Category: Featured

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has said he would be betraying Nigerians if he doesn’t contest the 2023 presidency.

Osinbajo, who spoke in Akure while addressing delegates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, said he believed the hand of God was upon him.

The APC presidential aspirant said it would amount to a disservice to Nigerians if the expertise he has garnered in the last seven years ended up in retirement and writing memoirs.

He said: “Opportunity of public service is the most valuable thing. It comes once in a while. It is a special privilege to be called upon to serve. Our country needs service. That is what will get our country out of doldrums.

“I have formally declared my intention to run as President. It was because nobody can be anything if God has not decided it. I believe the hand of God must be upon me.

“In those capacity, I got to find out so many things and gained lots of experience. I had opportunities to do what I could do. Knowing what I know and experience I think it will be a betrayal to our Nation.

“With all that has been given to me, I now retire quietly, it will be a great disservice to our country. I want to ensure I make the best case for the position I can.

“Now the opportunity has come, knowing what I know and the experience I have had, it will be a betrayal if all that I have been given I now retire to either Lagos or Ikenne to write memoirs, it will be a great injustice.

“I have come to you because you can make it happen as delegates. We make sure that. Nobody can be anything unless God says you will become what He has planned. God will make it happen and we will give the nation the best.”

Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu said only God could make Osinbajo presidential bid became a reality.

“We have known ourselves for long, not today. We did not meet in politics; we have been friends since secondary school. Nothing can separate us as friends.

“Ondo State is a State for you and a state for all. Be homely, this is your home. Where you are going, it is God that can take you there. It is only God that can do it.”

By Bisi Oladele, Ibadan; Tony Akowe, Abuja and Toba Adedeji, Osogbo

• Aborted visit to Ooni’s palace

• Chieftaincy title for Gbajabiamila

• Gift of furnished houses to wives

The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who joined his ancestors on Friday, had many plans shattered by his passage.

One of them is the eminent monarch’s wish to visit the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi.

The Ooni broke the ice in the frosty relationship between the Ife and Oyo monarchs by visiting the Alaafin during a cultural festival two years ago.

In his tribute, Ooni Ogunwusi, confirmed the Alaafin’s promise to visit him before the middle of this year.

Oba Adeyemi was also said to have concluded plans to present houses to two of his wives.

Another unfulfilled plan, was the installation of House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila as Baamofin of Oyo.

Minister of Interior Rauf Aregbesola, also spoke yesterday of the aborted plan by the late monarch to settle the rift between him and his principal.

According to a source, the monarch was to hand over two new houses to two of his wives as gifts before end this month.

The source said: “Kabiyesi was waiting to get well. He planned to hand over a gift of new houses to two of the queens. But, death has made that impossible now.  The houses have been completed. They were just to be handed over to the wives.”

The monarch, who was the consenting authority to obas in Oyo and Oke-Ogun communities, had also initiated plans to confront the Oyo State Government over the elevation of some chiefs and bales into obas without his consent, and in violation of chieftaincy laws.

A source said Oba Adeyemi had written former Governors Rashidi Ladoja and Abiola Ajimobi on the issue. But, they did not take any action.

Oba Adeyemi was said to have initiated moves to complain to Governor Seyi Makinde on the issue. It was learnt that the monarch had painstakingly gathered relevant documents, which he planned to launch by end of April before death came.

In a 2017 letter to the late Ajimobi, the Alaafin had listed baales who elevated themselves to Obas and those who gave themselves non-existing titles. Aside the traditional ruler of Aawe, a community that borders Oyo, other communities in the list are in Oke-Ogun.

Adeyemi stated: “One seemed to believe that with these and host of legislations on chieftaincy matters, both the administrators, prescribed authorities and the beneficiaries would be guided alright.  It was very disappointing that self-esteem, corrupt practices, negligence, and carefree attitude by those concerned have led to great abuse and bastardization of the important culture. Dubious characters in our society now found acquisition of chieftaincy titles at all costs a safe haven since the anointment is honourable for life. They manipulated their ways to the highest position, sometimes, to the disadvantage of some families. Criminals have invaded the culture.”

