, articles, blogs and all actions inimical to the spirit and process of good governance, order and reconciliation.

A statement by the Secretary of the Group, Dr. Fika, called on all parties involved, Kano residents and everyone to hearken to the call of their principals, leaders, and desist from fanning any ember of hate, attacks, and, defamatory statements that could escalate the crisis in the State.

Copyright: Tetuila Set To Sue Wizkid

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December 23, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

Former Remedies Group member, Tony Tetuila, is in the news again after a long absence in the media.

This time around, he could be smiling home to the bank if the tides favour him at the Court.

The ‘You Don Hit My Car’ crooner is sueing Ayodeji Balogun, popularly known as Wizkid, for intellectual theft.

Tetuila, on his Instagram page said he is set to sue Wizkid alongside DJ Tunez for copyright and intellectual theft of his song, ‘Fefe N’efe’, insisting that the line was used by Wizkid and DJ Tunez in their song ‘Gbese’.

He stressed that he is not sueing Wizkid and DJ Tunez alone, as a Ghanaian artiste, Micfrom is also one of the complainant alongside him.

Tetuila added that the case will be held at a Federal High Court, as his lawyers are working on the issue, and he has been advised not to say more than this.

The outburst of Tetuila has generated controversies among the fans of the duo, as some fans of Wizkid believes Tetuila is currently financially incapacitated, so he is looking for an avenue to make some money.

Some say that he is just trying to gain relevance and cheap publicity having been off the music radar for a long time.

Boxing: Nigerian Heavyweight Prospect, Efe Ajagba Remains Unbeaten

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December 23, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

Nigeria’s heavyweight pugilist, Efe Ajagba, has continued his dominance in the ring. He will be in the ranks of World Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Oluwasheni Joshua.

Ajagba knocked out Georgian born, Kiladze in the fifth round in an heavyweight unification fight.

Kiladze beat referee’s Thomas Taylor’s count to continue the fight but the referee stopped their scheduled 10-rounder at 2:09 of the fifth round as Ajabga continued to land numerous punches which made Kiladze’s trainer throw in the towel.

The Ughelli Delta State born fighter’s win against Kiladze came after he (Ajagba) got up from the canvas following a knock-down in the third round. It was a knock-down that came in a highly unusual sequence.

A powerful right hand from Ajagba had wobbled Kiladze badly in the final minute of the third round, and the Nigerian backed away thinking his opponent would go down.

But Kiladze remained on his feet and landed a punch with his right hand on Ajagba, and for the first time in his professional career, the Nigerian went down. He, however, wasn’t badly hurt and beat refereeTaylor’s count to continue the fight.

Ajagba’s victory against the Georgian is his 12th fight winning-run with 10 knockouts.

Ajagba was a gold medalist at the 2015 African Games and bronze at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

His profile has continued to rise by the day.

Imo Governorship: The End For Uche Nwosu; Verdict Destroys Uzodinma’s Case

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December 22, 2019

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By Gideon Njoku

For Uche Nwosu the disastrous sealing of his fate in the 2019 Governorship election couldn’t have come on a more symbolic day.

The Supreme Court, Friday, voided his candidacy in the 2019 Governorship election. The court said he had the Governorship ticket of both the All Progressives Congress, APC and that of the Action Alliance, AA. And declared it illegal.

For the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Governor of the state, The Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, the verdict killed two birds for them with one stone.

It not only removed Nwosu from the scene, it has, also, put a question mark on the APC governorship ticket given to Senator Hope Uzodinma with which he is also in the Supreme Court challenging Ihedioha’s victory. Since the Supreme Court declared that Nwosu had the APC governorship ticket, it means that Uzodinma had no ticket, and couldn’t have been the APC candidate. Meaning: his candidature is also illegal.

Nwosu, son-in-law to the immediate past governor, Rochas Okorocha, was the Governorship candidate of the AA, or so he thought.

He had decamped from the APC to the AA, a party Okorocha, allegedly, founded, and funded even as an APC governor.

Nwosu, without a sweat, appropriated the AA governorship ticket to himself, when the APC shocked him and his father-in-law by denying him the Governorship ticket. But it was to the outrage of some AA members.

Backed by Okorocha, he contested the election against other candidates, including the winner, the PDP’s Ihedioha.

