Time is racing and very soon, the nation will come face to face with another tinderbox: who is better placed to represent them as presidential material. In the past, choosing a candidate has always been as problematic as the process has often left not a few breathless. If not hijacked by “money bags” or party “big wigs” other forces with immense potentials have always been known to step in and produce aspirants with stained backgrounds. That’s how past exercises have thrown up Lilliputians with controversial and questionable statistics. Much later their dismal performance in office ends up spinning yet another of Pandora’s boxes. It is, therefore, envisioned that to avoid the pitfalls of the past, three years is not too far to begin the scout for men with impressive records who will certainly not disappoint; at this time of the digital ages, the country cannot afford to lag behind in terms of development and technology. Just as people all over the worl...
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Prof. Omololu of University of Lagos A strongly worded message has been sent to Prof. Omololu Soyombo, that his status as an “acting vice-chancellor” cannot hold water. The message was delivered when he tried to address some section of the union and workers in the university on Wednesday, at the university senate building. Prof. Omololu sought to warm his way into their hearts by promising to address some salient welfare needs and improve learning conditions in the lecture theatres. But the Secretary-General of the Defenders for Transparency and Human Rights Group (DTHRG), Barr. Iyare Natama maintained that Prof. Oluwatoyin Ogundipe remains the bonafide Vice-Chancellor of the University and nothing unless due process can change that. “We should be ready to resist impunity by those who feel they are above the law”, he stated. “Prof. Ogundipe cannot be clandestinely removed from office and people are sitting by and just watching; this is sheer injustice and should be resisted...
The bizarre removal of Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe from his position as the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos has continued to garner more support as both the Northern Rights Civil Group and Civil Society of Nigeria has added their voice calling for his immediate reinstatement. Both organisations spoke through their presidents Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed and Chief Vincent Egenti. They warned of grave consequences if the impasse is not resolved immediately. In separate press statements and interviews, they described the removal as both unconstitutional and disastrous; in particular,they said the action was as infantile and undemocratic. They insisted that the process adopted was as abusive as it was utterly retrogressive and a negation of the rule of law. They dismissed as puerile the allegations that Professor Ogundipe was guilty of gross misconduct, financial recklessness and abuse of office. “That’s cheap blackmail”, riled Alhaji Ibrahim Muhammed. “Professo...
Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, until the recent controversy, has received an unexpected support from the national leadership of the Coalition for South South Professionals of Nigeria (CSSPN). Addressing a press conference on Monday, August 17, in Abuja, the Group Leader Dr Cornelius Izuagbe called on well-meaning Nigerians to prevail on the Wale Babalakin led Governing Council to allow Professor Ogundipe return to work and if nothing else seek redress in the law courts. Dr Izuagbe faulted the grounds for his removal calling it an act of “rascality”. “This is an ivory tower with an age-long set of rules and order; there is no reason for the hurry to remove a properly appointed Vice-Chancellor. “From all indications, the mere allegation of flouting some contract procedure cannot be enough reason for such drastic action”, he remarked. “If somebody is accused of fraudulent practices, there are procedures and processes; you set up a joint com...
The Independent Corrupt Practice and Other Related Matters Offences Commission (ICPC) were set as an anti-corruption agency to rein in persons involved in suspected shady deals and sharp practices. But in recent times as investigations have revealed The commission appears to have derailed as it is fast losing that tag as an anti-corruption agency. Preliminary investigations have unearthed some sharp practices of illegal detentions on spurious charges, unauthorized raid and sealing of victims houses and unwarranted blockages of victim’s accounts. “This bad practice must be discontinued” declared Mr Rafiu Ibrahim, Secretary-General of Association for Good Governance and Transparency (AFGT). Throwing more light on the sad development, the Secretary-General wondered why the ICPC would detain without charges any suspected Nigerian for upwards of two weeks without proceeding to court, while systematically extorting various sums of money from the detained Nigerian. The Secretary-Ge...
By now, Obaseki should know that he is not facing a democrat. This should be clearly spelt out; he is facing a well-known determined and self-made aristocrat (some call it tyrant) who is unrestrained by law; his major goal is to usurp the authority of legitimate rulers like Obaseki, using oppressive and cruel means. They see the act of governance more as racketeering rather than a channel to provide amenities. In doing so, they subject the people to misery, victims of their selfish and unjust desires. so those goading comrade Adams Oshiomole on, in this macabre dance, must know that he is only after his own interest—not theirs; that is why he is so ruthless about the mission—lying openly with vile intentions, peddling falsehood and leaving a trail of carnage; to say the least, this style is absurd, crazy, seeing a former national chairman, two-time governor of a State and Labour leader become so rascally not minding his reputation before the youths. Ironically, we can...
