Author: oduduwanews

The Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari has revealed reasons why Fani-Kayode was received at the Aso Presidential Villa.

This was contained in a statement made available today by the Spokesman, Femi Adesina as read in part:

“Not a small ruckus has been caused by the defection of former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK), from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) last week.

“An icing on the cake, or the salt added to injury (depending on which side you are), was his reception at the Presidential Villa by Muhammadu Buhari, father of the nation. The development has been rocking the polity for many days.

“FFK is by no means a miscellaneous personality, and whatever he does, or does not do, attracts loads of attention.

“He was a founding member of the APC, before he ported back to the PDP. And he did not leave quietly. He ruffled feathers and stirred up the mud. He became a rabid hater of his former party and its members.

“Between last week and now, vitriol poured by FFK on anybody with the slightest affinity to APC has been dug up serially. He has said things straight from the gutters, things that the natural man would call unforgivable and unpardonable. Against President Buhari, the first family, Yusuf Buhari whom he wished had died when the latter had an almost fatal bike accident, APC as a party, the government, leaders of the party, groups and individuals. Even this writer has suffered horrid descriptions from FFK in many write-ups.

“Yes, he even said he would rather die than return to APC, but last week, he returned—well and alive.

“Naturally, a lot of loyal APC members are hopping mad that FFK was readmitted into the party. And not only that, he got back at the highest level. Not at his ward in Ile-Ife, Osun State, but the triumphal entry was at the Presidential Villa, with President Buhari himself as the host.

“I understand the umbrage taken against the development by teeming APC supporters. It’s the natural thing to do. But then, having vented spleen, raised dust and almost brought down the roof, the next thing is to isolate the issues dispassionately. With the bile displayed towards President Buhari and his family over the years, how did the man find the grace to have received FFK? How was he convinced? Who did the convincing? What were the extenuating factors? How? When? Why?

“By agreeing to the readmission of FFK to APC as the leader of the party, and hosting him at the Villa, President Buhari displayed amazing capacity to forgive, to show mercy, and let bygones be bygones. How many of us can do that? Not many.

“Remember William Shakespeare in Merchant of Venice:
“The quality of mercy is not strained.
It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blest:
It blessed him that gives and him that takes…
It is an attribute of God Himself.”

“That was what Buhari did to FFK. He showed him mercy, dropping like gentle rain from heaven, when he could have otherwise spat into the sky, collecting the spittle with his own face. Was that not what me and you would have done? Confess. We would have told FFK to go to hell, and stay there. But Buhari didn’t. He displayed an attribute of God: forgiveness.

“One of the lies that had been serially told against the President was his alleged unforgiving spirit, a falsehood sold to Nigerians by anti-Buhari forces since the days of military rule. The lie traveled for so long, till it was eventually overtaken by the truth in one day. Nigerians saw through the facade, and elected Buhari as President in 2015. Re-elected him with wider margin in 2019.

“I have worked with the President for over six years. And I have seen amazing things in terms of accommodation and capacity to forgive. I have visited him at home many times in the evenings, only to find at dinner table with him people who had been abusing his forefathers on television earlier in the day. This President has a capacity to forgive, and forget. And make peace. That was what he displayed in the case of FFK. Nothing short of divine attribute, which me and you should covet and seek to approximate.

“True, the brother of the prodigal son in the Good Book was unhappy, after his sibling had engaged in riotous living, squandered his inheritance, and came back home in penury. And the father received him with glee, and slaughtered the fatted calf in celebration.

“The brother was indignant. He accused the father of bad faith, saying he had remained faithful and loyal, and not once did the father give him a goat to kill, and make merry with his friends.

“That is the case of the APC members who have been unhappy at the reception given FFK. He did not deserve it, they claim. True. But how many things don’t we deserve, but which eventually come our way? That is the inscrutable nature of God, and we should not begrudge ourselves, or anybody else. How many things have come your way, which you really don’t deserve? But God gave those things to you, nevertheless. Same with FFK.

“I think those screaming blue murder and lamenting the injustice and unfairness of it all should hold their peace. They have made their points, and should let things be. Enough! FFK is back, let sleeping dogs lie. He may stay this time round, as he claims to have had a Damascus road experience, which turned Saul to Paul.

“Many times, FFK has used unprintable words against me. He has deployed phrases from the nether region against me. But after writing those things, and we met in public places, he would embrace me, calling me his “friend and brother.” I agree, we are brothers, though I should hold giant sized grudges against him. President Buhari has shown us the way . To err is human, to forgive, divine.

“And come to think of it. Is it pleasant to swallow one’s vomit? Nah. But that was what FFK did. All those foul words against the President, the APC, the government, many people in government. He has swallowed them. Delicious? By no means. Pueh! You would feel like retching. So, let’s salute the courage of his conviction. It is rare, and not many people would do it.

