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  • Aregbesola praises Fasanmi’s courage at 90

    Aregbesola praises Fasanmi’s courage at 90

    •Lecture on Wednesday

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola has described Senator Ayo Fasanmi as an elder statesman and politician, whose high moral and loyalty to the progressive course is worthy of emulation.

    In a statement by the Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, office of the Governor, Semiu Okanlawon, Aregbesola congratulated Pa Fasanmi on his  90th birthday.

    He said Pa Fasanmi has demonstrated an astounding trait of progressivism for over half a century of his political career.

    The governor added that Pa Ayo Fasanmi has been fearless in his fight for a just society and return of the military to the barracks.

    He said: “Pa Fasanmi is a role model, his devotion to integrity of character and loyalty to the progressive course are rare in a country, such as Nigeria.

    “Senator Ayo Fasanmi at 90 has a fantastic record of not shifting grounds in his loyalty to democratic values, freedom and justice.”

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) has also congratulated Fasanmi.

    In a message by its Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy, Kunle Oyatomi, the party said Pa Fasanmi had faith in the APC political leadership and philosophy.

    According to the party, Pa Fasanmi is devoted ethically, morally to progressive politics.

    The party said: “Today, Pa Ayo Fasanmi crosses a massive, glorious line from being an octogenarian to becoming a nonagenarian.

    “This is a no mean achievement. It is one that most people wish for, but very few ever attain.

    “To be one of the few living this long is a testimony to the extraordinary lifestyle that bestows longevity.

    “So, we are calling on men and women of honour and goodwill to join us in celebrating the grand old man.”

    The Grand Council of Yoruba Youths, formerly  the National Council of Yoruba Youths, will hold a public lecture titled: “Yoruba Nation: The Past, The Present And The Future”, on Wednesday.

    It will be delivered by Biyi Durojaiye, Chairman,Yoruba Education Trust Fund under the chairmanship of Pa Fasanmi.

    Amb Olu Otunla will assist him. The special guest is Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Guests of honour are sons and daughters of past Yoruba leaders.

    Father of the day is Chief Bisi Akande. Chief Rita Lori Ogbebor is mother of the day.

    The keynote address will  be delivered by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo.

    The venue is Oranmiyan Hall, Airport Hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

  • Vote for APC, Fasanmi urges Ekiti

    The deputy leader of Afenifere, Senator Ayo Fasanmi has called on the people of Ekiti State to vote for the All Progressives Council (APC) candidates for the House of Assembly election on Saturday.

    Fasanmi said, in a statement, that Ekiti State has abandoned a long tradition and isolated itself from other Yoruba states. He urged the people to return to the legacy of Awolowo by voting for the APC.

    “Ekiti people should be informed that the progressives are in control of the Federal Government which policies will be progressive and in tune with the political tradition of Ekiti people. Therefore a vote for APC candidates on April 11 will bring benefits to people of Ekiti State and weaken the hold of the PDP on the state. Support for the PDP, on the other hand, will only lead to marginalisation of Ekiti State.

    “Ekiti people have a long and enviable history of supporting progressive political parties such as Action Group in the 1950s , the Unity Party of Nigeria in the 80s  and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the early 90s.”

    He recalled that  Ekiti people also voted for Alliance for Democracy (AD) and Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) both of them with progressive inclination in this present political dispensation.

     

  • Durojaiye, Mamora, Fasanmi blast Afenifere, YCE

    Eminent Yoruba leaders have berated leaders of the Afenifere and Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) for turning themselves into the foot soldiers of President Goodluck Jonathan in the Southwest.

    Afenifere leader Senator Ayo Fasanmi, Afenifere chieftain Senator Biyi Durojaiye and former Senate Minority Leader Olorunnimbe Mamora said the elders had no mandate to speak on behalf of the Yoruba and could not decide for them which presidential candidate to vote for on March 28.

    Leaders of Afenifere, YCE and members of the Peoples Democratic (PDP) met in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, to mobilise support for Jonathan’s re-election at a post National Conference Summit at the Premier Hotel.

