Author: The Nation

Ondo Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has said the State was still in shock of the June 5th terror attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Owo local government area.

Akeredolu, in his June 12 message, said it was time to deepen the democratic values that the country’s celebration of Democracy day represents.

Akeredolu insisted that restructuring the country was the only panacea for the array of challenges confronting it.

He said the day represented resilience in the face of daunting challenges.

The Ondo Governor stated that focus must shift to the people and stressed the need to be prepared to tackle problems confronting the country for the overall benefit of Nigerians.

According to him: “The people are the major winners of June 12. This day re-echoes the triumph of the people against tyranny and misrule. We must not allow the enemies of the country to continue to attack the psyche of the people and oppress them with impunity. Enough is enough.

“Since the people are pivotal to our democratic gains, their well-being and security must be prioritised. There is an urgent need for us to rethink our constitution and address issues that hinder our progress.

Read Also: Owo massacre: Osun churches beef up security

“The need for restructuring has stared us in the face for too long. It is time for the Federal government to shed its excesses for the sub-nationals. Security must be devolved to the states. There is no better time for state police than now!

“We must be sincere in our approach to securing the lives and property of the people. The Chief Executives of states should not be Chief Security officers without the prerequisite for necessary security measures. It is time to rise above mere appellation to being pragmatic.

“The symbol of the June 12 struggle paid the supreme sacrifice. Our people must not continue to pay the ultimate price in vain. It is devastating . Let us deepen our Democratic values by devolving power to the sub-nationals. It will strengthen governance and make us stronger.

“As we celebrate this year’s June 12, our mood in Ondo State is melancholic. Our hearts are still hurt. These mindless elements behind the Terror attack at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo drew a dagger to our hearts. Our flags are still flying at half-mast. We are still in shock. Our loved ones who fell to the bullets of these terrorists will never be forgotten.” 

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has nominated its vice presidential candidate for the 2023 general elections. He is Abdullahi Muhammed Koli.

A former Anambra Chief Judge Prof Peter Umeadi emerged the party’s presidential candidate.

A statement by Peter Umeadi Campaign Organisation on Sunday made available to our correspondent in Awka, Anambra State, said Koli was a frontline labour inion activist and social crusader who led many struggles for the welfare of Nigerian workers as chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Bauch State from 1999 to 2002.

The statement reads partly: ” Ahead of the June 17th deadline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for submission of party candidates to the INEC online portal, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the 2023 general election, Prof Peter Umeadi has nominated Comrade Abdullahi Muhammed Koli as his vice presidential candidate( running mate)

“A release by Peter Umeadi Campaign Organisation says Comrade Muhammed Koli is a frontline labour Union activist and social crusader who has led many struggles for the welfare of Nigerian workers in his capacity as Chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress NLC, in Bauch State from 1999 to 2002.”

Umeadi, a Prof of laws at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka,(Enugu campus), had promised to leverage his background as a legal practitioner to reposition the country where the rule of law would prevail, noting that Nigerians deserved a better country.

He said,:“I am stepping out with the triple banner of rule of law, separation of powers and due process.We are entitled to a country better run than we have now.

Read Also: Gunmen kidnap, kill APGA leader in Anambra

“We need to change the way we think so we can change the way we do things. Our triple banner should form the substructure for a new Nigeria which an APGA government at the centre under my watch would bring about.

“Uppermost in my mind is how to reconcile with ourselves across the length and breadth of our dear country. In a new political culture, I undertake to galvanize the old, young, rich, poor, literate or not from different religious persuasions and from all six geo-political zones to deliver a new Nigeria where justice would reign for all citizens equally irrespective of tribe or status.

On the thematic focus of his government if elected, Umeadi said, “I will work assiduously for sound education, affordable health care, food on the table, security of life and property and ability to achieve life ambitions in a setting presenting a level playing field and pre-determined standards.

“I pledge also to remove my personal interest in its entirety from the picture in the course of my official duties if elected. We expect to usher in patriotism, collective reconstruction of our economy, upliftment of all segments of our society, promoting probity, accountability and dedication in our public and private lives.”

