The Nation Newspaper

Category: Lead

  • NDLEA arrests wanted kingpin, suspected trafficker

    NDLEA arrests wanted kingpin, suspected trafficker

    The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 56-year-old suspected trafficker, Lawal Lateef Oyenuga, on a mission to deliver 400grams of cocaine concealed in a pair of palm sandals in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

    The agency said this led to the swift follow up arrest of a wanted notorious kingpin, Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan popularly known as Teacher, who recruits mules for the cartel.

    Spokesman of the agency, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

    He said NDLEA operatives attached to the screening point of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos had on Thursday 24th November intercepted Lawal Lateef Oyenuga with a pair of black palm sandals packed in the luggage he was going with to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia via Addis Ababa on an Ethiopian Airways flight.

    According to the statement, thorough examination of the sandals revealed they were used to conceal two parcels of cocaine weighing 400 grams.

    He said this was coming barely a week after a 56-year-old widow and mother of four, Mrs. Ajisegiri Kehinde Sidika was arrested at the airport over her attempt to traffic 400 grams of cocaine concealed in her footwear to Makkah, Saudi Arabia on board a Qatar Airways flight.

    According to Babafemi, Oyenuga claimed he was recruited to traffic the drug by Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan popularly known as Teacher.

    Oyenuga added he was first given some pellets of cocaine to swallow but when he could not do that, then he was given the ones concealed in the palm sandals.

    Read Also: NDLEA arrests l widow with cocaine in footwears

    The statement reads, “He (Oyenuga) said he resorted to the criminal trade to raise money to pay an examination fee for his daughter who is in Senior Secondary School class 3. The Agency’s database reveals Wasiu Sanni (Teacher) has been linked to some previous attempts to traffic cocaine to Saudi Arabia and Dubai, UAE. He was earlier named as the one who recruited a BRT driver, Bolajoko Muyiwa Babalola for Lagos socialite and owner of Adekaz Hotels, Alhaji Ademola Afolabi Kazeem (a.k.a Alhaji Abdallah Kazeem Muhammed) to traffic drugs to Dubai. Bolajoko was arrested on 27th June while taking 900 grams of cocaine to Dubai while Ademola Kazeem was nabbed on Thursday 10th November, barely 10 days after he was declared wanted by NDLEA.

    “A follow up operation in the early hours of Friday 25th November led to the arrest of the kingpin, Teacher, who specialises in recruiting mules for drug barons in Lagos and its environs at his residence located in Ikorodu area of Lagos. The 64-year-old Wasiu Sanni Gbolahan is a housing and property agent, with seven children and four wives, one of whom is now late.

    “In another follow up operation to the seizure of 1.10kg cannabis concealed in bottles of body cream going to Dubai on 9th September, the actual owner of the consignment, Wordu Hopewell Chukwuemeka who runs a boutique business in Port Harcourt, Rivers state was arrested in the Garden City on Thursday 24th Nov.

    “In the same vein, operatives attached to NAHCO import shed of the Lagos airport on Tuesday 22nd Nov. intercepted a consolidated cargo from Johannesburg, South Africa via an Airpeace Airline flight. The cargo contained different items, including cloths, cereals, baby toys, drinks, and a set of two big black speakers, which were used to conceal 25 parcels of Loud variant of cannabis, with a gross weight of 5.5kg

    “Similarly, operatives attached to the SAHCO export shed of the airport same Tuesday intercepted a carton of food items used to conceal 500 grams of cannabis going to Dubai, UAE while the owner, Uzoma Kingsley was promptly arrested.

    “In a related development, attempt by an Organised Criminal Group to traffic 131kg of Ephedrine, a dominant precursor chemical for the production of Methamphetamine to Congo Kinshasa through the SAHCO export shed of the airport was foiled on Monday 21st Nov by NDLEA operatives in conjunction with Aviation Security (AVSEC) officers of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). Two freight agents: Nwazuru Georgewill and Saheed Muritala linked to the bid were promptly arrested.

    “Meanwhile, attempt by a drug trafficker, Udogwu James Johnson, facing multiple charges of drug offences to flee the country after he jumped bail has been thwarted by NDLEA operatives at the Port Harcourt International Airport where he was arrested on Friday 25th Nov. The 51-year-old suspect was already facing trial at a Federal High Court in Lagos before he was arrested again on Saturday 9th April in Port Harcourt for importing 5.48kg cocaine concealed in lotion plastic bottles sealed with candle wax. He was granted bail by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt on Wednesday 23rd Nov over his latest offence while the Lagos court had issued a warrant of arrest against him for jumping bail over his case in Lagos.

    “At the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, NAIA, Abuja, the move by a Brazilian returnee, Iroegbute Ejike Francis, 46, to smuggle 4kg cocaine soaked in towels stuffed in his hand luggage into the country was foiled on Thursday 24th Nov by NDLEA officers who arrested him, upon his arrival on a Qatar Airline flight from Brazil -Doha-Abuja.

    “No fewer than 5,851.3 kilograms (5.8 tons) of cannabis sativa were seized from dealers across five states in the past week, including a notorious cripple, Ibrahim Yusuf, 45, who was arrested on Monday 21st Nov. at Gasline, Ifo, Ogun state with 4kg of the psychotropic substance, while a total of 36 bags weighing 570kg of the same substance were recovered in another raid at a forest in Ogunmakin town, Obafemi Owode LGA.

    “In Edo, operatives on Tuesday 22nd Nov evacuated 141 bags of Cannabis Sativa with a gross weight of 1,884 kg (1.884 tons) stored in a warehouse in Okpe forest, Akoko Edo LGA, while on Thursday 24th Nov, NDLEA officers arrested Ismaila Abubakar, 50, at Okada junction, Ovia South West LGA with 22 bags of C/S weighing 216.5kg. A day after, operatives also seized 112 bags of C/S stored in Obi Camp forest, Ovia South West LGA weighing 1, 512kg.

    “This was also followed by another seizure of 45 bags that weighed 529.5kg, while officers equally intercepted a Toyota Sienna bus with Reg. No. BDG 598 FZ (Lagos) loaded with 566.5kg cannabis going to Onitsha, Anambra State, and a suspect, Sunday Mathias, 30, arrested with the seizure.

