₦airaland Forum

victorDanladi:
yeah,it was a mistake.

he will move it.

hitman2911:
Every town has its own perculiarity and history. Comparison of Abeokuta with Ibadan in terms of number of kings does not hold water. Abeokuta is a commonwealth of Egba, Owu, Yewa, Ijaiye and other people. Ake, Owu, Ibara and Ijaiye were towns on their own likewise Oke - Ona and Gbagura also had many towns and villages back then
These people took refuge from war at different time in history in Abeokuta. Abeokuta kings were beaded kings for many generations before migrating to the current site now called Abeokuta today.
Ibadan was part of Egba old location before they were pushed to Abeokuta. Ibadan was a war camp and was ruled in succession by the war lords who were Magajis of their family.This history of having various strong warlords made Ibadan to refuse monarch system .Baale of Ibadan was a subject of Alaafin as at then. Olubadan was given beaded crown around 1940's in order to be in tune with reality of time. Olubadan cannot be a Baale when Ibadan was the biggest city in Africa then.
The high chiefs have been classified as 2nd class rulers for a long time but now conferred with crowns but now as 2nd class kings.
Every king has his own domain but this newly elevated kings will be ruling over their family except the Baales who were in charge of various villages.
There is a need for Ibadan kingship to be decentralised but this recent development seems to be full of errors.
The Nigerian kings in general are more or less a conduit for unnecessary expenditures. What is their function in a democratic setting? Every king should take of himself not constituting unnecessary burden to the people.

Danladi7:
I wonder ooo.

no be awolowo or bola ige also,i'm not so sure crown the first olubadan.Even he too self no be Ajimobi sign his certificate and presented staff of office to him?

Biafra National Guard (BNG) says the Operation Python Dance II, to be carried out by the Nigerian Army in the South-east was targeted at Nnamdi Kanu and other agitators.

A statement Wednesday morning by self-styled ‘Major Nkuma’, said BNG knew that the operation “is a show of force and genocide intention which has already started”.


It, however, said the Army should be prepared for BNG warning that its the leadership of General Innocent Orji was ready for war.

The statement reads “We fear not; we dine, sleep and live hostility and will defend our lives. BNG continues to make it loud and clear that Biafra needs activation of self defense as enshrined in UN 2007 charter to restore Biafra and that is what BNG represents.

“Our commander; General Innocent Orji does not subscribe to defenseless agitation which is suicidal in Nigeria, but to continue on the path of non-violence, Nigeria must withdraw lethal force which might be impossible because we are considered slaves that deserve death. Our commander knows the terrain of self defense as enshrined in 2007 UN Charter on the rights of indigenous people.

“As we continue to make it clear; self defense is due because our people have continued to face death, threatened with suicide, promised to be crushed by Buhari and the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra whom BNG is saddled with responsibility of defending has come under severe threat as well.


“The people of Biafra and her leadership fully support the decision of Biafra National Guard because we are not violent agitators but out to stop the unlawful killing of our people. Biafra National Guard is not a violent group rather Nigerian military is violent to our people; killing and maiming us and BNG is an outfit designed to curb the wanton killing of Biafrans. We have never been violent in any shape or form; but would resist unlawful killing of our people.

“Operation Python Dance I- was formerly launched in Oct 27 through Nov 27 2017 which purportedly targeted kidnappers but the recent launch according to Major General David Ahmadu targets violent agitators and the question is, what violence is there in Southeast? The Nigerian military must understand that Biafra National Guard values life and respect human rights.

“Unlike Nigerian military that find strength against unarmed and peaceful civilians; we the Biafra National Guard find strength against unlawful hostile, undisciplined, happy-trigger soldiers that violate human rights, crush peaceful and law-abiding citizens. Operation Python Dance II in Southeast is a show of cowardice; BNG is not Southeast movement but Biafra military wing.

“The blood of the people of Biafra makes the python dance and merry; our molestation makes the python happy and laugh. Road blocks in Biafra make the python dance and party round, throw money like politicians. Raping our women makes the python dance but very soon Biafra National Guard shall make the python shade tears by denying the python the evil deeds that makes it dance.


