Oduduwa News

At least, nine men suspected to be kidnappers, have been apprehended in Ogun State, ODUDUWA NEWS reports.

The Ogun State Police Command said the suspects were “members of a notorious kidnap syndicate terrorising residents of Ogun State.”

The command’s spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, said the syndicate used to operate along the Abeokuta-Ayetoro road, where many residents had been kidnapped and made to pay millions in ransom.

According to Oyeyemi, the suspects were arrested Sunday at their hideout in Abule Oba, off Ayetoro Road, Abeokuta.

They were captured by policemen, who Oyeyemi said, were supported by local hunters, operatives of the So-safe Corps, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), the Amotekun Corps and local vigilantes.

Oyeyemi identified the suspects as Hammed Taiwo, Kehinde Jimoh, Ali Morandu, Sanda Aliu, Umar Sanda, Usman Mohammed, Usman Abubakar, Umaru Ahmadu and Umaru Momodu.

Lagos Reporter’s gathered that the suspects’ arrest followed credible intelligence at the disposal of policemen at Sabo/Ilupeju divisional headquarters.

The police had garnered information that two of the suspects, Hammed Taiwo and Kehinde Jimoh, were the kidnappers’ errand boys, operating on motorcycles.

He disclosed that the suspects were sighted somewhere in the Rounder area of Abeokuta North, to where the DPO of Sabo/Ilupeju, SP Mustapha Opawoye, quickly mobilised his men and got them arrested.

During interrogation, Oyeyemi said the duo of Taiwo and Kehinde confessed to being part of the syndicate, “but their own role is to run errands and watch the environment to prevent law enforcement agents from getting to them unawares.”

Their confession, Oyeyemi explained, led to the discovery of the group’s hideout at Abule Oba, “where they always meet after collecting ransom from their victims.”

“Having discovered the hideout, the DPO mobilized his men, So-safe corps, OPC men, local hunters and men of Amotekun corps and subsequently stormed the place where all the nine members of the syndicate were arrested,” Oyeyemi said.

It was learnt that some kidnap victims have identified the suspects as their abductors.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, has ordered the immediate transfer of the suspects to the Anti-kidnapping section of the State CIID, appreciating the security agencies for the success of the intelligence-based operation.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo on said that he would be betraying Nigerians if he failed to contest for president.

Osinbajo stated this in Akure, the Ondo State capital when he visited Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to expressed his intension to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari in 2023.

Osinbajo disclosed that he decided to contest for the president because he had learnt a lot and made many contacts both within the country and at international level.

He admitted that he was given responsibilities by President Buhari to run the affairs of the nation as an acting president.

The vice president disclosed that President Buhari only charged him to be fair and just while in charge.

He, therefore, said the nation needed a serious service to get it out of the doldrums.

According the vice president, “It’s an opportunity to be called to public service. This is most valuable thing we can add to our society. It’s a privilege to be called to serve”

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that the new Party Secretariat of the All Progressives Congress APC in Lagelu Local Government area of Oyo State was attacked by some hoodlums where several properties belonging to the party were destroyed.

A party Chieftain, Chief Timothy ‘Kunle Sanda, who described the destructive attacks carried out on the new office of the party as a condemnable development, said the attack was a plot by some people to reintroduce violence into the politics of the state ahead of the 2023 general election.

The attack coming few days after the recent visitation by the Vice President of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo to Ibadan where he met the national delegates of the party in Oyo State.

The facility, which was recently acquired for use as the new Party office of the APC, is located at Iyana Church area of Iwo Road and it was slated for commissioning later this week. But reports have it that some unidentified armed men visited the place late in the evening of Saturday and carried out attacks which resulted in the vandalization of the building as well as several items they found around.

While speaking on the incident; the APC Zonal Chairman for Ibadan Less City, Chief Kunle Sanda, told our correspondent in a phone conversation that “the violent attacks were the handiwork of some political desperados who felt uncomfortable about the efforts of the opposition party to reclaim power in the state in 2023″.

“From our preliminary investigation, we gathered that the attackers visited the new office twice on Saturday with a mission to destroy everything there. They first came around 9pm with a rickety taxi cab which they drove recklessly with a view to causing panic. It was when they came the second time at around 11pm that they carried out their nefarious attacks on the facility.

