Category: Politics

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The National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu, said on Thursday that he is in the race for the 2023 Presidency to bring hope and effect the changes the country desires.

The former governor of Lagos State said this in Ado-Ekiti during a consultation with members of Ekiti Traditional Council.

The APC national leader said the country was in dire need of a leader who could unite the people, tackle insecurity and bring about the desired socio-economic development.

He said the consultation with the traditional rulers was in furtherance of his 2023 presidential aspiration and to get the prayers and support of the royal fathers.

Mr. Tinubu said he decided to meet with the traditional rulers because of the respect he placed on culture and tradition.

“We have struggled for democracy and today we have democracy but we are not stable yet. By now we should have a good farming system and opportunities to produce for other nations to buy.

“We chose democracy and we must not fail in this task. I’m in this race to renew the hope and make the future great for our children.

“For Nigeria to stand united and develop, we require patience and wisdom. We have to be united, that is the only way we can be great. That was why we formed APC based on principles.

“I want to tell you that Nigeria needs serious change. I knew how Lagos was when I took over and we had never failed any election”, he said.

He said there must be continuity in governance for progress to be attained.

“I was the first governor in Nigeria to start paying the WAEC fee of secondary school students. I shall do it again as a President,” he said.

Mr. Tinubu said he was not new to contesting for the seat of the nation’s topmost position, saying he has been on the Nigeria project since the 70s.

“I was with MKO Abiola in SDP. I was a senator before he came out. I was the youngest senator of that era.

“We believed that there must be democracy in Nigeria, there must be freedom and there must be opportunities.

“We have to collaborate, unite and promote ourselves instead of fighting. We all see what is happening in Ukraine today, we don’t need such experience here”, he said.

Dayo Adeyeye, the National Chairman of South-West Agenda 2023 for Tinubu Presidential Ambition, (SWAGA), said Mr Tinubu has made great investment toward promoting the development of Ekiti state.

“That APC is in Ekiti today is traceable to God and Tinubu. He struggled for it and restored progressive politics here. He has made many Ekiti people commissioners, Special Advisers and local government chairmen in Lagos.

“Tinubu honoured our own hero in Ekiti, Adekunle Fajuyi by building a house for him. He has helped so many people, including myself.

“Tinubu brought a paradigm shift to governance in Lagos. In fact, he is a miracle worker.

“As a governor of Lagos State, he was ranked first and no wonder he remained the last man standing when the then AD lost grip of the Southwest”, Mr. Adeyeye said.

Responding, Gabriel Adejumo, the Onisan of Isan-Ekiti and Chairman of the Ekiti Traditional Council, said the constitution permits every qualified Nigerian to aspire for any position.
He prayed for God’s guidance and protection to help Mr. Tinubu realise his ambition.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Mr Tinubu was accompanied to the meeting by Ekiti State Deputy Governor, Bisi Egbeyemi, and members of SWAGA from the 16 Local Government Areas of the state. (NAN)

Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi has congratulated the general overseer of Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye at 80.

In a statement released by the governor via his official Facebook account as read in part:

“On this occasion of your 80th birthday, I join your numerous well-wishers around the world to celebrate your life and legacy.

“I use this opportunity to pay tribute to your personal life and ministry, and to celebrate you on account of your character of modesty, humility, and integrity which you have consistently demonstrated through decades of service to God and country.

“The power of your personal example modelled for millions to pattern their lives after has become a reference point for many of your followers around the world.

“I also celebrate your impact as a true servant of God whose ministry has been blessed with the evidence of good fruits that abide. I am particularly grateful that you have extended the reach of your ministry beyond your membership, and carried out many interventions addressing crucial social issues in the sociely at large, making your impact felt as the salt of the carth by contributing to the peace and development of our great country Nigeria, and others around the world.

“Last but not the least, I thank you for the privilege of access to you, and the fatherly guidance you have availed me for many years. I thank you for your warm reception at the various times I had the opportunity to meet you, and for your gracious visitations to Ekiti State, to pray for us, and counsel us in the ways of the Lord.

“My wife Bisi and I, on behalf of the Government and People of Ekiti State, celebrate a true servant of God and a perfect Christian gentleman, and wish you many more years of good health, impact and bliss”.

The Ukrainian army said on Tuesday that it had shot down several Russian fighter planes as Russia’s invasion of its neighbour country entered its sixth day.

Five Russian fighter planes and a helicopter were shot down during aerial attacks on Monday, the Ukrayinska Pravda newspaper and the Ukrainian air force reported.

The planes were reportedly shot down during aerial attacks on the cities of Vasylkiv and Brovary in the area surrounding Kiev, and a cruise missile and a helicopter were shot down near Kiev.