    They hinged their decision on Jonathan’s willingness to implement the recommendations of the National Conference held last year.

    Durojaiye said he did not understand the criteria or the rationale for endorsing an administration that had been criticised by Afenifere leaders for marginalising the Southwest.

    “What has changed now that they want the Yoruba to overlook? Is it because Jonathan has engaged some Yoruba elements to castigate former President Olusegun Obasanjo?

    “I am amazed that some Yoruba leaders are asking our people to support a government that cannot guarantee security, that lacks good morals, that has the tenacity to hold on to power at all cost, that changes the rule of the game at its convenience, that plots to remove the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC ) Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega.

    “We must be consistent with the principle of protecting the general interest of our own, which the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo stood for all his life. That principle made him more popular in death.

    “Awo is revered because of his landmark achievements in education, health and rural integration that stood him out among his peers. People should just have a rethink and stop ridiculing themselves.”

    Mamora said: “No person or group of people in Yoruba land can claim to be the custodian of the collective will of the Yoruba. The Yoruba are well educated, knowledgeable and cannot be led by the nose. They know what is good for them and how to get it.

    “The directive of the Afenifere and YCE leaders will not sway the Yoruba from voting for the candidate of their choice. They cannot be swayed by any grandstanding.

    “I know the Yoruba will vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. We are not unmindful of the alleged exchange of money here and there that is making people to act against their conscience. We are not bothered. We still have majority of the Yoruba who understand the issues at stake and will never compromise.”

    On the claim of the Afenifere leaders that only Jonathan can implement the National Conference report, the former Minority leader said: “No one can claim exclusive ability to implement the report. They should not confuse people. The implementation cannot be done outside the National Assembly.

    “It may interest you to know that true federalism and devolution of power are contained in the APC manifesto. Suffice to say that if Buhari is elected, he will ensure the implementation of the National Conference report.”

    Fasanmi appealed to the people of the Southwest to ignore the self-serving endorsements by a few in the region.

    “The people of the Southwest should be consistent with their progressive tradition, vote for Buhari who will adopt and implement policies that will benefit Yoruba and all Nigerians.”

    The YCE had earlier distanced itself from Jonathan’s endorsement by Afenifere.

    Members of the group also met with the President in Lagos recently during which they demanded good governance. The YCE President, Gen. Adeyinka Adebayo, was present at the Ibadan summit.

    Afenifere leader Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who chaired the occasion, traced the history of the Yoruba struggle for true federalism to the colonial period, which he recalled eventually led to the birth of the three regional constitutions used in the three regions during the First Republic.

    According to him, Awolowo and his compatriots insisted from the start in allowing each region to move at its own pace ,which paid off when practised in the First Republic.

    He said: “We are not here because of the interest of political parties but because of the Yoruba race. Many of those shouting ‘Buhari’ today don’t know what we went through.  Our duty is to educate them about the past.”

    “It is in the interest of the Yoruba to allow Jonathan return to change the constitution.

    “The change we need is not a change of personality but a change of the constitution.”

    The National Leader of the group, Chief Reuben Fasoranti and other speakers concurred with Adebanjo.

    In his welcome address, the convener and Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Mimiko, said the programme was to map out the future of the Yoruba in Nigeria.

    He explained that the choice of Ibadan was informed by its strategic political and social importance among the entire Yoruba race.

    “We, Yoruba, are one of the most blessed in the world. This was demonstrated in the First Republc that we can lead for others to follow, hence, we are campaigning for the implementation of the recommendations of the conference.

