The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Govs

  • Obasanjo, Osinbajo, govs, others bid Ayo Adebanjo farewell

    Obasanjo, Osinbajo, govs, others bid Ayo Adebanjo farewell

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Vice President, Pastor Yemi Osinbajo, governors Dapo Abiodun(Ogun), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Seyi Makinde(Oyo) and 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party and former governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, Senator Gbenga Kala and other eminent Nigerians yesterday paid their last respect to Pa Ayo Adebanjo.

    The elder statesman’s  remains were committed to mother earth at Isanya Ogbo, his home town in Odogbolu Local Government Area of Ogun State amid eulogies from eminent citizens who described him as a dogged fighter and an unyielding advocate of true federalism.

    He died in Lagos on February 14, 2025, aged 96.

    In his tribute to the late Afenifere leader and NADECO chieftain during the funeral service held at St Philip Anglican Church, Isanya Ogbo, Governor Abiodun said Adebanjo was a titan of integrity and justice, and a dogged fighter for true federalism, who was vocal in demanding the best for Nigeria.

    Read Also: Eight degrees that can land you a high-paying UK job

    Abiodun added that late Adebanjo was also a committed lover of the  Yoruba ethnic group, fought for his people and helped revitalise Afenifere, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group into becoming a potent force in the clamour for regional integration, restructuring, and devolution of powers.

    At the funeral which also had in attendance, ex -governors of Ogun State—Otunba Gbenga Daniel and Senator Ibikunle Amosun, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Yemi Cardoso and Chief Ayo Opadokun, among other dignitaries, Abiodun noted that Adebanjo was a lover of democratic ideals, and reckoned him as one of the few Nigerians who risked their lives fiercely against military dictatorship in the country.

    He said that  the deceased elder statesman was one of the heroes behind the democratic governance the country savours today.

    “Chief Adebanjo was a dogged fighter for true federalism. He persistently argued that Nigeria’s over-centralised system of government bred economic imbalance and ethnic tension.

    “Under his leadership, Afenifere, the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, was revitalised, becoming a potent force with democratic wisdom pushing for regional integration, restructuring, and devolution of powers.

    “Beyond politics, he was deeply committed to preserving the rich Yoruba culture. He denounced nepotism, corruption, and impunity whenever they reared their ugly heads, becoming a moral compass for all.

    “As Nigeria continues its walk towards democratic consolidation, the life of Chief Ayo Adebanjo remains a timeless blueprint for Nigeria—one defined by courage, conviction, and unbending integrity.

    “His ideals will continue to live on in the hearts of millions, and his contributions shall serve as a path to building a just, united, and truly federal Nigeria,” Abiodun said.

    In his homily, the Archbishop of the Lagos Ecclesiastical Province of the Anglican Church and Bishop of the Remo Diocese, Bishop Olusina Fape called for a life of purpose and selflessness from Nigerians, especially the nation’s leaders, just like Chief Adebanjo lived.

    Bishop Fape harped on the need for one to utilise the gift of life for service of God and humanity before the end comes as he delivered the sermon captioned, “The Purpose of a Glorious Life.”

    Anchoring his reflection  on the gospel of John 18: 37-38, Bishop Fape said that death is an inevitable end for every mortal, hence the importance of living a purposeful life on earth while it lasts.

    The Bishop said Jesus lived a life of purpose by fulfilling God’s mission to save mankind, stressing that in the same vein, it could be said of Adebanjo, whom he noted was a fearless advocate of democracy, good governance, justice, equity, and fairness in his lifetime.

    He charged the country’s leaders to emulate the late nationalist and foremost Yoruba leader, expressing the confidence that Nigeria would do well when both leaders and citizens demonstrate more selflessness and commitment to nation building.

  • FULL LIST: 17 Impeached Deputy Govs since 1999

    FULL LIST: 17 Impeached Deputy Govs since 1999

    No fewer than 17 Deputy Governors have been booted out of office in the last 24 years, checks by The Nation has revealed.

    Phillip Shaibu, sacked Deputy Governor of Edo State, became the 17th to be removed from office since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999.

    For Shaibu, it was a long trek to freedom and a long-drawn battle to remain afloat in Edo’s political space.

    Over the years, some Deputy Governors have been impeached for political reasons that somehow amount to gross misconduct.

