Category: Politics

The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has embarked on tour to the ongoing reconstruction of Ijebu-Ode Epe Road.

This was made known today by the governor via his official social media handle as read in part:

“Reconstruction of the Ijebu Ode-Epe Expressway has now been successfully completed. This is another promise kept by our Administration. Today, we have begun tour to access level of completion of the work. Travellers will now have relief while safely journeying through the road, with ease and comfort”.

The Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, has said the 1999 Constitution does not recognise the zoning of Presidency.

It was gathered that the Kogi Governor said this in Abuja just days after southern governors issued a communique after a meeting in Lagos demanding that the next president of Nigeria must come from their region.

Speaking on Friday at the First Annual GYB Seminar for Nigeria’s Political and Crime Correspondents held in Transcorp Hotel, Abuja, the North-Central governor favoured merit above zoning.

Bello, however, stated that equity must be followed if the 2023 presidency has to be zoned.

The governor said, “On zoning presidency to a particular zone in 2023, we must apply equity in the process. Democracy is all about free will. Let no political party limit the choice to a particular zone.

“Zoning is not recognised in the 1999 Constitution, it’s absolutely, unconstitutional.

“If we must continue with the sentiment of rotational Presidency, it’s okay, but let’s do it right in the interest of equity, fairness and justice.

“Let’s not take it from 1999, let’s go back to 1960. From the Independence, all the leaders we had, you will discover that all other geo-political zones as it exists today at one time had a position of leadership.

“In the 2023 presidential election, let the best candidate emerge who will unify and solve the problems of this country we are facing today, who will build on the legacies of Mr. President. It’s high time the youth take over the affairs of this country.

“I have always led from the front based on equity, fairness and justice. To be a leader, I will say let us be sincere.

“Younger generations are taking charge across the world. It is high time we look for a credible candidate based on merit and not by zoning.

“As the clarion call goes forth for 2023, one can easily discern by events such as this that the Organised Media in Nigeria is already working hard to crack the complex equation of who the next Nigerian President should be.

“All I can say is that in factoring your 2023 equations, please allow yourselves to be guided by national interest to input the following factors: Youthfulness, courage, security, diversity, clear records in successfully managing diversity which is where most post-independence leaders of Nigeria have failed.

“Also very important, the inescapable point of equity, that is, that only the North-Central and South-East Geopolitical Zones of this country have not held the Presidency or Vice Presidency, the two highest offices in the land, since the return to civilian rule in 1999.

“All talks of zoning must be the handmaid of equity or we are merely playing dangerous politics and healing the wounds of the country deceitfully.

“If one is able to develop a genuine love for the people he leads, it becomes even easier to take only those actions that benefit the people every time. This will ultimately help you succeed and also secure your legacy.

“Leadership is, therefore, the means to a lot of potentially awesome ends, but it is not an end in itself. It gives you a platform to do good and effect change. I am determined to give it my best now and in the future.

“The state of the nation today places a burden on us as leaders to act intentionally towards national healing and cooperation.

“Tribe and religion, as we all know, are the major components of our diversity as a nation. They are meant to be our greatest strengths, working together to give Nigeria a wider spectrum of choices and more competitiveness in the comity of nations, and in the human and social indices of national development.

“Unfortunately, we have steadily mismanaged these gifts and they have started turning toxic on us, becoming, for the most part, instruments of exclusion and coercive politics, as well as marginalisation and discrimination.

“The result is a citizenry at cross-purposes and a nation that is practically at her wits’ end.”

The Paramount ruler of Iwo land, Oba Rasheed Teluwo 1 has expressed his willingness to beg Bihari on behalf of self-styled activist, Sunday Igboho.

This was contained in a statement signed and released to ODUDUWA NEWS by his Chief Press Secretary, Alli Ibrahim as read in part:

“I extend my cool, warmest royal greetings to the number one citizen, President Muhammed Buhari. I’ve the hope your day is as the same as mine. As a Muslim, you are not unaware of the peculiarity of Friday, being one of the days for forgiveness.