“Northern Nigeria under the leadership of Arewa consultative forum obviously declared genocide against us; made genocide song, threatened us with quit notice and no single operation was launched in Northern Nigeria to defend our people. Nobody demanded account or investigated the act; nobody launched road blocks, nobody raided and not a single army was seen loitering in the North.

“Everything was okay because people that deserved death were to get it; even if Python Dance X (10) will be declared because Biafra National Guard vowed self defense, let them go on. If Nigerian military is fit; they should crush Boko Haram and not civilian populace. This python dance should be well informed that the days BNG was away are over.

“Fulani herdsmen have been killing our people and raping our women; attacking us in our worship centers and destroying our farms and nobody including the Nigerian military launched any operation to checkmate this terrorist organization sponsored by Buhari and Britain but just the moment Biafra National Guard declared that they won’t fold arms while their people are murdered on daily basis, Buhari and Britain launched operation Python Dance II. We refuse to continue to be species of terror; we shall defend ourselves, our women, our farm and our worship places against unconstitutional acts.

“Britain is responsible for the launching of Operation Python Dance II; they want to keep depopulating us and keep us under slavery to have unlimited access to our natural resources. Britain must be held responsible in advent of full blown war because we shall defend ourselves.

“The genocide being orchestrated by Britain in Biafra land; there is the need for other world leaders to beam their searchlight in Biafra as to bring Britain to justice. Since 1967; it has been this way but the end of the road is today.

“The Russian federation, USA under the leadership of just-Trump and Israel must make up for their silence between 1967 and 1970 genocide against the peaceful people of Biafra, they looked on while their precious and natural allies perished in the cold hands of Britain.

“We have moved on and mankind has moved on but never again shall we go back to 1967 monumental sheer wickedness against humanity. Biafra National Guard is ready to restore and defend the sovereign state of Biafra.

“Finally; Biafra National Guard uses this medium to call on Biafra political class to do what is essential because time is ticking and there must be accounting. The people of Biafra and her leadership must urgently support and pray for her military wing because BNG is the pride of the people and the backbone of the leadership of the people of Biafra under Nnamdi Kanu whom the people have chosen.


“If terrorists are caught and locked underground but immediately released by the Nigerian security of Hausa/Fulani and given amnesty by Nigerian government then continued detention of Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Maduka Mmadu, Bright Chimezie, Mrs Onyekachi Orji, Miss Okwudili Bassey, Sebastian Amadi, Uchenna Nicholas respectively in Abuja, Onitsha and Awka prisons is an act of hatred. They must be released because they have committed no crime.”

•‘The North should stop fearing losing the feeding bottle’

By Jide Ajani

Secretary of the Planning Committee of the Yoruba Summit, held in Ibadan, Oyo State Capital, last Thursday, Mr Yinka Odumakin, in this interview, speaks to the issue of restructuring and why it offers Nigeria the best opportunity to remain united and prosperous. He also takes on antagonists, saying their opposition to restructuring only serves to fuel the desire of separatists. Excerpts:

Yinka odumakin Alhaji Tanko Yakassai pooh-poohed the Ibadan conference, saying it was not representative enough, just as he claimed that Muslims were not effectively represented there?

