₦airaland Forum

I have approved the appointment of Hon Abdulmumin Jibrin and Barr. Ladipo Johnson as spokespersons for my campaign council.

I have no doubt that the duo will use their wealth of experience in communications and vast networks to deliver on our mandate for a New Nigeria.

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) says the ongoing strike action will not end anytime soon.

Emmanuel Osodeke, ASUU president, spoke on Wednesday during a Twitter Space organised by Premium Times.

ASUU has been on strike since February 14 over the government’s alleged failure to meet its demands.

Hopes of the strike coming to an end were dashed after a meeting between the union’s executives and the federal government on Tuesday ended in deadlock.

Commenting on the meeting, Osodeke said the government came “with nothing” to the table.

The ASUU president said the government is yet to show any commitment to the demands of the lecturers.

“The situation now is that it’s even worse than when we started. The government has not shown any responsibility on how to fund our university system and education in general,” he said.

“They only claim they don’t have funds, no one can believe that. There are no funds and one man can steal N109 billion and the government is trying to negotiate with him? The government has not shown any commitment.

“We met with them yesterday and they came with nothing. It is very sad that all Nigerian universities are closed and all the government is interested in, is how to win elections and Nigerian people are watching.”

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) Peter Obi, hurried to Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Monday immediately he was told that the reconciliation team from Governor Nyesom Wike’s camp was in the State, The Nation has gathered.

It was learnt members of Wike’s team had arrived Port Harcourt to wait for the team from the camp of the Peoples Democratic Party’s presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, for a scheduled reconciliation talk when they heard that Atiku’s team was not coming.

A source, who was in Port Harcourt with one of the Wike’s team members, said the Wike’s team was disappointed that Atiku’s camp postponed the meeting without adequately communicating to them.

The source, who spoke in confidence, mentioned members of Team Wike, who were in Port Harcourt as Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue, former Governors Donald Duke, Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Olaka Nwogu, Dan Obi and PDP candidate for Bende Federal Constituency, Nnenna Ukeje among others.

The source said: “There was supposed to be a reconciliation meeting between the team of Governor Nyesom Wike and that of the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar. The meeting was supposed to hold at Wike’s private residence in Port Harcourt.

“While team Wike was present, the team of Atiku Abubakar did not come. They didn’t communicate any shift of the meeting to Team Wike. The Wike’s team was already in Port Harcourt when they learnt that Atiku’s team was no longer coming. They shifted the meeting to this weekend. Wike’s team then accompanied the governor to the birthday celebration of former Governor Peter Odili”.

He said Obi only learnt about the presence of Wike’s people and decided to rush down to Port Harcourt to meet with them.

He said: “Someone must have told Obi about the presence of Wike’s team. He rushed down to Port Harcourt. He simply wanted to cash into the opportunity. They all met behind closed doors.

“Though the subject matter was not disclosed, it bordered on the 2023 presidential election. He wanted Wike and his team to support him. Obi didn’t attend the Odili’s birthday”.

Other sources in Government House also confirmed that Obi met with the Governor.

Yesterday felt like an actual highlight reel, from the immense love and reception on my arrival, to receiving thousands of defectors over to the @OfficialPDPNig at Ribadu Square and then the dinner in my honour, amongst others.

I thank Gov. Fintiri, and all stakeholders and supporters who made this possible. -AA

A former vice president of Nigeria and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Atiku Abubakar, on Monday received about 160,000 decampees from the All Progressives Congress, APC to the PDP at the Ribadu Square in Yola, Adamawa State.

Leading party leaders, including former vice president Namadi Sambo, the vice presidential candidate and governor of Delta State, Ifeanyi Okowa, governor of Adamawa State Ahmadu Fintiri and national chairman of PDP, Iyorchia Ayu, Mr Abubakar welcomed the decampees and promised to work with them.

“I have been serving the people since I joined politics 30 years ago and that is my promise to you all today. I believe that Governor Fintiri has done a good job and that we should join hands to make sure he wins his second term election,” Mr Abubakar said.

