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The 6 Most Powerful PDP Leaders in Lagos

In the not-too-far distance when the political engineering of Nigerian politics will be a subject of discussion among scholars, the 4th Republic (from 1999 till date) will be the most debated and scrutinized because despite having the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Republics to study as templates and learn from, it choose to draw it’s own course as designed, directed by the gladiators that shaped it and make it more intriguing and most talked about as far as the checkered history of Nigerian politics is concerned. It will surprise many that a certain political party, the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria (PDP) is the major reason this 4th Republic earn its reputation as the most interesting. It boast of being the largest political party in Africa and really held sway as the most dominant party in Nigeria in the most part (16 years) of the 4th Republic until an opposition, All People’s Congress (APC), toppled it’s reign from power through the hands of its last President, His Excellency, Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, by her (APC) candidate, His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari. However, I will be limiting my discussion to Lagos, one of the political hotspots in Nigeria and the major gladiators that are keeping the political tempo going as we are approaching the 2023 Elections. Below are the major political gladiators that are really shaking things up within Lagos PDP at the moment and are forces to reckon with based on their political clouts;










Chief Olabode George: Born 76 years ago on November 21st in the year 1945, Chief Olabode Ibiyinka George popularly addressed as “BG” by his ardent supporters has come a long way and has his own fair share of the dirty, muddle waters of politics in Nigeria by always emerging a survivor each time he finds himself facing such battles. He is the apex leader of PDP as far as the Southwest arm of the party is concerned. His inputs in steering the affairs of the great party in this zone has been of great remarks and achievements to the party’s successes over the years in this axis. A retired Naval Officer who rose to the rank of a Commodore in the Nigerian Navy (an equivalent to Brigadier General in the Nigerian Army). A one-time military Governor of old Ondo State (1988-1990) with sterling performances to show for it one of which is the establishment of Owo Polytechnic a state owned higher institution (now known as The Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo by an edict in 1990. A former chairman of the Nigerian Ports Authority where he gave his best to the growth of that establishment. His foray into politics shortly after the ban on politics was lifted and ushered into the 4th Republic starting from 1999 saw him pitched his tent with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and aligned well with the President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. He has been the party’s national vice-chairman in the southwest zone, later became PDP Deputy National Chairman, South, and then the National Deputy Chairman of the PDP. He has been a force to reckon with as far as Southwest politics is concerned today especially in Lagos where he is the “Leader” everybody wants to court for political longevity and relevance. His Luggard house in Lagos Island is a “Mecca” for all political stalwarts, party faithful and aspirants within the party for consultations and advices. A true political colossus and juggernaut that must be courted. Chief Bode George holds the chieftaincy title of Atoona of Yorubaland. He is happily married and blessed with children and grand children.


Dr Bimbo Ogunkelu: Healthcare Practitioner, owner of Kelu Specialist Hospital, Lagos. Dr Ogunkelu specializes as a cardiologist. A PDP chieftain and former Minister of Cooperation and Integration in Africa, he is the Chairman of Elders Committee of Lagos State Chapter of PDP, a real force to reckon with as far as Lagos politics is concerned. He is a grass root politician as far as Lagos PDP is concerned and always fights for justice within the party, he is still one of the few political gladiators within the party many look up to for political advice and tutor. Lagos politics is privileged to have him as far as party politics is concerned. A widely traveled man, father of children and a good husband to his wife.











Prince Adewale Gomez: A true Lagos born Prince with touches of class and elegance to give Lagos the utmost best Lagosians all deserve in order to start enjoying their darling Lagos again. A business guru with specialties in oil and gas, facilities management, human development, real and estate and technologies. Obviosly without do doubt, a man with such an impressive experience in these array of businesses can easily be seen as a man with many tentacles needed to pilot the affairs of a state as Lagos to the Promised Land. His journey into politics under the great party, PDP, was borne out of empathy for the downtrodden and a call to serve his fatherland, having been abroad for a long time affecting lives positively well over there and at the home front. This Badagry Prince raised in Surulere choose to return home to give his quality experiences and Midas touch to those who have been yearning for a change under the repressive and tormenting government of the APC in Lagos since 1999. His activism part led him to launch the Iya yi to Leko initiative in order to combat the injustices meted out to Lagosians under the ruling party in the state and this initiative received general acceptance within Lagos and outside which made him to consider a shot at the topmost job in the State through his Wale Gomez Movement Worldwide, a political group championing the Gomez for Governor campaign which is spreading like wildfire all over Lagos. A soft spoken man with knack for quality services and tastes for good things that affect others positively. He is married to Rt Hon Titi Gomez, a former Speaker of the Ogun State House of Assembly, a political Amazon, a good wife to her amiable husband and a worthy complement to the rich boardroom experiences of Prince Wale Gomez, they are blessed with children. A thoroughbred Lagosian with centuries of rich family history and whose lineage are deeply rooted in the Lagos Island area spreading across Catholic Mission street, Igbosere & Bamgbose quarters of Eko... ar'omisa legbelegbe. An alumni of the prestigious St. Gregory College Lagos Island is an erudite academician and astute Business Man who boasts of cognitive trainings across the United States of America and Europe with PGD, FCIM, in his kitty. Wale Gomez sits on top of some high end blue chip companies that are doing real good in the business market viz: CEO, Oylex Petroleum Limited; CEO, Legends Care Agency Limited, London, UK; Principal Partner at HCA Nigeria Limited (A Big time Player in Facility Management); Chairman/CEO, Quant Capital Limited (A private equity firm with core investment in Real Estate and Technologies). This is the man, a leader and astute business man Lagos needs to steer the ship of State to an enviable level of excellence.