“I welcome FFK back to APC. And I pray it is for an enduring time. I thank President Buhari for showing an astounding large heart. That’s how to be a father. He has confounded all those who peddle lies about him, and the balderdash about not forgiving.

“The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven. It has dropped upon FFK. May it always drop on us, for “it blesses him that gives, and him that takes.” Amen, somebody!.”

Prominent Nigerians including a former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Attahiru Jega, and a political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, will on November 1 unveil a mega political movement labeled Rescue Nigeria Project.

This was confirmed in a communique, jointly signed by Dr. Usman Bugaje, and former Governor of Kwara, Abdulfatah Ahmed.

The communique was issued on Wednesday in Abuja after its national caucus meeting on Tuesday.

RNP is a political but non-partisan movement, with membership across party lines, designed to pool innovative ideas and alternatives to good governance and leadership selection process on the cardinal principles of inclusiveness, capacity, probity and courage.

However, the communique stated that in continuation of the ongoing consultations by the conveners, RPN national caucus members met, reviewed its activities, and prepare for the national launching of the project in November.

The communique noted that at the meeting, RNP experts proposed solution-based policies on the key national issues which were discussed and critically examined.

The issues include security, economy, human capital development, as well as youth and gender inclusiveness.

Others were good governance, national unity, cohesion; restructuring and nation-building.

“Thereafter, the meeting resolved that the ideas and policies recommended by the various experts should be articulated and validated at the national launching scheduled for November.

“After further exhaustive deliberations on the way forward, the caucus recognized the urgent need for Nigeria to be rescued.

“It, therefore, reiterated the need for the project to be launched as soon as possible in order to engage Nigerians on the core values and cardinal principles of the RNP, that should drive the Nigerian democratic process.

“The meeting agreed that the validated solution-based policies on the key national issues proposed by the experts should form the bedrock for engagement with Nigerians.”

The communiqué said that RNP recognized that most of Nigeria’s problems revolve around poor governance and leadership.

It added that the group resolved to influence and ensure good governance and leadership selection process which recognizes competence and capacity at all levels.

The RNP, according to the communique, noted the enthusiasm shown by the representatives of the youth and women at the meeting who recognised that the project addresses their concerns and are therefore ready to mobilize and support the RNP initiative.

It stated that the meeting also approved that the constitution of its Standing Working Committees be launched between October and November.

It was also agreed that the inauguration of Zonal Chapters and National discourse on specific topical issues be done between January and March 2022.

Also, the meeting approved that the ongoing mobilization, contacts, coalition, and partnerships be continuous.

Others at the meeting include former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke; a former Kwara State Governor, Abdelfattah Ahmed; Senator Lee Maeba and Professor Tunde Adeniran among promoters of the new political movement.

The Ondo State Governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, has berated his counterpart in Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, over the latter’s comment on anti-open grazing law.

El-Rufai had described the anti-open grazing laws being signed by some of the southern governors as unrealistic.

But Akeredolu, in a statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mr Donald Ojogo, said such a statement should not have come from a leader.

In the statement titled, ‘Anti-open grazing: El-Rufai’s attack on southern governors devious, a hysteric ploy to externalise banditry’, Akeredolu reiterated that the anti-open grazing law, especially in Ondo State, had come to stay, saying, “It shall be zealously guarded and conscionably deployed to protect all residents of Ondo State, notwithstanding their ethnic and religious biases.”

The statement read, “From all indications, Governor Nasir El-Rufai, if he was properly quoted and his views not misrepresented, is struggling hard to export banditry to the South under an expressed opinion that is laced with mischief.

“Perhaps, it is apt to state clearly that the likes of Governor El-Rufai are already in a hysteric ‘mode’ of escalating and indeed, externalising banditry, especially as the military onslaught against criminal elements and other terror variants suffices in the North.

“For emphasis, any such comment like that of the Kaduna Governor, if indeed he made that statement, merely seeks to encourage anarchy under the guise of resentment of a law by affected stakeholders.”

A respected northern elder, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed says the notion that the north is poor is a false narrative According to Baba-Ahmed, contrary to widespread insinuations, northern Nigeria is very rich and can survive on its own The comments of the spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum was in reaction to the ongoing debate concerning the Value Added Tax.

Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, spokesman of the Northern Elders Forum says the north is a rich region and can survive on its resources without support from southern Nigeria. Baba-Ahmed made the statement on Tuesday, September 21 when he featured on a programme aired on Arise TV. Baba-Ahmed is of the opinion that the north can survive on its own.

He was reacting to the recent tussle between southern states and the federal government on the collection of Value Added Tax, VAT.

