celebrity radar - gossips
Adamawa Guber: Don’t Abort History, Review Results Before Re-run—Stakeholders Tell INEC
Adamawa Guber: Don’t Abort History, Review Results Before Re-run—Stakeholders Tell INEC
Adamawa Guber- Overtime and in a consistent order, women are unrelenting in asserting themselves in the political hemisphere essentially on account of male corrosive effects on political transparency and accountability. This begun in Aba in 1955 when women outnumbered their male counterpart voters in a citywide election.
By 1961, they had increased the tempo when Margaret Ekpo won a seat to the Eastern Regional House of Assembly, a position that allowed her to fight for issues affecting women at the time.
Those flashes of efforts by Nigerian women to bridge the gap of women’s under-representation in political and public life were reinforced by the 1995 Beijing Declaration which recommended Women’s equal participation in leadership.
It is perhaps, against this backdrop that legal luminary, Afe Babalola, SAN, in an article in Tribune Newspaper on July 7, 2022, frowned at the rejection of the Gender Equality Bill by the National Assembly saying the Bill was initiated to address the gender imbalance in governance.
According to the legal expert, the need to draft a constitution that will guarantee equity, fairness and justice to all Nigerians was one of the outstanding recommendations made at the National Conference which President Goodluck Jonathan called in 2014, after realizing that the current constitutional protections are not entirely effective in preventing discrimination based on sex, religion, or ethnicity.
Afe Babalola pointed out that the statistics on women’s involvement in politics in Nigeria are unsurprisingly low adding that much work still needs to be done to increase women’s opportunities for political participation.
In particular, he explained that a thorough examination of the information provided by the Independent National Electoral Commission indicates an insignificant percentage of women occupation of public office since 1999 stressing that “No woman has ever been chosen to lead a state in Nigeria as governor since 1999.”
Clearly, Afe Babalola’s submission speaks directly to the March 18 political somersaults in Adamawa State governorship election where the governor and Peoples
Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri and the only 2023 female governorship candidate on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Aishat Dahiru Binani, are slugging it out.
Available data indicate that in the Adamawa governorship contest, Binani is not just facing an incumbent, she is also running against religious and cultural biases that have long stood against women in contests for power in the more conservative part of Nigeria.
However and hurtfully so, are powerful individuals at the centre of the twists and turns who exist within and outside benevolent and malevolent categories, ever ready to deconstruct extant political literature.
In a pre-election review, Boboye Abba, a Yola-based public analyst said “But if not for the incumbency factor, Aisha Binani has more support than Governor Umar Fintiri across the segments and the divides in Adamawa State, because of her open-handedness.”
He added that “wherever Binani went before the presidential election, her teeming supporters always showed her love and open support. If she asked them to vote for the APC from the president down to the governor, the crowd would reply ‘No! For the president, we will vote for Atiku Abubakar but in the state, we will vote for Binani’.
“ It showed that those who voted for Atiku in the presidential election may not vote for Fintiri in the governorship election, but for Binani. Attendance at her campaign rallies was more than that of her rivals, the incumbent governor cannot pull her kind of crowd. Because Fintiri does not give out welfare despite being the serving governor, that is why people like Binani,” Mr Abba said.
This review manifested clearly and captured the pattern of victory on March 18 when the election held but finally declared “inconclusive.”
Adamawa State Collation Officer, Professor Mohammed Mele, and the State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mr Yakubu Ari, on Monday, March 20, after collation of results from 20 out of the 21 Local Government Areas, postponed the collation saying the postponement was to enable verification of results from Fufore Local Government Area which were snatched.
In her personal narrative, Aisha Binani stated that in some locations, BVAS was bypassed and governor Ahmadu Fintiri instigated the violence. “Let INEC conducts a review of some local government areas so that it will bring out the real figures scored by each candidate. As soon as that is done, we will be home and dry and we will be confident to go back to the field for a re-run,” she demanded.
To that effect, the APC candidate has made a formal request to INEC to have a “Certify True Copy of BVAS report/result in all the local government areas in Adamawa State for the March 18 guber election to enable me to study some irregularities carried out by the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.”
In a letter from her legal representative, Sam Ologunorisa & Co, dated March 23 and titled: “Application For Certified True Copy of the Bio Modal Verification Authentication System, BVAS, Used For 2023 Adamawa State Governorship,” and addressed to the National Secretary of INEC, Binani specifically singled out Madagali and Michika council areas saying “It is well known that these two local government areas are under the severe consequence of insurgency and banditry whereby a huge number of their population had relocated to Mubi, Yola and other places . Yet, results returned from these places recorded the highest number ever in the history of election in the areas,” she stated.