Otunba Segun Adewale: A true politician and entrepreneur with class and vigor for service, justice and equity. Otunba Segun Adewale a.k.a Aeroland has paid his dues to be where he is today both in the areas of business and politics. His doggedness and versatility to always get things done the right way has paved way for him and etched his name in the rank of political gladiators in Lagos politics and even southwest politics. Born 55 years ago into the family of Pa and Madam Michael Adewale of Ile Aremo & Ile Ogegenijo quarters from Ipoti Ekiti area of present Ekiti State. A winner and lover of philanthropic gestures right from his secondary school days at Ipoti High School, Ekiti State by assisting indigent families in Ipoti especially in house construction and other menial jobs free of charge. A holder of Bachelor Science degree in Geography from the foremost, prestigious and elite University of Ibadan, he took the challenge further to have a Master degree in public administration from the Lagos State University, Ojo, this propelled him to later venture into the Aviation sector by setting up his own company, Aeroland Travel Limited, a business travel management, Air charter and Aviation training company in 1997. He later obtained a Certificate in Airline Management and Operations in 2012 and got a requisite Certificate in Flight Operations from the Institute of Flight Operations and Dispatcher (IFOD), all in Texas, USA in 2013. Today, his company has become one of the major players in the aviation industry with over 20 awards to show for it, few of which are but not limited to; the Delta Airlines Award for Excellence in 2013, the Lufthansa Top Performer 2012, British Airways No. 1 Retail Agency in Nigeria. His journey into the world of politics dated back into his university days in 1988 when he contested as Sports Secretary and won under the Student Union Government. Going into mainstream politics in his Alimosho local government area in Lagos was his biggest break when he ran under the banner of PDP in 2011 for the Federal House of Rep under Alimosho Federal Constituency and also the Lagos West Senatorial district in 2015 as Senatorial candidate. A widely travelled man with passion for human development, this great political leader with recognition in Lagos was once the Lagos State PDP Chairman and later on became the ex-officio of the southwest arm of the party. Aeroland as he is popularly known, is feared by the opposition because of his fighting spirit and campaign strategies. He is happily married and blessed with children.


Hon Setonji Koshoedo: He is currently the Deputy National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party of Nigeria, a worthy leader from Badagry axis of Lagos. One time Rep member at the National Assembly between 2003 – 2007 where he reached out to many lives positively from his constituency. Former State Chairman of PDP between April 2008 – April 2012; former member, National Executive Committee (highest decision making body) of the PDP between March 2012 – July 2014. This resume qualifies this political juggernaut and leader as a colossus as far as politics is concerned in Nigeria because he was occupying these enviable positions at a time the PDP was the largest political party in Nigeria. Hon Koshoedo is a down to earth person with a mind of a true leader willing and ready to serve and these can be seen in his constituency in Badagry division of Lagos. He is well known as a trustworthy man of his words, an astute administrator whose leadership skills in the boardroom see him as members of top organizations in the field of business developments, investments and even in politics. He is Chairman, HFDI Investment Ltd; Principal Partner, Development Resources Design Ltd; Member, International Association of Political Consultants (IAPC) and many others. Hon Koshoedo is happily married and blessed with children.















Alhaji Rahman Owokoniran: he is one of the most respected leader in Lagos politics for his sagacity and calm approach to resolve thorny issues within the PDP and for this, many see him as a true father and worthy ambassador of the party and a force to reckon with anytime politics is mentioned throughout Lagos State and Southwest. A former member of the Lagos State House of Assembly. He is currently the Secretary of Peoples Democratic Party, southwest zone, also former Deputy Chairman of Lagos State PDP. Rahman Akanni Owokoniran has been around since the Second Nigerian Republic. Owokoniran was part of the formation of the Unity Party of Nigeria, UPN, on whose platform he became a member of Lagos State House of Assembly in 1983. He moved to Alliance for Democracy (Nigeria), AD, and was appointed Chairman, Lagos State Local Government Council Creation Committee, which created twenty LGAs and seventeen LCDAs. He was appointed Commissioner for Housing (2003) and then Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Boundary Affairs (2006). His experience as the Chairman of local government council creation that gave birth to the 37 LCDAs makes him a walking encyclopedia of how Lagos is structured by local government areas and hardly will you mention remote areas in Lagos and key people that matters there without him knowing one or two things about them. His connections too across boards too is an added advantage to the PDP having served under the ruling party in key positions. Combining these sterling qualities of this political sage together makes Alhaji Rahman Owokoniran the man PDP must treat with utmost respect and dignity
A political scientist by training, Alhaji Owokoniran has B.A in Political Science, and Master’s of Public Administration rom, both from the Eastern Washington University, Cheney, Washington State, USA.

Author: Jide Thompson (A concerned Lagosian)


https://projectchange9ja..com/2022/01/the-6-most-powerful-pdp-leaders-in-lagos.html?m=1


Cc: Lalasticlala

dasparrow:
OP, I agree with you. Your observations about Nigeria are on point.

Thanks man I never knew it's about 10 years I dropped this......

My 21 observations back then in 2012 still relevant as ever.

OneTemplate:
Just make sure you get a good chunk of money for the redundant PR you are doing for this dead-on-arrival clown.