“We have taken necessary actions by reporting the development to the appropriate security agencies. However, we would like to state that all those responsible for the cowardly acts would be fished out and made to answer for their crime the damage they did was too enormous to be overlooked.” Chief Sanda said.

Another APC Stakeholder in Lagelu LGA, Hon. Sikiru Adebayo, expressed dismay over the level of destruction carried out on the office by the attackers. He alleged that the same set of people who move around the state capital (Ibadan) to destroy billboards belonging to members of the APC and other opposition parties were responsible for the ugly incident.

His words; “I have no doubt that the militias of the ruling party who work under the supervision of their known chief thug are carried out the dastardly act. They had sounded a note of warning to some artisans who were engaged to fix the structure earlier in the week as they could not hide their dissatisfaction with an opposition party opening an office in that place. Nevertheless, we are not discouraged by their antics and I can assure members of the general public that all attempts to overrun our party before the next general election would be successfully resisted.

Adebayo who is a former Special Assistant (Political) to Late Sen. Abiola Ajimobi in the last administration, then called on the relevant security agencies to begin a clampdown on all political thugs being employed by the PDP “for the sole aim of returning Gov. Makinde to office for the second term in office in 2023″.

The Media expert and former Special Adviser to Senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District, Senator Kola Balogun, Mr. Rotimi Johnson Ojasope has dumped Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP in Oyo State.

This was contained in a statement made available today by himself via his Official Facebook account as read in part:

“I was living in denial and dreaded this moment but it’s a sad reality; I struggle so hard to climb the ladder but only got to the last step before discovering the ladder was leaning on the wrong building.

“Today, I withdraw from the Oyo State PDP and step aside from partisan politics until I am fully persuaded otherwise. I know thousands of you look up to me, particularly the young folks but according to Bishop David Oyedepo; “How long you’ve been on a wrong journey doesn’t guarantee arrival at the right destination”. I apologize for the pains, disappointments and inconvenience this decision might cause many of you; forgive and just pray for me but please don’t pity me. I also apologize for the quarrels, disputes, unpleasantness that happened in the cause of working and loving someone who despises me; I am very sorry for being blinded and deafened by passion and love, howbeit unappreciated, so much that I ignored your warnings and admolitions. I take full responsibility for how it has turned out and pressing the exit button is a self preservation move.

“I will remain my political self but without party affiliation for now.
Thanks for the love and support I have enjoyed from all of you, which you generously expressed irrespective of political and religious affiliations; I hope these won’t wean in the coming days.

“QUOTE: “One’s dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it can never be taken away unless it is surrendered.” —Anonymous

The Lord is the Almighty; he’s my portion in the land of the living”.

The group noted that Christians have had their two terms and that it is the turn of Muslims to produce the Lagos governor in 2023.AMuslim rights advocacy group, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has opposed the endorsement of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for a second term.

The group noted that Christians have had their two terms and that it is the turn of Muslims to produce the Lagos governor in 2023.

MURIC’s position was stated in a statement on Monday signed by the director of the organisation, Professor Ishaq Akintola.

The statement reads: “Leaders of the ruling party in Lagos, the All Progressives Congress (APC), last week endorsed the incumbent governor of the state, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for a second term in office for the 2023 gubernatorial election.

“Unfortunately, this endorsement violated a long-standing albeit unwritten rule on rotational governance between Christians and Muslims in Lagos State.

“It is on record that ex-Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, a Christian, spent four years in office and another Christian, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, was brought in ostensibly to complete the Christians’ two terms which expire by May 2023, when a Muslim, ceteris paribus, is expected to take over the reins of office.

“That is why Muslims in Lagos State regard the recent endorsement given to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to run for the Christians’ third term as unfair, unjust and provocative.
“It may not be known in official circles but Lagos Muslims are grumbling and we have been under pressure for some time now to speak up.

It is a dangerous dimension capable of eliciting protest bulk vote against the ruling party unless the issue is ironed out at a roundtable between leaders of the party, the Lagos State Government (LASG) and Lagos Muslims.

“For the avoidance of doubts, MURIC has no intention of hijacking control of the Muslim community in the state. We always recognise established leadership structures wherever they exist and Lagos Muslims have that structure.