There was palpable tension in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State capital on Sunday over fear of possible reprisal attacks following the killing of a staunch supporter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, Tope Ajayi

Ajayi, who was a member of the Road Road Transport Employer Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), was allegedly shot dead in Itaji-Ekiti by political thugs when the APC and Social Demoratic Party (SDP) campaigned at the sleepy town only for a confrontation to ensue between members supporters of the two parties.

Sequel to Ajayi’s killing, tension gripped residents of Ado-Ekiti following rumours that the leadership of RTEAN in the state had mobilised to launch a possible reprisal attack.

The development forced many people to cancel going to churches and mosques.

They also locked up residential buildings to avoid being caught in the web while streets were deserted.

Our correspondent, who was caught in the web of the confusion at Ekute Area of Ado-Ekiti, saw commercial motorists, private vehicle owners and commercials motorcyclists making emergency u-turn following reports that RTEAN members have taken over the Mobil junction.

Following the report, the Nigerian Army, Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps swiftly mobilised to some flashpoint in the state capital with a view to avert any reprisal attack.

Read Also: One killed as APC, SDP supporters clash ahead Ekiti governorship poll

Our correspondent observed men of the Army, the Police, DSS and the NSCDC patrolled the streets in Hilux trucks to restore calm and normalcy.

Three Armored Personnel Carriers and truck were stationed in various strategic locations in the state capital including at Tosin Aluko motor’s park, Atikankan, Old garage, Ajilosun, Ijigbo and Oja Oba.

However, normalcy gradually returned to various parts of the Ado as residents motorcyclists and motorists carried on with various activities.

It was learnt that Mofere area where the Tosin Aluko’s motor park was located was still under locked down but all the adjoining roads to the area remained quiet with a handful of individuals going about their normal activities.

When contacted, Ekiti Police Public Relations Officer, Sunday Abutu, said his men had been able to quell the crisis and restored calm to Ado metropolis, after the early morning bedlam.

He added Police Commissioner, Mr. Morounkeji Adesina, ordered heavy deployment of anti-riot and plain-clothed policemen to some of the identified flashpoints across the state, to ward off violence and bloodshed.

“The Police Commissioner and other security outfits have been trying to ensure that this election is violence- free, and other stakeholders, especially the political actors must join us, because no election worth the blood of any citizen.

“Concerning what has been happening in the political scene, the CP had ordered full investigations into reported cases of shooting and disruption and we are assuring you that those found guilty will be severely dealt with,” Abutu said.

Following the massacre at St Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State last Sunday where scores were killed and others sustained injuries, churches in Osun State have beefed up security around and within worship centres to prevent such occurrence.

The Nation observed this was after church leaders met last Tuesday to consider ten security measures.

The measures include; the Constitution of a security committee, which may comprise government security personnel, disallowing baggage in the church auditorium, erection of metal doors, proper scrutiny of all newcomers, installation of CCTV cameras around the church, usage of hand-held scanners by the church security personnel, ensuring well illumination around the church premises among others.

Some of the churches visited on Sunday were: Living Faith Church(Winners Chapel) Oke-Onitea, Osogbo; Methodist Church, Osogbo; Redeemed Christian Church of God Ogo-Oluwa; Celestial Church of Christ, Osogbo; Christ Life Baptist Church, Omo-West and Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Alekuwodo.

Some churches recorded low turnout of worshippers over the panic of a likely attack.

Read Also: Owo massacre wake-up call to secure communities traditionally –ARSADIC

At Winner Chapel, the church created two additional exits in the church auditorium while the security put in place did not allow bags into the church except Bible and notepad.

Speaking about the development, the Commandant of Osun Amotekun, General Bashir Adewinbi (RTD), disclosed that the outfit is on red alert to prevent crime in the state.

