Category: Politics

In the past few weeks, there has been controversy surrounding who likely to be Gov Makinde’s running mate as pundits and political analysts have been suggesting different candidates to be chosen as a replacement for the incumbent Oyo State Deputy Governor, Engr. Rauf Olaniyan whose relationship between his boss has gone sour.

Though, Makinde is yet to affirm publicly who is going to be his running mate but some sources closed to the government have begun reeling out certain information as regarding those that have been penned down for the seat.

In the news today, according to report reaching the ODUDUWA newsroom, Governor Seyi Makinde has been prevailed on by some political gladiators to consider Barrister Bayo Lawal, the chairman of the Housing Corporation, as his running mate.

Recall, this newspaper had reported how series of names have been submitted by Chieftains of PDP in the State in which Makinde yet to conclude on his decision.

RECRUITMENT: Ready To Earn Extra Income, GAMUT Invites Applicants

Governor Seyi Makinde appointed Kishi born Bayo Lawal, who is from Irepo local government, as the Executive Chairman of the Oyo State Housing Corporation in 1999 under the administration of previous governor, late Lam Adesina.

Shehu Sani, a former lawmaker from Kaduna Central Senatorial District, said on Monday that based on recent events in Nigeria’s political space, Vice-President Prof Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) “may step down” for Bola Tinubu, the ruling party’s National Leader, when the ruling party’s convention takes place next month.

According to ODUDODUDU NEWS, the APC’s extraordinary convention for its presidential primary will take place from Monday, June 6 to Wednesday, June 8, 2022.

More than 20 party faithful, including serving members of President Muhammadu Buhari’s cabinet, governors, MPs, and business leaders, are among those aspiring to be the APC’s flagbearer, as the screening process began today.

The screening will take place at the Hilton Hotel Transcorps in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

“Aminu Tambuwal Stepped down for Atiku Abubakar.Pat Utomi stepped down for Peter Obi. Prof. (referring to Osinbajo) may step down for Jag (Tinubu),” Sani wrote on his verified Twitter handle.

The All Progressives Congress Presidential Screening Committee, which began sitting on Monday, questioned the party’s presidential aspirants on 10 key issues including their dual citizenship status.

Some of the aspirants, who were screened by the Committee headed by a former National Chairman of the party, the Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, told newsmen that the panel asked them if they would be ready to step down for the consensus candidate of the party.

The ruling party, which initially scheduled the screening of the presidential aspirants for May 16, shifted it to May 23, but failed to hold exercise on that day.

The APC in the guidelines on page 17 of the N100m nomination form obtained by the aspirants, barred the contestants from engaging in thuggery and taking it to court, among other seven conditions.

Although there have been reports that the party may adopt consensus, the National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi, who emerged through the method in March, in an interview with Voice of America Hausa Service on May 26, said it would not be feasible for electing the party’s presidential candidate.

Despite the Chairman’s statement, the issues of consensus and foreign citizenship came up when presidential aspirants including the party’s National leader, Bola Tinubu; Governor Dave Umahi of Ebonyi State, his Jigawa State counterpart, Badaru Abubakar; the immediate past Minister of State for Education, Emeka Nwajiuba; Ondo-North lawmaker, Senator Ajayi Boroffice; Pastor Tunde Bakare and Mrs Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, were screened in Abuja on Monday.

The questions the aspirants were asked included, “Do you have dual citizenship? Are you the subject of investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission or the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission? Have you been arraigned by the Code of Conduct Bureau? And have you ever been convicted for a crime?”

Other questions asked include, “Have you ever been declared bankrupt? Will you be willing to step down for a consensus candidate? What is your manifesto? Will you abide by the party’s objectives and manifesto? What is your APC membership status?”

The aspirants were also asked to present original copies of their credentials including school certificates.

An aspirant, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “They asked us pretty much the same questions. They asked about our record with anti-graft agencies, citizenship status, finances and our manifestoes. Of course, there were a few follow up questions depending on the responses given.

“They asked if I had any EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission) or ICPC (Independent Corrupt Pactactics and other related offences Commission) case. They asked about my manifesto and also asked me if I would be willing to step down in the event of a consensus. I told them I am a party man and will abide by the wishes of the APC.”