In the face of this logjam, Yiaga Africa, a civil society organization, has requested the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC to review concerns that have been raised about the conduct of the gubernatorial polls.
Further, the civil society requests the electoral body to pay attention to complaints saying “INEC should, in line with section 64 of the 2022 electoral act, review cases where legitimate concerns have been raised on the conduct and declarations made by collation and returning officers, especially instances where results declaration contravene the electoral legal framework.
Also, a Women’s group called Amazon has called on Nigerian women to rise up to the challenge in what the group describes as a deliberate attempt to deny women a governorship seat in 2023. During the week, the group gathered at Merit House, Abuja “To add our voice and demand that the right thing is done in Adamawa.”
In an unmistakable call on INEC to eliminate biases from its operations and promote confidence by attending to legitimate complaints especially from candidates who fell short changed, the European Union Election Observation Mission to Nigeria’s 2023 general elections has declared that owing to lack of transparency and operational failures, Nigerians have lost confidence and trust in INEC.
Speaking at a media briefing in Abuja to present the Mission’s second preliminary reports, the Chief Observer, Barry Andrews, noted that although Nigerians had great appetite for democracy and were keen to engage in various civic activities, their expectations were dashed as a result of the apathy recorded. The governorship elections conducted last Saturday was a clear consequence of failures by political elites and “unfortunately, INEC.”
Andrews said: “Obstruction and organized violence limited the free expression of the will of the voters, despite efforts by civil society to promote democratic standards.”
Oba Ara Releases Emotional Tribute to Late Taiwo Adegbodu
Taofik Afolabi
The gospel music community continues to grieve the painful loss of Taiwo Adegbodu, a beloved figure whose sudden departure left a deep void among fans, colleagues, and loved ones. In response to this loss, renowned gospel minister Rotimi Onimole, popularly known as Oba Ara, has released a moving tribute song that captures both the sorrow of the moment and the enduring legacy of the late singer.
Oba Ara, a proud son of Isale Eko, channels raw emotion throughout the song, using heartfelt lyrics and soul-stirring melodies to reflect on his personal connection with Taiwo Adegbodu. In the tribute, he openly expresses how deeply the news of Adegbodu’s passing shook him, describing it as a painful and unexpected loss that is difficult to come to terms with.
The song goes beyond mourning, it celebrates the life, ministry, and impact of Taiwo Adegbodu. Oba Ara highlights the late artist’s dedication to spreading the gospel through music, his inspiring voice, and the spiritual influence he had on many within and beyond Nigeria. Through powerful verses, he paints a picture of a man who lived for God and touched countless lives through his ministry.
Listeners have described the tribute as both comforting and deeply emotional, as it resonates with the collective grief of the gospel music community. It serves as a reminder that although Taiwo Adegbodu is no longer physically present, his music, message, and legacy will continue to live on.
In honoring his late colleague, Oba Ara not only pays his respects but also offers a source of healing for fans and fellow ministers, using music as a tool to process grief and celebrate a life well lived.
celebrity radar - gossips
Buratai, Fagbemi , Shagaya, Olofa, Others Eulogise Olowu Kuta’s Olori On 60th Birthday, Foundation Launch
Buratai, Fagbemi , Shagaya, Olofa, Others Eulogise Olowu Kuta’s Olori On 60th Birthday, Foundation Launch
Eminent personalities across the Nigeria stormed the TFK Event Centre, Bala Mohammed Way, Guzape, Abuja, to celebrate the 60th birthday of Olowu Kuta’s Olori, Queen Jumai Amoke and her Foundation Launch on Saturday 28, March 2026.
From former Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TY Buratai rtd, to the Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of the Federation, Prince Lateef Fagbemi; Olofa of Offa, HRM Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi. Even top businesswoman and socialite, Chief (Mrs) Bola Shagaya, was in attendance.
Other dignitaries were newly promoted Deputy Inspector-General of Police and former AIG Zone 2 , Lagos , Adegoke Fayoade, Major General Abdumalik, Major General Samuel Adebayo rtd (Fmr CDI);
Major General Anthony Omozoje rtd (Fmr Copp);
Alhaji Tajudeen Owoyemi (Asiwaju of Offa and CEO Radisson Hotel Nigeria;
Dr Waheed Olagunju, former managing director of Bank of Industry, Oniba of Iba, Lagos State, HRM Oba Dr Suleiman Raji ;
Justice Falola, Olu of Ile-Ogbo , Oba Adetoyese amongst many traditional rulers and captains of industry too numerous to mention.