    In Ondo state, NDLEA operatives stormed Oke-Ogun forest on Friday 25th Nov where Onyebuchi Chime was arrested with 88kg cannabis, a gun and some ammunition while they also recovered 149.5kg of the substance at Ipele forest. Not less than 12.42 hectares of cannabis farms were destroyed and 195kg processed weeds of the substance recovered at Efon Alaye, Ekiti state where two dealers: Richard Ebong and Nze Abraham were arrested on Saturday 26th Nov.

    “In Oyo state, operatives arrested a 27-year-old Mrs. Adebayo Rahmat on Thursday 24th Nov at Sabo-Ilupeju, Atiba LGA, with 136.3kg cannabis, while no fewer than 84,000 pills of Tramadol tablets were recovered from a suspect, Muhsin Abdullahi in Bodinga area of Sokoto state same day. In the same vein, 16,000 pills of Exol-5 and D5 concealed in palm oil were seized from Lawal Rabe, 24, on Friday 25th Nov at Kokami village, Danta LGA, Katsina while a total of 54,500 tablets of Tramadol and Exol-5 were seized from the duo of Basiru Muhammadu and Saidu Yusuf in the same area on Saturday 26th Nov.

    “Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd), CON, OFR, commended the officers and men of the MMIA, NAIA, PHIA, Edo, Ogun, Ekiti, Ondo, Sokoto, Katsina and Oyo Commands of the Agency for their professionalism in the discharge of their duties and the remarkable results that followed. He enjoined them and their compatriots across the country not to let down their guards as the nation approaches the festive season.”

  • Adeleke, Deputy take oath of office

    Adeleke, Deputy take oath of office

    Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke and his Deputy, Kola Adewusi, have taken the oath of office and allegiance.

    Osun Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, administered the oath on them in an event attended by many.

    Adeleke came into the venue in a long convoy of vehicles around 11:20am and completed taken his oath at about 11:50am.

    Read Also: VIDEO: Adeleke sworn in as Osun Governor

    Present in the main bowl of Osogbo City Stadium to witness the event were dignitaries that included the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) presidential candidate and his running mate, Atiku Abubakar and Ifeanyi Okowa respectively as well as Governors Godwin Obaseki(Edo) and Emmanuel Udom(Akwa-Ibom).

    Also present were Governors Aminu Tambuwal (Sokoto); Duoye Diri (Bayelsa) as well as former Ekiti Governor, Ayo Fayose and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.

    Wife of the PDP presidential candidate, Titi Atiku, Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi, and former Oyo Governor, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, among others were also at the venue.

  • VIDEO: Adeleke sworn in as Osun Governor

    VIDEO: Adeleke sworn in as Osun Governor

    Adeleke sworn in as Osun Governor

    Read Also: Adeleke, Deputy take oath of office

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  • Massive crowd as Lagos rises for Tinubu, Shettima, Sanwo-Olu

    Massive crowd as Lagos rises for Tinubu, Shettima, Sanwo-Olu

    By Emmanuel Oladesu, Dare Odufowokan, Raymond Mordi, Abiodun Alao, Lagos, Nsa Gill, Calabar, Linus Oota, Lafia and Kolade Adeyemi, Jos

    • I will set up inclusive government – APC candidate

    • Nigerians to retire Atiku with their PVCs

    • Bagudu: No ticket can match Tinubu/Shettima

    • Reject candidates brandishing fake statistics – Lalong

    The list of the dignitaries was no less intimidating. No fewer than 10 governors of the party were in attendance.

    Members of the Federal Executive Council and federal and state legislators also came aplenty as were party officials.

    Adding glamour to the rally were several Nollywood actors and actresses and even masquerades.

    Non-indigene groups from across the state were also there to show their support.

    Tinubu, accompanied by his running mate Senator Kashim Shettima, the APC National Chairman Senator Adamu Abdullahi, the Director-General of his campaign organisation Simon Lalong and the APC governors as well as other dignitaries, had driven into the arena in an open roof double-decker bus amidst cheers from supporters who had lined the roads.

    Addressing the rally, Tinubu promised to set up a government of inclusion, if elected.

    He said: “I don’t think anything is missing here today. We are going to continue progressive government in 2023.

    “I am indeed grateful to the people of Lagos State. I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. It is a broom revolution.

    “We will do our best for Nigeria,” he said, although he was quick to add that “It is not going to be easy at the starting point.”

    Tinubu said none of the 23 APC governors would desert him, and would all be part of his inclusive government.

    His administration, he said, would be a progressive one offering Nigerians the benefits of education, health, social welfare and employment opportunities.

    He was optimistic that the APC would not lose any of the 22 states it is currently governing.

    Tinubu urged the electorate to use their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to retire the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, from politics next year.

    His words: “I know one man, one selfish man. He has been running since 1999. He ran in PDP. He ran in ACN. He ran in APC; an ingrate.

    “He said he is articulated. There are many articulated vehicles in Apapa. Use your votes to retire him. Use your PVCs to retire him this time around. Don’t listen to him.

    “I saw his pamphlet this morning. He said he wanted to end poverty in Nigeria. They were there for 16 years. They didn’t remember Lagos/Badagry Road, East/West Road, Kaduna/Kafanchan Road.”

    Tinubu urged Lagosians to re-elect Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, for the progress and stability of Lagos.

    Sanwo-Olu  thanked  Tinubu for “being the architect and builder of the modern Lagos that we’re all enjoying today; for having the vision, the character, the tenacity to push forth an idea into a plan that has birthed the new Lagos today.”

    Sanwo-Olu, who praised Chairman Adamu for his fatherly role during the campaigns, thanked other party leaders for storming Lagos to support Tinubu.

    He described the former governor as the architect and builder of modern Lagos; a tenacious advocate and champion of unity and cohesion in the country.

    Sanwo-Olu said Tinubu’s feats are visible in his professional calling and politics, stressing that many have been privileged to enjoy the benefits of his knowledge and leadership.