“Nigerians most especially ardent readers and witnesses of history will not forget in haste many suspicious circumstances that consumed many nationalists. One of the leading and still fresh was the Egba born aristocrat, Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola who died in July 7th, 1998. Kensaro Wiwa equally had his taste. Almost all regions of Nigerian State have had their taste of such occurrence. The prologue and epilogue were historically preserved to be a lesson. But when a child is a slow learner, the parents will have to guide, guard and educate severally before a stable momentum. Silence of the parents at times may be translated to support but not necessarily. Not all children appreciate their parents at the point of moral discipline. Disciplinarians tells the truth to positively shape the children’s future. But when the child tells you your mouth is smelling, you stay back and observe. However, responsible father will not throw his child away with bath water. I say this to let your Excellency understand the position of most Royal Fathers and stakeholders on agitation for Yoruba nation. We warned him.

“However, Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho earned his popularity as an activist whose joy is to liberate the cheated. He started as such and grew with it. His strategy is not known to me because I’m not in his camp. Whenever I’ve information about his move, I do call him to order. He visited my palace sometimes in 2018. I give pieces of advice when sought. Instead of Igboho to distinctively differentiate between agitation towards government and inter groups activism, he failed. At a point, he abused stakeholders with spurious allegations. I was the first in the list for drumming support for one Nigeria. As a father, I’ve personally forgives him. And I’m personally beseeching your Excellency as the number one citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to demonstrate your magnanimity by forgiven our promising son, Chief Adeyemo Sunday Igboho.

“He is a novice in handling issues against the government. He is a gift to us in Yoruba. He has pledged his readiness to listen to us. I appeal to your Excellency to slow down security trail on Sunday Igboho. I’ve the assurance adhering to this piece will go a long way in strenthening the unity of Nigeria. I promise your Excellency that Igboho will mind his steps henceforth. He has suffered a lot. He would step down agitations. I will bring him for peace talk at appropriate time.

“Liberal struggles are won on intelligentsia merit. Arsenals without strategy is a defeated battle. These and many more, I supposed he has learnt and ready to mend his way. Nigeria is an indivisible entity that cannot be tore overnight for whatever reason. let’s forgive to move on and up. The strength is not only in diversity but also forgiveness.

“In conclusion, we have seen the handwriting. When government speaks different languages, the wise ruminates and take caution. I commend your efforts geared towards combating crimes, checkmating banditry and curtailing criminalities and your vigorous fight against corruption. Most importantly, your commitment to infrastructural growth is unequalled. One Nigeria, great future.

The Vice-Chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Samuel Kayode, popularly known as Ekpo Kinkin, has been killed at the Agboju area of Lagos State.

A member of the All Progressive Congress Party, APC and Vice Chairman, National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, Samuel Kayode, popularly known as Ekpo Kinkin, has been shot dead at Agboju area of Lagos.

According to reports, Ekpo who was a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress was at a rally organised by the party at Oriade Local Council Development Area (LCDA) when the gunmen invaded the rally on Thursday and shot him dead.

Eyewitnesses said a gunshot was heard from the crowd outside while the meeting was on, forcing residents involved at the rally to scamper to safety.

When those inside the hall rushed to the scene, Kayode was found in the pool of his blood.

However, NURTW in Lagos State confirmed the incident, noting that the deceased was trying to protect a fellow politician when he was killed.

“He was protecting a fellow politician, Wale Yusuf, from harassment when the gunmen shot him dead,” said Jimoh Buhari, the spokesman for the NURTW Chairman, Musiliu Akinsanya.

Kayode was said to have been rushed to the Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital, Navy Town, Ojo, where he was confirmed dead.

A member of the party who spoke on the condition of anonymity expressed surprise that a bullet in the leg could claim someone’s life.

