The article below was written on 24/02/2013, well before the plane crash and bullet proof car wahala, but it is salient and straight to the point more like a call to arms. Mustapha Chike Obi may be next on the list. For those that claim there is no ethnic war going on, the fact speaks for itself.

http://www.vanguardngr.com/2013/02/mini ... -yoruba-1/


Minister of Aviation declares war on Yoruba – 1

on February 24, 2013 / in Frankly Speaking 9:10 am / Comments

By Dele Sobowale

“On top of these, says YUF [Yoruba Unity Forum] some Ministers such as that of Aviation have specialized in sacking the Yoruba from agencies under their control and replacing them with favourites from their preferred ethnic groups”. Idowu Akinlotan, in PALLADIUM, Sunday, February 17, 2013.

In almost twenty years of writing this column, I have never written any article in support of anyone because he is “my brother”; neither have I written one against anyone because he is not “my brother”. OBJ received the same treatment as Babangida, Abacha, Yar’Adua and, now, Jonathan.

Segun Aganga and, now, Adewunmi are undergoing the same interrogation as Alison Madueke and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. The current Minister of Aviation is the first Minister to ever attract my attention in this regard because of mounting evidence of her deliberate tribal hostility. She has started the war; she will not determine when it will end and how.


Until recently, I had taken very little interest in the matter of Yoruba marginalization as alleged by the Yoruba Unity Forum, the original Afenifere group, and, now, Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG. To my mind, the marginalisation of Yoruba by Jonathan’s administration and specifically some Ministers was caused to a large extent by the Yoruba leaders themselves – and that includes all the leaders without exception.

Unlike, Doyin Okupe’s and Chief Richard Akinjide’s views, my grouse is simple. Yoruba people can now be easily marginalized and persecuted because divisive politics had made it impossible for us to unite to fight our common causes irrespective of political affiliation. An organization, AGBAJO YORUBA AGBAYE, AYA, formed for that purpose, was allowed to die by some of those now shedding crocodile tears.

For a start, how can anyone explain the idiocy, no apologies for that, of Yoruba trooping to the polls in 2011 to vote Action Congress of Nigeria in every election only to turn around and vote PDP for the presidential? Everyone, who must have “voted for Jonathan not PDP” can now accept responsibility for this situation in which we find ourselves.

The leaders of the ACN who brokered the deal for the switch to PDP have allowed Okupe, who will say anything, to make his nonsensical claim. Had the South West stood firmly behind Ribadu, the outcome might have been different. So, let’s be done with the crocodile tears of those who dug our graves. However, there is a Yoruba proverb which applies here. It says, “Ki a le @#$%^&* lo na, ki a to f’abo si odo adie”; meaning, “chase away the fox first, then attend to the wayward chicken”.

Of all the Ministries in the Federal Government, one, above all others, is headed by a Minister who has virtually declared war on Yoruba people in every area of her Ministry. That is the Minister for Aviation. The reason for singling her out of the several MDAs in the Federal Government is again simple. It is strategic to focus our energies on the worst offender, fight her to a standstill as an example to others that Yoruba people will not be pushed around by any transient holder of power. And she will not be the last holder of the Ministry. She will go, sooner or later. But, the war will continue.

As an aside, let me point out to the Minister that the Yoruba can defend themselves in this war. She might be the Minister of Aviation or anything; she might even be waging an ethnic war – for reasons known to herself. But, one thing she must know is this. The Southwest is host to every other ethnic group in Nigeria – far more than any other zone. Even the airports and other Aviation Ministry agencies are surrounded by Yoruba territory. We hold the nation’s assets.

The first question anyone will ask is: why pick on her? The answer is simple, there is increasing evidence that she is being deliberately antagonistic to us – that includes me. The Yoruba Unity Forum in a recent publication, set out the number of Yoruba people who had been sacked from the Ministry and its agencies – almost invariably to be replaced by other ethnic groups. One or two might be justified by claiming incompetence, old age, diminishing productivity, corruption, etc. But, when only people from one ethnic group suffer such dismissals, it becomes highly suspicious.