    He said: “We are here in the spirit of resilience of Lagos, which Asiwaju wants to translate as president of Nigeria.”

    House of Representatives Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, who said the rally was organised to energise Tinubu’s base, enjoined party members to convince more undecided voters to endorse Tinubu at the polls.

    Gbajabiamila, who is seeking re-election in Surulere Constituency, said although those at the rally were already “Batified,” they should target in their mobilisation for votes the “undecided voters or swing voters.”

    He also took it upon himself to answer what he described as “frequently asked questions about Asiwaju.”

    The Speaker said: “If they ask: who is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu? Tell them that Tinubu is the greatest politician in modern day Nigeria.

    “If they asked: how old is he? Tell them he is the age his mother says he is. If they doubt it, they should go and meet his mother for reconfirmation.

    “If they ask about his education, tell them he is more educated than all the candidates put together.

    “If they say he is wanted in America, tell them that America has said they don’t know what they are talking about.

    “If they say he is corrupt, tell them he is the most investigated person and nothing has been found against him.”

    Lauding the candidate’s penchant for talent hunt, Gbajabiamila said: “Tinubu has helped men and women who in turn have developed Nigeria.

    To the people of South East and South South in Lagos, he said: “Tinubu has invested in the South East and South South. It is your turn to invest in him.”

    The chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum and governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagudu, said no ticket could match that of Tinubu/Shettima, adding that Tinubu would reenact his Lagos feats if elected as president.

    Bagudu urged Nigerians to vote for Tinubu for the right reasons. He also said the candidate will foster inclusion at the national level as he did when he was governor of Lagos, a state that has representatives from all over Nigeria.

    Adamu, who presented the party flag to the candidate, urged members of the party and other supporters to stand firm to the end.

    He said: “It is not over until it is over. It is not done until it is done. Nigerians have spoken and they are speaking.

    “Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is the president-in-waiting. He is the next president of Nigeria.”

    Tinubu has national acceptance, says Lalong

    In his remarks, Lalong said Tinubu has national acceptance that qualifies him to emerge as Nigeria’s next President.

    Nigerians, according to the Plateau State governor, are grateful to Lagos for giving them the best candidate to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.

    “His records of performance in Lagos stand him out as a good manager of people and resources who can make something out of even the most difficult situation.

    “He has demonstrated that he can take Nigeria to greater heights through ideas and assembling the best brains,” he said.

    Continuing, Lalong said: “He is not a man who talks too much but his results cannot be hidden.

    “Since he became Governor of Lagos State, the commercial capital of Nigeria has never been the same again. He did not only govern well but handed over to people that he trained who have carried on with his legacies and also brought up more ideas.

    “That is the hallmark of a leader who thinks about the next generation and not just today.

    “He stands tall as a manager of men and resources, who can bring out something from nothing.

    “Lagos has not been the same since he became governor. He brought worthy successors. He is a bridge builder and he has network across the country.

    “The experiences at the rallies have shown that Nigeria wants Tinubu as President.

    “Charity begins at home. I urge the smart people of Lagos to support their own who has ability and capability to serve, because he has the competence and charisma.”

    Lalong added: “Don’t be deceived by candidates who will give you false statistics and fake promises. Don’t buy their lies.

    “President Buhari has asked me to tell you to remain focused and vote for Tinubu/Shettima more than you did for him in 2015 and 2019.”

    He maintained that from what happened at the flag-off in Jos to the mammoth crowds in Delta and Ebonyi states recently, it was very clear that Nigerians have decided to go with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Senator Kashim Shettima.

    Other governors at the rally were Nasir El-Rufai (Kaduna), Bello Masari (Katsina), Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Gboyega Oyetola (Osun), AbdulRaham AbdulRasaq (Kwara) and Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti).

    Also at the rally were former governor of Ogun State, Aremo Olusegun Osoba; Works Minister Babatunde Fashola; APC National Secretary Senator Iyiola Omisore; APC National Vice Chairman (West) Isaacs Kekemeke; Generals Tukur Buratai and  Abayomi Olonisakin; former Governors Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Senator Ibikunle Amosun(Ogun); Minister of Science and Technology Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora;  Mr. Jack Rich; Paul Obayagbon; Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa; Lagos APC Chairman Cornelius Ojelabi; and Chairperson of Nigerian Diaspora Commission Abike Dabiri-Erewa, who was the master of ceremonies.

    From the Nollywood industry were Yinka Quadri, Saheed Balogun, Eniola Ajao, Foluke Daramola, Taiwo Hassan, Mr. Perfect and others.

    ‘Tinubu has plenty to offer South-South women’

    At a separate rally for women in Calabar yesterday, the wife of the APC presidential candidate, Senator Oluremi Tinibu, and the wife of his running mate, Hajia Nana Shettima, urged support from women in the South South for the APC candidate, saying a vote for him was a vote for the upliftment of women.

    Mrs. Tinubu promised that she and Hajia Shettima would work together to support their husbands and constantly remind them of issues of development.

    First Lady Aisha Buhari was represented at the rally by her daughter, Zara.

    Wife of the Governor of Cross River State and Chairperson South South APC Women and Youth Campaign, Dr.  Linda Ayade, welcomed Mrs Tinubu and other dignitaries to the rally.

    National Woman Leader of APC, Dr. Betta Edu, said the women’s wing of the party had concluded arrangements to mobilise 40 million people to vote for the Tinubu/Shettima ticket.

    She said: “The deal is 40 million votes for Tinubu. We are going for 40 million votes for Tinubu/Shettima.

    “If you don’t have your PVC, you are wrong. Don’t let anybody give you money in exchange for your PVC.

    “Tinubu has empowered his wife who is a Christian to rise to the position of Senator.

    “He has supported women and we have seen it. When you return to your states and LGAs, please mobilise women so that we can cast our votes in support of Tinubu and Shettima.

    “I am very pleased because we have so many governors who are supporting Tinubu.

    In his remarks, the APC Cross River State Chairman Alphonsus Eba pledged to use his office to gather massive votes for Tinubu/Shettima.

    Governor Ayade also promised to support APC women in achieving success.

