Category: Politics

This is a monthly editorial of ODUDUWA NEWS.

Political parties are the constitutionally recognised associations that are established to vie for political posts and run the affairs of the nation. Every Nigerian is a potential ruler…every bonafide Nigerian has the liberty to belong to any political party that shares his ideology.

However, the constitution places a barrier; a requisite that bothers on age. To be a member of a political party, a citizen must have attained the age of 18. That is the age at which a Nigerian could vote and be voted for.

Membership of a political party is all about registration. As soon as anyone registers, he automatically becomes a card-carrying member of that party. Thus, he is under obligation to pay dues as agreed upon within the party and attend the statutory meetings. Upon the satisfaction of the responsibilities, he is entitled to every privilege or right available in the party.

During election, party candidates are chosen by the party members. Every eligible party man has the right to nurse a political ambition. Constitutionally, selection or choosing of candidates is of two modes. These are direct Primary and Indirect primary.

Before we delve into the two concepts, it is important to know that, where two or more party members show interest in the same elective position, there is bound to be an internal election especially where a consensus could not be reached. What is consensus?

Consensus is a situation where the various aspirants who have shown interest in the same post are talked to, appealed to and convinced to step down for another candidate. This is all about compromise and sacrifice. Not coercion. Compelling them to step down could lead to litigation.

Back to the issue under scrutiny. Direct Primary is a situation where all registered members of the party are allowed to vote to select or pick a candidate for a political position. For instance, if the party register shows that 5,000 party men are within their fold, all these 5,000 will vote for a candidate to represent or fly the flag of the party against the opposition party.

Indirect primary is a condition in which a certain delegate, comprising certain number of people are picked to elect or select the party’s candidate to face opposition in an election. In this case, a certain number of party men would be disenfranchised. In Nigeria of today, the constitution allows both methods.

However, the current case is a fight between the governors and national assembly members.The current political organogram in Nigeria places the president as the leader of the party. Although, this is an absurd; an aberation. Party leadership is different from national leadership. In a sane society, party structure is detached from the apron of the president and governors. The national chairman of a party ought to be the leader. That is how it is in South Africa. While Jacob Zuma was the president, Mr Ramphosa was the national chairman of the party. Zuma was booted out of office over alleged financial recklessness. He was made to face a disciplinary committee set up by the party under the chairmanship of Ramphosa; who is now the president. So, ANC national chairman is different from South Africa president. But, the chairman is in good position to become the next flagbearer of the party.

Like the president, governors are leaders of the parties in the states. Party chairmen are paper-weight. They are surrogates and errand boys of either the president or governor. He who pays the piper dictates the tune. Governors are the major financiers of the parties at state levels. And that is where the problems begins.

In view of the financial influence of the governors, they are able to share political posts amongst their cronies. They decide who contests for what. A governor who doesn’t like the face of a senator may stop the re-election of that senator. No matter his quality representation.

Few days ago, NASS formally transmitted the bill to President Buhari for his assent thereby effectively shifting the battle over the proposed electoral law to the Presidency.

While the lawmakers argued that direct primaries will fortify internal democracy and that such would give every party member an equal opportunity to participate in nomination process, the governors believed that direct primaries is a waste of time and money. Both sides are apparently fighting for relevance. Their arguments are whimstical. A parochial sentiment.

Essentially, the bill is aimed at whittling down the influence of the governors who have turned emperors in the nomination of party candidates. The governors are oblivious of this rigmarole, hence their vehement objection.

The intrigues playing out is premised on the forthcoming elections. Most of the lawmakers have become political foes of the governors. The governors on their parts would not want a lawmaker that would not pay homage to them. Thus, the next election is a veritable avenue to get rid of any stubborn lawmaker. This is a battle of survival; the fittest is sure to survive.

The national assembly seems to have an edge. Though, both sides have been lobbying the president who has become a beautiful bride. On the chances of the lawmakers, it is not exclusively the right of the president to transmute a bill into a law. That power resides in both the president and the lawmakers.

