Category: Politics

Seven Aspirants contesting on the platform of All Progressive Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election have demanded for the postponement of primary election over alleged parading of Governor Kayode Fayemi appointees, aides and state Assembly members as electoral umpires to pave way for his anointed candidate, Biodun Oyebanji.

The Aspirants in a statement co-signed on Thursday morning said they were shocked when some aides, members of state Assembly and Local government chairmen were given result sheets ahead of election that will be held on Thursday.

The aspirants who expressed shock when aides, appointees, members of state Assembly were listed as electoral umpire in the primary election

The group wondered how could the leadership of the party in the state and Governor Kayode Fayemi throw caution to wind and parade some of his appointees as electoral umpires. They said they were not consulted before the Panel was constituted.

The group therefore implored the electoral Panel from National Headquarters to avert legal tussle that may arise from charade governorship primary election in Ekiti state .

According to the group, among Fayemi’s aide, Assembly members, and local government chairmen that are being paraded as electoral umpires are Kemi Olaleye, Ayo Adegbite, Aribasoye Richard’s, Olu Aladeloye, Barrister Oloje, Deji Ajayi who appeared as ward and electoral officers.

Former Ekiti State chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Bisi Kolawole, has won the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship primary election for the June 18, 2022 guber poll. Efon Alaaye born politician was backed by the former governor of the state, Ayo Fayose.

Kolawole, from Efon Alaaye in the Ekiti Central Senatorial District, was a former House of Assembly member from 2007 to 2011 and Commissioner for Environment under the administration of Fayose between 2015 and 2018.

Seventeen aspirants – Kolawole, Segun Oni, Senator Biodun Olujimi, Prof. Kolapo Olusola, Mrs Olumide Olubunmi, Kayode Adaramodu, Adewale Aribisala, Yinka Akerele, Ogunsakin Ayodeji, Alhaji Lateef Ajijola, Mrs Arogundade Olutoyin, Princess Adekemi Adewunmi from Efon, Mrs Cecillia Ebiesuwa, Mrs Adewumi Adesoye, Mrs Titilayo Owolabi, Mrs Modupe Asaolu and Mrs Deborah Alo – participated in the election.

Kolawole polled 671 votes to clinch the party’s governorship ticket. Segun Oni emerged the second runner-up with 330 votes. other includes Kemi Adewunmi 1 vote, Deji Ogunsakin 6 votes, Kayode Adaramodu 10 votes, Kolapo Olusola Eleka 93 votes, Wale Aribisala 56 votes and 13 votes void

The chairman of the primary election committee and governor of Akwa State, Udom Emmanuel, while kicking off the election said: “It is our expectation that this Ekiti State primary election will be seamless at the time it is completed. We hope to see that the Ekiti State chapter of the PDP elects a widely acceptable flagbearer.”

According to him, the candidate should be able to make the ‘umbrella’ stronger and win the upcoming governorship election in June.

Udom disclosed that the aspirants were properly screened for the election and made to sign a peace pact.

“We are in agreement on strict adherence to electoral guidelines on the conduct of a credible, free and fair gubernatorial primary election in Ekiti.

“We also agreed to observe the protocols laid down by National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) for prevention of Covid-19 transmission,” he said.

Dele Adeleke, an aspirant under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has explained why he is challenging his uncle, Adeleke Ademola Nurudeen for the party’s ticket ahead of the Osun 2022 governorship election.

In an interview with Channels Television, Mr Adeleke said he is more competent than his uncle, who was the governorship candidate for PDP in 2018. He also said that being Senator Adeleke’s nephew should not hamper his aspiration to serve the people of the state.

He stated that running for a political office is more about competence than political alliances and, claiming to be the best candidate PDP can produce to challenge the incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the All Progressive Congress (APC).

“He (Sen. Adeleke) is also aware that I’m running,” he said, noting that his uncle was “shocked” when he informed him about his aspiration to jostle for the PDP’s governorship ticket.

Asked how long he had wanted to pick Osun governorship race, he said he began to nurse the political ambition when he started playing the “engine room role” in the political space of Osun and beyond.

In 2018, Mr Adeleke was the PDP’s Returning Officer during the gubernatorial election in the state, PREMIUM TIMES gathered. He had defended his uncle during the polls, challenging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in courts after the elections.

“I believe all those have actually prepared me for the political landscape of the state,” he said……

‘Call to Service’
He, however, said his aspiration is as a result of the “massive call to service from youth in Osun and different sectors across the state”. He also said some stakeholders have charged him not to shy away from “this social responsibility”.