    Tinubu is a committed democrat, let’s trust him with our mandate – Al-Makura

    Some 607 kilometers from Lagos yesterday, the immediate past governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Umaru Tanko Al-Makura, was also rooting for Tinubu.

    Al-Makura called the APC flag bearer a committed democrat who should be trusted with votes to lead Nigeria in 2023.

    He spoke at the inauguration of his campaign team for Nasarawa South Senatorial district ahead of 2023 general elections.

    He said: “The Jagaban of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we don’t need to go far before we can sell him to the people of Nigeria.

    “This is someone I call a committed democrat; someone who has been fighting for democracy every day of his life since 1990. Such a person can be trusted. He turned Lagos into a centre of excellence.

    The former governor, who is currently representing Nasarawa South Senatorial District, said: “I have come here to notify you officially through this campaign council that I’m embarking on yet another exercise so that I will continue with the little I have been able to do in the past four years in the Senate.

    “I don’t need to mention what I have done, but I can assure you that in every local government, in every development area within the senatorial zone, there is none that I have not touched physically or infrastructurally.

    “I want to assure you that if I’m given the opportunity for another four years, I will still do much more than I have already done.”

    Also speaking, Governor Abdullahi Sule, represented by his Deputy Dr Emmanuel Akabe, pleaded with the people of southern senatorial district to re-elect Senator Al-Makura for more democratic gains.

    The inauguration was attended by former and serving commissioners in the state, executive chairmen of local government councils, party executives and chieftains from the senatorial district.

  • Intrigues, power tussle tear Ekiti Assembly apart

    Intrigues, power tussle tear Ekiti Assembly apart

    The impeachment of the Ekiti House of Assembly Speaker, Gboyega Aribisogan, and installation of Hon. Bunmi Adelugba as his replacement, has ignited a serious crisis as the duo lay claim to the number one legislative seat. Correspondent Rasaq Ibrahim writes on the intense power play in the hallow chamber.

    Since November 15, Ekiti state has been in the news for wrong reason. No thanks to the internal crisis besetting the State House of Assembly over who occupies the speakership seat. The number three position in the state’s political organogram became vacant following the demise of the late Speaker, Funmiyi Afuye. Afuye was snatched by the cold hand of death on Wednesday, October 19 after suffering cardiac arrest.

    No sooner than the Ikere-Ekiti born lawyer turned politician died, even at a time his lifeless body was still lying cold in the morgue waiting to be committed to the mother earth, surreptitious scramble for the his seat had started. The Nation had exclusively reported that three lawmakers were seriously jostling to be Afuye’s successor. The lawmakers were the Deputy Speaker, Hakeem Jamiu, the leader of the Government Business, Gboyega Aribisogan and the Chief Whip, Bunmi Adelugba.

    But on November 15, only four days after Afuye’s burial, 25 lawmakers convened at the Assembly to elect a new speaker.  It was learnt ex-governor Kayode Fayemi alongside the All Progressive Congress (APC) leadership in the state had met with the 25 lawmakers at his private residence in Ado-Ekiti without the knowledge of the governor, Biodun Oyebanji. At the meeting, it was said that Fayemi categorically mandated the lawmakers who are all members of the ruling APC to install Adelugba as the new speaker. The directives was said to have been rebuffed by Aribisogan.

    In the election presided over by the clerk, Tola Esan, Aribisogan who was said to be enjoying Oyebanji’s support, defeated his only challenger Adelugba, by polling 15 votes against 10. The outcome of the election did not please the ex-governor and his loyalists. They refuse to recognise Aribisogan because they felt betrayed. Independent investigation by our reporter revealed that some lawmakers worked against Fayemi’s choice as a payback to the ex-governor for allegedly denying them return tickets to the Assembly despite their loyalty.

    Following Aribisogan’s emergence signs of crisis started manifesting when it was reported that he could not gain access to speaker’s lodge, Office official vehicles, office and other paraphernalia of office. It was also said that he could not even have access to Governor Oyebanji and Fayemi. It was gathered that the governor denied Aribisogan access to his office not that he was against his emergence as but to avoid any confrontation with his former boss, Fayemi whose anointed candidate was roundly defeated.

    Crisis

    Twenty-four hours after he was sworn in, the Police laid siege on the premise of the Assembly complex over claims that some persons were planning to attack the legislative building. The security personnel, drawn from the anti-riot squad, regular policemen and counter-terrorism unit were strategically stationed on the four routes leading to the state House of Assembly complex. Movement into the complex, located off Government Reserve Area, 3rd extension Ado metropolis was restricted as stop and search operations with increased checkpoint as patrol van were moving around the vicinity.

    The situation created palpable fear in the Assembly complex as workers hurriedly left their offices for their homes to avoid being caught in the web. The Ekiti State Police Command’s spokesperson, Sunday Abutu, in defence of the action, said that the Police acted on intelligence gathered that some political thugs were planning to attack the Assembly.  “We acted on a security alert we received that some people were planning to invade the assembly, and we owe it a duty to safeguard the lives of the people and public utilities. We took proactive measures to secure the Assembly complex by deploying our men there. There is no cause for alarm; we are on top of the situation.” he said.

    Two days after, palpable tension rose as the police claimed that their men foiled attempt by some hoodlums to burn the Assembly. But, Aribisogan dismissed the police’s narratives, alleging it was a ploy by the security agents in cahoots with some powerful individuals to keep him out of the Assembly in a bid to foist another person on the lawmakers. He said, “The Assembly is not under siege. The police are thought to have done this because some disgruntled elements were planning to attack. The Commissioner of Police gave assurance that the House of Assembly would be reopened the following day (Thursday) when he would have concluded his investigation.

    “But unfortunately, as I speak the house is still under lock and key. That is why we have decided to call on the Inspector General of Police to call on his people to allow the Assembly to function.” He accused Fayemi of being mastermind of the crisis in the Assembly out of sheer desperation to remove him as Speaker and inaugurate his preferred person, Adelugba. He said, “When Fayemi called us to his residence and said he wanted us to support Hon. Adelugba, I stood up to say that that could not be done by fiat or by imposition and that we had leaders that we had to consult and that we would get back to them.