The issue of dual citizenship has been a controversial issue in Nigerian politics with an Ondo State Election Petitions Tribunal ruling in 2019 that people who had sworn allegiance to a foreign country and acquired foreign citizenship ought not to hold public office. This judgment was, however, upturned by the Court of Appeal.

It was learnt that in some countries like the United States, foreigners who obtain citizenship through naturalisation are usually made to swear an allegiance to that country.

It reads in part, “I hereby declare, on oath, that I absolutely and entirely renounce and abjure all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty, of whom or which I have heretofore been a subject or citizen; that I will support and defend the Constitution and laws of the United States of America against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I will bear arms on behalf of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform non-combatant service in the Armed Forces of the United States when required by the law; that I will perform work of national importance under civilian direction when required by the law; and that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; so help me God.”

Such allegiance to a foreign power is usually seen as an albatross on the necks of those seeking sensitive public offices in Nigeria. Wealthy Nigerians and their families are known to acquire foreign citizenships for easy travel and other benefits.

Last week human rights activist, Kayode Ajulo, who is a campaigner for Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, wrote a letter to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), and the National Chairman of the APC, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, on the danger of picking a candidate with dual citizenship or past criminal record.

Ajulo said there was a plot by the opposition to ensure that the APC is disqualified on the basis of this just as was done in the Bayelsa governorship race in February 2020.

Badaru has not stepped down -Aide

Reacting to the screening exercise, Governor Badaru in a statement by his Media Aide, Auwal Sankara, said that the exercise went well and it was evidence that he had not stepped down for anyone.

According to the governor’s media aide, Badaru, issues determined by the panel were verification of his membership and financial statuses as well as his academic credentials, and other requirements for a presidential candidate as stipulated in the Nigerian Constitution.

He said his principal was among the “28 APC Presidential Aspirants and we are hopeful he will clinch the party ticket due to the massive support he is garnering from party faithful, supporters and relevant stakeholders in the country.”

Fiery cleric, Pastor Tunde Bakare, while addressing journalists, said he was satisfied with the screening process.

Bakare added that he was confident of defeating former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate, if he was given the ticket.

The Serving Overseer of the Citadel Global Community Church, Pastor Tunde Bakare, described the presidential candidate of the PDP, former vice president Atiku Abubakar, as a worthy candidate.

Asked about the exercise, he said, “The screening exercise went very well. Appropriate questions were asked about how we are going to fix the challenges facing our nation and appropriate answers were given to them.

“By God’s grace, we are pleased that we had something to offer this nation. In this critical moment in our history, nobody can say I have all the solutions. But we did say to them that we will assemble the best, brightest and fittest from within the country, north and south, and from outside of the country, those in the diaspora.

“The time has come for us to raise the foundation of many generations, to restore our path and ensure that our nation becomes great again.”

Meanwhile, it was learnt that like the opposition PDP, the APC snubbed the request of the Drug Law Enforcement Agency to administer drug tests on aspirants.

Aspirants told the newsmen that there was no mention of a drug test by the party.

It was learnt that the Oyegun-led committee would submit its report to the national chairman who would in turn forward it to President Buhari for action.

Kano APC member petitions panel, demands Tinubu’s disqualification

Meanwhile, a member of the APC in Kano State, Sagir Mai Iyali, has written a petition against Tinubu seeking his disqualification by the Oyegun-led committee.

Iyali in a letter dated May 17, 2022, demanded the disqualification over the former governor’s “questionable educational qualifications”.

He also claimed that Tinubu allegedly submitted false documents to the Independent National Electoral Commission in 1998.

Iyali said although Tinubu is above the required age to contest the office of president, his age is not known, adding that obscurity surrounding the presidential hopeful could jeopardise the party’s chances at the polls.

It reads in part, “We understand that Bola Tinubu who has since procured his expression of interest and nomination forms and has submitted the same to the party has certain issues that clearly amount to a similar disqualification scenario.

“From the information contained in prior submissions to INEC particularly in 1999, Mr. Tinubu presented a false claim, on oath, of his attendance at University of Chicago from 1972-1976.

