Let me start by saying that I am not an indigene of Ekiti State but Oluwafunmilola, my beloved wife, is from the famous Awosusi family in Aramoko-Ekiti, which, by the by, is only a stone’s throw from Ijebu-Jesa, my Native Nazareth in Osun State. So, apart from being a stakeholder in the Ekiti project, so keen has my interest has been in the ‘Fountain of Knowledge’ that I authored a touching tribute, ‘Funmi Olayinka: Yes, I knew her’, to Olufunmilayo Adunni Olayinka, the late Deputy Governor of the State, who died on April 6, 2013. That said, there are basic…
Author: Adewale A.
Mutatis mutandis, politics is not the same as repudiating the ethics of public administration. To say that the executive governor of a state has the right or power to stop the payment of workers’ salary – what they earn legitimately – is, to say the least, an evolution throwback! That the society could not be bothered, due to political reasons or factors, is also a tragedy! The Governor of Osun, Ademola Adeleke, has done the unprecedented by withholding the November 2022 salary and allowances of public servants (political appointees) in the state. Not only that, he has also refused to…
Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, says insinuations that the Rivers APC has been fragmented into factions as is being peddled in a section of the media is not wholly true. Recall that one Tony Okocha, a known political jobber and self-styled Coordinator, South-South, of Bola Tinubu Vanguard, one of the social media support groups whose existence was inconsequential to the emergence of Tinubu as President-elect, has been parading himself as leader of the Rivers APC with the careless claim that he…
The tension around the call for an interim government is that the presidential election petition may not conclude before the inauguration of a new president on May 29, 2023. But it’s very possible to conclude these petitions, provided that the court systems are very proactive. Under Arbitration matters, procedural orders and or directions issue peremptorily to resolve sometimes very complex jurisdictional and procedural issues. The Presidential Election tribunals are urged to adapt the procedures very familiar with the speedy conclusion of Arbitration matters. I Set out three issues in the Presidential Election Petitions that are resolvable by application of procedural…
We read with amusement the rejoinder of the Director of Babajide Owodunni Campaign Group, Mr Owolabi Sosanya, to our position that it was totally wrong for INEC to issue a certificate of return to Jide Owodunni and that it was absurd and criminal for Jide Owodunni to receive a certificate that he doesn’t have the right, in its least form, to collect. Mr Sosanya, in the rejoinder, told us that Babajide Owodunni is the authentic candidate and as such it was for INEC to have issued the Certificate of Return to Jide Owodunni. Mr Sosanya in a deceptive manner claimed…
It has become expedient to allay the fears of the good people of Ikenne State Constituency who displayed uncommon courage in the face of destructive and disruptive tendencies of APC – enabled thugs by massively voting for our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and our candidate, Dr Sulaimon Badmus Adeniye, SB during the last state constituency election which was held on Saturday, March 18, 2023. In all honesty, the party owes it a duty to inform the general public and in particular, the good people and our teeming supporters in Ikenne Local Government, especially in the face of…
Former National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze says it is not appropriate for the Chief Whip of the Nigerian Senate, Oji Uzo Kalu, to wake up and begin to arrogate to himself the sole right to head the leadership of the 10th Senate which would be inaugurated in a few months. In a statement made available to media houses in Port Harcourt, Eze urged the former Abia Governor whose State has just broken a long record of hostage by godfathers and cabals who have…
BudgIT, a leading public data organization raising active citizens’ participation in nation-building and government-citizen communication for good governance and accountability, has urged the National Population Commission to publish the breakdown for the N896 billion 2023 National Population Census budget. Recall that earlier in March, the Minister of State for Budget and National Planning, Clem Agba, had said a total of N869 billion ($1.88 billion) would be required for the exercise. This figure includes post-census activities. According to him, N626 billion ($1.36 billion) will be used for the census at $6 per citizen, and N243 billion ($527 million) will be used…
Civic Hive, committed to the principles of open data and governance, citizens’ participation, and data transparency, has released an assessment of INEC’s preparedness and conduct of the 2023 Nigeria General Elections. Elections are pivotal to our democracy. Not only do they promote participation in governance, but they are also a prerequisite for sustaining democratic institutions. With over seven general elections held in Nigeria since 1999 and given our size, population, and human capital, it is abysmal and heart-wrenching to see how badly elections are continually conducted in a country posing as the “Giant of Africa.” Not only is our electoral…
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) cannot in non-compliance with 24(2),(3),(4) and (5) of the Electoral Act, 2022 declare or return a winner in the Ogun State Gubernatorial Election. Clearly, the total number of registered voters in the “cancelled” areas is substantial to the slim margin between Prince Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Hon. Ladi Adebutu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). INEC should declare the election inconclusive and order a rerun at affected polling units at an early date. By section 24(3), the determinant factor of “substantial disruption” is a question of fact which shall…
The Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has petitioned Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over election malpractices and wrongful declaration of a winner in the just concluded governorship election of March 18th, 2023 in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate. The petition was raised against the deliberate disenfranchisement of a large number of voters in some local government areas of the state. The Party’s State Secretary, Dr Sunday Solarin has raised the following two issues in the petition letter to INEC: You will recall that the Commission is aware of the level of thuggery planned and orchestrated by…
President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has advised the incoming 10th National Assembly to maintain a bi-partisan approach that prioritises the national interest amid its deliberations. According to him, any approach to the contrary would thwart every attempt by the incoming parliament to achieve stability in governance and maintain a harmonious relationship with the executive that benefits the Nigerian people. Lawan gave the advice, on Tuesday, during a farewell visit by the outgoing British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Catriona Laing, to his office at the National Assembly, Abuja. Lawan, in his welcome address said, “I must take this opportunity to…
There was no Lagos state in 1960. What we had was Lagos Federal Capital (former Lagos Colony). That is the problem when leaders deliberately muddle things up for the young ones. Lagos Capital of 1960 was Isale Eko, Victorial Island, Ikoyi and part of Apapa. Ketu, Ojota, Somolu, Bariga, Yaba, Isolo, Ikeja, Alimosho, Ipaja, Ikorodu, Epe, Lekki, Ajah, Badagary, Mushin, Agege were all in Western Region. Lagos State was only created in 1967. And let me tell you the callous intention of what Gowon did in creating Lagos State. Chief Obafemi Awolowo created industrial estates in Ikeja, Isolo, Iganmu, Ilupeju and…
The President-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has written an open letter to Chief Bode George. Please read the piece below and share your comments: Tinubu’s Open Letter to Chief Bode George 15 March 2023 Dear Chief Bode George, It is with genuine purpose and a peaceful intent that I write you this letter. I do so because the time has not yet come for you to proceed to political self-exile. It will not be a thing of happiness for me that my emergence as President-elect will herald your departure from public life in Lagos…
Elections in Nigeria are usually loaded with a lavish display of artful stratagem, social artifice and deceitful cunning tactfully contrived by opposing interests to outwit opponents. Politicians deploy every means within human reach to suppress, intimidate and cage opponents to broaden their path to a smooth ride to power. This bad politics is prevalent in Rivers State at the moment. “…It is a memory most inglorious and a mockery of nationhood to learn that a man who is alleged to have, in connivance with others misappropriated over N400 billion public fund is now wrapped in a cocoon of Perpetual Injunction…
It is estimated that about 92 million of the over 200 million people, that make up the entire population of Nigeria have no access to electricity. Where access to electricity is available, a full day of uninterrupted supply is not guaranteed. Despite the abundance of natural energy sources, Nigeria faces significant electricity supply challenges stifling industrial growth, limiting commercial ventures’ expansion and profitability, and the well-being of people. Presently, the primary energy sources are gas and hydroelectricity. Although the country is diversifying to renewables, progress is extremely slow. This article makes the case for investments in Nigeria’s renewable energy. Why…
It’s amusing and again annoying what some privileged persons are doing to worsen the image of Nigeria. It is no longer the “job men” but a group of unrepentant demons who pose as earthly principalities and powers just to finish whatever is remaining as our unity, peace and progress. How do we reconcile the fact that the BVAS machines approved by law for accreditation of voters as well as the collation and transmission of results from the polling units to the central Server of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) will have to be reconfigured or reset before the Governorship…
It is reported that veteran singer and producer Yolyboy has poisoned himself to death. Yolyboy was found death in his studio by his girlfriend few hours after the winner of the 2023 presidential election was announced. According to her, he once jokingly said that he will commit suicide if Tinubu wins the 2023 election but she didn’t take it serious. The incident was confirmed following the letter found beside him which says “I don tire for Naija problems I don leave una with all una problems I came in peace to this world and I leave in peace No cry…
Concerned about the gross manipulation that greeted results of Saturday’s Presidential and National Assembly election in Rivers State, erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has called on Rivers people across political divides to remain calm and prepare to speak in one voice on the March 11 Governorship election as they did at the presidential polls. In a statement made available to media houses in Port Harcourt, Eze commended the courage and determination with which the people responded at the presidential polls and…
The Oodua People’s Congress (OPC) has sent a congratulatory message to Nigeria’s President-Elect, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to justify his election by delivering the dividends of democracy to all the people. Noting that Tinubu’s victory would bring some measure of pride to those who made sacrifices in the struggle for the June 12, OPC, through a statement by its President, Otunba Wasiu Afolabi, recalled that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate was in the trenches with its Late Founder and President, Dr. Frederick Fasehun. Afolabi, President of the socio-cultural organisation, said in the statement: “OPC congratulates Asiwaju Bola…