Speaking at the occasion, the Chief Host, Olowu of Kuta, HRM Oba Dr Adekunle Oyelude Makama, CON , Tegbosun iii, who is also the husband of the celebrant commended Queen Jumai for ‘ her slender arms full of kindness’ to establish such humanitarian Foundation, ‘Amoke Children and mother in Need Foundation’ at a time Nigerians are going through economic crisis occassioned by the global meltdown.
Olowu also commended her steadfastness and love for the less privileged and downtrodden.
The monarch refrenced the task before his wife’s humanitarian gesture said her best is yet to come.
” Olori Amoke Jumai, I celebrate you. You will celebrate 70, 80, 90 and continue to shine as you continue to put a smile on people’s faces. I love you, “Olowu Kuta added.
To Lt Gen Buratai, a former army chief and former Nigerian Ambassador to Benin Republic, the reward of hard work is more work.
Buratai, who also doubles as Balogun Agba of Owu Kuta, a chieftaincy title reserved for a generalismo congratulated Queen Jumai for attaining the age of 60 in good health.
The retired army General said he’s not surprised by the turn out of eminent personalities across the country to celebrate the Olowu Kuta’s Olori because she merited it through her hospitality to all, adding that Allah the most merciful, most beneficial would accept all her act of ibadah.
The minister of Justice, Prince Fagbemi, was full of praises for Queen Jumai for deeming it fit to have a place in her heart to accommodate the needy and less privileged in ‘our society.’
Prince Fagbemi urged the guests to contribute generously to support the Foundation in order to continue to alleviate poverty and put a smile on the faces of the people.
” I congratulate you on your 60th birthday and Foundation Launch. I wish you many happy returns of the day and many more fruitful services to the country and motherland”, Prince Fagbemi added.
The celebrant, Queen Jumai who was grining from ear to ear thankfully said she was excited by the turn out and the response of the people to her foundation.
Queen Jumai, however, promised to continue to use her resources and donations received for the good of the needy and less privileged in the society.
” I want to appreciate my own Kabiesi Olofa of Offa , for his presence and im I’m using him as a point of contact to all other Kabiesis present here, the minister of justice and Attorney-General, you’re welcome, sir; Mrs Bola Shagaya, I salute your enterprise, Lt Gen Buratai, I’m grateful, sir; DIG Fayoade, Justice Falola and other dignitaries too numerous to mention, I thank you, all. To my darling husband, Kabiesi Olowu , I thank you immensely for your support. And to my family and friends, I thank you , all. E se pupo!”, she said.
celebrity radar - gossips
Adron Homes Elevates Cultural Pride as Dignitaries Grace 39th Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta
Adron Homes Elevates Cultural Pride as Dignitaries Grace 39th Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta
The ancient city of Abeokuta came alive in a grand display of culture, history, and unity as dignitaries from across Nigeria converged at the iconic Ake Palace Ground for the 39th edition of the Lisabi Festival, an annual celebration deeply rooted in the Egba people’s heritage.
The event, proudly supported by Adron Homes and Properties Limited, witnessed an impressive parade of distinguished personalities, traditional rulers, government officials, business leaders, and cultural enthusiasts, all captured in vibrant pictures that tell the story of a people united by history and pride.
From richly adorned monarchs in regal attire to elegantly dressed guests reflecting the depth of Yoruba tradition, the images from the festival encapsulate moments of honour, reverence, and celebration. Each photograph portrays not just faces, but influence, leaders, and stakeholders who continue to shape cultural preservation and community development.
At the heart of the celebration was the revered Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, whose presence underscored the festival’s significance as a symbol of Egba resilience and identity. Surrounding him were eminent dignitaries whose attendance further amplified the prestige of the event.
Adron Homes and Properties Limited stood out prominently, not only as a sponsor but as a key driver of cultural sustainability. Through its strategic support, the company reinforced its commitment to preserving indigenous heritage while fostering community engagement. The brand’s visibility across the venue and within the pictorial highlights reflects a deliberate alignment with culture, tradition, and people-centered development.
Beyond real estate, Adron Homes has continued to position itself as a cultural partner, investing in platforms that celebrate history and strengthen communal bonds. Its involvement in the Lisabi Festival is a testament to its broader vision of building not just homes, but legacies rooted in identity and pride.
The 39th Lisabi Festival, as captured through the lens of dignitaries in attendance, is more than an event, it is a narrative of continuity. And through its unwavering support, Adron Homes has once again set the pace, demonstrating that corporate institutions can play a vital role in sustaining the cultural heartbeat of a people.
As the echoes of drums fade and the colours of the festival linger in memory, one thing remains clear: the story told through these images is one of unity, heritage, and the enduring partnership between tradition and progress.
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