But along with others – notably, Uzodinma and Senator Ararume of the AA and APGA, respectively – he wouldn’t give up.

And even though he won more LGAs than the others – six in all – the Court says he had no case; that his case was at best, watery.

Nwosu was standing on a sinking ground. While the other contestants had political parties, he had none.

Here is why.

While parading himself as the AA candidate, Nwosu had, also, laid claim to the APC ticket.

It was a weird abracadabra, driven by a roaring ambition, concocted for him by his father-in-law, Okorocha, who thought he had every plan in the bag.

None of them bargained for the revolt against them even in the AA.

Some people in the party protested Nwosu’s candidacy. They said he came to reap where he did not sow. They said they already had a candidate.

But he held tight. Then the Court cases began. An aggrieved party, Uche Nnadi, took Nwosu to court. The crux of the suit: Nwosu had the APC ticket, and cannot, also, lay claim to that of the AA.

The suit was instituted at the Federal High Court.

Even within the AA, he had no support at the Election Tribunal

The party pulled the rug from under his feet. At the National level, the AA denied him. It told the Court it was neither interested in the case, nor did anybody ask him to go to court. The party said he neither consulted its leaders, nor had their support.

But it was the Federal High Court which gave Nwosu a bloody nose, even though he had also lost at the Election tribunal, along with Senators Uzodinma and Ararume.

The Federal High Court in its verdict voided his candidacy. It said his votes were of no use; that they were like money thrown into an angry Atlantic Ocean.

But he rejected the verdict and appealed.

The Court of Appeal threw the case out. But Nwosu wouldn’t give up.

So, he went to the Supreme Court. But on Friday, a very symbolic day for, and in Imo state, the Supreme Court finally dismissed Nwosu’s participation in the Governorship election as fraudulent.

It was like a verdict ordained by God for the same day, even though it was a coincidence.

Imo people and their governor were in a celebration mood. It was on that Friday that the state held its Thanksgiving service to thank God for rescuing the state, and to mark the end of the year.

The Preacher was the powerful Rev. Umar Ukpai.

At the event that evening, the people sang their hearts out in praise to God. They prayed to God to sustain the state and their Governor.

They had heard the fate that befell Nwosu, and by extension, Uzodinma. They understood the implications.

Nwosu has accepted the Supreme Court’s verdict that he had come to the end of his ambition. The Supreme Court was of the view that his fate was self-inflicted. It said it cannot gain from his iniquity. Whether Uzodinma would read the hand-writing on the wall that the Supreme Court’s verdict on Nwosu’s case has rubbished his is not yet known.

What the people know is that Imo has moved on. They are focused on Ihedioha’s efforts to rebuild the state.

FIRS: Fowler Indicted, Failed To Remit N41 Billion

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December 22, 2019

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By Akinwale Kasali

When Babatunde Fowler’sTenure as the FIRS boss was not renewed, not a few eyebrows were raised. The suspicion was that something was definitely wrong. The man wanted a renewal so badly that he did the unprecedented. He wrote to the Secretary of the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and offered himself for reappointment. He was rebuffed, and another person was appointed in his place.

It was a bad time for him.

And, it seems to be getting worse for him.

It is not the best of time for the once very powerful immediate past Executive Chairman of the FIRS. Fowler is presently in trouble waters.

He is being indicted for his failure to collect and remit over N41 billion taxes from Lagos State and some other States.

Government Audit Reports discovered these anomalies in the FIRS account over the failure to collect taxes to the tune of N41 billion. Lagos State is owing the giant sum.

This is worsened by the alleged failure of Fowler to meet up with FIRS’s target over the past four consecutive years, the report added.

The taxes, which are yet to be collected from companies, government agencies, and local government councils, are valued at N40.8 billion.

In the report for the year ended December 2017, the Auditor-General of the Federation, AGF, Anthony Ayine, said the observation was made during the review of records filed by Companies at Federal Inland Revenue Service Micro and Small Tax Offices (MSTO), Medium Tax Offices (MTO), Large Tax Offices (LTO) and Government Business Tax Offices (GBTO) within the South–west Zone comprising of Lagos, Ogun, Osun, and Oyo states.

He said the uncollected taxes which range from Company Income Tax, Value Added Tax, withholding tax, education tax, to Capital Gains Tax may deny the federal government its legitimate revenue.

“This may negatively affect the implementation of their programs and projects for the benefits of the citizens,” he said.

Reports from the government auditors revealed that 545 companies had not remitted their Company Income Tax (CIT) to the FIRS valued at N26 billion.

It also stressed that Companies, Federal and State MDAs, Local Government Councils and State Governments within the South–west Zone were yet to remit about N8 billion being their Value Added Tax.

Withholding tax from companies, government agencies and local government councils valued at about N5 billion were also yet to be remitted to the FIRS under the stewardship of Fowler.

The Report stressed further that over 318 companies were said not to have remitted their Education tax which is 2 per cent on profits of Companies valued at N697 million.

It was also revealed through the reports that two companies are yet to remit N99 million, being their Capital Gain Tax of 10 per cent from the disposal of these companies’ assets.

All these unreconciled taxes were said to have been communicated to the FIRS Fowler, but he waved it away, following his relationship with the companies, the report noted.

“This issue was communicated to the Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service in my letter reference No. OAUGF/RESAD/FIRS/2017/VOL.II/5 of 1st August 2018 and no response has been received as at the time of forwarding this report.”

The report also said it observed that out of 28,237 duly registered Companies, 11,221 failed to submit their annual returns to various tax offices.

This, it said, is contrary to the provision of Company Income Tax Act which requires a company to render an account of its operations within six months of its accounting year-end.

This number of companies who failed to render its returns represents 39 per cent of duly registered companies with the FIRS.

It was gathered that since the assumption of office by Fowler, he has failed to meet collection targets, which saw the fortunes of the FIRS dwindled every preceding year.

In 2015 when Fowler came on board, the FIRS set a N4.7 trillion target but was only able to make N3.7 trillion in the actual collection.

It was, however the same scenario in 2016, 2017 and 2018, the target collections were N4.2 trillion, N4.8 trillion and N6.7 trillion but the actual collections were N3.3 trillion, N4 trillion and N5.3 trillion, respectively.

This, the Magazine -https.thesourceng.com learnt were also part of the issues why his term wasn’t extended by President Muhammadu Buhari.

Police Get 40 New Commissioners 0f Police; Six Are Igbo

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December 22, 2019

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The Police Service Commission, PSC, has approved the promotion of six hundred and twenty three (623) senior Police Officers to their next ranks.

A breakdown of the list contained in a press release signed by the Commission’s Spokesperson, Ikechukwu Ani, shows that

Forty (40) Deputy Commissioners of Police were elevated to the rank of Commissioners of Police; Ninety eight (98) Assistant Commissioners were promoted to Deputy Commissioners while one hundred and fifty (150) Chief Superintendents were promoted Assistant Commissioners. Three Hundred and thirty five (335) Superintendents also had their promotions approved to the next rank of Chief Superintendents.

The 40 newly promoted CPs are:

OLATUNJI, fsi	AKINGBOLA O.	DCP	CP
GBENGA	SADIKU MICHAEL	DCP	CP
AYIM	ABRAHAM EGONG	DCP	CP
BANKOLE	ANDERSON ABIODUN	DCP	CP
AYINDE	ABU MUFUTAU	DCP	CP
KAMALDEEN	OKUNLOLA KOLA	DCP	CP
ADE	ATERE CHRISTOPHER	DCP	CP
AMIENGHEME	ANDREW	DCP	CP
YOUNOUS	AKEERA MOHAMMED	DCP	CP
SANOMI, fsi	AUGUSTINE AKPOFURE	DCP	CP
SALAMI	BOLAJI AMIDU	DCP	CP
MICHAEL, fsi	OKOLI C.	DCP	CP
JIMOH, fsi	ABDULKADIR	DCP	CP
ELUMELU	CELESTINE AMAECHI	DCP	CP
AJOGUN	EDWARD AWOLOWO	DCP	CP
KAYODE	TITILAYO	DCP	CP
ONADEKO	NGOZI VIVIAN	DCP	CP
ASSAYOMO	EMIENBO TONY TUESDAY.	DCP	CP
COOKEY	CHRISTIANA IBISO	DCP	CP
PETERSIDE	EVELYN TAMUNOIMI.	DCP	CP
OGBADU	PHILIP ALIYU	DCP	CP
FRIDAY	EBOKA	DCP	CP
OGUNTUASE	GABRIEL AYODELE	DCP	CP
SOYEMI	ADESINA MUSBAU	DCP	CP
ENWONWU	JOE NWACHUKWU	DCP	CP
ADEKUNLE	ASAFA	DCP	CP
TUNDE	ADAGUNDURO A.	DCP	CP
BABATUNDE, psc	MOBAYO	DCP	CP
EGBUKA	EDWARD CHUKA	DCP	CP
AGBEDE	JANET	DCP	CP
DASO	ORUEBO JOSIAH	DCP	CP
OLAWALE	OLOKODE TAOHEED	DCP	CP
ADEGBOYEGA	TAIWO	DCP	CP
YARO	ABUTU	DCP	CP
OKEDIJI	FELIX OLUSOLA	DCP	CP
NNA	JOSEPHINE OGECHI	DCP	CP
AKINYOSOLA	MATTHEW	DCP	CP
AMENYI

