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Your predecessor at no time issued a stop order at least to the best of the knowledge of the Hotel Management. Your predecessor may have informed you that he was going to demolish the hotel. The issue of the demolition was also not known to the Management of the hotel. Had the then Governor done what you claimed he was to do by demolishing the hotel, you can be rest assured that Ogun State which you now have the privilege to be governing through the person whom you are referring to would have been in serous debt.
I will want to refresh your memory that on the 6th of March, 2019, you had visited Asoludero Court, residence of Otunba Gbenga Daniel in Sagamu. It was on that day that he declared his support for you, directing all his associates State-wide to cast all their votes on Saturday for you. He also rose up your hand at that occasion.

Mr. Governor, you claimed you facilitated the completion of Conference Hotel, however you forgot to mention the above fact which is that he, Otunba Gbenga Daniel facilitated your winning the election when your predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun frustrated your ambition. This is notwithstanding your claim of your closeness with your predecessor. Find attached a photograph of Otunba Gbenga Daniel raising your hand when you came to beg for his support.

Still on the Conference Hotel issue, which matter you have referred to and I have earlier said was a subject of litigation, I will like to bring to your attention once again that the High Court of Ogun State sitting in Abeokuta on the 11th of June, 2015, made the order below:

GOLF PLACE RESORT HOTELS LIMITED CLAIMANT/APPLICANT
And
1. GOVERNOR OF OGUN STATE
2. ATTORNEY-GENERAL & COMMISSIONER --DEFENDANTS/ RESPONDENTS
FOR JUSTICE, OGUN STATE
3. COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, OGUN STATE

ENROLMENT OF ORDER

“Motion on Notice on behalf of the Claimant /Applicant for:

1. AN ORDER of Mandatory Injunction compelling the Defendants/ Respondents to provide uninterrupted Security Service in the Claimant/ Applicant’s Hotel premises/complex (subject –matter of this suit) lying, being and situate at/along IBB Boulevard, Abeokuta, Ogun State pending the hearing and determination of the suit.
ALTERNATIVELY
2. AN ORDER enabling the Claimant/Applicant to provide uninterrupted security services in the Claimant/Applicant’s Hotel premises (subject– matter of this suit without disturbance by the Defendants/Respondents) situate, lying and being at IBB Boulevard, Abeokuta Ogun State pending the determination of the substantial suit.
AND for such order or such further orders as this Honorable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”
COMING UP FOR HEARING, Before His Lordship, The Honorable Justice O.O. Majekodunmi – Judge sitting at High Court No 5, Isabo , Abeokuta on Monday, the 11th Day of June, 2015 in the presence of Deji Enisenyin Esq. of Counsel for the Claimant/Applicant, and A.S. Omotola Esq. Chief State Counsel for the Defendants/Respondents,
AND THE COURT…
THEREAFTER ORDERED as follows:

“Accordingly this application succeeds in the alternative. Prayer (ii) of this motion is hereby granted as prayed.

It has become necessary to lay down this fact following your controversial position. (Golf Place Hotel Resort Limited was later renamed Conference Hotel)
You were elected Governor of Ogun State on the 9th of March, 2019. I would like you to verify this information from the Justice Department and Ogun State High Court that on the 4th of July, 2018, the State Counsel representing Ogun State Government informed the court that the Government is not averse to settling the matter out of court.

Also on the 26th of February, 2019, the management of the hotel and the State Government, headed by your predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, were already finalizing settlement.
From our record, Counsel from the ministry of justice informed the court that, the matter is for report of settlement. According to State counsel: “I have the instruction of the Attorney General to ask for another adjournment of the case to make us finalize the settlement agreement.” This was the situation until you assumed office.

Mr. Governor you also alluded to the case prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission. My immediate reaction is to refer Mr. Governor to the decision of the Court of Appeal in respect of the case. It will interest Mr. Governor to know that the Court of Appeal held among other things with respect to the EFCC case thus:

“the trial judge was wrong to have called upon the Appellant (OGD) to enter his defence when there is no evidence on the record that the Prosecution had made out a prima facie case on any of those counts for which the Appellant was ordered to enter his defence. It is only when the Prosecution has made out a prima facie case by establishing with credible evidence all ingredients of the offences for which the Defendant is charged that a Defendant will be required to enter his defence. See: ONAGORUWA v STATE (1993) 7 NWLR (Pt. 303) 49, per Tobi, JCA (as he then was).

It needs also to be stressed that the Prosecution of criminal offenses is not a fishing expedition. It is to be embarked only when criminal offences legally so defined have been committed, and there is sufficient evidence to justify the prosecution of a Defendant for such offences. Embarking on prosecutorial fishery for non-xistent offences or in the absence of necessary or sufficient evidence can only waste valuable time, waste scarce public resources, lower public confidence in the responsible public institutions and subject hitherto innocent Defendants to unnecessary and avoidable rigours of criminal litigation.

What is apparent in this appeal is that the Defendant was subjected to prosecution for non-existent offences and for offences for which there was clearly no evidence to substantiate. While lamenting this situation, I join in allowing this appeal and in discharging the Defendant, in total concurrence with all the detailed reasoning and conclusions contained in the lead judgment of my learned brother NIMPAR, JCA.”

I have always known that the decision of the Court of Appeal did not go down well with you. It is for the above reasons that all what you have said in relation to DATKEM are false.

ADETONA ADEJUMO Esq.

cc: mynd44, lalasticlala

On the 11th of September, 2023, the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun at a public function after inspecting the 8 kilometer Mowe Ofada Road in Obafemi Owode Local Government Area of the State, was quoted to have said thus:

“Let me take you down memory lane. The purported owner of this property, when I assumed office in 2019, had a property in Abeokuta. It was meant to be a hotel. My predecessor had sealed that property for eight years. He had issued a stop order. He was going to demolish that building, but for my intervention, I pleaded with him. That building remained under lock and key until I resumed office. The first day I was sworn in was the very day the owner moved into that property for the first time in eight years. And today, the property is called Conference Hotel in Abeokuta.

“How do you now begin to accuse the same me that facilitated the completion of that project despite different court actions that were brought then, despite different charges by the EFCC that were hanging around the project? I actually commissioned that project alongside the former Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. You are now trying to use media, trying to attract unnecessary sympathy, playing the underdog and saying that I, Dapo Abiodun, demolished a property that first I didn’t know it was yours; your name is not on that property. You never came forward to say this property is yours.

“You expect that someone, who is a serving Senator, a former Governor of this state, would show a level of more responsibility. I have said it that I, Dapo Abiodun, if I have a building that violates the building code, bring it down.

“And by this, I am sending a strong warning to all of us across the State. There are many of you who have buildings without approvals. There are many of you who don’t even have C of O. If you have built without approval, the long arm of the law will soon be catching up with you. We will not tolerate lawlessness in this state. We will not be defined by lawlessness and half hazard development when you just build anyhow.”
I find it necessary to set the record straight by saying that what the Governor said is totally false. This position of mine is based on the fact that I am the legal officer of the Hotel and necessary documents at the disposal of the hotel points to the contrary. The issue on Conference Hotel Abeokuta was a subject of litigation during that period your predecessor was in office. The management of the hotel had taken the Government to court following a purported report issued by the Judicial Commission of inquiry to look into all land allocation, acquisition, sales concessions of government properties and administration of land policies, rules and regulation between Jan 2004 and May 2011.

Chief Olisa Metuh has described reports by an online news website which created an impression that he still involved in partisan politics as baseless and false.

Mr Metuh who denied the allegation via a press statement he personally signed said he “neither had any interview with The Niche online nor have I spoken to the media on any matter relating to partisan politics”.

The statement reads in part; “My attention has been drawn to a misleading publication by The Niche online edition of Thursday, January 19, 2023 which has created an impression that I am still involved in partisan discussions relating to the 2023 general elections.

“For emphasis, I neither had any interview with The Niche online nor have I spoken to the media on any matter relating to partisan politics in the last three months.

”For the avoidance of doubt, since my resignation from partisan politics in October, 2022, which was widely reported, I have never made any statement to the media on any matter relating to partisan politics or the fortunes of any political Party or candidate under any stand whatsoever.


”I worked and served my party faithfully for over 20 years. In my time I rose to become one of the most influential party officers and I assisted and influenced the careers of a whole lot of legislators, minsters and governors. I now seek to assist and influence the affairs of citizens no matter their political leaning.


”I have now wholly focused on my private affairs as well as my non-partisan engagements in areas of sustaining and deepening democracy and governance in Nigeria and globally. There are so many areas to help the nation besides any quest for personal promotion and/or offices.

”I remain committed to my conviction, as I stated in October 2022, that being Non-Partisan is a sacrifice but which gives me the status to work for the strategic interest and well-being of the Nigerian people without the hinderance of partisanship.”

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Why Atiku Was Invited By UK Govt – Campaign Council

The Presidential Campaign Organisation of the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, said he was in the United Kingdom to discuss areas of potential future collaboration between Nigeria and UK.

Director, Strategic Communications of PDP Presidential Campaign Organisation Otunba Dele Momodu, in a terse message yesterday, described Atiku as the leading candidate in the February presidential election.

He added that “an internal source is quoted (as) saying an internal poll by the British government shows AA (Atiku Abubakar) as the leading candidate and the possibility of working together for a more effective post-Brexit world which promises to be a win-win for both countries.

“This is especially imperative as the UK seeks to improve and increase trade partnership with Nigeria.”

The PDP Presidential rallies will resume later this week in Kogi state.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Atiku Vows To Resuscitate industries In South East to boost Nigeria’s economy.

The Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to ensure that the Onitsha Port becomes operational as well as resuscitate industries in the South East in order to boost the nation’s economy.

Atiku said this while addressing party supporters during his campaign rally in Awka, the Anambra State Capital, on Thursday.

He explained that these were part of requests made by the Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, when he met him hours before the commencement of the campaign.

Atiku said, “On our arrival today we visited their governor Prof. Soludo, and he said to me. I know you are going to work but make sure that all the federal roads that pass through Anambra State are reconstructed.


“And I promised him, I’m going to do that, he said ‘make sure that you control our erosion, because Anambra is the erosion headquarters of the world. Erosion is destroying our farmlands, is destroying our houses and everything have.’

“This is a very gigantic project. And I promised him am going to do that, and you know I have worked with Soludo before, he is a first class patriotic Nigerian.
“You have an excellent governor. He also appealed to me that Onisha port this time around we are going to dredge River Niger and Onisha port will function.
“We are also going to help Anambra indusrilise the state so that the state will create as many jobs as for our young men and women.

“And you know I promised to set aside $10 billion to promote small scale and medium enterprise for our young men and women so that they can be independent.

“I am going to be a stepping stone to an Igbo president in this country. I have shown it in my action because this is the third time I am running with an Igbo man, if you really want to produce a president then vote Atiku-Okowa ticket.