In a situation where a president declined or show recalcitrance, the lawmakers could veto the bill. Bill becomes a law when either the president or the NASS append their signatures.

In his wisdom and in order not to be caught between the webs, the president had written to seek the advice of the INEC on the issue. This is a good riddance. INEC is a major stakeholder. The president’s action is not a misnormer. He can as well seek for legal implication and interpretation of the bill from NBA and other independent public opinionists. However, if the bill is eventually vetoed by NASS, the crisis might snowball to an unimaginable proportion.

This is indeed an Electoral Act Amendment Bill that would determine so much about control mechanism within the party.

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has directed that the curfew imposed on Ikare-Akoko, headquarters of Akoko NorthEast local government area of the state, be lifted.

The decision is to allow Schools in the town to reopen so as to complete the academic year; more so that Schools are scheduled to begin the end of the Term Exams soon.

Notwithstanding the lifting of the curfew, security agencies have been directed to monitor the situation in the town closely and impose sanctions on any breach of security and public peace.

The honourable member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency while granting an interview today to with the crew of ODUDUWA NEWS commended the executive governor of Oyo State, Engr Seyi Makinde on the recent award of Iseyin/Ogbomosho road project to the contractors.

Dele Adeola said, “the construction of Iseyin/Ogbomosho road is a blessing to Ogbomosho, Iseyin, Oke-Ogun and the entire Oyo North Senatorial District. It is a jinx breaking project by Makinde-led administration having been neglected for a decade as this will open up the agro-economic area of the zone, it will bring unity to the Senatorial District, allowing more investors to invest in the zone. Particularly, linking investment opportunities from the Northern part of Nigeria and Oyo North region.”

“I use this medium to commend the governor for deeming it fit in awarding the road project to contractors at appropriate time in order to speed up economic development of the region as envisioned. Recall that at the inception of my administration as a Representative from the zone, we had a debate at the State Assembly on the need to reconstruct the road and we passed a resolution urging the executive arm to open more roads in the state, rehabilitating the damaged ones and the completion of abandoned road projects.

“I am elated that today, the road project has been finally handed over to the contractors, this will in no doubt reshape the socio-economic outlook of the entire Oke-Ogun.

“We cannot overlook the importance of the road which includes improvement of agricultural activities, establishment of more agro-allied industries along the road, opening up of market opportunities for the northerners and international communities and lastly the creation of jobs for the teeming youths of the state.”

The Honourable, while appreciating his constituents for the trust reposed in him, on behalf of Iseyin and the entire Oyo North Senatorial District thanks the Executive Governor of Oyo State for the recent award of contract of the laudable project. He however expresses his confidence in Seyi Makinde-led administration and vows to uphold his vision in achieving a new Oyo State.

The National leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has said he is aware that Nigerians are angry over years of leadership failure in the country, and the inability of the current government to improve their quality of life.

He however, pleads with the people to not give up, but instead, give the ruling party another chance in the next presidential election to correct the wrongs.

Tinubu who is going all out for the presidency in a potentially political career ending contest, has been up and doing, making consultations and seeking support from influential persons across the country.

His most recent jaunt saw him visit elder statesman, Alhaji Tanko Yakasai, who confirmed that the APC National Leader not only informed him of his desire to contest in the next presidential election, but also “asked for my support.”

“He (Tinubu) just came to visit me but actually I have two of them (presidential aspirants) that I have earmarked right from the beginning and I made a vow that any one of them who came to ask for my support first is the person I would support. Tinubu is the first person, ” he told told Saturday Punch.

It is believed that Tinubu is determined to contest in the next election even if it means running on a different platform should the APC fail to give him the party’s ticket.

Speaking in Kano in what would be seen as a political statement from a man who hopes to succeed Buhari in 2023, Tinubu is already laying the ground work, promising to address the many challenges currently facing the country.

When you see the social media today, you see the minds of our youths. They are angry, but we appeal to them that we will listen to them,” Tinubu said in the statement.

