Former Governor of Oyo State and Osi-Olubadan of Ibadan, High Chief Rasheed Adewolu Ladoja, is a very happy man as we speak. Simply put, he is laughing last and appears to be enjoying it.

Why? Olubadan hopeful, Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Lekan Balogun and others who were crowned Obas in 2017, have withdrawn their case challenging a court judgment in favour of Ladoja, on their elevation from high chiefs to Obaship status. Ladoja and the late Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, had vehemently opposed the promotion and challenged it in court.

Read Also: Olubadan: Ladoja joins Ibadan high chiefs to endorse Balogun

The decision of the High Chiefs is contained in a letter dated January 30 with names and titles of the affected persons listed as clients.

The letter read in part: “We are your client in the above suit No: 1/22/2020/. After careful and painstaking consideration of the lingering crisis trailing the succession of the throne of our new Olubadan of Ibadan land, we resolved as follows. That the peace of Ibadan land is paramount in our hearts and as such no sacrifice is too much to be made to achieve the same. That we as kingmakers and members of Olubadan-in-Council have decided to withdraw our above-mentioned suit in High Court of Justice of Oyo State, Ibadan with immediate effect.”

The move by Balogun and others, which had become a condition for the Otun Olubadan to ascend the throne of the Olubadan, is no doubt a vindication of Ladoja’s position on the controversial elevation of High Chief to kings in 2017.

It is no longer news that Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Emmanuel Bwacha, has dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).

But what’s new is that the Taraba legislator may have abandoned his old haunt after realising his governorship aspiration would be ‘dead on arrival’ should he remain in PDP.

Bwacha, who confirmed he quit to escape “apparent persecution” of the state governor, Darius Ishaku, hinted of his desire to succeed the governor last month.

But observers of the politics of the state told Sentry that there is no way Bwacha will run as the gubernatorial candidate of the PDP with Ishaku as incumbent and leader of the party in the state. “They are not on good terms and the governor is not hiding his opposition to the Senator’s undeclared 2023 ambition,” a source claimed.

Confirming the above claim, Bwacha himself recently said, “We (Ishaku and I) worked together in 2015 but in 2019, suddenly this hate came. I tried to speak to him about issues but it had always earned me hate. I tried to see him at a point but he shut the door at me,” he said, adding that past and present leadership of the PDP didn’t help reconciliatory efforts.”

So, for Bwacha, dumping PDP may simply be a case of making hay while the sun shines.

On Wednesday, soldiers from the 32 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Akure, Ondo State, arrested 150 political thugs at Ita Awure/Efon Junction in Efon Alaaye in Ekiti State. This happened on the day the PDP was holding its gubernatorial primary election to nominate the party’s governorship candidate for the 2022 gubernatorial election. It was also barely 24 hours before the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) was billed to conduct its own primary election in the same state.

Sentry gathered that the political thugs were heading to Ado-Ekiti, the state capital. There have been divergent claims on where they were coming from. While some reports claim they took off from Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, others say they were from neighbouring Ondo State. Some social media posts even suggested they were from Lagos State.

But one thing that’s not in dispute is the destination of the heavily armed thugs; they were headed to Ado-Ekiti, where the primaries of some of the political parties ahead of the state governorship election, were holding.

The suspects were all taken to Owen Barracks in Akure for further investigation. They are to be handed over to the Police for prosecution afterwards.

But one question that remains unanswered and may remain so unless the matter and suspects are diligently prosecuted is the identity of the person or persons who solicited their violent services in Ado-Ekiti. No doubt, they were on an errand for a politician, group or even party; but who exactly? Not a few Nigerians are waiting eagerly for this all important answer.

Enugu State Governor, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, is currently at crossroads over how to handle various agitations over the governorship ticket of his Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

While the people of Enugu East are daily reminding him of many promises he made to them in the build-up to the 2019 governorship election to the effect that he will back the zone to produce his successor in 2023, the entrance into the race of his age-long political ally and friend, former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, from Enugu West is putting pressure on the governor.

Feelers within the governor’s political camp told Sentry he’s approaching the situation as cautiously as possible.

“Ugwuanyi is one man who cherishes relationships a lot. On the other hand, he is one man who believes in social justice and equity. If you now add the current division among his associates, friends and leaders on the issue of zoning, you will understand how precarious his current situation is,” an associate of the governor said.

Whatever the situation is, and no matter how complex it may be, the governor will have to take a decision very soon. This is because as leader of the party in the state, members and chieftains of the PDP are waiting for him to provide leadership by making his position on the zoning debate known ahead of the 2023 governorship election.