    At the summit were former governors Adebayo Alao-Akala (Oyo), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun) and Peter Obi (Anambra);  former  PDP governorship candidate in Osun State Iyiola Omisore; Oyo PDP governorship candidate Teslim Folarin; Senior Special Assistant on Public Affairs to the president Dr Doyin Okupe; retired archbishop of Methodist Church, Ayo Ladigbolu; Sen. Hosea Agboola, Chief Olu Falae, Alhaji Yekini Adeojo, factional leader of the Odu’a People’s Congress (OPC), Chief Gani Adams; Sen. Femi Okunronmu, Prof. Dupe Olatunbosun; Chief Shuaibu Oyedokun; PDP National Secretary Prof. Wale Oladipo; Chief Abiola Ogundokun; Chief Isola Filani; Sen. Lekan Balogun; Chief Richard Akinjide and his daughter who is the minister of state for the Federal Capital Territory, Oloye Jumoke Akinjide; Dr Kunle Olajide, Dr Frederick Fasehun, Prof. Niyi Akinnaso, UCH CMD, Prof. Temitope Alonge, Prof. Bola Omotoso and Mr Tony Uranta.

  • Sagay, Fasanmi, Sani, Erubami slam INEC

    Prominent Nigerians have berated the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for bungling the Anambra State governorship election.

    A lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay (SAN), described the poll as a catastrophe and a disgrace to the nation.

    He advised the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, to respect himself and protect his integrity by announcing the cancellation of Saturday’s election, adding that he should fix a new date for a fresh election.

    “Jega should stop talking of supplementary election because what happened in Anambra on Saturday was not an election but a sham. He should cancel the poll and pick a new date for a fresh one. Anything short of that will suggest that INEC has compromised its integrity.

    “He should look for credible people to conduct a fresh poll if he is to repose people’s confidence in INEC. Prof Jega should not allow the reputation he has built over the years to be tarnished by fraudulent politicians.”

    Elder statesman Senator Ayo Fasanmi expressed dissatisfaction with the turn of events in the Anambra poll.

    “I have a lot of reservations on the ability of INEC to conduct credible election in 2015,” he said.

    Fasanmi warned INEC against colluding with the presidency to rig election in 2015.

    “The progressives will not accept fraudulent election results, no matter those behind it. I know that Jonathan and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have their game plan for 2015, part of which has just been played out in Anambra. They would resist change at all cost, even when people ask them to leave,” he said.

    Fasanmi enjoined the progressives to reject the election results and ask for the cancellation of the poll so that a fresh election would be held. He urged the progressives to cooperate to rescue the nation from the grip of fraudulent politicians.

    Civil Rights activist Shehu Sani noted that every election in Nigeria was controversial despite the availability of manpower and resources.

    “Assurances of credible elections lead to controversial elections. Our dream of a genuine, free and democratic state will never be realised as long as the process leading to the emergence of leaders is fraudulent. How the ballot box is handled is how the national treasury will be handled.

    “The quality of our leadership is a derivative of the quality control of our elections. If Anambra fails, it will prove the pessimists of 2015 right. A credible election must reflect the will of the people. As long as we continue to find it difficult to count votes honestly, we will continue to count crisis endlessly,” he said.

    Sani advised Jega to tidy up the mess in Anambra and restore the confidence of the voters in the system by ensuring that their votes count.

    The President of the Nigeria Voters Assembly, Mr. Moshod Erubami, enjoined INEC to rectify all areas of noticeable irregularities , adding that manipulation and human error should be rectified to the satisfaction of all interest groups in the Anambra election.

    He said that was the only way the election could be considered as fair and credible.

    Erubami urged the INEC leadership to move beyond accepting reports of readiness against 2015, “because Nigerians will not accept the usual excuses of late materials and officials, as this is the starting point that heat up the electoral process.”

  • UPN can’t bounce back, says Fasanmi

    UPN can’t bounce back, says Fasanmi

    In the First Republic, Chief Ayo Fasanmi was the President of the Action Group (AG) Youth Association and member of the House of Representatives. In the Second Republic, he served as a Senator. The octogenarian Afenifere and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain spoke with SOJI ADENIYI on the political situation in the Southwest and the country.

     

    What is your reaction to the move by the leader of the Oodua Peoples Congress(OPC), Dr. Fredrick Faseun, to resusitate the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) led by late Chief Obafemi Awolowo?