    Section 188 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, provides for the removal of governor or Deputy Governor from office through the process of impeachment. 

    The process consists of a written allegation of gross misconduct against the accused person who has a right to defend himself. If his defence succeeds, he is expected to be left off the hook; if not, he is removed from office.

    The said section 188 spells out in detail, the procedures and steps to be taken to consummate the process.

    Here are Deputy Governors that have been impeached since 1999:

    Femi Pedro (Lagos)

    Iyiola Omisore (Osun)

    Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele (Lagos)

    Read Also: I will fight my ‘illegal’ impeachment, Shaibu vows

    Chris Ekpenyong (Akwa Ibom)

    Abiodun Aluko (Ekiti)

    Biodun Olujinmi (Ekiti)

    Late Garba Gadi (Bauchi)

    Peremobowei Elebi (Bayelsa)

    Sani Abubakar Danladi (Taraba)

    Jude Agbaso (Imo)

    Sunday Onyebuchi (Enugu)

    Ali Olanusi (Ondo)

    Eze Madumere (Imo)

    Simon Achuba (Kogi)

    Rauf Olaniyan (Oyo)

    Mahdi Aliyu Gusau (Zamfara) 

    Philip Shaibu (Edo)

    Among these, only the late Garba Gadi (Bauchi); Peremobowei Elebi (Bayelsa); Sani Abubakar Danladi (Taraba); Sunday Onyebuchi (Enugu); Ali Olanusi (Ondo), Jude Agbaso (Imo); Eze Madumere (Imo); Simon Achuba (Kogi) and Mahdi Aliyu Gusau (Zamfara) have successfully obtained court orders setting aside their impeachments. 

    Unfortunately, none of the removed Deputy Governors could go back to his or her office for some reasons.

  • Why Govs pay allocation directly into council accounts — NALGVC

    Why Govs pay allocation directly into council accounts — NALGVC

    Governors are now exerting themselves to pay local governments monthly allocations directly into their accounts because the National Association of Local Government Vice Chairmen (NALGVC) wrote letters of complaints to the President, The Nation has learnt. 

    Owing to the Governors compliance, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) has written a letter of commendation to acknowledge the efforts of the association.

     NALGVC Board of Trustees (BOT) Chairman, Hon. Lawrence Ugochukwu made this known to the members at their convention in Abuja on Tuesday. 

    He said: “I want to tell you today, you can make your findings, that the Governors are trying to make sure they pay that Local Government money directly to the account is because of this association.

    ” We have the letter from Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit commending our efforts because we fought and we wrote letters even up to the President.”

    He advised the Vice Chairmen that gone are the days they were referred to as spare tyres.

    According to him, the only weapon to stop them from being a spare tyre is having a virile association that speaks for them.

    Read Also: Fed Govt to implement 10-year National Cocoa Plan

    He added that another tool for working against being spare tyres is to have a united national common front that speaks for the whole members.

    He expressed displeasure over the low turn out to the convention, noting it was an indication of wannig commitment.

    Ugochukwu said the reason for forming the association was not just for attending conferences but “we want to be our brother’s keeper anywhere you find yourselves.”

    He stressed:  “The reason is because we said to ourselves as colleagues, we will no longer be spare tyres as people call us out there.

    “And the only way you cannot be a spare tyre is when you have an association, who will speak for you. So that if anything happens to our person in Delta, the National body will move in and know what is the problem.”

    He admonished the members not to see politics as a means of livelihood.

    The BOT chairman urged them not to relax and depend only on their monthly salaries.

    He tasked them on planning for post service life since their tenure is not for a lifetime.

  • D’Tigress;  Govs: Ombudsmen; ‘No Parking = No Business’

    Congratulations to all involved in the women’s basketball success of D’Tigress beating Senegal in the finals of the women’s Afrobasketball Championships despite of all the sports horror stories of deprivation, disappointment and devilish tricks from deliberate administrative lapses, incompetence and greed inflicted on most if not all flag-flying Nigerian athletes.

    Mr Governor: Create Job opportunities.  Nigerians demand that every Nigerian Government Organisation recreates the long-abandoned ‘Office of Ombudsperson’ for arbitration when Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) motivated outrageous circulars/demonic bills/illegal actions cause citizens to collapse in shock.