In his condolence message, Aregbesola said Oba Adeyemi was one of the strong supporters of his administration while he was the governor of Osun State.

He said: “Oba Adeyemi was an elegant and colourful monarch. He was a bridge between the ancient and the modern. He encapsulated the totality of the recorded Yoruba history dating back to the 11th Century.”

He added: “He was a major player in the effort to settle the rift between me and my principal and he was still working on it till he passed on.”

Gbajabiamila cancels conferment

Gbajabiamila has cancelled arrangement for the conferment of the title of Baasofin of Yorubaland on him.

The cancellation of the ceremony which was scheduled for May 27, is due to the death of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Adeyemi who was to preside over the event.

Shortly after the death of the royal father, already printed invitation cards for the event emerged on the internet.

A statement by the Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media and Publicity, Lanre Lasisi, explained that while the Oba’s letter communicating the award of the title to the Speaker was delivered on September 30, 2021, the event could not take place earlier than schedule.

 

The Presidency has again taken a swipe at the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, for what it considers negative portrayals of President Muhammadu Buhari. administration.

It claimed in a statement yesterday that Kukah and the opposition were responsible for the delayed delivery of 12 Super Tucano jets to Nigeria by the United States.

The statement by the Senior Special Assistant to Buhari on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu,  was  titled “Predicting Nigeria’s collapse is a perennial pursuit of US think tanks and policy experts.”   He did not specifically mention the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the opposition which, according to him was defeated in 2015 by Buhari.

Shehu argued that the war against terrorism would have recorded a huge success if the US authorities were not negatively influenced then by  Kukah and the opposition.

Shehu had while reacting last week to an Easter message by the Catholic cleric accused him of hating the Buhari administration and using the pulpit to play politics.

But  Kakah fired back, saying that no amount of intimidation would silence him in the face of injustice. He insisted that the present government has performed poorly and challenged the President’s spokesmen to a public debate.

In the statement yesterday, Shehu argued that the past roles by Kukah and opposition lobbyists made the US and its Congress view  Christian-Muslim relations in Nigeria as chaotic.

He explained that the narratives sold to the US Congress were inaccurate. He cited the mentioning of the history of coups in Nigeria by Kukah in his address before the US Congress without pointing out that the last was almost 30 years ago to buttress his argument.

The presidential spokesman recalled how the request by the Federal Government for the purchase of military hardware from the US  was approved and later withdrawn on the excuse of religious conflicts.

Shehu expressed happiness that the delivery of the jets in batches by a “favourable”  US administration,  had led to the killing of terrorist leaders and many of their followers.

His words: “In 2015, the then newly-elected Buhari government requested US military support in the form of Super Tucano fighter jets for the Nigerian Air Force. The Nigerian military, security, and intelligence services repeatedly made this request.

“The US administration of the time concurred: the delivery of such jets would help deliver a critical turning point in Nigeria’s struggle against jihadist terrorists across the Sahel.

“Yet two years later, the delivery was rescinded. The reasons given were that unless Nigeria improved its religious relations between Christianity and Islam, the US support would not be forthcoming in this, and many other areas.

“Such views were compounded by the constant lobbying of US Congress by the opponents of the Nigerian government who had lost the previous election, and many of their Southern religious supporters – including Bishop Mathew Kukah, the Catholic Bishop of Diocese of Sokoto, who, unsurprisingly, provides a supportive quote for the cover of the new edition of(John) Campbell’s book. Kukah even took to addressing the US Congress himself, briefing his audience on the history of coups in Nigeria – without, of course, mentioning that none had occurred since 1993, some 29 years ago.

“Fortunately, now today under a new US administration, these jets have been delivered, and with it, a serious blow against the terrorists – with the supreme leader of Islamic State in West Africa and scores of other leaders of the group eliminated in airstrikes.

“It is all very well to claim it is in the US interests to help Nigeria become an even-better democracy and stable country. It is quite another to forever avoid mentioning the last coup was 29 years ago, and that since 1999 Nigeria has enjoyed 23 unbroken years of democratically-elected governments and peaceful transition between them.

