Osun Decides: Controversy trails alleged arrest of commissioner’s aide

Controversy has surrounded the alleged arrest of the Personal Assistant of the Commissioner for Regional Integration and Special Duties, Olalekan Badmus.

The PUNCH reported that the PA was allegedly detained at the Oke Baale Police Station but the commissioner denied the allegation.

When contacted, the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, Opalola Yemisi, promised to get back to our correspondent on the matter.

In a viral post, the commissioner’s PA was said to be arrested with thumbprinted ballot papers.

“The Personal Assistant to Hon. Lekan Badmus (Commissioner for Special Duties) of Osun State has just been arrested with thumb printed ballots and a bag full of money for vote buying.

“He is been called has been handed over to the police and currently cooling off in the cell of Oke Baale Police Station. We admonished the people to be extremely vigilant,” the post read.

Reacting in a statement, the commissioner described the alleged arrest as a “shock”.

The statement was titled, ‘News of my personal assistant caught with thumbprinted ballot papers, fake totally untrue’.

It read, “I wish to emphatically state that myself, and every other person working closely with me have not engaged in any activities to sabotage the integrity of this on-going election.

“It is rather a rude shock to me that some mischief makers have been spreading false information online that my Personal Assistant was caught with thumbprinted ballot papers in Osogbo ward 2 and had been handed over to the security agents. This is completely untrue.

“I am a man of integrity who believes in hardwork and not cheap means to success. The claim that I was, by extension, involved in electoral malpractice contradicts the value I stand for.

“Members of the public are hereby urged to disregard any claim or accusation of sorts suggesting that I and the people working with me were involved in electoral fraud.”

Osun Decides: Ademola Adeleke arrives polling unit

The governorship candidate of the PDP, Ademola Adeleke arrives at his polling unit to cast his vote.

The BVAs devise failed to recognize the fingerprint of the PDP governorship candidate until the facial recognition method was used.

Ohanaeze breaks silence why it has not endorse any presidential candidate

The apex Igbo socio-political group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has broken its silence on why it has not announced its preferred candidate for the 2023 presidential election, despite the endorsement of the candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, by the Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere.

The group said the Igbo knew where they were going but did not disclose who among the presidential candidates of the various political parties would be endorsed.

Like Afenifere, the Pan-Niger Delta Forum and the Middle Belt Forum, Ohanaeze had called on political parties to zone their presidential tickets to the South-East.

The leader of Yoruba Socio-cultural group,Afenifere , Pa Ayo Adebanjo, had on Tuesday has announced that candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, as the group’s preferred Candidate adding that the South-East deserved a shot at the presidency based on equity and the need to unite the country.

He said, “The North has no right to come back again after eight years, just as I am opposed to (Bola) Tinubu. It is not the right of the South-West to come and claim the presidency. If we want peace in Nigeria. We want equity, justice, if we want to be united, we are talking of rotation, we are talking of federal character.

“It has gone to the North, now to the South. Should it come to the South to the region that has had it with (former president Olusegun) Obasanjo for eight years, with (Prof) Yemi Osinbajo in eight years as vice-president? The South-South has had it with (former president) Jonathan. Is the South-East not part of Nigeria to have that equity?

But Ohanaeze explained that it had yet to endorse any candidate because such a decision that would affect the Igbo, as a democratic ethnic group, ought to be taken in consultation with Igbo interest groups.

In a statement, the spokesperson of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Alex Ogbonnia ssid, “Ohanaeze’s modus operandi is clearly different from that of Afenifere. You know the Igbo are a very democratic set of people, so, we usually call a meeting of a wider Igbo assemblage and we look at the issue so that when we take a decision and an endorsement, it will be seen to be carrying everyone along.

“That is why we have not endorsed any (candidate) even when we know where we are going. We must call a meeting of all Igbo interest groups and we look at everything so that if we say something, it will carry the weight of the whole Igbo assemblage.”

My past is an old house, I don’t live there anymore – Kate Henshaw

Celebrated actress, Kate Henshaw has left her detractors some words to ponder on.

Henshaw in a video said it will be absolutely futile trying to break her with her past.

“Trying to hurt me by bringing up my past I like trying to rob my old house …..I don’t live there anymore,” she said.

Sri Lanka's PM Wickremesinghe, sworn in as acting president

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, was sworn in Friday as acting president.