    Mr Governor: Where did your family park before you became governor? ‘Free flow of traffic’ is not achieved by ‘No Parking Anywhere’. ‘Regulating traffic’ is not ‘No Parking Anywhere’. Will you wrongly introduce ‘No Parking’ strategies before rightly 1] giving ‘Warnings Notices’ tickets for offending vehicles and 2] properly signboard-ing/marking  areas and 3] setting up Parking zones? Too many No Parking zones choke the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ ruining IGR.  ‘No Parking Anywhere = No Business Everywhere’!

    Mr Governor: Are citizens’ opinions irrelevant? When, in governance meetings, do citizens become ‘Enemy Number One’ and fall from being ‘semi-respected’ voters to ‘reviled victims’, from being the ‘do focus’ to be treated like ‘dirt’ and exploitable and targeted as ‘IGR sources’! This is not ‘Good Governance’ but an authoritarian occupation strategy! Our political office holders often fail from Day One to service the 1000 simple things needed by people seeking survival through the ‘Ease of Doing Business’.

    Mr Governor: Please enforce the rule of law and human decency and do not allow staff to break the law to entrap and entangle voting citizens just to increase IGR. Such illegality will explain gangs of traffic authority staff seizing vehicles for ‘illegal parking’ on roads, including roads wide enough to have never had a traffic jam and have no ‘No Parking’ sign and no parking facilities. That would be governance corruption. Disgracefully there are exemptions to the unwritten ‘No Parking Law’ for political party meetings and party social gatherings. Their discriminatory action does not allow others to park for genuine state developing, IGR increasing, business purposes thus making nonsense of the ‘Ease of doing Business’.

    Mr Governor: Do your traffic staff discriminate against locals by exempting certain ethnic groups living among them from ‘No Parking’ Laws. In Ibadan, indiscriminate parking on Sabo Road is notorious for being ignored by traffic authorities which insults other citizens who are targeted daily. Mr Governor: Why one law to oppress the citizens and another law for others. That is criminal discrimination and blatant illegality! How can you ensure that decisions and actions taken at state and LGA Executive Council and state agency meetings are properly guided from day one towards the growth of the citizenry through increasing the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ on our streets?

    Mr Governor: In most communities Nigeria-wide often no single good activity can be pointed at to ameliorate the citizens’ daily suffering. So with No Parking’ arrests, the impact of governance is actually negative. This is because the authorities like governors etcetera  surround themselves with an unbridled unsupervised extortionist gang or group with the sole aim of ‘increasing IGR’ and they are prepared to use force. The road fines are too high.  In Oxford Street London, fines are one day’s minimum wage. In Nigeria fines are 1-2 months minimum wage- stupid.

    Mr Governor: You, commissioners and ministers are business persons and professionals who may have been victims of the government orchestrated crime of creating deliberately opaque traffic parking restrictions ruining access to business premises from hairdressers, pharmacists, clinics and hospitals. Empty, no traffic streets, strangulating business by inability to park is bad politics and bad for state business growth. Why allow traffic staff to attack the citizenry claiming wrong parking when there is no single ‘No Parking’ sign, no ‘Government Parking’ in the entire state. Is this what is taught in governor’s retreat and in business schools? Plan together, please.

    Mr Governor: Please let your conscience lead. Unmonitored uniformed authorities like traffic authorities are dangerous without serious supervision.

    EFCC investigates $16b power sector fund. Please add the $12.4b ‘First Gulf War Windfall’ under Babangida. Good, but how many 2019 frauds has EFCC prevented by proactively monitoring politicians, pension and other funds? Is ‘Obasanjo advocates lower interest rates’ diversionary or patriotic? Press, please ignore! Nigerians know the benefit of single digit loans. Obasanjo’s aburo, Babangida, increased loan rates from 4%. Why did Obasanjo and PDP not reverse them when we had serious money by saving $100m in foreign reserves? To improve the ‘Ease of Doing Business’ Nigerians deserve single digit interest rates. The interest rate is made up of [1] 13.5% MPR Monetary Policy Rate of CBN and [2] 12-15% commercial bank rate added on, totally 25-30+%.

    Finally we have an international costing for one event in Nigeria’s chronic political and administrative CINS- Corruption, Incompetence, Negligence and Selfishness -N9b. NISER and social and political science departments nationwide can now add the researched computations for the quantum wasted cost/losses of other instances including the cost of failure to maintain the ‘former expressways’.

