Politics

Dispatch from the Diaspora: Ondo South Must Tread Carefully

Published

6 months ago

January 15, 2024

Dispatch from the Diaspora: Ondo South Must Tread Carefully

Dear compatriots of Ondo South Senatorial District, it has become pertinent to address crucial issues in the buildup to the governorship election in our dear state, Ondo State in September 2024.

We wish to state that the demise of Arakurin Rotimi Akeredolu indeed created a vacuum in the political landscape in Ondo state. The unfortunate incident left a hole in our hearts, and our prayers are with the families he left behind. We commiserate with the entire people of Ondo State even as we pray for God to heal our hearts over this unquantifiable loss.

Given the prevailing circumstances that brought to power, His Excellency Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, as the executive governor of Ondo state, some pertinent questions on the distribution of political power among the three senatorial zones in the state have come up.

Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is from our Ondo South Senatorial District, completing the term of the late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu. By implication, he would not be eligible to contest two terms. The closest Ondo South has got was five years and 270 days during the tenure of the late Olusegun Agagu. Mr Agagu was Ondo’s governor from 2003 to 2009 when the Court of Appeal sacked him after his 2007 re-election was overturned. Olusegun Mimiko was declared the winner—this truncated Ondo South’s political journey in the state’s political equation.

It is instructive to state that afterwards, Ondo South did not have a chance at governance in the state until the emergence of Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa upon the death of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

The implication is that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is expected to complete the tenure of the late Rotimi Akeredolu in line with constitutional provisions. This has again thrown up a constitutional matter that must be evaluated critically given the constitutional provision that an individual cannot take the oath of office thrice under the constitution. So, the few months that His Excellency Ayiedatiwa is spending to complete the late Governor Akeredolu’s tenure would be counted as he took the oath of office to assume office.

Should Ondo South put forward Governor Lucky Aiyedaitiwa and he is reelected in September, he would be expected to spend a tenure of four years, by which time he would have been sworn in as governor twice. This would shortchange Ondo South Senatorial District. The power of incumbency that should have made us rout for Governor Aiyedatiwa would eventually be our albatross if we tread that path.

It would indeed be a strategic move from Ondo South because if Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is given the mandate, it would translate to a political shortchange denying Ondo South an eight-year tenure. The position of the law is clear that a governor cannot take the oath of office thrice.

On the heels of the above, the Ondo South Professionals in the Diaspora are advocating for a candidate from Ondo South with the required capacity and political relevance to vie for the governorship seat come September 2024.

We are conscious of the other competent persons who have stepped into the arena and indicated an interest in representing the interests of Ondo South in the context of who becomes the next state governor. We have consequently established certain parameters.
1. In terms of the balance of power, it is apparent that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to hold the upper hand in the impending contest. While our group is apolitical, we find it prudent to focus our consideration on the array of aspirants in the APC and would only consider other political platforms if the interest of our district is not properly accommodated by the APC.
2. We have also zeroed in on a candidate who stands the chance of completing two tenures of four years, which unfortunately rules out our dear incumbent governor.
3. Furthermore, we would like to not recycle past aspirants and candidates. Those who have aspired in the past and failed to clinch the ticket or those who have contested before and didn’t win the election will come with baggage that we can ill afford.
4. We will focus on young, energetic, and dynamic politicians who can make Ondo South proud by propelling Ondo State to greatness. The candidate must have the political capital and network to tap into in promoting the interest of the state. Such a person would be able to meet the aspirations of all even as they satisfy the imperative of treating our district fairly.

These focal points were arrived at following the realisation that other senatorial zones in the state have had entire tenures, and the opportunity is before Ondo South to present a candidate with the relevant political clout to contest the gubernatorial election.

Without intending to de-market any of the aspirants that have indicated an interest in the race, hence our restraint from mentioning names, we have assessed the field of play. Consequently, the Ondo South Professionals in the Diaspora are using this medium to advocate for the candidature of political pedigree and verifiable contributions to the development of the state.

We strongly recommend that Ondo South go for a rounded politician from the District, someone with public service records replete with exceptional exploits that have elicited commendations from near and far.

The Ondo South Professionals in the Diaspora consider that Ondo South must tread carefully in advocating for an aspirant who will become an eventual APC candidate in the gubernatorial election. Such a person must have the requisite qualifications and experience to lead Ondo State. This position of Ondo South Professionals in the Diaspora is hinged on a critical analysis of the Ondo South Senatorial District, the various political actors, and their contributions to the state’s socioeconomic development.

Other factors were also considered, such as national and state spread in the political landscape. We have aspirants who fit the bill, hence our charge that our search should terminate at the doorstep of such a person, who would be a known political figure nationwide and in the state, a known advocate of good governance, transparency, and accountability with invaluable insights on national issues have been sought after in critical times in the country.

It must be considered that the overarching objective is to ensure Ondo South gets the privilege of contributing to the development of the state through a candidate who can complete two terms of eight years. The choice is before the people of Ondo South to take hold of the golden opportunity by supporting an aspirant who will uplift the state.

Ms Feyi Olowu, USA
Mr Bola Akiretan, United Kingdom
Dr Festus Akinwale Canada.
MONDAY JANUARY 15, 2024
ONDO SOUTH PROFESSIONALS IN THE DIASPORA

Politics

15th Hijrah: Muslim Clerics Task Nigerians On Good Morals

Published

9 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Sahara Weekly

15th Hijrah: Muslim Clerics Task Nigerians On Good Morals

– as Speaker charges religious leaders on impactful messages

Nigerians, irrespective of religious affiliations, must begin to embrace good morals and practise honesty, two guest lecturers at the 15th Annual Hijrah Lecture of the Lagos State House of Assembly, have urged.