Okay you heard what he said too. Some of his positions are very funny and, therefore, he amazes me a lot. He said there were lesser Muslims than Christians at the conference. Was he in Ibadan on Thursday? Did he take a census or did he ask people to raise their hands to be counted?   Our elders should try to be credible. In Yorubaland, we are different because religion is never an issue with us; in a family you would have Muslims and Christians. Muslims spoke, Christians spoke.  Chief Idowu Sofola, leader of the YCE, who spoke at that summit, is a Muslim. We do not wear religion on our head. What binds us is culture. In that same televised interview, he made reference to Ohanaeze and South/South leadership as represented. So, he expects us to come and meet him first in Kano, tell him that Yoruba want to meet, he should tell us who and who to invite. Can you imagine that arrogance. The insult. NEPU (Northern Elements Progressive Union), of which Yakassai was a member, organised a riot in Kano to protest the rejection of Pa Enahoro’s independence move. When the North was to give conditions on how to come back to the negotiation table, it gave an eight-point demand which spelt confederacy, demanding that each region should have its own army, police, port, customs. If we are now asking for federalism and you claim you do not know what it means, you that asked for confederacy, what are you talking about? The latter is close to secession. But, today, because some people are reaping where they are not sowing, they claim not to know what restructuring means. Elders like Yakassai should make themselves credible and should stop this type of talk. The other time, he said Yoruba talking about restructuring just want to take away the two advantages the North has – population and land mass. But I’ve always told people who say this that if you have more population, train them, put them to work and let them contribute to the GDP and stop using them to share money in Abuja. You have more land, cultivate the land.  

In the First Republic, there were four regions – Western, Eastern, Mid-West and North. Today, one region, the North, has 19 states; three regions, put together, have 17 states. What does that tell you about the structure of Nigeria that we have today?

Sokoto, Lagos, Kano, these were Divisions. Today, Lagos Division is one state, 20 local governments. Kano is now two states, 77 local governments. Sokoto has become three states. Where did we agree on all these things? You used the control of military fiat to do what we have on our hands now. Look at the number of local governments, 774, out of which 449 are in the North. What we are saying is that we must re-negotiate these things. But when you begin to put it in our faces, we are no fools. They inflated the constituencies in the House of Representatives and you now begin to taunt us, after you have done all that. For us, we believe that we can re-negotiate and make everybody happy.  

What actually do you think is the fear of those in the North who do not want restructuring?

It is the fear of losing the feeding bottle. A child being breastfed may think the best to have on earth is breast milk…unknown to the child that there are several other delicacies that are not dependent on the mother offering him breast. The child out of lack of knowledge may not know that the mother would also not be producing milk all the years of her life.  

How can these fears be assuaged?

2014 conference allayed that fears by removing mineral resources from the exclusive list and setting 5% of Federal Government allocations to prospect them while we continue the sharing culture in the transition. This would spread co-prosperity North and South .It is also an assurance that there is no plan to punish any section of the country.  

What really was the Ibadan declaration meant to achieve?

The communique from the Ibadan Declaration is very clear. But it’s only those who want to obfuscate that would say that restructuring means different things to different people. Restructuring simply means, we are tired of military constitution, take us back to the federal constitution negotiated by our founding fathers. Interestingly, the whole process started in Ibadan in 1950 when the conference of Nigerian leaders held there. They voted for a federal constitution and that was the constitution that we had in 1960. It was truncated when the military struck in 1966 and then this military arrangement. Today, we have a constitution which pretends to be federal innate but is actually unitary in structure. Look, all the problems confronting us today are the periphery but they have their vertical links with this constitution. This is what Ibadan has declared, that for the Yoruba nation, this is where we stand, we want to return to true federalism.  And our friends from the South/South and the South/East have also said they are on the same page with us.  

Why do you say the constitution is unitary?

It was Decree 34 of 1999 that we call 1999 Constitution. There are 67 items on the exclusive list, the highest in the history of constitutionalism in Nigeria, and the remaining items on the concurrent list and there is a provision in that same constitution that wherever there is a clash between the federating units and the Federal Government, the Federal Government would take precedence. Therefore, all powers in Nigeria today are vested in the Federal Government. It is never so in any federal constitution. In a federal constitution, you have the Federal Government and federating units that are co-ordinates (not subordinates), unlike what we have where the Federal Government takes control of all the resources in the country, sits on it and calls other units to Abuja and shares out, calling it bailout. It is not done like that. The only land that belongs to the Federal Government today is the FCT.   And FCT produces nothing. So you take oil and gas receipts, you take VAT from Lagos and other places and you sit on it and say you are Federal Government, you get so bloated, you take over functions that should not belong to you and a minister of works, who doesn’t even know where many of the roads are, claims to be in charge of federal roads. It is not done.  