Ukrainian warplanes reportedly fired missiles and bombs at Russian tanks and troops near Kiev and close to the city of Zhytomyr.

Bombs were reportedly dropped in the northern region of Chernihiv and the southern Ukrainian city of Berdyansk, currently under Russian control.

Meanwhile, satellite imagery has shown a convoy of Russian military vehicles estimated to be 64 kilometres long heading towards the Ukrainian capital Kiev, according to Ukrainian news agency UNIAN.

More than 100 civilians have already died during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to the UN.

Ukraine’s government puts the civilian toll at more than 150.

A human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has officially joined the presidential race ahead of the 2023 general elections.

The activist disclosed the development in a post on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday morning.

According to SaharaReporters, Sowore is expected to contest on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC).

Recall that the activist, while accusing the President Muhammadu Buhari’s government of arresting and slamming fresh charges against him, stated that he would soon officially declare his presidential ambition.

“They took me to their detention when they were tired; they came and call me that I should be going home.

“So I’m heading home now, no reason to worry, we know why this is happening, they are afraid of the future, they are afraid Sowore will declare very soon and become the president of Nigeria; you can’t stop me”, he said in a post on his social media handle.

Following the completion of construction work at the Olaiya Flyover in Osogbo and the subsequent certification of the iconic project by the appropriate construction and engineering authorities, the government of Osun has formally opened the facility for public use.

The State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, opened the facility on Monday, after leading some members of his cabinet to perform a ‘test running and first ride’ on the bridge to attest to the certifications of the construction engineers and professionals for effective and efficient utilization.

It will be recalled that the State government, early last year, commenced the construction of the flyover as part of measures to address traffic and safety issues along the axis.

While fielding questions from journalists shortly after the test running exercise, Governor Oyetola hailed the residents of Osogbo for their patience and understanding throughout the period of the construction of the project.

He said the flyover was opened for use in fulfillment of his Administration’s commitment to alleviate possible hardship the closure of the area might have caused motorists and other road users during the construction period.

He also reiterated the Adminstration’s commitment to continue to raise the bar of infrastructural development and advance the socioeconomic activities of the people of the State.

Governor Oyetola who described the bridge as iconic and beautiful in view of its state-of-the-art aesthetics, assured of adequate maintenance of the facility.

He added that security measures had been put in place particularly around the bridge, to ensure safety for all, adding that no effort would be spared to continue to guarantee the security of lives and property of the citizens.

Speaking on the innovation and creativity his administration has introduced into governance in the State, Oyetola assured that none of the projects embarked upon by his government would suffer any form of setback due to financial constraint.

He said the Administration had since inception, embarked on a financial rescue mission which had given birth to creativity in governance and financial re-engineering to continuously do much out of little.

He reassured his readiness to continue to place premium on the people’s welfare and general well-being, saying that the Alternative Projects Funding Approach had been creatively employed as breakthrough to infrastructural and socio-economic development.

“I commend our people particularly the people of Osogbo and specifically residents of this area and those whose source of livelihood hinged on this area, for their patience, perseverance and tolerance that had helped to ensure the success of this project.

“I commend the contractor and the people of the State particularly the traders for their unflinching support to our Administration in general and for their high sense of understanding that had culminated into the successful completion of this project.

“We are not doing the commissioning yet, what we are doing is to open up the bridge for vehicular movement. I commend the Ministry of Works and internal and external consultants for the thorough supervision they have done to ensure quality delivery.

“I want to enjoin the road users to continue to observe precautions and put the infrastructural facilities into good use. They should see this as theirs which must be properly maintained and treasured.

“I use this occasion to commend our party members for believing in us as being demonstrated in all we do, it is our hope that our party and government would continue to wax stronger and stronger”, Oyetola added.

In her remarks, the immediate past Deputy Governor of the State, Mrs. Titilayo Laoye Ponle, lauded the Governor’s noble foresight that had brought about the construction of the flyover.

She said the project has given the capital city a facelift of development thus adding value to the socio-economic life of the people of the State capital in particular and the State in general.

Mrs Ponle who is an indigene of Osogbo said “our people are extremely happy and very grateful to the Governor for doing this for us because the flyover is the first of its kind in our dear State.

“This would in no doubt advance the socio-economic activities in Osogbo and by extension the entire State. It will also alleviate the traffic that we usually experienced at this junction and it will promote businesses and the economy of our State.