“The Muslim Community of Lagos State which is under the able leadership of Professor Tajudeen Gbadamosi is the appropriate body to meet for the purpose of negotiating with Lagos Muslims. All Islamic organisations in Lagos State are under this body. The onus is therefore on LASG and leaders of the ruling party to reach out to the Muslim Community of Lagos State.

“MURIC rejects exclusivism in matters of governance. Lagos Muslims are taxpayers and key stakeholders in issues affecting the welfare of Lagos citizens. We must therefore be consulted on matters of governance.
“We refuse to be blindfolded on the way to the polling booth.

Neither shall we be satisfied just as voters; we must also be voted for. That is the essence of democracy. It must be participatory. The choice of candidates and leadership must not be lopsided in a democracy. Every segment of society must be consulted.

“We, therefore, fault the process that led to the emergence of the incumbent governor as the flagbearer of the ruling party in the coming gubernatorial election. 2023 belongs to Muslims in Lagos State.

Any deviation from this must be properly negotiated.
“For instance, if the Christians are going to enjoy the luxury of a third term by giving Sanwo-Olu the mandate to run for a second term, an agreement must be reached with Lagos Muslims guaranteeing twelve years of Muslim rule after Governor Sanwo-Olu. Anything short of this is tantamount to an attempt to shortchange Muslims in the state.”

“The narratives have changed. Muslim leaders are no longer satisfied with crumbs from the table. Giving the Imams rams during festivals and sponsoring Muslims on hajj (pilgrimage to Makkah) are deliberate means of enslavement and marginalization. Lagos Muslims are now fully aware of the gimmicks,” it added.

The Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde has invited all aspirants under the platform of Peoples’ Democratic Party PDP in Oyo State to a meeting today to harmonize and settle rifts that occured as a result of the fallout in the recent consensus arrangement.

This was contained in a short notification signed and sent today to party members by the Party’s Secretary, Alhaji Wasiu Adeleke to all the aspirants as read in part:

“This is to inform all Aspirants for different elective political offices under Oyo State PDP that His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Oyo State and the Leader of our party will like to meet with us all today Monday 25/04/2022 by 11am prompt at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan”.

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday reassured the residents that the State Government is on track with its efforts to complete works on both the Blue and Red lines rail projects, which are intra-city, to strengthen the intermodal transportation system.

He said work on the Blue Line rail project was at 90 per cent completion as contractors were working seven days a week so that Lagosians would ride a train on the rail by the first quarter of 2023.

The Governor gave the reassurance on Sunday while speaking to journalists at the Marina Train Station after about three hours of inspection of ongoing works on the Blue Line rail project and stations at the National Theatre Iganmu, Orile, Suru Alaba, Mile 2 and Marina axis of the state.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, who inspected the Blue line rail project alongside some of his cabinet members, top officials of Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) and contractors handling the project, moved from the National Arts Theatre rail station on a construction track to Orile Iganmu, Alaba and Mile 2 stations to inspect the four train stations on the Blue line rail.

He said the blue line rail would be running on electric tracks with Electric Motor Vehicle (EMV) and therefore warned citizens to keep off the train lines and ensure they don’t walk on it.

The Governor after riding back to the National Arts Theatre station on a construction track also inspected a new four-coach train, which according to him, is a typical train that will be used on the blue line.

He also disclosed the Lagos State Government’s plan to bringing additional two sets of four-train coaches from China between September and October, adding that adequate security would be put in place at every train station and platform with the use of CCTV.

“This is the first time I am taking you on the blue line to see where we are. The first phase of the Blue line rail project starts from Mile 2 and terminates at Marina. Marina Station is an elevated station and it stretches out to outer Marina and terminates where the Governor’s residence is. At the end of the station, you could see that the track is broken into two bridges. The backtrack is for parking.

“We are happy that the contractors are working seven days a week. The major aspect apart from the Marina Station is a sea crossing from Eko Bridge to join the outer Marina. They would finish it in about three months. And by the time we will be coming back in July, the concrete construction should have been completed.”

Governor Sanwo-Olu while condemning the level of vandalism along the rail corridors warned perpetrators to desist from such evil acts. He said the government would go after companies that purchased vandalised rail tracks infrastructure, adding that culprits will be traced and made to face the wrath of the law.

Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday issued a three days ultimatum to traders under the Apogbon Bridge in Lagos Island to vacate or risk demolition of the space by Wednesday this week.

