₦airaland Forum

In Burundi, especially in the eyes of those loyal to the corrupt leadership, what happened recently in Burundi was an election. But in Nigeria, it is called "Baranda", a possible Hausa word for fraud!
Not sure of the origin of that word, to be honest.
Like fires in harmattan, there is an unfortunate spread of impunity across the continent of Africa. One that borders on stealing anything, without shame. It is as worrying, as it is unfortunate.
Like present day "men of gods", claiming my God called them, modern day politicians cannot afford to wait for the people to invite them to service, they call themselves!
Elections are just formality to legalize a fraud of seizing power without the consent of the people. It is all about a desire to appropriate what belongs to the nation to her enthroned leaders. They come first, and the people become secondary.
Nothing to do about programmes, visions or legacies, it is about moving up to the elite group of "Execu-thieves"! Once they get there, they stay there till death do them part. Have you ever thought why the National Assemblies, especially the Senate are populated by ex-Governors? They cannot afford to be too far away from the corridors of power, as it offers vantage point to keep watch over their loots!
This is the reason behind all the fraudulent elections or selections rocking the boat of the peace of the two chambers. They need to be privvy to discussions about fighting corruption, the necessary sacrifices needed, and the first ram to be slaughtered, in appeasing the anti-Corruptiongod! Like a case of murdering sleep, and having to face the rigours of a lenghty night vigil. And the night will wear on for longer!
Back to the Baranda in Burundi, the madness of a third term by the self-styled rogue President amounted to impunity. It was one over the PDP-led ousted leadership of the past 16 years. The Burundi experience demonstrated the bastardisation of the security apparatus at will.
The fear of a possible spread of violence did not deter the man from orchestrating his third term madness, even when the people felt his leadership is past its sell by date. The loss of innocent lives will serve as living memorial to his empty conscience.
My worries are not so much about the manner of the robbery, but so much so about the futility of acquiring a gadget you cannot put to good use.
Many of those who seized power, rather than contest for it, cannot fathom of a way to use the power they forcefully and roguishly seized. That was because their mission differed from the peoples' mission. The people expected service, but the rogue leadership returned dis-service, in looting the state treasury silly!
One would have expected a self-imposed leader (the peoples votes don't count anyway), after two terms to step aside and allow fresher brains and hands to tend the services of his nation. But the truth is the fear of the unknown, the likelihood of the incoming leader, breaching the oath of allegiance of never venturing to examine the books of predecessors, remain their greatest headache. This is the reason they take it upon themselves, foisting deadwoods on their nation.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo did this twice, once as exiting military Head of State, installing gentleman and weakling Alhaj Shehu Shagari. He did the same thing offering a combination of ailing Late Yar'Adua and clueless Goodluck Jonathan in one swoop! That was a great disservice to a nation you call your own.
Chief Olusegun Obasanjo could not have claimed he loved Nigeria, visiting injustice and wickedness on his nation twice, indifferent to the implications. He wanted a trusted hand and eyes to watch over his crafty corruption assembly line! He may claim to have clean hands, but he knew those who could not be trusted with our tills and tolerated them because they were loyal.
Nigeria went through the Baranda experience that the people of Burundi are forcefully getting married to now, for at least the last 16 years we can easily recall. But my fear is whether they can survive like Nigeria did, travelling on low fuel, at the speed their imposed messiah is travelling.
Nigeria survived because the oil wells kept vomiting crude to exchange for the money to loot, but can the Burundians boast of such shock absorber? If the option of merger is mooted, in years to come, with her African neighbours, it will be because the rogue leader has completed the task of running his country a ground!
It is only in underdeveloped economies that an individual will insist on ruling even when the people preferred otherwise. Why must an individual insist it has to be him or her or no one else? If it is about coming to serve the people, why not respect the decision of the people in choosing whom they want to lead them? Definitely, the do-or-die attitude is because they have a mission, different to the ones they are disclosing.

babadee1:
If PMB is serious about his anti-corruption agenda then he will never pick Wale Edun for anything. It's just as simple as that. The man has a very murky history of corruption.

please tell me alittle about the history! Ahhhh Wale edun all the way......