“ I want to thank you the people of Anambra state for this warm reception I never thought I will see such a crowd in Anambra state and believe me we are not going to forget you, we are going to reward you handsomely.“

Speaking in a similar vein, National Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, recalled the role played by the late Alex Ekwueme, in the formation of the PDP.
He said, “ Dr Alex Ekwueme who led 34 of us, including Atiku Abubakar here to form this party. Anambra is PDP and I am happy with what I have seen here, even APGA is the sun of the PDP, so we shall bring many APGA members back to their home in PDP.

“We want to assure you that the Igbos particularly Anambra people have a big stake in Nigeria, there is no village that you will go in Nigeria that you will not see an Igbo man who is a businessman.

“The Igbos in terms of business are the more National people in Nigeria, you need every part of this country and I like the indomitable spirit of the Igbo nation.”
He appealed to the people to vote for the PDP because it has the blueprint of how to make Nigeria work again.

Also, the Vice Presidential Candidate of the PDP, Ifeanyi Okowa, who spoke in the native Igbo language said, “Our party has brought out Atiku Abubakar as our Presidential candidate.

“We asking all of you to work hard in Anambra state because Atiku Abubakar is a good product.
“Among all the aspirants, it is only Atiku Abubakar who has the requisite experience to recover the country from the hardship created by the APC government.


Atiku has pledges to empower women and youths including traders and startups with $10 billion. I plead with you to work wholeheartedly so that we can win the election in Anambra state.
“For the past two weeks, we have toured round the country as a part and I am quite convinced that PDP will win the next Presidential election.
“This is not the time for sentiment. Vote for the PDP so that Anambra will be you ted among the states win by the PDP.“

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

As seen from a verified source on instagram.

They pose as agents supplying rice for people at a subsidize rate.

Many people made deposit to them. But as of now they are no more.

People had to break into their shop but nothing was found

Watch below:

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl0tBp3PN3o/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

THE VOICE NIGERIA SEASON 4 UNVEILS COACHES AND SETS TO PREMIERE DECEMBER 24TH 2022

Lagos, 4th December 2022.
FAME Studios, producers of The Voice Nigeria Season 4, has announced the show will premiere on Saturday, 24 December 2022 on DSTV, Airtel TV, Startimes, Views Channel, TVC and
Youtube. The Producers have also revealed Niyola, Praiz, Naeto C and Waje as the coaches of The Voice Nigeria Season 4. This year, talents can look forward to versatile and dynamic coaches that would be exposing them to all they need to be unstoppable in their music careers.

The lineup of first-time coaches for this season of The Voice Nigeria are well known for their uniqueness in the music industry. Niyola, a multitalented singer and songwriter with over 17 years of experience and counting as a professional musician with an incredible pitch and voice texture.
Praiz, one of Nigeria’s most incredible voices, a member of the Grammy academy, producer and songwriter and Naeto C, a rapper, Afrobeat and record producer all of whom are known to be professionals in the music industry and have long-standing history of hit albums with multiple awards to their names. While returning as a coach is Waje, who has already established herself as one of the most accomplished female voices in the music industry in Nigeria and beyond the shores of Africa with hit albums and numerous awards.

Each of them is not only an industry veteran but also has a record of a successful and thriving music career across different genres. Talents will be able to draw from their years of experience in making excellent music, becoming superb performing artists, and connecting with people, especially Nigerians, through art.

Expressing his delight over the show’s premiere and unveiling of coaches, the Managing Director, of FAME Studios and Executive Producer, of The Voice Nigeria, Akin Salami stated, “What we do as a company goes beyond exposing African talents to the world through entertainment, we also impact young talents to embracing and homing their skills on a global scale. Hence, we have been able to highlight key learnings and feedback from our previous seasons and we have improved the different activities of the show which will be unpacked as the show begins and progresses. Our viewers can be rest assured of an exciting and entertaining time. We appreciate our sponsors First Bank, Airtel, Leadway Assurance, Coca-Cola, JAC Motors and Zaron for making this season possible.

The show's engaging format features four stages of competition: the first begins with the Blind Auditions, then the Knockouts, Battle Rounds and, finally, the Live Performance Shows. The four seasoned coaches of the show, Naeto C, Niyola, Waje and Praiz will seek twelve talents each for their teams who they will work with during the show to hone their skills and prepare the successful acts who make it to the Live Performance Shows to serenade viewers in exchange for votes.

This season will be hosted by award-winning actress, Kate Henshaw alongside popular TV presenter, producer and actress, Zainab Balogun-Nwachukwu. The winning talent of The Voice Nigeria Season 4 winner will be walking away with a monetary reward, a brand-new car, and an international recording contract.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has arrived at the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) headquarters in Abuja for an interactive session.

The religious body has invited major contenders for the nation’s number one position for an interactive session.

Last week, CAN leaders met with Asiwau Bola Tinubu, Presidential Candidate of the ruling party.

Today, it’s the turn of Atiku, who was accompanied by his running mate, Governor Ifeanyi Okowa; Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba; former Governo Liyel Imoke of Cross River, among others.

Below are some pictures:

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

2023: Atiku In Gombe, Promises To Revive Dam To Generate Electricity, Enhance Trade

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar has promised to revive Dadin Kowa Dam to generate light for the country when elected in the forthcoming election.

Speaking at the PDP Presidential campaign rally in Gombe, Atiku said all the roads linking Gombe to Adamawa with Borno, with Bauchi, with Yobe will be reconstructed for the purposes of enhancing trade and commerce under his government.

He said: “Let me reiterate the promises we made if by the grace of God and you support the PDP. We promised to empower your business men to expand their businesses so that they can expand their businesses for our young men and women.

“We also promised you that the Dadin Kowa Dam, which was built by the PDP to provide electricity and irrigation is activated for electricity and irrigation, provided you support the government of PDP.

“We will make sure that all the roads linking Gombe to Adamawa with Borno, with Bauchi, with Yobe are all reconstructed for the purposes of enhancing trade and commerce.

“Many of you were not born the time the late Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was in office. You now have another opportunity to produce another Abubakar Tafawa Balewa in me.”

Also speaking, the Chairman of PDP Campaign Council and governor of Akwa-Ibom state, Udom Emmanuel said that the economy will bounce back and the Naira strengthen when PDP come on board on 2023.

He said: “When PDP was in power, how much was a tin of milk, how much is a tin of milk today? When PDP was in power, how much was a bag of rice, how much is a bag of rice today? When PDP was in power, how much was one orange, how much is an orange sold today?

“We just want to let the People know that PDP is coming back to make sure that our economy bounces back, to make sure that our naira regain in strength, to make sure you have more milk in your tea.

‘PDP is coming back to bring the economy back, to make sure there is light, to make sure no more darkness, to make you have access to many things you are not having now.”

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Metuh, Conferred with National Peace Award, Dedicate Award to Yar’Adaua
 
Former National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olisa Metuh has been conferred with the National Peace Award in a ceremony graced with a keynote address by former President of Ghana, Dr. John Mahama.
 
Metuh, a silent humanitarian, right advocate and peace campaigner was on Saturday at the International Conference Center, Abuja conferred with the Award of Excellence as Humanitarian Personality/Icon of Peace in Nigeria.
 
Acclaimed as a lawyer, statesman, philanthropist, right advocate, peace ambassador, real estate investor, media enthusiast and youth mentor, Metuh was honoured in recognition of his outstanding and unique contributions towards promoting peace, reconciliations, harmonious co-existence as well as youth empowerment and mentoring in furtherance of the Nigerian national aspiration.
 
Speaking at the event, Metuh dedicated the Award to late former President Umaru Yar’Adua who he extolled as an extraordinary champion and symbol of peace in Nigeria.
 
He recalled the feat achieved by late President Yar’Adua who toed the path of peace to curb restiveness, militancy, restored peace in the Niger Delta and assured stability to the nation to the admiration of Nigerians and the International Community.
 
“I dedicate this National Award of Peace to an extraordinary Icon and symbol of Peace in Nigeria, late former President Umaru, Musa Yar’Adua. As President, he had the power and machinery of force but he chose to embrace dialogue and peace in solving the problems in the Niger Delta. I call on our leaders at various levels to emulate late President Yar’Adua so that we can have lasting peace in our country”, Metuh said.
 
He prayed for peace, unity and stability of the country and called on all Nigerians to embrace peace and harmonious co-existence in our dealing with one another.
 
Delivering his keynote address at the event, the former President of Ghana, Dr. John Mahama, who was represented by Dr Hanna Louisa Bishaw, the Women Organizing Leader of NDC Ghana/President of Ecowas forum of political parties, urged leaders across Africa to initiate and strengthen policies that engender peaceful coexistence for economic stability and growth. He called on Nigeria to take strong steps to ensure credible elections in the 2023 adding that Nigeria occupies a strategic position in the African continent.

Other eminent Nigerians honoured with the National Peace Award include the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, Minister of State, FCT, Dr Ramatu Aliyu Tijjani, wife of the Chief of Army Staff, Mrs Salamatu F Yahaya, former Minister of State Power, Mohammed wakil, Col Sani Bello (rtd) Major General Ibrahim Sani (rtd) among others.
 
It would be recalled that Metuh last month announced his cessation of partisan politics stating that being Non-Partisan gives him the status to work for the strategic interest and well-being of the Nigerian people without the hinderance of partisanship.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

2023: Atiku Interacts With Business Executives in Lagos, Speaks on Fuel Subsidy, Exchange Rate, Debt Crisis

Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar has made his stand known on a plethora of economic issues Nigeria is currently battling.

The former vice president of Nigeria who spoke about his recovery plan for Nigeria at the Lagos Business School 2022 Alumnia Day which had in attendance business executives, engaged the audience about economic issues, fuel subsidy, foreign exchange policy, debt crisis, power as well as the oil and gas sector.

He also used the platform to pay tribute to the private sector for the successes recorded by the PDP between 1999- 2007.

Atiku who started his session by giving a brief background with economic gains of the PDP between 1999-2007 including debt cancellation, privatization, banking reforms as well as effective working partnership with the private sector.

On the rising cost of governance, the former VP said he would revisit the Orosanye report and ensure the white paper report is in conformity with the principle of setting up the committee.

He further said his privatization plan is not to render people jobless but to ensure effect governance.

Speaking on fuel subsidy, he noted how the PDP government had phased out subsidy in batches, saying: “I was the chairman for the removal of fuel subsidy committee and I recall how we removed the phase 1 and phase 2 of fuel subsidy. I will continue from were we stopped, remove fuel subsidy totally and channel the subsidy funds back to the economy. In other words, it’s just a fraud.”

He described Nigeria’s debt situation as a mess, saying he would fix itif he is elected president.

His words: “If you are talking about foreign debt, we have done it before, I will engage our creditors and ask for debt forgiveness or cancellation like we did before. Coming to local debt, if we stabilize the economy, we will borrow less, propose a flexible payment plan.

“Again, I want you to compare our records with the current government and you can see who did well economically.”

The former vice president stated that he will reform the oil and gas sector by ensuring the right investors are engaged such that Nigeria’s crude production increases while ensuring the privatization of the three refineries in the country.

According to him, with such policies in place, it will ultimately make Nigeria an oil production hub.

He equally vowed to ensure proper funding for public education, arguing that it should be enjoyed by children of the poor for free.