He said the poor state of the nation’s economy has forced Nigerians into compulsory fasting, adding that the current government need to do more to address these urgent issues.

“Your own employment rate is 33% and you ask us to keep on fasting. The one we are fasting spiritually is voluntary. We have been fasting for so many years.”

He added that sovereignty is that of Nigeria and it is only the federal government that has the sovereign power and must use it to improve the quality of life of Nigerians. – Nigerian Pivot

About three weeks after Governor Seyi Makinde ordered its withdrawal owing to irregularities, a new list of Secretaries, Supervisory Councillors and Special Assistants for the 33 Local Government and 35 Local Council Development Areas in Oyo state has been released.

Nigerian Tribune reported that the commissioner for local government and chieftaincy matters, Chief Bayo Lawal released the new list to Chairmen of the local government areas and local council development areas at State Secretariat, Ibadan, on Wednesday.

It will be recalled that Makinde had ordered the immediate withdrawal of the lists of local government appointments three days after he approved them following complaints that the lists had been manipulated.

Upon its release on Wednesday morning, Chairmen of each of the 33 local government areas continued to visit the office of the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters for the list for their respective local government.

The release of the new list followed the conclusion of screening by the committee set up to look at the appointments across all the local councils.

In presence of the Bayo Lawal among other party stakeholders, the screening involved leaders of each local council affirming or not affirming with names of nominees as they are reeled out by the chairman of each local government.

During the screening sessions which ran into days and nights, objections were listened to with necessary adjustments done when objections are considered credible.

In some local government areas where some leaders got up to five slots in the earlier withdrawn list, they were prevailed upon to let go of some slots so as to accommodate other tendencies.

In the screening sessions, there were hues and cries by some members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that members of the coalition parties seemed to be getting a lot but the state governor’s state that 30 percent of the slots be reserved for the coalition parties was allowed to prevail.

In local government areas where there were still unresolved issues, governor Seyi Makinde constituted another three-member committee comprising former deputy governor, Engineer Hamid Gbadamosi, Dr Kola Balogun and party Chairman, Honourable Dayo Ogungbenro to prevail on leaders to accommodate the various shades of political opinions.

It was gathered that Governor Seyi Makinde was present at some of the screening sessions to prevail on the various leaders to compromise on the filling of the slots.

The Governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Tuesday, said his Administration had strengthened the fundamental ties between the three arms of government as reflected in the peaceful cohesion existing in the State.

He said the Administration has given the other arms of government a pride of place to operate without being internally or externally influenced, saying they occupied a conspicuous place in the ranking of Osun as the most peaceful State in Nigeria.

The Governor pledged to continuously strengthen independence of the judiciary, noting that the right mechanisms had been put in place for that arm of government to perform its role as the hope of the common man.

This is even as the Chief Judge of Osun, Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, noted that the Administration of Governor Oyetola holds the judiciary in high esteem as evidenced in his continuous support and commitment to strengthen the administration of justice and guarantee the welfare and well-being of judicial officers.

Governor Oyetola spoke during the Special Religious Services and Inspection of Guard of Honour at the Grand Finale marking the beginning of 2021-2022 Legal Year of Osun State Judiciary, at State High Court, Osogbo.

Oyetola who had earlier identified with the members of the judiciary at the Osogbo Central Mosque and Osogbo Anglican Church Cathedral for inter-denominational prayer sessions, acknowledged the harmonious and cordial relationship between the three arms of government in the State.

According to him, the Osun Judiciary has demonstrated on all fronts that it is on the side of the people at all times and it is incumbent on the government to allow the testimony to persist.

The Governor who noted that the judiciary had been part of the success story of his Administration, said “we are lucky in Osun for having harmonious and cordial relationship between the three arms of government as the existing symbiotic relationship has yielded positive impacts and unprecedented transformation in the last three years of our Administration.”

He implored members of the judiciary to continue to dispense justice and uphold the ethics of their profession.

“I therefore urge you to sustain this confidence by always allowing the fear of God and truth to be cardinal considerations in the dispensation of justice.