Explaining what happened, he said, “Ekpo Kinkin was a very popular person in this area. He was shot, right in Oriade LCDA secretariat, close to Agboju police station.

“During the stampede caused by the gunshot, a man suspected to have pulled the trigger was said to have been seen walking casually out of the premises.

“We have lodged a complaint to the Police. We hope they will fish out Ekpo’s killer,” sources stated.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, is yet to react to the ugly incident.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has said the Peoples Democratic Party must do everything to hold its members and chieftains together following the gale of defections that hit the party.

Makinde said this on Thursday when Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola-led reconciliation committee submitted its report to him.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Taiwo Adisa, in a statement said the governor appreciated the members including former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Ambassador Omolade Oluwateru; Dr Saka Balogun and Secretary, Olayinka Kukoyi.

The governor said, “I want to thank the reconciliation committee for presenting the report. This is a confirmation that when elders are somewhere, they do not do their job halfway but they complete it. Actually, we have quite a bit to learn from our elders and from how you have done things in the past.

“Yes, the congress has basically come and gone but our party is still in need of getting all the tendencies together, not just in the South-West but even nationally.

“Between when this committee was set up and now, I believe two governors from the party’s platform have defected to the APC. A number of our lawmakers at the national level; senators, members of the House of Representatives are defecting.

“So, this report is coming at the right time for us to go ahead, look at it and still try to pull our people together irrespective of the outcome of the zonal congress.

“The country, as a whole, is in dire need of men and women of conscience, who are thinking progressively about this country.

“That is why, a few days ago, the governors from the southern part of the country came together and, without thinking of party affiliations, we took far-reaching decisions in the interest of this country; in the interest of fairness, equity and justice for everybody in the country.”

Oyinlola had while submitting the report said the committee did all it could to reconcile the warring factions in all the six states within the South-West zone.

He urged the governor and party leaders to look into all recommendations made in the report, as, according to him, they will go a long way to keep the party in good stead in the South-West zone.

The Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has described as “wrong,” some methods being adopted for the actualisation of Yoruba Nation by the self-acclaimed freedom fighter, Sunday Igboho.

Chief Gani Adams, however called on prominent Yoruba leaders to rally round Igboho against persecution.

He made this call while addressing a gathering in a video circulating online.

His words: “I beg the Ooni of Ife, the Alake of Egba and all other Yoruba leaders. If a son offends his father, the father will forgive him. Let us unite to use another method for our liberation. We are not saying we should adopt Sunday Igboho’s method.

“Most of Sunday Igboho’s method are wrong. I told him that his methods are wrong. But God has used him on the agitation for Yoruba Nation. He has played his own role and he will still play more roles. We should not let him be killed or persecuted.

“As the Aare Onakakanfo, I am begging you. Assuming he and his followers had not insulted me before, you will say that is why I’m saying this. But a leader without the spirit of forgiveness is an enemy of God. I beg the governors too.

“Sunday Igboho should caution his talkative followers so that they won’t put him into trouble,” he said.

“I told him sometimes ago that those people surrounding him are agents of politician in Lagos. I told him it is better to train your trusted soldiers than to hire mercineries who will later go for the highest bidder.

“You supporters, you have done enough. Don’t cause more damages to this freedom fight. Let the elders wade in. Even if any Oba or leader talk against you, don’t abuse them. Let’s begin to preach our gospel to win more souls.

“You said you wanted to go and open border. That will be the beginning of war. You don’t need to say that. It will be counterproductive. You don’t have war materials, you were molesting the Army, counterproductive. You said if 1,000 policemen visited your house, hardly will 100 return. You don’t need all that. Propaganda should not be too much in self-determination.

“I beg all Yorubas, let’s rally round him and support him.

“At this position I am now, I can’t be jumping up and down like him. But any statement I issue is more powerful than that in 10 years. I sit on a strategic institution in the entire Yoruba and I must be conscious of my behaviours so that I will not disappoint the institution. The institution has been in existence in the past 500 years.