He also promised to reposition the UBE set up in 1999 to its main purpose which is to reduce out of school children in the country.

When asked to comment on the autonomy of the CBN, Atiku said the current managers of the apex bank are taking a cue from the current administration ''which lacks direction.''

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

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But AD challenged the 1999 presidential election result in court…
That was before he was sworn in as president, but immediately he was sworn in, Adesanya gave us directives to support him, most especially those of us in the National Assembly. I was one of the senators who cried out, when plans were being made to impeach Obasanjo in the National Assembly, and I was suspended for the action. Our loyalty to him was based on the principle that he is a Yoruba man and we didn’t want him to be shamed by the Northerners.

But our governors were already flirting with him way beyond just giving him support without Afenifere leaders’ knowledge. As 2003 approached, we wanted to have local government elections in the Southwest, but because Obasanjo wanted to run for second term, he appealed to the governors without our knowledge that we should not have the council election, because if we did, PDP would score almost zero, which might have affected his chances of getting nomination at the PDP convention.

Without the governors revealing the secret behind this to us, they came to Ijebu Igbo to appeal to us not to hold council elections before the PDP convention, so that Obasanjo could get the chance to be re-nominated for second term. And since we had already decided to back him, we suspended plans to hold the council elections. They came again to appeal to us to support Obasanjo’s second term bid, which was very easy, because we had no plan to field any candidate in 2003. So, we went along with them. Osoba came to us again and said for Obasanjo to be sure that we would support him, he (Obasanjo) would like to hold a meeting with us and we agreed.

Four of us were nominated to go and have a meeting with Obasanjo. They included Cornelius Adebayo, Pa Adesanya, Chief Adebanjo and I. We met Obasanjo at his Ota Farm. At the meeting, I was asked to speak and I told him that he was using the Yoruba slot and we were giving him support, that it was in our interest for him to have a second term. We, however, demanded that he should restructure Nigeria through a national conference. We also asked him to conduct true census for Nigeria, as well as rehabilitate all dilapidating structures across Yoruba land. These were the three demands, and he responded very favourably.

We had a stop at Gateway Hotel to assess how the meeting went and we concluded that it was good. But unknown to us, the governors had gone beyond what we did to negotiate with Obasanjo that they would support him in return for his support for their re-election in their various states. The former president promised to support. So, we all supported him and true to Afenifere’s promise, we all campaigned for Obasanjo and he won, but he went and undercut the governors. He didn’t only undercut the governors, all AD members were also pushed out of the National Assembly in all the Yoruba states, except Lagos.

If AD governors and lawmakers lost in Southwest states except Lagos, does that mean Tinubu is politically smarter?
Sometimes, there is a lot to these things than meet the ordinary eye. In 2003, some crisis was already brewing between Obasanjo and Atiku, and the former vice president was already courting Tinubu’s support. In fact, Tinubu was taking some members of Lagos chapter of the AD to have meetings with Atiku. Tinubu believed he was going to be Atiku’s running mate in 2003. Atiku was in charge of the rigging of the elections, which was why he spared Tinubu in Lagos, because he needed Tinubu for his own presidential contest. This is what most people didn’t see, but we saw it and we even accused Tinubu of taking AD members to meet with Atiku at the Lagos House in Abuja. This was one of the allegations Adesanya leveled against Tinubu. That was the reason Lagos was spared.

Was the allegation that Afenifere leaders were collecting money from Obasanjo through the former Director General of the Nigerian State Security Service (SSS), Col. Kayode Are (rtd) true?
Who made that allegation? Tell me the person. Who ever said that was a born liar and I will confront him any day, if you tell me his/her name. I know Are, but I have never taken a dime from him. I can confront Are any day and even go to the extent of swearing with my life if I ever collected money from him. Whoever said that is looking for self-justification for his bad deeds. Look, Obasanjo was not innocent. He gave bribes to the National Assembly members under different circumstances and for different purposes. He gave bribes, which I know about but not from Kayode Are. That was a reckless and irresponsible lie.

At what point did Afenifere and Tinubu begin to have direct confrontation? We have been talking about Ige and the governors, but at a point Tinubu became the centre of focus…
That is the next stage. I have discussed the 2003 elections, that the governors were defeated except Tinubu. In December 2003, another AD national convention was to take place and up till then, we were still in court over the 2000 national convention between Abdulkadir and Yusuf factions. It was time for another convention because we all contested under Abdulkadir faction. Interested candidates sent notices around and Senator Akinfenwa and Chief Bisi Akande indicated interest in running for AD national chairmanship. The preparations were on and the then incumbent national chairman fixed the date for the convention in Abuja.

On the day of the event, everything was held according to our Constitution, but Akande did not show up for the convention and Akinfenwa won. Akande possibly felt he could not win the election. Tinubu scheduled another convention for Lagos, just about a week or two after the one we held in Abuja, where they now elected Akande as national chairman. There were constitutional provisions about how a national convention should be convened. So, this led to litigation because Akinfenwa felt he was the legitimate national chairman, but Tinubu and his fellow governors who arranged the Lagos convention claimed Akande was the legitimate AD chairman.

This brought about another crisis over who was the legitimate national chairman between Akande and Akinfenwa. This again complicated the crisis we had been having since 2000. Adesanya tried to resolve the crisis by inviting Akande and Akinfenwa, but the former governor of Osun State was not prepared for settlement. They called several meetings at which Akande refused to cooperate, because he was acting out Tinubu’s script. Adesanya was on this effort to resolve the crisis until he died. While the crisis continued, Afenifere was permanently split into two. The faction loyal to Adesanya was meeting at Jibowu Yaba, while the other loyal to Tinubu stopped attending our meeting and began to call themselves the real Afenifere. But of course, we have the Secretariat.

Initially, Tinubu had very few people with him, while we had a lot of young men and women with us. This is to dispute what Osoba told you that the leaders didn’t encourage younger ones. It was a self-justifying lie that is very far from the truth. Among the young men were Jimi Agabje, Supo Sonibare, Kola Awodeyin, Gbenga Kaka, Ebun Sonaiya, Funso Alayande, Kole Omololu and others. All our executives were young men, except for the elders. It was a time the young people, more or less, took over Afenifere.

So, what Osoba said was self-justification and looking for excuses. Osoba himself was not an old man. These were the young men to whom the leaders would have handed over the group’s leadership, but some of them rebelled to undercut their leaders. After being made governors, they should naturally have taken over as leaders. But they didn’t want to have any leader ahead of them. It was in an attempt to have his own group that Tinubu began to fund all these young men to form Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG), which was Tinubu’s creation. He did it to lure the young men away from the mainstream Afenifere, so that he can use them against the leaders.

But Wale Oshun denied that Tinubu was behind ARG’s formation, that he didn’t fund it, but rather, that the group was formed when the young men couldn’t resolve the crisis in Afenifere after the Ibadan retreat…
Oshun is one of the pillars of trouble in Afenifere. The meeting he talked about in Ibadan came in the middle of the crisis. I went to Ibadan to address that meeting. It was one of the reconciliatory meetings to brief them about the reconciliatory efforts we had been making.

In Lagos State especially, Osun is one of those Tinubu used to rubbish late Ganiyu Dawodu. During NADECO days, Tinubu was not in Nigeria. It was Dawodu that brought the party together in Lagos. He was the one that organised everything up to the election, just that he didn’t want to run for governorship position. It was under Dawodu we had the primary between Funnso Williams and Tinubu. It was because the party felt we didn’t want to use Williams that had worked with the military that we settled for Tinubu.

But as soon as Tinubu got to power, he wanted to get rid of Dawodu. At the next convention in Lagos, Wale Oshun was one of those Tinubu used to manipulate and get rid of Dawodu as the chairman of Lagos.

Osun is part of the problem. But talking about the reconciliation, only anybody who wants to offend God will fault Afenifere leaders over the reconciliation efforts they made since the crisis started. It was while trying to reconcile Akinfenwa and Akande’s factions of the party that Pa Adesanya died and since then, the reconciliation process has continued under Adebanjo, Olaniwun Ajayi and others.

For seven years between 2003 and 2010, there were continuous reconciliation efforts in which I was personally involved. But we didn’t succeed because the governors always sabotaged our efforts, even after they had left power. They were going from one party to another, and were being funded by Tinubu. Today, Tinubu is a multi-billionaire and he can do and undo, but when he became governor in 1999, he didn’t have the kind of money he has today.
When several reconciliation efforts failed, we decided to put together a group of Yoruba leaders and elders, who are not even politicians to help facilitate the reconciliation. This was because a challenge was thrown to us. In 2007, when we were marking 20 years of Awolowo’s death at a Church service in Ikennne, the former Prelate of the Methodist Church, Sunday Makinde, threw the challenge to us that Awolowo wouldn’t be happy at the way we split and the way Yoruba land is split irreconcilably. He said we should be ashamed of ourselves and we accepted the challenge.

After the Church service, we went home and decided to do more than we had done in the past. That was why we brought in people outside by setting up and 18-man committee, headed by Justice Kayode Esho. Some of the committee members were Archbishop Ladigbolu, Bishop Gbonigi, Prof. Bolanle Awe, Chief Mrs. Ogunseye, Ayo Fasanmi and myself. I was the secretary, and we also included young men.

We appealed to them to help us resolve the crisis in the Awolowo group, so that Yoruba nation could move ahead, and they invited us for a meeting. But when it seemed the meeting was going to succeed, the governors frustrated it. They swore they would never meet again with Afenifere leaders. It is on record that they sabotaged the meeting. This was between 2007 and 2010.

Then in 2010, we went to Chief Mrs. H.I .D Awolowo and she asked us how the reconciliation was going, and we explained how the governors had been frustrating everything. We asked her to make effort to reconcile us and she accepted. She fixed a date to invite the former governors and Afenifere leaders for a meeting at Ikenne.

However, a day to the meeting, the governors went and told her that they would not come. They said they didn’t want to sit with the elders. When we got there the following day, the woman reported to us what transpired. She told us all her efforts, which later led to the formation of Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF). When she couldn’t reconcile us, I then suggested to her that, if these people wouldn’t reconcile, let us form a forum of people who believe in Awolowo’s legacy, no matter the political party they belong to. That was why we named it YUF.

Was any Afenifere member interrogated over Bola Ige’s death, and did you think his death was as a result of the consequence of his perceived betrayal of Afenifere leaders?
I don’t think anybody was interrogated. Afenifere believed that our deputy leader was the one that was murdered, so we felt the pain like any organisation would feel it.

We were very aggrieved and pained by his death. We were prepared to mourn him the way one would mourn a beloved and part of the respect that we wanted to give to him was to bring his corpse to Afenifere’s Secretariat for a special honour. But those governors would not allow it because they were the ones in power. Tinubu and his colleagues hijacked the body. They didn’t allow us to give him the last respect. They were crying more than the bereaved. As I told you, they never liked Ige at any time. They didn’t even vote for him. They used Ige to drive a wedge between Afenifere leaders. The murderer is always crying more than the bereaved.

