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June 12 Anniversary: – Yoruba Global Council Decries Nationwide Killings, Calls For Peace Ahead Of 2023 General Polls

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The Yoruba Global Council (YGC), a foremost and prestigious Yoruba Diaspora-based socio-cultural organization, was established to advance the course and interest of the Yoruba nation through the promotion of unity, mutual trust, trade liberalization, co-existence and interactions with other ethnic nationalities in Nigeria and the Diaspora. We are also committed to deepening democracy by fostering the ethos, values and healthy practices of representative government in the South West and Nigeria in general.

Given the plethora of security challenges plaguing the polity, YGC observes this year’s June 12 anniversary amidst sober reflection, apprehension and sheer discontent. Today makes it twenty-nine years of that momentous event in which the popular will of the Nigerian people was brutally subverted by the military junta led by General Ibrahim Babangida. It would be vividly recalled that on June 12, 1993, majority of the Nigerian electorate headed for their respective polling units to exercise their franchise in line with their conscience.

Unlike what transpires today, hardly was any voter influenced or induced with money before exercising his or her civic duty on that historic day. The process led to the election of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) Presidential candidate, late Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (popularly known as MKO). The emergence of MKO as the winner of that election widely adjudged as the freest, fairest and most credible poll ever conducted in the political history of Nigeria signaled hope and prospect for many Nigerians whose lives had been enmeshed in abject poverty, unemployment and illiteracy orchestrated by the prolonged military hegemony.

But to the dismay and utter chagrin of many discerning Nigerians and even international observers, the election was annulled. The backlash that trailed that iniquitous decision by the Babangida led military regime and the gloom unleashed on Nigerians by the Abacha junta (that toppled the Shonekan led Interim National Government) remains history for the consumption of the present generation of youth and posterity.

However, the coordinated agitation for dismemberment from the Nigerian state and the quest for the creation of Oodua Republic by the eminent Yoruba leaders and civil rights activists under the auspices of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) and other pro-democratic groups on account of the gross injustice meted on Chief MKO Abiola, an illustrious son of the Yoruba nation heralded a new dawn in the political history of Nigeria. In a bid to douse the growing tension, the Northern oligarchy, represented by General Abdulsalami Abubakar, midwifed the Fourth Republic in 1999 by conducting a national poll which produced Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, another Yoruba son and a fellow Egba man like late MKO Abiola as the first president of the present republic. Ostensibly, this was done in order to appease or pacify the aggrieved Yoruba nation. Hence, June 12 remains a national watershed that is closely connected with the birth of the Fourth Republic and the democratic dispensation that the country is practicing today. But would we call Nigeria’s political system a real and truly democratic system?

READ  June 12: True federalism the solution to Nigeria’s challenges, says Akeredolu

Democracy, all over the world, especially in leading democratic milieus, is operationally synonymous with socio-economic growth, progress and development. Abraham Lincoln could not have made a mistake when he defined democracy as a government of the people, by the people and for the people. It is basically a system hinged on people-orientedness, people-centeredness and cannot functionally succeed without the participation of the masses (electorate). The practice of civil rule or democracy is precipitated on the anticipation of development in all ramifications. A democratic dispensation is characterized by a well-defined constitution drafted and adopted by the people, rule of law, independent judiciary, free press, social justice, inclusiveness, fundamental human rights, robust civil society and security of lives and property. These canons of democracy are essential if any meaningful development or dividends of democracy are expected at the doorsteps of the citizens. Interestingly, Nigeria has recorded for the first time in its chequerred history the existence of democratic dispensation for over two decades uninterrupted but are the canons of democracy existent in Nigeria’s context? Have the people felt or benefitted from the so-called ‘dividends of democracy’ since 1999? What has happened to the hope that Chief MKO Abiola promised Nigerians and the potentials the people expected to easily unlock under a democracy?

Without mincing words, Nigeria’s democracy has caused more havoc than good to the majority of the populace. All available development indices present a gloomy picture for the present and even the future. Today, the country is confronted with a myriad of challenges ranging from abject poverty, unemployment, high level illiteracy to corruption, insecurity, injustice and impunity in every strata of our national life.