“Our youths, let’s be coordinated, let’s be strategic,” Gani Adams said, saying he stands with Yoruba Nation

The Olubadan of Ibadan land has denied the rumour going viral on social media alleging the traditional ruler for collecting the sum of N50million to aide the Federal Government to kill Sunday Igboho.

The monarch while speaking through his Spokesman, Adeola Oloko at a protest organized by Yoruba Nation Agitators yesterday said, “it is nonsensical to have alleged that the traditional ruler of 93 year-old wiould be looking for material wealth in that manner”.

He said Sunday Igboho is the son of Ibadan and it behooves on the traditional ruler to protect him if his activities are carried out within the ambit of laws of the nation.

He however urged the citizens to be wary of information on social media as some are hell bent at carrying out malicious news for their mischievous deeds.

…Says govt irrevocably committed to citizens’ needs

Governor of the State of Osun, Adegboyega Oyetola, on Wednesday, inaugurated independent monitors of National Social Investment Programmes in the State.
He also distributed letters of engagement and devices to the independent monitors.

This is even as the Governor said his Administration was irrevocably committed to meeting citizens’ needs particularly the vulnerable people in the State.

While inaugurating the Independent monitors at the Staff Development Centre, State Government Secretariat, Abere, Osogbo, Governor Oyetola said the Administration had earned several accolades for its exceptional and outstanding performance on social intervention programmes implementation.

He stated that the State had shown consistency in the implementation of a wide array of social protection programmes which according to him, have continued to impact significantly on the lives of the citizens.

Oyetola who was represented at the inauguration ceremony by the Secretary to the State Government, Prince Wole Oyebamiji, further noted that the Administration’s relentless efforts in the last two and half years had earned it the pride of place as a leading State on the Human Development Index.

“As a State, we are irrevocably committed to ensuring that our vulnerable citizens are duly supported. You will recall that our State has over the last one decade shown consistency in our implementation of a wide array of Social Protection Programmes which continues to impact very significantly on the lives of our citizens and has earned us the pride of place as a leading State on the Human Development Index.

“Only recently, we commenced the feeding of 30, 000 persons who are poor and are vulnerable on a monthly basis, as part of our own unique way of cushioning the effect of the current economic challenges on the poor and vulnerable in our State,” Oyetola said.

The governor lauded President Muhammadu Buhari and the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development,
Hajiya Sadiyah Umar Farouq for their sustained passion and commitment that have ensured the success of the National Social Investment Programmes.

According to him, it is on record that the wide array of the Social Investment Programmes under the Buhari-led Administration, covering the N-Power Graduate and Non Graduate Scheme for Youths; the National Home Grown School Feeding Programme, involving primaries 1-3 pupils; Conditional Cash Transfer with N5, 000 per month paid to beneficiaries and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (Market moni, trader moni, and Farmer moni), are the largest and perhaps the most ambitious in the history of our country.

In her remark, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development,
Hajiya Sadiyah Umar Farouq, said the flag-off of the training of 5000 Independent Monitors was aimed at complementing the quick actualisation of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) created by President Muhammadu Buhari in 2016.

The training which according to her was carried out across the country was initiated to ensure that each of the trained independent monitors keep a check on a designated number of beneficiaries of the National Social Investment Programmes in their respective designated Local Government Areas.

The Minister who was represented by the Director, Finance and Administration, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Mr. Matthew Dada, said the initiative would further help to strength the existing partnership and mutual recognition of the need to do more on the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP).

She said the initiative would go a long way to foster and bring more Nigerians under the umbrella of the government’s social protection mechanism as part of efforts to look at scaling up the numbers of the pupils benefiting from the programme as directed by the President as over 9million pupils currently benefit from 1 free nutritious meal a day during the school term nationwide.

“You may recall that we flagged of the training of 5000 Independent Monitors for the National Social Investment Programme in Abuja on Thursday 4th February 2021. The training was carried out across the Country from February 2021 to April 2021.