If there is sincerity of purpose, why cant the ‘real’ Afenifere and ARG team up to drive home the agitation for restructuring, instead of the persistent brickbats?
We were all clamouring for the same thing, even before the cleavage. Throughout NADECO days, we were all calling for restructuring, even while Awolowo was alive. For instance, Tinubu was one of the financiers of the clamour for restructuring. When we went into government without achieving restructuring, there was this organisation called the Pro National Conference Organisation (PRONACO) that continued the agitation for restructuring, led by the late Chief Anthony Enahoro and Prof. Wole Soyinka. Tinubu was the financier of that group.

But when people are driven by personal interests, they can sometimes become very inconsistent and contradictory. It was in Tinubu’s personal interest at that time to be seen to be identifying with the demand for restructuring, which the Yoruba people want and he was spending his money to finance it. He had always has this personal ambition of becoming Yoruba leader, who would achieve what Awolowo could not achieve.

But when former President Goodluck Jonathan finally agreed to convene a National Conference, which would discuss issues of restructuring and probably provide the opportunity for the Yoruba to tender their agenda, unfortunately Buhari and his craftsmen were opposed to it. Meanwhile, Tinubu already had an agenda of working with them to achieve either the presidency or vice presidency. So, it became contradictory to Tinubu’s personal interest to support restructuring. So, all the things he has been fighting for along with us because he wanted to become president or vice president under the current government, he has to jettison them and say he wouldn’t support national conference.

When I was made the head of the Presidential Advisory Committee of the National Conference, my greatest opponent was Tinubu. Before I went to take up the assignment, I went to see Tinubu. I went to see him along with Dr. Tokunbo Awolowo-Dosunmu. He simply told us that the Fulani people would not want it, so why were we wasting our time. This is what we all have been spending our life fighting for. I also went to see Akande, who fully supported it. As far as ARG is concerned, they have not deviated from the agitation for restructuring, but as long as they are with Tinubu, there is a limit to what they can do.

Do you see the possibility of the Southwest producing the president in 2023?
I believe in fairness and justice. We took some decision at the 2014 national Conference, which was based on fairness and justice in terms of the presidency, and one of the decisions was that the presidency should rotate between North and South and also between the geo-political zones. The Southwest has had eight years, the north has had and the South South South had it. Now Buhari is having it from the north, but when it returns to the South it should go to the Southeast.
Would you agree that the only means to restructure Nigeria is through the 1999 Constitution, no matter how useless people consider it?
I read that in Osoba’s interview and I take it that he doesn’t understand politics. He is naïve because if you go into the history of the 1999 Constitution, you will find out that the Constitution is deliberately programmed against the South. It is programmed against restructuring and against anything that will bring justice and equity between the North and the South. The successive military leaders through whom the 1999 Constitution came about deliberately programmed it to give the North permanent advantage over the South. So, working by the 1999 Constitution, anything the North did not want cannot be achieved in the country. Therefore, if you say we must go through the same Constitution, then we have accepted our servitude to the North. Until we change it, there cannot be justice and equity.

But the president cannot just restructure Nigeria by fiat…
Again, that is why Osoba doesn’t understand politics. In a presidential system, the president has a way of driving his legislation through the National Assembly. People should seek knowledge. If Buhari believes in restructuring like they lied to Nigerians in their manifesto, he can get it done.

Do you see Buhari performing in another four years?
Whoever is hoping or dreaming that Buhari will achieve anything between now and 2023 is being deceived. The South is going to be more marginalised. The marginalisation of the South is going to get more extreme because Buhari doesn’t have to worry about returning to power in 2023. His idea is to promote Fulani hegemony over Nigeria and now he has an unrestrained hand to do so in the next four years, including killing people and taking over their lands and repossessing the land with Fulani people. The herdsmen killings are a programme policy and the continuation of the Uthman Dan Fodio crusade to take over Nigeria for the Fulani.

I hope it is not too late for our people in APC before they realise their mistakes. For instance, the northerners are already saying they will not surrender the presidency in 2023.

Nigeria 2023: Yoruba In The Hands Of Tinubu !

How Tinubu worked against Ige’s presidential ambition in 1999 — Okunrounmu

By Seye Olumide

Member of the Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, who also served as the chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee on the 2014 National Conference, spoke on how personal ambitions of some Yoruba individuals permanently tore the group apart, to the detriment of Southwest zone. He also said the 1999 Constitution cannot see Nigeria through its present challenges. SEYE OLUMIDE reports.

• Those Who Plot Against Afenifere Are Against Awolowo’s Legacy

• If Buhari Believes In Restructuring He Can Get It done

Why has it been difficult for followers of Chief Obafemi Awolowo to resolve their differences since 1999 and move Afenifere forward in the interest of Yoruba nation?

I don’t believe there is any spell working against Afenifere. People get whatever they work for. What happened is that we have had some disloyal and dishonest elements that Afenifere propped up, but having been brought up by the group, they developed ambitions larger than their potentials and ability. And in doing this, they sought to more or less supplant Papa Awolowo’s legacy and become what they consider the new Awolowo of Yoruba land.

To be very specific, because there is no point being general in an interview like this, we brought up some governors during the time of Alliance for Democracy (AD) after the demise of former Military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, when we formed AD. The governors we brought up then on the platform of the party have been trying since then to destroy Afenifere because of the personal ambition of former governor of Lagos State, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who happens now to be their leader. He took over leadership of AD governors as soon as they were elected in 1999.

Tinubu has been seeing himself as the new Awolowo, who was going to outshine the founder of the Action Group (AG), out- perform him and achieve what the former premier of Old Western region could not achieve and so on. In the process, he has been trying to rubbish Afenifere leaders and projecting himself as the new Yoruba leader, which he has failed to do.

Would it not sound insulting to say that Tinubu negatively influenced the likes of former Governors Segun Osoba, Bisi Akande, Lam Adesina and Adebayo Adefarati, who were by far his seniors?
If this were a sane country, where people are men and are not influenced by money, then it would be insulting to say that. But in Nigeria, money determines everything. It determines who leads and who follows, it makes the man in Nigeria. If you have money, you can be talking rubbish and people will still follow you. So, because of Tinubu’s position as Governor of Lagos State, which is the richest state in Nigeria after 2003, he was the wealthiest among the governors. He has the money and so, he took over the leadership of the governors.

Whatever Osoba said in his interview (last Sunday Guardian), he was being less than honest. Tinubu took over the leadership of the AD governors and because of his own ambition, which he was trying to promote, he organised the rebellion of these governors against the established Afenifere leadership, taking advantage of the cleavage that developed between the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, late Chief Bola Ige and some Afenifere leaders after the 1998 D’ Rovans Convention.

What did Afenifere leaders do to stop Tinubu, when it was discovered he was creating his empire at their expense? Let me start from the beginning. At the D’Rovans Electoral College, where AD was to pick its presidential candidate between Ige and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG), Chief Olu Falae, we had a 23-man Electoral College. Incidentally, Osoba talked of 16 men, but it was a 23-man committee and that shows how much Osoba knows about Afenifere. The former governor of Ogun State was never part of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) struggle. He only came in after Abacha’s death, because he was part of Abacha’s transition. He was a member of one of the political parties that Abacha created. That is just a digression.

We had a 23-man Electoral College, which comprised the eight chairmen of AD from all the six Yoruba states and from Kwara and Kogi States. It also consisted of the six newly elected governors of Yoruba States because we didn’t win Kogi and Kwara. We also had nine elders selected across Yoruba land, those that have been part of the party from the days of Action Group (AG). They are Alhaji Hassan Fasinro from Lagos, Chiefs Solanke Onasanya and Jonathan Odebiyi from Ogun States; Papa Emmanuel Alayande from Oyo and Justice Adewale Thompson from Oyo and Professor Bolaji Akinyemi from Osun. From Ondo, we had Alhaji Adekeye. From Ekiti, we had Papa Ayo Fasanmi and the late Dr. Aina, who was the deputy to late former Governor Adekunle Ajasin.

These were the 23 people that constituted the Electoral College. The chairman of the college was Pa Emmanuel Alayande. Justice Adewale Thompson conducted the swearing-in ceremony. We had our voting by secret ballot and to my surprise, Falae won the election. I never expected it. I voted for Ige because I was one of his boys.

We were in a group that we named ourselves Bola Ige Boys. We used to meet regularly in his house every month on Sunday afternoon to discuss politics. I voted for Ige, even though I also had a reason to vote for Falae. But my attachment to Ige was stronger and more political because I am one of his political followers. Falae was my classmate at HSC, and secondary school. That is how close we were right from Government College. But in spite of that, I voted for Ige because he was one of my mentors. It came as surprise that Falae won, because going by every logic; Ige ought to have won the election, given the composition of the Electoral College.

There are three reasons why Ige should normally have won the election. Although people later talked of conspiracy, but that was never the case. When we decided to have the Electoral College, Ige was the deputy leader of Afenifere. He was deputy to Pa Abraham Adesanya, so definitely he took part in appointing the college members. He was party to the decision to appoint members of the Electoral College. Falae was not even present at the meeting, where the decision was taken to have Electoral College, but Ige as the deputy leader was there and we all agreed on it.

Secondly, if you look at most of the college members, you would expect them to vote naturally for Ige. But it was the governors that rebelled, claiming that Afenifere leaders didn’t like Bola Ige. One would assume that most of these governors would have voted for Ige and if that had been the case, the former Minister of Justice would have had six votes.

Let’s look at the eight party chairmen. Let’s assume the one from Lagos didn’t vote for Ige and I voted for him, that would have made seven. The chairman from Oyo was Koleosho, and he was Ige’s right hand man. His vote would have made eight for Ige. Chairman from Osun was Akinfemwa, who was Ige’s Commissioner for Education and would have also voted for him to make it nine. The chairmen from Kwara and Kogi were Ige’s people because Adesanya, Adebanjo and others were not really familiar with Kwara and Kogi politics. So, with the votes from the two states, that would have made it 11.

All Ige needed was two more votes because once you get 12 votes out of 23, you have won. So, he only needed two of the nine elders. The elders included Alayande, who was a commissioner under Ige. Another was Adewale Thompson, who was the Attorney General under Ige. So, if he only got those two, he would have won. This is exclusive of people like Odebiyi and Ayo Fasanmi, who were very close to Ige. This is why I said it was a surprise to me that Ige lost, which also gives the lie to these governors saying they supported Ige. Many of them did not vote for Ige, because from my analysis, if they had voted for him, he wouldn’t have lost. I happened to know and it was widely rumoured then that Bola Tinubu distributed money to some of them to vote against Ige because of his (Tinubu) ambition.

He had this overriding ambition to become the Yoruba leader and he felt the person in his way was Ige. He wanted to more or less suppress Ige; he didn’t want him to emerge as presidential candidate. Tinubu worked against Ige.

So, how did Ige come about the conviction that the elders worked against him?

It was Tinubu and the governors that orchestrated the propaganda because of his ambition. The strategy was to knock people’s heads against one another to achieve his personal ambition. Having worked against Ige, Tinubu began to carry the rumour that it was the elders that didn’t like Ige. Shortly after D’Rovan’s election, Ige began to believe the rumour and the conspiracy theory of the so-called Ijebu Mafia.