I think Asiwaju Tinubu should look beyond some of these people. Going by their recent unpalatable record of activities in some S/W States where they worked as Consultants. There is a egg head somewhere in Oyo State, Zach Adelabu, the immediate past Finance Commissioner for Oyo State, among others in the S/W, who, unfortunately may not have the necessary connections.

Mr President Ministerial List : Mr Wale Edun for Minister Of Finance or Minister For Trade and investment ! !!!! ( 1 or 2)
I followed Mr Wale Eduns progress as the Commissioner of Finance during the Bola TINUBU Governorship days in Lagos and I was amazed at how he was able to navigate the States Finance during the days when the Local Government Funds where withheld ! As a businessman/ Politician I also heard from business associates on how he had handled the affairs of the Ministry during his service to the state ! I am of the opinion that his service will be better utilised at the Federal level as a Minister 1or 2 in the Ministry of Finance or the Ministry of Trade and Investment ! Please share and comment !!!!!

olatunji21:
He's young and energetic but at d same time a Father Christmas, he spends money with reckless abandon...That said, if opinion of the people @d moment is anything to go by then i believe his chances of been the next governor is very very high...

I ADMIRED HIS OMOLUABINISM......

Femolacaster:
Seyi is still young, he can still rule Oyo state later. After all, Ajimobi didnt win the first time he contested(2011).

No controversy, Makinde is an ideal man!
His rightful place is not the party where only one man is the fortune of the platform. His focus should not only be limited to becoming the governor but afterward becoming a reckoned with National figure.
Makinde needs a party that has national spread. This is what what will shoot him to the global political scene where he belongs.

My advise for the young man is to learn to be a follower.A good follower will surely be a good leader in the future.Lam Adesina followed Awo for so long before his turn came.Ladoja has been a follower before his opportunity came.Ajimobis father followed Bola Ige for so long and prayed for his sons turn one day as told by late chief Dejo Raimi, Ajimobi himself carefully followed until his turn came.There is no Abuja in politics.I sincerely advice Seyi to support a party where he will take time to follow the elders and one day his turn too will come.I wish him well.