Many Nigerians live below poverty line as many families can seldom feed their dependents three square meals a day. The economic woes of impoverished Nigerians are further exacerbated by disturbing news both in the national newspapers and social media of ‘first class corruption’ perpetrated by members of the political class, killings and kidnapping by Boko Haram insurgents and other criminal elements, especially in the northern fringes of the country. The money laundering scandal to the tune of 80 billion naira alleged to have been committed by the sacked Accountant-General of the Federation, Ahmed Idris, is an ample evidence to show that many Nigerians are paradoxically languishing in poverty. How can an individual steal such a humongous sum of money, while many of his co- citizens complain of hunger, joblessness, and insecurity? It is simply crazy and appalling!

Again, a melancholy trend that gives everyone sleepless night whether rich or poor is the issue of killing – either for money ritual, religious intolerance or political witch-hunting. Killing has now become a common phenomenon whose frequency qualifies Nigeria as a country worse than a banana republic or Hobbesian state of nature where life is short, selfish, solitary, nasty and brutish. The unwarranted stoning to death of Deborah Samuel Yakubu, a 200-level female student of the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, by some irate Muslim classmates and youth on the grounds of blasphemy, the barbaric and gruesome murder of the pregnant Hausa woman, Harira Jubril, and her three children in Anambra and the wicked ambush and burning of David Imoh – a 38-year old father of two in Lekki, Lagos are a few of the cases in point of frequent and wanton killings in the country.

READ  Nigerian leaders failed to exploit gains of June 12, says Babangida

The case of Deborah was quite annoying and pathetic. Going by reports at our disposal, Deborah was said to have made provocative statement, insulting the personality of Prophet Muhammed in the process. Her ‘careless’ remarks infuriated some fanatical Muslim classmates who invited other youths and pounced on their victim in a most horrendous manner as she was pelted with stones and incinerated until she gave up the ghost.

What could be portrayed as the most horrendous killing in recent time and still fresh in our memory was the reprehensible terrorist attack on innocent worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa in Owo, Ondo State. Precisely on June 5, some unknown gunmen had disguised as worshippers and joined the peaceful congregants only to open fire as they shot sporadically at them.

No fewer than 50 people were reported dead and many seriously injured from the shootings and bombing of the senseless and barbaric marauders. The unprovoked attack in Owo that led to the senseless killing of innocent worshippers has depicted and confirmed the reality of total collapse of security in the country. One of the theories available on the reason behind the attack points to the Fulani agenda to take over Yorubaland and Nigeria as a whole. This particular onslaught against Yoruba people will definitely spur the agitation for the creation of Oduduwa Republic and relationship between the Yoruba and other ethnic nations, especially the Hausa/Fulani, may be severed if these killings go unabated. YGC warns everyone who cares to listen that Yoruba sense of compassion, love, tolerance and accommodation toward other ethnic nationalities must not be mistaken for weakness or stupidity as Yoruba leaders and people can doggedly protect themselves and their land and will surely do the needful if pushed to the wall by their foes. YGC urges the federal government to deplore all relevant security agencies to embark on thorough investigation, apprehend the perpetrators and serve them appropriate justice.

YGC wishes to use this medium to strongly condemn the recent and ongoing killings across the country and also calls for immediate peace and harmonious co-existence as Nigeria and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) prepare for the conduct of the 2023 general elections. As clearly asserted in its previous press release, no election can be successfully conducted under an atmosphere beclouded by violence, conflict and senseless murders. Free, fair and credible polls can and will only see the light of the day under a peaceful and orderly ambience. Hence, YGC earnestly calls for a cessation of killings under whatever guise and implores the Buhari-led administration to rejig the country’s failing security architecture in order to effectively address these concerns.

READ  June 12: Abiodun pays tributes to Abiola, Alfred Rewane, Kudirat, others

Again, YGC, in alliance with the spirit of true democracy as canvassed by the symbol of June 12, Chief MKO Abiola, urges the Buhari-led administration to ensure that the will of the Nigerian electorate is upheld and their votes counted during the upcoming general elections across board. The sustenance of the democratic government through the transition process can only be orderly and acceptable if the electoral processes are in tandem with global democratic best practices and are adjudged free, fair and credible by both local and international observers. To this end, the federal government, INEC, party chieftains and other critical stakeholders in the electoral process must play the game according to its rule by allowing votes of the voters count. More importantly, the Federal Government in particular must accord the issue of peace optimum priority and has to deploy all state machinery at its disposal to ensure that adequate security of lives and property is guaranteed before, during and in the wake of the 2023 polls.

With regard to zoning, YGC enjoins the major political parties to thread softly and uphold the principle of rotational presidency in deciding who picks their presidential ticket.

A scenario whereby another northern candidate will be announced as the next president of the country will be regarded as partial, unfair and unacceptable by southern Nigerians. How can Buhari, a core northerner from Katsina State, just round off his eight year tenure as president and another northerner is allowed to emerge for the same exalted office? Does it mean the country belongs to no one but the NORTHERNERS? At a time and moment when agitation for secession by other ethnic nations is daily gathering momentum and appears to be unstoppable, it would be foolhardy and preposterous for the political parties to zone the presidency to the north again.

YGC hereby advises the two major political parties (PDP and APC) to work toward the emergence of southerners, especially from Yoruba extraction, as their presidential flagbearers and nothing other than this calculation will be accepted by the Council and other well-meaning individuals and self-determination organizations from the South. In this sense, the emergence of the former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, as the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is a bad omen for the unity and peace of the country and it is thereby unacceptable. YGC implores the party leaders and delegates to conduct a quick review into this matter.

In sum, YGC calls on peace-loving Nigerians to continue to advocate for peace and be peaceful in their conduct ahead of the 2023 general elections and beyond. It also admonishes religious bigots, criminal elements and devil-may-care politicians to desist from any action or behaviour that may trigger violence, conflict and separation of the country

Long Live Federal Republic of Nigeria! Long Live Yoruba Nation! Long Live Yoruba Global Council (YGC)!!!

Signed:

Prof. Lere Amusan, Spokesman Yoruba Global Council (YGC).

Prince Segun Akanni
General Secretary, Yoruba Global Council (YGC)

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Opinion

Ondo 2024: Aiyedatiwa gets desperate, dangles Port Ondo contract before prominent Yoruba monarch for presidency support

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  • Promise of 25% equity stake
    Desperate to meet Tinubu and Southwest governors for support.
    Top Ondo Obas frowns at the idea

Ondo State governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa has become hyper desperate ahead of the the governorship primaries of the All Progressives Congress ( APC) in April.

Inside sources have revealed that the governor, as part of his desperate search for the party’s ticket, has made the contract for the construction of Port Ondo as a bargaining chip to the Oni of Ife, his Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, to help secure the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and the South West Governors.

 

The deal, according to impeccable sources, was brokered by the two prominent Yoruba politicians (names withheld) who had stood with Ayedatiwa in his recent political battle against his former boss and benefactor, late Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON.

 

Reports have it that, Aiyedatiwa became desperate after several failed attempts to get the President’s attention over his ambition. He reportedly ran to a former governor of Ondo State, who according to information, has become his godfather and Chief Strategist.

READ  June 12: True federalism the solution to Nigeria’s challenges, says Akeredolu

 

The former governor was said to have secured the assistance of an Osun State-born former Secretary of the APC. At the meeting, which was held at the private quarters of the Oni of Ife, he was asked to provide an opportunity for Aiyedatiwa to meet President Tinubu and the governors of the South West.

 

Among the issues discussed at the meeting was how to overlook Aiyedatiwa’s alleged ‘sins’ to Akeredolu, during and after his death.

 

However, as at the time of filing this report, some prominent monarchs in Ondo State are said to have gotten wind of the plan and are said to be spoiling for a fight.