He said it was the Ijebu Mafia that did not want him. Those he considered Ijebu mafia are Solanke Onasanya, Abraham Adesanya, Olaniwun Ajayi and Ayo Adebanjo. He accused them of being the ones that conspired against him and did not want him to become the candidate. Ige took all the vengeance against these four people and they were at the helm of Afenifere leadership. They were the frontline generals of NADECO during the Abacha struggle.

Was there any effort to make Ige understand the fact that the election was free and fair?
There was a lot of effort. It was pointed out to him that these Ijebu Mafia he was talking about, only one of them was a member of the Electoral College and that was Onasanya. Others were not members.

Was Ige by any chance a man with some airs, which maybe prevented the leaders from supporting him, because it was mentioned in one of the interviews that Ige was seen as being cocky?
I don’t know that. I don’t know their personal relationship. But Ige didn’t need to lobby anybody to win the primary then. There was already this friction, arising from the grievance he had against the leadership after losing the election. And because Tinubu already had the ambition of supplanting Afenifere leadership, he saw it as an opportunity to come in between Afenifere leaders and drive a wedge among them. It was an opportunity Tinubu had been waiting for, and he got it. He found it convenient to take sides with Ige against the established leaders of the group.

Was that what made Ige to take appointment under former President Olusegun Obasanjo?
It was the grievance he had against the established leadership that made him decide to go and serve under Obasanjo against the group’s position. Afenifere had already taken a decision that if one was going serve under Obasanjo, he must get clearance from the group. We didn’t say people should not go and serve, there is the need to get the difference clear. We didn’t debar anyone from serving, we only said if you are going to serve under Obasanjo, get clearance from Afenifere.

The reason was that we wanted whoever was to serve to go with the full knowledge and approval of Afenifere; and not that the person was just poached. We didn’t want the former president to poach us one after the other. If that were allowed to happen, he would divide our ranks. But if we all knew whomsoever he had approached, we would declare it, but the person would understand that he or she was still responsible to Afenifere, even while serving under Obasanjo. It was consensus agreement among us and Ige knew that, but he accepted to serve under Obasanjo without getting approval from Afenifere, just to irritate the leadership because of the grievance he had against them. Tinubu did not cause the friction between Ige and Afenifere, he only and smartly exploited the situation by taking sides with the late Minister. He sided with Ige to make the cleavage wider to his own advantage. These were the strategies he adopted to achieve his scheme.
For instance, as soon as he got into government in 2000, we were to have AD convention, where we were to elect party officials, as all the officials before the election were provisional. Because of Ige’s decision to spite Afenifere leaders, he took directives from Obasanjo, who gave him a candidate that was to be made AD national chairman. This candidate had never been our member. No AD leader knew him, and even Ige himself had never met him or knew him until he was introduced by Obasanjo. I am talking about Alhaji Ahmed Abulkadir, whom the former president recommended to Ige to be made AD national chairman.

So, Ige thought that was a good way to even spite the leaders more. He then rallied the governors who were already taking sides with him that Abdulkadir must be made AD national chairman. That was the convention held on either November or December 2000. Of course, the party was furious. Papa Adesanya couldn’t understand why his own deputy, Ige, would be supporting a complete stranger to come and become the party’s national chairman.

So, Pa Adesanya gave directives that the national chairman should be Maman Yusuf and that the deputy should be Ayo Adebanjo. He gave the directives to all the governors, but under Tinubu’s leadership, the governors disobeyed him. They even refused to support Adebanjo as the deputy chairman. Instead, they took Koleosho. Reconciliatory meetings were held to resolve the issue, but Ige and the governors remained adamant on their stand and they just didn’t budge.

Consequently, we had two parallel conventions. We couldn’t go and vote for Abdulkadir, whom we didn’t know as our national chairman. Ige, being in government, used his influence to get Eagle Square, where they had their convention, but we went to Abuja Garden, a smaller place.

At their convention, Abdulkadir and Koleosho were elected as national chairman and deputy of AD respectively, while we elected Maman and Adebanjo. All AD governors, except the former governor of Ondo State, late Adebayo Adefarati, remained loyal to the leaders. Osoba has always been double face. He is someone who will run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. He will pretend to be your friend, while cutting you behind. That is Osoba by nature. Osoba is from Ogun and because all the leaders Ige was rebelling against were from Ogun State, he (Osoba) diplomatically came to attend our convention, though he already gave all his support to the one organised by Ige. That is how he has always been playing his game.

From then on, AD had two National Executives: the Abdulkadir- led exco that was enjoying government support through Ige, and the Yusuf Maman exco that had no government backing. And though we took them to court, due to Ige’s legal background, he used all the powers of government against us in court. So, the case dragged on for so long and was not resolved until 2003.

For the 2003 elections, Ige made sure that INEC recognised his own faction, and that was why for that year’s election, we decided to use the INEC recognised faction to contest, though the case was still in court.

Who suggested the idea that Afenifere should support Obasanjo in his 2003 reelection bid?
From 2000 on, the party was split into two factions. These were the governors’ faction and the leadership of Adesanya faction, who led the authentic Afenifere and the AD. Of course, the governors still attended Afenifere meetings, but their loyalty was no more with Adesanya. They were solidly with Ige. Even Ige would occasionally attend Afenifere meetings, though not as a loyal member. Between 2000 and 2003 during the governors’ tenure, in pursuit of their ambition, which was more or less to render Afenifere leadership irrelevant to actualise their own independence, they began to court Obasanjo through Ige, who was in government without the knowledge of Afenifere leaders.

The governors were doing this individually and collectively, but Osoba was the arrowhead because he was from Ogun State, like Obasanjo. The camaraderie between Obasanjo and Osoba became so obvious, to the extent that Osoba followed the former president to London, where they wore the same cloth. This was fully displayed on the television. Osoba dragged other governors to Obasanjo without involving Afenifere leaders.

As soon as we returned to democracy in 1999, Afenifere decided to give Obasanjo full support because he was a Yoruba man and using the Yoruba slot. The election had come and gone and whether we liked him or not, he had become the president. We, therefore, had no choice. So, right from the period he took over government, we gave him full support.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

PDP group lambasts Tanko Beji for deceiving the party faithfuls

A PDP group have lambasted their chairman for not allowing them to participate in the just concluded local government elections. They criticized the chairman for all the popularity the party has lost recently, according to their spokesman Dahiru Sale, even NNPP that came into existence few months back is now stronger than PDP in Niger state.

He further stated that Tanko Beji is treating the party like his personal property and that is the reason the party seems not to have any strength in the state again.

In his words, “The just concluded local government election that PDP refused to participate has given opportunity to its members to align themselves with other political parties, some of them supported NNPP and some SDP, if these people are calling themselves PDP members and supported other parties to win election, I’m assuring you must of them will continue to play anti party as they’ve already made friends from the parties they aligned with and some may not return even”

He said PDP has lost more of its valued members by not participating in the local government election and that will seriously affect the party in the forthcoming general election. He blamed all these on Tanko Beji and demanded that the chairman resigned his position for drawing them backward.

Dahiru Sale is the PRO of Bonafide PDP Solidarity Movement in Minna.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

WHO'S AFRAID OF MIKE ADENUGA

By Ololade Olaoye

Towards the end of every year, the world awaits the latest announcement of who are the latest richest men and women. The ratings are usually based on stock market figures and performances. Unknown to many, this often has its limitations.

In Africa for example, Stock Exchanges are not as vibrant and accurate as in other climes. It is laughable whenever the African ratings accord low figures to someone in the uncommon league of Dr Mike Adenuga Jr., a man who's practically the wealthiest and most cash-liquid man in Africa.
Please, take note of the following:

Dr. Adenuga was the first Nigerian to discover oil in Commercial quantity, since 1991, over 30 years ago. Today, he owns about ten oil wells and Conoil, his only publicly quoted company, operates both upstream and downstream, with humongous gas deposits. There are not many such operators in Africa. Most of those individuals with huge investments in the oil sector have since packed up. Adenuga's tenacity is remarkable and salutary.
In telecoms, Glo remains a formidably popular and dominant player, fully owned by one man, Dr Adenuga, who makes money every second. His uncommon investments in submarine cables from Europe to Africa gave the Glo network the "speed of life!" as well as the status of the market leader in the highly profitable business of internet.

Glo is always grossly undervalued when the ratings are announced. For obvious reasons, as not doing so wouldn’t align with the agenda of those desperate to make the man look small.
In banking, Adenuga owned Devcom Merchant Bank and Equitorial Trust Bank which was acquired by Sterling Bank Plc. Adenuga currently owns substantial stakes in both Sterling Bank and First Bank of Nigeria.

In Real Estate, Dr. Adenuga's property portfolio at home and abroad is second to none. His properties dot many city capitals in Nigeria and beyond.
Not too long ago, he acquired significant interests in Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, the biggest Construction conglomerate in Nigeria. He is heavily into manufacturing and many other sectors of the economy.

Directly and indirectly, he's the single largest employer of labour in the country, possibly asides government. It is noteworthy, that his philanthropic gestures are beyond imagination. You should ask about the impact of the Mike Adenuga Foundation. That a good deed does not get reported doesn’t mean good hasn’t been done. Glo has touched the lives of too many entertainers and sports icon. Matter of fact, Glo elevated our celebrities to superstar status and helped to reward the services of some of our forgotten icons. Glo customers are pampered endlessly.
No wonder, he is often referred to as "The Spirit of Africa..."

Let us face it, if we counted the numbers, dollar for dollar, Mike Adenuga would sweep everyone off the park. But we are in the world of paid narratives and agenda, when you can buy your place on the rich list and those who already merited their place there don’t mind paying a few bucks to be overvalued. But if you ever become a billionaire, be this one: the billionaire who doesn’t care for the validation of rich lists and the media. The one who touches lives here and there, far and beyond. And ultimately, the one who’s more about the truth of the matter, than the narratives written by others. We all can’t be the Spirit of Africa but trust me, we can learn a lot from his values and essence.

Source: https://www.newtelegraphng.com/whos-afraid-of-mike-adenuga/

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

2023: PDP hosts massive rally in Borno as Atiku vows to end insecurity, reduce taxation

Atiku Abubakar, PDP Presidential Candidate has vowed to end insecurity in the North East, reactivate the Lake Chad Basin in Borno and reduce the exorbitant taxation policy in the state.

The Former Vice President said this when he addressed a massive crowd of PDP supporters at the Ramat Square in Maiduguri.

Atiku and his entourage had earlier visited the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garba, who told him to focus on certain areas if elected president.

Addressing the crowd, Atiku said:

''Before I arrived here, I visited the Shehu of Borno and in his address, he requested us to attend to about four or five issues that are the problems in Borno.

''One of them is to restore peace and security in the state. and I promise you that by the grace of God, if PDP is elected, we shall restore peace and order in Borno state.

''Secondly, he requested us to make sure that we reactivate Chad Basin development so that our farmers can go back to farm so that we can produce food and reduce unemployment.

''He requested that we should make sure the local governments are supplied with electricity which we promise, we would do.