His office said, replacing Gotabaya Rajapaksa who fled to Singapore following months of protest against him.

Primerosenews reports that Mr Rajapaksa, who was expected to resign on Wednesday, had fled Sri Lanka first to the Maldives and then to Singapore from where he sent his resignation letter via email to the parliament speaker on Thursday.

Wickremesinghe, 73, took his oath of office before chief justice Jayantha Jayasuriya, Wickremesinghe’s office said in a brief statement.

Ayade polls 252 votes to clinch APC senatorial candidate for C’River North

The Cross River State Governor, Prof Ben Ayade, has emerged as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress for Cross River North Senatorial District in the 2023 election.

This followed the conduct of fresh primaries on Thursday in line with the provisions of the new Electoral Act after the voluntary withdrawal of the previous candidate, Martins Orim.

Ayade, who emerged unopposed at the primary, which was held at the Ogoja Local Government headquarters, polled 252 votes of the 255 votes cast.

The chairman of the electoral committee, Sameera Tabo, declared Ayade the winner and said three votes were invalid.

In his acceptance speech, Ayade expressed gratitude to the delegates for electing him and explained that “after running for the office of the president of Nigeria, I returned home and then came under tremendous pressure from my people.

“They said I did very well when I was a Senator from 2011 to 2015 and insisted I go back and today I have answered their call. Of course, they recognised that this country requires a legislator that has both executive and legislative experience.”

Ayade said he was well equipped for the senate and would bring his wealth of experience to bear in the upper legislative chamber if elected.

“I am very experienced, I know the challenges of our people, and I possess all the essential elements that will help us make the appropriate laws and legislations that will change the narrative of our people.

“More importantly, it is imperative to work with the incoming APC president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to reconstruct the concept of development within the African context. Development is about the people and in a sluggish, developing economy, emphasis cannot be put on infrastructure alone.

“We will target people, medium scale industries, small scale businesses will be put under sufficient grants and support until they begin to migrate away from poverty.

“So I am happy that I am going back to the legislature where I can add additional value to the next government and this country,” he said

BREAKING: Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns as Sri Lanka's President

Following months of mass protests that hit the island country of Sri Lanka, President, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, has resigned.

Mr Rajapaksa, who was expected to resign on Wednesday, had fled Sri Lanka first to the Maldives and then to Singapore from where he sent his resignation letter via email to the parliament speaker on Thursday.

According to BBC, the speaker will complete legal processes and announce the resignation officially on Friday.

Mr Rajapaksa fled the country before resigning, allegedly over fears that he might be arrested.

“He has not asked for asylum and neither has he been granted any asylum. Singapore generally does not grant requests for asylum,” BBC quoted Singapore’s foreign ministry as saying when they confirmed the president’s arrival.

A BBC footage from Colombo, the country’s capital, showed protesters celebrating Mr Rajapaksa’s resignation.

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, who was on Wednesday appointed acting president, will now be sworn in as interim president.

Mr Wickremesinghe Wednesday declared a nationwide state of emergency and imposed a curfew in certain parts of the country.

The prime minister had also said he would leave office when a new government is in place. No date has been fixed for his resignation.

Lawmakers say they will elect a new president by July 20.

The 22 million Sri Lankans have been suffering a horrifying financial turmoil with severe shortages of fuel, medicine, food and other essentials amid record-high inflation and a devaluation of the country’s currency. A severe lack of foreign exchange has stalled imports.

The acute shortage of fuel has crippled transportation systems in the country and stopped children from going to school among others.

The same economic crisis and protests led to the resignations of Basil Rajapaksa, a brother to Sri Lanka’s outgoing president and the country’s former finance minister, from parliament in June and their older brother Mahinda Rajapaksa, as prime minister, in May.

Sri Lanka is nearly bankrupt and has suspended repayment of its foreign loans with foreign reserves near empty. It announced in April that it was suspending repayment of foreign loans due to a foreign currency shortage.

Its total foreign debt amounts to $51 billion. Out of this, it must repay $28 billion by the end of 2027.