“Today we are here to distribute Engagement Letters and Devices to the Trained Independent Monitors. These Devices are equipped with an Application that will be used to report on monitoring activities of the trained Independent Monitors,” she added.

Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Social Intervention Programmes, Mr. Abimbola Bello, applauded President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Oyetola for taking the welfare and well-being of the people as priority.

He attributed the successful implementation of some of the government’s social protection policies to unflinching support received from Governor Oyetola who he said had demonstrated rare leadership quality at reducing poverty and hunger to insignificant minimum.

Bello who disclosed that over one million Osun citizens have benefitted from various State and National social intervention programmes of the government urged the citizens to continue to support the progressive governments in the country.

“We have already trained the independent monitors that we have inaugurated today. These people are selected across the State to monitor the four cardinal social intervention programmes under the National Social Investment Programmes.

“The beneficiaries will be paid on monthly basis running for a year as the required devices have been given to them to carry out the assignment. But my advice for them is to be diligent and perform the duties with topmost sincerity while they are expected to be conscious of the fact that there are monitors for monitors,” he added.

The Opposition party, All Progressives Congress (APC), Oyo State chapter has filed a suit asking the High Court to declare the May 22 and May 26 local government elections in the state and subsequent swearing-in of Chairmen, councillors as illegal, unlawful, in breach of the rule of law, unconstitutional and void.

“In the suit number, M/272/2021, the APC is also seeking a declaration that the release of guidelines for Chairmanship and councillorship election, the timetable and every other election process carried out by the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) are unlawful, a breach of the rule of la

invalid, unconstitutional and of no effect because they were done during the pendency of Suit No. 1/347/2019, Appeal No. CA/B/300/2019 and Appeal No. SC556/2020” Nigerian Tribune reported.

The case however suffers delay because of the recently suspended Industrial action Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), the suit was later filed at the suspension of the strike while the OYSIEC, Governor of Oyo State and Attorney General of Oyo state were served last week.
Joined as applicants in the case are Chief Akin Oke, Mojeed Olaoya, Ayodeji Abass-Aleshinloye and 10 others while the OYSIEC, Governor of Oyo state and Attorney General of Oyo state are respondents.
Also, the APC is seeking a declaration that the 35 local council development areas in the state are a creation of law, pursuant to section 7 of the 1999 constitution, section 4 of the local government (further amendment) law 2016 and recognized by judgments in suit No. 347/2019 and Appeal No. SC556/2020, hence constitute valid administrative structures of the local government system as required by the 1999 constitution.
To this end, the party is seeking a declaration that the OYSIEC is obliged to conduct elections into the offices of Chairman and Councillors in the 35 local council development areas being a creation of law.
The applicants are also seeking a declaration that the imposition of the payment of nomination fees of N250,000 for chairmanship and N100,000 for councillorship candidates for the local government election and subsequent cancellation of payment after the deadline without an extension of the period for nomination to allow their participation and another political party amount to a deliberate disenfranchisement.
Aside from seeking an order setting aside the May 22 and May 29 local government elections and nullifying in the swearing-in of the Chairmen/councillors, the applicants are also seeing an order that

OYSIEC should immediately commence the process of conducting elections into all local government council areas and local council development areas in the state.
The applicants are also asking the court to determine whether the release of guidelines for chairmanship and councillorship election, notice, time table of the election during the pendency of suit No. 347/2019 and Appeal No. SC556/2020 are not subjudice and a breach of rule of law.

According to the party, the decision of the OYSIEC to proceed with the local government elections of May 22 and May 26 amounts to serial unconstitutional actions and illegalities and utter disregard of the rule of law.
Generally, the suit is supported by section 7 of Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), Local Government Law of Oyo State 2001 (as amended) by the Local Government (Further Amendment) Law of Oyo State 2016 and Section 10 of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission Law, Laws of Oyo State, 2000.