That, however, is small potatoes compared to the main issue; the one that has left no doubt in my mind that, ethnic cleansing and persecution of Yoruba is a deliberate policy, is in connection with the problems of Dr Wale Babalakin, SAN, who I never met. This issue, in my view, should demonstrate the resolve of all Yoruba people to fight a battle declared against one of us by someone else for fairly clear motives.

And, it is a struggle that must be non-partisan. This is no PDP versus ACN affair. It is Yoruba versus the Minister of Aviation. Incidentally, the Minister of Aviation, I now believe has an ally in the Asset Management Corporation, AMCON, Mr Mustapha Chike Obi. Together, they want to reduce Babalakin to zero. Let me present the case as documented.

My Monday, February 18, 2013, column, in this paper, was titled WHO WANTS WALE BABALAKIN DEAD?, because at the time, I had no clue regarding who could be behind the plot to persecute Babalakin. Now, all the facts at my disposal point to the Minister of Aviation, who has gathered other co-conspirators, from her ethnic enclave, to help her execute the project. They will fail. Other Yoruba people will join Babalakin to ensure they don’t succeed. In fact, the battle will be taken to the door step of the Ministry of Aviation itself – if Madam does not stop fomenting trouble for herself.

Bi-Courteny Aviation Services Limited, whose Chairman is Dr Wale Babalakin SAN, as most air travelers know, was persuaded by the Obasanjo administration to build Murtala Muhammed Airport Two, MM 2; which it did. As part of the agreement, all domestic flights were to originate and land at MM2, once completed and operational. The old domestic, called General Aviation Terminal, GAT, was to be closed down; and become an integral part of MM2.

As usual, with our lawless governments, the Federal Government refused to close down GAT and encouraged some airlines, especially one owned by people from one of the two eastern zones, to operate from there. As far as I am concerned, the airlines operating from GAT are not at fault. Government carries the blame.

In order to enforce the agreement, Bi-Courtney dragged the Federal Government to court for enforcement of the contract and for damages. Bi-Courtney won the case and huge damages were awarded in its favour…

It is clear that the Yorubas are not happy with the progress Igbos are making in Nigeria. GEJ till 2019.

I am not surprised because Yorubas are known for tribalism, corruption and falsehood

You are so on point, OP

But na true sah

Yorubas are still thinking Nigeria belong to them, Ode Confused people

Ekwu gom si ke obodo a ka ihe a bee. ike agwugom oo

Willywilly7: Yorubas are still thinking Nigeria belong to them, Ode Confused people

na ur papa be the leader of ode and if he see anybdy wdy mumu reach am make he carry the person go court cos he be confirmed one. stupid son of a bastard.

SHOCKING article! In fact, I am speechless right now. Why was the idiot who wrote that article not arrested then?
The irony here is that the same ethnic champions and warlords who launched an onslaught on the minister of aviation will turn around to accuse those who oppose their satanic agenda of ethnic bigotry.

The EAST AND WEST CONNECTORS will not kill NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS. . .
What a CURSED duo!
Twa!!!

Efrywhia. . . no so so 'TROBU-TROBU. . . TROUUUUUUU'!!!

At this point I can see were Nigeria is going.
Someone is accused of illegality, instead of defending herself, she turns around and play the tribal sentiment.

Let it continue, let GEJ continue to use tribalism to rule Nigeria.

This is exactly what NIGERIA deserves.

emmatok: At this point I can see were Nigeria is going.
Some is accused of illegality, instead of defending herself, she turns around and play the tribal sentiment.

Let it continue, let GEJ continue to use tribalism to rule Nigeria.

This is exactly what NIGERIA deserves.

We know the game plan of many Yorubas, you have to follow them the way they are

[quote author] I am not surprised because igbos are known for tribalism, corruption and falsehood[/quote]
Corrected!

Femolacaster: I am not surprised because Yorubas are known for
tribalism, corruption and falsehood

Is this new?

lygn19:
Is this new?

U dey craze. Na your people corrupt pass.....

If someone wants or is desperate to hang you, you do not go into the forest and fashioned out the best/strongest rope possible and gave it to your anchoring hang man as present? If he uses the rope you gave him on you, you got only yourself to blame.

Only a sane person will sanction the purchase of an auto vehicle that cost that much in a third world economy, using public money and expect his/her enemy to congratulate the person. She alone is the genesis of her problems.
Her so called enemies did not force her to buy such a car.

Femolacaster:
U dey craze. Na your people corrupt pass.....

I can give u a thousand examples of ur ppl and corruption,from local,state to federal level, even at civil service.

Tafa Balogun
Bode George
Patricia Etteh
Dimeji Bankole
to name a few have all had trouble with the law. No one played the ethnic card. In fact Yorubas celebrated the Jailing of Balogun and Georgre
Why are you folk like this?
The same way you killed Balewa nd Akintola and spared Zik and Okpara. You think every other person is stupid

If stella oduah is found guilty she shud be sacked, not a situation where a site dats fond of spreading falsehood comes up with things, without investigation they want her sac, d worse is that they want it to be done quickly I.e as fast as possible b4 d lie comes to the surface,but I thankGod GEJ is smarter than they re.
They re saying Igbo's re corrupt, can u compare stella oduah to faani kayode, that was just made minister, d 1st thing he did was to steal 9billion naira aviation intervention fund. Dz one he wz caught red handed, not from a social network or media. Yoruba u ppl re THIEVES, I wonder d amount u have stolen behind d northerners, u ppl use them as front while u use ur pen to steal d millions, right under der nose. Bloody HYPOCRITES

0monnakoda: Tafa Balogun
Bode George
Patricia Etteh
Dimeji Bankole
to name a few have all had trouble with the law. No one played the ethnic card. In fact Yorubas celebrated the Jailing of Balogun and Georgre
Why are you folk like this?
The same way you killed Balewa nd Akintola and spared Zik and Okpara. You think every other person is stupid

We killed Balewa and Akintola and spared Zik, then what stopped us from driving a bullet into Awo's head,fully knowing that Awo was serving jail term in the East?
B4 balogun and george was probed how many Igbo's did u see asking der arrest without any investigation, how many Igbo's was witch-hunting then b4 there arrest. Be sincere for once.

lygn19: If stella oduah is found guilty she shud be sacked, not a situation where a site dats fond of spreading falsehood comes up with things, without investigation they want her sac, d worse is that they want it to be done quickly I.e as fast as possible b4 d lie comes to the surface,but I thankGod GEJ is smarter than they re.
They re saying Igbo's re corrupt, can u compare stella oduah to faani kayode, that was just made minister, d 1st thing he did was to steal 9billion naira aviation intervention fund. Dz one he wz caught red handed, not from a social network or media. Yoruba u ppl re THIEVES, I wonder d amount u have stolen behind d northerners, u ppl use them as front while u use ur pen to steal d millions, right under der nose. Bloody HYPOCRITES

So in that case, this is just a case of our thief is better than your thief then? Classic Nigeria.

0monnakoda: Tafa Balogun
Bode George
Patricia Etteh
Dimeji Bankole
to name a few have all had trouble with the law. No one played the ethnic card. In fact Yorubas celebrated the Jailing of Balogun and Georgre
Why are you folk like this?
The same way you killed Balewa nd Akintola and spared Zik and Okpara. You think every other person is stupid

Rubbish, you didn't celebrate anything. If there is law, Balogun would have spend the rest of his pitiful life in jail without any option of being released. When Bode George was release, some of you had a street party in Lagos, that started with a motorcade from Kirikiri prison.

Eziachi:
Rubbish, you didn't celebrate anything. If there is law, Balogun would have spend the rest of his pitiful life in jail without any option of being released. When Bode George was release, some of you had a street party in Lagos, that started with a motorcade from Kirikiri prison.

You claim to be old That usually implies wisdom . If you want people to respect you respect them. I don't think my opinion is "rubbish"

Are you saying that She has done Well?
I don't know those supportin George But I know many who don't. I certainly do not

Eziachi:
So in that case, this is just a case of our thief is better than your thief then? Classic Nigeria.

Its not a mata of thief, all am saying is that stella oduah shud be given fair hearing, if she is found guilty, she shud be sacked,but if the opposite is d case, let her sue d newspaper that published d falsehood from sahara reporters, u can't say she is guilty yet u don't want her to defend herself.

lygn19:
We killed Balewa and Akintola and spared Zik, then what stopped us from driving a bullet into Awo's head,fully knowing that Awo was serving jail term in the East?
B4 balogun and george was probed how many Igbo's did u see asking der arrest without any investigation, how many Igbo's was witch-hunting then b4 there arrest. Be sincere for once.

What do you mean by witch hunting? They both did wrong and that is all that matters.They should be punished. What are you trying to say because I don't understand your reasoning

0monnakoda: You claim to be old That usually implies wisdom

I claimed to be old, hwo does one claims to be old, my good friend?
Who decides what is wisdom? Ask your parent if every old person in your village is considered wise.
Old is not necessarily becoming wise and I never told you that I am packed with wisdom, I don't know who gave you that idea. I am only expressing my opinion, you don't have to like it and I don't have to like yours either.

Eziachi:
Who decides what is wisdom? Ask your parent if every old person in your village is considered wise.
Old is not necessarily becoming wise and I never told you that I am packed with wisdom, I don't know who gave you that idea. I am only expressing my opinion, you don't have to like it and I don't have to like yours either.

Okay since we have established that you are a foolish old man please do not quote me till you learn some etiquette

0monnakoda: Okay since we have established that you are a foolish old man please do not quote me till you learn some etiquette

I didn't claim to be foolish either. Stop making things up please.

Eziachi:
I didn't claim to be foolish either. Stop making things up please.

Well you talk foolishly that was why I asked the first question. If you cannot be polite just stay away from me. Do not quote me telling me I am saying rubbish. At your age you should have learnt abot actions and reactions

cashkid: na ur papa be the leader of ode and if he see anybdy wdy mumu reach am make he carry the person go court cos he be confirmed one. stupid son of a bastard.

You know that you are born by a Yoruba woman, ask her to be sincere and tell you who is your real father.

lygn19:
Its not a mata of thief, all am saying is that stella oduah shud be given fair hearing, if she is found guilty, she shud be sacked,but if the opposite is d case, let her sue d newspaper that published d falsehood from sahara reporters, u can't say she is guilty yet u don't want her to defend herself.

Fair hearing about what in particular? That she didn't spend public money to buy a car that cost that much? Or that people are making it up? In many sane countries, she can go to jail for this, let alone talking about fair hearing for her to keep her job after all this. But this is Nigeria, every section is protecting their own best thieves.

0monnakoda: What do you mean by witch hunting? They both did wrong and that is all that matters.They should be punished. What are you trying to say because I don't understand your reasoning

Ok let's get this, from sahara reporters-
-All of a sudden sm particular set of ppl start complaining dat aviation minister is marginalising them in d ministry, as a result of this they were calling for her sac, after a headcount was done it was discovered that dz particular set of ppl, from dz particular tribe makes up 64percent of workers,only 1 tribe 64percent.
-All of a sudden Aviation minister makes Enugu airport international,this same set of ppl went around d media and started giving false reasons y the airport won't be profitable, that didn't work they started saying enugu airport is dirty, that didn't work, they went back to there drawing board.
-They came up with another article and said the coming of international flights into enugu wud kill local flights, that one didn't work.
-A plane crash(agagu case) happened instead of them to wait for investigation, they started protesting that she shud be sacked, after d blackbox was decoded it was discovered dat it wz d pilots fault, they went back to the drawing board again.
-All of a sudden papers started appearing,b4 they cud say hoot this ppl started calling for her sack with utter seriousness, even though some of them don't even know wat d story is abt, only d source of d story wud tell u if its true or false.
SHUD I CONTINUE, coz dz ppl know demselves.