    “During the election on November 15, the majority of the Assembly members voted for me, but a few of them, who felt that perhaps I did not follow the former governor’s directive felt that they would make the place ungovernable.” he said. The embattled lawmaker also accused the ex-governor of sponsoring some of the lawmakers to impeach him. He said that the lawmakers loyal to Fayemi had perfected plans to impeach him during plenary. He said, “they don’t want democratic processes to take place in the Assembly, and these people are even with arms, saying they are going to assassinate the speaker, take over the place tomorrow (Monday) morning.”

    According to Aribisogan, all his efforts to reach Fayemi since his emergence and sealing off of the Assembly have been futile. He said, “I still sent a text message to him on Saturday night but up till now, he has not done anything about it. But he has been calling our members to go and impeach me. As I speak with you, seven of our members are locked up in a guest house in Ado Ekiti in cahoots with some of his former aides for the planned impeachment.’’ Like he had preempted, the 10 lawmakers supporting Adelugba in cohort with their sponsors, in a deft political move, broke the ranks of the 15 lawmakers loyal to the Aribisogam by winning 7 members of the group to their sides to get a two-third majority required to impeach a speaker.

    The 17 lawmakers, as early as 6am on November 21, who were conveyed to the Assembly by an 18-passenger bus held an emergency plenary presided over by the deputy speaker, Hakeem Jamiu and impeached Aribisogan and suspended him indefinitely for allegedly blocking the passage of the 2022 supplementary appropriation bill. Aribisgan was immediately replaced by Adelugba, his rival, as the speaker and the sacred oath of office and allegiance was subsequently administered on her.

    Controversy

    The 17 lawmakers that carried out the impeachment process included: Toyin Lucas (Ado 1) Femi Akindele (Irepodun-Ifelodun 1), Teju Okuyiga (Gbonyin), Hon. Ayodeji Ajayi(ise/orun) Lateef Akanle (Ekiti East 2), Hon. Arugbo(Moba 2) , Hon. Babatunde Fawekun (Ido/Osi 1) Hon. Babatunde Joseph (Ekiti Southwest 2), Ademola Ojo (Ijero), Hon. Adeoye Aribasoye (Ikole constituency 2). Others are; Hon. Akin Oso(Ido/Osi 1), Hon. Reuben Awoyemi(Oye 2), Hon. Tunde Idowu (Ikere 2), Hon. Bode Oyekola(Ekiti West 2), the Deputy Speaker, Jamiu, and Adelugba.

    Six other lawmakers were also slammed with suspension for compromising the process of the election that produced Aribisogan as the Speaker among other alleged unpatriotic and unparliamentary conduct capable of threatening the peace of the state. Aribisogan and the six lawmakers were also barred from vicinity of the House of Assembly Complex within the radius of 1.5km for their actions which, according to their colleagues, offend the provisions of the House Standing Rules and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The six lawmakers suspended and barred alongside the impeached Speaker are Hon. Tajudeen Akingbolu (Ekiti West 1), Hon. Tope Ogunleye (Ilejemeje), Hon. Ajibade Adeyemi (Moba 1),  Adekemi Balogun (Ado 1), Yemisi Ayokunle (Ekiti Southwest 1) and Hon. Adegoke Olajide (Efon). Aribisogan and the suspended lawmaker were also barred from vicinity of the House of Assembly Complex within the radius of 1.5km for their actions which, according to their colleagues, offend the provisions of the House Standing Rules and the 1999 Constitution.

    In a swift response Aribisogan described his removal by his opponents as a nullity, saying that he remains the leader of the Assembly in the face of law. He condemned the Gestapo manner at which his removal was allegedly done by lawmakers, saying such will be subjected to judicial scrutiny to save democracy from total collapse. Alluding to the action taken against him by the lawmakers as a flagrant violation of the extant rules and the Assembly’s Standing Order, the embattled lawmaker; said: “In view of the foregoing, we hereby call on the Government and people of Ekiti State and all constituted authorities to note that Hon. Olugboyega Aribisogan remains Speaker of Ekiti State House of Assembly.

    “Ekiti people and the general public are invited to note that Order II, Rule 9 of the House Rules clearly prescribes that before the Speaker can be removed from office, he must be served with a formal notice of allegations and given 72 hours to respond. The unlawful assembly of today was so steeped in illegality that the disgruntled members did not care to pretend to comply with these rules in carrying out the purported impeachment of the speaker.”Aribisogan, who said the action of the lawmaker could not stand in the face of the law, expressed confidence that the court would declare the “kangaroo and illegal impeachment” as a criminal act.

    He said he had instructed his lawyers to proceed with the matter in court. “Even if 24 of the 25 members of the Assembly were there, it would still have been illegal because they did not follow due process. Procedurally, it was wrong for them to have entered that place by 5.30am and conducted an impeachment by 6am. The Standing Order in Ekiti State House of Assembly said that the House shall meet by 10am for both parliamentary meetings and plenary sessions, not 6am. Then, the fact that the police had earlier sealed off the place, how they were able to gain entrance and conducted that kangaroo and illegal impeachment on Monday while the police were still claiming that they were protecting that place still remains a question they must answer,” Aribisogan said.

    Counterclaims

    But Fayemi dismissed the allegations leveled by the impeached Speaker that he was behind his ordeal, saying that he was innocent and never meddled in the internal affairs of the assembly. The ex-governor in a statement issued by Ahmad Sajoh, said, “We wish to clarify that Fayemi had nothing to do with the removal of Aribisogan by his peers as this was the internal arrangement of the Assembly.

    “We wish to note that even as governor, Fayemi did not interfere with the internal affairs and independence of the House and respected the principle of separation of powers where the House had the freedom to decide on its internal affairs.”

    Apparently piqued by the bedlam rocking the Assembly and its looming effects on the polity, eminent senior lawyers of Ekiti origin led by Afe Babalola (SAN) faulted Aribisogan’s removal without following established constitution procedures and global practices. The legal icons, in a statement jointly signed, described as unacceptable and illegal the impeachment, saying the action as a coup d’etat against the state as well as a charade that withstand judicial scrutiny in all its measure.