Let’s quickly take two powerful scriptures. “Isaiah 42 v 7 “ to open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from prison and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house ”. Praise the Lord. The second scripture is taken from Isaiah 4 v 13 “ Therefore my people are gone into captivity because they have no knowledge and their honourable men are famished and their multitude dried up with thirst ”. Praise the Lord, amen. Brethren, we are speaking on the topic “ God is still on the throne ”! These scriptural examples are clear evidence that knowledge is essential in the progress and development of man. In the course of life, there are mysteries unexplained that leave you confused but certainly not God. Thus, it is possible to be in bondage—prison-- yet walk free aimlessly in the streets. That’s why it is possible to have a certificate but no work; that’s why it is possible to be married but without a child. Brethren, when you are blind and sit in darkness, you may be the most ...
It is now very clear that by the end of September 19, Obaseki’s reform agenda will carry the day for the PDP: Edo people have settled for reforms rather than be sold to the merciless smear campaign being mounted by the vicious ex-APC chair Comrade Adams Oshiomole. His calculation was that the electioneering campaign was going to be a battle of wits which would have given him an upper hand by his “magical” command of English. To his dismay, Edo people are not to be easily sold; they now know that his so-called oratory prowess is nothing but a sham designed to hoodwink them and distract their attention. Comrade Adams failed the very day he knelt down to tell Edo people that he sold a bad product to them in 2016. This is a 65 or so years old man —a supposed grandfather—who hardly knows there is a time to quit; what is the purpose of being called a leader when all you have to offer is your myopic and opportunistic agenda? By simple calculation, the Benin people will compl...
“The poisonous messages being reeled by Comrade Adam Oshiomole to justify the APC governor ship candidate is like a plague from hell”, admits Olorogun Peter Abu, the Secretary-General of South-South Journalists Forum (SSJF) Abuja Chapter. He was speaking to newsmen on Sallah eve in Abuja, on the lack of morality and integrity surrounding the September 19, Edo State governorship elections. “The first casualty is a dearth of visionary leadership in Nigeria”, he began. “The second is that Oshiomole himself is a barrier to civilization”, he stressed. According to him, it is appalling watching and listening to his naked lies painting black white and red-green, meaning that the Edo State governorship elections are already bereft of principles and ideology”. Olorogun is sad that upon the stark reality that the APC governorship candidate has a standing fraud and court case, people still troop out to listen to him. “That is the sad development in our political arena” he stated. “Adams Oshiomole...
Obviously, the ominous silence from members of the Nigeria Labour Union is becoming worrisome. It is as though they are suddenly gone AWOL looking the other way while Rome burns. As of the moment, the lame-duck leadership cannot even offer the simplest of opposition despite the bloodletting and widespread corruption ravaging the nation. The popular notion out there in the streets is that a vibrant Labour could have struck fear into the hearts of evil perpetrators, but that is not the case; With the majority of Nigerians increasingly becoming cowed or intimidated, the road has been cleared for the executive arm of government to run riot, borrowing huge sums of money with nothing to show for it. Who is there to bail Nigerians out? That remains to be seen. Unlike in the past, leaders of the Union would have issued strongly worded threats not to deter but at least to let probable offenders know that there are checks and balances.. Not any more. Their conspiratorial stance amounts to a betr...
It is becoming evident by the day that the impending September 19 governorship elections is not likely to be a round table event; from the unfolding drama, it is more likely to be of a heavyweight boxing contest or better still a box office wrestling bout. This regrettable stance is obvious judging from the introduction of the underworld elements; “ you do not expect a snail to attend a meeting called by animals with horns ”, that is the problem; Obaseki, erroneously thought to be a greenhorn who was brought up to come “ chop food ” according to Oshiomole now wants to prove he was the one that cooked the food in the first place. To them, that is sacrilege; so, obviously enraged, the real owners of the food, according to Oshiomole, are now out with their fangs to devour him—that’s how predators reason. The only language they understand is violence. Obaseki may have escaped from their lethal grip when he took refuge in PDP. If you have ever come across a wild animal befo...
Yesterday, June 25 at the Ogbe stadium in Benin City, the capital of Edo State, a tornado swept through the awakened city with capital rejection of godfatherism; the magnificent Edo State people overwhelmingly sealed the fate of whatever remains of that spirit and laid to rest the ghost. In a unanimous fashion delegates devastatingly exercised their inalienable rights by speaking with one voice: Obaseki is our man. And in the process saying a big “yes” to democracy! The Ogbe Stadium extravaganza was preceded by an inexplicable tug-of-war between a termagant godfather and a reticent godson. The godfather—generally known as the bully from Iyahmo—a man blessed with so much despite obvious educational handicap but severely drenched in temperamental and hard to please toga resorted to stretching his much vaunted reputation too far by undermining practicable reforms; he wanted Obaseki—a performing governor out of the way at all cost—decapitated. Why not? They did it in L...
Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, FCA, immediate past governor of Lagos State has expressed sadness over the loss of the former governor of Oyo State to the cold hands of death at the early hours of today. Ajimobi passed aged 70 after battling Covid-19 complications at a private hospital in Lagos. Visibly touched, Ambode described Ajimobi as an icon who meant more than a brother and a colleague to him. “This is a great loss to me; I can easily recall so many fond memories we shared together as governors of our respective States and I saw him as an elder brother always”. Speaking further, Ambode described the late Ajimobi as very witty, always willing to provide his honest and candid opinion on issues. “His political sagacity was one I admired from afar and I am glad to have shared many memorable moments with him”, he disclosed. Reflecting back, Ambode further revealed that Ajimobi’s eight years as governor was remarkable and that his giant strides across the length and breadth of Oyo State wil...
Having been endorsed by the NEC meeting of the APC, the coast is clear for Pastor Osaze Ize Iyamu to confront Obaseki at the September 2020 governorship polls. Unlike before, it is now incumbency factor versus possible Federal might. But there is a character problem. The candidacy of the Benin based Political Pastor is already embroiled in confusion. His linen has been severely stained by no less a person than his new found godfather comrade Adams Oshiomole. Now to have such a candidate recycled by the same godfather may just be too bitter a pill to swallow. Added to that is the fact that the Benis are in mortal combat to smash the ugly spirit of godfatherism they now regard as deadly poison. For that reason, a resurgence of the Kwara Oto’-ge’ fame appears to sweep the environment with demonstrations everywhere. Then again Iyamu’s betrayal of the PDP cause by ditching the party just for personal motive is not taken kindly; they regard that act as much treacherous as...
This is a time for sober reflection—not a time to rejoice. We read of retributions in history books and journals but hardly ever come to grasp the import. Today at the National headquarters of the APC a very powerful event held without the presence of two of their most revered echelons. It was like a dream, though forewarned. One of the personalities exhibited great characteristics—a leader by all standards. He had spent huge recourses building people and generally bridges across the nation. He has style, panache and was tactical; the other lacks decorum and extremely combative and obdurate. Never mind if they forgot that Nigeria was in democracy, because the methods they applied to remove or install protégés was anything but democratic. At the height of their reign they wielded so much power—and influence. They were courted by hundreds of office seeking fellows because they had the ears of the president. With the enormous powers acquired, they ought to help the ruling APC eliminate wh...
Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief today, as President Muhammadu Buhari turned up at the APC secretariat and did what had in the last two years been unthinkable—restored sanity and pride. Before now, the atmosphere had been riotous, divisive and set on flames. The administrative structure had been hijacked by some lycanthropic individuals who fancied themselves as demi-gods; their style of administration was no less kakistocractic and many trembled at the fierceness of their negative decisions visiting prospective politicians alike -whether paperweight or heavyweight with searing pains and trauma. You need not be an enemy, but once you are perceived to be a remote threat, then expect the most fiendish attack to amputate whatever shred of reputation you had. Ambode in Lagos was as impressive as he was superlative; his aura was exemplary but at the end, they struck; a sledge hammer was applied to halt his rising popularity—though temporarily. Bukola Saraki—you all know ...
The PDP is a large and refined political party that nurtures real democracy. But the party’s fortunes nosedived in the years and months leading to the 2015 General Elections when the leaders began practicing politics of imposition/ exclusion for themselves and their cronies. It was routine then to see the same set of people occupying sensitive positions again and again. A close check would reveal they were either nephews, in-laws, cousins or stooges. Now that PDP is coming alive again with injection of lively actors the same mistake must not be made. Browsing through the various election committees set up would further reveal starkly the repetition of specific names. The young generations have come of age. The PDP should spread out. Uche Secondus and Col. Akubundu should take note—especially now that the renegades have decamped. They must not forget the slippery banana peel. It lurks in the corners—waiting to pounce again.
A photo of the quartet of former governor lucky Igbinedion, Rtd. Hon. Phillip Shaibu and governor Godwin Obaseki had emerged in a national daily recently with Lucky Igbinedion being touted as the new godfather of the PDP. The rider caught our attention and therefore considered it necessary--as they say—to put the records straight. Recall that in those days, the prominent power brokers in the PDP were the late Chief Tony Anenih, Late Alhaji Inu Umoru, the late Samuel Ogbemudia and of course Sir Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion. Others included the Tom Ikimi’s, late Bruno Oshiokpekhai and naturally Senator Victor Oyofo. Chief Raymond Dokpesi is not really a strong party man—he is more of the media where he is strongest. Then their words were law; there was no opposition and elections were settled long before appearance on the field. Leadership had meaning. If there was any crisis, party officials trooped to Uromi where it was resolved. And those aggrieved, when pacified, were certa...