Source: Premium Times

WAFCON 2022: Nigeria, Cameroon rekindle supremacy battle to determine Morocco’s opponent in semi-final

The Super Falcons and Lionesses clash will determine Morocco's opponent in the semi-final, and Africa’s third automatic ticket to the World Cup

The stakes are high in Thursday’s quarter-final matchup between Nigeria and Cameroon. While the Super Falcons are chasing a ninth consecutive World Cup qualification, the Indomitable Lionesses are chasing a pound of flesh, having been denied the WAFCON title on four occasions by the Falcons.

After both teams finished as runners-up in their respective groups, the two continental football powerhouses will be involved in a supremacy battle to determine not just who faces hosts Morocco in the semi-final but who also gets Africa’s third automatic ticket to the World Cup

While the Super Falcons have clearly triumphed in past meetings with their neighbours Cameroon, many believe caging the Indomitable Lionesses may be a herculean task this time.

This is because the Nigerian women no longer look and play like their fiery past when they easily blew every opposition away on their way to nine titles.

Cameroon’s motivation of making a third consecutive appearance at the FIFA World Cup will appeal enough to see them throwing everything they’ve got at the Super Falcons.

Cameroon started somewhat slowly in Morocco, drawing with Zambia, but they picked up and their impressive efforts afterward earned them the quarter-final fixture against perennial champions Nigeria.

Interestingly, the Super Falcons also started on a shaky note; losing 2-1 to South Africa’s Banyana Banyana in their opening match of Group C.

But Coach Randy Waldrum-led side has since buckled up; winning their next two games, conceding no goal.

“We are ready to face Cameroon,” Waldrum declared after the Super Falcons arrived in Casablanca on Monday.

The Falcons will draw inspiration from their impressive record against the Indomitable Lionesses.

Cameroon suffered a 6-0 spanking from the Falcons in the semi-finals of the 1998 Women Africa Cup of Nations (which Nigeria hosted and which was the first edition) but things have improved a bit for the Lionesses since then.

In the semi-finals of the 2010 edition in South Africa, the Falcons thumped them 5-1. Both countries contested the Final matches of the 2014 and 2016 Women AFCON.

In 2014, in Windhoek, Namibia, the Falcons registered a 2-0 victory to lift the trophy for the seventh time. In 2016, in Yaounde, the Lionesses, despite playing in front of their cheering fans, were heartbroken when Desire Oparanozie scored a late goal to hand the trophy to Nigeria for the eighth time.

Four years ago, in Accra, both teams also met in the semi-final stage. It was a tough duel that ended 0-0 after regulation and extra time, but the Falcons again prevailed 4-2 after a penalty shoot-out on the way to their ninth title.

Though the Super Falcons captain, Onome Ebi, admits the Cameroon clash will be a tough one, the 39-year-old was quick to assure of the team’s readiness to do their best for a positive result.

“Of course, we know what to expect. The Cameroonians also want to go to the World Cup. But we have never missed the World Cup and we won’t start now. Our eyes are fully focused on Australia & New Zealand, and then we can start talking about the trophy.” Ebi declared.

Nigeria’s 4-0 win against Burundi is the biggest victory so far in Morocco and the Super Falcons boast of the most lethal attack after the group stage with their seven-goal haul.

While we expect Coach Waldrum to keep faith with the attacking pair of Rasheedat Ajibade and Uchenna Kanu, who have scored two goals each, the American may have other tricks up his sleeve to unsettle the Cameroonians.

Nollywood actor Baba Ijesha bags 16 years imprisonment

After over one year of his arrest and prosecution, an Ikeja Special Offences Court has convicted the embattled Nollywood actor, Olanrewaju James, a.k.a. Baba Ijesha, of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old minor.

In a two-hour judgement on Thursday, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo, sentenced Baba Ijesha of indecent treatment of a child, sexual assault and attempted sexual assault.

Taiwo, however, discharged and acquitted him of counts one and count six, which were: sexual assault by penetration and attempted sexual assault by penetration.

The actor was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment.

FRCN boss, Liman laments media self-censorship

The Director-General of Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Mansur Liman, has decried what he described as self-censorship of media practitioners in government outfits.

Liman disclosed that he had never given his staff members barriers within which to operate despite being a government agency.

The FRCN DG stated this on Wednesday at the 14th Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism’s media lecture with the theme, ‘Can democracy work without a strong sub- national media?’

He revealed that for past years he has been occupying the leadership position of FRCN, no government official has passed a paper to him not to cover a particular story.

He said, “What I found out coming from the BBC is because people in public media have been there for ages, they self censor themselves. It is a very difficult situation.”