He said: “We have deployed our men to churches in all local government areas of Osun State. We have spoken with churches to alert us when they see strangers coming to the church, they must not see that a new worshipper has come in but they must ensure they know them, they can give us their information so that we can monitor such worshippers for them.”

The Chairman of Osun State CAN, Bishop Amos Ogunrinde said: “We have issued guidelines to our members across the state. We are conducting regular sensitization for members on security issues and also seeking cooperation with Security Agencies in the state by reporting any security challenges to them.”

Ogun Governor Dapo Abiodun has approved the committal of six convicts on death row to life imprisonment and released 40 inmates.

The Governor made the pronouncement on Sunday while speaking at the June 12 commemorative anniversary and Nigeria’s Democracy Day at the M.K.O International Stadium, Abeokuta, Ogun state capital.

He explained the committal to life imprisonment and release of the convicted inmates is in accordance with the provisions of Sections 212 (1) and (2) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, (as amended) and Sections 4 and 5 of the Ogun State Advisory Council on Prerogative of Mercy (Establishment Law), Laws of Ogun State 2006.

Abiodun, who called on Nigerians to draw strength from the 1993 general election and make the 2023 exercise even better, advocated stringent punishment for violators of due process in elections, declaring that
people’s ballots must count and be respected in 2023.

The Governor noted the struggles of June 12 as orchestrated by late MKO Abiola gave birth to the seamless democracy Nigeria has enjoyed in the last 29 years, emphasising that “only by upholding the tenets of democracy and ensuring its sustainability that we can truly honour the memory of those ideals that Chief MKO Abiola and others stood and died for”.

While saying that the process to a free, fair and credible election begins, among other things, with voters’ participation in the registration exercise, Abiodun stressed that for the 2023 general elections to be a huge success, every eligible Nigerian must register to vote and actually take part in voting on the day of election.

“While it is heart-warming to note that in the last 29 years, we have enjoyed seamless civilian-to-civilian transition, it is only by upholding the tenets of democracy and ensuring its sustainability that we can truly honour the memory of those ideals that Chief MKO Abiola and others stood and died for. People’s ballots must count and be respected, while violators of due process in elections ought to be dealt the full wrath of the law.

“If the ideals matter to us, religion and ethnicity too should not become campaign issues or determinants of who gets what, when, how in our body-politic or become primary considerations in our leadership recruitment and governance processes. I can envision how these Nigerians who gave their all would be cringing in their graves seeing us celebrating divisive vices and our do-or-die politicking”, the governor stated.

He urged political leaders and followers to keep hope and fairplay alive in democracy, tasking them to fashion a way to ensure that will make democracy in Nigeria a means to an end, not an end in itself.

Read Also: Court sentences two for punching woman in Ota

Abiodun further charged Nigerians to internalise democratic values and tenets of the late MKO Abiola and other heroes and heroines on democratic principles and practices.

“Our schools should teach them and we should hold them in our hearts and not our mouths. We labour in vain if we claim to have laid the ghost of June 12 to rest as long as Nigeria still experiences banditry, insurgency and ethnic champions still hold sway. Rather than all these, we should restore our country back to true federalism and ensure that powers are properly devolved,” he added.

The Governor assured that his administration would continue to deliver on its electoral promises and fulfill the dreams of Ogun founding fathers.

“As our administration is in the final year of our first term in office, we will not drop the baton. We will continue to deliver on our mandate. In fact, the people of Ogun State should expect a faster pace in the actualization of our electoral promises. We are determined that Ogun State shall fulfill the dreams of our founding fathers.

“As we reflect on the unquantifiable, selfless sacrifice and contributions of Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola and other democratic legends towards the development of our fatherland, I enjoin us all to rededicate ourselves to the service and unity of our great nation. Beyond this celebration, I enjoin you all to shun all acts that could be an albatross against the democratic success we have made and continued to sustain in our dear State in the last 36 months. This is the only way we can make progress and achieve our collective dream”. Abiodun submitted.

Highlights of the event included a march past by students, unions, organisations and associations, as well as observation of a minute silence for late Abiola and other legends of democracy.