Category: Politics

The Peoples Democratic Party PDP has constituted special reconciliation committee for Lagos and Osun States to bring warring factions of the party together and address certain issues before the general elections.

Recall ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier analyzed how crisis rocking the PDP in both Lagos and Osun States continue to wax stronger despite series of meetings called by stakeholders to bring an end to the crisis.

Just two months to Osun State Governorship election, some members of the PDP loyal to Senator Ademola Adeleke had been engaging in war words with members who pitched their tent with Prince Dotun Babayemi who is also a gubernatorial aspirant under PDP.

The party also vowed to reconcile the aggrieved members in Lagos State in order to ensure the victory of the party in the forthcoming general elections.

ODUDUWA NEWS reported yesterday the news of the defection of the former gubernatorial aspirant of APC in Oyo State, Chief Joseph Tegbe to PDP.

It was confirmed to us that Tegbe had earlier been pencilled down to replace Chief Bisi Ilaka a frontline aspirant of the Oyo Central Senatorial District before some notable personalities in the State moved and lobbied the State Governor to thwart the plan in the last of minute.

The recent move of the Chieftain of All Progressives Congress, Joseph Tegbe was said to have been facilitated by a former Speaker of Oyo State and closed ally of Engr. Seyi Makinde, Alh. Monsurat Sunmonu who had perfected the deal of replacing Ilaka for Tegbe as the aspirant of Oyo Central Senatorial District being part of the terms of the agreement in the defection plan.

Meanwhile, Chief Bisi Ilaka having got the clue of been edged out of the senatorial race made a last minute move to save his Senatorial ambition by lobbying some traditional rulers and eminent personalities in the State to beg Gov Makinde to allow him flag the PDP Senatorial ticket return. Series of meeting confirmed to have held to that effect with Gov Makinde who was later persuaded to leave the ticket for Ilaka by making him realize that the collection of the ticket at the last minute would be a total disgrace to Ilaka and may see to the end of his political career.

Makinde in his magnanimity later succumbed to the pressure and yielded to the plea and later gave nod to party leaders to persuade Joseph Tegbe to move to Oyo South and use Oyo South Senatorial ticket as a replacement to the incumbent Senator, Kola Balogun believed by party members to have performed below expectations.

Sources said there is still ongoing unresolved meeting as to whether the camp of Senator Kola Balogun will take it lightly with the Governor on the move to hijack the ticket from him and hand it over to the recently defected Chieftain of APC, Joseph Tegbe.

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Mr Dare Adeleke, has declared that Mogaji Joseph Tegbe cannot contest the 2023 senatorial election on the ticket of the party.

There has been speculations on the senatorial ambition of Tegbe, a governorship aspirant in the 2019 elections on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), since his defection into the PDP, on Wednesday.

While the rumour mill was agog, earlier in the day, that he has been offered the senatorial slot to represent Oyo Central Senatorial District, another unconfirmed report has it that he is being prepared to contest the senatorial election in Oyo South Senatorial District.

Reacting however, Adeleke faulted the acceptance of Mogaji Joseph Tegbe who defected from the APC into the fold of the PDP, ostensibly to displace a staunch member of the party.

Speaking in a telephone interview, on Thursday, Adeleke, who is the Executive Chairman of the state-owned Oyo Pacesetters Transport Services, questioned the identity of the latest entrant into the PDP in the state.

He described Tegbe as a politician without any clout, adding that he has nothing to offer the ruling party in the state, in terms of ensuring its victory in the 2023 elections.

Adeleke said: “Tegbe has no clout, not even in the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he was of little or no relevance and his electoral value is next to zero, compared to Chief Oyebisi Ilaka.

“Chief Bisi Ilaka, has been a lonely lion that weathered the storm with the party. It will be wrong for anyone from another political party to sell a dummy to us now.

“We cannot have a paper weight Tegbe when we already have Chief Oyebisi Ilaka, the Ladilu of Oyo Kingdom, an indefatigable candidate, as affirmed by our leader, Engineer Seyi Makinde.”

Adeleke also described the entrance of Tegbe into the Oyo PDP fold as a move in a bad light, and further asked: “How could we bring a person of no electoral value to our fold?”

He therefore stated that he is of the opinion that some people are hellbent to destroy the party’s hard-earned victory in the state.

“There was never a time His Excellency, Governor ‘Seyi Makinde, invited an APC chieftain that has no value to join us. These people are trying to milk our victory.

“However, we are unperturbed because the drum of disruption cannot change our electoral status which is victory all the way,” he said.

Adeleke again brought up the controversies surrounding the state of origin of Tegbe as he said he may not be from Oyo State.

He said the erstwhile APC chieftain may not be qualified to contest the senatorial election, nothing that same issue was brought up when he sought to contest the governorship election in the state in 2019.

Adeleke said: “I don’t think Tegbe is even from Oyo State. He is actually from Delta State. I have a friend from Itsekiri called Omotsegbe. I wont be surprised if they are from the same clan.