In his remark, Mr Ayu said that the rate of defection from the APC to the PDP is increasing by the day.

He said the frequent defections indicate that the opposition party is waxing stronger.

“It is clear everywhere that the PDP is back. Today, we are here to take in new members into the PDP. Very soon, this venue shall be hosting the President of Nigeria who is your very own son.

“I welcome the new entrants to our party and I therefore hand them over to Governor Fintiri. I urge the governor to continue with his good work in making Adamawa better than he met it,” Ayu said.

Speaking on behalf of the supporters and over 160,000 decampees in various electoral wards across the state, Shuaibu Babbas, a member of the Adamawa State House of Assembly from Fufore Gurin constituency affirmed their loyalty and commitment to the PDP in its quest to oust the APC and fix the broken state of the country’s socio-economic and political fabrics.

Earlier on arrival at the Yola International Airport where he was received to a rousing welcome, Mr Abubakar had proceeded to the palace of the Lamido Adamawa, Aliyu Musdafa, on a courtesy visit.

It is the first time that the presidential standard bearer will be visiting his home state after the presidential primaries election of the PDP.

In his remarks at the Lamido’s palace, Mr Abubakar said that his presentation to the Lamido as the presidential candidate of the PDP gives him a sense of nostalgia because his political career would not have attained this mark but for the prayers and support that he enjoys from the Lamido, his palace and the entire state.

“I am an ambassador of this palace, Adamawa State and Nigeria. I am appreciative of the reception I received today which is historic and I am promising you that I will represent you and the entire Nigeria well in the assignment ahead of me as your worthy son”.

In his response, the Lamido said that he was pleased and proud to welcome Mr Abubakar home after his emergence as the presidential candidate of a major political party.

“Your triumph is not just a victory for this Emirate but the country at large as we continue to provide good leadership. I will implore you to use your experience in the task ahead of you. As a detribalized Nigerian, I am confident of your capacity to lead the nation. Your investment in human capital development is a good example of your contribution to society. I pray that the Almighty remains with you as you strive to become the next president of this country.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) says the All Progressives Congress (APC) has no candidate for Yobe North and Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial Districts.

Recall that while Senate President Ahmed Lawan, who represents Yobe North is battling to get the party’s ticket after losing the APC presidential primary, former Akwa Ibom governor Godswill Akpabio is also fighting to get the ruling party’s ticket to run for the Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial seat after vying for same APC presidential ticket.

However speaking on Sunday August 14 in a Channels Television interview, INEC’s National Commissioner, Festus Okoye said the electoral body does not recognise any APC candidate for both senatorial zones.

He said;

“In these two constituencies, two names were forwarded and the commission made a determination that the names were not persons who emerged from a validly conducted party primaries and we did not publish their names. That is where we are.

“Their (Lawan and Akpabio) names were uploaded by the APC to our candidates’ nomination portal but the Commission made a determination that they were not the candidates that emerged from valid party primaries.

“The commission did not publish their names and their particulars in their constituencies. So, the implication is that as of today, the APC does not have candidates in those two constituencies.”

A chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, in Ebonyi State, Princess Ann Agom-Eze, who is challenging Governor David Umahi’s emergence as the Ebonyi South Senatorial Zone candidate, on Sunday, said the governor is afraid of being defeated by a woman.

Agom-Eze made this known while responding to her alleged sack from APC by the party’s zonal leadership at Afikpo North Local Government Area headquarters. She argued that the zonal leadership has no such right to sack her, hence the matter is pending at the appeal court sitting in Enugu State.

She denied committing any crime against the party to warrant her sack other than her persistence to reclaim her senatorial ticket mandate, which according to her, is being forcefully taken away by Umahi.

Agom-Eze insisted that Umahi has utilized his opportunity by contesting for President and cannot contest again in this electoral year.

“This matter is pending at the Court of Appeal, Enugu. How can I be suspended at the APC zonal office? What is my crime? Insisting on the mandate right? Or because Governor Umahi wants the ticket? Where will he take it to? By contesting for the President, he has used his opportunity for this electoral year. He needs to accept the truth.

