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  • Debate: Lagos governorship candidates unfold plans

    Lagos State governorship candidates of four political parties yesterday unveiled their plans for the state, if they win the forthcoming election.

    The candidates, who featured at the debate organised by The Platform and Channels Television, are Jimi Agbaje of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Babajide Sanwo-Olu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Owolabi Salis of the Alliance for Democracy and Babatunde Gbadamosi of the African Democratic Alliance.

    The candidates explained how they would make Lagos better than its present status.

    According to APC’s Sanwo-Olu, his experience in public and private sector would assist the growth of Lagos.

    He said APC government had always sought the input of Lagosians each time matter of economic importance was on the front burner.

    He noted that under his administration, the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act would take dominance position.

    “I have been in public service and had served as commissioner in the state. I recorded many firsts and Lagosians are savouring what we achieve in the past. When I moved to the private sector, I equally serve them in that capacity. Throughout my services, I never put my hand into public funds and we are going to serve them with the same passion, when elected as governor.”

    Agbaje said he would ensure the domestication of the FOI, noting Lagosians were presently not being fed with the necessary information they needed.

    He said the state under the PDP government would be exposed to new economic ideas that would promote growth.

    Agbaje said he had been consistent in serving the people in whatever capacity he found himself.

    “I have never gone to bed each time I contested elections, rather I serve the people through other mediums available. You should remember that I contested for the PDP Chairman and I have made my services available to the youth through many forums. So, it will be wrong for anyone to say that I go to bed after each election.”

    AD candidate Salis said Lagos would be happy when he is elected governor. He promised to take the commonwealth back to the people.

    He added that he had joined the camp of the ordinary people, who were presently suffering due to mismanagement of fund meant for growth.

    Salis added: “I have come to address the problem of the less-privileged, who have been suffering. They are the grassroots people and that is the camp where, I belong, we are in the majority and we intend to take back the commonwealth. We shall rescue the people and return back to them what legitimately belong to them.”

    ADP candidate Gbadamosi said Lagos need good road, power and housing.

    He added that he had been providing them to the people in private capacity and would ensure it continues when he becomes the governor.

    He promised to keep his reputation high by ensuring public funds and finances are made open.

    He said his administration would ensure FOI was given the right acknowledgment in the state.

    The candidates, however, promised not to seek second term, if they failed to deliver in their first term in office.

  • Restructuring: Buhari should set the tone for debate, says Dickson

    Governor Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to set the tone for the debate on the restructuring of the country.

    The president, Dickson said, should deploy the “power, influence and authority of that office to mobilise our country to do the restructuring.”

    He spoke  at the launch of a book, “We are all Biafrans” written by  a human rights activist, Chido Onumah  in Abuja.

    Dickson expressed disappointment that Buhari has not lived up to expectation on the restructuring issue.

    “I regret to say that I feel disappointed that the president didn’t rise to the occasion. It’s a tragedy for our country and also a major tragedy for his own leadership,” he said.

    He also told agitators of a republic of Biafra that it is not feasible, saying it is too late to break Nigeria or allow secession agitation to thrive.

    He asked those demanding for the Republic of Biafra to forget the dream.

    But he said it is time for the restructuring of the country to ensure justice and equality for all.

    He said: “If we are all Biafrans is about the tendency of any part of that country that wants to move out, I don’t believe in that path. I will therefore say that we are all Nigerians.  We disavowed the geographical Biafra, our country does not need it.

    “Let us be very clear, this is our country. No one owns this country than the other. I will rather want to join forces to fight for the new Nigeria this country needs. We need a new Nigeria for the weak and the strong; an egalitarian Nigeria; a nation of justice and equal opportunities. But not the idea of balkanizing. We are not going to leave this country.

    “We should however not run away from the issues raised in the book. If all is well, no one will talk of moving out.

    “These days, people are scared of holding views or position. I don’t know what you are doing in public space if you cannot express your views.

    “What did our founding fathers do that we are failing to do. They sat down, dialogued, disagreed, sometimes walking out of conferences, all those are political tools.

    “We shouldn’t be afraid of disagreeing. In fact, we need more disagreement. But the important thing is whether we agree or disagree should be in national interest.”