He gave the warning while driving on the bridge during his inspection of the blue line rail project and saw that traders were back under the bridge with their goods displayed after they were driven away in the aftermath of the fire outbreak under the Apogbon bridge about six weeks ago.

Governor Sanwo-Olu who frowned at the unlawful return of the traders under Apongbon bridge said the enforcement team would be deployed to the bridge after the three days ultimatum issued.

Caught in the web of two important principles; the principle of reciprocity and principle of loyalty, president Buhari seems set to make his preferred successor known to the party’s faithfuls and members.

Billed for May 2023, the ruling party is preparing to conduct the presidential primary election based on the time frame handed down by the electoral body. Preparatory to the general election, the participating parties in the election are under obligation to present their candidates for the election. This is in tandem with the electoral laws.

Worried by the numbers of heavy weights showing interest to occupy Aso Rock, the president seems to be in a dilemma over where he pitches his tent. By virtue of his position as the leader, Mr President has become a bride whose interest matters most in the eventual choice of the party’s Flagbearer.
This singular honour is causing insomnia and migraine for the aging president because all the aspirants within his party are either his benefactor or beneficiary.Apparently, his body language lacks proper posture. It is defective with reference to kyphosis and scoliosis in human kinetics and sports.

The dilemma of the president is premised on the two principles mention in paragraph one of the piece.

According to anthropology, there’s a natural law in every society called the Law of Reciprocity. The Law of Reciprocity states that; ” when people receive something, they feel compelled to return the favor in kind.” The driving motivation behind reciprocation might be to dispel our debt or to not be seen as a moocher or parasite. Much of the time, the law of reciprocity inspires us to give even more than the value of what was received. We navigate this law every day. However, we seldom realize what a powerful effect it has, even subconsciously.

Loyalty; in general use, is simply devotion and faithfulness.The definition of loyalty in law and political cycle is the fidelity of an individual to a nation.The encyclopaedia britannica defines loyalty as “allegiance to the sovereign or established government.This could be referred to as fidelity in service, in love, or to an oath that one has made. Interestingly, both principles have biblical references.

In the Gospel of Matthew 6:24, Jesus states, “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. “Ye cannot serve God and mammon”. Reciprocation also has its biblical reverence in the bible.

Of all the numerous potential aspirants within the ruling party, two political juggernauts have thrown the president off balance. Their pedigrees and quality is having an adverse effect on the aerodynamic movements of the president. Both Asiwaju Tinubu and professor Osibajo are two dear to the outgoing president to the extent that the president has found it uneasy to anoint one at the expense of other. The duo have supported the president as exemplified in the two principles of the introductory part of this article.

Every Nigerian who is vast with Nigeria polity can witness to the fact that Asiwaju made Buhari. Through his political dexterity and astuteness, Asiwaju single handedly rebranded and removed the veil of serial contestant over the fave of the president. The contribution of Asiwaju to Buhari’s presidency was also confirmed when the president mentioned the name Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in his speech at his first inauguration in 2009. However, president famous statement of ” I am for everybody, I belong to nobody” was a slip of tongue.

Arguably, the most loyal Vice president in the anal history of Nigeria democracy is Professor Osibajo. Reliable, trustworthy and dependable. It is rare for a president to transfer power to his deputy while traveling abroad. At the transferring of power as enshrined in the constitution, the vice president becomes the supremo. Power is intoxicating. A power monger could sit anything to prevent the return of his Principal. That is more the reason why some president are skeptical to delegate the president to act by proxy.

In the case of the law professor, president Buhari has never had any course to think twice over his deputy’s loyalty.

Now that both Asiwaju and Osibajo have thrown their hats to the ring, it remains to be seen who gets the blessings of the president.

Instructively, Asiwaju made Osibajo.That Osibajo could now tango Tinubu is a million naira moral question.

Buhari’s penchant for being reticent on issues has been keeping everyone guessing on who he will likely settle for as his preferred choice, a subject the president has evaded on a number of occasions.
Recall that he had expressed fears his favourite presidential candidate might be ‘eliminated’ if he revealed his identity.

One cannot outrightly doubt the tactical approach of the president on issues like this going by the way he handled the issue of the national chairman of the party. Every outgoing president would show interest in who his political party will present as his likely successor.

The APC, according to a letter addressed to the INEC, will conduct its presidential primary election on May 30 and 31

Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News.