“Their action in Afikpo Is a show of desperation. Being afraid of being defeated by a woman, so he has decided to cut corners thinking that is the easiest way of achieving a result he can never get.

“The 2022 electoral process is his biggest problem and he cannot even win this, after spending Ebonyi money on bribe, can’t change the law. He should be a law abiding citizen and wait for the judgment of the appeal court rather than resorting to intimidation and harassment. No matter what he does the law must take its cause because no one is above the law,” she said.

Earlier, Umahi, who spoke through the Chairman of APC, Stanley Okoro Emegha who hails from Ebonyi South senatorial zone, said Agom-Eze remained sacked from the party.

“The All Progressives Congress APC Ebonyi South Senatorial zone has expelled Mrs Ann Nwanyibuife Agomeze from the party over alleged gross misconduct.

“Mrs Agom-Eze has rebelliously jeopardized her membership by vehemently violating the constitution which prohibits any act of dishonesty capable of disparaging the party or its members,” he said.

“Mrs Agom-Eze has recklessly disparaged herself too by eating back her words in an effort to satisfy her paymasters. How can a woman who voluntarily wrote, signed and submitted her letter of withdrawal from the Senatorial primary that gave the Federal High Court, Abakakili the impetus to order for a fresh election still deny it in broad daylight? Do you know that she also swore an affidavit to that effect and all these documents are substantially available at the National Secretariat?”

The All Progressive Congress (APC) senatorial candidate for Jigawa South West District, Tijjani Ibrahim, is dead.

He was reportedly on admittance at an Abuja hospital from where he was flown to China for further treatment when his condition deteriorated.

He was being treated for a lung infection but died on Saturday in a Chinese hospital.

Mr Ibrahim died barely three months after he won the APC senatorial ticket for his zone where he polled 361 votes. He was the lone contestant in the election.

The late Mr Ibrahim represented Dutse/Kiyawa federal constituency in the House of Representatives between 2011 to 2015.

In his condolence message, Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa said he has lost a dependable ally.

The governor, in a statement, through his media aide, Habibu Kila, said Mr Ibrahim’s death “is a great loss not only to his family but to the Muslim Ummah”.

The statement described Mr Ibrahim as “a loyal and dependable politician who contributed immensely to the political development of the country.”

Mr Badaru prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

The deceased politician left behind a wife, an aged mother and many children.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the mother of the deceased politician, Hajiya Jaja, 70, was kidnapped in June. She was later released.

A family source told PREMIUM TIMES that the funeral prayer of the deceased will be held at Kiyawa town at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Strong indications have emerged that the National Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Adamu, might be eased out soon, if plans by governors elected on the platform of the party and other stakeholders pull through.

Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State and Senator, was elected in March, despite a strong opposition mounted by APC governors. The governors, alongside other regional leaders, had settled for Tanko Al-Makura, also a former governor of Nasarawa State and a serving senator. The closest rival then to Al-Makura, was George Akume, a serving Minister and also a former governor of Benue State. Akume also served as a Senator.

Adamu, upon his assumption of office, sought extra powers to carry out some reforms and take drastic decisions ahead of the primaries of the party.

About three weeks after his emergence, specifically on the April 20, 2022, the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the party transferred absolute powers to the Adamu-led National Working Committee (NWC). The 90 days of power transfer expired on July 22, 2022, hence the need to hold an emergency NEC meeting in September.

The National Executive Committee (NEC) is the highest decision-making organ of the party, usually presided over by the President.

Though some of the issues on the agenda of the NEC meeting are still shrouded in secrecy, a member of the NWC told Saturday Sun that talks about a possible leadership change in the APC were already in top gear. He informed that last although Tuesday’s NWC meeting didn’t entertain the rumoured change, some party leaders sought some clarifications on recent developments in the party. The reliable source, who pleaded not to be named, said the ongoing financial audit, non-payment of staff salaries and inability of the party to meet other financial obligations, were already generating concerns.