Liman noted that due to immediate gains, some journalists abdicate their responsibilities, with the excuse that they are operating with a government organisation.

“When you have a journalist scrambling to be posted to a particular ministry, probably because of the things that they get, if that particular journalist is scrambling to be sent to the ministry of course when you send him, he won’t do the job that you want him to perform,” he said.

In his closing remarks, Board Chairman, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, Prof. Ropo Sekoni, lauded participants while calling for conscious efforts towards restoring the dignity of journalism.

He said, “I have educated myself about the challenges facing us at the corporate level. We don’t have enough money to execute the job of a watchdog.

“Even at the private level, many of us are at the risk of training journalists to look for money first to do their own job. There is no other way to abuse any job than this,” Sekoni decried.

Taraba monarch advises subjects on productivity and eschew division

The Emir of Muri, Alhaji Abbas Njida-Tafida, on Wednesday urged the people of Taraba State to be productive to avoid being beggars in the society.

The monarch who spoke at the inauguration of the distribution of emergency release of assorted food commodities to the vulnerable people in the state by the Minister of Transportation, Alhaji Mu’azu Sambo in Jalingo, also tasked the subjects to love one another.

He called on his subjects irrespective of religious and political differences to close ranks and work for the good of the state.

He said, “We have more to give to ourselves. We don’t need to be given food. We need to be productive and love ourselves.

“Taraba is blessed with enormous resources that we can explore to our advantage. There is no point that we will sit down and people will come from Sokoto and sell us water in our houses,” the monarch stated.

Minister of Transportation, Mu’azu Sambo said the emergency food intervention by the federal government was caused by the global food crisis as a result of COVID-19 and climate change.

He warned against sale of the food commodities and urged the committee responsible for distribution to ensure fairness and equity in the distribution of the food commodities.

Governor Darius Ishaku represented by the Secretary to the Government of Taraba State, Anthony Jellason, appealed for the distribution of the food items to groups and IDPs camps in the state to associations in the state to ease their hardships.

Time for Nigerians to eschew bigotry

SIR: Religious intolerance and activities of extremists has become unbearably worrisome and is fast becoming an existential problem in Nigeria.

In recent time, terror has been unleashed on Muslims and non-Muslim alike from different parts of the country.

Some have even entertained the idea that a particular set of people and their religion are scheming to eradicate believers of other faiths and transform the country to their own creed. In the face of these multifarious challenges bedevilling the country and gradually pushing Nigeria to Armageddon, uniting people from different walks of the country has become a matter of urgency and emergency.

It is only natural and human to expect anyone aspiring to become the number one citizen to have the capacity and strong determination to shun religious intolerance and show in his words and decisions his willingness, aptitude and readiness to enhance unity in a divided country.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, a Muslim has picked Senator Kashim Shettima another Muslim as his running mate in the 2023 presidential elections.

The former Lagos State governor has maintained that his decision is based on the fact that Shettima has the talent, maturity, strength of character, and patriotism.

Granted, Shettima played a crucial role in the emergence of Tinubu as the APC presidential flag bearer with his eloquent public speaking and assertiveness as the Director-General of Tinubu Campaign Organization.

Should we really criticise and tongue-lash him that his decision is based on competence and not religious affiliation?

Or maybe we all have subconsciously been affected by the spirit of religious bigotry and prejudice sweeping the nation.

Has the Muslim-Christian, Christian-Muslim presidency and reductive demographics practiced over decades brought about peaceful coexistence and religious tolerance? Hardly. Unity of purpose requires that we forge ahead as one nation and recalibrate our political calculations to where competence and fairness matter more rather than religious sentiment that has become an impediment to our development and has held back our progress for too long.

Today, we live in memory of the 1993 elections as our fairest electoral process, despite that Chief MKO Abiola and his running mate, Baba Gana Kinibe are both Muslims.

We embraced them not on religious grounds but because of their strong will and ideas to pilot the affairs of Nigeria and bring about growth and development.

How did religious bigotry creep into our polity, encumber and dissuade progressive change in Nigeria?

It is necessary that for the country to be at par with other developed countries of the world, Nigerians have to be united and remain focused on socio-economic development.

Recently, the country witnessed unrest, issues ranging from kidnapping, prison break, armed banditry, terrorism which have threatened the sovereignty of the nation. To surmount these problems is a collective task that must be won by all and sundry.