    Dickson said Nigeria is ripe for restructuring in order to make progress.

    “With the way it is, our country is not structured to work.  Instead of talking about issues that will bring development, people bring up issues about our fault lines.

    “We need restructuring. This election will be a referendum on restructuring. We cannot continue to run Nigeria in this manner.”

     

  • 2019: PDP, APC trade words over debate, falsehood

    THE People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari to face its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in a public debate ahead of the 2019 presidential election.

    The main opposition party has consistently accused the President of avoiding a one-on-one live debate with Atiku, to discuss critical sectors of the economy and national life.

    But, APC Deputy National Publicity Secretary Yekini Nabena yesterday accused the PDP presidential candidate of trying to mortgage key national assets to raise funds for his campaign for the presidential seat.

    In a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP said the President has been afraid of engaging Atiku in debates organised by independent bodies.

    The PDP said: “Nigerians are aware that President Buhari has been mortally afraid of facing our candidate, Atiku Abubakar, in a general debate organised by independent bodies.

    “For this, the PDP grants him the liberty to choose a venue, date and time convenient for him to face our candidate before a neutral panel.

    “President Buhari must face Atiku Abubakar in person, as Nigerians are not ready to accept any representation, whosoever, from him.

    “If, as a Commander-In-Chief, Mr. President cannot face a political debate, how then can he vigorously engage international competitors?”

    Stating that the country has been under peril in the last three and half years, the main opposition party charged President Buhari to be ready to avail Nigerians of his sectoral performance scorecards.

    Describing the administration as a failure, the party similarly asked the President to present his future blueprint, if any, to enable the electorate weigh him alongside the PDP candidate.

    “Nigerians await President Buhari to answer for the humongous corruption in his administration; why he has failed to fulfill any of his 2015 campaign promises and why he cannot show any key development project he initiated and completed in his three and half years in office.

    The PDP also accused President Buhari of neglecting Nigerian troops fighting the Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast, saying the President has reneged on his promise to “lead the fight from the front”.

    Nabena also told the former vice president and his party to be aware of the fact that that electoral victories were not won through falsehood on the internet, but by valid votes of the electorate who are aware of who ruined the country and who is clearing the rot.

    In a statement in Abuja, Nabena said it was already public knowledge that the recent meeting between Atiku and key PDP stakeholders was to raise campaign funds from foreign financiers for his campaign with a promise to sell Nigeria’s key national assets when he becomes President.

    Asking anti-corruption agencies in the country to investigate the allegations, he said it is already common public knowledge that PDP governors have refused to contribute money to fund the presidential campaign.

    The statement reads: “From silly conspiracies on the shape of the President’s ear, a ludicrous allegation of a presidential body double named Jubrin from Sudan, tales on the #NextLevelNigeria campaign and the rested certificate issue, Nigerians have been entertained by the comical displays of the PDP.

    “Backed by their discredited cyber-thugs, the PDP in its desperate bid to remain in public reckoning continues to expose itself as a joke before Nigerians.

    “The PDP should know by now that elections are not won through falsehood on the internet, but by valid votes of the electorate who are aware of who ruined the country and who is clearing the rot.

    “It is now clear that we have no credible opposition political party, but a gang of selfish and mercantile politicians that will do anything to return to elective office.”

  • Debate: Candidates unfold their agenda

    Four governorship candidates honoured the debate organised by Channels Television yesterday. At the event, they gave insights on what they will do if elected as governor.

    They are the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr. Gboyega Oyetola, that of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Sen. Iyiola Omisore, the Action Democratic Party (ADP) Fatai Akinbade and the African Democratic Party (ADP) Moshood Adeoti.

    Oyetola said he would ensure continuity of the laudable programme executed by Governor Rauf Aregbesola, adding that payment for full salaries to workers would no longer be an issue.

    He said any policy that requires a review, as being canvassed by the public, would be given attention and that there was no rigid position about government policy.

    The APC candidate said the 35 per cent women affirmation, health, education, infrastructure and other basic needs of the people would be given priority attention.

    Oyetola added that UNESCO acknowledged that Osun was on the right path in its education curriculum, stressing that the state would continue to impact on the people through better educational policies.