''Again, he requested that we should reactivate the exploration of oil in the Chad Basin which we promise to do by the grace of God.''

Atiku thanked the people of Borno for the massive reception accorded him in the state, and urged them to vote for PDP at all levels during the 2023 polls.

He said:

''People of Borno, we thank you very much for this reception and support. We look forward to the day you will vote for PDP.

''Enough of hunger, enough of insecurity, enough of unemployment, enough of sufferings and enough of too much taxation. We will make sure that you are exempted from exorbitant taxation.''

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Obi’s kinsmen mock him, say they’ll crush Labour Party in 2023

THE people of Anaocha Local Government Area in Anambra State, where the Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi hails from, have vowed to reject him and his party in 2023 elections. They described the former Governor of Anambra State as a social media candidate, adding that the area has always been a People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) strong hold.

The 21 LG coordinators met yesterday with the Presidential Management Committee,(PCMC) office in Awka, to deliberate on the way forward for Atiku-Okowa ticket. The coordinator from Obi’s Local Government Adilieje Ugochukwu, said that Anaocha had always been PDP; regardless of whether Peter Obi was running, while assuring that the council area would still be delivered to the PDP.

“We were in the party before Peter OBI joined us when he left APGA. And PDP was already formidable and winning elections. His decision to leave after many years of benefiting from PDP and to pursue his personal ambitions cannot impact the party negatively. Peter Obi never consulted his political family before his decision to leave; for him, it was his personal ambition, and such cannot be binding on us all as we have our own personal ambition, which is for PDP to win in next year’s election and in other elections.

Do not be scared of anyone; we are in this to win. Our mandate is Atiku, and we’ll crush anyone standing in our way. We cannot allow our people to continue to be victims of emotions and sentiment. We are members of the PDP and must own up to our party and her presidential candidate and ensure that he wins in our local government and state. Peter OBI is only popular on social media and not in Anaocha. Anyone can organize a rally where every Tom Dickinson and Harry Potter will attend, but on the day of the election, the real voters will cast their votes accordingly. Peter Obi’s personal decision cannot be binding on us,” he said.

Chuma Ezeafurukwe, from Chief Chris Uba’s Aguata, and others, said the appointment of Prof Obiora Okonkwo, as the PDP campaign coordinator in Anambra, had rejuvenated the PDP in the State, saying they were confident of delivering results. The 21 local government coordinators of the PDP Presidential Management Committee and the candidates of the party had reiterated their desire to ensure that Anambra State was delivered to Atiku Abubakar and Senator Ifeanyi Okowa in the 2023 general elections.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Afenifere Crisis: Yoruba Group Knocks Tinubu, Says He's A Constant Agent Of Division

A pan-Yoruba youth socio-economic group, the Southwest Renaissance Group has berated the APC presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the current crisis rocking Afenifere.

In a release signed by the Convener of the group, Hon. Olaitan Abdul Salam at the weekend, the group referred to the APC candidate as a divider-in-chief, a chronic agent of division and destabilization, warning Yoruba should be wary about giving their support to Tinubu in next year’s election.

It will be recalled that factional Afenifere leader, Pa. Ayo Fasoranti had hosted the APC presidential candidate, Tinubu and some eminent Yoruba bigwigs in his Akure home.

This was after another Afenifere leader, Pa. Ayo Adebanjo had made open declaration that Afenifere group has adopted the Labour Party candidate, Peter Obi.

"We are not surprised by what is currently playing out, we know him too well as constant divider of brethren.

“In 2002, this same Bola Tinubu divided Afenifere to achieve his second term ambition as Lagos governor.

"He divided Yoruba Council of Elders in 2015 to control the Yoruba nation; and he has again divided Afenifere because of his 2023 presidential ambition,” the
statement said.

The group further called on voters from the Southwest “to rise up and save our land. We must rescue our land from this perennial divider-in-chief and ensure that the Yoruba intreat in Nigeria’s politics should not be driven by ethnicity but the basic credential of electing a President who qualifies for an Omoluabi.”

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

PDP campaign blasts Shettima, APC over attack on Atiku

The People’s Democratic Party Presidential Campaign Council, Wednesday accused the Vice Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Kashim Shettima, of selective amnesia for ignoring the chaos within APC to attack the PDP candidate, Atiku Abubakar.

Director of Strategic Communication of the Atiku /Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Chief Dele Momodu, said this in a statement made available to news men.

He said the Atiku-Okowa Campaign has watched in utter incredulity and amazement the boldfaced speech made yesterday by the APC Vice Presidential candidate, Alhaji Kashim Shettima, at an event in Lagos.

According to him, Shettima gleefully alleged that the “PDP Presidential candidate, H.E Atiku Abubakar (GCON) cannot unite Nigeria when ‘he has not united his own political party”.

In response, Momudu said, “It is our belief that Alhaji Shettima, in a moment of deliberate amnesia, must have tried to point fingers at the specks in another man’s eyes while studiously ignoring the giant logs in his own eyes.

“The APC is in total disarray with prominent members of his party openly apologizing to Nigerians for the unmitigated disaster it has foisted on Nigeria since 2015.

“This is one of the reasons APC members have been migrating in droves to PDP. It took almost forever for APC to achieve the simple task of constituting its Presidential Campaign Council, due to the total lack of unity in their party.

“It is very obvious that APC has become completely rudderless and many self-respecting members are jumping ship and being recovered by PDP.“

The PDP Campaign Director wondered how the APC candidates can ever unite Nigerians when they’ve shown open disdain for the democratic and voting rights of certain ethnic groups within their domains.

He noted that everything about APC and its candidates have been shrouded in secrecy and they are just unable to tell Nigerians the truth about anything. How can Nigerians be expected to place their faith in such mysterious characters?

Momudu said, “Alhaji Shettima alleged that Atiku Abubakar cannot be trusted with the economy of Nigeria. No heresy could be worse than this.

“Nigerians would want to know what businesses the APC candidates have managed personally and successfully except living outlandishly on government booty and largesse.

“Atiku Abubakar started business as a teenager and served meritoriously as a government officer in the Customs where he assisted so many Igbo traders, according to available testimonies. In Atiku’s private life, he remains one of the biggest employers of labour in Nigeria.

“He has brought jobs to Nigerians instead of shipping jobs out. How can APC be expected to guarantee the safety of lives and properties when right under the watch of Alhaji Shettima as Governor of Borno State, Boko Haram became an intractable menace and Nigeria is yet to fully recover till this day?“

The PDP Campaign said it remains extremely proud of its antecedents and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Governor Ifianyi Okowa and that they are fully ready to recover Nigeria from the hands of the most incompetent leaders in the history of Nigeria.

Cc: Lalasticlala,

Atiku’s trip to USA and the foolery of propaganda

For years now, a lot of propaganda has flown around, against the person of Atiku Abubakar. One of such which appears to be chief of them all is the beer-parlour gist of how Atiku dare not step foot in USA else he will be arrested.

This propaganda was used in 2018 in the run up to the 2019 Presidential election. To put paid to the lies, Atiku visited the United States.

As expected of the propagandists who are relentless in the lies they peddle, they claimed Atiku entered the US as an aide of Senator Bukola Saraki as per Nigeria’s Senate President as he then was, who was Director General of the then PDP Presidential Campaign.

Fast-forward to October 28, 2022; news filtered the air that Atiku is in the US again, this time on the invitation of the US Chamber of Commerce.

Yet again, the propagandists are claiming Atiku is perhaps under the cover of some diplomatic passport of Governor Aminu Tambuwal of Sokoto State.

What rhymes in the narrative of the propagandists is that in both trips to the US, it is the DG of the Atiku/PDP campaign, they keep tagging up in their claims against Atiku.

In 2018, when Saraki was Atiku’s Campaign DG, on sighting him along with Atiku, they claimed it was Saraki that covered Atiku into USA. Four years later, now in 2022, when Tambuwal is Atiku’s Campaign DG, the propagandists are of the claims that Tambuwal covered Atiku into USA.

The propagandists keep relentlessly make reference to some “diplomatic passport” in their arguments against Atiku in their “US watchlist” claims.

Facts even from the United States have since 2016 made it clear that Atiku is not on any watchlist in the United States. The “watchlist” is therefore just a mere figment of the illusion of the propagandists who will stop at nothing to drag Atiku’s good name in the mud.

As of October 29, 2022, Atiku was at the US State Department for a meeting with very well-known US diplomats. Atiku did not go alone, he went with people who are fellow Nigerians selected from across age grades and ethnic nationalities from Nigeria, these people are clearly people who are highly known to be of sound mind, who most definitely will bear witness to Atiku’s mission in the United States. Suffice to say, if these persons on Atiku’s entourage see that Atiku is suffering any single difficulty with the USA either at the US embassy in Nigeria or anywhere while they are in the US already, they would have as highly respected individuals raised the alarm. Contrary to the imaginary agenda of the propagandists, Atiku is in the USA not on photo-ops or for proof of anything that plays to the gallery but on very critical missions whose outcome will greatly benefit Nigeria when Atiku becomes President of Nigeria. In short, everything is going fine over there and definitely, it does not sit well with the propagandists.

It is however therefore the burden of the propagandists who are making clear foolery of themselves all these years to soft-pedal on their propaganda especially as their so-called “US watchlist” is becoming more and more exposed as mere propaganda, to the general public and to the discerning and to even the neutral in partisanship stand.

One thing that is certain is that Atiku is the best Presidential candidate Nigeria has at the moment, in the build-up to the 2023 Presidential election.

Atiku already has well laid out plans which he has long ago shared with Nigerians as to how he will make Nigeria a better country, practically, when he becomes President.

In addition, Atiku has been huge on issues of the nation and he has shown himself ready to hit the ground running from day 1 of assumption of Office of President, come 2023; if he is elected President, in a bid to solve Nigeria’s problems and rescue Nigeria from the downward slide the APC has launched it in the past seven years.

Atiku has the track records, which are clearly in the public domain, especially as a former Vice President and as a former Chairman of the Nigeria Economic team, the economic team that transformed Nigeria between 1999 and 2007.

The reforms Atiku made happen when he was Vice President of Nigeria are still finding expression in the positives of our nationhood journey till this day.

Atiku is the most popularly accepted Presidential candidate among all the Presidential candidates running for Office of President in the 2023 Presidential election.

Atiku is passionate about the good of Nigeria. He is undeterred by the propaganda of those who have chosen to make a fool of themselves in the name of trying to oppose Atiku’s Presidential candidacy.

Considering how polarized Nigeria has become in the past seven years of the APC reign, Atiku is passionate about unifying Nigeria, hence his 2023 campaign mantra is “As one, we can get it done.”

Come 2023, Atiku is the man to beat. Come 2023, Atiku will by the votes of Nigerians and by the grace of God be elected President of Nigeria.


Emmanuel IK Umeh,
Anambra State,
Nigeria.

October 29, 2022.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Why Atiku is Visiting US

The presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar on Thursday arrived Washington DC, United States on a working visit.

The visit will afford the PDP presidential candidate the opportunity of high-level engagements aimed at setting the pace for building an economically stronger and more secure Nigeria, according to a statement by his Media Adviser, Paul Ibe.