What is the viability of an Oduduwa Republic as some people are clamouring for?

I need to say this: Since independence, the Yoruba have been subjected to all manner of indignity within the Nigerian union, from Awolowo to MKO Abiola. In 1962, the Emergency Declaration in Western Nigeria, all the travails of Awolowo, Abiola was locked up for five years – they took him alive and brought his lifeless body to us. In all these instances, the Yoruba have never questioned the corporate existence of Nigeria for once. And up till now, we are  insisting that we can restructure the country and make it progressive for everybody. That is not to say that there are no people or groups within Yoruba land who are saying we are wasting our time. Some people came to Ibadan, insisting that restructuring is too late, that we should just move for what you just asked now. But we are saying we can negotiate a proper federation that would make all happy. As far back as 1967, Awolowo said, in his book, THOUGHTS ON NIGERIAN CONSTITUTION, that any attempt to run Nigeria along unitary lines would produce discontent, disharmony and that the whole machinery of government would crumble under bureaucratic centralism except you give Nigeria to superhuman beings to run. That is where we are now. The mainstream Yoruba leadership is not asking for Oduduwa Republic. But there are other people who are asking for it and we are saying to them, ‘calm down, let us restructure’. If you restructure Nigeria, we don’t need that. But if you fail to restructure, you will only be arming those elements asking for Oduduwa Republic. Because they will ask us, ‘what have you brought back with your restructuring?’  

Did the Ibadan meeting, in any way, consider going back to regionalism?

The question was out. Mind you, there were three documents before the participants: The communique which I read; there was the Ibadan declaration, read by Professor Banji Akintoye, and there was the Yoruba Working Document on Restructuring and Mr. Niyi Akintola, SAN, moved the motion to adopt these documents, seconded by Chief Fasoranti and the whole assembly adopted these documents as the position of the Yoruba people and which will form the basis of our negotiations with the rest of Nigeria. Good enough, the entire South was in Ibadan – S/West; S/East, led by the President of Ohanaeze, Chief Nnia Nwodo, was there; and the S/South, led by Chief A. K. Horsfall, was there. They put their signatures to the position of the Yoruba people.  

What would you say to those who insist that all the restructuring noise is needless, that the National Assembly is the best place to go? Or, you do not expect to get the type of amendments you want in the National Assembly?

You cannot get it from this National Assembly.  

Why?

The National Assembly members are lawmakers. We are talking about an  autochthonous constitution here, an organic document to which the people have willingly submitted themselves. The National Assembly is empowered to make laws within the constitution. We are not talking about the legality of the National Assembly; they cannot give us a constitution. They can only amend it.

But the process is on-going?  

That is what they are doing? That is what they have not done. Look at the whole issue of devolution of power. They abandoned it.  

Your members are in the National Assembly from the three zones of the South, so why not lobby them to get this through for you?

That is true; we have people there. But the last time they voted, didn’t you see the way the votes went. 46 to 48 on the issue of devolution. That shows you regional divide in the chambers.  

Why is it difficult for the National Assembly to do it?

Those who keep shouting ‘go to the National Assembly’ know why they keep saying that. They know what they have done. The numbers are not there. There is a clear lopsidedness which is being used to block what some people do not want. that is the crux of the matter. There are some provisions that need close to 70% votes for them to pass. But these were not put there by Nigerians. This was a constitution prepared by General Sani Abacha for self-transmutation; he died, they went to pick it from under his pillow; they set up the Nikky Tobi panel to tinker with it. As of the time President Olusegun Obasano was sworn-in in 1999, there was no clean copy of that so-called constitution. It was still being printed in the press in Abuja. Yet, they say “we the people…”. Which people? But if the National Assembly is ready to do the needful, we are ready to work with them. If they realise that there is an historic responsibility to address this drift in Nigeria, to ensure that we re-work the constitution, we will work with them. In fact, it will save everybody all the problems, the agitations. If they act statesmanly, we can solve the problem. But if they continue the way they voted on devolution, then they cannot have the final say.