“If people of the state challenged his state of origin in 2019, what has happened between now and then? Why is he coming out to want to contest for the senatorial election when his state of origin is still in doubt?”

The hope of Senatorial candidate under the platform of PDP in Oyo Central, Chief Bisi Ilaka seems to be dashed as Oyo State Gov, Engr. Seyi Makinde has perfected plan to hand over the ticket to the ex-APC Gubernatorial aspirant in Oyo State, Joseph Tegbe confirmed late Tuesday night to have dumped the All Progressives Congress APC.

Like a typical Ibadan man, Joseph Tegbe, an OAU-trained Engineer and a Consultant has been told to move from Ibadan South East in Oyo South to his village in Ona-Ara local government in Oyo Central Senatorial District in order to actualize the senatorial dream.

OyoInsight also confirmed that, the deal was sealed late Tuesday night, after months of intense pressure, a source close to those who secured the ‘transfer’ confirmed.

Tegbe, who became popular after running a less than four months campaign in 2018 until the APC settled for Bayo Adelabu as its governorship candidate, has been pencilled down as the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Oyo central senatorial district, edging out Bisi Ilaka, Makinde’s former chief of staff, who had initially been considered for the ticket.

Monsurat Sunmonu, Tegbe’s ‘big sister’ while growing up in Oyo town where the latter’s father owned a bookshop, was at the centre of the deal.

”APC hasn’t treated him very though I am not happy with his movement. Engr Tegbe has a lot of followers. It will definitely affect our party,” another top stalwart of Tegbe’s former party said.

”That chief of staff position really affected Chief Bisi Ilaka. Before then, he was loved in Oyo, where he had a solid political base but everything went with the position. I pity him but it is what it is. He has contested more than twice,” said a PDP stalwart.

Asked for reaction, a top aide of Tegbe who preferred anonymity, asked this reporter to tarry a while. When he called back, he asked for time, saying that he has not been able to see “Oga.”

”He wouldn’t want it in the media for now. He was pressured. Sen. Monsurat was on his neck. He initially rejected it but the former lawmaker wouldn’t leave him. He has relationship with the governor too. They have met on several occasions,” said another aide.

Lagos Governor told a gathering of Speakers of Houses of Assembly (HoA) at a forum organised by Lagos State House of Assembly in Ikeja on Wednesday. The event’s theme is: “The Legislature, Changing Times and Nigeria’s Democratic Journey”.

Fifteen serving HoA Speakers from States being governed by All Progressives Congress (APC) fully attended the consultative forum, which also had serving Deputy Speakers, serving legislators of States and all former members of Conference of Speakers in attendance.

The frontline presidential aspirant and National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Tinubu, was the Special Guest of Honour at the event.

The attendees unanimously expressed support for Tinubu in his bid to get the party’s nomination to contest for president.

Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu’s leadership capacity had been sufficiently demonstrated, given the tenacity with which the former Lagos Governor rolled out vision and ideas that transformed the sub-national city into a flourishing economy.

He said the forum was held as part of wide consultations embarked on by the APC leader in his bid to win the support of the party members across various backgrounds and camps.

Sanwo-Olu said: “It is not by chance that you all are gathered here today. It is because we agree totally that you all are important stakeholders that need to be engaged and identified with separately from others. You are the real foot soldiers who can go back to the hallowed chambers and pass the message to all members of your respective Houses of Assembly and your former colleagues in the legislature across States.

“Tell them that the man, Asiwaju Tinubu, whom we all look forward to, has reached out and identified with them as important stakeholders in the journey to next political dispensation. We need a fresh breath of leadership at this critical moment in our country. Asiwaju is qualified and competent to provide leadership we desire to see. He has the spirit, capacity, tenacity and the experience to do that for us. As stakeholders, legislators, both current and former, are the critical component that can make this happen for us.”

The Governor said a better and greater Nigeria could be achieved if a detribalised candidate that had been tested with the right leadership capacity was given a collective support to succeed President Buhari and build on the progress recorded by the current administration.

Tinubu acknowledged the nation is endowed with great human capital to experience a true transformation but said premium must be placed on leadership ability of individuals jostling to run for president.

The frontline aspirant said the country he was seeking to build would not be an index of poverty, frustration and banditry, stressing that his qualification to vie for the Number One office in the land was not in question, as his pedigree as a student on Dean List, professional in private sector and his strides as two-term Governor in Lagos stood him out among the aspirants.

Tinubu said: “It is a very challenging time for us in the country and we need to decide the next leadership right. We need to intellectually assess the current situation, bring in a person with a clear vision and ability to deliver. Accelerated development of our country is all about thinking, doing and being courageous. I am a thinker and a doer.

“I was raised with courage and that is what is driving me to push on my vision to create a Nigeria that will work for all. We can build this nation and reverse the carnage. What we need is leadership, the visioner to drive the change we desire. That is why I have presented myself to canvass for your support.”

The APC National Leader said he was prepared to take over the mantle of national leadership legitimately through the ballot, and not making attempts to gain political power passing through the back door.