According to the statement, Atiku will be in the US for a week-long engagement that will opportune the frontline presidential candidate share his vision for Nigeria with US business communities and young Nigerian professionals in North America.

The delegation of the former Vice President comprise senior members of the PDP presidential campaign council, personal aides and other members of the PDP.

Those in the official delegation include the Director-General of the PDP presidential campaign council and governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, former governor of Imo, Emeka Ihedioha and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Ndudi Elumelu, among others.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

See more....

PHOTOS: Atiku Abubakar Arrives US

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has arrived Washington D.C in United States of America for political campaigns. 

The former VP arrived US alongside the Director General of the PDP Presidential Campaign Governor Aminu Tambuwal, former Imo state governor Emeka Ihedioha, and High Chief Raymond Dokpesi. 

He was welcomed by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, Dino Melaye, Phrank Shuaibu, amongst other aides. 
 
The visit to the US has dismissed all doubts that Atiku cannot travel to the US. As part of his programmes and engagements while in the US, the Presidential candidate would be meeting with Nigerians in Diaspora as well as with PDP members in North America. 

He is also expected to meet with top Nigerian business leaders based in the US and later meet with young Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora, among other meetings with some business community.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Group Petitions Nigerian Police Chief, Chief Of Naval Staff Over Activities Of Security Operatives Working As Hitmen For Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello

Group Petitions Nigerian Police Chief, Others Working As Hitmen For Kogi Governor

A group, Advocate For Peoples’ Rights and Justices has called for the immediate disbandment of the Navy special task force headed by one Charles Akalieze in Kogi State.

The group also called for the removal of one CSP Femi Ojo as Commander of the IGP Quick Response Unit in the state.

In a petition sent to the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo and the Inspector General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, it accused Charles and Ojo of being responsible for the abduction and killing of innocent indigenes of Kogi State for political reasons.

The petition signed by the National Coordinator of the human rights group, Victor Giwa is titled, “Allegation of forced disappearances, abductions and killings of Hon Musa Adelabu, Monday Idowu, Ismaila Momoh (2021), Abdulazeez Salami (2017), Rufai Jimoh (2021), Kashim Ismaila (2021), Hadi Abdulmaliki (2022), all indigenes of Kogi State.”

“We are a human rights organization, saddled with the objectives of the defense, protection and education of citizens of their rights under the various statutes,” the group said in its petition to the Chief of Naval Staff.

“We are also known INEC accredited election observers, and we have been observing elections in Nigeria for over a decade. We again appreciate the good work you have been doing since assuming office, as the Chief of Naval Staff; we pray the Almighty Allah keeps and empowers you to do more.

“Sir, our attention has been brought to the alleged activities of one of your officers Charles Akalieze, head of Navy Special Force in Kogi state. Reports have it that the said officer and his team are now being used by some politicians in the state as tools and instruments to abduct, maim and kill political opponents and blackmail the said victims as either terrorists or thugs.

“Sir, the above-named persons at various times between 2017 and 2022 have been abducted, or killed by Charles and his group either directly or with the aid of some armed boys in the state. Political party men in the state are under serious threat of fear of Charles who is now seen as an attack dog of the state government. We accordingly forward to you copies of petitions written by victims’ families for your attention.

“We call for immediate disbandment of the Navy special task force headed by Charles Akalieze in Kogi State. That Charles Akalieze be recalled and investigated for abduction and killing of innocent indigenes of Kogi State for political reasons. Human rights violations, arbitrariness.”

The petition to the police boss read, “Sir, our attention has been brought to the alleged activities of one of your officers CSP FEMI OJO, Commander IGP Quick Response Unit, Kogi State in connivance with Mohammed Jamiu Asukwu, (a former chief protocol to the Kogi state governor) and now Chief of Staff to the governor of Kogi State and Charles Akalize, head of Navy Special Force in Kogi state.

“Reports have it that the said officer and his team are now being used by some politicians in the state as tool and instrument to abduct, maim and kill political opponents and blackmail the said victims as either terrorists or thugs.

“Sir, the above-named persons at various times between 2017 and 2022 have been abducted, or killed by CSP Femi Ojo and his group either directly or with the aid of some other armed persons in the state. Political party men in the state are under serious threat of fear of CSP Femi Ojo who is now seen as an attack dog against political opponents in the state. We accordingly forward to you copies of petitions written by the victims’ families themselves for your attention.

“We call for the removal of CSP Femi Ojo as Commander, IGP quick response unit. That CSP Femi Ojo be recalled and investigated for abduction and killing of innocent indigenes of Kogi State for political reasons. Human rights violations, arbitrariness and brutalities by Csp Femi Ojo.”

The petition comes a few days after SaharaReporters exclusively reported the abduction of Safiu, the stepbrother of Abdulkarim Asuku, the Chief of Staff to Kogi Governor, Yahaya Bello by gunmen.

Multiple sources said that Safiu was abducted on Monday by the governor’s hitmen led by Charles, who is the head of the Navy Special Task Force in the state.

The victim was said to have recently dumped the ruling All Progressives Congress and joined the Peoples Democratic Party.

“The boy’s name is Safiu, he is actually a stepbrother to the Chief of Staff. He was with APC and switched to PDP. Reason he was kidnapped. They fear he knows much about their atrocities. He was working as a political thug for Yahaya Bello before he left APC; he was involved in many attacks on political opponents in Kogi State. So, they felt losing him to PDP would be disastrous,” a source had said.

“So they sent Nigerian Navy officers who are loyal to the governor to kidnap him today. The hitmen working for the governor picked him up; they have taken him somewhere else. The group who kidnapped him was led by one Charles; he is the head of the hitmen working for Yahaya Bello.”

Source:
https://saharareporters.com/2022/10/27/group-petitions-nigerian-police-chief-chief-naval-staff-over-activities-security

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has left Nigeria for political campaigns in the United States of America.

In 2018, amidst talks that he cannot visit the US, Atiku had in company of the former Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki and others visited the US.

The visit to the US was significant as it would dismiss all doubts that Atiku cannot travel to the US.

Atiku is commencing a weeklong electioneering campaign in the US, where he would be meeting Nigerians and business community during the visit.

 As part of his programmes and engagements while in the US, he would be meeting with Nigerians in Diaspora as well as with PDP members in North America.

He would also meet with top Nigerian business leaders based in the US and later meet with young Nigerian professionals in the Diaspora, among other meeting with some business community.

Atiku had three week ago flagged off his electioneering campaign in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state. It was followed with the Kaduna campaign and last Saturday had another campaign in Benin, Edo state.

All Atiku’s presidential campaigns witnessed a huge turnout of party supporters.

In a tentative presidential campaign timetable, Atiku is expected back to the country on Monday and by Tuesday, November 1, 2022, it would be the turn of Ekiti State, while the campaign rally in Ondo State would hold on Wednesday November 2.

CC: mynd44

Again, Dele Momodu Bombs Festus Keyamo, Says I noticed Your Deterioration.

The Director of Strategic Communications of Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Momodu has described the spokesperson of Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Festus Keyamo as deteriorating and a busybody lawyer, who is desperate to get an appointment.


Momodu made this assertion in a statement he made available to journalists on Wednesday.


The statement reads, “Dear Festus, once again I'm compelled to respond to your diatribe against my person just because I critiqued the manifesto of your presidential candidate, Chief Bola Tinubu.


“I will only state the following for the records:
You and I never interacted much other than on occasions when you needed free publicity as always and would do anything for attention. There was the occasion when you had a controversial battle with your date and I called to appeal to you to do the needful. I also called on you at your office to congratulate you on the attainment of your Senior Advocate of Nigeria status.


“On all occasions, you accorded me the respect that I earned and deserve.
You will recall that you practically photobombed yourself into our picture the day I walked into Major General Muhammadu Buhari's apartment in London because it was an opportunity for you to trend. You're a media creation and we supplied you the oxygen regularly.



“Let me note that unlike you, I was not desperate for any appointment and so did not join APC when I humbly supported Buhari. There was never a time I discussed APC with you, when I had direct access to your Bosses. I discovered the rudderlessness of APC government early enough and promptly, and publicly, apologized to Nigerians for my past support.


“History would forever record my modest contribution to that blistering campaign for which my impact was considered significant.


“On Governor Akinwumi Ambode, he had so much to offer and showcase to the world and I was happy to celebrate him amongst the pantheon of great African leaders with remarkable infrastructure projects, in the league of President John Mahama and Governor Nyesom Wike.

“Ovation International has remained consistent with this great tradition. Our job is too serious and very different from that of a busybody Lawyer who jumps into every case just for hype.
I noticed your rapid deterioration since you took on this job of Junior Minister in a Ministry bedevilled with so much confusion. You need urgent deliverance from your present giddiness and I would gladly oblige you the services of an exorcist… Your Brother, Dele Momodu,” the statement concluded.

Recall that Momodu and Keyamo have been in battle of wit lately.

Momodu, the publisher of Ovation Magazine had on Sunday rubbished Tinubu’s 80-page policy document, describing it as a plagiarised version of late MKO Abiola’s ‘Hope ‘93’ manifesto, which was rehashed with Buhari’s 2015 Action Plan.

In his article titled, ‘APC: Renewed hope or forlorn hope?’ Momodu disclosed that it was unfortunate Tinubu couldn’t come up with original ideas and resorted to copying the memory of a man whose hope for Nigeria was noble.

But, Keyamo has described the Director of Strategic Communications of Peoples Democratic Party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Momodu as a turncoat running a cheap strategy for his principal, Abubakar Atiku.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

Ortom wrong to label Atiku agent of Miyetti Allah – Dele Momodu

Director of Strategic Communications of Atiku/Okowa Presidential Campaign Council, Dele Momodu has faulted Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state for allegedly labeling the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP’s presidential candidate, Abubakar Atiku as ‘agent of Miyetti-Allah.’

Momodu made this assertion while reacting to Ortom’s comment on Atiku and Miyetti Allah in Benue on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday.

He said, “To label him an agent of Miyetti-Allah, that’s wrong. He can say anything about Atiku Abubakar, but to call him an agent of Miyetti Allah, I disagree vehemently with that.

“If you don’t want to support a man . . . it’s very easy to give a dog a bad name, in order to hang it. But it is wrong to disparage a man who has served his country meritoriously, who has done everything he could for every part of his country .

“But because you are playing politics, because you disagree with him, then, you use such weighty words against him. Well, there’s always another time.

“I am telling you that even Governor Wike, who is supposed to be the angriest among them, because he participated in our primaries, he has not used such words against Atiku Abubakar,” he added.

Recall Ortom is one of PDP Governors who have been at loggerheads with Atiku over the 2023 presidency bid.Other governors include Governor Nyesom Wike of Rivers, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State

cc: mynd44

FESTUS KEYAMO AND HIS ERRATIC VITUPERATION
By Dele Momodu
 
I have just read Festus Keyamo's response to my critique of the APC Manifesto of lies. I'm not surprised that all he could do was yell as usual without examining or practically addressing the content of my article. Unfortunately, he picked on a wrong customer. 
 