How do you hope to succeed without the North?

When you say North, there is a groundswell of support for restructuring in the North. The Middle Belt was with us once when we met in Abuja and the people there are for restructuring. If you go to the North-East, people like (former Vice President) Atiku and the rest of them; and if you go to the North-West, you are not in lack of support for restructuring. Today, it is those few, powerful people who are against restructuring. It is not just a southern issue.. It is a nationwide thing but  there are a few powerful forces who are standing against restructuring. We can develop resources in all the states and make the states viable, that was part of the 2014 Conference Report.  It is just that the 1999 Constitution vests everything in the Federal Government. We can even use Federal Government money to develop these resources for the states for a period of about five to ten years, so that everybody will benefit.

Some people are of the view that some leaders in Yoruba land in times past cannot be free from complicity regarding how we got to this point. What do you say to that?

There are  very few Yoruba people who contributed to the unitary push in Nigeria but they are an exception to the Yoruba norm. Yoruba are federalists in nature. Even in things like sharing of inheritance,Yoruba use federal principles in polygamous setting. Yoruba towns are run on federal lines from time immemorial.  

What other forms of engagement are you looking at, with a view to getting all regions or zone?

The engagements have started with the presence of like-minds from other zones at Ibadan. With Middle Belt on the same page, the engagement will now be with the core-North to build consensus towards a restructured polity that would allow all federating units to pursue happiness to the fullest of the country on board?

Angeltjazz2017:
do you think any strong party can give oke Ogun their ticket,you must be dreaming.

Chukwudi Akasike, Port Harcourt

MEN of the Rivers State Police Command have arrested a suspected cannibal and member of a notorious kidnap gang, Roland Peter, for killing, beheading and using the liver and intestines of his victim to prepare ‘pepper’ soup and plantain pottage for himself and his gang.

The suspect was among the kidnappers that abducted, killed and beheaded one Pastor Samuel Okpara from Edoha in Ahoada East Local Government Area of the state on August 15, 2017.

State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zaki Ahmed, who spoke with newsmen while parading Peter and 22 other suspects at the State Command in Port Harcourt, explained that the suspect was also in possession of riffles belonging to the gang.

He disclosed that the kidnap gang, including the leader, who was simply identified as Justus and also known as High Tension, had been terrorising some part of Ahoada East LGA.

Ahmed said, “The Command, in continuation of her onslaught against kidnapping, arrested one Roland Peter, a member of a notorious gang that kidnapped Pastor Samuel Okpara from Edoha Ahoada East LGA in Rivers State on August 15, 2017.

“Pastor Okpara was kidnapped, beheaded and his liver and intestines were used to prepare pepper soup and plantain pottage. He was arrested while preparing the meal for his gang.

“He (Peter) is also alleged to be in possession of the gang’s riffles. The leader of the gang is one Justus (surname unknown), but popularly known as High Tension from Abarikpo in Ahoada LGA. The suspect (Peter) is helping the police in their investigation.”

kenny987:
Really? Unfortunately that is what the state approved fixation on state of origin rather than residence has wrought. Citizens do not enjoy full rights n benefits outside of their states rather they are consciously excluded and discriminated against contrary to the provision of the constitution against discrimination.
If there is no wholesale overhaul, then it is clear the country has approved such selective and discriminatory 'empowerment'... What then are u condemning?

“ The government would immediately procure
over 130 tricycles to enable hawkers of Ebonyi
origin in Onitsha and environs to quit the trade
and be gainfully employed .

“ We would accommodate over 20 indigenes in
Onitsha in our empowerment scheme , which
would offer them a grant of N 250, 000 ea ch , to
quit street trading and be gainfully employed .
The leader of the delegation and the governor ’ s
Senior Technical Assistant, Onitsha Liaison Office ,
Mr Mathew Njoku , thanked the governor for the
reception and pledged to contribute its quota to
the state ’ s development

“ We thank you for graciously including Ebonyi
indigenes in Onitsha and across the country in
your empowerment schemes because it would
help to eradicate the humiliating experiences they
undergo while hawking and engaging in other
menial jobs . ”

“ Ebonyi indigenes are ranked among the most
successful exporters of goods in Onitsha and are
willing to transfer such business acumen to
enhance the state ’ s economy , ” he said.