    Faseun is someone I have a lot of admiration for. In the interview I granted about a month ago, I let the people know that we are related, not only in friendship, but in marriage. The question is: what is his intention, particulary at this point in time. Is the intention genuine? A young man in the camp, not Faseun, recently called me on the phone and informed me that they wanted to resusitate the UPN and would like to know if I wanted to be party to the arrangement. I said “No.” I cannot be party to a sabotage.

    I have always advocated the re-alignment of the progressive elements in the political parties in this country because that is the only legitmate process by which the Peoples Democratic Party can be thrown out of governance. As a matter of truth, when I gave evidence at the Awolowo’s trial many years ago, I said that I believed that the coming together of the progressive elements was necessary for salvaging the country from disintegration. What I said about fifty years ago is still truthful and relevant till today.

    The balance sheet of the PDP today shows that there is so much to worry about in the country. Look at the decay in the infrastructure, insecurity and mass unemployment that have reached an alarming level. And as you know, devil finds job for an idle hand. If you dont give the youths the jobs they deserve to get what do you expect, nothing but crisis and insecurity wll result. And look at the PDP as at today. It has reached an irreversible stage of complete disintegration. So, when four political parties; the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), the Congress of Political Congress (CPC), the All Nigerian Peoples Party (ANPP) and the All People Grand Alliance (APGA); decided to form the All People Congress (APC), I saw the development as a political panacea to the headache of this nation.

    Now that Faseun has come up with the idea of rescusitating the UPN, what do you think is up to?

    I read some of the statement he made in the newpaper. I that any alliance that will confront the people must be based on principles and ideology and I know that the leaders of these four political parties are serious-minded politicians whose antecedents are well known in the country. And I am very confident that, by the grace of God, the APC will succeed. But I also keep asking myself what Faseun is really up to? Is it an attempt to cause disaaffection among the rank and file of the politicians in the Southwest? Is it an attempt to break the unity among the politicians in the ACN, which is dominating in the Southwest? Who are the people that will join the crusade to rescusitate the UPN? If Faseun had a good intention, why did he not advocate or convene a conference of all progressive parties? So, I see a proposed attempt to rescusitate the UPN as a clever device to divide the rank and file of progressive politicians and people should be very careful. And when I read a statement by Faseun that the tree and branches will be uprooted and I was asking myself that does he want to replicate the kind of crises in another form in the Southwest, as it has happened in other geo-political zones? There is the Boko Haram insurgency in the North, kidnapping in the Southeast and militancy in the Southsouth. Is he trying to introduce a political ingenuity of chaos into the peaceful Southwest? I dont know what he is really up to by saying the tree and its branches will be uprooted. As I said, I have a lot of admiration for Faseum, but I can not understand his intention for planning the rescusitation of the UPN, particularly at this point in time. I am sure his intetion is not to promote peace and progress of the Southwest as a region.

    Is Fasehun not inventing another platform to fight for Yoruba interest?

    It is not going to be a viable platform to represent the Yoruba interest. It is going to be a political exercise in chaos and futility. What does he want to acheive and who are the members, the people to use for this end? I fault his timing, more so, at the time the APC wants to get registered and I still can not really understand his intention. So, I am baffled.

    Can the APC dislodge the PDP, which has indicated its intention to win in 32 states in 2015?

    I can only describe Jonathan’s target of thirty two states in the 2015 general election as a big joke. Look at the Southwest, for instance. We are going to have two elections next year – one in Ekiti State and another in Osun. Do you think, with the massive development going on under the indefaigable leadership of Fayemi and Aregbesola, the PDP will ever have an headway? I dont see this happening. I was recently discussing with a friend and we both agreed that there is no way the PDP can make any headway anywhere in the Southwest. So, I dont know where Jonathan will get his thirty two states. I dont see things being the same in the 2014 and 2015 elections, if the APC is not guided by personal ambition, but people first. I will advise the APC leaders to shun personal interest. Their ultimate should be the masses. The masses are suffering, particularly under the Jonathan Administration and they are looking for a redeemer. So, if the APC is not guided by personal interest, it is the only alternative. Nigeria will next year celebrate its centenary. What have we to show for it? So, I think APC, guided by sound principles, will deliver. Though people may be refering to the past alliances, but today, I can confidently say Nigerians now have known better.