    Omisore said it was unfortunate that the issue of the killer of former Minister of Justice, the late Bola Ige had been politicised and that the question about the killer of the late Ige only comes up every four years, during election periods.

    He said the Aregbesola administration has been reckless in resource management, noting that he would plug the loopholes to improve the state’s financial position.

    The SDP candidate also said he was against the mega school system, stressing it was too costly, given the lean resources of the state.

    Adeoti said he would add value to whatever he met on ground, stressing that education, health and agriculture would take priority when elected as the governor.

    He said he would address the issue of poor salaries of teachers, as well as that of delay in payment of salaries.

    Akinbade said he would scrap the present school system which does not allow for individual schools to determine what they would wear as uniform.

  • PDP challenges Buhari to debate on good governance

    The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged President Muhammadu Buhari and All Progressives Congress (APC) to an open debate on good governance.

    A statement yesterday by PDP spokesman Kola Ologbondiyan said the opposition party would take the opportunity of the debate to expose what it described as the “many failures of this administration.”

    “PDP is ready to begin a series to expose the lies and failures of this administration as well as the huge liability, woes and dangers it has brought on our nation. The time has finally come,” the party said.

    It alleged that the Buhari administration could not boast of any major development project it had initiated, executed and completed in any part of the country in the last three years.

    PDP said President Buhari had been going round the country shopping for projects to inaugurate, including the ones executed by PDP governors.

    It said it had reviewed the performance of the present administration and concluded that it had failed in every sector.

  • SUG aspirants meet at debate

    Thousands of students converged on the James Ayatse Convocation Arena of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi  (FUAM) in Benue State, to witness the maiden Students’ Union presidential debate and manifesto session organised by Campus Gist newspaper.

    The event, which was transmitted on the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) Network, was well attended by staff and students. Also, government officials, non-government oganisation (NGO) workers, and media practitioners were among the judges’ panel at the event.

    Candidates contesting in the elections took turns to present their manifestoes and respond to questions from panelists and members of the audience.

    The event climaxed with the unveiling of candidates for the presidential debate. The two contenders Frank Apeaii and Jacob Dajoh spent time to sell their ideas to students, explaining how they would administer the union’s affairs. They also answered questions from the panelists.

    Guests at the event took turns to comment  on the performance of each contender, applauding Campus Gist and Students’ Union Electoral Committee for organising the event, which many believed would change the future of elections in the school.

    Students praised the maturity displayed by the aspirants, advising politicians to take a cue from the students’ conduct. Members of the audience expressed confidence that the union elections would be driven by issues and not violence.

  • As debate on tithing heats up

    As debate on tithing heats up

    Church leaders have reacted to the positions of the Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre Lagos, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, on the raging tithing debate.

    Adeyemi last Sunday shocked many when he waded into the tithing debate sparked by radio On Air Personality Ifedayo Olarinde, popularly known as Daddy Freeze.

    Daddy Freeze for close to a year has been condemning church leaders for promoting tithing, saying it was an avenue to enrich themselves at the expense of poor members.

    He accused many church leaders of feeding fat on tithes, saying tithing is not as fundamental to the Christian faith as most preachers want members to believe.

    The social media has been awash with many Christians for and against payment of tithes, an age-long tradition of the church that requires committed members to give a minimum of ten percent of their incomes for operational costs as well as welfare of the vulnerable.

    Initially shocked by the mass discontents over administration of tithes, several church leaders waded into the controversy, largely dismissing Daddy Freeze as an anti-church agent bent on setting Christians against their heads.

    Though many of them told their members to ignore the radio presenter, the debate has refused to die down with many Christians canvassing divergent views of the matter.

    Adeyemi, a largely reserved and cautious Pentecostal preacher with large followership among urbane, upwardly mobile Christians, finally broke his silence on the controversy during the final lap of the church’s one-month teachings on giving.

    He said: “I have been following the tithe debate. I discovered that it has been an age-long debate and it will be on for a long time. My first observation is that church people are behaving as if we own the word ‘tithe’.

    “We don’t own the word. It is an English word. I want to say clearly that tithe as practiced under the laws of Moses has expired. The death and resurrection of Jesus has put paid to it.  It has expired.