    Signatories to the statements include foremost legal icon, Femi Falana (SAN); ex-President Nigeria Bar Association, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), former NBA Secretary General, Mr Dele Adesina (SAN), Mr. Olu Daramola (SAN), former Attorney Generals of Ekiti State, Dayo Akinlaja (SAN) and Gboyega Oyewole (SAN). They asked the lawmakers to respect the constitution and be guided by the rule of law in all their actions, stating that the democratic ethos and ideals must not be sacrificed on the altar of politics. The senior Advocates who insisted that Aribisogan remained the speaker in the face of law and that the actions of the Olubunmi Adelugba group to remove him was a nullity, asserted that she could not continue as speaker.

    The lawyers warned those they describe as godfathers in Ekiti politics to be wary of their actions and stop indulging in act that could ignite serious crisis or trigger instability in the state. They said , “Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba cannot continue in office as Speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, and we plead with her to honourably stop parading, presenting or holding herself out as the speaker of the state, as her so-doing constitutes not just an illegality and unconstitutionality, but also a perseverance in such an unlawful enterprise.

    “In like manner, we plead with the members of the House of Assembly to allow all principal officers of the House, including the Deputy Speaker, the Chief Whip, the Majority Leader etc., continue in office, without making any attempt to impeach or replace any of them.” They queried how Aribisogan could have committed an infraction since the Assembly was sealed by the police the morning after his inauguration, asked if he was confronted with the allegations against him to warrant his suspension. They stated, “The alleged suspension and stoppage of the salaries of the speaker and six other members of the House are no less misplaced, illegal, illegitimate, null, and void.

    “If care is not taken, and if all of us seal our lips, fold our arms and get relaxed on our seats and allow this rascality and impunity to go unchecked, in no distant future, the governor of the state would be impeached and forced out of office in like manner. This is absolutely unwarranted, unjustified and condemnable. By way of argument, the sponsors of the charade and their cohorts in the House have foisted on the entire state a coup d’état, in the sense that the suspension of more than one quarter of the members of the House equally translates to the fact that members of their constituencies have also been suspended from the state.”

    The legal icons urged the Governor, Biodun Oyebanji to cautiously watch his back, saying that keeping silence to this alleged rascality and reckless abuse of power could boomerang and embolden the lawmakers to go after him in the future.  “As lawyers, we do not want to swallow hook, line and sinker the grapevine information and tales being peddled about for the reasons underscoring the crisis at hand, among the political gladiators in the state. Be that as it may, we plead with our humble and respected governor to appreciate the fact that having been sworn in as the governor of the state, he automatically translates to the Chief  Executive Officer of the State, and by extension, the buck stops at his table.

    “His silence in the face of the apparent threat to peace, order, good governance and harmony in the state is not the best, to put it mildly and respectfully. Truth be told, he is the one, rather than the political marauders that will be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order in the State.” They advised the House to appreciate “the inviolate nature of the sovereignty of the legislative House and stop hobnobbing with outsiders or powers-that- be to usurp the powers and jurisdiction, rights and privileges, constitutionally and democratically conferred on them.”

    But, the Ekiti State House of Assembly disagreed with the position of the senior lawyers. The lawmakers, who said the opinion of the 7 senior advocates was laced with bias and sentiments. The Chairman, House Committee on Media and Publicity, Adeoye Aribasoye, in a statement, said, “We wish to let the reading public know that members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly feel a sense of injustice by the one-sided opinion and biased intervention of the legal luminaries who are also elder statesmen. The principle of justice all over the world is that all sides to a conflict must be heard and it is only then that justice can be seen to have been done.” “It is unfortunate that our elder statesmen did not hear from the side of the new Speaker and the remaining 16 members who impeached the former speaker, Rt. Hon. Aribisogan and elected Rt. Hon. Adelugba.

    “The advice of the legal luminaries that Rt. Hon. Adelugba, who was duly elected by 17 members, should stop parading herself as the speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly is unwarranted and we believe this is based on wrong information by the impeached Speaker. The House has neither breached any section of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria nor its own standing rules concerning the impeachment of Rt. Hon. Aribisogan and the election of Rt. Hon. Olubunmi Adelugba on Monday, November 21, 2022. Rt. Hon. Aribisogan was duly served an impeachment notice and was thereafter impeached by 2/3rd members of the whole house.

    “For the avoidance of doubt, Rt. Hon. Adelugba remains the validly elected speaker of the Ekiti State House of Assembly and she enjoys the support of overwhelming majority of the honourable members, party leadership and the government of Ekiti State.” However, keen watchers of the events in the state averred that the ongoing crisis runs really deep, beyond what is seen on the surface as an ordinary power tussle among the lawmakers but a cold war for political liberation and survival.

  • N424 budget padding allegation misleading – Minister

    N424 budget padding allegation misleading – Minister

    The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs. Zainab Usman, has described as spurious budget padding allegations made against the ministry and the minister in one of the dailies (not The Nation).

    A news report in the daily titled, ‘Finance Ministry On The Spot Over N424bn ‘Padding’ had implied that the ministry had cooked up budget figures for some ministries, departments and agencies for some line items in the 2023 budget.

    However, in a statement issued last night by Yunusa Tanko Abdullahi, Special Adviser, Media and  Communications to the Minister of Finance, Budget and  National Planning and made available to our correspondent, the minister said there was no truth in the allegations, as such should be dismissed outright.

    In the 21-paragraph statement titled: ‘Where The Allegation Goes Wrong In Project NSSNP-SU Budget,’ the minister acknowledged that the budget for ‘Project: National Social Safety Nets Project – Scale Up (NSSNP-SU) – N206,242,395,000’ was true, but every other statement insinuated in the report was mere fabrication and figment of the writer’s imaginations.

    In the statement which reads in part, the minister said, “The story in a national daily alleging budget padding entitled ‘Finance Ministry on the spot over N424bn ‘padding’ is fabricated and misleading, because the said insertions allocated to the said items and sources in the budget proposal is also unfounded.

    “We hereby wish to respond by putting the record straight: The project so referred to is domiciled in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development headquarters.

    “The World Bank is the funding source for the National Social Safety Net-Scale Up project to the tune of $473,500,000 which is equivalent to N206,242,395,000, using the N435.57/USD exchange rate.

    Read Also; From INEC to NDDC, Onochie faces fresh scrutiny

    “The project was correctly described in the submission from the International Economic Relations Department (IERD) for the 2023 budget. But, unfortunately, a wrong code was selected from the drop down menu which resulted in a wrong description of the project which resulted in it being captured as ‘Purchase of Security Equipment’ in the Government Integrated Financial Management Information (GIFMIS) Budget Preparation System (BPS).

    “Also note that the multilateral loans are usually project’s tied, and have specific codes in the budget system. The multilateral loans are different from the envelopes usually given to ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

    “The funds are drawn by the beneficiary Ministries under the terms of the agreements, and the financial institutions disburse directly to service providers. There were ample opportunities to review details for observations by Ministries and corrections made by the Budget Office of the Federation (BOF).

    “The proposed 2023 budget for each Ministry was circulated for review and feedback, then the Federal Executive Council (FEC) reviewed it before it was submitted to NASS by President Muhammadu Buhari. You may recall that the federal government for a very long while has made significant progress in its budgeting process; just a few months ago, Nigeria at the Open Budget Survey (OBS) improved by 24 points to record its best budget performance.

    “This administration has undeniably been highly committed to budget transparency, having undertaken various reforms in the public finance management space which have culminated in the significant recorded improvements.

    “Therefore, the amount of N206,242,395,000 is correct. The error in description is regretted, and will be corrected through the Appropriations Committee. In response to the allegation of some line items being inserted into the fiscal estimates for Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Power, the 2023 Appropriation Bill as presented has the following for the above-mentioned ministries and the agencies:

    “Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development. Project: National Social Safety Nets Project – Scale Up (NSSNP-SU) – N206,242,395,000. This project is domiciled in the FMHADM&SD HQ. The World Bank is the funding source for the project to the tune of $473,500000 which is equivalent to N206,242,395,000 using the N435.57/USD exchange rate. This project was correctly described in the submission from IERD for the 2023 budget, but unfortunately, a wrong code was inadvertently inserted which resulted in it being captured as Purchase of Security Equipment in the GIFMIS Budget Preparation System (BPS).

    “On Project: Refurbishment and Procurement of Harris RF-5/7800 Military Communication Equipment – N8,600,000,000, the Honourable Minister of Defence wrote to Mr. President requesting the approval and release of $1,363,880.40 and N158,928,045.37 for the implementation of Phase 1 of the project. He also requested that the sums of $12,274,923.60 and N11,946,311,375.18 will be required to implement Phases 2 and 3 of the project, which Mr. President graciously approved. 50% of the requirement for Phases 2 & 3 (using the exchange rate of N435.57/USD), amounting to N8,600,000,000, has been included in the 2023 budget proposal of the MoD.

    “For Project: Safe School Initiative (SSI) – N2,250,000,000, the Defence Headquarters submitted its uncosted requirements under this programme. The SSI Secretariat, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget & National Planning (FMFBNP), however, submitted a request of N4.5bn for MoD, of which only N2.250bn was provided in the 2023 budget.

    “In the case of the Federal Ministry of Power (FMoP), the submission for the 2023 Multilateral/Bilateral Tied-Loan project for FMoP is a total of N195,465,151,790.65 with a breakdown as follows:

    “The Zungeru Hydro- Electric Power Project is funded by the Export-Import Bank of China. Amount: USD175,757,149.92, which is N76,554,541,790.65.

    “The Power Sector Recovery Operation (PSRO) is funded by the World Bank. Amount: USD162,000,000, which is N70,562,340,000.00.

    “The Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP), to be executed by the Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is funded by the World Bank and AfDB. Amount: USD55,000,000, which is N23,956,350,000.00. The Nigeria Electricity Transmission, to be executed by Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN)), is funded by the World Bank. Amount: USD56,000,000, which is N24,391,920,000.000. The total of the fund for the four projects is USD448,757,149, which is N195, 465,151,790.”

  • My comment on Makinde, G5 govs twisted, says Ariwoola

    My comment on Makinde, G5 govs twisted, says Ariwoola

    By Eric Ikhilae and Gbade Ogunwale

    The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola has faulted reports insinuating that he was upbeat about the relationship between the governors of Rivers and Oyo states, Nyesom Wike and Seyi Makinde as it relates to the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). In a statement yesterday, the Supreme Court’s Director of Press and Information, Dr. Festus Akande, said Justice Ariwoola, a judicial officer, is apolitical and could not have spoken in the manner he was portrayed as expressing delight that Makinde belongs to the PDP G5 (Integrity Group) as Wike.

    “We wish to state unequivocally clear that the CJN, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON had never at any point said such during his brief remarks at the state banquet organised as part of the events lined up for the commissioning of the two Judiciary projects undertaken by the Rivers State government. We can’t really pinpoint where such barefaced falsehood is coming from; and certainly, we don’t also know at what point the CJN said he was happy that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was a member of the now christened ‘Integrity Group’ or ‘G-5 Governors.’

    Read Also: Makinde, Agboola’s cold war

    “Even at the state banquet, organised as part of the events, the CJN made it clear in his brief remarks, that he (CJN) was not in Port Harcourt for the state banquet, but simply to commission the two projects as a mark of honour for the Judiciary and Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, CFR, JSC, rtd and later go back to Abuja thereafter. Similarly, he said he was very surprised to see the ‘G-5 Governors’ (Integrity Group Governors). His surprise, particularly stemmed from the fact that he saw his own state governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde (who incidentally is a member of the G-5 Governors at the Port Harcourt occasion.

    “Let it be noted that anything said, assumed, presumed, reported or placed in the public domain outside the above facts, is simply a mere figment of the imagination of such authors and don’t in anyway represent what the CJN said in Port Harcourt, as we are not ready to join issues with such purveyors of misinformation.”

