Category: Politics

Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, Professor Adeolu Akande has pleaded with Engr Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State to return from wherever he is to take charge of the affairs of the state.

In a statement in Ibadan yesterday,Professor Akande stated that it is unthinkable that a royal father of the calibre of the late Olubadan would join his ancestors for almost a week and the governor would be comfortable staying away from the state.

“Governance is a responsibility. Governor Makinde should know that he is responsible to the people of Oyo State who voted him into office by returning home to show responsibility at this time. Governance is about empathy. Governor Makinde should return home to show empathy to the family of the late Olubadan, the good people of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general.

“It is unthinkable that the state will be undergoing the present controversy over the exalted throne of Olubadan, one of the foremost and respected in Africa, and the governor will be sitting pretty comfortably or playing golf somewhere at a time like this. I plead with Governor Seyi Makinde to please return home immediately and take charge of the state”, Professor Akande pleaded.

We are in possession of a video which has gone viral on the social media concerning the disgraceful exchange between a police officer, a CSP, and the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwoolu, the supposed Chief Security Officer of the State, at the Magodo Residential Estate.

The content of the video is very disconcerting, and this is being charitable. The utter disrespect, which underlines the response of the officer to the Governor establishes, beyond doubt, the impracticability of the current system, dubiously christened “Federalism”. An arrangement, which compels the Governor of a State to seek clarifications on security issues in his jurisdiction from totally extraneous bodies or persons, is a sure recipe for anarchy.

We condemn, very strongly, this brazen assault on decency. We call on the IG to explain the justification for this intrusion. This is not acceptable. Any expectations of rapprochement between so called federating units and federal security agencies are becoming forlorn, progressively, due to deliberate acts which mock our very avowal to ethics and professionalism.

We condemn, in very clear terms, the role of the Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Abubakar Malami SAN in this act of gross moral turpitude.

We, on our part, will continue to interrogate the current system, which treats elected representatives of the people as mere prefects, while appointed office holders ride rough shod over them as Lords of the Manor. If the purported Chief Security Officers of the States of the Federation require clearance from the office of the IG on matters within their areas of jurisdictions, only hypocrites will wonder why the current security crisis deepens and there appears to be no solution in the foreseeable future.

We stand by our brother, the Governor of Lagos State. We advise him to deploy the Regional security outfit in the State to protect the lives and property of the people.

We call on the President and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces to rein in the excesses of certain elements bent on acting in a manner capable of eroding the bond of trust existing between the people and the Federal Government. It is preposterous for political appointees to seek to undermine the very structure of service upon which their appointments rest.

The father of Senator Iyiola Omisore, Oba David Omisore, has joined his ancestors.

Before demise of the monarch, he was the Olu of Olode in Ife South Local Government Area of Osun State.

Oba David Omisore turned 90 in July 2021.

The family is yet to announce burial plans.

Yoruba group, Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO) has faulted Pelumi Olajengbesi, a lawyer to Sunday Adeyemo, a.k.a Igboho, for announcing his resignation on social media.

Olajengbesi defended Igboho’s aides and relations against the Department of State Services (DSS) at an Abuja High Court.

In a statement on Sunday, the activist told the public he was done with matters involving Igboho and the Yoruba Nation agitators.

The legal practitioner said his firm was satisfied with its representation of the citizens which ensured the protection and enforcement of their rights.

Olajengbesi noted that thirteen persons arrested by the DSS were released, while only two persons face terrorism trials at the Federal High Court.

“While thanking everyone, particularly Chief Yomi Aliyu (SAN) for the opportunity, and freehand service, Dr. Olasupo Ojo for his fair leadership and Chief Femi Falana for allowing his industry to be tapped and for the moral support, I most respectfully wish to now step aside”, he wrote.

Reacting, IOO spokesman, Maxwell Adeleye in a statement made available to ODUDUWA NEWS, said the lawyer’s resignation on the internet “is an indication of lack of understanding of the ethics of his profession”.

He said Olajengbesi resigned over the body’s response to “his provocative and unnecessary attack” against the leader, Professor Banji Akintoye in December.

Olajengbesi defended Igboho’s aides and relations against the Department of State Services (DSS) at an Abuja High Court.

IOO said Olajengbesi announced he was quitting cases concerning Igboho and the Yoruba Nation struggle but will continue with the case of the Ighoho charged for terrorism.

“You can’t approbate and re-approbate. You can’t be out attacking us on social media and still want to handle the Ighoho case. You can’t eat your cake and have it.

“The public embarrassment, humiliation and opprobrium that has been brought to the Yoruba Nation self-determination struggle by Olajengbesi in the last 24 hours is enough.” Adeleye noted that if allowed to continue, “Olajengbesi will sabotage us and trade the two innocent people to the Nigerian Government.

“We do not want him anywhere near our struggle anymore. He has clearly indicated that he lacks honour, integrity and decency.”

The statement reiterated condemnation of Olajengbesi’s New Year’s day message to President Muhammad Buhari “without authorisation, impersonating and painting the image of a tired Igboho”.

Following the demise of the 41st Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, members of the Olubadan-in-Council have condoled with the Governor of Oyo State, Engineer Seyi Makinde, people of Ibadanland and family members of the late monarch.

Rising from a two-hour closed-door meeting held at the Alarere residence of Otun Olubadan and the would-be successor to the throne, Senator Lekan Balogun, the Olubadan-in-Council described the deceased leader of the council as an indefatigable ruler whose reign would be difficult to forget.

While praying for the repose of the soul of the departed king, the council urged the bereaved family of the deceased to remain joyous and happy for the legacies of good reign left behind by their patriarch.