Following his dismal performance in the last governorship election in Oyo State, what does the future hold politically for the flag bearer of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the contest, Mr. Seyi Makinde? JEREMIAH OKE looks at the journey so far for the young electrical engineer.
AFTER his failed bid to govern Oyo State, what next for the governorship candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the last general elections, Mr. Seyi Makinde? He finished fifth, behind Governor Abiola Ajimobi, former Governor Rashidi Ladoja of Accord Party, former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala of the Labour Party and Senator Teslim Folarin of People Democratic Party (PDP).
In spite of his enthusiasm, this is not the first time the maverick, young electrical engineer would fail to make impact at the polls. He has suffered many political setbacks under the current dispensation. In 2007, he contested the Oyo South Senatorial seat under the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), but lost the seat to the PDP candidate, Senator Kamorudeen Adedibu. In 2011, Makinde, who had defected to the then ruling party in the state earlier, participated in the primary for the Senate. But, he did not receive the nomination form from his party. In 2014, police raided his offices, which led to the arrest of several members of his campaign team. Makinde decried such arrest and described it as intimidation tactics against his election run. In 2015, he moved to the SDP, following his inability to clinch the governorship ticket of the PDP.
With his passion to help the poor and the needy in society, observers believe Makinde, would have done better politically if he had started from the grassroots. When he entered politics in 2007, he sought to go to the Senate, on the platform of the defunct ANPP. Similarly, he was contested for the senatorial ticket of the PDP in 2011. In spite of his unsuccessful bid for the Senate, he joined the race to govern the state during the last general elections.
From all indications, the accomplished electrical engineer is a political neophyte; considering how politics is practiced in Nigeria, especially in the PDP – the party through which he originally sought to govern the state. He has not been consistent with one political platform. He has also been overly ambitious; if he had started from the House of Representatives, in a bigger political platform, his political career would have blossomed.
A political scientist and Special Assistant to Governor Abiola Ajimobi, Dr. Gbade Ojo, said Makinde can only achieve his dream if he belongs to the right party. He said: “Platform is a big issue in Nigerian politics. Whatever Makinde wants to do, he should start from identifying with a party that has the structure and credibility to win elections. Secondly, he has to remain consistent, by resisting the temptation to jump from one party to the other.
“He has to start now and position himself, because permutation starts in the next one and half years. No matter how good you are, if you belong to the wrong party, you cannot win election in Nigeria. But, even if you don’t have experience in Nigeria and you belong to the right party, you will win election. So, the first hurdle for him is to identify the right party and become an active member. “
Similarly, spokesman of the Labour Party in Oyo, Mr. Oludare Ogunlana, urged Makinde to have a base and be consistent where he belongs. He said: “Makinde is a popular candidate. He has the potentials of even becoming the president of Nigeria. All he needs to do is to have a base and remain consistent. He is a young man and he should be more focused in youth development. Makinde is representing our generation.
“Belonging to a credible political platform is very important for any ambitious politician. So, he should work on his platform. Going by his performance in the last election, Makinde was able to deliver his ward, unlike Folarin who messed up his ticket. If Makinde had accepted his senatorial ticket, he could have won and that would have prepared him for his governorship ambition. Makinde is young, exposed, and vibrant. If he could move to a credible party; he is a future governor.
“Makinde should also mend fences with some of his senior political colleagues. If you want to win election in Ogbomoso, for instance, you must not fight with somebody like the former governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala.”
A senior lecturer at the Department of Mass Communication, the Polytechnic, Ibadan, Oyo State, who pleaded for anonymity said out of the five factors that contribute to electoral victory, as far as the governorship election is concerned, Makinde has four in his disposal. He therefore urged him to work on the remaining one. The journalism teacher and political analyst argued that if Makinde returns to the PDP, he cannot achieve his dream of becoming governor in the nearest future.

My FELLOW NL, when you want to pray, just pray for grace of God not power......if it isn't grace of God, no way former governor would lure 5 seating governors.

Again Late Ojukwu said it all..durin his campaign at ASPANDA Trade Fair Complex in 2003 dat they are yet to learn frm their mistakes due to f billions of investments they had in Lagos advisin dat such shuld b channeled home like u said..wen I knew we d igbos were in for massive marginalizationwas wen Every Imolites..Rich or poor contributed every penny to d construction of Imo Airport while other Airports in some states which were not viable Imo was done by d FG

You know what, I'm amazed each time I hear the passion with which our people complain about governance issues in Lagos, PH and Abuja; but ALWAYS silent about Little or NO governance and ultra-corruption in Igboland.
That is what drives my anti-Biafra sentiments. If we can't tell ourselves the truth while in Nigeria, I'm sure the foundation upon which "Biafra" of 2015 stands is fraud, lies and impossiblity. No to Biafra of any kind. Yes to Igboland. Yes to accountable governance everywhere.