He said APC governors who are worried about the fallout of the Muslim-Muslim ticket, have resolved to placate Christians by tinkling with the nomenclature of the party hierarchy. The NWC member said the plan is to replace Adamu with a Christian from any of the six North Central States. He declined any further information on when the changes might be executed.

He, however, added that, President Muhammadu Buhari had not been briefed of the plans, over fears that he might not support the move.

The source said some perceived ‘sins’ allegedly committed by Adamu were being compiled by the governors and other leaders, which they intend to rely on in pushing for his ouster. He listed some names being bandied as possible replacements. He said a current Minister in Buhari’s administration, is top on the list.

“Akume is Tinubu’s man,” he revealed, adding that “other acceptable names are being searched for to be submitted to President Buhari for consideration. Whether or not Buhari will accept the move, I don’t know.

“Buhari, if you remember, personally insisted on the choice of Adamu. The President also knows that Christian leaders in APC are unhappy. In the interest of reconciliation and inclusiveness, the President may just approve it.

“These issues will gain momentum as soon as NWC announces a date for the NEC meeting. The presidential candidate of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is also in support of any move that will placate Christians.

“If Tinubu decides to personally table it before President Buhari, it may work. If you recall, Adamu didn’t support Tinubu’s candidacy. He was the one who, without the endorsement of NWC, announced Ahmad Lawan as the consensus presidential candidate of the APC.

“Tinubu didn’t like that and he has expressed his displeasure many times with governors and other party leaders. Although he has not asked for Adamu’s replacement, he won’t oppose it if the move is made.

“But Tinubu has no hand in pushing for this. However, he won’t resist anything that will raise his chances of winning next year’s presidential election,” he said.

The APC NWC member noted that there were also allegations that Adamu-led NWC did not reach out immediately to aggrieved leaders of the party after the primaries.

“APC is getting very bad press. On social media and even in the traditional media, has not been getting good report.

“Whenever our members try to defend the party or the presidential candidate, the result in the media is always negative. Anything that will change the narrative will be welcome.

“These governors know that the signing into law of the Electoral Act is a game changer. We saw what happened in Osun. An incumbent governor lost. Even with Tinubu’s influence there, PDP won.

“The era of rigging is over with the new Electoral Law. Vote-buying is not a guarantee that the people will vote for you. We saw that in Osun. Unfortunately, the leadership of APC is too relaxed.”

Chris Finebone, a long-standing ally of former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has dumped the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Finebone, who was the publicity secretary of the APC for years, confirmed his defection to Daily Trust in the early hours of Friday.

However, he did not give any reason for his defection. On his verified Twitter account, Finebone said,”Similanayi Fubara, PDP governorship candidate is my brother; know it and know peace!”

Shortly after he defected to PDP, Finebone visited Governor Nyesom Wike’s Ada George road residence in Port Harcourt in company of the former State Chairman of APC, Dr Davis Ikanya, and the PDP governorship candidate.

The development comes amid the alliance between Governor Nyesom Wike and chieftains of the APC.

Governor Nyesom Wike has filed a lawsuit against Atiku Abubakar over the 2023 presidential ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Mr Wike filed the lawsuit alongside another PDP member Michael Ekamon, according to filings entered before the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court. The applicants also joined the PDP, Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the matter.

The parties were served on July 1, and a PDP official responded to the originating summons on August 5 in Abuja. The lawsuit could complicate the main opposition party’s drive and message leading to the 2023 general elections — for a platform already bogged down by the upswing of Peter Obi and his Labour Party base.

It also comes as a reconciliation panel begins sitting to resolve a cold war between Messrs Abubakar and Wike over the outcome of the presidential primary and the selection of a running mate by Mr Abubakar. The crisis escalated last week when Mr Wike publicly accused Mr Abubakar of lying about the extent of the infighting while allegedly instigating attacks through Sule Lamido and others, calling them “attack dogs.”

Mr Wike has been seething over the convention outcome for several weeks, and his anger intensified after Mr Abubakar passed him over for Ifeanyi Okowa as the vice-presidential candidate. Mr Abubakar said competence and loyalty weighed heavily in his considerations for a running mate.