“And these calls didn’t just start. These calls have been going for long and I have been saying no,” he said. “The truth is that prosperity is there to judge us…….

“What happens if peradventure I do not throw my hat in the race, PDP doesn’t get the opportunity of producing a formidable candidate and the PDP gets to lose this election and Osun State gets worse?”

He added that he would not be able to live with the reality of having the opportunity to make a difference and shying away from it.

Interestingly, Senator Adeleke’s nephew said he will not step down for him in the political race even though he is pressured to do so. He said his nephew should rather step down for him, considering his old age.

“It is time for a generation of shift. It is time for those who are fit and able to deliver,” he said. “The role of leadership or governance, especially in Osun, is a very serious thing.”

Moreover, Mr Adeleke, a financial expert, said his decades of experience in the banking industry would save Osun from its current precarious economic state. He said he believes he is more fit to bring better economic fortunes to the state than any other candidate both in PDP and APC.

“Osun is in a precarious state. Osun is the 10th most indebted state in Nigeria,” he said. “In 2020, Osun paid the sum of 21.6billion as loan repayment. That is the third-largest loan repayment in this country. In fact, our debt per capita is the highest in Nigeria.”

He said even Senator Adeleke knows he is fitter and more prepared for the gubernatorial race……

‘Osun in a precarious State’
In September 2021, Senator Adeleke returned from abroad, publicly declaring his intention to run again for the Osun governorship election.
During a welcome party organised for him in Osogbo, the state capital, he urged Governor Oyetola to start preparing his handover notes, saying his days are numbered on the seat.

“How it’s started”
“I am back and ready to kick start my campaign,” he said. “PDP belongs to everyone, I can’t stop anyone interested in the party’s ticket from contesting it, but l appeal for decency among everyone for peace within the party and the state.”

He also urged interested parties to be modest with their campaigns in the interest of the state and their party…….

“How it’s going”
When Senator Adeleke declared his ambition to run again in 2022, what he did not know was that his nephew was nursing the same ambition.

On December 11, 2021, his nephew, among others in the state, picked the party’s nomination form, expressing his interest to wear his brother’s political shoe.

Others who collected the nomination forms of the PDP were Akin Ogunbiyi, Sanya Omirin, Dotun Babayemi, and Fatai Akinbade…..

The people of Iseyin community under the aegis of Iseyin Development Union gathered at Oyo State Secretariat to appreciate Governor Seyi Makinde over his developmental stride in Iseyin and Oke-Ogun envrions.

Confirming the visitation in a statement made available yesterday by Gov Makinde via his official Facebook account as read in part:

“Earlier today, we received members of the Iseyin Development Union led by their National President, Alhaji Bayo Raji, who paid us a solidarity visit to thank us for the infrastructural development projects executed by our administration in Iseyin and Oke-Ogun.

“While appreciating their show of support, I reminded them that the resources being used by our administration for these projects belong to the good people of Oyo State and that we would continue to use these resources for their benefit.

In a statement on Tuesday, Babafemi Ojudu rejected the idea that anyone closed to Tinubu but against his presidential bid is a traitor.

Ojudu affirmed that Tinubu remains his leader and he would forever cherish him and the contributions he made to his organisation during the fight against the military.

“I have seen a statement made by me, many years ago, to celebrate the 60th birthday anniversary of Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu making the rounds. Yes I did make that statement. And more of such will come in my autobiography. We, together, have seen good days and bad days.”

“I and Bola Tinubu have come a long way and we have been there for each other. So, let no one use my acknowledgment of his good deeds and my refusal not to support him in his bid for Nigeria presidency to portray me as a betrayer.

“Tinubu remains my leader and I will forever cherish him and the contributions he made to my Organisation during our fight against the military.

“He however knows I don’t follow the herd. I make my choices based on very rigid parameters. He will tell you I am very Independent in my actions and ways.

“As a third year university student my dad chose to be in NPN. I never considered the fact that he fed me and paid my school fees to join him in a party I despised. I went to UPN and became a youth leader.

“Tinubu will tell you that whatever and whoever Ojudu is committed to is in for 100 percent commitment. Reasons I did rather faced torture and possible death in General Sani Abacha’s detention than reveal certain things they wanted me to reveal about him.