    Nigeria smilingly recently received many billions corporate in fines. What happened to the money? Well, Nigeria was counter-fined $6b in 2015 under Jonathan’s PDP for ‘loss of income’ through failure to provide gas power to the suing company and in 2019 cumulative interest making it a $9b blunder under Buhari’s APC requiring resignations and prosecutions and punishments.

     

    • [To be continued].

  • …Buhari, Tinubu, govs, others pay tributes

    President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the Yoruba nation over the passing of the founder of Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Dr Frederick Fasehun.

    The President, in a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Femi Adesina, also condoled with the family of the medical practitioner and the government and people of Ondo State.

    He recalled the prominent role Dr Fasehun played as a member of the defunct National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) which campaigned against military rule in the country.

    The President prayed that Almighty God comforts all those who mourn the octogenarian and grant peace to his soul.

    All Progressives Congress (APC) national stalwart Asiwaju Bola Tinubu described the late Fasehun as a renowned pro-democracy and good governance activist, committed democrat, tested political player and Yoruba nationalist who left behind fine legacies.

    He charged the Fasehun family and other associates of the late leader not to allow his legacies to die.

    Tinubu, in his reaction to the death of the Afenifere chieftain in a statement by his spokesman Tunde Rahman, said: “Dr. Fredrick Fasehun was a renowned pro-democracy and good governance activist, committed democrat, tested political player and Yoruba nationalist. I say all of that because I knew him well. We related very closely.

    “He was known for his Yoruba nationalistic fervor. Like an Afenifere chieftain that he was, he fought stridently for the Yoruba cause.

    “He canvassed true federalism and political restructuring. He fought as well for the cause of the Nigerian nation.

    “The good thing about Baba is there was never a time that he sat on the fence.

    “Although trained as a medical doctor, he was very active politically. We were together in the forefront of the agitation for the de-annulment of June 12.

    “He founded the Oodua Peoples Congress to actualise June 12 but espoused non-violence.

    “Nonetheless, he remained a torn in the flesh of the military. It was therefore no surprise that Dr. Fasehun was imprisoned for 19 months from December 1996 to June 1998 by the General Sani Abacha regime.

    “And when democracy fully returned to the country he participated actively.

    “He was an extremely humble and modest man. I will miss him dearly. The Southwest, particularly Lagos and Ondo states, will miss him. Nigeria will miss him also.

    “I commiserate with the government and people of Ondo State. My sympathy and condolences particularly go to the Fasehun family at this moment.

    “I hope and pray that God Almighty imbue them with the courage and strength to carry on. I enjoin them to continue with the fine legacies left behind by Baba.”

    Ondo State governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu praised the late Fasehun as a disciplined citizen, a Pan-Yoruba and nationalist to the core.

    He said the intelligent medical practitioner used his energy and other resources to fight for the interests of his people and the common man.

    He described as a shock to Ondo State and the entire country, adding that the deceased would be sorely missed by lovers of justice and peace.

    Akeredolu in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Segun Ajiboye, said the late Fasehun’s argument for egalitarian society where merit and equity are made parametric conditions for selecting leaders or people’s representatives would continue to dominate socio-political discourse.

    The governor said social scientists would also remember the deceased as a detribalised Nigeria per excellence whose place in the nation’s political history cannot be wished away, even in a hurry.

    Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II lamented the death of the late OPC chief.

    In a statement by his Director of Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the Ooni, who is the Spritual Head of the Yoruba race, commiserated with the people and government Ondo state and Yoruba nation.

    He said: “Baba Ooni sees Dr. Faseun a true Pan Africanist, a fearless Nigerian nationalist and committed Yoruba patriot, who as an Oodua Self-Determinationist spent the last 26 years of life struggling for the survival of the Yoruba people within and outside the shores of Nigeria.

    “It’s a pity we have lost such a  wonderful descendant of Oduduwa, who always defended and promoted the interests, integrity and the cultural values of the African People, Yoruba race in particular.

    “The Royal Court of Ife will never forget Dr Fasheun for his incorruptible loyalty to the sacred throne of Oduduwa.

    “The good people of Ile-Ife which is the ancestral home of the Yorubas will miss him for the love and respect he ceaselessly showed on us.