    “All the requirements of the law were satisfied under Christ. It is a gamble to say Jesus never paid tithe. The fact that it was not written that Jesus paid tithe does not mean he did not do it.

    “I can also claim that Jesus did not go to the toilet because it is not written. 18 years of his life were not recorded in the Bible. When he was born his parents satisfied the requirements of the law. John 21 verse 25 says there are many things he did that were not recorded. Jesus did not say it was wrong to pay tithe in his day.”

    The host of Success Power radio talk went on: “No Christian should feel guilty for not paying tithe. There is nothing you can add to what Jesus did to be qualified before God. When Jesus said ‘it is finished’, it was finished.

    “Galatians 3 verse 13 says Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law. A Christian is not cursed because he or she did not pay tithe.

    “A Christian should not give out of fear. A Christian should give out of love. We are free from guilt, from fear. We are in a dispensation of grace.”

    Aside from stating that tithing has become expired as an essential, Adeyemi further stirred the hornet’s nest when he declared Christians are at liberty to determine whatever they want to give God, as against sticking to the ten percent-threshold.

    He explained: “You are free to decide what to give. But if you sow sparingly you will reap sparingly. Tithing as practiced under the law has expired but tithing as a general principle cannot expire.

    “A Christian is free to give any percentage of his money. But just bear in mind that 10 percent is still part of the number. If somebody chooses to give 10 percent he should not be condemned and if he gives less or more than that he has a right to decide on what to do.

    “We should give to the poor because giving to the poor is giving to God. If we love God we should give to men.

    “We should also be responsible citizens by paying our tax. We should give to our parents and be a blessing to them. We should give towards the work of God and we should give to servants of God and we should give to our immediate family and take care of them.”

    The Senior Pastor of Living Waters Unlimited, Rev Ladi Thompson, said tithing is not and cannot be outdated. He said the subject matter is a scriptural dynamic that only regenerated minds can understand.

    “Tithing is a scriptural dynamic not meant for the carnal minds. It is a scriptural principle that came before the law. Abraham was the first man to pay tithe to Melchizedek even when there were no laws.

    “There is nothing we want to say to someone who has not activated the mind of Christ on tithing. So, for me, the first thing is for people to read Proverbs 26: 4-5 first. Then, we can explain tithing to them. It can only be taught to someone who has the mind of Christ.”

    The Senior Pastor of Jesus Liberation Squad Lagos, Apostle Dele Johnson, agreed the Mosaic laws on tithing have expired but not its purpose.

    “The bible is so clear about tithing. The New Testament is the confirmation of the Old Testament. In the New Testament, what we give is more than tithe and it is voluntary.

    “The purpose of tithing is to worship God, which has not stopped. The purpose of tithing has not expired because it is voluntary as a form of worship.”

    Johnson, who is the convener of Pastors Leaders Interceding Network (PLIN), also disagreed that a Christian can choose to pay more or less tithe as canvassed by Adeyemi.

    He declared: “If it can be less or more than ten percent, what is that based on? What scripture backs that up? The scripture supports us to give more but not less. You cannot give less than the grace of God on your life.

    “We shouldn’t give people opportunity to mess up but straighten up. Jesus never said or did anything that negated tithing. There is no curse attached to not paying tithe but there is a blessing attached to paying it.”

    The Senior Pastor of Shepherdhill Baptist Church Obanikoro Lagos, Rev Israel Kristilere, disagreed that the law of tithing has expired. According to him, the laws of God are eternal with no timeline for compliance.

    He said: “Does it mean the laws of do not kill or commit adultery have also expired? If those ones have not expired, what should only the law of tithing expire?”

    He pointed out that Jesus never condemned the practice of tithing, saying “the only thing He said was when the Pharisees boasted of paying tithes without pursuing justice and fairness. Jesus said they should have paid tithes without also ignoring the other laws of God.”

    Kristilere also frowned at the idea that Christians could pay less than ten percent. According to him: “The tithe is the minimum one can offer. God gave the minimum in the Old Testament but in the New Testament, it could be more. It cannot be less. If you are giving less than your minimum, you are a failure.”

    The Senior Pastor of Livingspring Chapel, Pastor Femi Emmanuel, is also of the conviction that the law of tithing still subsists. “I don’t believe the law of tithing has expired although it is an Old Testament law.

