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Of ‘sins’ of Buhari, Emefiele, Bawa

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By Kehinde Aderemi
Leadership is nothing but service to humanity. It is the ability to deliver and bring about the necessary changes needed in advancing the cause of humanity. No matter who is saddled with the responsibility of leadership, either the young or old, the most important thing is the strength of character of the leader as well as the manner by which the leader handles difficult situation.
The way the Buhari Administration handled the naira redesign policy showed the weaknesses of a leader that was never been in charge.
At that critical time of our national life, Nigerians looked up to President Muhammadu Buhari as a leader that could understand their plights and proffer better solution. But in the end, the old man from Daura made a mess of the entire policy. And the new naira note became a scarce commodity even till this present moment.
This piece is not to assess Buhari’s administration, but I must admit that the former president’s eight years was like hell on earth for Nigeria and Nigerians. And his failures as a leader is now obvious with the recent suspension of the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, AbdulRasheed Bawa.
It is a matter of concern that within just 10 days into the life of a new administration, Emefiele and Bawa had been in the news for the wrong reasons. The duo had been suspended over their alleged financial malfeasance in their various positions.
Eight years in the life of a nation is very important. The recent drama involving Emefiele and Bawa had shown that the immediate past administration of President Buhari had failed the nation. The unfolding events have shown that Buhari was never in charge of the leadership of this great nation. For eight years, there were some cabals that had taken charge of his administration at the expense of the entire nation.
Buhari rode to power in 2015 with his credentials intact with high hope and integrity. He became Nigeria’s president when we needed a complete change from the usual tradition of waste and corruption.
But it is an irony of fate that he ended up becoming the leader of the most corrupt public office holders in Nigeria.
The CBN governor under his watch took Nigeria for granted and made nonsense of the value of our currency. Emefiele as the CBN governor had the support of Buhari to plunge the nation into a prolonged economic stagnation, especially with unrestricted loans and naira redesign policy.
The reason for the introduction of the new naira note was not in tandem with the results. The timing and the impact on the Nigerian economy was nothing but scam and corruption in disguise.
Emefiele was arrested by the Department of State Services on June 9, a day after his suspension by President Bola Tinubu. He is currently undergoing interrogation at the secret police’s headquarters in Abuja for alleged terrorism financing, economic sabotage, mismanagement of forex and the naira redesign policy, among others.
Now that the CBN governor had been under investigation, I am sure there would be more revelations into many of the “sins” committed either by him or his allies in the government. I pray that his case would not go under the carpet as many of the cases that had happened in Nigeria.
But the lesson here is that we must know that no matter how powerful we are, there is still a day of reckoning. Now that Emefiele is facing the music and the disgrace of not doing the right thing at the right time, the acting and interim CBN Governor, Folashodun Shonubi, should learn great lessons about good leadership and how it affects the people. He must be pro active and see how he can save the nation from this economic downturn.
In truth, Emefiele couldn’t have thought that he would end his tenure as the CBN boss unceremoniously and in such an inglorious manner. But whether he is left off the hook or not, it is in Nigeria’s history that there was a CBN governor that was disgraced out of office for various financial misappropriations and charges. And if he really has a conscience, he would always live to rue this for the rest of his life
The difference between Emefiele and Bawa is not that much. While the former CBN boss represented the old forces, the former EFCC boss represented the young forces.
The Bawa story is that of a young guy that had all the opportunity to write his name in gold in the book of history, but the young guy got drunk with power and found himself on the wrong side of history. From his background, I thought Bawa would transform the anti-graft agency and bring about the needed reform in the fight against corruption.
Reports have it that the suspended Chairman of the EFCC is being investigated by the DSS for alleged misappropriation of proceeds of assets seized by the anti-graft agency from suspects, among other issues. It is sad that Bawa is corruption himself.
Bawa was allegedly arrested and detained by the anti-graft agency in 2019 for allegedly selling at least 244 trucks worth between N20 million and N30 million each to his cronies at the cost of N100,000 per unit, hence depriving the country of about N4.8 billion in potential loot recovery. Bawa’s “sins” were that the forfeiture proceedings of most of the trucks were yet to be concluded when he allegedly disposed of them.
There was another story of how the suspended EFCC chairman allegedly collaborated with the suspended CBN Governor to carry out fraudulent deals with Bureau De Change operators. And, sadly, when we say the youth are the future of tomorrow, how can we explain the pattern of life the youth of this country live.
However, former President Buhari may have gone to Niger Republic to relax as he had said. Yet the corruption engaged in by his allies during his administration would continue to haunt him as a leader with little or no courage. Buhari’s administration will continue to be a bad reference in the Nigerian history, especially with the subsidy regime he ran for the eight inglorious years.
Today, a new chapter of their activities is open to the Nigerian public and we begin to wonder if Nigeria can still survive the harrowing experience of the Buhari administration.
For President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, nobody gave him a chance of succeeding in his plum job. But the first 10 days of his administration had shown that the Emilokan truly knows the extent of the Nigerian burden on his neck. Nigeria will continue to hope in his “Renewed Hope Project” and see whether the Jagaban would turn the Nigerian story around or that we will continue the old story of bad leadership.
In conclusion, I pray God saves the nation from this peculiar mess of bad leadership and corruption that had been the bane of our great nation.
. Kehinde Aderemi writes from Lagos.