“It is also inconsistent to preach the need for stability but needlessly delay sharing military equipment in the form of jets – not least when it is now proven they would have helped.

“Hopefully, the US and Nigeria are going to forge ahead with our continuing partnership in fighting terrorism in and out of the sub-region.

“The dream of our founding fathers of a strong, united and prosperous Nigeria remains very much intact.”

The statement was  titled “Predicting Nigeria’s collapse is a perennial pursuit of US think tanks and policy experts.”

“Most recently retired former US Ambassador to Nigeria 2004-7 John Campbell has updated his book, of which the first edition said: ‘While Nigerians often claim they are masters of dancing on the brink without falling off, the disastrous administration of President Goodluck Jonathan, the radical Islamic insurrection Boko Haram, and escalating violence in the Delta and the North may finally provide the impetus that pushes it into the abyss of state failure.’

“It didn’t of course, quite the opposite: Jonathan was defeated at the 2015 general election with power peacefully transferring to the victor, President Buhari.

”Campbell is always more careful than others who openly claim their predicted collapse is just around the corner. Still, it is always there, as innuendo:”

By Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja; Justina Asishana, Minna and Kolade Adeyemi, Jos

A row broke out yesterday within the ranks of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) over the endorsement of two presidential aspirants in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as North’s consensus candidates.

NEF leadership disagreed over the extent of the forum’s involvement and its outcome.

It followed the announcement of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed as the chosen ones by a committee chaired by NEF leader, Prof. Ango Abdullahi.

The committee rated them above the Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and a former bank chief, Alhaji Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

It awarded 10 points each to Saraki and Mohammed, seven to Tambuwal and five to Hayatu-Deen.

But Tambuwal and Hayatu-Deen rejected the outcome, describing the Abdullahi committee as “faceless” and dismissing the outcome as “predetermined”.

NEF’s Director of Publicity and Advocacy Mr Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, distanced the forum from the process yesterday.

He said Prof Abdullahi, who was invited by the former military president to drive the process, did not act on NEF’s behalf.

But the Bauchi governor, who appeared on Channels Politics Today last night, said Bala-Ahmed had no right to contradict Prof Abdullahi.

Also, a former NEF Chairman and Second Republic Minister of Mines and Power Paul Unongo, who explained the choice of Saraki and Mohammed, said the decision was NEF’s.

He said most NEF leaders were present when the choices were made.

Baba-Ahmed said: “It has become necessary to address the impression created in part by mischief, and in part by genuine confusion over the role of the convener of Northern Elders Forum, in the effort to create consensus among four aspirants for the presidential ticket of the PDP.”

He insisted that the consensus idea was that of the aspirants themselves.

According to him, the aspirants had informed Babangida of their intention and requested “elderly intervention” and advice in the event that their efforts failed to produce consensus.

Bala-Ahmed said Babangida in turn requested Abdullahi in his individual capacity to design and manage a process that could improve a consensus agreement among the four aspirants.

He said Abdullahi consequently concluded that assignment and released a detailed report and recommendation, signing it in his individual capacity.

Absolving NEF of any role, Baba-Ahmed said: “It is important to make clear that the entire process did not involve the Northern Elders Forum as a group, and is not a product of the group.”

To him, Prof Abdullahi was “free to undertake any lawful activity as a citizen”, adding that “genuine misinterpretations of his role are understandable”.

The NEF spokesman said: “Northern Elders Forum is not affiliated to any political party or aspirant, and is strongly committed to the creation of a level playing field which will allow the emergence of the best leaders in the 2023 elections.

“It has also remained consistent in its conviction that all parts of the country should play their parts freely, unhindered by restrictions which offend principles of inclusion and fairness.

“The Forum believes the North has excellent candidates whose fate should be left to party delegates and voters to decide.”

Bala-Ahmed assured that NEF remained united behind the protection and projection of interests of the North and Nigeria, and would play its role as it has done whenever circumstances demand.