MY VERY LAST WORD ON THIS BIAFRA THING
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Orji Kalu
Chimaroke Nnamani
Achike Udenwa
Sam Egwu
Chinweoke Mbadinuju
Chris Ngige
Martin Elechi
Sullivan Chime
Peter Obi
Ikedi Ohakim
Theodore Orji
..............
These men have at one time or other, presided over the affairs of the states that make up Igboland.
We still have our brothers in Rivers, Delta but I want to look at these ones.
What were their landmark achievements as governors of their states and as leaders of Igbo people for 16 years?
You see, I am of the strong opinion that had these men done their bits, only very few of us will be looking at the centre for democratic dividends.
Igbo land is blessed. In Abia and Nnewi, we have manufacturing hubs that can make practically anything and employ hundreds of thousands.
In Onitsha, we have a commercial city where people from all over West and Central Africa cone to buy.
Was it ever possible for these governors to have come together to set agenda for the building of a south east Nigeria divided by geographical boundaries but strongly united by an economic soul?
TA Orji enjoys the reputation of the governor that supervised the dethronement of Aba as a thriving centre of business.
Incidentally, Nnamdi Kanu is from that state but not for once has anyone heard him bleat about this very well known era of misrule.
My belief is that with the monies our states have received over the years, we do not have any reason to complain of poor development.
I believe that these governors had capacity to rebuild all the federal roads in the region and by so doing enable commerce.
Imagine what will be the lot of the farmer in Abakaliki, Ezza, Uzo Uwani, Osomala, Aguleri, Omasi, etc if these men had come together to informally integrate the region with collaborative policy supports to take advantage of the immense potentials all over the region.
What I think we should do now is to sustain pressure on the guys in charge now and steer them into responsible, collaborative governance that will usher a new era of development.
Even if the central government shortchanges us, there is no reason for us to shortchange ourselves.
When we refrain from pointing fingers towards Abuja and concentrate on making our governors accountable, we set the tone for better, faster, more strategically relevant governance where the comparative advantages of the states in the region are harnessed for the collective benefit of the region.
When we move in this way, even the federal government, suspicious of our "self-contained" success stories will find it worthwhile to do what would please us.
Cap in hand, we get crumbs
Grumble, we betray our lack of strength
But by looking inwards and doing it on our own, we find the strength to move further, faster.
IT'S THE BIAFRA CONSCIOUSNESS.

It all started the moment people began to work as Pastors because there is a need to fill their Stomachs or simply put,their stomach called them.Any genuinely called Man of God will always follow the leading of the Spirit and will neva fall permanently into error.Many are called but "few"are choosing.

A walk in the town during the hours of sunday service will shock you.the rate at which churches spring up everyday is amazing.yet unrighteousnessis prevailing in the land.see christian girls and their nude attire to church and boys sagging stuff you will easily conclude that d church has become a social gathering.of couurse thats true.pastors etc has changed their messages/topics,they don't want their flocks to be offended.they want fat envelops at the detriment of d perishing souls who ought to repent.

NCP:
Nice, may he live long enough to impart his fatherly wisdom.

amen ooooooooooo

topsyking:
thats d difference btw yoruba and other tribes ;you cant compare us with them; we are the pace setter

hahahaha you correct!

That is why d Ebora Owu is different. He's an intellectual. Not only past presidents shld write memoir bt all individuals who are regarded as public figures. In d developed countries, almost everyone that has distinguished themselves in their respective fields hav 1 or 2 books to their credit e.g Artists, Musicians, Footballers, Politicians, Captains of Industries etc. I have a book titled: MOON WALK by d late Michael Jackson. I've read other books by Wayne Rooney, 50cent & Ebenezer Obey. I'm waiting for d time we'll have memoirs from d likes of Sunny Ade, Kollington, Baba Sala, Kunle Afolayan, Dangote, Rashed Ladoja, Austin Okocha etc.

OLUSEGUN OBASANJO will rank shoulder high among Nigeria's former leaders who have authored books. He has to his credit:
* My Command (his own account of the Civil War. )
* Not My Will (an account of how he took over govt in 1976 and handed over in 1979).
* Several publications of the African Leadership Series.
* This Animal Called Man which is a reflection on who a human being is.
* Olusegun Obasanjo in the Eyes of Time - a sort of biography authored by Dr Shuaib Adinoyi-Ojo
* My Watch - an account of his days as the 2nd Executive President of Nigeria
* Nzeogwu (his own account of who Major Chukwuma K Nzeogwu who led the first coup in 1966 was.
Alhaji Shagari, Pres Buhari, Gen Babangida, Gen Abdulsalami, Gen Gowon have not put their experiences down in books. I'm aware that years ago Prof Isawa Elaigwu wrote something for Gowon but Baba Gowon needs to write his memoirs.
Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu died and a whole library of what transpired during the civil war has died with him.
May this not happen to the living ones.

