Category: Politics

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo state has bared his minds on some issues around his government, national polity and his trip to London to visit the APC national leader, Ahmed Tinubu.

He spoke in an interview with Rueben Abati on Arise TV.

These are some of the highlights of Akeredolu’s interview with Reuben Abati.

On Southern Governors’ Forum’s push for a Southerner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari:

“Our stance is for equity and justice; our focus is not to field a presidential candidate”

VAT

It is unconstitutional for the FG to share the VAT. The move by the FIRS to go to the NASS means we’re on course and that something was wrong from the beginning.

It’s constitutional amendment they are pursuing and I can bet you,it’s dead on arrival because more states will support us to kill such amendment in the State Assemblies.

Anti-Open Grazing

Anti-Open Grazing Law not targeted at anyone. Is the position of the Katsina Governor, who also a Fulani by tribe also targeted at his own people? Why are people not talking about that? Those who can’t live peacefully amongst our people must get out.

Supreme Court and Buni’s continued stay in office.

The verdict of 4/3 meant I escaped by the whiskers. From the onset, I told the party the case was a long dagger drawn in the heart of the APC.

On Buni, I have said it privately and I’m not inclined to continue to make it a media issue but I must say this.

i have very strong reservations about the legality or otherwise of his position. I can say this because I bore the brunt, I was at the centre of it all.

Visit to Tinubu in London and 2023

I’m an APC person and I have said it over and over that I won’t leave APC.

Once I’m through here, I’m going back to my chambers where I find more comfort.

So whoever the APC brings, I will support. For the National Leader, we’re waiting for him to come so that critical decisions could be taken.

He is our leader in the South, he is what we can call our Capon.

Delayed cabinet

Expect more Commissioners by early next month; I may not have as many as I had in my first term because of the state of our finances.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday received his counterpart from Zamfara State, Dr. Bello Muhammad Matawalle on courtesy visit.

Sanwo-Olu, who received Matawalle and his entourage at Lagos House in Marina, said it was important for states to embrace regional collaboration targeted at fostering economic growth and development.

“Progressive collaborations between regions is key to fostering economic growth and development of our dear country, which will impact positively on the citizenry,” Sanwo-Olu said.

Governor of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola has congratulated the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.

The Governor also felicitated the first Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Osun, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a foremost patriotic Osun indigene, who is passionate about the growth and development of the State.

Oyetola in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan, said he joined families, friends, associates and the people of Lagos and Osun respectively, to celebrate the Lagos Deputy Governor, whom he described as an astute technocrat, administrator and politician of note; and Awomolo, whom he applauded for his long years of sacrifice and service to Osun and humanity.

He lauded Hamzat’s contributions to governance and development of Lagos through the different capacities he has served the State.

Governor Oyetola also appreciated Dr. Hamzat for being a loyal and dependable partner of Governor Babajide SanwoOlu in the quest to develop Lagos State and deliver dividends of democracy to Lagosians.

“On behalf of my family, Government and the good people of Osun, I heartily felicitate my friend and brother, the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.

“It is my prayer that Allah will grant you longer life and increase you in sound health and wisdom to serve the people of Lagos, Nigeria and humanity at large. Happy birthday, brother,” the governor said.

Similarly, he has also felicitated the former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Osun, Asiwaju Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, on the occasion of his birthday, describing him as a foremost patriotic Osun indigene, who is passionate about the growth and development of the State.

To Awomolo, Oyetola said “I value your moral support and wise counsel as we set out to build the Osun of our dream which all of us will be proud of.

“ On behalf of my family, government and the good people of Osun, I heartily felicitate my namesake and egbon, Adegboyega Awomolo on the occasion of his birthday anniversary.

“ I pray God Almighty to grant you longer life and to continue to strengthen you for greater service to Osun and humanity.”

President of the Senate, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan was today conferred with the title of Aare Akerewolu of Iyin-Ekiti by the paramount ruler of Iyin-Ekiti, Oba Adebola Adeniyi Ajakaiye.

The conferment ceremony which was well attended by Federal and state lawmakers was part of the activities to commemorate the first coronation anniversary of the Oluyin of Iyin.

Lawan said that the Kabiyesi has demonstrated unity by honouring an Ahmed from Yobe State.

The visibly elated Senate President thanked the Oluyin of Iyin, his cabinet and the entire people of Iyin Kingdom for finding him worthy of the title of Aare Akorewolu of Iyin Kingdom.

“I believe that what Kabiyesi did is to recognise someone from Yobe State. An Ahmed from Yobe who is coming to Iyin for the first time but has been with Iyin in his life, in his dreams, in his mind, since I met my friend, my brother, my colleague, Distinguished Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele, your son.