Citizens must live in unity notwithstanding the diversity in culture, religion and tongues.

Nigerians must at every opportunity insist that every great multi-ethnic and multi-religious nation has, through thick and thin, fought to realize the great dividends of diversity and pluralism. The struggle to ensure a more perfect federation is a lifelong enterprise to which every well-meaning Nigerians must be committed to. Nigerians should see themselves first as a Nigerian citizen thereby putting aside ethnic sentiments which will not do the country any good.

It is imperative to note that most notable inventions in the world were discovered by mistake so Nigerians should not see the amalgamation of the country as an error, but as a formidable force that will carve a niche for themselves to be able to survive as a nation.

Instead of harping on some Muslim-Muslim ticket and focusing on religious affiliations of those in public offices, now is the time for every Nigerian to come together as one indivisible nation and see the country as one to champion the dreams and aspiration of the founding fathers that will foster national unity in the country.

Culled from: Joshua Oboh

obohjoshua90@gmail.com

And

The Nation newspaper.

Ikpeazu engages in advocacy against drug abuse

The wife of Abia State Governor, Dr. Nkechi Ikpeazu, says she is upscaling her involvement in the fight against substance abuse through advocacy and sensitisation.

Dr. Ikpeazu who stated this when she visited the State headquarters of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Aba, pledged intervention to promote care and recovery for those who have been exposed to misuse.

She affirmed that her organisation, the Vicar Hope Foundation, will introduce a set of programmes that would support the NDLEA in public enlightenment.

The governor’s wife, who was emotionally disturbed at the sight of some promising youths, mostly graduates who were at the rehabilitation center, strongly condemned the use of drugs.

Dr. Ikpeazu noted that apart from untimely death, mental illness, rustication from school, which drug addiction can expose the abusers to, they are also prone to violence and crime among others.

She cautioned the youths against drug intake, peddling and abuse, and emphasised on the need for parents, community leaders, Non-governmental Organizations, religious bodies, government and other relevant stakeholders to join forces in the campaign against drug abuse in the state and country at large.

While praying for the total rehabilitation of the clients at the NDLEA rehabilitation facility, Dr. Ikpeazu promised to look into the challenges raised by the clients in the rehabilitation center and commence the unrelenting fight against drug abuse in the country by the agency as well as their efforts at rehabilitating victims of drug abuse.

Earlier, the State Acting Commander of NDLEA, Mr. MacLean Ebani, appreciated the wife of the governor for finding time to visit and show her support to the outfit in their fight against drug abuse.

He enumerated some challenges facing the agency, including small rehabilitation facilities that affect the number of intakes that the centre can handle. 

Mr Chukwuemeka (surname withheld) who is a graduate of Federal University of Technology Owerri, who spoke on behalf of his fellow internees, conveyed their thoughts through an emotional poem which explained how drugs looked so beautiful, attractive but gradually lured them into a very deplorable state.

He said substance abuse and dependency had affected the social and educational development of many of his fellow internees on the rehabilitation programme and expressed remorse over their involvement in drugs and promised to turn a new leaf after undergoing rehabilitation.

The graduate used the opportunity to thank the wife of the governor for showing them love and care and appealed to the First Lady to assist them to learn skills and be gainfully employed.

The Special Adviser to the Abia State Governor on Narcotics, David Anyanwu, commended Mrs Ikpeazu for supporting the fight against drug Abuse through her NGO over the past five years, and expressed gratitude that the Governor’s wife has declared intent to increase her activities in the coming weeks to combat substance abuse using advocacy, sensitisation and other types of interventions.

Tinubu, a detribalized and religious-tolerance man

The man called Tinubu and his most personal relationship with his Christian wife and children.

It's unfortunate that this is happening in a time like this when mistrust and religious intolerance has almost become the order of the day in Nigeria and among her citizens. 

The newest forms of religious intolerance in Nigeria is the activities of Boko Haram Islamic fundamentalist sect, banditry, kidnappings, especially kidnappings of Christian clerics lately, killings of Christians worshippers and bombing of Churches in Nigeria. One will not forget in a hurry, the gruesome and barbaric killing of Deborah Samuel, a 200-Level student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto. 