He said he possessed the capacity to truly transform the country, noting that his administration as Governor of Lagos initiated many unprecedented steps towards lifting the State’s economy.

If given the chance to become the president, Tinubu said he would bring his new capability to bear and transform the potential of the country into a reality.

“As I need Nigeria, the country needs my competence. I have been a good example with shrewd, daring and can-do attitude. And I have never lost a single election,” Tinubu said.

Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures chairman and Speaker of Bauchi State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abubakar Sulaiman, in his response, described Tinubu as “a great leader with character and sacrifice”, noting that the former Lagos Governor placed high premium on the welfare of the party members and citizens.

He said: “Asiwaju Tinubu, we are fully aware of your aspiration to become the president of our country. I give you the assurance that members of the State’s legislative houses will be willing and ready to work with you on this goal. We are behind you in this journey and we, therefore, make request to give us the opportunity to be part of the process.”

A group of supporters in a diaspora have thrown their weight behind the presidential aspiration of Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

The group quoted as saying:

“Yes, the name ‘Adesina’ featuring among the presidential candidates is something of excellent value to our democracy.”

“This nation has been messed up badly. We have gone far into the woods. This APC govt has brought untold pains and hardship. Economy is dead. What Nigeria needs now is a visionary leader that can bring us out of the woods. If as a nation, we don’t get it right by 2023, then, Nigeria is finished.

“If we all love Nigeria, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina is the best man for the job, and not all these cankerworm politicians”

Details have emerged on a meeting between Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo and Senators on the Platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC on Tuesday.

Osinbajo formally briefed the Senate APC caucus over his presidential ambition and sought their support.The briefing, which was part of Osinbajo’s consultations with critical stakeholders, held over Iftar dinner at his official residence at Aguda House within the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting held behind closed doors but the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan who led the APC senators to the Villa told reporters what transpired.

“We had Iftar dinner with His Excellency, the Vice President and thereafter we had brief interaction on our Government and of course on the Vice President’s declaration to run for the presidency of our great country, the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Lawan said.

When pressed further, Lawan said: “naturally, the Vice President told us that he has expressed his interest and that he wanted to consult with the Senate APC caucus.

“He wanted us to hear from his mouth and we did and he was seeking our support in whatever way we can at the appropriate time and we wish the Vice President goodluck in this endeavour.

“But let me assure everyone that the Senate APC caucus and indeed the National Assembly caucus of the APC will continue to work very hard for our great party, the APC, to continue to provide services to Nigerians and also work hard to ensure that by 2023, the next administration is an APC administration at the center and majority of the States in our country, by the Grace of God will be APC.”

The Leadership of Ipob has revealed that a one million march involving Biafra, Oduduwa and Ambazonia will be coming up on the 14th and 15th of June 2022 at the European Union Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

The trio are nations seeking for self determinations. The Biafra people are based in the eastern region of Nigeria who are seeking for independent from the 1914 forceful amalgamated country while the Oduduwa are the yorubas in South West of Nigeria.

Ambazonia is a nation in the southern part of Cameroon who declared their independent on the 1st of October 2017 and since then has involved in arms struggle to liberate it’s nation from the hands of Cameroonian government.

Speaking via the official Twitter handle of The directorate of states, Ipob mazi Chika Edoziem revealed that the protest will be a historic one as it will be the first time such form of protest will be happening from African people!.

“Biafra, Ambazonia and Oduduwa/Yoruba Nation, these three emerging Nations will storm the EU Headquarters in Brussels. Be part of this historical 1 Million Man Match.

The Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), Osun State Chapter, Hon. Samuel Idowu Abiodun, has condemned the killing of the Chairman of the APC in Atakunmosa East-Central Local Council Development Area, Chief Gbenga Ogbara.

ALGON also sympathised with the family of the deceased who was shot dead by yet to be Identified gunmen at his residence in Igangan town in the early hours of today.

The death of the APC Local Government Chairman has thrown the Residents of the town into Mourning.

Reacting to the unfortunate incident, Osun ALGON Chairman, said that the killing of the APC chairman came with rude shock and bewilderment.

“I am personally traumatised by this gruesome and inhuman act that has left myself, other Local Government Chairmen and Secretaries, the APC family, and indeed, all well-meaning people shattered.

“The deceased was known for his rare virtues as an astute politician, grassroots mobiliser, complete gentleman and loyal party man.

“We pray God to console the spouse, child and other members of the family at this trying time”, he said.

Vice President is no longer a member of the Lagos state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), his spokesman, Laolu Akande has confirmed.

Speaking with newsmen on Monday, Akande said Osinbajo who declared his intention to contest the 2023 presidential election on APC platform moved his membership to Ogun state when he revalidated his APC Membership status in Ward One, Ikenne, Ogun State on 9th February 2021.

Prior to his movement, Osinbajo is a chieftain of the Lagos APC with his polling unit at Code 33, Unit 2 Victoria Garden City, Lagos.