God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The regular Buhari is a vendetta man. Thats not strange, coming from him. CHANGE!

THE PRESIDENT GOOFED
Yes, the president goofed. There's no other way to describe that thoughtless categorization of 95% vs 5%. I know a lot of people have spoken against it. Rightly so! But for me, it's matter of conscience. If I condemned unequivocally Mr. Jonathan's thoughtless "vote for me so that I can develop your state", then it behooves on me to condemn Mr. Buhari's "I cannot treat those who did not vote for me same way I would treat those who massively voted for me". That's NO DEMOCRACY! I know the president tried to 'clean up' the mess he created for himself in the concluding part of his response, but the damage has already been done. It was a self-contradiction which he said he didn't want to appear as doing.
Nobody or group of people should be punished for the electoral choices made in an election. It's enough 'punishment' that their candidate lost. The good people of NW and SW should receive no preferential treatments when it comes to sharing the so-called democracy dividends more than the good people of SE and SS. That they thought Jonathan, for whatever reason, was better than Buhari during the elections, even now, does NOT make them less qualify for government patronage.
Mr. President, kindly purge yourself of that mindset. YOU THE PRESIDENT OF ALL NIGERIANS.

chris4gold:
smelling PDP here

When accountability and openness, veritable hallmarks of democracy, have become stifled by the cult-like posturing of our leaders, then you leave room wide open for stories like this to gain ground.
I mean, even my President promised to declare his assests openly but what happened when the time came? He baulked!
Umoru Yar'Adua did not give that promise but, he did make it open when he declared.
What is the big deal in declaring your assets?
Enikan kii dake yan epa afoju; ninu ki o maa sufe, tabi maa korin!
Lack of openness will make things like this to continue.

Could this be true?
FBI REVEALS 16 OF THE RICHEST POLITICIANS IN NIGERIA AND THEIR
WORTH IN USA BOTH IN CASH AND PROPERTY
-I heard;
This list is according to Geometric progression in looting
NAME ------------BANK------------- AMOUNT
1. Rochas. JP Morgan chase/ new York. 1.4 billion $
2. Kwankwaso. American express/new york 1.15 billion $
3. Shettima. Wells Fargo/ sans Francisco. 1.1 billion $
4. Nyako. Citi group/ New York city. 805 million $
5. Ibrahim. Citi group/ New York city. 798 million $
7. Amaechi. US Bancorp/ Minnesota. 757 million $
8. Abdulaziz. Ally financial/ Detroit. 626 million $
9. Oshiomole BB&T/ North Carolina. 625 million $
10. Aregbesola. Citi group/ new York. 513 million $
11. Almakura. State street corporation 510 million $
12. Wamaidco. Wells Fargo/ San Francisco. 476 million $
13. Fashola. Citi group/ New York 448 million $
14. Amosun Bank of America. 442 million $
15. Ahmed. US Bancorp. 437 million $
16. Ajimobi. Ally financial. 422 million $
The following politicians could not be captured because of their several foreign
bank accounts in the US which are yet to be investigated.
Obasanjo, Tinubu, Atiku, Sylvia, IBB, Jega, Maina, Oransanye, Lamido, Talba,
Alamyeisegha, Adamu Muazu etc.
Link..... Watch Ammampour live on CNN by 7:30pm on Friday for the
breakdown.
Could this be true?
NB: I'm going to monitor 'Amanpour' on CNN at 7:30pm
Tonite as he said.