Unongo: Why Saraki, Mohammed were chosen

Unongo told reporters in Jos, the Plateau State capital, that the process was designed to foster unity, adding that the decision was taken in the interest of the Northcentral in particular.

He said: “Both Saraki and Bala stood out. We felt that a person who was a former Senate President and two-term governor of Kwara State and performing governor of Bauchi State would be better choices of the North.

“We felt we should present the two and let them choose between themselves.

“With somebody from the Middle Belt that is Senator Saraki, we felt he was qualified for the interest and unity of the North.

“Northern Elders Forum has competent elders. I cannot speak for those that were not there when the decision was taken.

“But by the people I saw there, I felt everyone was represented. I was there. Prof Abdullahi was there and many others and we gave our views.

“If our able and qualify elders like Yahaya Kwande felt we didn’t do well, they can go ahead and submit their own fresh names and we shall look into it but we felt we have represented all members.

“We are looking at it from the point of view of keeping the North united and making everybody to have a sense of belonging.

“The decision was taken within the context of what is the best for the Middle Belt and the North at large and was correct in term of practical applications and past experience.

“It was correct for the North to say it is time for the people of the Middle Belt to produce among our children that are contesting for the presidency and it is proper for our children to refer to us and we advise them accordingly.”

Saraki welcome decision

Saraki said his selection along with Mohammed as consensus candidates was not forced on anybody.

He said the aspirants had agreed to consult with the elders and abide by their decisions.

Saraki spoke with reporters at the Niger State PDP Secretariat in Minna, the state capital, when he met with the state delegates.

Reacting to the uproar over the consensus decision, Saraki noted that everyone involved in the process was not forced and that the recommendations needed to be taken in good faith.

“We voluntarily went to our elder statesmen to seek their participation.

“They did not seek or ask that they should be involved in it, and neither were we forced into doing it.

“We decided on our own to go seek their involvement for a northern consensus candidate.

”For the decision, we appreciate our elder statesmen for their role in the process and their patriotism and desire for the unity of the country. To abide by the decision is an individual choice. Everyone has to make his own decision.

“With all humility, I have accepted the recommendations and recognised them and have decided to forge ahead,” he said.

The former Senate President promised to tackle insecurity if elected president.

He said: “After I become President, there will be no more banditry and kidnapping in this country.

“I assure you that I will do more as president. I will include more women in my cabinet and make sure that my cabinet has youths as Ministers of State.”

Youths suspected to be thugs went on rampage on Sunday in Offa, Offa local government area of Kwara state.

The police confirmed that two persons were shot dead.

But a source said three persons died during the gang clashes.

The bloody street brawls between rival thugs in the town, it was gathered, started around Olofa way area of the metropolis.

It was also gathered that the clashes were allegedly caused by squabble over girl friends as the thugs allegedly freely used dangerous weapons.

To prevent a degeneration of the bloody clashes, some naval personnel from the Navy School of Health Sciences in the town were drafted to the scene.

It was gathered that the rampaging thugs attacked the naval personnel and in the process no fewer than three persons died.

Authorities of the Federal Polytechnic Offa swiftly urged their students to stay away from the crisis areas.

The institution’s Director of Information, Public Relations and Protocol, Olayinka Iroye, said that “reports received now indicate that there are clashes between some youth and military personnel around Popo/Oja-Ale and Olofa’s palace areas.

“Staff and students are therefore advised to avoid those areas or preferably stay at home. Please be security conscious and stay safe.”
Spokesperson of Kwara Police Ajayi Okasanmi said that the clashes started around 11:30 am.

Okasanmi said: “The public disturbance experienced today started around 11:30am, when some suspected gangsters from Isale Offa and Ojale areas both in Offa clashed.

“Before the arrival of police men dispatched to the scene, two of the clashing gangsters named Samad Adeyemi (21) of Isale Offa and one Abdulahi Mohammed (20) of Ojale had been shot dead.