After all your noise you are just another PDP hack and Reno Omokri wannabe. We dey laff.

Are you one of Tinubu's slaves? Miss me please.....

ba7man:
Na only you, him family, friends and staff go vote for this guy.

Nobody send am.

E go do you like film

calcal:
Omo eru Jagaban welcome,

You should be ashamed of yourself still supporting Jagaban, since 1999 only he and his family?

Jawo ku ro ninu apon ti o yo, egbe omi ila ka no.

My brother some irritating dudes are cursed and are created to be slaves forever with a mindset to always defend madness with passion.....imagine what Thi.efnu.bu has turned Lagos into all these years yet some born slaves must defend him despite him killing them like rats.....

Danjikanbauchi:
Good one he should just keep plenty money for us, we will talk to The Bobo Chicago about him.

You only need the God factor and the good people of Lagos tired of slavery to vote in Prince Gomez into power, we don't need one bobo Chicago anywhere

FarahAideed:
My problem is the big tummy ...Men with Big tummy

Bringing unnecessary comparisons to stern issues like this is not the best. He is a big man and looking it in all areas. The issue is, what are you expecting from him if sworn in, answer is GOOD GOVERNANCE, now this is where your concern should lie.

BosseJ:
Not only Bode George. That Jandor guy that recently defected from APC to PDP sef no go gree am chance. Jandor seems to have the backing of Bode George and the likes of Saraki. Though I don't see either of them going far against the ruling party in the state.

Jandor? Please don't make me laff.....just keep watching as the game is flowing. Jandor is on his own cruising, You can't defect from APC with the backing of Fashola and other silent enemies of Tinubu and you think you can clinch PDP's ticket like that, Jandor is only making noise, Gomez is the real deal for PDP....remember I told you hear....

*THE MAN WALE GOMEZ:*

He is the man whose name has set all tongues wagging in Lagos state and all fingers pointing at his direction as the Liberator of Lagos and its good people from the age long captivity of the 'mighty'.

*Wale Gomez* has often been compared to the matyr, Funsho Williams, in many ways - mission, passion and dispositions. And he is believed to have come to redeem and conclude the aborted emancipation mission of the late Funsho Williams.

*FAMILY LINEAGE:*

He is a thoroughbred lagosian with centuries of rich family history and whose lineage are deeply rooted in the Lagos Island area spreading across Catholic Mission street, Igbosere & Bamgbose quarters of Eko... ar'omisa legbelegbe.

*Wale Gomez* is indeed an epitome of true Lagosian - 'Omo Onile, Olona...' and 'Omo Eko Atata'.

*EDUCATION* :

The Alumni of the prestigious St. Gregory College Lagos Island is an erudite academician and astute Business Man who boasts of cognitive trainings across the United States of America and Europe with PGD,FCIM, in his kitty.

*POLITICAL LIFE:*

In similitude to his matyr and fore bearer, Wale Gomez is a silent achiever whose social and political investment is long over due for returns.

He has all these while been meticulously nurturing and monitoring his mission to liberate Lagosians via feasible and affordable welfare schemes that are targeted at restoring Lagos state to it's old glorious status of 'Small London'.

*Wale Gomez* has tirelessly been mobilising human and material support for the success and progress of the party home and abroad.
He had been a life long member of PDP in UK before moving back to Lagos .
The Rebuild Nigeria Initiative, 'Iya yi to l'eko', 'Gomez for Governor' (G4G) and Wale Gomez Movement are few of the vibrant, robust and wide spread network of platforms via which *Wale Gomez* reach out to his ever growing followers and supporters.

*ASSOCIATES*

A man with an enviable resume like Wale Gomez's will naturally command inexhaustible lists of contacts, clients, partners and associates across the globe.

*BUSINESS CONCERNS*

Wale Gomez sits on top of some high end blue chip companies that are doing real good in the business market:

1. CEO, Oylex Petroleum Limited;

2. CEO,
Legends Care Agency Limited, London, UK;

3. Principal Partner at HCA Nigeria Limited (A Big time Player in Facility Management)

4. Chairman/CEO, Quant Capital Limited (A private equity firm with core investment in Real Estate and Technologies).

"Wale Gomez is all Lagos needs to break the jinx. He is equal to the task."

- Anonymous.

*Gomez for Governor...*

*G4G!*

*Liberty! Dream it!*

*Why it must be wale Gomez and no one else to take over Lagos*

Prince Frank Adewale Gomez,

*HONESTY*
It’s said that a person is only as good as their word, GOMEZ is a man of his words with despite making a lot of promises and none as been left unfulfilled, personal donations, party offices bill payment, renovations and revamping , payment of hospital bills, brown envelopes for the needy, payment of school fees and other unannounced charity giving, he is doing all this without holding any position or Godfather.

*SELF AWARENESS*

Generally speaking, self-awareness isn’t an acquired trait. Gomez is more cogniant of how he is coming across to other. He identify people with skills,high level of intelligence and leadership traits, many of his team members are not just politicians but technocrats, philosophers, academicians, business tycoon, journalist among others.

*DEFERENTIAL TO OTHERS*

Putting others first is a great character trait for anyone to embody; it shows that individuals truly care about the value of service over self. Adewale Gomez will always put others first, he stood his ground at PANTI YABA for those innocent party youths, among other sacrificial efforts . When Lagosians feel like their values and desires are being reflected by their candidate, they’re often more likely to elect them during election.Gomez will never place his ambition or interest over party decision or individual comfort.

*ACTIVE LISTENING*

Gomez is an active listening and will always take prompt actions immediately, there are too many examples to mention.
He is not rude, proud and unnecessarily suspicious of people's move and attitude. He will always listen with heart of love to both his friend and friends to be.

*WALKS THE TALK*

Gomez is not a do as I say servant but do as I do, he came all out with his banner of love to all local government, wards and constituents. Gomez was all around preaching unity and peace ,when some candidate were tearing down their party for selfish reasons and over ambition.

Let us support our own for the first time, we can be better and greater ,if we bring in as much group as possible,merge with other parties and political group just to free Lagos for once.

#Walegomezlekonfe
#G4G100%

The Adaba of Lagos to the rescue in pictures.....

*Prince Adewale Gomez To The Rescue......But Your PVC?*

For a long while especially since 1999, Lagos had been under a siege and you ask, what siege? Siege of bad roads, abandoned structures, dearth of good leadership, chronic godfatherism, lack of basic amenities that befit a city of Lagos status, gangsterism/cultism/thuggery in our streets, insecurities, epileptic power supply in a city ripe enough to own her electricity, bad transportation systems and other vices that shouldn't be named in a city as rich as Lagos.

Nevertheless, considering these longterm pains Lagosians have bored all through the years, fate choose to bring to us an Omoluabi of Eko Akete, a true born Lagosian with his roots and history etched in the creation of Lagos. A born Prince of where Lagos was carved out, Badagry, and a pleasing personality with knack for quality services and administration, his name, Prince Adewale Francis Gomez. A widely traveled man with business investments across the globe, an experienced and professional administrator, a politician with class who is bringing his wealth of experience to better the lives of the entire citizens of Lagos. A man that has no tribal sentiments but a complete unifier with a mission to make Lagos the best city in Africa and one of the best in the world where we all will be proud of and that which works for all.

This is the man you all have been waiting for and the man we want as our next Governor of Lagos State. Brace yourself up and be counted as one of Gomez Moving Train as you get ready your PVC and if you are yet to get one, visit the nearest INEC office around your location to register for one now. This is the 3rd phase of PVC registration by INEC, kindly do your path now while you spread the news of *Gomez is coming around!*

Keep talking about Gomez, keep sharing his good deeds across, we are almost there.

*G4G!!! is the slogan, 100%+++ is the response!*

Thank you all,

Akintola Temitope

Director of Mobilization,
Wale Gomez Movement (WGM)

ThinkSmarter:
Good step
Direct primary is #bae.
Whoever that is against direct primary have ulterior motive.

Indirect primary Comes with high desperation among the contestants that makes them to bribe the delegates with huge amounts of money.
Direct primary discourages desperation and encourages competence.
In indirect primary, a single person offered a token bribe will compromise the will of his people for his personal gain.

Note that Direct primary is conducted across the political wards, all the votes counted, recorded and duly signed by the INEC staff(s) on duty in the presence of the people.
People are allowed to snap the result sheet in order to make sure the figures are not altered at the local government and state level collation.

God bless you real good, you got it right

FreeStuffsNG:
Direct Primaries is the way to go. The President should please sign the bill.

Don't mind the naysayers, Direct Primaries is actually cheaper but trust politicians, especially the state Governors, to have a sinister reason for attempting to confuse some people.

Because most of them lack legitimacy, they pay so much in indirect primaries system to buy loyalty from ward level to the state assembly so they can fight their political opponents in federal executive council, national assembly and national executive council of their political parties.


The prolonged and perennial fights the Edo State Governor, HE Godwin Obaseki, has with his political opponents is traced to the indirect primaries system that foisted him on PDP after allegedly parting with about 6 billion naira to buy the PDP structure in Edo State. No direct primaries to elect a gubernatorial candidate will cost N6 billion! In fact, if PDP had done direct primaries in Edo, hardly will it spend up to N100m for the organisation but the Governor allegedly paid N6 billion to buy the ticket. This is what is going on in most of the 36 states of the federation. The corruption case EFCC made against HE Fayose is traced to the problem associated with the bad indirect primaries system.

No direct primaries will cost even half of the billions HE Obaseki allegedly paid Chief Dan Orbih and Co to buy Edo PDP. He is still spending to buy loyalty to chase out his percieved opponents from Edo State PDP. So who do they think they are fooling when they say Governors oppose direct primaries because of cost? They are spending far more to buy legitimacy after getting to power through undemocratic processes !

Indirect primaries is the joker some Governors used to cheat the democratic system and take the electorates as easily dispensable and it must be stopped.

God bless your brain, you are truly in the know......you just explain what Direct Primary is all about

*Electoral Act: Buhari Declines Assent Over ‘N500B’ Direct Primary Costs*

Barely two weeks after the National Assembly passed new electoral Bill for Presidential Assent, Prime Business Africa reports that Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari will not sign the document as an ‘Act of Parliament’ to anchor future elections.
It was gathered that the President has communicated his decision to relevant sources after due consultations with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami.

Following a veto, the National assembly will be faced with options of correcting and accommodating the President’s concerns by reworking the document for his assent or overriding his veto by summoning a joint session of the Assembly to revalidate its own document against President Buhari’s wish.

Prime Business Africa learnt that the President declined assent to the critical law following an initial strong advice from All Progressives Congress (APC) governors clearly opposed to the recommended Direct Primary election as a prerequisite for nominating candidates for elective positions at all levels. They argued that Direct Primaries would further divide the ruling party and could come at huge costs running into hundreds of billions of naira.

The governors, who met the President in a closed-door session, argued that they were also speaking the minds of their counterparts in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

Although Nigerians want a new electoral law, there are indications that politicians within the APC and the PDP have convergent opinions on why the President should not sign the Bill without expunging some provisions, especially the compulsory direct primary election within the internal democratic processes of the parties. PDP governors had also threatened to go to court should the political party be forced to take the path of direct primaries without any other option.

This means that the Bill would need to be reworked by the National Assembly and the compulsory Direct Primary provision be expunged before the President would sign it into law. With the right political will and environment, both the President and the lawmakers could have got the document going in a matter of days, but there are concerns that this might open another groundswell of protracted controversy leading up to Nigeria’s crucial general elections in  February 2023, less than 18 months.

This will be the second time Mr Buhari will be withholding assent to this crucial document in his two-term rule. The first was in the life of the Eighth National Assembly, shortly before the conduct of the 2019 general elections in which the President recorded a legally and keenly contested victory.

His reason for declining assent at the time was that electronic voting (also allowed in the new document], a major component of the proposed ‘law,’ was open to manipulation and could hamper the conduct of a credible election as the country’s democratic system was ill-prepared for it.

This time around, the President has been under pressure to sign a new electoral law passed by the Ninth National Assembly after the lawmakers were pressured to reconsider the document and factor in some, if not all, of President Buhari’s concerns.

Although Nigerians and Civil Society Organisations have been mounting pressure on the executive arm of government to sign the crucial Act, with AGF Malami and other functionaries of government giving hints of ongoing consultations on the matter, Prime Business Africa reports that the process has been concluded and President Buhari has taken decision not to sign the Electoral Bill into law.

Sources close to the leadership of the APC and that of the PDP  told Prime Business Africa that, although the majority of political parties in Nigeria wanted a new electoral law, they were opposed to the President signing the Electoral Bill in its present form. The multimedia news organisation reliably gathered that APC governors had met with President Buhari behind closed doors in Abuja and made strong recommendations asking Mr President not to sign the new Electoral Act. According to the governors, all major political parties, especially the PDP, are averse to his signing it.

The governors, according to information reaching Prime Business Africa, cited the provision for direct primaries as the major issue. They argued that compelling the political parties to conduct direct primaries would create further rancour within the APC, a concern they told the President their PDP counterparts also shared. The APC governors also told President Buhari that the cost of conducting direct primaries across all political parties at local government, state and federal levels, would be too cumbersome for the Nigerian economy to shoulder in its present state, an idea which was said to have caught Mr President’s attention, making him refer the matter to INEC for advice.

INEC Chairman, Professor Mahmood Yakubu, Prime Business Africa gathered, subsequently confirmed to the President that compelling all political parties to conduct direct primaries would cost more than N480 billion.

INEC had quietly told the President that toeing the path of direct primaries for the two major political parties (APC and PDP) alone would amount to holding two national elections in Nigeria with the attendants costs for logistics, security and provision for infrastructure, especially as the electoral umpire would have to be present and supervise to ratify all processes.

President Buhari then referred the matter to AGF Abubakar Malami who, after legal consultations, returned with a confirmation that he might not have to sign the Electoral Act in its current state.

Impeccable sources close to the process told Prime Business Africa that the President withheld assent to the new ‘Electoral Act’ based  on Malami’s advice and that of the INEC, which looked at the huge costs involved.

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SUNDAY IGBOHO & NNAMDI KANU’S TRAVAIL: YORUBA LEADERS NEED TO LEARN FROM THE IGBOS

By. Pelumi Olajengbesi Esq.

Too often in socio-political conversations, claims of the Igbo man's disunity is held as a badgering totem to rationalize the ‘how and why’ of the entire tribe receiving the short end of the political stick in the chequered history of this country. From suffering through the civil war pogrom to targeted discrimination in the eco-political and federal setup of Nigeria which has stemmed and fed a visibly growing dissatisfaction with the idea of Nigeria in the Land of the Rising Sun. The Igbos have been fingered as the victims of their own lack of cohesion as a single bargaining force in the acquisition and application of power to the benefit of their people- a popular opinion which, however, was only last week dispatched by the show of communal and tribal loyalty to one of their own, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu who has been in the swirling storm of President Buhari’s government’s spite and apprehension.

Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, the Most Supreme Leader of the rudely proscribed self-determination group IPOB, has been a reluctant guest of the DSS and his controversies and battles courted the attention and compassion of some of the most senior and respected elders of his tribe who rallied before Mr. President to make representations on his behalf to seek an amicable resolution of the trial of one they describe as ‘our son'. The visit which was led by a First Republican Parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, underscores the calculated compassion of the Igbos to one of their own even at the risk of opprobrium and scorn in federal circles. They could truly be no better show of tribal love, unity and commitment which puts paid to insinuations of Igbo disunity.

As a Yoruba man, the irony isn't lost on me. As opposed to the wrongfully held conclusions on Igbo unity, the Yoruba ethnic group are touted as one bound by a rich cultural heritage that has forged a communal bond that eschews strife and neglect of selves and fellow tribesmen. While the first part is indisputably true, the latter part which envinces a claim of unity has been tested and found wanting in the regrettable contrivances of the federal government against a proud son of the land which has gone without strong comments or purposeful action by the leaders of Yoruba Land. I speak with no hesitation about Chief Sunday Igboho whose ordeal parallels that of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu in original intent, blackmail and oppression by the powers that be. Unlike the latter whose kinsmen and kiths have rallied around in an unequivocal display of affection and compassion, Chief Sunday Igboho and his associates continue to be hounded like orphans without roots and bearing.

With all due respect to the elders and leaders of the Yoruba tribe and without an iota of spite, the Yoruba Leaders have failed Chief Sunday Igboho and his aides. Those on whom the Yorubas have pled fealty as Leaders, Kings, Kingmakers and Bearers of the Authority of the Tribe have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to the sufferings and agony of Chief Sunday Igboho whose seeming offence is seeking a better lot for his people. While there may be hesitation with his audacity, vigour, personality, there is no questioning the integrity of his intentions.

Therefore, and as a matter of urgency, Yoruba Leaders must urgently borrow a leaf from Igbo Leaders by approaching President Buhari to secure the liberty of Chief Sunday Igboho and that of all his associates from the contrived charges against them. The hounding of Chief Sunday Igboho and his aides is a needless discrimination with political undertones that serves no true unifying purpose for the Yorubas or Nigeria as a whole. In fact, at a time when disaffection with the status quo has led on to tears in the fabric of our unity, it would be self-defeating of the Buhari-led government to reply legitimate queries of the state of the nation with antagonism and badly hidden spite.

This is a defining moment not just in the history of Nigeria but in that of the yorubas, too. The Igbo Leaders have shown the world how it is done for a lack of precedent, the Yorubas must now go and learn from the east. I mean prominent Yoruba sons and daughters with a voice and a platform, I refer further to religious, cultural and political leaders who have the ears of Mr. President and on whom is vested the trust and expectations of Leadership. It is a time for action and not banter, words of reconciliation and not finger pointing. It is, indeed, a time for communal pride and ancestry to overwhelm the differences that have driven a wedge amongst our people.

Pelumi Olajengbesi is a Legal Practitioner and the Managing Partner at Law Corridor.
Lawcorridor@gmail.com

PlayMaker14:
PENDU will always be PENDU... I remember when the King of San Marino, Lithuania, Andorra, and Luxembourg removed the countries arm band and slammed it on the floor like hot Amala because he couldn't control his emotions.... Some of his brainless fans defended him online....


Now, look at him talking to his father's agemate as if he is talking to one of his numerous Spanish side chick because he wasn't giving a Penalty and couldn't get a chance to score his favorite Tap-ins and run to the corner flag to jump like a monkey that wants to fornicate.

When we talk, some of his oloriburuku fans will say he is being patriotic.

Choose your GOAT wisely.

How can i love this over and over again.....

BeardedMeat:
Tomakint is this a love story?

Damn!

anyone you call am.....

Difrent:
Refinery is almost complete....dont you think this discussion is rather coming late..... billions of dollars already sunk in the project. Besides all these are questions that would have been asked and EIA obtained before commencement of project. To me , no cause for Alarm

The topic is about the long term effects of what the people staying around that area stands to gain or lose.....weighing the antecedents of foreign oil companies that follows standard yet still leaving tales of woes in the mouths of their host communities how much more the damaging effects of an indigenous one. To tackle your observation about the EIA, you may wanna check this out;

Lekki dredging: Dangote refinery, LFTZ didn’t adhere to standard EIA – Rep

December 22, 2020 Joshua Egbodo

A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Adebayo Balogun, has accused the Dangote Refinery and another firm; Lekki Port LFTZ Enterprises of failing to adopt standard and effective Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), before commencing sea dredging in the Ibeju Lekki area of Lagos State.

He said because of that, the activities of the companies have created challenging environmental degradation hampering the economic activities of the natives, whose main source of livelihood is fishing.

“The way we handle our EIA is not good enough. If the EIA carried out by the two companies was okay, the effect we are seeing now must have been foreseen. There is no way there wouldn’t be accident, but what is happening now, is what they can handle if the right thing was done, and if they have handled it well, it wouldn’t have come to the House. It is part of the responsibilities of government to ensure that people do the right thing,” the lawmaker stated.

Balogun who had initially indicated, and penned down a motion on the matter, to be presented before the House during Monday’s special plenary of the House but was not offered the opportunity told journalists that if the environmental damage continue unabated, the residents may be forced to revolt, saying the area was already badly affected by the #EndSARS protests.

Describing the Ibeju Lekki local government as the fastest growing economic hub of Nigeria due largely to the establishment of the Lekki Free Trade Zone, Lekki Deep Sea Port and the siting of Dangote Refinery and Dangote Greenfield Port and Quays, the lawmaker noted that the companies were expected to have designed modalities for the mitigation of the environmental damage.

“Dangote Group and Lekki Port LFTZ have engaged in unprecedented dredging of the sea causing unquantifiable erosion of the seashore leading to destruction of building and fishing equipment and also making fishing almost impossible. This wanton dredging of the ocean has distorted the coastal ecosystem leading to massive loss of land, destruction of access roads and trees of economic value.

“Communities like Tiye, Idotun, Idasho, Okunraye, Lekki, Oshoroko and environs are seriously under threat of extinction if nothing is urgently done,” he said, explaining that he had intended to secure a resolution of the House for its Committee on Environment to visit the area for an on-the-spot assessment, and report back its findings within four weeks.

https://www.blueprint.ng/lekki-dredging-dangote-refinery-lftz-didnt-adhere-to-standard-eia-rep/

The Sad News And Stark Realities Of Dangote's Refinery Bad Impacts To An Area Enjoying Peaceful Co-Habitation With The Ocean.

You might have heard of Sir Kitoye Ajasa— the first Nigerian to be knighted by the British and also one of the 6 Nigerians that participated in the formal process that led to the amalgamation of Nigeria.

But you might not have heard of Sir Kitoye Ajasa's daughter, Lady Oyinkan Ajasa and her unbelievable love story.

In the 1920s while working as a music teacher at the Anglican Girls' Seminary, Lady Oyinkan met a lawyer named Mr Moronfolu Abayomi. She loved him so much and they married in 1923.

Two months later, what Lady Oyinkan and the love of her life didn't planned for, happened. Barrister Moronfolu Abayomi was shot and he bled to death. The Barrister defended an insurance company against a Lagos elite called Duro Delphonso.

Delphonso lost the case. While being led out of the Tinubu Court House to begin his jail term, Delphonso shot Barrister Moronfolu and then turned the gun on himself.

Devasted by the turn of event, Lady Kofo vowed never to marry anyone again. But her resolve would be broken by a man who came and showed a love greater than the one she had for her late husband.

In 1929, Dr. Kofo John (the first private practitioner to be elected president of the Nigerian Medical Association) approached Lady Oyinkan and asked for her hand in marriage.

Thinking she can send him away by asking for something impossible for a man of his status to do, she asked him to change his name to the name of her late husband.

And in an unbelievable end of story, he agreed, married her in 1930, and changed his name to Dr Kofo Abayomi. This was how the famous Dr Kofo Abayomi got the "Abayomi" in his name.

In this picture, Lady Oyinkan is seen arriving at an event with Dr Kofo Abayomi—her new husband who loves her just as much as she loved her late husband.
#apotheosisofknowledgefacts via Karolyna

Going By The Antecedents Of Oil Refineries In The Areas Of Air & Water Pollution, Oil Spillage, Violence, Land And Environmental Degradation, Flora And Fauna Destruction, As Witnessed From Foreign Oil Companies And Refineries Cited In The South-south Part Of Nigeria, Do You Consider Lagos A Better Place For Dangote's Refinery Factoring In The Longterm Effects Of This Indigenous Refinery To Its Environs?

Brilliant Discussions And Contributions Only.....

amzee:
I couldnt see her past but i know that her FUTURE still stands.

If you know you know

You are surely one of the gods.....

2021 Ballon D’Or Winner Already Confirmed – Player Has Been Informed

James Hilsum


Published 16:22, 05 November 2021 GMT
| Last updated 17:10, 05 November 2021 GMT

Lionel Messi has reportedly already been confirmed as the 2021 Ballon d'Or winner, and the man himself is aware of the news.

RTP Sports announced that Messi will receive the famous Golden Ball at this year's ceremony in Paris on 29th November - a record-extending seventh award for the Argentine.

The 34-year-old has done the customary interview with France Football magazine, pipping the likes of long-term rival Cristiano Ronaldo, Erling Haaland and Robert Lewandowski to arguably the most prestigious individual prize in world football.

This latest Golden Ball moves Messi two ahead of Ronaldo's tally of five, and four ahead of Michel Platini, Johan Cruyff and Marco van Basten, who have won the award three times each.

The forecast award for Messi means that his and Ronaldo's dominance of the Golden Ball will continue for a while longer at least, with Luka Modric the only other player to receive the accolade in the last 12 years - excluding 2020, when the prize was not awarded due to the pandemic.

PA: Lionel Messi celebrates winning the Copa America
The Argentine enjoyed another stellar year after leading his country to a Copa America triumph - his first international title, and was La Liga's top scorer for Barcelona last season with 30 goals.

He made a shock move to Paris Saint Germain in the summer after "financial and structural obstacles" meant that he could not sign a new deal with Barcelona.

Messi is still waiting to score his first Ligue 1 goal for PSG, but has found the net 3 times in 3 Champions League appearances this season.

He scored a fine individual strike against Manchester City and followed this up with a brace in a 3-2 win over RB Leipzig.

Mauricio Pochettino's men are back in action on Saturday when they face Bordeaux, hoping to build on their eight-point lead at the top of the Ligue 1 table.

https://www.sportbible.com/football/news-2021-ballon-dor-winner-already-confirmed-player-has-been-informed-20211105

Live from PDP Convention - Abuja

Ambassador Arapaja - 706 and still counting

Prince Oyinlola - 705

Arapaja just floored Oyinlola for the post of Deputy National Chairman (South)......from what I am seeing, Bode George camp are winning as Chief Doherty had been schemed out already for the position of Deputy National Secretary when he suddenly stepped down for Arc Setonji Koshoedo meaning, the badly conducted Wards Congress in Lagos will be revisited.

Toks2008:
Creating this thread has been on my mind for a long time but for some reasons I kept shelving it but after coming across a thread on front page about a 41 year old single lady asking for advise I think it is about time I drop this.

Now what you are about to read is for ladies who are still single in their late 30s and I will make it as simple and as real as possible...

You will never come across the advise I'm about to give you from pastors or many relationship experts but as many people already know me, I keep it as real as possible.

1. Understand that not everybody will get married:

Marriage is not a do or die thing... Marriage does not define who you are and you must never be bothered by what people say cos most of them are Clueless about the institution of marriage. Those who truly understand will never look down on you because you are single. Your happiness is more important than marriage.

2. Be financially independent: Any single lady in her late 30s should never make it a priority to get married cos the more you worry about it the more pressure you put on yourself and this is bad for your psych.

At this stage of your life, self actualization is what you need and trust me, by the time you make it a priority to get the best out of life, this will inadvertently gravitate men to you.

Before I give this third advise let me share this very touching story...

I remember a certain lady who contacted me about 6years ago and she said she has made up her mind to be a single mum if she turns 36 and she is still unmarried and asking me to be ready to donate sperm for her cos she sees me as a responsible guy... Furthermore, she will not put any pressure on me to be financially responsible for the child as she is well to do but she just want to have a child to avoid a situation where she will reach menopause and still childless.

Unfortunately she left this world before she could make this happen... So What is the point?

3. GET A SPERM DONOR TO BEAT EARLY MENOPAUSE.

The paramount purpose of a lady is not necessarily marriage but to multiply, bring forth new generations and replenish the earth. The good thing is that with the modern medical advancement, any lady can achieve this without getting married.

Believe it or not, it is better to get a sperm donor and be a single mum than getting married under pressure to a jerk who will make life hell for you.

If you are a lady still single in your late 30s please get a man to donate sperm for you. You don't have to sleep with him and he needs not be financially responsible for the child but just for you to point to somebody in future as the child's father. This will let you relax to get a better choice of a husband.

4. A man who will love you will love you.

Some may say once they are single mums, guys will run from them and YES I agree but this will also attract real men who understand that single motherhood is not a taboo but Infact a proof that a lady is fertile, a proof that she is responsible enough to keep a baby even when they had the choice to abort.. No genuine man will reject a lady cos she is a single mum especially if the child(ren) is her first.

5. And lastly as suggested by Pocohantas in the comment below... If you are open to polygamy, give it a shot.

According to her, as a lady gets older in Nigeria, it gets harder to see a never-been-married man with noble intentions. So if you don’t mind polygamy, if you just want to have your kids by one man, find one polygamous man and have all your kids with him.

All I wrote, this is an opinionated advise but any lady in this position could still decide to wait until she finds a husband but she must understand that whilst she is waiting, her time is ticking and menopause will definitely come regardless.

I hope this makes sense.

Hard facts

Jochabed:
What kind of question is this? He was invited to the US for a program, his host lodged him in the Trump Towers, what under the heavens is wrong with that? If you as an individual strive to have a better life so as to have the good things of life, what's wrong with pastor's having the good things of life? Mind you Jesus Christ our savior said and I qoute " I became poor so that you might be rich" Stop all this unnecessary sentiment.

I love you....

Nomorelove:
Every person involved in the killing of innocent protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate will die miserably

Amen in Jesus Name including their supporters too and those saying no protesters were shot at

ogododo:
Make our Presido sign. Next na e-voting.

God bless you bro

Adminisher:
Nigeria is not breaking up. The problem you guys have is looking at the Nigerian construct as a Nation. It is not and has never been. It is an artificial construct of many nations and empires. And you know the funny thing?. There is nothing wrong with the design of it in any way. The operation of it requires some improvement and more importantly a more rigorous way of weeding out the inferior, corrupt and clueless who always rise up to lead the country but f that is done things will be okay and you will begin to realise that is is actually a sophisticated creation and is better than many on going and successful countries.

Trying to break Nigeria up is going to cause more wahala than good. Many people sound intelligent and very smart when they talk about Nigeria breaking up then become really dumb when they get quantitative about it.
"Nigeria will break into North and South" for instance indicates that is a Christian talking and he is putting on religious blinkers. Who told them the Itsekiri wants to share a nation with Ijaw or most south south tribes want to be with Igbos?. "Nigeria should break up into North, East and West" is an Ibo Man speaking out his frustrations about being denied leadership of the collective entity. "Nigeria should break up into ethnic nationalities with full resource fontrol" is an Ijaw man speaking out his frustrations about subsidizing a tribe that has resourced the leadership f the country since independence without allowing other nationalities who produce the wealth access to same.

The most acceptable to me is the Ijaw man's view but it should not be a breakup but a renegotiation of federal statutes whereby all regions control their resources 100% and pay an INTEGRATION TAX, DEFENCE & SECIURITUY TAX, ARBITRATION TAX and LITTORAL DEFENCE & ADMINISTRATION TAX.
All efforts should be made to continue the undeclared inter regional competition that used to exist before independence so that the entire country grow really fast.

Untidy breakup of Nigeria will lead to 're- colonization and it won't be the queen this time, it will be global corporations buying people and their resources and managing them from board rooms in Europe, US and China. Half of those working for the breakup of this country are being pushed by these evil corporations, even those who call themselves ijaw freedom fighters but don't have an investment in Nigeria.

Another true but very painful fact, there is no winner or loser. The south easterner looking for revenge against the north is deceiving himself and the south westerners still angry about June 12 can continue on the path of self destruction. The past is very dead and should remain so.

You enjoy deceiving yourself and the reason I don't know

Gandollar:
I remember you always honestly. Now that you have come out, it could be another year before you show face again. Stay well bro!

With your likes and other cerebral forumites gone sabbatical i have no choice than to hibernate too but to come out once in a while.