“We were already made before meeting him and in the cause of relating we gave one another a helping hand. As far back as 1992 when I came to know him I was already one of the editors of a popular news magazine with a good standing too in the civil society. I walked out of my job when our billionaire publisher (Chief MKO Abiola) requested I and my colleagues to apologize to General Ibrahim Babangida over a story critical of the regime. That was 1992.

“When I left that job, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, a man whom I was indebted to greatly (gave me a scholarship in my school days alongside King Sunny Ade) invested in my publishing platform (The News, publisher of PM news). The same one that was consequential in the battle to bring democracy back to Nigeria.

“At the conclusion of that struggle, Chief Fawehinmi insisted we seat out politics. Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu disagreed with this notion, and I did as well. Against an obvious choice to blind loyalty, I went along with Senator Tinubu even serving severally in critical roles as he assumed the Governorship position. My actions angered Chief Gani so much he asked that I repay his investments. Guess what? I gladly did.

“So if my principled stance against NPN, against IBB and against “siddon look” was not betrayal of my father, Chief MKO Abiola and Chief Gani Fawehinmi respectively, why would my principled stance against our leader present ambition be.?

“So, on this matter of 2023 I wish him well but I cannot in good conscience give him my support or cast my vote for him in the coming primary. It is my right. I am above 60 years of age for God sake. I almost died seeking this inalienable democratic rights, held up in detention and severally tortured. Your god is not my god.”

This is the monthly EDITORIAL of Oduduwa News.

Except we are trying to be economical with truth, every political move is characterized by primordial sentiment. Global politics; as modern as it seems to appear is neither immuned against prejudice; thus, the various political permutations, intrigues and schemings. It is a natural law that every human being is a selfish being. In politics, it is assumed that there is no permanent friends. The principle of individual differences sums it up. Whilst, politics is a product of compromise and sacrifice.

The 2023 presidential elections are fast – approaching. The pluralization of the concept; election, should not be seen as a blunder. The elections range from presidency to state and to the legislative houses. However, electorates pay much attention to the presidential election and that is the focus of this editorial; at least, for this moment.

By the calendar released from the office of the national electoral body, the presidential election has been fixed tentatively for February 18, 2023.
In view of this, INEC has mandated all political parties to conduct the process of selecting their candidates within the time frame.

Characteristics of election mood and preparatory to the anticipated election, politicians have swung into action. A serious contestant wastes time at his peril and woe betides any political party that allows internal wrangling to distort the process of picking her candidates.

Regional influence is important to political aspirations of every political party. Charity begins at home. It is practically impossible to jettison cultural identity. Although, the constitution does not place any premium on region, it does not condemn it either. Albeit, Nigeria is a product of amalgamation of hitherto independent micro societies that were coerced into conjugal relationship as a nation. Since the forced marriage, the word; bliss, as been conspicuously missing from ” conjugal bliss”. This however is not the subject of discussion today. It might come hereafter as a symposium for future discussion.

Every democracy is designed to take care of regional interest. This may not be unconnected with the slang: ‘home-grown’ democracy. It is logical to consider the peculiarities of the existing clans.Thus, the unwritten pacts amongst the political parties to rotate presidency along the compass of northern and southern hegemonies. This is wisdom, capable of arousing sense of belonging in such a way that presidency would not be misconstrued to mean the birth right of a region. It becomes more imperative juxtaposing from the periscope of census. If such arrangement was not put in place, certain regions would remain in perpetual advantage over others and power would reside there till eternity.

The south west is a nest of so many astute politicians, intelligent leaders and maverick cum philanthropic mentors. This has been so from the time immemorial. South west is arguably the seat of political juggernauts, filled with star-studded erudite professors of politics who have at various times tested and trusted.

The newest of them is not the least experienced. He betrode the national politics like a colossus. His actions since his assumption of office have become the templates for political reference and a parameter for gauging standard governance. Engineer Seyi Makinde has, by his welfare programmes become the toast of not only Oyo state but a voice at national level. Governor Akeredolu has done creditably well in curtailing the excesses of marauding herdsmen. Security is the first in hierarchy of Maslow’s taxonomy of needs. Dr. Fayemi has brought his experience as a student of history, international relations and knowledge of war studies to bear in Ekiti state. We cannot forget so soon, the midas touches of Babatunde Fasola that turned Lagos into a mecca of some sort. Tinubu does not earn the appellate of Asiwaju on a platter of gold but through his political dexterity and his ability to discover young breed politicians and nurture talents irrespective of their states of origins. Professor Osibajo is a legal luminary whose style of governance in his capacity as acting president when the occasions called for it has become a household name. Former Governor Fayose is ever reliable and dependable. The list is endless.