The good people of Imo state are not hiding their displeasure over the ongoing war of words between Governor Hope Uzodimma and his predecessor, Rochas Okorocha. The political rivals have not spared each other since the verbal punches started flying.

Worried by the development, eminent citizens of the state and other leaders of the Southeast zone have been calling on them to sheath their swords in the interest of the state. Ohaneze Ndigbo, umbrella body of leaders of thought in the zone, as well as several other groups and individuals, already intervened to no avail.

It is clear the two politicians aren’t ready to let go their bile going by developments during the week. While Okorocha continued to taunt Uzodinma and his government for failing to name sponsors of terrorism in the state as earlier promised, the government urged the former governor to seek forgiveness for innocent blood allegedly spilled during his reign.

While Okorocha said the Uzodinma’s administration has made Imo State a laughing stock and become a nightmare to itself, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the blood of Somtochukwu, the 11-year old killed when security agents stormed Ekeukwu Market, Owerri allegedly on the orders of Okorocha, and several unresolved assassinations that took place during his eight-year reign, were seeking vengeance.

As the verbal assaults continue amidst fear that it may degenerate into violence, the people of the state are urging both sides to ceasefire in the interest of peace.

Read Also: Okorocha’s blackmail will no longer work in Imo, says Uzodimma

Sanwo-Olu’s trains wining hearts

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s, move to acquired two sets of Talgo 330 kilometre per-hour trains for the Lagos Red Line rail project is winning the hearts of numerous citizens and politicians.

The governor completed the acquisition deal on the trains at a public event inside the Milwaukee facilities of Spanish train manufacturer Talgo Incorporated in the United States last Tuesday.

The trains will soon arrive Lagos for the 37 km track rail project in line with his administration’s commitment to traffic management and transportation agenda.

Sentry found many Lagosians expressing satisfaction with the governor’s commitment to the project and hailing him for striving hard to deliver on his election promise.

“All over social media Sanwo-Olu is enjoying rave review for his trains,” a commentator said.

Sentry also sighted a post by Comrade Abbass Hassan, an opposition politician in Alimosho area of the state and avowed critic of the ruling party, where he said: “For this, Sanwoolu won my heart. And when he completes the project, I will worry his party less because of him. He appears like a committed person. I give him kudos.”

Since the commencement of his administration on May 29, 2019, Sanwo-Olu has maintained his administration’s commitment to bringing the Red Line project to fruition during the lifetime of his government. Lagosians, with their expressions of satisfaction, have told Mr. Governor in clear terms that they want the project completed as soon

Feelers from Ekiti State, where governorship election will be taking place later this year suggest that Governor Kayode Fayemi may be tired of the lingering ‘civil war’ within his ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sentry gathered that governor is now reaching out to stakeholders on how peace can return to the troubled party in time for it to win the all-important gubernatorial election.

“Fayemi wants to ensure that the man who takes over from him is not from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He understands how dangerous that is for him,” a source said on Thursday, adding that “the governor, as the leader of the party is finally doing the right thing.”

As part of his quest for a united APC in Ekiti, he met APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, during the week.

Sentry also gathered that the governor has held meetings with several APC stakeholders within and outside the state in the last couple of weeks.

A party leader, who accused Fayemi of victimising Tinubu’s supporters in Ekiti under the aegis of the South West Agenda 2023 (SWAGA) led by Senator Dayo Adeyeye, confirmed that the governor appears to be more desirous of peace in the party in recent times.

“We have noticed his overtures, but can he be trusted to be a gentleman all the way? Ekiti APC will benefit more from being united,’ he said.

Fayemi is believed to be backing the aspiration of the immediate past Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Biodun Oyebanji, while the Adegeye group is supporting Senator Opeyemi Bamidele’s gubernatorial aspiration, all within the APC.

It is left to be seen whether Fayemi’s latest moves bring succor to the troubled party.

National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Iyorchia Ayu, has vowed to pursue completion of the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.

But many are worried he may be getting himself involved in something he should stay away from in his own interest.

“That’s an unnecessary headache he is about to inherit,” a chieftain of the party told Sentry.

Made up of 11 floors, the edifice located at the Central Business District, has dragged on for years and eventually stalled when the party lost power in 2015.

“We believe that apart from the critical holders in the party, we’ll look for other ways advised by experts to look into commercial considerations. I think it is possible to look for ways in the commercial sector to complete this building,” Ayu said.

Sentry gathered that many close associates of the former Senate President have advised him to concentrate on repositioning the party ahead of the 2023 general elections instead of wasting precious time, energy and resources on what many now refer to as a “white elephant project.’