Mr Wike came second during the primary, scoring 237 votes to trail Mr Abubakar, who polled 371 votes from the total 767 votes cast at the convention ground in Abuja. The Rivers governor blamed his defeat on Mr Tambuwal’s decision to step down for Mr Abubakar at the last minute, describing the process as unfair — even though he did not argue that it violated the party’s standing rules.

A spokesman for Mr Abubakar did not immediately return a request seeking comments about the suit. Messages sent to a PDP spokesman did not deliver on Thursday evening. But sources close to the former vice-president said he had a meeting with his legal team at Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on Wednesday night, although it was unconfirmed whether Mr Wike’s lawsuit was among the issues discussed.

Katsina State government has confirmed the stealing of some monies by some unknown persons at the account section of the Government House.

The Director-General (Media) Alhaji Al-Amin Isa who confirmed the theft in an interview with newsmen, said he could not disclose the amount stolen.

He however maintained that some of the suspects were in police custody and investigations are ongoing.

A source told the Daily Independent that, N31 million were stolen by unknown persons.

It could be recalled that this is the second time such an incident is happening at the Katsina Government house and a few weeks ago after another cashier was attacked losing over N60 million.

The presidential candidate of All Progressives Congress, APC, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, has asked his counterpart in the Labour Party, LP, Mr. Peter Obi, to call his supporters to order, warning that “falsehood and disinformation will not win elections”.

Tinubu, in a statement by his campaign organisation, on Wednesday, urged Obi to caution his supporters and to allow the election circle be about issues that will advance the growth, progress and stability of the country.

The statement by Director, Media and Communications, Tinubu Campaign Organisation, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, also admonished the Labour Party presidential candidate to get his supporters to “desist from spreading lies, malice and denigrating other candidates, especially Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

“TCO (Tinubu Campaign Organisation) further states that Nigeria will be better for it and the electoral process will be enriched if the 2023 presidential campaign sticks to issues of good governance that will lift millions of Nigerians out of poverty rather than being dominated by the ravings of guttersnipes, who do not wish the country well,” the statement added.

Onanuga noted that the Tinubu Campaign Organisation saw the need to appeal to Obi to rein in his supporters after investigating the origin of the fake report claiming that the Ghanaian President, Nana Akufo-Addo wrote a letter to Tinubu, asking him to support Obi and take care of his (Tinubu) health.

According to him, the Ghanaian President, via his official Twitter account, has debunked the news as a product of deliberate mischief with the intent to deceive the public.

“I have written no such letter to the APC leader, and it will not occur to me to do so.

“Ghana and Nigeria boast of decades of cordial, strong and brotherly relations, and I am not going to be the one to interfere in the internal affairs and politics of Nigeria,” said President of Ghana via Twitter.

The ‘Biafra fake news site’
Onanuga said: “We have found that the fake news about Akufo-Addo’s letter was first published on June 22 by a rogue platform, whose url reads worlsnews.space (sic) and site identity as World of News.

“A content analysis of the site clearly showed that it is a Biafra news platform. The fake news was reposted on Facebook by Peter Obi Support Group, same day — a clear proof that Biafra campaigners and Peter Obi supporters are the same.

“Both the Facebook account and the website are replete with fake stories about Bola Tinubu, including a fake story credited to former Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, alleging that Tinubu demanded N50 billion monthly payment from him.

“The spuriousness of the statement is in the evidence that Lagos did not begin to clock N50 billion revenue until after Ambode left office.

“Tinubu could not have demanded N50 billion monthly payment from Ambode when the state government didn’t make such in a month throughout the tenure of Mr. Ambode.

“The pirate website, which the Facebook account feeds, on also parades malicious fake news and headlines such as “I am old, but my blood is young, please vote for me – Tinubu begs youth” .

“There is also the most wicked of all headlines: ‘When I became president, I will Build more prison (sic) for Igbo’s and IPOB members – Tinubu’.

