Author: oduduwanews

We read with amusement the endorsement of Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his New Year message on Sunday.

Following calls by journalists from various media houses who asked for our reaction we decided to make this preliminary statement, though we didn’t consider the so-called endorsement to be of any value.

We respect the democratic right of former President Obasanjo to support and endorse any candidate of his choice in any election.

Except that he made it known formally in his new year message, any discerning political watcher in Nigeria knows that Chief Obasanjo’s preference for Peter Obi is expected. He had earlier stated his position at various public events, the last being at the 70th birthday anniversary of Chief John Nwodo, former President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Enugu.

We make bold to say that our party and candidate, Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not lose sleep over Obasanjo’s move, as Obasanjo is notorious for always opposing progressive political forces, as he did against MKO Abiola in 1993.

The endorsement is actually worthless because the former President does not possess any political goodwill or leverage anywhere in Nigeria to make anyone win a Councillorship election let alone win a Presidential election. He is a political paperweight.

He is also not a democrat anyone should be proud to be associated with.

We recall that in 2003 and 2007 general elections when he was a sitting President, Obasanjo used all the coercive instruments of State at his disposal to railroad people into elective offices against the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls. In 2007, he declared the polls a do or die affair after he failed in his bid to amend our constitution to have a third term.

From our records, President Obasanjo has not successfully made anyone win election in Nigeria since then.

Not even in Ogun State can anyone rely on his support or endorsement to become a governor or Councillor.

We pity Peter Gregory Obi as we are confident that Chief Obasanjo can not win his polling unit and ward in Abeokuta for Obi in the coming Presidential election on 25 February, 2023.

Chief Obasanjo’s endorsement is not a political currency Mr. Peter Obi can spend anywhere in Nigeria because he is not a political force, even in his part of the country.

Chief Obasanjo similarly endorsed Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party candidate in 2019 against President Muhammadu Buhari. Atiku was walloped by Buhari with a wide margin in the election.

History will repeat itself in February as our candidate Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu will equally beat Obi by a large margin.

We take a particular notice of the part of the endorsement statement where Chief Obasanjo said none of the presidential candidates is a Saint.

We want to state here that Chief Obasanjo is not a good judge of character. He is a man who considers only himself as the all-knowing Saint in Nigeria.

Over the years, Chief Obasanjo has also convinced himself that integrity, honesty and all good virtues begin and end with him.

PRESS STATEMENT

OBASANJO’S ENDORSEMENT OF MR. PETER OBI IS WORTHLESS

We read with amusement the endorsement of Mr. Peter Obi, the Labour Party Presidential Candidate by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in his New Year message on Sunday.

Following calls by journalists from various media houses who asked for our reaction we decided to make this preliminary statement, though we didn’t consider the so-called endorsement to be of any value.

We respect the democratic right of former President Obasanjo to support and endorse any candidate of his choice in any election.

Except that he made it known formally in his new year message, any discerning political watcher in Nigeria knows that Chief Obasanjo’s preference for Peter Obi is expected. He had earlier stated his position at various public events, the last being at the 70th birthday anniversary of Chief John Nwodo, former President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Enugu.

We make bold to say that our party and candidate, Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not lose sleep over Obasanjo’s move, as Obasanjo is notorious for always opposing progressive political forces, as he did against MKO Abiola in 1993.

The endorsement is actually worthless because the former President does not possess any political goodwill or leverage anywhere in Nigeria to make anyone win a Councillorship election let alone win a Presidential election. He is a political paperweight.

He is also not a democrat anyone should be proud to be associated with.

We recall that in 2003 and 2007 general elections when he was a sitting President, Obasanjo used all the coercive instruments of State at his disposal to railroad people into elective offices against the will of Nigerians as expressed at the polls. In 2007, he declared the polls a do or die affair after he failed in his bid to amend our constitution to have a third term.

From our records, President Obasanjo has not successfully made anyone win election in Nigeria since then.

Not even in Ogun State can anyone rely on his support or endorsement to become a governor or Councillor.

We pity Peter Gregory Obi as we are confident that Chief Obasanjo can not win his polling unit and ward in Abeokuta for Obi in the coming Presidential election on 25 February, 2023.

Chief Obasanjo’s endorsement is not a political currency Mr. Peter Obi can spend anywhere in Nigeria because he is not a political force, even in his part of the country.

Chief Obasanjo similarly endorsed Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Peoples Democratic Party candidate in 2019 against President Muhammadu Buhari. Atiku was walloped by Buhari with a wide margin in the election.

History will repeat itself in February as our candidate Asíwájú Bola Ahmed Tinubu will equally beat Obi by a large margin.

We take a particular notice of the part of the endorsement statement where Chief Obasanjo said none of the presidential candidates is a Saint.

We want to state here that Chief Obasanjo is not a good judge of character. He is a man who considers only himself as the all-knowing Saint in Nigeria.

Over the years, Chief Obasanjo has also convinced himself that integrity, honesty and all good virtues begin and end with him.

Wife of Ekiti State Governor, Dr Olayemi Oyebanji, in the early hours of Sunday, welcomed the first baby of the year 2023, at the Comprehensive Health Centre, Okeyard, Ise-Ekiti.

The first baby, Adeyemo, was the second child of a 38-year-old bricklayer, Mr Adeyemo Gbenga, and his 32-year-old wife, Mrs Adeyemo Oluwatoyin.

Mrs Yetunde salami, Officer in charge of the health facility, stated that the mother was delivered of the baby at exactly 12:00 am through normal delivery, without any complications and weighed 3.0kilogram at birth.

Presenting the gifts, the First Lady congratulated the parents for the bundle of joy and urged them to train up the child in a godly way.

Dr. Oyebanji called on all mothers to take good care of their children by laying a healthy foundation for them through exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. She also charged them to ensure that they receive all the necessary immunisation at the appropriate time.

“There is nothing I can give that can be enough for the upkeep of the baby but just to start up. Parental effort towards every child’s upbringing is quite imperative and such should be done with conscious effort,” she added.

She appreciated the officials of the health centre for good work being carried out and urged them to continue in that direction.

In a similar development, Dr. Oyebanji also donated gifts and cash to a mother of triplets at the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, EKSUTH, Ado-Ekiti.

According to the Chief Medical Director, CMD of the hospital, Prof. Kayode Olabanji, the mother gave birth to the triplets on December 28 and had been in the intensive care department of the hospital.

The babies, two girls and a boy, were born to the family of Mr and Mrs Toba Owoeye.

The parents of the triplets pleaded with the Qife of the Governor to consider them for a job, saying the family is not capable of taking care of the triplets.

Former President, Olusegun Obasanjo has openly endorsed the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, ahead of the February presidential election.

Obasanjo made this known in a new year message titled “My appeal to all Nigerians particularly Young Nigerians.”The former president noted that none of the presidential candidates is a saint, but when compared on the knowledge, discipline and what they can offer, Obi has an edge.

“None of the contestants is a saint but when one compares their character, antecedent, their understanding, knowledge, discipline and vitality that they can bring to bear and the great efforts required to stay focused on the job particularly looking at where the country is today and with the experience on the job that I personally had, Peter Obi as a mentee has an edge.

“Others like all of us have what they can contribute to the new dispensation to liberation, restoration and salvaging of Nigeria collectively. One other important point to make about Peter is that he is a needle with thread attached to it from North and South and he may not get lost. In other words, he has people who can pull his ears, if and when necessary.

Needless to say that he has a young and able running mate with clean track record of achievement both in public and private life,” Obasanjo said in a letter personally signed.

As the world celebrates new year today, a member of the House of Representatives representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa federal constituency, Honourable Shina Peller, has expressed confidence that 2023 wil be a year of breakthroughs for Nigeria.

Honourable Peller made this known in his new year goodwill message to Nigerians, where he added that generations yet unborn shall be told stories of historic events that would occur in 2023, but that only if the present generation can leverage the golden opportunity the year 2023 presents.

Also, Honourable Peller, who is the senatorial candidate of Accord party for Oyo North in the forthcoming elections, stated that it is civic responsibility of every patriotic Nigerian to make 2023 count by electing competent, patriotic, selfless and innovative leaders across political parties that will ensure a functional system for Nigeria.

The Ayedero of Yorubaland stressed further that with numerous natural and human capital resources available to Nigeria, the country is unarguably destined to be great, but that Nigerians only need to make the resources count.

The message as made available to ODUDUWA NEWS by his Press Centre, Kola Popoola read in full:

“MY 2023 GOODWILL MESSAGE

“Happy new year fellow Nigerians. We should count it all joy to have witnessed the first day of 2023, for many could not partake of this new dawn.

“The year 2023 presents a golden opportunity for our dear nation. It will be a year of breakthroughs for Nigeria. Generations yet unborn shall be told stories of historic events that would occur – but only if the present generation can make a bold statement.

“As we head to the polls in the coming months, it is our civic responsibility to make 2023 count by electing competent, patriotic, selfless, and innovative leaders across political parties that can deliver a functional system – contributing their quota to a better Nigeria.

“I believe that destiny, opportunity, and time are inextricably linked together. And 2023 presents to us a great opportunity to vote for public officers that can identify with the plight of the people – as the outcome of the polls would determine our collective future.

“With numerous natural and human capital resources available to us, it is not debatable that Nigeria is destined to be great; we only need to make it happen.

“We mustn’t fail to take advantage of this golden opportunity to vote right because if we get it wrong the unborn generations won’t be happy with us.

“It is my greatest hope that we have transparent and credible polls that would reflect the true wishes of Nigerians.

“Once again, Happy New Year to every one of us; I pray that we witness many more of it on earth. Amen!”

The Governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN, CON have extended his GRACE AND MERCY to seven inmates of the Correctional Center serving various terms of imprisonment and ordered their release to mark January 1st 2023 NEW YEAR CELEBRATION.

The Governor in exercise of power conferred on him by paragraphs (a) (c) and (d) of subsesection (1) of Section 212 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as Amended) directed the Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service in Ondo to release and set free, the said seven (7) inmates in the facilities of the Correctional Center in Ondo state.

The decision of the Governor was pursuant to the recommendation of the state Advisory Council on prerogative of Mercy that the inmates have undergone reformation at the Correctional center and they are of Good conduct.

The Governor also reduced the period of imprisonment of Eleven (11) inmates. Seven (7) of the inmates sentenced to death by hanging have their conviction reduced to life imprisonment while the years of imprisonment of the remaining Four (4) inmates were reduced.

The Governor urged the released inmates to see their release as another chance to live a good life devoid of crime. The Governor called on the good citizen of Ondo state to avoid any act of discrimination against the released inmate and integrate them back to their communities.

The police in Ogun on Friday arrested two brothers, Ayomide Babatunde and Gbenga Babatunde who allegedly lured a woman and her nine-year-old son for ritual.

The suspects were subsequently arrested following information received at the Oja Odan Divisional Police Headquarters.

According to Police Public Relations Officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, the intel revealed the brothers were negotiating to sell humans, either in parts or alive, depending on what the buyer wanted for money ritual.

The supposed buyer, Jacob Olorunto had informed the Baale of the community, who, in turn, tipped off the police and detectives advised Olorunto to play along.

On 27th December 2022, the suspects called their supposed buyer and informed him that they had a woman and her son for sale, leading to a negotiation of N600,000 price for the two persons.

On 29th, one of the brothers, Ayomide went to Ilaro and invited his 45-year-old woman friend, Taye Oluwole, to follow him to Oja Odan with her son to celebrate New Year with his father.

The woman innocently agreed and along the road, they stopped to pick up his brother, Gbenga, the second suspect.

The suspects then took the victims to Igbo Obe area of Oja Odan to meet Jacob Olorunto where they were rounded up by policemen and some youths at 12:30 am.

The police confirmed that the suspects have confessed to the crime.

Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, has ordered the transfer of the suspects to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for further investigation and prosecution.

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Governor Ademola adeleke has approved the immediate suspension of Dr Niyi Oginni, the Executive Secretary of Osun Health Insurance Agency (OHIS) and Dr. Adebukola Olujide, the Head of the Primary Health Care Development Board in the State.

The State Governor also directed the Public Procurement Agency and other relevant government agency to immediately kick-off the process to recover all outstanding tender fees on contract awards, JVAs, MOU etc, to which the State Government is a party, in the last four (4) years.

Governor Adeleke further announced an holistic investigation of the Public Procurement Agency ( the Due Process Office) to determine the extent of its culpability in the non-remmitance of tender fees to the state treasury and contract manipulation in the last four years.

The suspension of the two Chief Executive Officers was sequel to the interim report of the Committee on Contracts and MOU chaired by Hon Niyi Owolade which indicted the two agency chiefs of gross abuse of office, mismanagement of public resources and serial violations of agency and public service regulations and laws.

The Committee in its recommendation had unearthed the unethical practices of the suspended heads of the OSHIA and the Primary Health Care Board as manifested in contract awards without due process, non-remittance of actual tender fee collected from contractors, contracts without value for money like the PHCs, deliberate splitting of contracts.

The Committee further found out that the suspended OHIS boss gave contracts to the tune of several millions of Naira to his own biological daughter and his own private Hospital in the Agency he is heading, while the Acting Career Head in the Primary Health Care lied on oath when she falsely