    Can the crops of leaders in the Southwest re-enact the feats of your leader, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo?

    Awolowo was a fantastic person. He had very rare qualities that you cannot find nowadays. But judging by the transformation that is now going on in the Southwest, from Lagos State to Ogun State, Oyo State, Osun State and Ekiti State, the region is blessed. At a time, they picked Aregbesola as the best governor in the country. In far away South Africa, Fayemi was recorgnised as best governor in Africa. Also, many that have come to Osun State have acknowleged Aregbesola’s brilliant performance. Even Senator Chukwumerije, a PDP person and chairman, Senate Committee on Education, commended the Aregbesola Administration. He said what he saw here was the best in the entire country. The antagonists and protagonists of the ACN said the region had never had it so good and the Southwest has become a shining example in the country. To be a shining example, there must be sterlin qualities the leadership in the region must demonstrate. And these leaders are following the foothsteps of Chief Awolowo, in terms of performance, transparency, accountability and integrity. I have not seen any of them beig dragged before the anti-graft agencies; the Economic Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Crimes Commission (ICPC). These are young men who are emulating the visionary like Chief Awolowo. And I think they should be given time becuase Chief Awolowo was in the leadership saddle for many years, starting from the time of Egbe Omo Oduduwa to the time he founded the Action Group (AG), and later, the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). These young men are just starting and, at the rate of development we are witnessing, the revolutionary transformation has shown that they have taken after the visionary leadership of our great leader, Chief Awolowo. And I believe that what is going on in the South west can be expanded by 2015, if the APc can take over the central power there would be an effective leadership change.

    Can the regional integration achieve the desired result?

    I don’t see anything wrong in the regional integration. In a federal system of government, that kind of arrangement is very good. It means working together to achieve progress for the people of the region. Awolowo started this many years ago. It will help all parts of the region to benefit from one another’s strenght. Regional integration can promote understanding by pooling your resources together in the interest of the people in all the parts of the region and that does not mean that the region will be enstraged from the central government. Aferall, unity begins at home. So, I believe in the regional integration agenda. It is just starting. Let us wait a year more.We will see the good result it will produce, in terms of economy, social infrastructure and many more. When you pool your resources, it could be very helpful and beneficial to the people of the region.

     

  • Fasanmi rejects Mimiko, backs Akeredolu

    First and Second Republic politician and Yoruba elder, Senator Ayo Fasanmi, has described Saturday’s governorship election in Ondo State as “a make or mar poll in the quest to change the rudderless posture of the national leadership in Nigeria since 1999.”

    The elder statesman said Nigerians, particularly in the Southwest, must see the Action Congress of Nigeria’s (ACN’s) quest to win Saturday’s poll as a mission to recover “the last of the Southwest’s stolen property from marauders who masqueraded as politicians in the Southwest between 2003 and 2011.

    Senator Fasanmi, who spoke in his home in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, was a parliamentarian who represented Ondo in 1964 and a two-term senator that represented Ondo North Senatorial District in 1979 and 1983.

    He urged ACN leaders to see the election as a rescue mission, adding that the electorate should vote for the party’s standard bearer, Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN).

    The octogenarian said Governor Olusegun Mimiko has failed to deliver value for the “huge” earnings that have accrued to the state in the last three and a half years, adding that the return of Nigeria to the desirable path in 2015 will begin with the victory of ACN on Saturday.

    He enjoined voters to reject the Labour Party and see the PDP candidate, Olushola Oke, as a representative of the failed PDP-controlled Federal Government.

    He said the electorate must reject the PDP before the 2015 elections. Senator Fasanmi said in 2015, it is important for a united Southwest to join other progressive elements in arresting and reversing the downward slide “our country has been experiencing in all indices of human development since 1999.”