South-south governor slams critics, faults those attacking him “We are a rich region and we can live on what we have, even if we don’t have the billions that accrue to other states. Our poverty is not a kind of problem that we would break this country over. “We need leaders, the current governors don’t recognise this. Otherwise, they won’t be involved in this argument; allow the court to decide.

“Agriculture is a major asset; we have land, we have water, we have livestock, we have minerals that are literally begging to be picked from the ground but our governors are too focused on the pittance that they are getting. This is wrong.”

The Osun 30th anniversary Banquet and Awards Ceremony is slated to hold at the WOCDIF Event Centre, Osogbo, tomorrow.

Prominent Nigerians, including former and serving governors have confirmed their attendance of the event.

Among the important dignitaries that have confirmed their attendance are Nigeria Governors’ Forum Chairman and Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi; Southern Governors’ Forum Chairman and Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu; former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; former Oyo State Governor, Otunba Christopher Alao Akala; and the Obi of Onitsha, His Royal Majesty, Igwe Alfred Achebe.

The Banquet and Awards Ceremony is the last of the series of activities lined up to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the creation of Osun, where 28 distinguished and prominent citizens of the State are expected to be honoured.

The 30th anniversary celebration kicked off on August 26, with the Governor of the State, Adegboyega Oyetola, featuring on special TV and Radio interview sessions and it was followed by an anniversary colloquium on September 9.

The Colloquium featured high-profile resource persons like Chief Bisi Akande (former Governor, Osun State), Sultan Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar (Sultan of Sokoto), Dr. Reuben Abati (former Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Publicity), Dr Yemi Farounbi (former Nigerian Ambassador to the Phillipines), Hajia Zainab Okino, Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, Steve Nwosu and Dr. Segun Aina among others.

In all, 28 distinguished citizens under four broad categories, have been selected by a Jury, on the basis of their service to Osun and contributions to the global and local society and will be honoured tomorrow.

The honourees, under the Osun Lifetime Achievement Award, include Chief Bisi Akande (former Governor, Osun State), Pastor Enoch Adeboye (General Overseer, RCCG worldwide), Sheikh Abdur’rasheed Hadiyatulla (President, Supreme Council for Sharia in Nigeria), and General Ipoola Alani Akinrinnade, rtd. (former Chief of Army Staff, Nigeria from October 1979 to April 1980, and then Chief of Defence Staff until 1981 during the Nigerian Second Republic).

Others in the lifetime achievement category are Asiwaju Hammed Omidiran, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu, Prince Tunde Ponle, Professor Olu Aina, Chief Akinwande Akinola, Engr. Joanah Olu Maduka and Chief Dr. Benjamin Adigun.

The Osun Distinguished Citizens Award honourees include Pastor Matthew Asimolowo, Alagba Yemi Elebuibon, Brigadier General Leo Segun Ajiborisha (retired), Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, Asiwaju Khamis Olatunde Badmus, Prince Lawal Obelawo, Chief Moses Inaolaji Aboaba, Mr. Adewale Adeyemo, Mr. Kola Adeniji and Mr. Mike Awoyinfa.

The state, under the Legacy Award category, also recognised Dr. (Mrs.) Folorunsho Alakija (Chancellor, Osun State University and dynamic philanthropist), and Madam Susan Wenger (a culture and tourism icon).

The Osun Merit Award honourees include Emeritus Prof. Ademola Oyejide, Chief Nike Okundaye, Professor Oye Gureje, Professor Isaac Adewole, and Mallam Yusuf Ali, SAN.

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, has suggested what would happen to Bola Tinubu, National Leader of the party, if former President Goodluck Jonathan decides to join APC.

Adar, who is a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Sokoto State, said Jonathan would give Tinubu a good run for the APC presidential ticket if he joins the party.

The APC chieftain, however, pointed out that Tinubu stood a better chance to clinch the APC ticket because the party has the majority in the Southwest.

Speaking on Arise Television, Adar said the region where APC holds the majority stands a better chance of clinching the presidential ticket.

He said: “The odds first favour the southwest which had populated the APC because five states are under the leadership of the APC. The South-South has Cross River state and the South East has Imo and Ebonyi.

“Any zone wishing to clinch the presidential ticket should go back to the drawing line and restrategize.

“You don’t expect when the majority of you are in the other party and you are thinking of getting the presidential candidacy of the political party simply because you are making agitations.

“My take is that Tinubu still remains the frontline presidential aspirant of the APC from the South generally.

“Then, of course if President Jonathan joins the APC, he is going to give Tinubu a good fight.”

There are speculations that Jonathan may defect to the APC and possibly clinch the party’s presidential ticket.

Reacting, APC had said the former president would be welcomed into its fold if he decides to defect.

Amid these claims, Jonathan has remained silent.