“As you can see, our people are excited because the flyover didn’t only advance the economy but also adds beauty to the city, before today, our people have been going there to take pictures. So, we want to appreciate the Governor for deeming it fit to do this for us. We love him, we appreciate him and we want to assure him that Osogbo is for Oyetola as he is for us and by July 16, by the grace of God, he will emerge victorious”, she added.

Two persons have lost their lives while many people also sustained injuries in the ongoing People’s Democratic Party ad-hoc delegates Congress in Osun State.

The State Police Public Relations Officer Yemisi Opalola confirmed this to Journalists in Osogbo.

According to her, One Toheeb Mutallib was confirmed killed at ward 14 Oke-Oba, Agberire in Iwo Local Government Area, while another party member identified as Aremu Olamide was also killed in Ipetumodu, Ife-North local government area.

It was also confirmed by eye witnesses that many party members sustained various degrees of injuries as thugs attempted to disrupt the exercise in many council areas including, Ede, Osogbo, Odo-Otin, Olorunda, Iwo, among others.

A car was also set on fire in Ipetumodu following clash between some political thugs in the town.

Journalists were not allowed into the venue while some party chieftains arriving the venue with results were also barred from entry by security details.

The three ad-hoc delegates from each of the 332 wards that make up the state would participate in the party’s Governorship primary election of the party on the 7th of March.

However, while a Chieftain of the party loyal to Wale Ojo said there was parallel Congress, the Director of Publicity of the party said no parallel Congress took place.

Eight months after the invasion of Igangan town in Ibarapaland by suspected herders and armed bandits , the Oyo State House of Assembly has appealed to Governor Seyi Makinde to fulfill his promise to the victims of the ill-fated attack.

The appeal was contained in a motion brought to the House on Tuesday by Hon. Peter Ojedokun representing Ibarapa North/Central State Constituency.

Hon Ojedokun in the motion recalled that aside from the series of attacks experienced by Igangan last year, the town was invaded on the 5th of June, 2021 leaving many deaths and houses, shops, filling stations and vehicles including lorries loaded with goods razed completely.

The Palace of the Asigangan of Iganganland was also burnt down in the wake of the attacks.

The House in the resolution appreciated Governor Makinde for his prompt intervention through the deployment of security agencies to the town, the free treatment giving to those injured in the attack as well as the presentation of cash to the families of the Amotekun Commander and four others killed in the attack.

The motion read in part ” The severity of the attack and the magnitude of the damage and destruction has no doubt brought untold hardship to the victims and their families and has negatively affected their businesses and means of livelihood hence the need for Governor Makinde to put measures in place to compile the list of victims of the attack and provide succor and assistance for them in line with his promise”

The House also urged the Oyo State Government to make credit and loan facilities available through the Ministries of Women Affairs and Social Inclusion, Trade , Investment, Cooperatives and Industry to businessmen and women as well as other individuals who lost their goods and properties during the attack.

The lawmakers equally appealed to the Oyo State Government to work through the Ministry of Public Works and Transport as well as Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters towards rebuilding the palace of the Asigangan burnt by the assailants.

The Oyo State House of Assembly called for all round security surveillance especially in areas already identified as flashpoints in Iganganland to nib any of such future attacks in the bud while also commending the Nigeria Police Force, Oyo State Security Network Agency (Amotekun) and other security Agencies for making the town and indeed the whole of Ibarapaland safe again.

Shina Peller, a member of the house of representatives, says for “desirable change” to take place in Nigeria, the country must change its style of politics.

The lawmaker said political godfatherism and imposition of candidates “should be discouraged and jettisoned”.

Speaking at the launch of the ‘We2geda Movement’ on Saturday in Lagos, Peller said there is a need for a new system of politics.

The lawmaker, who is the national coordinator of the movement, said godfatherism and the imposition of candidates on the people must be discouraged in order to build institutions.

“Our lamentation about the lack of good leadership in Nigeria has been going on for a very long time with no desirable change,” he said.

“What we must take note of is that we can’t achieve the change that we so desire by fighting the present reality, we must build a new system that will make the present system obsolete.

“You may want to ask, how do we achieve this? Yes, we can address and achieve this by changing our style of politics of anointing and imposing candidates on the electorates. We are now in a century where political godfatherism and imposition should be discouraged and jettisoned.

“It is high time we focused on building strong institutions that will last forever rather than powerful individuals who have turned themselves to gods on earth.

“This is exactly what We2geda Movement aims to achieve, and though we know it is a very difficult, we are very optimistic that with the continued support and cooperation of great minds that make up the movement, we’ll achieve it.

“Fellow young vibrant Nigerians, it is very important that we are very strategic in our approaches, actions and activities if truly we want to make a positive change.”