 

A source, who did not want to be metioned, said the action of the governor is already causing a lot of anger and bad blood among the monarchs in the Sunshine State.

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Opinion

OF OTA-FRIENDS AND ORE-NEMIES OF AKETI- END OF THE EMERGENCY BEARD OF LUCKY AYEDATIWA

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By Sola Ajisafe, Esq

” The worth of a man is not in the vastness of his estate or the fatness of his vault but in the totality of his character and serenity of his inner being” – Anonymous

 

Last week, I called out our Governor about the whereabouts of his wife, our First Lady and why the “Oza room” had been empty. Nothing of note came out from him or his aides that tends to answer the relevant question. This is a common practice in the media orgy coupled together currently around the Governor. They will “leave ete to be treating lapalapa”.

 

Just like the ridiculous Press Statement about the clownish violence perpetrated on his other contestants during the President’s visit or the anti- Aketi executive poorly put together by Lucky. Wetin be my own? Today, my attention is to ask Mr. Governor ” Where is your Aketi beard?

 

The disappearance of Lucky’s beards is a significant pointer to how fake, unreliable and fluid our Governor is as a person. The open celebration and association with Aketi arch enemies, betrayers and discredited individuals in his newly inaugurated Executive is a pointer to what to expect in that government. Aside from a few individuals, that teal lack character and content. Anyway, (10) months no be anybody’s friend. E no dey play o.

 

Mr. Governor, it was not news that on your return from your long Abuja trip with your “Abuja activists”, the first thing Ondo State people noticed was that you have changed your looks and the Aketi beard had disappeared. If there was anything to point to the fact that the romance between you and your boss had ended, it was that change of personality. When on the day you addressed a press conference asking for forgiveness it was clear that you were playing with our intelligence as a people.

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I know as of a fact that in Nigeria of today, everything is cruise, just like most politicians in Nigeria are petty traders. They lack originality, political ideology and are bereft of sound intellectual understanding of what it means to be politically straightforward and upright. They are duplicious in their actions and profoundly vague in their thoughts. They are not better than Aba/Onitsha or China ( Chinco) products usually referred to as ” baruf” (fake) during our secondary school days.

When the going was good

I said Nigerian politicians are cruise chasers. The current vogue of wearing Awo or Afenifere cap remains a valid example. At a point in time, every manner of persons adopted it as their passport to enter the progressive palour. As they come in many colours and shapes so are the baboon elements and their virtues. They only take to mind the shapes and the embossed scollopings. They do not come an inch close to what it represents. Many of them and the ” alright sir boys” around Alagbaka government house/office have the same mental attributes except that one give alms while the other takes. All na same.

 

Just like the Awo cap, some elements within the Akeredolu government picked up the tendency of wearing beards immediately Aketi came on board in 2017. Not long after some of them could not maintain the discipline and tenacity that came with having the Fidel Castro or Che Guevara beard. That was what Aketi carried as far back as his days in the University or shortly thereafter. Time and age enveloped it and turned it to a Father Christmas on him.

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Our Governor, Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa was one of those that started the culture of wearing beards like Aketi. He was helped by time and age so he does not have to add anything to make it white. Yet, “abinibi” is quite different from “ability”. While Aketi’s beard was custom made, those of the copy cats were as fake as the products of “Yaba Apa Otun, Katangua or Oshodi under bridge”where tokunbo clothes and materials are sold.

With Aketi’s beards
The story here is not just about wearing a beard to look like your boss. I used to pity these imitators in those early days of the Aketi government. They do not carry those beards because it fits them or that they were comfortable. They carried it to show off their loyalty. I have seen people move from one politically exposed person and one party to another wearing the badge of their loyalty like an insignia of office only to take to flight immediately something happened. I have heard people tell me ” I will read Aketi like a book for eight (8) years, only to take to flight having realized that the man is nearing his end. They divulged his medical history to his ” ota-friends” and ” ore-nemies”.