This is as the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, also charged Nigeria’s religious leaders to teach messages with greater positive impacts on citizens.

Sheikh Sulaiman Onikijipa Al-miskinubilahi, general overseer of Al-Amani Islamic Organisation, and Sheikh Ridwanullah Jamiu, Chief Imam of the Central Mosque, Lekki Phase 1, said moral conducts and honesty would help create a decent society.

Speaking at the event with the theme: ‘The Increasing Wave Of Moral Decadence In The Society’, which held at the Assembly complex on Friday, the guest lecturers condemned the spate of moral decadence in the society.

Dr. Jamiu told guests that there was need to enforce laws against anti-decent practices like homosexuality, gambling, adultery and corruption.

According to him, Allah blesses those who are kind, just and are morally upright.

“People should run away from three things: indecency, aggression and wickedness. For a society to progress and develop, it must move away from what Allah kicks against.

“Justice means giving people their rights. As a boss, you have duties to your employees. Treat others the way you expect to be treated. Allah commands kindness and generosity,” he said while urging parents to be role models to their children.

On his part, Sheikh Onikijipa lamented what he described as a growing level of corruption in the society.

“At this stage of our existence, we all know that almost everyone is corrupt,” he said while urging leaders to be more transparent.

The cleric further stressed that leaders must be determined to end moral decadence in the society, adding: “See the way the government stopped the abuse of naira with necessary legislation. The same should be done for other forms of moral decadence in the society.

“There is no religion if we don’t have morals. If you observe all the five pillars of the Islam and you are morally corrupt, then you are deceiving yourself.

“If you pray regularly and you don’t have morals, then it is a waste of time. Indecent dressing should be condemned in all places,” he said.

While noting that Nigeria is challenged at the moment, Onikijipa appealed to citizens to be patient with the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

He urged religious leaders and citizens in the country to dedicate a day for fasting and prayer instead of embarking on a protest, which has a tendency to escalate into destruction of properties.

In his remarks, Speaker Obasa said everyone has roles to play in achieving an upright society.

Obasa, who said that Hijrah is meant to celebrate the clerics, added: “You would be proud of the group you belong to when people feel your impact. We should ensure that we change our immediate environment and make things better in our time.

“We must all join hands to make our society better so that we can all have a morally upright place. It is not enough to make laws, people must exhibit good qualities.”

Eromosele Ebhomele
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

Politics

Planned Protest: Tinubu, Sultan, Ooni, NSA, IGP In Emergency Meeting

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Planned Protest: Tinubu, Sultan, Ooni, NSA, IGP In Emergency Meeting

The protest against economic hardship, which is gaining traction on social media, has been scheduled to be held across all states in August.

As the planned ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest slated for August draws close, President Bola Tinubu on Thursday entered an emergency closed-door meeting with top traditional rulers, security top brass in his government and governors of his party, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The high-delegation meeting was held at the State House in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The APC governors were led to the meeting by the Chairman of the Progressives Governors’ Forum and Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.

Some first-class traditional rulers were spotted at the meeting with the President. They include the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi; the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Saad Abubakar III; and other traditional leaders across the country.

The meeting was also attended by the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun; as well as ministers and other members of the President’s cabinet.

A delegation of Islamic scholars (Ulamas) later joined the high-powered meeting with the President.

Last-Minute Efforts
Tinubu, former Lagos governor, who was sworn in as President in May 2023, has appealed to displeased youths to shelve the planned ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest slated for next month.

As part of moves to placate aggrieved citizens, the President sent a bill to raise the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 to the National Assembly this week. Both chambers of the legislature speedily passed the bill on Tuesday, awaiting the President’s assent.

On Thursday, the military authorities warned that unscrupulous elements plan to hijack the protest and use it to stage anarchy like what was recently witnessed in East African country Kenya.
The police had also warned against bloody demonstrations come next month just as Uzodimma surmised that the protest could be hijacked and turn violent like the EndSARS nationwide protest against police brutality back in October 2020.

The protest against economic hardship, which is gaining traction on social media, has been scheduled to be held across all states of the Federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, in August. The organisers of the protest have been faceless.

Prices of food and basic commodities have gone through the roof in the last months, as Nigerians battle one of the country’s worst inflation rates and economic crises sparked by the government’s twin policies of petrol subsidy removal and unification of forex windows.

Politics

Tinubu mourns Iwuanyanwu

Published

1 day ago

July 25, 2024

Sahara Weekly

Tinubu mourns Iwuanyanwu

President Bola Tinubu has extended his condolences to the family of the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, who passed away on Thursday.

Tinubu’s condolence message is conveyed in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, titled ‘President Tinubu mourns Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.’

The family confirmed his demise on Thursday evening in a statement that partly read, “The Iwuanyanwu family of Umuohii Atta, in Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State, announces the demise of our patriarch, Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu-Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu died on Thursday, July 25, 2024, after a brief illness. He was aged 82.”

He was an accomplished businessman and notable politician.

Ngelale said, “President Tinubu condoles with the Imo State Government, the friends and associates of the deceased, and Ndi Igbo over this irreparable loss.

“The President affirms that Chief Iwuanyanwu will always be remembered for his remarkable legacy.”

Tinubu, therefore, prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed elder statesman and comfort for his family