The council reiterated that the historical and traditional succession plan to the throne of Olubadan remains sacrosanct, the elevation conferred on all the members of the Olubadan-in-Council as Royal Majesties notwithstanding.

Members of the council were elevated to the Royal Majesties status by the previous administration in the state led by the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi and it became contentious and litigious.

Olubadan-in-Council said the elevation granted the members, who also serve as kingmakers had not in any way altered the age-long and enviable traditional succession plan to the Olubadan throne in Ibadanland.

According to the Council, “there should be no any controversy as to who becomes the next Olubadan amongst us as the previous elevation that made us Royal Majesties did not in any way affect our respective offices in the Olubadan-in-Council and would not preclude any of us to mount the Olubadan throne whenever it is the person’s turn.

“We are the kingmakers and we will do the needful at the appropriate time. For now, we are still all in the mourning mood of our departed father and revered leader in the Council and we just want to assure the generality of our people both home and in the diaspora that there’s no cause for alarm”, the Council added.

Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola has joined Governor Seyi Makinde, government and people of Oyo State in mourning the demise of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, who died Sunday morning.

Oyetola in a statement released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, also offered condolences to the royal family, Olubadan-in-Council and all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad.

He said the demise of the first class traditional ruler which came on the heels of the passage of Soun of Ogbomoso, is another colossal loss to Yorubaland, noting that Olubadan’s death had left a deep void that would be difficult to fill.

The governor described the late monarch as a respected royal father, exemplary and compassionate leader who showed strong concern and commitment to the welfare of his subjects and the development of Ibadan within the short period of his reign.

“On behalf of the Government and people of Osun, I commiserate with Governor Seyi Makinde, government and people of Oyo State over the transition of Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso. I also condole the royal family, Olubadan-in-Council and all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad as well as the Oyo State Traditional Council.

“The late Oba Saliu Akanmu was a respected royal father, exemplary and compassionate leader who demonstrated strong concern and commitment to the welfare of his subjects and the development of Ibadan within the short period of his reign. He will be remembered for his fatherly roles and wise counsel,” the statement reads in part.

Governor Oyetola prayed to Allah to forgive the late traditional ruler and grant his immediate family, Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Ibadan the fortitude to bear his loss.

Chairman of the Southwest Governors’ Forum and Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has described the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1, as another tragedy in Yoruba land.

While describing the death of the revered monarch as a rude shock, Akeredolu said it came shortly after the demise of Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, which he said was a big blow dealt on the traditional stool in Yoruba land

Oba Adetunji, who was the 41st Olubadan, had in the early hours of Sunday given up the ghost at the University College Hospital, UCH, in Ibadan, Oyo State.

Akeredolu in a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde on Sunday, said despite the Olubadan’s old age, he was a valuable asset to the people of Ibadan and the entire Yoruba race.

While condoling with the Oyo State Government and indigenes of Ibadan, the governor emphasized that the late monarch did his best for the development and growth of Ibadan land.

Stressing that the monarch’s legacies will speak for him, the Governor maintained that Oba Adetunji had gone to be with his ancestors.

The Governor added that the monarch, who displayed royalty with a difference while he was alive, will be remembered for his firm stands, principles and love for his people.

The Managing Director, Federal Housing Authority, Abdullmumini Jibrin Kofa, on Saturday in Kano State organised a special prayer session for the success of the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition ahead of the 2023 general elections in the country.

The prayer session, which was conducted in his hometown of Kofa in Bebeji Local Government Area of the state around 11.30am, was conducted by over 2,500 clerics assembled by the former House of Representatives member, who represented Bebeji/Kiru Federal Constituency.

The prayer, which was attended by politicians from across the state, was led by the Chief Imam of Kafin-Maiyaki, who recited verses from the Holy Qur’an.

Kofa said, “This special prayer was organised for the success of the presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the forthcoming general elections as well as for peace and stability in the country.”

President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday signed 2022 Appropriation Bill of a N17.126 trillion into law.

The President also signed the Finance Bill 2021, which he said is critical to the execution of the 2022 Budget.

The Appropriation Bill titled “Budget of Economic Growth and Sustainability” was signed at a brief ceremony attended by Senate President Ahmed Lawan, Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila of the House of Representatives, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha; and the Minister of Finance Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed.

The Bill was handed over to the President for signing by his Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare.

The new Budget, valued at N17.126 trillion, was transmitted to the President by the National Assembly last week Friday, December 24.
President Buhari had submitted the draft proposed 2022 Budget of N16.391trillion to the joint session of the National Assembly on Thursday, October 7, 2021, calling on the legislators to give it a speedy consideration.

The breakdown of the budget include N869 billion for statutory allocation, N3.8 trillion for debt servicing, N6.9 trillion and N5.4 trillion for recurrent and capital expenditure respectively.

The oil benchmark was raised from the proposed $57 per barrel to $62. The projected oil production is put at 1.88million barrels per day including condensates.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, had in October layed out the projected funding process for the Budget, saying revenues of N6.54 trillion and N2.62 trillion are projected to accrue to the Federation Account and the Value Added Tax (VAT) respectively. She also added the the deficit of Would be funded through borrowings.

The former Governor of Ekiti State, Chief Ayodele Fayose, Senator Abiodun Olujimi, the ex-PDP 2018 gubernatorial candidate in the State among other leaders and stakeholders of the party met yesterday in Ado Ekiti to chart a way forward on the forthcoming governorship election in 2022.

Far reaching decisions were taken to ensure that the party wins the 2022 governorship election.

It was learnt that all stakeholders agreed to sheather their swords and forget their grievances in order to ensure that the party clinch on victory in 2022.

It will be recalled that Fayose and Senator Olujimi had been at loggerhead in the past over the leadership of the party in the State.