Kashin Ibrahim-Imam, chairman of the board of trustees (BoT) of the movement, said future generations would benefit from the move to reform the country’s political system.

“Money politics have done great disservice to us. We need more hands to solve this problem. The founding fathers were not thinking of creating Nigeria for Nigerians but for Africans,” he said.

“This is an opportunity presented to us; hence, If you think this is about us you are missing it. It is not about us but our unborn generation.”

Linus Okorie, a former house of representatives member, 2baba Idibia, Kenny Blaq and Broda Shaggy were some of the notable people present at the event.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, on Saturday, empowered his constituents again at the Surulere 1 federal constituency in Lagos State, where he distributed several items to beneficiaries.

At a constituency outreach programme held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere, education grants were given to a total of 351 students in public tertiary institutions across the country, while 1,020 secondary school principals and teachers were given laptops for ease of teaching.

Also, 145 automobiles, ranging from fully equipped medical ambulances, security vehicles and gadgets, new school buses initiative and e-hailing cars were distributed to some beneficiaries.

The event, attended by the Lagos State APC Chairman, Hon. Cornelius Ojelabi, the former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Femi Pedro, former Minister, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, and members of the Governance Advisory Council (GAC), witnessed the presentation of financial support to 1,596 existing/prospective small scale entrepreneurs and business owners in the Surulere 1 constituency.

This came 24 hours after the speaker inaugurated several ICT centres and newly renovated school buildings around Surulere.

Speaking at the occasion, Gbajabiamila said the event was organised to appreciate and witness the benefits of the interaction between a legislator and his constituents.
Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila
“Our responsibility as legislators is to feel the pulse of our constituents and work to address their needs. I have always had a passion for education and have tried to focus on touching the lives of students and teachers in our constituency.

“This follows the numerous infrastructural projects we have attracted to this constituency and neighbouring constituencies. From roads to new hospitals, from ICT infrastructure in all public tertiary institutions to facilitating numerous employment for our youth, as well as numerous political appointments for improved representation of our people in government.”

He added that: “We have also succeeded in lighting up all the streets in Surulere thereby improving the night-life economy, security and safety of our constituents. In the area of sports development, we have facilitated the construction of numerous mini-stadia. We are working to do more and attract more projects to our constituency and beyond.”

The speaker paid tribute to one of his constituents, Mr Saheed Okunu, who was a beneficiary of an e-hailing car at the last outreach in 2020, and who “has used that car to improve his life, purchased another car from his thriving e-hailing business and I am glad to use him as a shining example to some of you who might have conceived the idea of selling your cars.”

He announced that Mr Okunu would be encouraged with another e-hailing car to boost his growing business.

“E-hailing cars have become a popular enterprise around the world and even in Nigeria, it is proving to be very popular and a means of growing income”, Gbajabiamila said.

He also expressed satisfaction that all the secondary school teachers in the Surulere 1 constituency had the benefit of the e-learning gadget distributed at the event.

“My prayer is that these interventions will, in one way or the other, not only positively improve the lives of our people but also our future.

“I remain committed to the attraction of more laws and interventions that will improve the lives of citizens, as well as more infrastructural projects, employment and empowerment of our people,” he said.

Dignitaries at the event, who gave goodwill messages l, were full of praises for the speaker whom they saluted for all he had done for the constituency.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, one of the top contenders for the APC’s Presidential ticket, Today Sunday 20th February 2022, paid a courtesy visit to Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, in his word Tinubu Said ” Kabiyesi, you have been my adviser and you always tell me the truth.

I have come here today to tell you that I need your cooperation, blessings and prayer on my ambition to become the president of Nigeria.

Tinubu, while speaking on his political journey so far, said he had sacrificed alot and that it is the right time for his political associates rally round him in his course to become the President of Nigeria come 2023.

Tinubu was quoted as saying “I had obtained and filled the INEC form to go to the Senate, then I realised that I have a Governorship candidate, Mr Babatunde Fashola and Obasanjo was the President, determined to win Lagos state.

I told myself, ‘if I go ahead I will strive to win my seat while leaving Fashola to his fate’. Then one morning I called Ganiyu Solomon and told him to follow me to Abuja, we landed and off we went to INEC office, withdrew my form and handed him another form. Ganiyu was shocked, he asked me for what sir, I said fill the form, he did and that was how I was able to concentrate in the Governorship election, Fashola won and Gani also won his seat. We must make sacrifices,”

In Alaafin Iku baba yeye reply” We have given you our real prayers because you came first and my ancestors have heard this today, THE DESIRE OF YOUR HEART COME 2023 WILL BE REALISED”