The Christians community were not yet recovered from this when another attacked was launched against St. Francis Catholic Church, at Owaluwa street, Owo where 40 worshippers were gruesomely murdered and several others sustained varying degree of injuries.

All these and many more are currently threatening the co-operate existence of the Nigerian state. But the truth is that those marauders had demonstrated high level of intolerance in the country by unleashing terror on both Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

However, looking at him, (Tinubu) as an individual and a politician, we will see how good and tolerant he is.

Tinubu met his wife Oluremi through Oluremi’s elder sister. According to Oluremi, she saw kindness in Tinubu’s eyes and that was the attraction for her. 

She also observed that Tinubu wasn't a religious fanatic as he always tolerated her when she talked about her faith which gave her the confidence to bring him to her father.

Oluremi was born into an Anglican family in Ogun State.

According to Oluremi, "The first thing my dad asked Tinubu when I brought him home was, I hope you won't stop my daughter from practicing her faith and going to church?"

Tinubu answered he will never, and he never did.

They got married in 1987.

It must be noted that Tinubu had a relationship with another Christian lady before he met Oluremi his wife. That woman is Prophetess Bunmi Oshonike. 

That relationship produced Seyi Tinubu, Tinubu's second son who is a Christian.

When Tinubu went full swing into politics, the military junta struck and he had to flee Nigeria.

His wife Oluremi was exiled to Maryland, the USA with two children. The pain and frustration of not having a husband around and because he lost a child while in exile led her to seek solace in Christ.

According to her, she was scared and distrustful until she met her friend Dele. It was Dele that led her to Evangel Temple which is now Evangel Cathedral where she gave her life to Christ and started understanding the meaning of Christianity.

On returning to Nigeria, she was thrust into the leadership position of being the first lady of Lagos State almost immediately.

She made friends with the late Pastor Bimbo Odukoya who was a great inspiration to her. 

She was undecided on which church to attend. There was a mosque in the house, and she decided to build a chapel too. She contacted Rauf Aregbesola the former governor of Osun State. He was the commissioner for works in Lagos State back then.

She showed him the space and he designed and built the chapel there. That was where she worshipped till, she met Pastor E A Adeboye through Tinubu.

She was always going for the "Holy Ghost Night" at the Redemption Camp and Tinubu never stopped her. 

She decided to enroll in the new foundation class and worker's class. She was taken through those classes by Pastor Adeboye's wife, Pastor Foluke Adeboye. 

She proceeded to Bible School, graduated, and was ordained as an assistant pastor in RCCG Redeemed Christian Church of God.

Tinubu never objected to this, in fact, their two daughters were raised in the Christian way by Oluremi though they have Muslim names. Zainab and Habibat.

For those still in doubt of Tinubu's liberal religious nature, it must be noted that there's always a Thanksgiving ceremony in Alausa presided over by Pastor E A Adeboye.

Winning an election is very sensitive but more sensitive is the religious nature of our country Nigeria, however, the Christian community needs to console herself with the fact that we have an Esther in Aso Rock in the person of Oluremi Tinubu if Tinubu emerges as president in 2023.

Tinubu is a liberal and it's safe to say that his religion is humanity.

Adapted from: Dotun Ajegbile

Sanwo-Olu preaches unity among Yorubas for Tinubu's victory

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has called on Yoruba sons and daughters to unite and support the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Sanwo-Olu made the call on Monday at the 2022 edition of the Annual Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

He urged the Yoruba race to support Tinubu, since he was an experienced politician, even within Africa.

”Let me pronounce that in the unifying spirit of the Ojude Oba celebration, it is my firm hope and belief that the Yoruba race will unite as one behind the momentous candidature of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

”He is a proud son of the race and one of the most formidable and experienced politicians to have ever emerged from Africa,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He said that the Ojude Oba had grown to become a prominent cultural and religious festival in Nigeria, and yet stayed true to its Islamic roots.

According to him, celebrations like the Ojude Oba reminds that evil will never triumph over good.

”It is also noteworthy that the Ojude Oba Festival has, while staying true to its Islamic roots, expanded to become a unifying symbol and occasion for people of all faiths, tribes, and tongues; as well as a global celebration of Ijebu heritage and culture.

”We must never lose sight of this unifying element, especially at a time when the forces of division seem to be working so actively to undermine all that we cherish as a people,” he said.