The crisis rocking the All Progressive Congress party is worrisome—at least to the ordinary Nigerian. And the situation has become chaotic since the forced departure of Godwin Obaseki from their fold. Now despite the myriad of court cases; the gale of suspensions; the inability to address vacant official positions; the flurry of lopsided appointments, and not least the forced defections, the APC is now but a shadow of its former self. The once powerful and awesome behemoth has vanished and Nigerians are now perhaps staring at the carcase. The APC lacks leadership, no vision and apparently is disjointed and a comity of different warlords. There seems to be no binding laws or agreement in place; this may explain the botched succession plans unfolding. Now, we ask the vital question: where are the likes of Malam Nasir El-Rufai, Godswill Akpabio, Rotimi Amaechi and of the course the repressive generalissimo Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu? The APC can’t be marred in crisis wit...
Back then in the secondary school, it was usually with trepidation that we—as children –looked towards taking the oath of office as the final seal of authority—and responsibility. The sanctity was unmistakable. After taking the oath, you are looked upon in awe and everyone under the authority of your responsibility is assured of justice, fairness and equity. The swearing of the oath of office confers on you the status of God’s own representative in your area of operation. You are the symbol of truth, honesty and integrity. You are not expected to deviate from the expected standards —not even your religious and ethnic belief is allowed to sway your decisions. Nigeria operates a federalism system and for this reason the framers of the constitution had taken cognisance of the divergent tribes and indigenes around. So they came up with Federal character principal as double check against possible slant. All through the military regimes faith was kept with this practice in terms of appoi...
The state-wide frenzy of huge celebration now going on in Edo State has been pinned down largely to the deliberate injustice meted out to former governor of Lagos State Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode who was uncharactistically denied his second term ambition by the sinister and philistine attitude of the now disgraced comrade Adams Oshiomole. Then, Mr. Ambode had performed beyond expectations, like Obaseki; he had met the yearnings and aspiration of the people of Lagos State; but then, through conspiracy masterminded by the same abrasive Comrade Adams Oshiomole whose destructive era as national chairman saw to the loss of seven other APC States to PDP conspired with forces within the State to rob Ambode of his mandate. Though the people cried foul, but they were powerless because of the relentless grip of the self-acclaimed monologue godfather and the deployment of federal machinery. Oshiomole saw himself as Pharaoh; he pandered to the dictates of his shadowy godfather and rubbi...
The Ambode camp has refuted any linkage with the now vacant Lagos East Senatorial ticket describing the news making the rounds as falsehood and fake. An insider source who prefers to remain annonymous has formerly dismissed the association as laughable and the figment of mischief makers imagination. According to the insider source who pleaded annonymity because he is not authorized to speak to the press, the former governor nurses no such plan nor desire whatsoever towards running as a senator let alone replacing anybody. The source added that having served Lagos State meritoriously for four years as governor with his landmark projects dotting the Lagos infrastructural landscape, Ambode has chosen to remain in the background to serve humanity.
At last, speculations have turned to reality as H.E. Godwin Obaseki along with his entire supporters has joined the People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria. The news was made public following series of official consultations with party big wigs. This move—a PDP gain and obviously APC lose is the direct result of Oshiomole’s inexplicable rift with his home State governor-regardless of the endless plea for him to soft pedal. Oshiomole even ended up coming on the network television to describe Obaseki as “good riddance to bad rubbish”—an extremely childish and condemnable action! This repressive stance notwithstanding, Oshiomole’s supporters where still hopeful insisting that the supreme court will reinstate their “chairman”; that again has been truncated as the supreme court has thrown away his suit seeking for a reversal; Pastor Ize Iyamu himself—the candidate Oshiomole imported to unseat Obaseki—has had his fortune nosedived with a N700 million fraud case hanging on his neck and about...
The battle for the soul of the All Progressive Congress Party ahead of the 2023 Presidential elections has begun in earnest with controversial Adams Oshiomole sheepishly becoming the first casualty. His self-contrived fall from grace is just a drop in the ocean of the bigger battles that lies ahead. Thus what you see playing out now is just a dress rehearsal as to who is well positioned to pull the strings and ultimately bag the presidency. If the cabal behind Victor Giadom gains upper hand, then the political bigwig from the south west region believed to be gunning for the presidency will definitely be outwitted—and played out. Oshiomole ignorantly played into their hands by his foolish and childish gambit to disqualify Obaseki. The cabal merely took advantage of the sudden opportunity placed on their laps by Oshiomole’s needless war with Obaseki—to strike. They knew that Oshiomole was a formidable stronghold for the chieftain; so they waited, calculating. Now they ha...