marshalcarter:
But the jona is doin lyk mumu naa

I totally disagree with you. For the former, the idle mind is the devil's workshop, he is stupendously rich and no longer needs his Otta farm to survive, therefore he must have a preoccupation and the soft target is the Otuoke turncoat. For the latter, he is the generalissimo of political thugs,hired killers, okada riders and motor park touts, he did not come to govern but to inflict vengeance and vendetta, so the Aremu of Otta fits the bill for his brickbats and innuendos for now. So let the firework continue!

let us leave all of them alone to tear each other to shreds.
They have the people to pay back on the sufferings inflicted on the people.
E je kan ma a funrawon logun je. Ori mekunnu lo n mu gbogbo won!
Eni ba je gbi, e je ko ku gbi!

Olusegun Obasanjo, PLS LEAVE GOODLUCK JONATHAN ALONE. He has his PRIVATE LIFE to live and maybe the new government to contend with. Baba, quit hitting a man who is down. It's NOT a UFC duel.
Ayodele Fayose, PLS LEAVE OLUSEGUN OBASANJO ALONE. He has the upcoming Halliburton probe to contend with. And you, yourself, have a state to govern. Concentrate on providing quality leadership to those who hired you. Haranguing OBJ is not one of your job description.

DaBullIT:
Boko Haram is being tackled , all you wailers, stop crying

That said ,

Corruption is the major problem , If its tackled , Nigeria will be a better place

Maybe they misinterpreted prosecution for persecution sir. If you're accused of a crime, you should be able to prove yourself guilty or innocent.

Mprepz:
We're talking boko haram this man is talking corruption
Wetin dey work ds man brain

O t'oju su mi ooo.Honestly we are bunch of jokers..

The Niger Delta militants are now crying their own, Goodluck Jonathan, has been lined up for prosecution over graft and stealing with impunity, because President Buhari hates the Ijaws!
What an unforgivable sin by these ignoramus!
They are incapable of identifying their enemies, even in daylight!

YOU DO THE CRIME, YOU SHOULD SERVE THE TIME
Their 'alibi' hardly make sense........totally unrelated to the allegations they are required to address or prove their innocence. They often leave one wondering what part of planet they inhabit. They often leave one wondering what really is the problem with us.
They often leave one wondering if they thought we're all stupid. And sadly cheerleaders are never in short supply for them to recruit to 'parrot' their 'plea': PERSECUTION. More often than not, the cheerleaders 'recruit' themselves based of their affiliation to other causes.
Can you imagine a Sambo Dasuki ranting 'persecution' with this dumb statement: "Buhari’s govt. after me despite how I helped them to power"? Yes, very DUMB! And he has the temerity to refuse compliance with a lawfully served warrant.
Can you imagine a Sule Lamido alleging persecution because he supported Jonathan? This is the same guy that the allegation of his kids malfeasance has been public record prior to the election. And their foot-soldiers, this time mainly from SE, have taken to the airwaves and SM to allege it was all because of Jonathan.....
Did the duo of Farouk Lawani and FFK not allege persecution?
What kind country is this? What kind of people are we? Sorry, I didn't hear persecution when jailed former Illinois Governor was nabbed attempting to collect bribe to fill Obama's Senate seat. I didn't hear persecution when powerful Tom Delay, former Republican House Leader violated campaign fund rule. I didn't hear persecution when House Democrat 'star' Jesse Jackson son Jonathan was stealing campaign money. I can go on and on.....Here, the mantra is 'you do the crime, you serve the time'.

7 Years After: This Is The Authentic Story Of How Lamidi Adedibu Died – Widow, Alhaja Bose, Who Also Reveals Why She Asked Doctors To Screen Him For HIV
Though Molete, a very lively part of Ibadan is not devoid of the usual hustle and bustle it has been known for over the past five decades, one thing is sure, the Strongman of Ibadan Politics, High Chief Lamidi Ariyibi Akanji Adedibu is sorely missed.
An irrefutable evidence of Baba Adedibu’s absence is the almost non-existent human and vehicular traffic right from the junction of his sprawling compound. Till he breathed his last in June 2010, one didn’t need to ask for description to Baba Adedibu’s house, all that was required was to follow the crowd from the junction. His influence, political and otherwise was simply overpowering. He belonged to the most exclusive club of Ibadan politicians, coming after the likes of the legendary Adegoke Adelabu Penkelemeesi , Chief Augustus Meredith Adisa Akinloye and the awe-inspiring Alhaji Busari Eruobodo Adelakun.
Things have, however, changed. Driving to the compound of the man that was instrumental to the emergence of three Governors of Oyo State and the “removal” of one, you will be confronted with locked gates, which was unheard of in Baba Adedibu’s lifetime.
Entering the compound, a look straight ahead, and one would see the vast compound on which an empty hall conspicuously stands. That was the hall where the fates of many politicians were decided. There, Baba held court for decades, hosting politicians, from Presidents to Councilors.
To get a feel of what life looks like without High Chief Adedibu, Parrot Xtra Publisher, OLAYINKA AGBOOLA, REMI AJAYI, WOLE ADEJUMO and KUNLE GAZALI were in Molete to interview Baba’s widow and Yeyeluwa of Ibadanland, Alhaja Modinat Abosede Adedibu.
Apart from reliving some memories of the late politicians (especially how he actually died), she told a story of neglect, especially how most of those who benefitted from Adedibu’s political dexterity have turned their backs on the family as well as how her husband was able to secure Bashorun Abiola’s bail while he was detained and why the bail was eventually rejected by the latter. Excerpts:
You have not been active in politics like you used to be, is it because of your husband’s death that you decided to join the ‘siddon look’ politicians?
I am still active. Remember we had an election not long ago and PDP lost. When things happen like that, you just have to lie low and think of the next step and the next line of action.
You had a senatorial ambition some years ago, are you still nursing that ambition?
No, I have forgotten about it. You know my husband was alive then, and with his intervention and that of so many other people, I decided to shelve it. And remember my son in-law was there then and I was sure he had the ambition of going back so I thought about it and felt if he says he wants to go again, I wouldn’t have an option than to support him.
How have you been coping since Baba passed on?
I don’t know why you journalists always ask that type of question (laughs). Baba Adedibu was my husband, he was my father but he isn’t my creator. Almighty Allah is my creator, so with God’s support, I am coping. Alhamdulillah.
One thing people would want to know is your relationship with your step-children, what is it like?
We have a very cordial relationship or have you read anything contrary in the papers? At least you journalists have a way of knowing things, so have you seen anything about my stepchildren and I in the newspapers? That is to tell you that we have a cordial relationship. An adage says ahon at’enu maa ja(even the tongue and the teeth quarrel at times) but aside that, we have a cordial relationship.
The public conception is that many of Baba’s followers have deserted the family. Do you feel disappointed?
I feel disappointed but why I will not say I feel disappointed is one with God is majority. For those who know that Baba Adedibu has helped them, they phone me but they are very few. Maybe 90% no longer come here; neither do they contact the family. Even the closest of them who Baba described with the words eyi ni ayanfe omo mi eni ti inu mi dun si gidigidi (this is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased), he no longer asks after anybody.
If I continue to think about that, I will feel offended by so many people and I don’t want to feel offended because Baba Adedibu came to this world, lived a very good life, he conquered, even his enemies would pray to die the way he did. And look at his name now;I am sure you journalists must have really felt his absence.
In Baba’s lifetime, it was not as if they really loved him, but because they wanted to take something from him. I usually say this during interviews like this, look at our mama, Mama (HID) Awolowo, people are still going there, I am as young as mama’s grandchildren. I said it during an interview with Nigerian Tribune.