By Omeiza Ajayi

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ABUJA – The United Nations has called for the arrest and prosecution of a coalition of northern groups which had on June 6 issued a “quit notice” to Igbo living in the northern part of the Nigeria.

Though, the coalition had on Thursday announced the withdrawal of the notice, it however promised to pursue its other listed demands up to the United Nations. Part of the demands is that the government labels the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB as a terrorist organization and the immediate arrest of its leader, Nnamdi Kanu as well as the conduct of a referendum to allow the Igbos have their “Republic of Biafra”.

However, in a statement issued Friday in Geneva, three UN experts urged the federal government to also take immediate steps to arrest those behind a song that seeks to disparage the Igbos. The experts are Mr. Mutuma Ruteere, Special Rapporteur on Contemporary forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and related Intolerance; Mr. Fernand de Varennes, Special Rapporteur on Minority Issues, and Ms. Anastasia Crickley, Chairperson of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.

“We are gravely concerned about this proliferation of hate messages and incitement to violence against the Igbo and their property, especially considering the previous history of such violence,” the experts said. “The Government must be vigilant, as hate speech and incitement can endanger social cohesion and threaten peace by deepening the existing tensions between Nigeria’s ethnic communities.”

The ultimatum was issued on June 6 during a press briefing by the coalition. It had asked the Igbos to vacate the region on or before October 1. However, “mindful of the concerns generated by the clause in the Kaduna declaration that advised the Biafran Igbo to relocate from northern Nigeria and for northerners in the South East to do likewise, and our commitment to the unity of our dear country…and as a consequence of these vigorous engagements and as cultured people with a tradition of respect for our national values, leaders and elders, we are today pleased to announce the immediate suspension of the relocation clause otherwise referred to as the quit notice from the Kaduna Declaration”, the CNG had said in a speech read by its spokesman, Abdulaziz Suleiman on Thursday.

But the human rights experts noted that some local and national figures, as well as some media representatives, had publicly denounced any form of hate speech and incitement, but said other officials still needed to follow suit.

“We are deeply concerned that some prominent local leaders and elders have not condemned the ultimatum, hate speech and the perpetrators,” the experts stressed. “We call on the Government, media and civil society representatives, and local and religious leaders, to reject and condemn hate speech and incitement to violence unequivocally and in the strongest possible terms.”

The UN experts said any incidents of hate speech and incitement to violence had to be investigated and the perpetrators prosecuted and punished. “This includes the people behind the ultimatum and those responsible for the creation, publication and circulation of the hate song and audio message,” they added.

Quit Notice withdrawal, not Enough - Atiku

On his part, former Vice President and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress APC, Atiku Abubakar has commended the Coalition of Northern Groups for rescinding the quit notice, but said the group must drop all its other demands if reconciliation must be total. The former Vice President said in a statement by his media office in Abuja on August 25, 2017 that “at last, good judgment has prevailed.” He however appealed to the Coalition of Northern Groups to go the whole hog and drop any other condition given to people of Igbo origin living in Northern Nigeria or anywhere else in the nation. “Reconciliation must be total or else it is pyrrhic”, Atiku said.

In the spirit of this rapprochement, the Waziri Adamawa also calls on other ethnic groupings that might have issued counter quit notices to accept this olive branch and rescind whatever notices or withdraw whatever statements they may have made. The former Vice President also commended President Muhammadu Buhari for his national broadcast condemning such developments and urged other elders and elder-statesmen around the nation to likewise add their voices to the condemnation of evil and henceforth refrain from making statements that undermine Nigeria’s unity.