Sanwo-Olu also praised the historical and cultural bond between Lagos and Ogun states, saying that they were shaped by same forces and experiences.

He said that the two states were nourished by the same waterways, and lived up to the same ‘Omoluabi’ standards and ideals.

”This was what spurred my brother Governor, Dr Dapo Abiodun and I to, in 2021, establish the Lagos-Ogun Joint Development Commission, to collaborate on key areas of mutual benefits and development, and accelerate socio-economic growth for all our communities and our people.

”The road network linking Ijebu-Ode, Epe and Lekki is yet another concrete manifestation of our collaboration – Ogun has completed its own stretch while we will complete our own end this year.

”This will open up new commercial and logistic opportunities in that axis, and positively impact the lives of our people.

”Our Adiyan Waterworks project draws its water from the Ogun River. These are just a few examples of the very many ways in which our destinies are bound together,” he said.

The annual Ojude Oba Festival is hosted by the Awujale of Ijebu and Paramount Ruler of Ijebu Land, Oba Sikiru Adetona.

It was last held in 2019, as the COVID-19 pandemic stopped the 2020 and 2021 editions.

Source: NAN

Muslim-Muslim ticket is a political calculation for APC – Kukkah

The Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Mathew Hassan Kukah, has said the decision by the All Progressive Congress to present a Muslim-Muslim ticket was a teamwork based on calculation of what would work for the party.

In a statement personally signed by the cleric on Monday and available to the press, Kukah noted that the decision by Bola Tinubu to pick Kashim Shettima as his running mate should not be a thing to worry about, adding that those angered by the development should support other candidates they feel are better.

The statement reads: “This is what you call team selection and everybody will choose depending on what they think will give them a fair chance. So, people will take responsibility for the choices they have made. For me, it is not something to lose sleep over.

“If people feel unhappy with the kind of choices that have been made, that is why we are democrats, you can’t force it. We outsiders cannot force a choice of any candidate. It is now left for you to look at the choices that have been made. And there is no guarantee that all Christians will vote for Christians and all Muslims will vote for Muslims.”

Muslim-Muslim ticket: Amaechi's ally Princewill resigns from APC

Former governorship candidate of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in Rivers State, Prince Tonye Princewill, has resigned his membership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) with immediate effect.

Princewill,who is an ally of immediate past Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said his resignation was in protest against the choice of Kashim Shettima as running mate to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.

In his resignation letter addressed to the Chairman of Ward 3 (Royal Ward), Buguma City, in Asari Toru Local Government Area area, he said he cannot continue to “argue for equity in my state and defend inequity in my country.”

The letter reads: “While I appreciate my leader, Rt Hon Rotimi Amaechi and all his efforts, I cannot defend the decision of my party, in fielding a Muslim Muslim ticket, especially at a time like this, against all protestations from well meaning Nigerians, across religious and political divides.

“It sets a very wrong precedent, it is totally insensitive and even if you win, will prove bad for good governance. Under these dire circumstances, I find no justification to still remain, in good conscience, a member of a political party that subordinates electoral victory, OVER the safety of lives and the peace of mind of its citizens.

“The men and women of our party here in Rivers are the most loyal and faithful supporters I have met. They know right and they know wrong. And they know me. I enjoyed working with them and I’m so sad to leave.

“But an APC party that totally disregards the basics of the same equity we preach, is alien to me. Buhari resisted the same temptation and chose a little known Osinbajo and won.

“I wish you well. And I remain grateful to our Leader, but I can not defend the indefensible. And to be totally honest, neither should you”.

Anglican bishop rebuffs Muslim-Muslim ticket, says Nigeria democracy a scam

The Bishop of Calabar, Anglican Communion, Rt Rev Nneoyi Egbe, has rejected the Muslim-Muslim ticket of the All Progressives Congress for the 2023 presidential election.

Speaking in Calabar on Monday to herald the second session of the 11th Synod of the diocese, the cleric called for a proper review of the 1999 Constitution as amended.

He said Nigeria’s democratic process was built on a wrong foundation, adding, “Having examined the Nigerian Constitution, its place in our polity, the application to our nationhood, we have arrived at the conclusion that Nigeria’s democracy is a scam. A comprehensive scam.”

He said, “We absolutely do not, will not and cannot accept a Muslim-Muslim or Christian-Christian ticket. Nigeria’s secularity must be respected by our leaders,” adding that everybody must have a sense of belonging.