“The command wishes to allay the fears of members of the public, especially the people of Offa and its environs, that peace has been totally restored in the ancient city, the members of the public are therefore advised to go about their normal lawful daily endeavors.

“Investigation into the matter is however in progress, adding that the command had stationed men from its Tactical Units, conventional police teams and operatives from the intelligence department to monitor the situation and ensure no further break down of law and order.”

Traditional worshippers have condemned the open display of the corpse of late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, during the Islamic funeral prayer.

They said the act was against the tenets of traditional respect for a dead king.

They also enjoined all Yoruba monarchs to emulate the late Adeyemi in promoting traditional religion, which is the basis of their crown.

The traditionalists recalled the late Alaafin never minced words in condemning open display of Yoruba Obas” remains for any purpose while alive.

They pointed out he even went against attempts by Ogun Assembly to alter the State’s burial rites procedure to weaken the power of traditional religion and practitioners in taking the needed roles at the burial rites of any deceased king.

The body, in a statement, on Sunday, sent condolences to the children, widows, Oyo indigenes, the Yorubaland in general and the Sango devotees worldwide for losing one of their members.

The Chairman, Traditional Religion Worshippers’ Association of Nigeria, Oyo State Branch, Surveyor Adefabi Fadiran and the Secretary, Mogaji Dr. Fakayode Fatunde, appreciated Sango devotees in Oyo town for tolerating the Muslim and Christian worshippers for the initial prayers before taking over the last traditional rites.

The statement said the maturity showed by the Sango worshippers would go into history as worthy of emulation, asking all traditional worshippers to start different appeasements to smoothen the late Alaafin’s transition to the great beyond.

“We send condolences to the children, widows, the Oyo indigenes, Yorùbá land in general and most especially, the Ṣàngó devotees worldwide who have just lost one of them. In fact, Oba Adeyemi was a true devotee of Ṣango and that was why he joined the ancestors on Sango worship day.

“It is rather disappointing to have seen the corpse of our revered Alaafin being displayed all over the internet, it is saddening and we want this to be on record that we as a body are protesting this act, we do not want our children and grandchildren to question us in the future that we did not act or talk.

“The same disparaging act was witnessed during the burial of late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and we made our minds known as well, this is a trend that must stop or we will all be contributing towards the total annihilation of our tradition and culture, our Yoruba monarchs and kingmakers should please make efforts at remedying this malady.

“However, we extol the Ṣàngó devotees for being tolerant to allow the Muslims and Christians to do the initial prayers before the final rites commenced, it is a good sign of religious tolerance that we have been advocating.

“We also use the opportunity to enjoin all the Ọba in Yorùbáland to emulate Ọba Lamidi Adeyemi in the promotion of Yorùbá traditional religion which is the basis of the crowns on their heads.”

Adeyemi, breathed his last on Friday at 83 after ruling for 52years.

A Kaduna-based philanthropist and former Head of Electrical Engineering Department, Kaduna Polytechnic, Engineer Ramatu Abarshi, her daughter and a commercial driver were kidnapped on Kaduna-Kachia road at the weekend.

Abarshi and her daughter, Amira were on their way from Mariri village in Kajuru local government area where they had gone to distribute relief materials, including Sallah clothing to children orphaned by banditry.

A lecturer in the Polytechnic, who confirmed the abduction to The Nation, said the bandits trailed, attacked and kidnapped them around Kasuwan Magani Saturday evening

According to the lecturer: “Engr. Ramatu Abarshi, and her daughter, Amira were returning to Kaduna, after a visit to Mariri village in Kajuru Local Government, where they distributed household items to the less privileged. She distributed clothes and other basic items to orphans ahead of the Eid-el- Fitr celebration.

“After they distributed the items, and were coming back to Kaduna that the bandits stopped their chattered vehicle, and kidnapped them in a village, near Kasuwan Magani,” the lecturer said.

A friend of the kidnapped victims told journalists the bandits have made contact with the family and demanded N100 million for their release.

Kaduna Police spokesman ASP Muhammad Jalige said he was going to contact the DPO in charge of Kasuwan Magani to get details of the incident.