“The big surprise in all of these is that all the headlines have no supporting stories, and clicking them may bring virus to your computer.

“We have come to a point where it becomes imperative to tell Mr. Obi to show leadership and disavow his supporters, who are employing fake news and disinformation as deliberate tools to deceive and poison the minds of unsuspecting Nigerians,” he added.

The Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has continued his onslaught against his party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, stating on Tuesday that he can still perform to public acclaim even if he goes to any party.

The governor, who has stayed away from the PDP activities, but has continued to romance high members of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, again hit his party during the inauguration of the dualised Ogbunuabali-Eastern Bypass Road, as a week-long inauguration of infrastructure carried out by his administration continues.

After hosting two governors on the platform of the APC – Dave Umahi and Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Ebonyi and Lagos states respectively on Monday for the commissioning of flyover, the governor on Tuesday hosted another high profile APC member in the person of Senator Aliyu Wamakko.

He downplayed the role of the PDP in his administration, arguing that his performance had nothing to do with being a member of the party.

According to the combative governor, “Leadership is not about party, leadership is about individual. Party is only a vehicle to actualise your ambition, to be able to tell your people I have this capacity, I have this quality to render services to you.

“If you take me away today from PDP to another party, I will still perform. So, it is not because I’m in PDP that I’m performing.”

Wike whose membership of the PDP has come under serious scrutiny in the last two months made it clear that, “It is because I have that passion for my people. It is because I have the commitment to serve my people. Take me to YPP, allow me to become whatever I will become there, I will perform. Take me to any party, I will perform. So, it is not party that makes you to perform.”

The former Minister of State for Education came second to the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar, during the party’s May presidential primary.

He has continued to stay away from the affairs of the party since being overlooked by Atiku, who opted for Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, as his presidential running mate.

This has enmeshed the PDP in crisis as the Rivers State governor has the support of high profile members of the party such as governors of Abia, Enugu and Oyo States as well as former governors, ministers, current and former lawmakers.

Recent moves to mend fences have also fallen flat as the key demand of the Wike camp that the National Chairman of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, steps down has been rebuffed by the Atiku camp, who insist it can only happen after the presidential election in 2023.

The governor however restated his commitment to service, insisting his performance is not based on being a member of the PDP but his undying love, passion and commitment to render effective service to the people.

The Awolowo rebirth in the Southwest has inspired gongs, songs and rhetoric of sorts. But they have missed one point.

It occurred to me in Abeokuta last week amidst the big crowds and euphoria of the swearing-in of Senator Ibikunle Amosun as governor. In all the states from Lagos to Edo, where Awo has witnessed ideological resurgence, hardly a single family member has played a role.

So we have an Awo family without an Awo. That is an irony. But history overwhelms us with this sort of twist. Obafemi Awolowo toiled for his reputation. His roots were lowly, he toiled to school both home and abroad, launched into careers in law, business, journalism and eventually politics. He carved a niche for himself, and became the first methodical and charismatic leftist in our history. Other leftists abounded but they did not inspire comparable drama and following.

He faced tribulations, went to jail, failed in elections, won a few, but he imprinted his ideas and legacy in the country, and no single mortal has beaten him in the history of this country. His greatest achievement was in the area of ideas, and that was how he fashioned a family. Most families are born of biology but his issued from ideology. That family suffered with him.

In a spoof of Jesus Christ, these were the men who followed him in his teachings, and endured with him in his temptations. So he formed a kingdom for them in the Southwest, in the old Western Region, presiding over his projects, his legacies and people.

In all of these, the family he had was not his flesh and blood. In another spoof of Christ, who were his family anyway? Those who were with him must be counted as his family. So, I combed in the ambience of Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), and I found none. I went to Ogun, I frisked the crowd under Amosun’s bower, hardly any. Around Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola in Osun, I could not lay a finger. With Governor Kayode Fayemi in Ekiti, where are the forbears of Awo? Yet, I can hear the chants of Awo. Hardly in any of the inaugural speeches or any of their other public intervention would you miss the philtre and filter of Awo from these gentlemen. To parody Novelist Joseph Conrad, they are the sparks from Awo’s sacred fire, the messengers of the might within the man.