Bishop Egbe decried the high level of insecurity in the country and called for State Police, saying, “Denying Nigerians this is evidence of government’s insincerity in securing the Nigerian environment against elements that are pursuing their evil agenda,” adding that calling on the citizens to own guns would only worsen the situation.

The bishop said those kidnapping men of God and collecting ransom would pay with their lives, adding that the wars are really satanic and can only produce satanic consequences.

Condemning communal clashes in the state, the cleric described it ungodly, shameful and inimical to growth and progress for one to be involved in such barbaric attempts to achieve supremacy over neighbours.

He said roads in the state were in very bad condition and asked the state government to fix them, complete and commission all the industrial projects before leaving office and address security challenges.

Bishop Egbe further stated, “The current economic situation in this country leaves in its wake a trail of tears,” and decried “the insensitivity exhibited by our leaders to the plight of the common Nigerian.”

He said the government lacked interest in the future of the country that’s why it has allowed tertiary education to remain grounded for several months following strikes by academic unions.

Osun 2022: Tinubu, Osinbajo, Lawan, 21 governors to attend APC mega rally

The presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, 21 governors and other APC stalwarts will storm Osogbo, the Osun State capital, for a mega rally in support of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

In a statement, the Commissioner of Information and Civic Orientation, Mrs Funke Egbemonde, disclosed that APC chieftains at the national level and across the 36 states will be in Osun for the mega rally.

She noted that logistics have been put in place to ensure a hitch-free exercise.

The rally that scheduled to hold at Osogbo Township Stadium at 11 am today, will signal the end of the campaign for Oyetola’s re-election in Saturday’s governorship election.

“We trust that members of the APC will show the formidable strength and decorum the party is known for.

“We implore all residents and citizens of Osun to come out en-masse and in public acclamation of their overwhelming support for the APC candidate,” the statement read.

Buhari hosts APC governors, declare support for Shettima's candidacy

No fewer than nine Governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, on Monday, held a one-hour closed-door meeting with the President Muhammadu Buhari in his Daura private residence at the end of which they declared their support for Senator Kashim Shettima as the running mate to the party’s presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in the 2023 general election.

The Governors also said they had confidence in the combination of Tinubu and Shettima to ensure victory for the party at the presidential election.

The Chairman of the Progressives Governors Forum, Abubakar Bagudu, who spoke with journalists at the end of the closed-door meeting said, “We were pleasantly surprised when Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu announced in Daura on Sunday that Senator Kashim Ibrahim Shettima was the Vice Presidential candidate.

“We were happy that it is no less a person than Senator Shettima who was announced the Vice Presidential candidate. No doubt, Senator Shettima would complement the good qualities of Asiwaju Tinubu. We are very very happy at the choice. The two will complement each other and will surely consolidate on the achievements of the President in the past seven years .”

Bagudu added that their visit to Daura was to felicitate the President over Sallah.

Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, also chipped in that Shettima’s choice as the vice presidential candidate was a collective decision by all the Progressives Governors, adding that all the governors would work hard to ensure victory for the APC in the 2023 elections.

He said, “The choice of Senator Shettima as the vice presidential candidate is a collective decision. We shall work hard to ensure victory in all our states.”

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, also said while the choice of the vice presidential candidate was the prerogative of the presidential candidate, all the APC governors would work to ensure the party’s victory at the 2023 general election.

He declared, “A presidential candidate has the prerogative of picking his Vice. But ours is to ensure the party’s victory in the presidential election.”

The nine governors: Aminu Masari (Katsina); Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano); Abubakar Bagudu (Kebbi); Abubakar Bello (Niger); Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa); Hope Uzodimma (Imo); Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti); Simon Lalong (Plateau); and Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), had earlier held the closed-door meeting with the President.

They were led by the Chairman, Progressives Governors’ Forum, Abubakar Bagudu of Kebbi State.

All of them except El-Rufai had travelled by road from Katsina where Governor Aminu Masari led them as chief host.

They drove into Daura’s private residence of the President few minutes after 1:00 p.m, shortly after which the meeting started. The Kaduna State Governor later joined them at the meeting.

The meeting lasted almost one hour after which they and the President retired for a lunch.

The President later saw them off at 3:05pm after publicly exchanging banters with them.

Source: The PUNCH