Let me take a few minutes to educate this young friend of mine who has since become a shadow of his old self since he was offered an appointment, that makes him look so incompetent, by President Muhammadu Buhari. Any self-respecting soul would have since resigned but Festus Keyamo was not at home the day shame came visiting. The Ministry in which he's a mere figurehead is in total shambles and only a Bola Tinubu would have given the job of a spokesperson to such a certified nuisance.
 
What did Festus say I did wrong? He quoted copiously from an article I wrote about two years ago, which the Tinubu media teams have been using to campaign endlessly, because they have no stronger voice of their own. I'm indeed flattered.
There is no doubt that I love Tinubu the Man but I disagree vehemently with Tinubu the Politician. This is not the first time I will say it publicly. Since I now have the opportunity of presenting the bones of my disagreement with Tinubu, courtesy of Festus Keyamo, I will lay them bare.

Tinubu has declined in the last few years. I used to see him as a man of his people but no supposed generalissimo would ever abandon his people in the days of trouble and tribulation. None of the people around him could tell him the truth for pecuniary reasons. He knows it himself but he desperately wants to be President of Nigeria, by fire by force, after he has lost most of his formidable foot soldiers, and now relying on outsiders to activate and actualize his lifelong ambition for him, which is his legitimate right. But Nigerians have the right to scrutinise his action plans.

When he was Governor, I supported him from the distance while he surrounded himself with some people who pretended to love him. When he was busy distributing land to journalists in Lagos, I refused to collect my papers because I love my freedom, the reason I was able to tell him truth regularly.

When he was to be impeached for some infractions, and many of his so-called loyalists were washing off their hands clean, like the Biblical Pontius Pilate, my very dear friend, Tokunbo Afikuyomi, stood by him like the Rock of Gibraltar. But how did he repay Tokunbo who took all the bullets? This shameless Festus Keyamo was one of those who wanted to run Tinubu out of town.

Nduka Obaigbena and I had to step in at some point before he could consider Tokunbo for anything. Tokunbo had wanted to be the Governor of Lagos State and Tinubu goaded him on and allowed him to waste his resources. It was when I got Chief Harry Akande to give Tokunbo the ANPP Governorship ticket for Lagos State that Tinubu suddenly realised he had offended his "suicide bomber!"  

During his battle to stop Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki from becoming the Senate President, we all saw how the younger politician outsmarted him. I had warned him to leave the gentleman alone because no one should play God, but he went ahead until the gentleman floored him effortlessly. During his egoistic battle against Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, I wrote an article asking him not to try it because their marriage was consummated in heaven. Somehow, he backtracked. In spite of him, Fashola continues to remain relevant in Nigerian politics.

Again, when he continued his tradition of "hire-and-fire" and started plotting against Governor Akinwumi Ambode, I buried my love for Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to speak up against the injustice of removing a great technocrat who was doing well in Lagos. The President of Nigeria, the Vice President, the Governors' Forum and many distinguished Nigerians begged him to no avail. He must have his way always. The same personalities are now the people he needs and wants to make him President. Nigeria is looking for a President, with compassion and competence, not an Emperor!
Tinubu is a man who loves to bait the Masquerade with a goat but will never release the rope. That's why he kept losing his best friends like Musiliu Obanikoro, Ambode, Muiz Banire, Opeyemi Bamidele, Rauf Aregbesola, Fuad Oki, Yemi Osinbajo, Adenrele Adeniran-Ogunsanya Babafemi Ojudu, Rahman Owokoniran, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, Aminu Tambuwal, Yakubu Dogara, Nasir El Rufai, Babachir Lawal, Rotimi Akeredolu, Kayode Fayemi, Aro Lambo, Adeseye Ogunlewe, Jimi Agbaje, Ibikunle Amosun, Femi Pedro, Gbenga Daniel, Kofo Akerele Bucknor.

Remi Adikwu Bakare, Tunji Abayomi, Tokunbo Ajasin, Mulikat Akande. Chief Dapo Sarumi, Adeniran Ogunsanya Amos Akingba, Bolaji Akinyemi, Mojisola Akinfenwa,
John Oyegun, Godwin Obaseki, Yinka Odumakin, Papa Ayo Adebanjo, Papa Abraham Adesanya, Dupe Adelaja, Toyin Fagbayi, Papa Olanihun Ajayi, Babafemi Ojudu, Prince Dipo Eludoyin, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who seems to be aloof to Tinubu's campaign, and so many others, even if some of them have since reconciled due to political expediency. Tinubu personally decimated the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere, after enjoying their massive support when we came back from exile in 1998. 

For me, his biggest sin is the fact that he went funereally quiet when APC became a totally hopeless case, just because he's hoping to inherit Buhari's structures.
Lastly, I hope he would have the energy to make himself available for a rigorous scrutiny of his Manifesto. He wants to renew what actually? He wants to turn Nigeria into another Lagos? Many of those who love him genuinely know that the demystification process has started. They wished he had not subjected himself to this agony and anguish. But they can only say so in hushed whispers. Nigerians deserve better. I have been actively involved in politics. I hope Keyamo does not delude himself that I cannot make my own choices. I certainly have, and done so openly boldly. Atiku Abubakar is my choice. He is not a pretender to the throne. He has pursued his dreams with grace, good comportment, self-discipline and uncommon equanimity.

Festus and his gang keep quoting a 2019 article that I wrote. They should go and frame my other writings too. As for that political neophyte called Keyamo, he still has a lot to learn while trying hard to be a lap-dog. He should be reminded that he is still a Minister of State of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, paid at tax-payer’s expense. He should learn to moderate his undue exuberance.  
I could go on ad infinitum but let's cool temper for now.

Chief Dele Momodu
Director of Strategic Communications
ATIKU/OKOWA Presidential Campaign Council.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44

APC: RENEWED HOPE OR FORLON HOPE ?

By DELE MOMODU

After carefully reading through the much-awaited APC Presidential Campaign Manifesto that was released over the weekend, we cannot but conclude that the elephant has given birth to an ant. After such a long delay, what the APC Presidential candidate has come up with is a series of platitudes, half-thoughts, poor reasoning, and copied notes packaged and presented as “Renewed Hope”. The APC and its Presidential candidate, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, could not even come up with something original: “Renewed Hope 2023.” Really?

This is again, another attempt by the APC candidate to appropriate Bashorun MKO Abiola's Legacy. It would be more salutary if he were to run on his own steam instead of copying the memory of a man whose life trajectory was uncommon and whose hope for Nigeria was noble. And the APC candidate should be reminded that 1993 is far different from 2023.

The late MKO Abiola was known for industry and brilliance. Shall we ask what the APC candidate is known for? Whereas MKO’s Hope ‘93 was a genuine course; for the APC and Nigerians, it’s a forlorn hope ~ and that’s the message of Bola Tinubu and the APC campaign in 2023

In all honesty, the 80-page document that the APC has put together comes across as a little more than an insult to the sensibility and needs of Nigerians.
At a time when the country is in dire need of clear leadership with vision and courage, all the APC seems capable of doing is to generally copy and paste regurgitated ideas of others with nothing original or breath-taking. Asiwaju says he “knows the way”. With due respect, he does not. On more than one occasion, he has advertised himself as the architect of the victory of the APC in 2015. Their party’s slogan then was “Change.” In eight years, they have not been able to change anything positively. They have led Nigeria into a ditch. Inflation is close to 21%. Unemployment rate is 33%. The Naira is one of the worst performing currencies against the dollar in the world.

The suicide rate in the country has risen terribly, because the people have lost hope. Divorce rate too because the APC and its leaders have castrated families, and ruined “the other room:”. Thus, they have worsened the condition of Nigerians. Now, in 2022, Tinubu says he wants to take Nigerians on a journey. A journey to nowhere, most certainly; or, to be precise - to perdition. A week ago, he promised that he would ensure the continuity of the current administration. What does he want to continue? If I may ask: the poverty, agony and cluelessness that the APC have imposed on Nigerians?

Like a crafty student trying to avoid being caught in the act of plagiarism, the authors of the document have tried to rewrite some unoriginal ideas. The authors of the document do not only offend Nigerians with their collection of cliches and pedestrian ideas but they offend, expose and indict the APC candidate Chief Bola Tinubu. I urge you in the spirit of fairness to interrogate what the APC calls a manifesto. You will see that they are promising exactly what they have not been able to achieve in eight years.

Chief Bola Tinubu is not new to Nigerian politics. It is sad that he allowed some people to copy and repackage, without tact or grace, the Abiola Hope '93 manifesto and mixed it with the 2015 APC/Buhari manifesto for him. They even have the impudence to tag it “Renewed Hope”. Nigerians do not need a copy and paste manifesto. They want details and original ideas. The way this country is right now, offering the people empty promises would not take us forward. The question for every Presidential candidate is how? How will you solve the problem?

We all know what the problem is. Tell us how? For eight years, Bola Tinubu has projected himself as the power behind the throne. His party has failed to lead Nigeria forward. They must stop blaming the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They must stop blaming the world and COVID 19. The duty of government is to provide leadership and solve problems. Leadership is about managing people and resources. Nigeria urgently requires a leader with exemplary capacity and ability to lead a nation in confusion with distinction and never with untested experimentation.

We've already gone through calamitous experiments in the last eight years. The APC government is the only government that blames others and the past for its lack of innovation and creativity.

I insist that the authors of the APC manifesto exposed and indicted both APC and Chief Bola Tinubu. The authors of the document, whoever they are, seem so disrespectful of Nigerians that they do not seem to care or know that Nigerians will ask where was Chief Bola Tinubu and his running mate when the current administration was getting things wrong with a similar game plan and manifesto? What did they and other APC members say or do in private or public to warn the government about their underperformance?

What did they say or do in private or public to remind the outgoing APC administration that they failed to keep promises they made in 2015? What advice or suggestions did they offer the outgoing administration to keep the lives and properties of Nigerians secure? What advice or suggestions did they give to grow our economy, create wealth and jobs? What strategies did they offer the outgoing administration to fight corruption? Were they just patiently and cynically waiting for the current administration to fail so they can say “I can do it”? Were they too scared or too engrossed with their ambition to tackle the government for the sake of Nigeria?

I have used the phrase “authors of the document” advisedly because the APC is well-known to dial back, even on its own promises and it is one party whose candidates may not even know the content of their own manifestoes. After the 2015 general elections, the APC openly rejected some of the promises in the party’s manifesto, and that was long after they had been declared winner. This is probably why their 2023 manifesto this time around is long on promises and short on details. As a concerned citizen, I don’t think Nigerians should be taken on another bad ride.

No other election in recent Nigerian history can be more important than the 2023 elections. The time for progress has come, and 2023 must be a referendum on the APC. My appeal is that voters must vote wisely.

And I hope that going forward,Chief Tinubu would make himself available to attend debates and respond to questions that would be raised to do so, and when he does so, he should please refrain from his predilection to reduce serious conversations to vague proverbs and metaphors. Nigerians are not looking for a “dibia”. They want a leader with a clarity of purpose and vision.

Cc: Lalasticlala, mynd44