“You must also ensure that you sustain professionalism and the ethics of your profession that have stood you out as the friend of the common man and the hope of the people in a democracy.

“Our Administration holds the Judiciary in high esteem. We shall always ensure that the right mechanisms are put in place to ensure its independence at all times so that it can perform its role as the hope of the common man and the people.

“The three arms of Government have been remarkably united in serving the people without compromising their independence and distinctive roles under our Administration.

“The Judiciary occupies a conspicuous place in the ranking and recognition of Osun as the most peaceful State in Nigeria in view of its commitment to ensuring that justice is served in all situations and at all times. I thank the Officers in the Temple of Justice for this display of professionalism and patriotism,” Oyetola said.

He said his Administration has been working hard to ensure social inclusion and sustain peace hence the need to institutionalise inclusive and participatory governance.

Oyetola stated further: “The ultimate goal of instituting these laudable objectives is the delivery of a stronger, more prosperous and better Osun. This is only achievable in an atmosphere of peace.

“We invite the Judiciary to continue to complement our efforts by dispensing justice in a manner that will not only ensure peace but make the people to believe in and trust government.

“As you have wisely committed this Legal Year into the hands of God, I have confidence in the Almighty that it shall be a peaceful, eventful and successful year and a prosperous and rewarding one for Osun.”

In her remarks, the Chief Judge of Osun, Hon. Justice Oyebola Adepele Ojo, expressed gratitude to Governor Oyetola for giving the judiciary the pride of place to operate without interference or hitches.

Justice Ojo lauded the Administration of Governor Oyetola for continually allowing mutually-beneficial relationship between the three arms of government, this, she said had helped to retain and sustain the relative peace existing in the State.

She appreciated the Governor for always coming to their aid, saying this had gone a long way to ensure smooth dispensation of justice at all levels.

“The relationship between the Osun State Judiciary and other arms of government remains ever cordial with mutual respect for each other. We must commend Mr. Governor for his good sense of leadership duty and for his prompt response to issues affecting the Judiciary as occasions call for them.

“We are equally grateful to Mr. Governor for his unending love for Osun State Judiciary and we know that with Your Excellency’s support, this new legal year will be best ever in our history,” she added.

The Lagos State Government has released the White Paper on the #EndSARS Panel of Inquiry report.

According to the government, 11 out of the 32 recommendations made by the panel, have been accepted, six others were accepted but with modifications, while one was rejected.

The document also says 14 of the recommendations fall outside the powers of the state and will consequently be forwarded to the Federal Government for consideration.

A leaked version of the report had indicted the Nigerian Army and the Lagos State Government in the killing of unarmed protesters and a subsequent cover-up of the incident at the Lekki Toll Gate on October 20, 2020.

But after the panel submitted its findings to Governor Sanwo-Olu, he set up a four-member committee led by the Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), giving them two weeks to raise the White Paper on the reports submitted by the panel.

At a press briefing earlier today, the Governor said the leakage was “regrettable”.

“While I commend the panel for undertaking its task to the best of its abilities, it is however regrettable that the panel’s work and the leakage of an unauthorized version of the report have generated much tension. Sadly, a deep wound has been reopened,” he added.

The governor, however, assured Lagosians that his administration remains committed to justice and truth.

Speaking further, he announced that he had initiated a peace walk as part of efforts to ensure harmony in the state.

“To quicken recovery and engender a better understanding, I will lead ‘A Walk for Peace’ in December to herald the healing of the land.

“I have extended an open invitation to the youths, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society groups, students and the media, as well as other stakeholders to join me in this peace walk,” Sanwo-Olu said.

A member of the Lagos panel constituted to probe the Lekki shootings of October 20, 2020, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), has said that the EndSARS panels set up by state governments across the country are legal and can probe the brutality and extrajudicial killings committed by members of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army.

The senior advocate said the judicial panels were set up at the behest of the Federal Government, through the National Economic Council, and so, cannot be termed illegal because the findings of some of the panels aren’t in favour of the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), on Sunday, had dismissed the EndSARS panel set up by the Lagos State Government and the report it presented to the state government recently.

Keyamo had said the panel was illegal because it was out of the jurisdiction of the panel to investigate the activities of Federal Government institutions and officials such as the Police and the Army.

But in a statement on Monday titled, ‘The Legality Of #EndSARS Panels’, Adegboruwa said, “The Federal Government has recently muted the idea that all the Judicial Panels of Inquiry set up by the various States across the Federation, especially that of Lagos State, are illegal.

“It has never been part of our legal system in Nigeria, for a plaintiff who approached the court in the first instance, to turn around to challenge the legality or jurisdiction of the court.

“The EndSARS Panels were set up at the behest of the Federal Government, through the National Economic Council. In the case of the Lagos Panel, the federal government, through the Nigerian Army, voluntarily submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the Panel, the federal government called witnesses, it tendered documents and it made very lengthy presentations.

“A party cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time. Thus, a party who initiated a process and willingly and actively participated in that process, cannot turn around, after judgment, to plead illegality or absence of jurisdiction, simply because the outcome is unfavourable. We must strengthen our institutions to make them work.

“While we all await the White Paper from the Lagos State Government, it is important for government to build trust in the people in all its dealings and utterances.”

The Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel on November 15, 2021, submitted its report to the Lagos State Government, noting that at least nine persons were confirmed dead at the Lekki toll plaza when soldiers stormed the tollgate to disperse EndSARS protesters on October 20, 2020.

The 309-page leaked report stated, “The atrocious maiming and killing of unarmed, helpless and unresisting protesters while sitting on the floor and waving their Nigerian flags and while singing the National Anthem can be equated to a massacre in context.”

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who received the report, said he had constituted a Committee to bring forward a White Paper within the next two weeks to be considered by the Lagos State Executive Council.

United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on a two-day official visit to Nigeria recently, had said that the submission of the report by the Lagos panel was an important step towards accountability for killings and rights abuses allegedly committed by soldiers and policemen.

Blinken had met with the Nigerian President at Aso Rock in Abuja, and Buhari had said the Federal Government was waiting on Lagos State and other state governments to come up with their conclusions.

But Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed subsequently said, “It is simply incredible that a judicial panel set up to investigate an incident has submitted a report laden with allegations, the same allegations it was set up to investigate in the first instance.

“Instead of sitting for all of one year, the panel could have just compiled social media tales by the moonlight on the incident and submitted, saving taxpayers’ funds and everyone’s time. That report is nothing but the triumph of fake news and the intimidation of a silent majority by a vociferous lynch mob.”EndSARS panels legal, set up by FG through NEC, Adegboruwa replies Keyamo

A member of the Lagos panel constituted to probe the Lekki shootings of October 20, 2020, Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa (SAN), has said that the EndSARS panels set up by state governments across the country are legal and can probe the brutality and extrajudicial killings committed by members of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Army.

The senior advocate said the judicial panels were set up at the behest of the Federal Government, through the National Economic Council, and so, cannot be termed illegal because the findings of some of the panels aren’t in favour of the regime of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari.

The Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Festus Keyamo (SAN), on Sunday, had dismissed the EndSARS panel set up by the Lagos State Government and the report it presented to the state government recently.

Keyamo had said the panel was illegal because it was out of the jurisdiction of the panel to investigate the activities of Federal Government institutions and officials such as the Police and the Army.

But in a statement on Monday titled, ‘The Legality Of #EndSARS Panels’, Adegboruwa said, “The Federal Government has recently muted the idea that all the Judicial Panels of Inquiry set up by the various States across the Federation, especially that of Lagos State, are illegal.

“It has never been part of our legal system in Nigeria, for a plaintiff who approached the court in the first instance, to turn around to challenge the legality or jurisdiction of the court.

“The EndSARS Panels were set up at the behest of the Federal Government, through the National Economic Council. In the case of the Lagos Panel, the federal government, through the Nigerian Army, voluntarily submitted itself to the jurisdiction of the Panel, the federal government called witnesses, it tendered documents and it made very lengthy presentations.

“A party cannot approbate and reprobate at the same time. Thus, a party who initiated a process and willingly and actively participated in that process, cannot turn around, after judgment, to plead illegality or absence of jurisdiction, simply because the outcome is unfavourable. We must strengthen our institutions to make them work.

“While we all await the White Paper from the Lagos State Government, it is important for government to build trust in the people in all its dealings and utterances.”

The Justice Doris Okuwobi-led panel on November 15, 2021, submitted its report to the Lagos State Government, noting that at least nine persons were confirmed dead at the Lekki toll plaza when soldiers stormed the tollgate to disperse EndSARS protesters on October 20, 2020.

The 309-page leaked report stated, “The atrocious maiming and killing of unarmed, helpless and unresisting protesters while sitting on the floor and waving their Nigerian flags and while singing the National Anthem can be equated to a massacre in context.”

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who received the report, said he had constituted a Committee to bring forward a White Paper within the next two weeks to be considered by the Lagos State Executive Council.

United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, on a two-day official visit to Nigeria recently, had said that the submission of the report by the Lagos panel was an important step towards accountability for killings and rights abuses allegedly committed by soldiers and policemen.

Blinken had met with the Nigerian President at Aso Rock in Abuja, and Buhari had said the Federal Government was waiting on Lagos State and other state governments to come up with their conclusions.

But Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed subsequently said, “It is simply incredible that a judicial panel set up to investigate an incident has submitted a report laden with allegations, the same allegations it was set up to investigate in the first instance.

“Instead of sitting for all of one year, the panel could have just compiled social media tales by the moonlight on the incident and submitted, saving taxpayers’ funds and everyone’s time. That report is nothing but the triumph of fake news and the intimidation of a silent majority by a vociferous lynch mob.”

Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, was present at the wedding of the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin.

The Speaker on Saturday got married to Olamidun Majekodunmi, the daughter of the Ogun State Universal Basic Education Board, Femi Majekodunmi.

At the Church service held at All Souls’ Anglican Church, Bodija, Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, Bishop of Ibadan Diocese of Anglican Communion, Most Revd Joseph Akinfenwa called on political leaders in the country to put aside their political differences and rescue the country from the brim of collapse.

The cleric who hailed the Governor Akeredolu for defending the people, charged other political leaders to be committed to the well-being of the people.

He specially lauded the Chairman, South-West Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ondo State for his consistency, tenacity and relentlessly protecting and defending the people in the region, saying he is leading by example.

Speaker of Ondo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Bamidele Oleyelogun also led members of the Assembly including the majority leader, Hon. Oluwole Ogunmolasuyi to the event.

The Bishop who specially congratulated the newly wedded couple on their wedding ceremony, described the day as a glorious and joyful day in the lives of both families.

Also present were; the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde; Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun; former Governor of Ogun state, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; among several other dignitaries.

Yesterday, I had the honour of receiving my three brother Governors from Kebbi, Jigawa and Sokoto States who commissioned the Ilupeju – Ire- Igbemo- Ijan road, as well as the Oye – Ayede – Ikun Dairy – Kwara Boundary road and Aramoko – Erijiyan – Ikogosi road. These are very strategic roads with socioeconomic importance and mobility advantage.

For instance, 25.6km Ilupeju – Ire- Igbemo- Ijan road constructed at the cost of N2,354,997,197.37 connects the three senatorial districts and eases transportation to the resuscitated Ire Clay Factory, while 14km Aramoko – Erijiyan – Ikogosi road constructed at the cost of N1,625,481,844.74 provides durable access to the Tourism Corridor, which spans from Ikogosi and runs through Ipole-Iloro Ekiti.

The 37km Oye – Ayede – Ikun Dairy – Kwara Boundary road which was constructed at the cost of N2,997,143,417.84 will also boost the agricultural activities of the communities along this axis, as well as the operations of Ikun Dairy Farm and the internally generated revenue of our state.

Our administration is determined to work for the people to the very last day of our mandate.