“On behalf of myself, my family and people of Yobe North Senatorial District that I represent and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and indeed the entire National Assembly, I thank you most sincerely for the honour done to me.”

“I accept this honour on behalf of all of us in the Senate and we have a very good delegation of Senators in this very important first anniversary of the coronation of His Royal Highness,” Lawan said.

Senators in company of the Senate President to grace the occasion include: Senate Leader, Yahaya Abdullahi, Senate Deputy Chief Whip, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, Barau Jibrin, Sadiq Umar Suleiman, Kola Balogun, Ayodele Akinyelure, Chukwuka Utazi, Aisha Dahiru Binani, Mohammed Sani Musa, Surajudeen Basiru Ajibola, Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, Francis Fadahunsi, Adelere Oriolowo, Michael Opeyemi Bamidele(the host) and also Clerk of the National Assembly, Architect Olatunde Ojo.

The federal government has confirmed it will appeal the judgment of an Oyo state high court, which on Friday awarded N20billion in damages to Yoruba nation agitator Sunday Adeyemo better known as Sunday Igboho.

Igboho had sued the Abubakar Malami, the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), the Department of State Services (DSS), and director of state services, Oyo state, demanding N5.5billion in damages over the raid on his Ibadan home on July 1.

During the raid, two people were said to be killed, while 12 of his associates were arrested.

Delivering judgment in the fundamental human rights suit on Friday, Ladiran Akintola, the judge, awarded N20 billion as exemplary and aggravated damages against the secret service.

However, Malami speaking with NAN on Friday, said the decision of the court would be appealed.

“Efforts are already being made to commence the process of appealing the judgment,” Malami was quoted to have said

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and member of the Judicial Panel set up by the Lagos State Government to investigate cases of abuse of human rights against the police and other law enforcement agencies, Mr Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has raised the alarm over alleged attempts to frustrate the panel.

In a terse statement on his social media account, Adegboruwa said the panel was being frustrated “from reaching meaningful conclusions on investigations into the Lekki Toll Gate Incident of 20th October 2020.”

The statement 👇👇👇

EndSARS Panel Being Frustrated

There are attempts to frustrate the EndSARS Judicial Panel from reaching meaningful conclusions on investigations into the Lekki Toll Gate Incident of 20th October 2020.

I will give details subsequently.

Justice Ladiran Akintola of Oyo State High Court has directed the Department of State Security (DSS) to pay N20 billion to Chief Sunday Adeyemo (aka Sunday Igboho) for unlawfully invading his Soka, Ibadan house on July 1.

Akintola awarded the sum as exemplary and aggravated damages against the secret police in the suit filed by Igboho in which he is seeking N500 billion damages for the invasion.

The court also declared the invasion illegal and tongue-lashed the DSS for acting based on what he described as “arbitrary aggression and prejudices” from his agitation for Yoruba nation.

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state on Drainage and Water Resources, Chief Joe Igbokwe on Thursday lamented on what he described as the poor treatment meted out to some APC members.

In series of reactions, following the defection of a former aviation minister and chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Femi Fani Kayode. Mr. Igbokwe, in his Facebook post, lamented that “despite all my push for APC; Abuja has not given me a phone call, talk-less of inviting me for a coffee with C in C”.

He went further to state that “here is a political charlatan being given a red carpet in the seat of power, Abuja. Mr. Igbokwe’s outburst on Facebook was based on the special treatment given to Chief Femi Fani Kayode when many party faithful who have toiled for the party is yet to be recognized or given the attention they deserve.

Mixed reactions have continued to trail the defection of Chief Femi Fani Kayode, who after many years of hurling insults and leveling all sorts of allegations to APC and its leaders was presented to President Mohammed Buhari today as the latest APC member.

Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has described Femi Fani-Kayode as the ‘Judas of Oduduwa’

following his defection from the opposition party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC)

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Gumi wrote:

“I have for long, neglected the rantings of the Judas of Oduduwa attacking me knowing fully well that he is fake and a traitor.

“Time has now caught up with him and thanks to Allah, all his vituperations are cast in the dustbin of merciless history.

“It is him now, one wonders which of the seven circles of hell this duper will settle if he doesn’t repent.”

Recall that the Fani-Kayode, a former minister of aviation under President Olusegun Obasanjo, berated those fronting for bandits and terrorists in the country. Though he never mentioned names but his rhetorics suggested he was referring to Sheikh Gumi.
On joining APC, Fani-Kayode, however, said that he was moved by Holy Spirit to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, pointing out that he was a founding member of the ruling party.