“It is clear now that these claims are false. Not only was this filed in the INEC form with a declaration on oath on December 20 1999, it was also contained in an affidavit of loss sworn to before the High Court of Lagos, Ikeja Registry, December 29, 1998.”

The petition Tinubu has to show proof he attended University of Chicago or he must stand disqualified as the opposition is in possession of his questionable credentials.

“Over the years, the identity of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu has been shrouded in secrecy. In fact, no one can claim to know the identity of the man. Repeated efforts and demands by the general populace and the media to unravel the identity of Asiwaju Tinubu have all proved abortive and unsuccessful,” he wrote.

In his response, Tinubu’s Media Aide, Tunde Ramon, at 9.30pm on Monday said a statement would be issued soon. But as of 10.50pm, he had yet to send the statement.

Ogun State governor, Dapo Abiodun, has appealed to those who lost in the recent All Progressives Congress (APC) primary elections held across the state to remain calm and take the outcome of the elections in good spirit.

This is just as he promised that they would be duly compensated for their show of sportsmanship, acknowledging their resilience.

Abiodun made the promise on Sunday at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, while addressing members of the state executive committee of the party, secretariat staff and some party faithful, to commemorate his 62 birthday and third year in office.

The governor, who recalled his experiences while seeking political office, said he had contested several elections and lost, explaininh that as far as the recent primary elections were concerned, there are no winners or losers.

“We had about 180 people who aspired to go to the House of Assembly, 80 aspired to go to the House of Representatives and I am not even sure of the number of those who wanted to go to the Senate. Of course, out of those who contested, we had those who were serious and those who were obviously comedians.

“I am not an emperor by any chance and this is not my family inheritance. I am holding this position in trust for all the people of this state and I have vowed to be fair, just and equitable and this is my solemn agreement I made between the Almighty God and myself.

“To that extent, I have tried in every way to find a consensus around those to be chosen. I ensured that I consulted the party leadership because this is a democracy. In some instances, the person I actually wanted has not emerged and in some instances, they have, but all of us would not emerge. Regardless of that, I want us to see ourselves as winners and I can assure you that you will be well taken care of”, the governor said.

He, however, appreciated the people for their support and prayers, saying “I have tried with all sense of humility knowing fully well that it is by the grace of God and the collective will of all of you that I am standing here and I will not take it for granted”.

Abiodun, while also acknowledging the contributions of the state
executive members and his staff, he urged them not to relent, but work harder to ensure that the state is well positioned just as he observed that the current administration conducted the most transparent and fairest governorship primary election in the history of the state

The governor said the day of the governorship primary election was triple celebrations as the current administration clocked three years in office and coincided with his sixty two years birthday.

He stressed that those who have supported the party in getting to its present position needs to be appreciated, while those that have lost their lives should also all be remembered.

Abiodun assured that his government would continue to prioritize the welfare of the people by ensuring that programmes and policies are people-oriented.

Due to an alleged incidence of total votes cast exceeding the number of accredited delegates, the Oyo APC primary appeal panel has completed preparations to reschedule the election of the Oyo South primary for Tuesday, May 31, 2022.

The overall number of accredited delegates was 477, while the total number of votes cast was 575.

Despite the fact that 18 delegates were purportedly missing, it is still unclear how 80 extra votes made it to the polling station.

The primary poll, which was originally scheduled on Saturday, was postponed until Sunday due to technical difficulties.

Heavy security was provided on Sunday, prior to the start of the accreditation, and only accredited delegates and aspirants were permitted in.

Despite this, there were still problems in the way the election was conducted, as Adegboyega Adegoke got 53 votes, Bimbo Adekanmbi 98 votes, Sarafadeen Alli who had earlier withdrawn from the primary got 107 votes, Dr Kola Balogun 93 votes, Idris Kola-Daisi 212 votes, Waheed Olajide 2 votes, Rotimi Francis Adeniyi 4 votes while 6 votes were void.

At the end, the presiding officers on Sunday night could not announce the winner of the primaries due to the 20.5 percent over voting.

Recall that Kolapo Kola-Daisi had earlier been announced as the winner of the primary which held on Sunday at the Le Chatteau Event Centre, Bodija, Ibadan.

The Seven (7) aspirants who participated in the contest include — Adegboyega Adegoke, Bimbo Adekanmbi, Sarafadeen Alli, Kola Balogun, Idris Kola-Daisi, Waheed Olajide and Rotimi Francis Adeniyi.

Meanwhile, Adesoji Akanbi and Ayodeji Karim withdrew shortly before the contest commenced.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo state has called on security Operatives especially the Nigerian Police, Oyo state command, to as a matter of urgency investigate Senator representing Oyo Central senatorial district, Teslim Kolawole Folarin, over the alleged assassination attempt on Honourable Shina Peller life noting that such allegation readily confirms its fears about Folarin’s desperation.

It would be recalled that the ruling PDP in Oyo state had earlier cautioned Senator Folarin over what was described as brazen and public flaunt of a double edged sword at a public event in the state earlier in the month.

The ruling party said such disregard for law and decorum by the senator was the height of political rascality born out of Folarin’s unrestrained desperation to be governor of the state by all means including his alleged attempt on his co-partyman, Hon. Peller’s life as well as unleashing terror on anyone on his way.

Oyo state PDP in a press release on Monday May 30, made available to journalists by its State Publicity Secretary, Akeem Olatunji, noted that Senator Folarin’s alleged involvement in the gruesome death of former leader of the proscribed transport union, NURTW, in Oyo state, ‘Eleweomo’ still remains fresh in the minds of many residents especially members of the proscribed union.

The party wondered what business of Governor Seyi Makinde it is as to what happens in the opposition party. It described Folarin as a political neophyte whose disposition to public Office is always “me against them” saying Makinde as the Executive Governor of Oyo state has continued to receive and host top politicians in the opposition party both in the state and entire country stressing that the world has move far past Folarin’s kind of “gutter” politics which could pass for “abula politics”.

While cautioning Folarin to keep Governor Makinde’s name out of his mouth in his political misery the party said Folarin’s penchants for the number one seat was born out of self delusion by thinking he has any political pedigree or character required for such exalted office stressing that late baba Adedibu of blessed memory and the PDP in their bid to groom younger breeds into positions of leadership made him whatever he is today.

The statement added that despite the PDP’s efforts on Folarin’s political career, the lawmaker has yet to learn the rudiments of decorous politics as obtainable and practicable in a twenty first century society across the globe apart from the senator’s usual show of political hooliganism and his ‘jaagba’ politics using thugs and hired political machineries on perceived opponents such as Hon. Peller.

“Senator Folarin has through his conducts and attitude toward politics continued to bring shame and reputational reproach to our political space in Oyo state in the eyes of others from other parts of Nigeria because he has continued to wallow in self delusion and unrestrained desperation for the number one office in Oyo state.

“We know Folarin’s political history and antecedents including his capabilities in terms of relationship with political thugs which was evident in the Eleweomo’s saga. The news of how ‘Eleweomo’ was gruesomely murdered and his alleged link with the incident still remain fresh in our minds till date. We fully understand his disposition and core beliefs as the king of ‘jagba’ politics wherever he goes but we assure him, there will be no place for him to hide this time should he be found culpable in the assassination attempt on Hon. Peller’s life as alleged because this is purely a security matter.

“We’re also not unmindful of Folarin’s unbridled penchants for tying his political woes to Governor Seyi Makinde’s hard earned reputation because it is his best way of getting himself into the news. A politician and a serving senator of the federal republic who has been privileged to be beneficiary of political struggles and sacrifices through sweat and blood of others but still refuses to learn the rudiments of playing decorous politics as obtainable and practicable in other saner clime can clearly pass for a misfit and a total failure.

“Instead of providing the people his three years stewardship so far in the Senate, Folarin continued in his usual manner of political hooliganism of unleashing terror on others perceived to be his opponents especially in his APC. Thank God those boys the whole world know are his political thugs have been apprehended by the gallant security agents, we dare Folarin to deny having connection with them as we await outcome of further investigations by the police.” The PDP stated.