It is all Good! But as a Governor of the people big or small Ayo needs to be more diplomatic in his dealings and utterances! It doesn't show weakness in anyway. Always remember that some of the so called Big people also played their part in getting you to the point where the so called common people of Ekiti were able to vote you back as Governor! Good luck as you govern the people of Ekiti State!

Even if Tinubu is made INEC boss, APC can’t win Ekiti again —Fayose
The governor of Ekiti State, Mr Peter Ayodele Fayose, in this exclusive interview, bares his mind on a number of national issues. Deputy Editor, SAM NWAOKO, brings excerpts.
SIR, how do you see being a governor under President Muhammadu Buhari?
Elections have come and gone and, as I always say, President Muhammadu Buhari is the president of Nigeria, not by his own grace or by my own grace but by God’s grace. If I tell you that I wanted Buhari as president, I am a liar. I wanted Jonathan but God has given it to Buhari and so, we all have to submit to the will of God, the will of Allah, because He gives power to whosoever He willeth. So, I have congratulated Buhari; I wish him success and a good tenure. However, that does not remove the fact that if he is not doing it rightly we will not state our mind. It is a free society; there is no almighty governor; there is no almighty president. We are all governed by civility and by the constitution. It was in those days that somebody would just wake up and sack a state’s House of Assembly and start fumbling, like it was in the days of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo. Such things can’t happen again. So, we are moving forward to civility in Nigeria. We are moving forward to constitutionality and obeying the rule of law. The fact that Buhari became the president, nothing has changed, because he is going to govern Nigeria; Ekiti is just a unit of the country and Ekiti is a federating unit. We have our autonomy; he can’t come and govern my state. Everything that is federally connected, he has right to it but in my state, I am the chief executive. That is why they call me “Executive Governor”. If he wants to assist Ekiti people, it is not about Ayo Fayose. And I’m sure President Buhari is a man that will not want to dwell on pettiness or operate by it because Governor Fayose did not support him. When Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was in power, the All Progressives Congress (APC) members, who were in the opposition, operated peacefully in their states. Jonathan did not say they should come to Ekiti and remove Kayode Fayemi from here. It is a system in which the people dictate who they want.
And that brings me to the fact that Ekiti is gone for good from the hands of APC. Even if Senator Bola Tinubu [the leader of APC] becomes the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman, they will lose in Ekiti, because they are not on the ground here. The kind of politics I play is that wherein I tie myself to the people, not the people tying themselves to me. If you look at the processes of the botched impeachment, what happened aftermath, was a defence put up by the people, not even me. We, however, thank God. It was the Lord’s doing.
Buhari is the president, by God’s grace. We wish him well. But I must also state without mincing words that I don’t curry favours that I don’t need. I represent my people and my duty is to make sure that I cooperate with the Federal Government. When you say Federal Government, Buhari is the face. When you say Ekiti government, I am the face. We will cooperate, collaborate and work with the Federal Government and it will not end up as personal issues between the president and Fayose. That will mean pettiness. Buhari too needs opposition; the country needs a virile opposition for the system to survive. The people said PDP was not doing it well, they voted us out. Okay. PDP was not doing well, let us see what APC has to offer. But for me, they have not started well. This pace is too slow and they are playing to the gallery too much.
But the APC has been saying that President Buhari is performing well.
Do you expect them to say that he is not performing well? You want them to say he is not performing when Boko Haram has virtually taken over the country now? Apart from other issues like the North/South dichotomy, religious sentiments and change in itself, one of the key reasons, in terms of policy and in terms of needs, why Nigerians voted for President Buhari is security. They want to be secure. Everybody was shouting “bring back our girls”, the APC was shouting that Jonathan had no capacity and that the moment Buhari comes in, within 30 days, Boko Haram will be inside the River Niger. Rather, Boko Haram is now spreading their tentacles and growing in confidence. Both opposition and the government must stay together to fight insurgency, but I need to remind them that they were the people politicising this thing. So, it has come to the fore. But it is a different ball game now: