Author: oduduwanews

All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore yesterday accused people he described as “drowning politicians” of spreading propaganda against him.

He lamented that a decade after the Bola Ige murder case, Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka still referred to him as a prime suspect, despite being cleared by the court.

Omisore, a former deputy governor of Osun State, said it was curious that Soyinka, who accused the Obasanjo government of complicity in Ige’s death when he described the government “as a nest of killers”, could now describe him as a suspect in 2022.

The Nobel Laureate in a statement at the weekend said Omisore’s endorsement as APC Secretary by President Muhammadu Buhari would tamper with judicial inquiries into Ige’s death because he is a prime suspect in the murder case.

Taking exception to the eminent scholar’s statement, Omisore said “it is an unnecessary propaganda some drowning politicians are trying to spread.”

The National Secretary also threatened to sue a political group in Osun APC for fabrication and defamation.

Omisore said “as brilliant as Prof. Soyinka is, he, no doubt, has monopoly of knowledge.

In a statement by his office, Omisore said: “If the court of the land has vindicated a man, it is naive of him after nearly a decade to link Senator Iyiola Omisore to further search.

He added that “civil and criminal law knowledge should tell professor to ask his cousin, OBJ for the murder.”

Omisore added: “The world is aware of the framing of Senator Iyiola Omisore and his travails and trials facing murder charges and his subsequent acquittal and discharge, almost a decade ago by a competent court of the land.

“So, how come any man, can still refer to him as a possible suspect? The Prof is very wrong to say all that. It takes wickedness to spread the statements.”

Omisore alleged that despite the fact that not all Soyinka’s intervention in national life has produced the expected outcome in the long run, society has continued to hold him in esteem.

He said: “It is part of history and we are not too young, when we read of him, that professor too carried a gun into a Radio station; a criminal offense against the state. Yet, we continue to honour him.

“Can we also forget that Prof was appointed the chairman of education summit that gave birth to a single uniform for all secondary and primary schools and Opon Imo, during the tenure of Rauf Aregesola as governor of Osun State. A failed Education Policy that history will not readily forget.

“So, at 88, it’s better for him to stay clear of politics and not allow drowning politicians to use him to fight a cause he knows nothing about. It is a subtle warning to the respected Nobel Laureate.

Omisore recalled that in 2004, Soyinka, who was 70, accused the Obasanjo government of complicity in the death of Ige by referring to the government as a “nest of killers”

He lamented that, in April, 2022, the Nobel Laureate, who is now 88, is complaining about his choice as National Secretary.

He also regretted that Soyinka, once attacked another Yoruba son, Gbenga Daniel, an engineer and former two-term governor of his native Ogun State.

He maintained that the record shows that he and others were tried for two and half years and later discharged and acquitted by the court.

Omisore said: “The recent volte face of Soyinka on the Bola Ige matter gives one a cause for concern. First, I was not a member of cabinet in Obasanjo’s government and second, a court of competent jurisdiction had set me and others free after a grueling two and half years trial with N2 billion damages awarded still unpaid by the state government.

“Besides, why has Omisore/Bola Ige matter become an issue of campaigns and elections deliberately used by Omisore’s opponents to undermine his influence?

“Or, are some people who are worried by the erudite and strong personality and capacity of Omisore as National Secretary using Soyinka to settle scores or pursue their political ambitions?

“Politics is a game and an avenue to serve and the Nobel Laureate can throw his hat in the ring if he so wishes instead of making unsubstantiated claims and causing confusion here and there, acts, that don’t befit his international recognition as an elder and statesman.

There seems to be final resolution on the crisis trailing mode of selection of PDP candidates in Akinyele/Lagelu Federal Constituency as well as Ibadan North Federal Constituency.

The Committee set up by Governor Seyi Makinde chaired by PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja has finally approved the conduct of primaries for Ibadan North Federal constituency and the two state constituencies to pick their candidates.

The committee also approved conduct of primaries in Akinyele/ Lagelu Federal Constituency.

Similarly, the committee approved primaries for Atisbo, Saki East and Saki West Federal Constituency.

Former Lagos State Governor Bola Tinubu on Tuesday arrived in Kaduna to meet with Governor Nasir El-Rufai and commiserate with the state government and people of the state over the recent train attack by terrorists locally known as bandits.

Mr Tinubu, who was accompanied by former Governor of Borno State, Senator Kashim Shettima, announced the donation of N50 million to victims of the attack.

He was received by Governor El-Rufai and Senators Uba Sani and Suleiman Abdu-Kwri at Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the Kaduna State seat of power.

Others on Tinubu’s entourage include the former speaker of the House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara and Senator Abu Ibrahim.

Mr Tinubu described the train attack as a national disaster.

According to him everybody should be concerned about the attacks going on in Kaduna state which have claimed hundreds of lives and properties in recent times.

He added that killings by bandits is no longer acceptable and must stop.

Mr Tinubu urged Governor El-Rufai not to be deterred by the unfortunate incidents but to continue delivering good governance

He also appealed to well-to-do Nigerians to support the Kaduna state government in addressing the humanitarian crises created by bandits attacks.

In response, Governor El-Rufai thanked Tinubu for showing solidarity with the people of Kaduna State over the recent attack by cancelling his 70th birthday colloquium in honour of those killed.

He also thanked Tinubu for his commitment to the unity and development of Nigeria.
El-Rufai said he is aware of Tinubu’s presidential ambition, adding that Nigeria is presently at a cross-road, and must take difficult decisions to get the right leaders.

Former Ekiti State Governor, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential zoning committee.

Fayose had last week declared his intention to vie for the presidential ticket of the PDP even after being appointed and inaugurated as a member of the zoning committee weeks ago.

The committee which has been sitting and adjourned severally today is expected to turn in its reports today to enable the party plot its way into the 2023 election calender which is well underway.

But in a letter dated April 5, 2022, and addressed to the Chairman of the PDP zoning committee and Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, Fayose said his membership of the committee has become untenable following his presidential ambition.

The letter read, “Having hinted during our last meeting at my intention to run for the office of the President in the coming primary election and by God’s grace; the general election, it will not be morally right to continue to participate in the zoning debate being an aspirant myself.

”Therefore, my state has nominated the bearer of this letter, Dr Gbenga Faseluko to replace me,” Fayose wrote.

The two-term governor of Ekiti, had endorsed former Governor of Anambra State, Mr Peter Obi months ago as was reckoned to be working for his ticket until last week.

When probed on his support for Obi, he distanced himself from the report saying, “Report credited to me that I endorsed Peter Obi for President and zoning of the Presidency to the South-East is false.

“Rather, my take is that the presidency be zoned to the Southern part of Nigeria.

“May I also state clearly that I will be seeking the ticket of the PDP to contest the next presidential election.”