    “Jesus didn’t condemn tithing but said the Pharisees should have done it along with others. I believe anybody attacking tithe is attacking the church and the blessings of Christians practising it.”

    The ten percent that Christians pay, he said, is only the smallest. “It is the smallest anybody can give God. God gave us all and there is nothing we give Him that is ever enough,” Femi-Emmanuel stated.

  • I’m  ready for a debate with you any day,’ Akinlade replies Adeola

    I’m  ready for a debate with you any day,’ Akinlade replies Adeola

    In response to the call by  Senator Olamilekan Adeola on governorship aspirants in the Ogun West Senatorial district for a public debate over 2019, one of the contenders, Hon. Adekunle Akinlade,  has accepted the challenge.
    Senator Adeola  and Hon. Akinlade are both members of the current 8th National Assembly, the former being in the Senate while the later is in the  House of Representatives.

    Adeola had at the weekend, invited other aspirants both on the platform of All Progressives Congress(APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) to a debate following their disagreement with his endorsement by the Ogun West Consultative Forum(OWECOF).

    But on Sunday,  Akinlade through his media aide, Olalekan Soyemi, said he is ready for a debate with Adeola popularly called Yayi and dared him to “choose his preferred place and venue of the discussion.”
    Akinlade who is representing Yewa South and Ipokia Federal Constituency of Ogun State,  also said he would face Adeola  in a debate but added that the Senator should first provide evidence of similar media debates he participated in as an aspirant in 2003, 2007, 2011 and 2015 in Lagos which he presently represents.
    ” I’m confident that any of the other aspirants who had been part of the successfully executed transformational policy of the Sen. Amosun’s administration will make a total mess of Yayi at any debate.

    “We are not given to issuing empty boasts in Ogun State which is why we refuse to allow our state turn into another Osun state by those whose sole interest is pecuniary.

    “It insults our collective intelligence for Yayi to claim that he did not influence members of Ogun West Consultative Forum because even a child in Yewa knows that another name for Ogun West Consultative Forum  is YEWA CITY CLUB of which Yayi is a member and financier,” Akinlade said in a statement by media aide, Olalekan Soyemi.”

    The House of Representatives member accused the Senator  funding  multiple trips of  some members of OWECOF to the US, UK and Canada where members have been lodged in expensive hotels and  driven in luxurious cars.
    He pointed out that while he was prepared to take  Yayi on, it is advisable for the Senator to first forward to the public domain evidence of being an Ogun state voter and registered member of the party in the state.
    “Available public record indicate that Senator Yayi voted in Alimoso during the last July local government election in Lagos state,” Akinlade said.
  • George seeks PDP aspirants debate

    George seeks PDP aspirants debate

    A leading aspirant for PDP national chairman Chief Olabode George has challenged other contestants for an open debate on their vision, agenda and motive for gunning for the party’s prime office.

    He described himself as knowledgeable about the culture and practices of the party, saying whoever wanted to lead the party should not be afraid of a public debate that will showcase their grasp of the norms and traditional values of the party.

    George told delegates from  Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto states about the need for micro zoning of the national chairmanship position, he insisted that the fundamental resolve of the founding  founders was to promote equity and balance in the distribution of the party offices.

    George praised the Sultan of Sokoto Sa’ad Abubakar for his patriotism and his instinctive embrace of all Nigerians regardless of faith or tribe.

    George was praised by the North West Coordinator of his campaign Organization, Alhaji Bakori, for his selfless service to the party and his consistency.

    Alhaji  Bakori described George as the most experienced among the contestants.

    George was at the Katsina State PDP secretariat yesterday.

    Director General of the Bode George Campaign Organisation  Alhaji Aliu K. Ibrahim, described this as payback time for George having worked selflessly as the Director General of Yar’Adua/Jonathan Presidential Campaign.

    George said the convention itself must reinforce all sense of fairness, civility and equitable largeness.  He enjoined  delegates to be courageous and open-minded.

    George said this is the second chance for the party to redeem itself and rectify the errors of the past.

    He promised to be back in Katsina state which has 110 delegates,  the largest batch in the nation because of the vivid hospitality and embrace with which he was received by the leaders and delegates.

