Category: Politics

Some politicians have converged in Kano State to declare their support for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo running for president in 2023.

The event, organised by a political organisation ‘New Tribe’, is taking place at Meena Event Centre, Kano.

Prominent among those attending are Olusola Adeyeye, a former senator for Osun Central, and a member of the House of Representatives for Tarauni federal constituency of Kano, Hafizu Kawu.

The event followed similar one organised by Mr Kawu to urge Mr Osinbajo to contest the presidential election in 2023. Mr Kawu said an Osinbajo presidency would consolidate the achievements of President Muhammadu Buhari administration.

The National Coordinator of New Tribe, Nonso Nnamani, said Mr Osinbajo would be a president for all Nigerians and will consolidate on the achievements of the current administration.

Mr Nnamani said the vice president will be a detribalised president in the new Nigerian project and urged Nigerians to support him as Mr Buhari’s successor.

Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Bode George and one-time military governor of Ondo State has revealed what he will do should former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu emerges Nigeria President in 2023.

George in an interview with Vanguard said he will move away from Nigeria if the former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu emerges Nigeria President in 2023.

George said though Tinubu has a right to contest legitimately and has declared but Nigerians must be very careful.

He appealed to Nigerians to be conscious, saying Nigeria is in a state of hopelessness and helplessness.

He believed that if Tinubu manages the country, Nigerians will regret it.

“…in my part of the world, kingmakers are called afobaje. When you are a kingmaker, you do not throw yourself in the ring and say you want to be king.

“So, by saying publicly that he is a kingmaker and now he wants to be king, it is a fallacy. As Nigerians, we must challenge and x-ray anyone who throws his hat in the ring because when you come out to campaign, you tell people to trust you with the resources of the country for the betterment of the people.

“And so, if you look at his (Tinubu’s) past and all he has done, is he worth throwing tantrums all over the place? It is an insult to us.

“And my party will be ready, it will not be a dog fight, we will centre ourselves on justice, fairness and equity. We must not shy from telling the truth to power.

“I won’t support him. I am talking as a senior citizen in this country. I have nothing personal, this man (Tinubu) does not have what it takes to manage this country. If he does Nigerians will regret it.

“Who is he? In his character, in his name, or educational qualification. What I am telling him is what I know. If Nigerians are dumb enough not to see that and they choose that he is the one they want to put forward as president, I wish them the best of luck. I won’t be part of it here, because he will take the country to the gutters.

“I will move away from Nigeria, I’ll leave because he will be your representative in the international plain.

A 38-year-old female media entrepreneur, Mrs Khadija Okunnu-Lamidi, has declared her intention to seek a political party’s nomination to contest next year’s presidential election.

Okunnu-Lamidi is the daughter of former Federal Commissioner of Works and Housing, Lateef Femi Okunnu (SAN).

She made her declaration while addressing newsmen in Lagos on Friday.

She declared that she had become the arrowhead for the intervention of her generation’s interests across the nation for politics and good governance.

She wants to become Nigeria’s president in 2023.

The eight High Chiefs and Baales crowned by late Governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2017 have dropped their crowns after agreeing to revert to the old system.

The decision was taken at the meeting of the Olubadan-in-Council held at the Oja’ba palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan land, Mapo Hill, Ibadan on Thursday.

The meeting was also attended by coronet-wearing Baales promoted with the High Chiefs as well as some Mogajis.

The Osi-Balogun, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola, who briefed reporters on the outcome of the meeting, explained they supported Governor Seyi Makinde’s decision to revert to the original concept.

He recalled that the process of nominating the next Olubadan, which the kingmakers concluded on Tuesday and passed to the government, was done according to the original concept under reference, disclosing that all the kingmakers signed their respective titles as high chiefs.

He said: “We agreed with the Governor. All the processes leading to the nomination of successor to the late Olubadan were in line with the original concept of line of hierarchy in accordance with the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration.”

Ajibola, who is one of the Kingmakers, posited that commenting on the case in court “is subjudicial” noting ”it has nothing to do with the original concept of hierarchical status in the succession plan to the Olubadan throne.”

He maintained that what was taken to court was an infringement on the fundamental human rights of the respective plaintiffs, asking the court to determine the lawfulness of judging a case in the absence of the direct beneficiaries of the issue in contest.

Ajibola said the Governor could do his job in line with the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration while the case in court, which was adjourned for further hearing, is allowed to run its course.

The new decision will end a four-year controversy over wearing of beaded crown and coronets by High Chiefs selected Baales respectively.

Former Governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba has reacted to statement by a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George describing the Presidential ambition of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a huge joke.

Tinubu, who is the National Leader of All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Lagos State, had declared his interest in contesting the 2023 Presidential Election after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the State House, Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Osoba, who is also a chieftain of APC, said the comment of George was informed by the bitterness he (George) still nurse against Tinubu.

Osoba said George believed that Tinubu had a hand in “his problems.”

George was incarcerated for about two years after he was jailed by High Court in Lagos for corruption charges relating to his tenure as the Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The judgment was upheld by the Court of Appeal, however, George won at the Supreme Court.

Speaking on a television programme, Osoba said Tinubu had a right to express interest in occupying the highest office in the land, which he had done.