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Opinion

Desperate Aiyedatiwa bares fangs inside Govt House chapel

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  • Appoints Self General Overseer
    Installs Indian Marabouts As Clergymen
    Stops Pastors from Wearing Cassocks

Nebuchadnezzar, infamous figure immortalized in the Bible, commands recognition as the Babylonian monarch whose relentless conquests laid waste to the temple of Jerusalem, seizing its sacred relics as spoils of war.

Nebuchadnezzar dreams of a great tree that shelters the whole world. But an angelic “watcher” appears and decrees that the tree must be cut down and that for seven years, he will have his human mind taken away and will eat grass like an ox.

 

The holy Bible generously describes and expounds a Chapel or Temple as the hallowed sanctuary of the Almighty. It is reserved for the reverential observance of sacred rites and solemn covenants deemed too divine for mundane settings. In all Chapels or Temples all over the world, these consecrated edifices are sanctuaries apart, shielded from the profane clamor of the secular world.

 

But an archetype of Nebuchadnezzar may have surreptitiously crept into Ondo without anyone noticing. While asking questions on what motivated the biblical Nebuchadnezzar to desecrate the holy Chapel or Temple of God, we are compelled to confront the actions of His Excellency (Hon.) Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa vis-à-vis the recent happenings inside the Government House Chapel.

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In a bold and audacious move that is only comparable to that of Nebuchadnezzar, Governor Aiyedatiwa decreed that ordained priests, including Rev. Babalola of the Anglican Communion and Canon Enoch Adeleke of the Methodist Church, discard their traditional vestments, known as Casoc, in favor of resplendent native attire—Agbada & Sokoto—during sacred ceremonies.

 

This sweeping directive challenges the entrenched doctrines upheld by Orthodox Churches, igniting a maelstrom of doubt and apprehension. Many ponder whether this decree signals a bid to sideline and subjugate Christians within the precincts of the Ondo State Government House, potentially paving the way for the infiltration of unfamiliar beliefs.

 

It is important to note that the Government House Chapel predates Governor Aiyedatiwa’s tenure. It is equally worthy of note to state that none of his predecessor, be it an Executive Governor or Military Administrator, had dared to enact such a seismic shift from the norm.

 

The questions presently agitating the minds of Christians within and outside Ondo state is if the Governor would have dared to wield such authority within a Mosque?

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In response to this seismic upheaval, Christians across Ondo State and beyond are implored to maintain vigilance. The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) must rise up against what is perceived as a grievous affront to the tenets of Christianity.

 

Adding to the intrigue, Aiyedatiwa proclaimed one fateful morning that he had been anointed by God to assume the mantle of General Overseer (GO) of the chapel. His subsequent participation in conducting last week’s Sunday service casts doubt upon his jurisdiction in matters of faith, casting a pall of uncertainty over Orthodox Churches.

 

But beyond this, the governor is said to have imported some strange-looking Marabouts to form part of the. An inside source disclosed that the men were indeed imported from India as part of a larger team of prayer warriors ahead of the governorship primary election of the All Progressives Congress.

 

An elder in the chapel, who pleaded not to be named, said the governor has become paranoid about how church matters are are run in the chapel.

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“It is surprising what is driving the governor recently. He is carrying out changes that are aliens to the order of service in the chapel. Recently, some strange people were brought into the chapel. Some people said they were part of of his prayer warriors. It was later that we gathered that they were from India. We have never seen anything like this before,” the elder said.

 

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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.

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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.

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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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