The constitution of the federation confers the right to vote and be voted for on all interested Nigerians. However, with the clamour that power should rotate to the South, throwing different hats to the rings would limit and adversely affect the chances of the west. As it is, the northern oligarchy has agreed in principle to allow power shift to the south.The geographical definition of the south encompasses the three southern areas of south-west, south-east and south-south. This invariably gives these sub-regions the liberty to vie for the plum job.

Southwest Presidency is feasible.The emergence of a candidate for an election comes in various versions. According to president Buhari, the flagbearers of a political party could be determined through direct primary election, indirect primary election and consensus.The president made this postulation while establishing the ‘raison’ behind his decision to veto the controversial direct bill transmitted to his office from the national assembly.

Of the three methods, consensus is the most amicable method. It is characterized by persuasions and capable of eroding animosity, disenfranchisement, “anti-partyism”, and a host of disaffections capable of tearing the party into shreds. It is on this basis that this month’s editorial of Oduduwa News is admonishing the politicians of south west origin to forge a common front irrespective of political affiliation.

With the pendulum oscillating along the axis of west and east, there is the logic for the south west to search for a common identity.

This search should be of interest to all and sundry. The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural group should take the initiative. A micro screening exercise could be conducted in reminiscences of option A4 of 1993 general elections. Grievances are bound to arise from such arrangement but this could be resolved by our revered traditional rulers. In furtherance of this noble course, all other individuals nursing grudges needs to be reconciled in the spirit of oneness. Personal aggrandizement and innuendos are impediment to the spirit of collectivism.This is one area that distints the north from others. No perennial political foes. The vituperation is unnecessary. We need not embark on self-exile on the political aspirations of anyone.

On a finality, no effort should be spared to do everything humanly possible to resolve differences. Our different opinions should not becloud our philosophy of yorubanism and severe our blood ties; otherwise the yearning for political shift to the south might eventually turn to a mirage.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila has said the possession of a minimum of secondary school certificate or its equivalent by persons seeking election into public offices is no longer in tandem with the realities of today’s world.

He has therefore called for the amendment of Section 131 (d) of the 1999 Constitution to raise the minimum requirements for persons seeking elective public offices.

Gbajabiamila made the disclosure yesterday while delivering lecture organized by the Students’ Union of University of Lagos, UNILAG

According to the Speaker, the provision contained in the constitution was a product of a different time and not a reflection of the demands of today.

He said it is imperative that there is change to that provision in our constitution in order to meet up with changing and dynamic world.

Governors of the ruling All Progressives Congress APC rose from their meeting Sunday night in Abuja with a resolution to go ahead with the national convention of the party in February.

No fewer than 20 of the governors were at the meeting which took place behind closed doors at the Kebbi state Governor’s Lodge in the Asokoro District of Abuja. The meeting ended at about 11:30 pm.

The governors were said to be divided as to whether to go on with the convention in February shift it to a later date.

Among governors in attendance at the meeting were Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Rotimi Akeredolu (Ondo), Nasir el-Rufai (Kaduna), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abubakar Sani Bello (Niger), Mohammed Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Bello Matawalle (Zamfara) and Dave Umahi (Ebonyi).

Others were Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), Babajide Sanwoolu (Lagos), Simon Bako Lalong (Plateau), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mai Mala Buni (Yobe), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Ben Ayade (Cross River), Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq (Kwara), Babagana Zulum (Borno), Abdullahi Umar Ganduje (Kano), Abubakar Atiku Bagudu (Kebbi) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti).

Briefing journalists at the end of the meeting, Chairman of the Forum and Kebbi state Governor, Abubakar Atiku Bagudu said the forum passed a vote on confidence on Gov. Buni and two other governors in the Caretaker Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee – Abubakar Sani Bello and Gboyega Oyetola.

He said the governors also agreed to go ahead with the national convention slated for February.

He however did not give a specific date, saying the CECPC would have to consult with other stakeholders so harmonize all positions and announce a suitable date.

Former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has arrived the city of Ogbomoso in company of Kwara state Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRasaq.

Tinubu who was received by the Minister of Youth and Sport Development, Sunday Dare, paid a condolence visit to the family of Late former governor of Oyo state, Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala.

The APC chieftain who arrived in a private chopper was also well received by the family of the late Alao-Akala.

Details later.