    “The Yoruba people all over the world will miss him for his committed struggle for the socio-political/economic survival of the race and Nigerians will miss him for his fights for fairless and justice as a Nigerian human right activist.”

    The Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdul-Rasheed Adewale Akanbi, Telu I, in a statement by his media aide, Alli Ibrahim, said the late OPC leader had spent his entire life defending the interest of the Yoruba and Nigeria and therefore deserved to be immortalized.

    The royal father said Nigeria has lost an illustrious citizen whose  experience in peace process and nation building is most needed at “this critical of our national life.”

    He enjoined governors of the South West to declare mourning period for the loss, which he described as colossal.

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief (Dr) Gani Adams described the death of Fasehun as a great loss to the Yoruba race.

    Adams also said the death was a great loss to Nigeria and the world at large, pointing out that Faseun left behind a worthy legacy.

    Adams, in a condolence letter, pointed out he received the news of the death with shock and disbelief.

    The Aare Ona Kakanfo added the deceased in his life time made outstanding contributions to the progress of the nation in many capacities, and no doubt left behind a worthy legacy through his careers as a renowned medical doctors and politician among other achievements.

    “Baba deserves all respect because he acquitted himself so diligently, and will also be remembered as a distinguished leader in all ramifications, and one that was greatly admired by the general public and his peers as a straight forward and complete gentleman.

    “He demonstrated wisdom, honesty and good leadership, established friendship, harmony and accommodation across board.

    “He was as a community leader and a prominent patriot, which was no doubt a testimony to be reference to.

    “Baba exhibited very good leadership qualities, wisdom and wealth of experience which indeed he put to use in the discharge of his responsibility as well as upholding the institution’s tradition of excellence while alive,” said Adams.

    Chairman of Senate Committee on Local Content Solomon Adeola praised Fasehun for contributing immensely to human and democratic rights in Nigeria.

    In a statement by his Media Adviser Kayode Odunaro, Adeola said: “My senatorial district has lost a prominent Nigerian who stood for truth and fought the rights of his people in Nigerian federation.

    “His role in the fight to enthrone democracy against military rule in Nigeria remains indelible in history.”

  • Buhari, Abdulsalami, govs, others grace Dangote’s daughter’s wedding

    President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday  attended the grand wedding of Fatiha, daughter  of  business tycoon, Alhaji Aliko Dangote and her groom, Jamilu Abubakar, in Kano

    The  groom is a son of former Police Inspector-General, Muhammad Abubakar.

    The wedding took place at 12 noon at the Emir of Kano’s palace.

    It  was conducted by the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, and supported by the Chief Imam of Kano, Prof.  Sani Zaharaddeen.

    Buhari, in his capacity as the bride’s father, received the N500,000 dowry from the representative of the groom at the occasion.

    Other important personalities that graced the occasion include former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar (rtd) and House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara as well as some senators, governors, ministers and traditional rulers from across the country.

    Others were former National Security Adviser, Gen. Aliyu Gusau (rtd), members of the business community, politicians and members of the diplomatic corps, among others.

    The event, which was also attended by prominent Islamic scholars and other well wishers from across the country, witnessed a large turnout of workers from various companies owned by the renowned business mogul.

    Security at the occasion was tight as all the entrances leading to the palace were cordoned-off by heavily armed security operatives.

     

  • Minister urges govs to support filmmakers

    Minister urges govs to support filmmakers

    Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has asked other arms of government to complement Federal Government’s effort by providing an enabling environment for filmmakers in the country.

    Since assuming office, Mohammed has spoken loudly about the potentials in the film sector, describing it as a viable alternative source of revenue to oil and a great employer of labour.

    The Minister who, as part of his routine tour of the film industry, attended the premiere of film, titled ‘My Name is Kadi’ in Abuja, implored Governors to encourage and support movie producers by providing incentives and creating the enabling environment for the Creative Industry to thrive in their respective states.

    He said: “One of the reasons I am here today is that we need to encourage and support the movie industry from whichever part of the country. It’s the same enabling environment that we are going to provide for all of them, but I think the state governments should encourage such filmmakers also by giving them access to grants to help them because this could be very expensive. The state governments will also help by establishing cinema houses to show these films,” he said.

    Alhaji Mohammed said if properly harnessed through regulatory and legislative framework, the film industry has a huge potential to contribute significantly to the development of the economy.

    According to the Minister, “If you look at the GDP of California, which is largely dependent on the Creative Industry, it’s about the sixth in the world. Go to Mumbai in India and other cities, the Creative Industry is the bedrock of their economy.

    “The good news here is that the artists, the film-makers, the musicians have gone far ahead and are today in a domineering position globally,’’ he said.

    He disclosed that government is working with some development partners to provide data and statistics that will encourage the private sector to key into the Creative Industry by investing and making profit.

    He noted that one of the challenges faced by the movie industry in Nigeria is that it’s largely unstructured, given reason government is creating a self-regulatory mechanism for filmmakers through the establishment of the Motion Picture Council of Nigeria (MOPICON) to organise and properly structure the industry.

    Alhaji Mohammed decried the proliferation of guilds in the Creative Industry and said such amorphous structure will not augur well for the industry.

    On the issue of piracy, he said his ministry and that of Justice are partnering to curb piracy, noting that the punishment for piracy needs to be stringent enough to discourage the unwholesome practice.

    “We must protect the intellectual property of our artists. We have laws already in place but there are some people who are of the view that the punishment is not stringent enough,” the Minister noted.

    He also harped on the need to discourage Nigerians from patronizing pirated products through advocacy to create awareness on the dangers of piracy to the nation’s economy.

  • Govs storm Ojude Oba, praise Awujale

    The 2006 Ojude Oba Festival  was held last Wednesday, the third day after the Muslims’  festival of Eid El Mubarak . The event attracted thousands to the ancient town of Ijebu Ode.

    On display was the richness of the Ijebu rich culture that dates back to more than 100 years.  There are two aspects of the festival. The homage to the king, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona. Indigenes of  Ijebuland, whatever their positions, join their age groups, singing and dancing  to pay homage to the reigning monarch. The groups  come in traditional attire to show that they have done well within the last one year.

    This year’s event had in attendance three governors: the host, Governor Ibikunle Amosun, the Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Seriake Dickson, who was the special guest of honour,  and the Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir el-Rufai.

    It is a testament to the richness and strength of the Ijebu culture that despite the heavy downpour, the age groups made their way to the VIP stand to pay homage to the king.

    The horse riders were also not left out in the fun. They enthusiastically danced inside the rain, but were prevented from full equestrian display by the slippery floor.

    Speaking on the event, the founder  of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Otunba Subomi Balogun, himself a prince of Ijebu,  said: “Every Ijebu person looks forward to the annual Ojude Oba event. Ojude Oba is held within the palace or in the front of the Awujale Palace.

    ”I think it was about 1892, when my own ancestor, Oba Adesumbo  Tunwase,  signed the treaty of the relationship with the British queen and gave land to the Muslims to establish their central mosque. At the same time, he agreed with the British missionaries to preach  in Ijebuland. He even went further to allow some of his children to be baptized. To cap it all, he gave out the land on which the first church in Ijebuland was built. That is St. Saviour ‘s. So, from my  background and association, and what the Good Lord has endowed me with, it will be  unpatriotic of me, if I don’t play a leading role in this most important cultural and traditional event of the Ijebu.”

    The state governors, in their speeches, called for unity among Nigerians.

    Governor Amosun said:  “It is not where one comes from or religion that should count, but one’s diligent service. We should emulate Kabiyesi’s ability to forge unity among his people, despite different religions. We should live in togetherness, love and harmony, not only in Ogun State but also in Nigeria.”

    Governor el-Rufai praised the Awujale for sustaining festival  as an annual event.

    He said: “I came here not as governor, not as guest of Governor Amosun or as a member of the All Progressives Congress. I’m here because Awujale is my father, a man of great wisdom, unparalleled courage and integrity.

    “Throughout my public service and exile, he was a true father to me. He advised and even supported me financially. I know the dream of Ijebu State is close to your heart and one can pray for your long life to see Ijebu State come to pass,”

    Among the major sponsors for this year’s event is FCMB.

  • Akeredolu urges govs to cut security vote

    The All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant in Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has called for the reduction of the controversial security vote as part of strategies to manage fiscal crisis, which many states were facing.

    Akeredolu, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), said the governors should halt reckless spending, lamenting that they “spend too much on frivolity.”

    In a statement, he said managing a state at a turbulent time “requires the service of a man, who has vision and who can see beyond today.”

    The aspirant acknowledged that 27 states could no longer pay salaries, adding that governors should be creative and make sacrifices.

    Akeredolu said governors should “to manage the affairs of the state within the resources it has and cut some spending to stabilise the economy.”

    He said: “There are many things in terms of security vote. There are many things in terms of reckless spending. Some governors still go out with a number of entourage. What do you need it for when we are in a state of crisis? The problem we have is that we spend too much on frivolity.”

    But he said the chief executives of most states of the federation “have refused to cut their spending. If this crisis gets worse, what stops a governor from buying his food in the Government House?

    “At least, you are able to feed yourself in your house. Why can you not feed yourself in Government House? Till tomorrow, President Barack Obama pays for his food in the White House? The one the United States Government takes care of is the state banquet,” he said.

    Akeredolu urged the governors “to cut off all these excesses”, adding: “It does not have to continue this way. If it is a crisis period, you must call your people to prepare to make sacrifice so that we can move forward.”

    He added: “We have not prioritise in respect of what we need to do. We are not looking at agriculture properly.

    “There must be a way that if anybody that comes to the Government House, the only rice you can eat there is ofada. We get to point we eat pounded yam or amala.”

  • Strip president, govs of immunity —Arewa chair, Coomassie

    Strip president, govs of immunity —Arewa chair, Coomassie

    Former Inspector General of Police and Chairman of Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmadu Coomassie is canvassing a drastic reform of the political process and the judicial system.

    Top of the political reform Coomassie wants is the removal of public office holders’ immunity, which, according to him, will help in sanitising the electoral process and reduce abuse of office.

    He spoke at the International Conference on ‘Deepening Democracy Through Elections in Nigeria: An Assessment’ organised by the Department of Political Science and International Studies of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria.

    The ACF Chairman who chaired the conference said the political reform has become imperative to safeguard the nation’s democracy.

    Citing the 2015 elections, the former IGP said: “From one source alone, a staggering $2.1billion earmarked for procurement of arms to fight insurgency in the North-east was diverted to secure the electoral victory of the PDP.

    “Indicators suggest that most government agencies and departments were forced to cough out funds to aid in the electoral victory of the PDP, making it the most expensive election in the nation’s history.

    “Now that we have a new government in place, which campaigned for and won because it promised change and is therefore amenable for the reform of the whole political processes. We must avail ourselves with the opportunity to make far-reaching reforms that will safeguard this democracy.”

    On the immunity clause, the former IGP said: “It is time to expunge this immunity clause in the constitution or amend it to give the President and Governors only immunity from civil litigations. This is one of the many steps that will help sanitise not only the electoral process, but reduce the abuse of office that have become the hallmark of elected public office holders in Nigeria.

    “As chief law officers, they are expected to be above board. From 1999 to date, this has not been the case. The democratic process has been characterised by impunity, disregard for service delivery and high levels of corruption.

    “Similarly, the Buhari administration should as soon as possible initiate a major reform of the judicial processes in Nigeria. Nigeria inherited the judicial system from the British at independence and since then, it has undergone minimal reforms.

    “Matters before our law courts suffer long and unnecessary delays. Prosecutors of criminal offenders suffer great frustrations at the court, especially when serious cases before our eminent jurists get thrown out on simple technicalities.

    “Strict penalties should be introduced for all electoral offences. After more than 50 years as an independent nation, and after several tries at the democratic governance, Nigeria must once and for all get her acts together. After 17 years of uninterrupted civil rule, Nigeria’s democracy can no longer be described as an experiment We must strive to consolidate this gain by not only making sure that our electoral processes are fool proof, but that attempt to tamper with them will meet the full wrath of the law.”

    The ACF Chairman also called for abolition of the State Independent Electoral Commissions saying local government elections should be conducted by the Independent National  Electoral Commission (INEC)  which should  computerise all electoral processes to allow for absolute credibility.

    Earlier his address, ABU Vice Chancellor, Professor Ibrahim Garba said it was time for the academia to rise up and shape public discuss through conferences like this.

    According to him, the academia, especially political scientists have a duty to examine and analyse the fierce struggles leading to primitive accumulation of wealth and  have resulted in contemporary class conflicts, ethnic violence as well as the present phase of insurgency which is threatening national security.