Already all of them are pursuing the legacy ideas of Awo: free education, free health services, infrastructural development, urban renewal and economic engineering.

Lagos has posted itself as the John the Baptist. The others are putting up valiant efforts, and the world of course is watching to see how well they will perform. It will call for great work, resourcefulness and cooperation. They are the real Awoists, and Awo was a man of rigour and vigour.

The Awo son that many expected to take after the father was Olusegun, who unfortunately died in a car crash. We shall never know if he could have pulled it off. But the others have not shown much of the paterfamilias’ brio and depth. In the past decade, under this republic, they have blended with the wrong crowd. Even H.I.D, hobnobbed with Alao-Akala, who brought illiteracy to governance; with Oyinlola who turned the grace of office into a hell-hole of despots; with Daniel who could not arrest his quick fall into megalomania.

I wrote once that this woman whom Awo once described as the jewel of inestimable value has lost value to his cause. If he came back to life, he would have committed the extraordinary act of divorce after death. Even his newspaper, The Tribune, has so stumbled and fallen that it swims in Awo’s vomit.

Groucho Max, one of the funniest satirists in American history, said of a man that he got his looks from his father. Then he quipped, “He was a plastic surgeon.” That means the son is not his real son, or he did not inherit his natural looks. Ideologically, when we talk of Awo’s family, the chief inheritor is Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as the leader of all the others. He was the one who stuck his neck out. He could have lost his life or ended his career in politics. The so-called real Awolowos who bear his surname cannot come up for mention. They are Awolowos but not Awoists. They stabbed their father in the back. They have committed ideological parricide.

The only person that made a real try was Awolowo-Dosunmu in the early 1990s and she lost roundly. She was accused of trying to ride her father’s coattail. Political families are good for democracies. They can exemplify the high ideals of diligence, dignity, ideas, character. We have seen these in such families as the Kennedys, the Adamses, the Roosevelts, the Ghandis. They just don’t claim family. They appeal to the high ideals that endeared the families to their societies.

It’s also an irony that these families are falling into twilight. Some of them have vanished. Enoch Powell, a British MP, once gave us the famous line: “All political lives, unless they are cut off midstream at a happy juncture, end in failure because that is the nature of politics and human affairs.”

Columnist Ambassador Dapo Fafowora adverted to this idea in a recent outing, and I debated it with him afterwards. I don’t believe that a political life should be judged by how it ends but what it means. The quote is often missed by many who mistake “careers” for “lives.” A political life should be judged by its legacies. If we judged Awo by how he ended, we would look at him only as the loser to Shagari. That is why I see an intrinsic mischief in Enoch’s quote. But I would agree that political families end also in failure if you judge how they peter out and not the legacy.

Awo’s legacy is alive and well. Members of other families in flesh and blood can carry on. Immediate families tend to suffer from what an author, Noemie Emery, describes as dynastic curse. The children tend to be intimidated by the standards set by the fathers. So they just don’t want to try. They feel they cannot match them or come even close. The problem probably comes from the fathers themselves. The Adams, who produced important presidents, later gave birth to moral vagrants and drunks. The Bush daughters showed themselves as party girls when their father was contesting the political battle of his life.

But Joe Kennedy groomed his sons assiduously, and they excelled in politics. They also had a fair share of tragedies. Ted Kennedy regained his sobriety and voice in America after a season of debauchery. In Nigeria, we are seeing the Sarakis fade. A Saraki – Bukola - is wiping out the Sarakis from politics. It is a classic case of oedipal tragedy, something I predicted earlier this year on this page.

It is not late though for the flesh-and-blood Awolowos to join their father’s fold. But they must be genuine. Awo was the most important Yoruba personage in history after Oduduwa. They had stellar men like Oranmiyan, Balogun Latosa, Lisabi, Sodeke, et al. None of them had the unifying vision and organisational acumen that Awolowo gave the race. The wife, children and grandchildren should not watch others glow in his jewel without them.