He said instead of George having headache over Tinubu’s declaration, he should rather concentrate on how his party, the PDP would also present a Presidential candidate in the 2023 election.

The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has commiserated with Oyo State Government over the death of the ex-Oyo Governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala.

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

“On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos, I commiserate with Oyo State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, sons and daughters of Ogbomoso, people of Oyo State, family, friends and political associates on the death of Otunba Christopher Adebayo Alao-Akala.

“Otunba Alao-Akala was more than a politician. He was a man of many parts who served Oyo State passionately, first as Deputy Governor and later Governor.

“He also did his best in contributing his quota to the growth and development of Ogbomoso as council chairman.

“Otunba Alao-Akala also made his mark in the NPF where he retired as Assistant Commissioner of Police in 1995 before eventually venturing into politics.

“I pray that Almighty God be pleased with his soul, grant him eternal rest, and give his family, friends, and the people of Ogbomoso and Oyo State the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss”.

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of Osun has described the death of former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, as a rude shock.

Similarly, the Governor has also commiserated with his Oyo State counterpart, Engineer Seyi Makinde, over the demise of his predecessor.

Otunba Alao-Akala who served as the governor of Oyo State between 2007 and 2011 died Wednesday morning at his country home of Ogbomoso.

In a statement released by his spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan, Governor Oyetola said he was pained and saddened by the sudden demise of the former Oyo political leader and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC.

The Governor condoled Akala’s family, his political associates, government and people of Oyo State over the unfortunate incident.

He described Akala’s death as a personal loss because the deceased was “a good friend of Osun who was always ready to identify with our government and celebrate our humble accomplishments and achievements.”

Oyetola recalled the laudable role Akala played during the resolution of the age-long battle between Oyo and Osun over the joint ownership of Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, and gracing the State’s 30th anniversary Banquet and Awards which held last year.

He stated that the late Ogbomoso-born politician was an unassuming elder statesman and a seasoned political leader whose reputation is worth emulating, adding that he would be remembered for his Administration’s strides in Oyo.

“On behalf of my family, government and people of Osun, I commiserate with the family of late Otunba Adebayo Christopher Alao-Akala, his political associates, friends as well as the governor and government and people of Oyo State.

“I pray that God grant him eternal rest and watch over the family and loved ones he left behind,” Oyetola said.

The uncertainty over who will be crowned the next Olubadan of Ibadan was laid to rest yesterday, as kingmakers ratified the choice of the Otun Olubadan, Sen. Lekan Balogun.

The kingmakers, who are high chiefs and top members of the Olubadan-in-Council, ratified Balogun’s choice at their meeting held at the Olubadan palace, Oja’ba, Mapo, yesterday.

The meeting was convened by the Ibadan South East Local Government, which is in charge of the Olubadan affairs. It organised the formal meeting through the Olubadan Advisory Council.

The meeting was attended by seven high chiefs – Balogun of Ibadan, Owolabi Olakulehin; Asipa Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole; Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Balogun, Lateef Gbadamosi; Ekerin Olubadan, Abiodun Kola-Daisi; Asipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola and Eekerin Balogun, Olubunmi Isioye.

The Iyalode of Ibadan land, High Chief Theresa Oyekanmi, sent a letter endorsing Lekan Balogun. The Olubadan-elect and Sen. Rashidi Ladoja were absent. There is no Seriki at the moment.

Also in attendance was the Head of Ibadan South East Local Government, Mrs. Grace Aremu, who represented the local government.

A source told The Nation that kingmakers put calls to Ladoja to find out why he was the only one absent without an apology, but the calls did not go through. Lekan Balogun was not expected to attend because he was already nominated.

The Nation gathered that the kingmakers would transmit a letter notifying Governor Seyi Makinde of their decision today.

The letter will be submitted through the local government and the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters.

The kingmakers declined interview with reporters after the meeting. Reporters were also barred from entering the palace.

Entrances leading to the palace were barricaded by policemen, to avoid breach of law and order.

Ladoja’s lawyer, Mr. Michael Lana, had written to Makinde warning him against approving Lekan Balogun’s choice as the new Olubadan, based on the two suits he said were pending in court over elevation of high chiefs by the late governor Abiola Ajimobi in 2017.

The former governor of Oyo State, Chief Adebayo Also Akala is dead.

He died exactly one month after the death of Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oyewumi, joined his ancestors.

As at the time of filing this report details of his death yet to be unravelled, ODUDUWA NEWS learnt that he died in his sleep early hours of today.

May his soul rest in perfect peace. Amen.

The Secretary-General of the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Dr. Kunle Olajide, has said that Bola Tinubu has what it takes to be Nigeria’s president. Speaking with The Guardian in Ibadan, Olajide said Tinubu has given a full account of himself in politics and has widespread support base, which he said is an added advantage.

Olajide said: “He has given a full account of himself. He has a very widespread support across the entire country. He has been in politics for a long time and has done very well in politics. I don’t know why the Yoruba should not support him. Without being immodest, we are about the most sophisticated and liberal in the country.

“Other aspirants from the Southwest are likely to show up and then we have to look at the competence of each one of them, the capacity, character and ability to mobilise support. The Yoruba won’t want to support a failure. So, I think it is too premature now to say categorically what the Yoruba would do.”