We can’t arrest Arewa Youths - FG

However, the Federal Government has explained why it cannot arrest members of the coalition, saying the group had already stated that they were misquoted by the media (not Saturday Vanguard).

According to the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Dambazau; “The group that called themselves coalition of Arewa Associations that held a press conference in Kaduna where they gave October 1 ultimatum to the Igbos to quit the north as a response to what they termed as issue of separatist agenda of the IPOB and claim that there are lots of incitement from the Igbos against the northerners to which the Kaduna State governor responded that they should be arrested for what they reported.

“Of course they later claimed that the media quoted them out of context. I am very much aware that the DSS invited all of them, held a meeting with them to which they made a statement to the effect that what was reported in the media was not what they said.

“They further wrote to the acting President indicating that they did not make inciting statement as to the issue of violence or forceful ejection of the Igbos in the north. However, it was on the basis of that, the northern elders called them to also reaffirm from them that what was reported is not exactly what they meant”.

By OLA AJAYI, IBADAN

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AS the royal tussle over the proposal to have 32 beaded crown-wearing kings in Ibadanland conceived by Governor Abiola Ajimobi continues, 10 out of 11 members of Olubadan-in-Council have thrown their weight behind the governor saying the move would be beneficial to Ibadanland as a whole.

Their stance, however, negates that of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji and Senator Rashidi Ladoja who refused to support the initiative. While speaking with newsmen at Ibadan House, Oke Are yesterday, all the high chiefs excluding two of them spoke one after the other in support of the review of 1957 Olubadan chieftaincy declaration which occasioned the proliferation of kings.

Led by the next-in-hierarchy to the Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun, the council corroborated all the reasons given by the state government that the move did not have any political undertone but was intended to upgrade the Ibadan traditional system and accord more dignity to the city.

High Chief Balogun who was flanked by Osi Balogun, High Chiefs Ajibola Abimbola, Lateef Gbadamosi Adebimpe, Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola, Ekaarun Balogun, Eddy Oyewole, Ashipa Otun Olubadan and Owolabi Olakulehin, Balogun of Ibadanland said, “we are not talking for the government. But we are absolutely in support of the proposal. In the past, if the Olubadan went to any meeting or function, unlike others who have kings on his entourage, Olubadan attended such function alone. Initially, all of us were against the move but when the governor invited us to a meeting, all of us including the Olubadan of Ibadan were there and we all agreed when we realized that the governor meant well for us”.

“We, as members of Olubadan-in-council, are completely in support of the proposal. Majority of us are with the government on this issue, the idea is to elevate Ibadan. Much as we support the government, we have no reason to disrespect our king, Olubadan of Ibadanland”, he said.

Another member of the council, High Chief Olakulehin, said “what some Yoruba youths said was nothing but mere propaganda. The youths said we want to change the system, nothing changes. If promotion comes, I will move to the next stage. God just called one of us, High Chief Olufemi Olaifa, the Otun Balogun who died. He has stopped being the Otun Balogun. It is Osi Balogun that will replace him. The crisis is blamed on the governor, but it is not so. We are all in support”.

On the divergent view that a former Governor of the state, Senator Rashidi Ladoja has on the issue, High Chief Olakulehin alleged that Ladoja was not happy that the review did not take place during his tenure.

He said, “Ladoja tried to do the review during his tenure but he failed. So, he doesn’t like someone who took over the mantle of leadership in the state to achieve the feat.”

Explaining why two other high chiefs were not in attendance, he said, “some of us had a hectic time last night because of the death of one of us, Olaifa. As we are talking now, some of us are with the family.”

When asked who is the consenting authority that will install the new kings, High chief Ajibola said since it was the governor who put the crown on the Olubadan and presented him with the staff of office, it is the same governor who will install the new kings. As of now, the power is in the hand of the governor. So, after the installation, the Olubadan of Ibadan can then start crowning the remaining kings”.

The Coalition of Northern Groups CNG has withdrawn the “quit notice” it issued Igbos resident in the region, but asked the Federal Government to arrest the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu saying the time has come to curtail his excesses.