A Word For General T.Y. Danjuma

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December 21, 2019

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By Femi Fani-Kayode

I am not a Yoruba but an Anago. I am a proud son of Oduduwa. I appreciate General T.Y. Danjuma’s contribution but he is wrong about one thing: not all the Anagos and sons and daughters of Oduduwa have “lost their voices”.

When he joined forces with others to bring the Muhammadu Buhari to power we warned them that it was a grievous error, and that they should back(Goodluck) Jonathan instead.

They refused to listen and instead stood with Buhari. Ever since Buhari came to power with their support in 2015 some of us from the south west have been fighting him and speaking out against him openly and fearlessly.

I have done so at great cost to myself and so have Baba Ayo Adebanjo, Ayo Fayose, Gani Adams, Gboyega Adejumo, Deji Adeyanju, Yinka Odumakin, Dino Melaye, Baba Fasoranti, Akin Osuntokun, Bishop David Oyedepo, Rev. Samson Ayokunle, Prophet T.B. Joshua, Segun Mimiko, Seyi Makinde, Babatunde Gbadamosi, Afenifere, Yoruba Summit Group, OPC, President Olusegun Obasanjo and lately Omoyele Sowore, Femi Falana, Tunde Bakare, Professor Wole Soyinka and so many others.

I agree that there are some like Bola Tinubu, Yemi Osinbajo and others in our midst who are not with us, but they are a decreasing minority who are bound up and lost in their own grave delusions and morbid fears.

To them Buhari is a God but to us he is nothing but a tin pot dictator with feet of clay. To them the Fulani are to be worshipped and were born to rule but to us they are no better than any other ethnic nationality in Nigeria and we did not come into the world to be their slaves.

For the last 5 years many of us have been as constant as the northern star, have refused to collaborate and have never lost our voices.

As a matter of fact, instead of losing our voices, we actually found them and rose to the challenge despite the grave risks and challenges we are facing.

Despite those risks and challenges we remain committed to standing against the evil called Buhari even at great risk to ourselves and our families and many of us have been persecuted ruthlessly for doing so.

Unlike others some of us did not have a hand in bringing Buhari to power and we did not support him in 2015 or 2019.

As a matter of fact the Anagos and sons and daughters of Oduduwa gave Jonathan and Atiku more votes in 2015 and 2019 respectively than Danjuma’s Middle Belt, the South South or the South East. Go and check out the figures.

Again more leaders in the South West, South East and South South have spoken and fought against Buhari than any Middle Belter or northerner since 2015. Gallant and strong men and women like Nnamdi Kanu, Tony Nnandi, Asari Dokubo, Shola Salako, Deji Osibogun, George Akinola and others stand out.

Apart from that there are millions in the South West who have spoken out and suffered for this noble cause of opposing tyranny and I, as an Anago and a son of Oduduwa, am very proud of that.

I say again, we never lost our voices but rather we found them and we will continue to fight and speak against Buhari until he leaves office or until we die.

Permit me to conclude with the following:

Would someone, please, tell General T.Y. Danjuma that if he wants to talk, he should talk! He should not do so in private, but openly and publicly. Nigerians have already lost their sleep!

We are already a vassal state being run crudely, and we have nothing more to lose. He should talk now before it is too late or forever hold his peace!

Fani-Kayode is a former Aviation Minister