     

  • Tension as gunmen kill six in Anambra

    Tension as gunmen kill six in Anambra

    Suspected gunmen have killed no fewer than six persons in Awka, Anambra State capital.
    The incident took place early hours of Saturday along the popular Zik’s avenue and its environs.
    But Anambra Police Public Relations Officer, Ikenga Tochukwu, said the incident was a clash of rival cult groups.
    He said the command had deployed troops to douse tension in the capital city.
    Sources,who spoke with The Nation, Saturday, said the clash followed the high rate of levies imposed  tricycle operators by the Anambra State Government
    Read Also:
    The gunmen, The Nation gathered, were shooting non stop without any challenge, leading to the death of the six persons
    However, another source said they were cult groups involved in battle for supremacy.
    While confirming the shooting, the Police spokesperson said patrol had been intensified within the area and the entire Awka.
  • Let’s retire Atiku permanently in 2023, Tinubu urges voters

    Let’s retire Atiku permanently in 2023, Tinubu urges voters

    All Progressives Congress(APC) presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has urged voters to retire his Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) counterpart Atiku Abubakar permanently in 2023.

    Tinubu made the call on Saturday in Lagos at the Teslim Balogun Stadium, Surulere venue of APC Presidential Campaign’s mega rally.

    The former Lagos Governor, who spoke partly in Yoruba, took a swipe at Atiku, describing him a veteran aspirant who should go home and rest.

    “Atiku contested in SDP, he contested in PDP; he contested in ACN when we rescued him from Obasanjo. Now he is contesting again in PDP. He should go home and rest,” adding that Nigerians should never allow him and his party near the country’s commonwealth.

    “Atiku has been running. Use your PVC to vote him and his party out. Use your votes to retire him permanently this time. We must never again allow the rapacious and visionless gang of Peoples Destroying People to come near our commonwealth again.

    “They were in government for 16 years, they didn’t remember Badagry Expressway, they didn’t remember East-West Road, they didn’t remember 2nd Niger Bridge.”

    To underscore his support across the country, Tinubu noted Governors of Kano, Kastina, Kaduna, Kwara, Kebbi and other APC Governors were with him unlike his opponent who could not hold his party together.

    The APC Presidential candidate said his party’s campaign is a broom revolution and invoking the spirit of his late mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the Iyaloja-General, he followed up with a folksong, singing in Yoruba, “Dagunro o se je, Tinubu o se pa,” meaning literally that he can not be killed.

    Tinubu said he would continue with progressive government where Nigerians will not be forgotten in education, healthcare and employment generation.

    Tinubu thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for his commitment to the development of Nigeria and Lagos State.

    “I specially thank President Muhammadu Buhari for the unprecedented Federal support and commitment to Lagos State. We have come a long way from Presidents whose sole obsession was to capture or conquer Lagos in do-or-die fashion, to a President who loves the state greatly and is keen to see it do very well.

    Read Also: 10 North West support groups dump Atiku for Tinubu

    “Lagos has benefited tremendously in terms of infrastructure development, whether it is the Lagos-Ibadan Railway line, or the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonsoki Expressway, the revamped National Theatre, the new International Airport Terminal or the support that has made the Lekki Deep Sea Port possible and the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemical Plant, as well as the Red Line of the Lagos Metro, which is sharing part of the Federal corridor,” he said.

    Addressing the massive rally on the importance of sustaining the progressive governance in Lagos State, Tinubu urged Lagosians to vote for Governor Babajide Sanwo-olu and his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, for second term.

    “Dear Lagosians, my appeal to you today, is to ask you to renew the mandate of Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat for another 4 years. Do not let the execution and implementation of the bold vision of more than two decades be aborted or suspended.”

    For the stability of Lagos State, Asiwaju Tinubu called on the youths and students to vote for Sanwo-Olu and Hamzat.

    “The lives of over 22 million people are too important to be subjected to tragic experiments in the hands of kindergarten politicians. Babajide Sanwo-olu and Obafemi Hamzat have been schooled in the finest tradition of people-management and development planning.”

    Present at the rally were the party’s National Chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu; Speaker Femi Gbajabiamila, Vice presidential candidate; Senator Kashim Shettima, and Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Governor of Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu.

    Others included the Director-General of the Tinubu/Shettima Campaigns and Governor of Plateau State, Hon. Simon Bako Lalong, as well as Governors Abdullahi Ganduje (Kano), Aminu Bello Masari (Katsina), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Adegboyega Oyetola (Osun), Abubakar Badaru (Jigawa), Abdulrahman Abdulrasaq and Abiodun Oyebanji (Ekiti). Also present were Minister of Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, Minister of Sports and Youth Development, Sunday Dare, former Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi

  • Massive crowd at Lagos APC rally for Tinubu/Shettima

    Massive crowd at Lagos APC rally for Tinubu/Shettima

    Lagos stood still on Saturday as the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) held a presidential campaign rally for the party’s candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in the Surulere area of the state.

    APC Governors, Ministers and other dignitaries were in attendance.

    The rally, according to Director-General of the State Campaign Council, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, was a homecoming for the former Lagos Governor and the national leader of the party.

    The colorful rally occupied major streets of the stadium. It brought together APC leaders, members, support groups in Lagos and contingents from neighbouring South west states.

    Supporters held brooms, APC’s logo and their placards indicating their respective wards across the state.

    Banners also bore the face of the APC governorship candidate in Lagos, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his running mate, Obafemi Hamzat.

    Read Also: First Lady, Tinubu’s wife, others for APC Southsouth women rally

    Popular Fuji star, Wasiu Ayinde (K1 de Ultimate) and other hip hop musicians entertained the crowd with live performances.

    Also at the event were Nollywood stars including — Yinka Quadri, Saheed Balogun, Eniola Ajao, Foluke Daramola, Taiwo Hassan, Terry G, among others.

    Lagos Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu in his remarks said: “Thank you, Asiwaju, for being the architect and builder of the modern Lagos that we’re all enjoying today, for having the vision, the character, the tenacity to push forth an idea into a plan that has birthed the new Lagos today.”