“I fear for him. He doesn’t need the trouble that the project has become. Every national chairman that had anything to do with that building got their fingers burnt. There is a lot on Ayu’s plate at a time like this for him to be bothering about completing the national secretariat. He should leave that to another administration,” a leader of the party warned.

But Ayu has described the secretariat as “a building that must be completed;” stressing that “it must never be allowed to remain wasted as is it.

How will he fare where others have failed? Sentry is watching.

To fill the vacuum created by the death of  Oba Saliu Adetunji, ten of the 11 members of the Olubadan-in-Council last Wednesday endorsed the nomination of Dr. Lekan Balogun as the successor.

Former Oyo State Governor, Rasheed Ladoja, Osi Olubadan of Ibadan, was absent at the meeting, suggesting a crack in the council. But not long after, news broke that Ladoja had also endorsed the selection of Balogun. Many were relieved by the development within and outside Ibadanland.

But that respite would not last long as Ladoja emerged on Friday to deny making any statement to the effect that he’s in support of Balogun’s selection.

He said: “In my comment, I did not say High Chief Lekan Balogun will be the next Olubadan or not. I said and quote me, ‘Otun Olubadan, traditionally is the next heir to the throne of Olubadan, but in this regard I’m not talking about the nomination of Lekan Balogun. There was no time, I said I backed his nomination or not. Please, only report what I said and don’t quote me out of context.

“My explanation should not be misconstrued to mean I’m in support of his nomination as the next Olubadan or not.”

The ex-governor’s latest stance has further compounded the confusion rocking the selection process of the next Olubadan.

Sentry gathered that the unfolding drama is actually meant for the eyes and ears of Governor Seyi Makinde whose consent or dissent will determine the fate of Balogun in the coming days.

“Politics is playing out in the selection process. Ladoja is trying hard not to show his hand when in actual fact he and some others believe Balogun should not eat his cake and have it. Remember the crisis over the elevation of Balogun and others to Obaship status by late Governor Abiola Ajimobi. The case is still in court and the Ladoja group want Balogun to withdraw his appeal and apologise before he can be crowned,” a source told Sentry.

Will Makinde promptly assent to Balogun’s selection and end all arguments? Or will he delay assent and allow the uncertainty and speculations to linger?

Read Also: Ladoja backs Balogun as Olubadan-designate

Between Wike and Ijaws

Last Thursday, the Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) lashed out at Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, over a statement credited to him that the Ijaw were behaving as if they owned the Niger Delta.

The council demanded he apologise and seek forgiveness of Ijaws for the matter to be laid to rest.

But Sentry gathered that the governor isn’t about to appease the IYC.

“The governor is known to speak the way he sees things and he didn’t intend to cast aspersion on any individual or race. He only offered his opinion during a discussion and he is entitled to it,” an ally said on Friday.

The group is at a loss why Wike spoke the way he did. IYC President, Peter Timothy Igbifa said: “We don’t know where he got his impressions from. But whatever he said does not represent our noble ethnic group. We are disappointed that Wike could stand on a public rostrum and throw tantrums at the Ijaw nation. His remarks were to say the least, unfortunate.

“The governor should have exercised restraints in his public utterances despite his misgivings against the Ijaw as a mark of respect for former President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Patience and other Ijaw leaders, who railroaded him into the governorship seat of Rivers State.”

Sentry will continue to monitor developments in this budding face-off.

Unless something is done urgently, the feud between Senator Danjuma Goje and Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya in Gombe State may spell trouble for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Last Wednesday, no fewer than 80 per cent of ward executives of the APC in Yamaltu/Deba Local Government Area of the State resigned their positions over in protest over what they described as insulting attacks on Goje.

Sentry gathered that more chieftains of the party are planning to express their dissatisfaction with the incidents in the days to come.

In a statement after the meeting, immediate past chairman of APC in Yamaltu/Deba LGA, Alhaji Sulaiman Ibrahim, said they resigned in protest over the disrespect and ‘attack’ on Goje’s convoy, three weeks ago.

Read Also: Zamfara APC crisis: Yari faction accuses Caretaker Committee of impunity

According to him, the executives condemned the attack and decided to align with the senator considering his fatherly role in the development of the state and the country at large.

Ibrahim said that well-meaning party members in the state see Goje as the only recognized leader of the APC and deserve utmost respect considering the critical role he played in forming and nurturing the party.

It would be recalled that Hussaina Goje, the embattled senator’s daughter resigned as Commissioner for Environment and Forest Resources last week, after suspected political thugs assaulted her father.