  • Ogun 2019: I challenge governorship aspirants to debate – Adeola

    Ogun 2019: I challenge governorship aspirants to debate – Adeola

    Senator Olamilekan Adeola has challenged Prince Gboyega Isiaka, former House of Representatives member, Abiodun Akinlade, and Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, Suraj Adekunbi, to a public debate on how they intend to govern the state better if given the mandate in 2019.
    Adeola, a Senator representing Lagos West at the Senate said such debate could give Ogun people not only a window of opportunity to know those aspiring to lead them, but also put to rest, the unwarranted grumbling over his recent endorsement by Ogun West Consultative Forum(OWECOF).
    The quartet of Adeola, Suraj, Isiaka and Akinlade as well a two others – all from Ogun West Senatorial district and aspiring to govern Ogun State come 2019, were screened by the OWECOF between August and November this year.
    At the end of the exercise, the body endorsed Adeola as a consensus candidate whose candidature it said could help the zone actualise their 2019 governorship agenda, but the endorsement was disputed by other aspirants.
    But in an interaction with journalists on Friday, Adeola  said he did not influence the outcome of the screening by OWECOF or induced the body to favour him as alleged by others, adding that he was “taken aback” when he received the news of his endorsement.
    He  noted that  the opportunity given to him by the body to sell his programmes and vision to them, was also extended to Isiaka, Suraj, Akinlade and Chief of Staff to Governor Ibikunle Amosun, Tolu Odebiyi, and called the quartet out for a public debate since they were not comfortable or convinced about the endorsement.
    According to the Senator, the debate if organised for the aspirants from Ogun West by journalists in the state or any group, may put to rest all unnecessary bickering and murmuring about OWECOF endorsement.
    The Chairman, Senate Committee on Local Contents said he had resolved to contest for the governorship seat of Ogun State come 2019, saying it is his “strong conviction that God and the good people of the state” that would crown him a Governor and not a single individual.
    He pledged to improve on the revenue base of the state, consolidate on the good works of past and current governors of Ogun State, assuring that he wants  to become governor because he  has “what it takes to take Ogun State to the next level by the special grace of God.”
    “I’m aware that before the Ogun West Consultative Forum embarked on this journey, consultations were made and I believe part of the consultations that were made was with the traditional rulers, elders of Ogun West senatorial district and other notable sons and daughters of Ogun West.
    “It is aftermath of the consultation that was done here and there that the idea of invitation of aspirants came on board and as I’ve said, six of us were invited and it’s a programme that lasted for nine months.
    “It’s not something that they did within three or four weeks, nine months and none of us contributed anything to the programme, not a dime! They are not here but God is here.
    “I was invited like any other aspirant and I was given the opportunity to speak and address those people for two hours. Can he rule, yes or no, you can mark it. I think that is what those people did and they misconstrued them.
    “Maybe by the time they put all of us on the podium like this and the whole world is watching, maybe then it can be a different ball game.
    “And if they like, I challenge them to a debate, all the aspirants from Ogun West to a public debate and let us discuss and let us tell the whole world what we are ready to do for our people.
    “I challenge them. I challenge Akinlade, I challenge Tolu, I challenge Suraj, I challenge Gboyega Nasir Isiaka(GNI). I challenge them to a public debate. If you are sure of yourself and you believe you have what it takes to govern our state and take Ogun State to the next level, come out for a public debate.
    “Let Ogun State listen to us and let Ogun State take its decision and let everybody stop hiding under the finger of one individual. The media can be the observer, you (journalists) can call for the debate, you can organise it and let all of us come and talk to you.
    “So, whosoever that is not convinced about what Ogun West Consultative Forum has done, I challenge them to a public debate and let us settle the score one and for all.
    “If you are embarking on such a journey, one thing you must seek for is the face of God and once God says there is a way, then there is nothing else you can do. If I want to sit in the palatial home of Ikeja, GRA, Lekki, then why do I want to go into the rural part? But one day that rural part can be the same with these, some people must take the bold step.
    ” So I’m one of those that are taking that bold step. So, as I’ve decided to run or contest for the governor of the state, I have no regret. I am standing by my words that 2019 is sacrosanct,” Adeola said.