 

For instance, who would believe that Hon. Lucky Ayedatiwa will so soon return almost clean shaven from his haitus in Abuja without the ” emergency beards” that he wore so much and faithfully when he was stalking Aketi and his family to get political relevance. Immediately he got what he wanted and he learnt from the snitches who report every action of Aketi to him he “dis-beard” himself from Aketi and became the Lucky of the emergency activists both in Abuja and in Ondo State.

READ  Igboho declares June 12 day of protest

 

For me, loyalty is not something to be worn like a badge or rendered like a song. Loyalty does not mean you cannot quarrel or disagree on principle. It also does not mean you should be a slave. However, loyalty means “one for all, all for one”. When it’s comfortable or not comfortable.

 

Every leader and influential person must learn something from the life and times of Aketi. Human beings love what they can get from you. They do not care about you so soon you are no longer useful to them or you no longer posses the capacity to do things for them.

 

I call on everyone that still has a dint of humanity in them and felt a hunch for Aketi and decided to stay with him during his trying period and are been persecuted to know that a new dawn is in the offing. And for those who benefitted from Aketi but contributed towards his death by their actions and deeds or are determined to destroy his legacy or are willing to forget the good old days to note that Karma is a bitch and so unforgiven. Just take note of my words.

The disappearance of Lucky’s “Aketi beard” was too sudden. It showed there was no altruism in it in the first place.

 

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Opinion

AIYEDATIWA: THE NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN

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By Adeboro Onibalusi

In the dynamic landscape of Ondo State politics, a new era has dawned with the emergence of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa as the beacon of progress and transformation.

 

Following the unfortunate passing of his predecessor, Governor Akeredolu, Aiyedatiwa swiftly stepped into the leadership role, bringing with him a renewed sense of purpose and vision for the state.

 

Since assuming office, Governor Aiyedatiwa has embarked on a mission to unite stakeholders across Ondo State, recognizing the invaluable contributions each person brings to the table in his quest to move the state forward.

 

His commitment to inclusive governance is evident in his unwavering outreach efforts, ensuring that every voice is heard and every perspective considered in the journey towards the development of our beloved sunshine state.

 

One of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s most commendable achievements has been his steadfast dedication to the welfare of civil servants. Through prompt payment of salaries and allowances, he has demonstrated a profound understanding of the importance of ensuring the well-being of those who tirelessly serve the state.

READ  June 12: No repeat of #EndSARS experience – Police

 

This unprecedented commitment to the workforce not only fosters a culture of productivity and loyalty but also sets a standard of excellence for governance.

Furthermore, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s proactive approach to infrastructure development has been nothing short of remarkable. By mobilizing contractors back to project sites, he his accelerating the pace of development, laying the groundwork for a prosperous future for Ondo State. His strategic investments in key sectors such as education, underscore his unwavering commitment to building a resilient and sustainable state for generations to come.

 

Moreover, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s dedication to the advancement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is a testament to his unwavering loyalty to the party and its ideals.

Adeboro Onibalusi

His efforts to reward party executives at all levels reflect his recognition of their invaluable contributions to the party’s success and his commitment to fostering unity and cohesion within the APC family.

As we look towards the future, Governor Aiyedatiwa’s leadership offers a beacon of hope and promise for Ondo State. His visionary leadership, coupled with his unparalleled dedication to the people, positions him as the transformative force that our state needs at this critical juncture. Let us rally behind Governor Aiyedatiwa as he leads us towards a brighter, more prosperous future for Ondo State. Together, let us embrace the dawn of a new era under the stewardship of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the new sheriff in town. With the slogan ‘Odatiwa, Odi rorun’ resounding across the state, it’s imperative that we support a renewal of his mandate come the April 2024 APC primaries. This will ensure the entrenchment of progressive continuity, securing our collective journey towards sustained growth and development.

READ  Kosofe state assembly constituency 1 2023: Audacity of Fraud; A failed Attempt to Scam The People

Signed: Hon Adeboro Onibalusi, APC stalwart (Akoko North West) Ondo state

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