At a press conference attended by the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum and Borno state Governor, Kashim Shettima, Sen. Kabiru Gaya and other northern leaders, Thursday in Abuja, the group however said it would continue to pursue its other demands up to the United Nations.

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“Mindful of the concerns generated by the clause in the Kaduna declaration that advised the Biafran Igbo to relocate from northern Nigeria and for northerners in the South East to do likewise, and our commitment to the unity of our dear country,n we immediately opened channels for dialogue and interaction with government agencies, national and international groups, institutions and figures.

“Admittedly, we came under intense persuasive pressure from genuinely concerned national, political, traditional, religious and cultural leaders prominent among which were; a section of the Northern Governors Forum under its Chairman, Gov. Kashim Shettima of Borno state, northern traditional rulers and the Department of State Services DSS.

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maclatunji:
Obviously not. IPOB factual membership cannot be up to 1 million. Even those making noise online will mostly disappear when Nnamdi Kanu gets sent to prison. Mostly rebellious youths who think obscenities will make them relevant.

It might make them relevant for jail #Smiling

Awka – As the crisis in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), deepens, members of the party loyal to Chief Martin Agbaso, on Monday chose Chief Ifeanyi Igwebuike as their candidate for the Nov. 18 gubernatorial election in Anambra.

Igwebike emerged from a unanimous decision at a congress of 1,090 delegates held in Ezira, Orumba South Local Government Area. Agbaso Addressing newsmen on the election, Chief Azubuike Iloh, factional Chairman of the party in Anambra, said the real candidate of APGA for the election had emerged.

Iloh said they chose a venue outside the state capital because they were prevented from using the original venue in Awka by security agents under the instruction the state government.

“Agbaso remains the legal and authentic chairman of APGA and is the only one to produce the candidate of the party for the election. “Whoever emerges as candidate from other faction is a nullity as only Agbaso’s leadership is recognised under the law at the moment.

“Four persons were ready for the primary but because of the sterling qualities of Igwebuike, others stepped down for him.

“We could not hold the exercise in Awka because the government of the day does not want people to express their sincere political view. They used the police and other agencies to cordon off the venue,’’ he said.

In his acceptance speech, Igwuebuike thanked the party members for nominating him as their candidate. He said the party was sure to retain the state government if everybody support him in the race.

“APGA needed transparency, sincerity and unity and that is what we have under Agbaso, this is why we joined hands with him.

“Under the new leadership, Anambra people will have their desires and aspirations realised, so, we are calling on all to come into the party.

“I thank every member of APGA and its leadership for trusting in my ability to bear the party’s flag and give it victory on Nov.18,’’ he said. In a telephone interview Agbaso said there was need for people in power to allow the citizens to express their opinions unhindered.

He congratulated the candidate and urged him to represent the true identity and ideology of APGA. Dr Victor Oye-led faction of APGA had last week at its primary in Awka, chosen Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra as its candidate for the election. (NAN)

Author: Buchi Obichie

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- Honorable Abdulmumin Jibrin stated that he did not expect the president to read his speech as though he was announcing a coup d’etat

- The embattled former chairman of the Appropriations Committee noted that it was fair for people to have ideas and expectations about what Buhari was going to say

- The president returned to the country on Saturday, August 18, after being away for over 100 days as he tended to an undisclosed ailment in London

Honorable Abdulmumin Jibrin, the suspended member of Nigeria’s lower legislative chambers, has also reacted to the speech delivered by President Muhammadu Buhari, today, August 21.

In a post on his twitter handle, @AbdulAbmJ, the former chairman of the Appropriations Committee, described the speech as one announcing a ‘coup d’etat.

READ ALSO: Suspected ritual killer escapes from police custody

He tweeted:

The president’s speech marked the first time he had addressed the nation in a live broadcast since departing the country for the United Kingdom, to treat an undisclosed illness.

Buhari had been away for over 100 days and had taken up residence at the Abuja House, London, during that time.


He returned to the country on Saturday, August 18, and was received by APC officials and some governors at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja.