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#ENDSARS, PROTESTS AND THE PERIL OF A COUNTRY

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CUSTOMSGATE: $3 BILLION PROJECT RUNS INTO DISPUTE

By Adewale Adeoye


· Those who fail to learn from history, are bound to repeat the same error. Nigerians should commend the #ENDSARs movement for its peaceful conducts; condemn strongly the savage killings either of protesters or of the police; condemn the destruction of assets in Lagos and elsewhere by criminals.

· Though the protest was against SARs, there are many more protests waiting: Electricity companies’ oppression, Army brutality, mass poverty, unemployment, corruption and corporate greed that combine to enrage the people.

· Nigerian Govt has no adequate thermometer to gauge the mood of the people. The Police, DSS, NIA, PPP, DDD, FUFUFU and all the intelligence agencies failed to obtain intelligence on the boiling heart of Nigerians waiting to explode.

· Very painful people were killed. Assets destroyed are painful. The Nigerian state failed to protect the assets. The Federal Government that controls police should have known that those assets may be attacked; there should have been adequate provision for them.

· It is savage act to kill. It is barbaric to burn down private and public assets. BRT buses, 100 years old Igbosere court, Court of Appeal, High Court, all burnt, police stations, TVC, The Nation Newspapers, all burnt. Many of these assets provide sources of living for millions of poor Nigerians. The soldiers that killed innocent people and those who destroyed these critical assets must be found and punished severely.

· It is foolish to link the #ENDSARs protest to Tinubu. What will he gain? How can you expect him to set people against a Govt he built? How can he set the people against his own Lagos state? Presidential election is two years ahead. It is cheap logic and blackmail to link him with the protest. Was he also responsible for the protests across the country? If he was, he must be the most powerful politician in Nigeria. Those who promote this are mischievous. They can’t think deeply, but in politics lies are entitled to honour. They also want to darklist the noble objective of the #ENDSARs movement.

The protest is a rejection of the political and economic order but not a proof that the opposition is better. It is rather a vote against insanity in the political economy

· Lagos and other cities have no strategic security architecture for their critical assets, bridges, economic arteries and veins, roads, water ways, her tall buildings and most importantly, the most treasured asset: The people. The neighborhood watch was helpless. Lagos state failed to connect with critical organisations, the self-determination groups, even as we speak. Too bad.

· It’s clear the FG cannot protect Lagos. Only the people themselves can. Nigeria is a fragile and highly explosive country occasioned by inept leadership, corporate and political greed of the managers and the drivers of the country.

Nigerian people are left at the mercy of exploiters at all front: from politicians to economic managers, banks, communication companies, whose main purpose is primitive accumulation of wealth. Not only the political class is guilty, a lot of corporate organisations see Nigerians as bride to be raped and humiliated through their excruciating policies. Electricity companies are just one example.

Most elected leaders got to their positions by fowl means. They are not actually represented the people. This is a dangerous time bomb now that people are elected through bribing the electorate.

Every Nigerian sees the average politician as a crook, a criminal that swim the resources from the sweat of the people. This perception has to change. During the protest, those who claimed they were elected by the people could not visit their constituencies.

· What we saw was organized crime against the people and their heritage. My fear is that, if we could not respond adequately to hooligans, I pray this city will never come under attacks from Boko Haram.

· We should learn now, that the greatest security is investment in peoples’ education. The greatest security of leaders is not from armed soldiers and police, it is from the people they govern. No arsenal, no matter how mighty can protect a leader more than his people. Ghadafi and other fallen leaders should be a lesson to us.

· In Nigeria, security of individual politicians and big men in the corporate world is more important than security of the people. Politicians have privatized public security, leaving only very few to police protect me and you. But at the critical moment, me and you became safer than the politicians and all their armed men.

· The State Governors should democratize security votes. It should go to economic and strategic security of the people and public assets. About N240 billion naira of security votes go into the purse of 36 governors annually.

· A second wave of rage is possible. The National Assembly and political office holders should cut their salaries. Corporate organisations should put the interests of the people first. They should not wait for the second wave of rage. We survived this, are we sure we shall survive the nest round if it comes?

Christian and Muslim right groups kept quite as their members are killed during the protest. It shows their opportunism. Thanks to a few Islamic and Christian leaders who stood firmly with the people

· Politicians should stop taunting us with their wealth. One of the Senators was showing us his opulence. He dared us that you can be a billionaire so easily. All you needed was to be a member of the National Assembly. I thought he would have gone to address the protesters. He never did.

· Nigerians have their mouths stocked with the filthy hands of politicians and drivers of the commanding height of the economy. We are crying. They still mock us. How long shall we cry for you to know we are dying, how many times shall we shake our heads before you know that we are mourning?

· Governors of the North politicised the protests. To them, they said #ENDSARs was an attempt to topple the Federal Government. It was a trick to delude their angry, poor and desperate masses. Their actions stressed the division in the country and lower the prospect of consensus on critical issues. They want SARs, please, give them. For states that don’t need SARs, let them be.

· The Federal Government MUST take drastic steps now: Restructure, create state police, halt the increase in electricity tariff, enforce laws that will make corporations performing public functions to be responsible and stop the repression and traumatization of the masses all in the name of profit.

· Invest returns from fuel price hike in health, education, and increase in welfare of workers, including health workers, police, soldiers and other relevant stakeholders.

Restructure Nigeria. NOW Nigerians are begging the Govt to restructure, very soon it may be the Govt begging the people for restructuring.

· A word is enough for the wise, but for the foolish, a million words mean nothing.

Politics

Ogun 2027: Senator Adeola Yayi Promises Inclusive Governance, Says, Ogun APC Primaries Peaceful, Transparent

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Ogun 2027: Senator Adeola Yayi Promises Inclusive Governance, Says, Ogun APC Primaries Peaceful, Transparent

…Dismisses Claims of Discontent Over Emergence as APC Consensus Candidate

 

ILARO-YEWA, OGUN STATE, NIGERIA – The Ogun State All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus candidate for the 2027 governorship election, distinguished Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola, has assured the people of the state that he would run an all-inclusive government if elected governor in 2027.

 

Fondly called Yayi, the senator currently representing Ogun West in the Red Chamber of the National Assembly made this known on Thursday, May 21, 2026, shortly after participating in the governorship primary at Pahayi, Ilaro Ward 1.

 

Speaking with journalists, Senator Adeola Yayi assured party members that he would not disappoint them if elected governor, pledging to deliver good governance while sustaining the developmental strides of the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun.

 

According to him, “I want to assure the people that I will run an inclusive government and carry everyone along. It will be an administration that leaves no group or interest behind.”

 

The senator commended party faithful for the peaceful and orderly conduct of the governorship primaries, noting that the exercise reflected the unity and cohesion within the party.

 

Senator Adeola Yayi further expressed delight that the primary election was conducted peacefully across the state, describing the turnout of party members during the direct primary exercise as a strong indication that the APC remains formidable and well-positioned to record landslide victories in the 2027 general elections.

 

He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dapo Abiodun for sustaining the internal democracy for which the ruling party is reputed, while reiterating his readiness to run an open and inclusive administration.

 

Fielding questions during the press interaction, the Ogun State APC consensus governorship candidate dismissed claims that some aspirants were aggrieved over his emergence as the party’s consensus candidate.

 

According to him, his emergence was not imposed on the party but was the outcome of extensive consultations and consensus among stakeholders and party leaders across the three senatorial districts of the state.

 

“I am not aware of any aggrieved aspirants over my emergence as the governorship consensus candidate of our dear party. The decision to present me as the consensus candidate was not foisted on the party.

 

“Rather, it was the result of far-reaching consultations and agreements among stakeholders and leaders of the party across the three senatorial districts of the state.

 

“To my knowledge, nobody was cheated and nobody was disenfranchised. I received overwhelming support at the Ogun State APC strategic meeting held at the party secretariat. Thereafter, I met with other aspirants, and we are all committed to working together for the betterment of the people of Ogun State”, he stated.

 

The senator, who was widely cheered across Ilaro metropolis, polled 3,023 votes at Pahayi Ilaro Ward 1, 2,601 votes in Ilaro Ward 2, and 2,419 votes in Ward 3. He later monitored the exercise in Ilaro Ward 2 and Ward 3, where party members and supporters hailed him enthusiastically at every stop.

 

The massive turnout of APC members across polling units in Ogun West, and indeed across Ogun State, was seen by observers of the scene as a demonstration of the widespread acceptance and popularity of the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations among the people, without any form of inducement.

 

Ogun 2027: Senator Adeola Yayi Promises Inclusive Governance, Says, Ogun APC Primaries Peaceful, Transparent

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Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors Hails Rivers APC Over Peaceful Conduct of Guber Primaries

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*Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors Hails Rivers APC Over Peaceful Conduct of Guber Primaries*

Charges Chinda to Be Magnanimous in Victory as a Patriot

The Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors (RCA) has commended the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the peaceful and orderly conduct of its governorship primaries, describing the process as a shining example of political maturity and a departure from the state’s history of acrimonious contests.

In a statement signed by Comrade Jude Chuks and issued shortly after the declaration of Rt. Hon. Kingsley Ogundu Chinda as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election, the group praised the APC leadership and stakeholders for ensuring a rancour-free exercise.

The Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors, a prominent support structure aligned with the broader Rainbow Coalition political movement in the state, noted that the smooth conduct of the primaries reflects growing commitment to unity, dialogue, and collective progress ahead of the 2027 polls.

“We congratulate the Rivers State APC for conducting a credible, transparent, and peaceful primary. This achievement underscores the maturing democratic culture in our state and sets a positive tone for the political season,” Chuks read.

The group specifically hailed the withdrawals of key aspirants, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Tonye Cole, which paved the way for Chinda’s emergence, describing the moves as “statesmanlike decisions taken in the supreme interest of peace and party cohesion.

While celebrating the outcome, the Rainbow Coalition Ambassadors charged the new flag bearer to remain magnanimous in victory and demonstrate the spirit of a true patriot.

“Victory at the primary is not an end in itself but a call to higher responsibility. We urge Hon. Kingsley Chinda to extend a hand of fellowship to all other aspirants, stakeholders, and even those outside the APC.

“True leadership demands inclusivity, humility, and the ability to heal divides rather than widen them,” the ambassadors emphasised.

They further appealed to Chinda to prioritise broad-based consultations, youth and women inclusion, and the welfare of Rivers people in his campaign and future governance plans, noting his legislative experience and cross-party relationships as key assets.

The group, however, expressed optimism that, knowing Chinda’s antecedents as a seasoned lawmaker, bridge-builder, and consistent advocate for good governance, he will unify the party, foster inclusive development, and deliver people-oriented leadership that prioritises the welfare of all Rivers people across party lines.

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Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

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Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

 

Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, has issued a strong warning to dissidents within the All Progressives Congress, APC, that are spreading false reports about the House of Assembly primaries held Wednesday, May 20 across all the wards in the local government.

 

Supervising officers from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the immediate past Executive Chairman of Agege Local Government Area, High Chief Ganiyu Kola Egunjobi, and Barrister. Azeez Oladapo Ninalowo as winners of Agege Constituencies I and II respectively. Egunjobi polled 10, 126 votes while Ninalowo scored 12, 455 votes. Both candidates had earlier emerged as consensus aspirants during a caucus meeting of the party presided over by Speaker Obasa last Tuesday.

 

Obasa spoke at the Agege Stadium earlier today, Thursday, May 21, as the APC faithful and stakeholders converged in their thousands to affirm incumbent deputy governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, as the consensus candidate of the party in the 2027 governorship election.

 

Speaking on the outcome of the primaries, Obasa declared: “We’ve done everything according to the dictates of the party. Dr Obafemi Kadiri Hamzat is our governorship candidate. Senator Idiat Adebule is our candidate in the Lagos West Senatorial District, and Mudashiru Obasa is the candidate for Agege Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. Collectively, we have decided and we are standing by the decision of our members.”

 

He commended INEC and security agencies “for helping us to have a free, fair, and transparent exercise devoid of violence and disorderliness.” The Speaker also praised party members for their loyalty and steadfastness, stating: “Agege is always here for the party. We are always present. When you are a member of a party, you should always participate in all its activities. Why will anyone who isn’t here claim to be part of us?

 

“You can’t be absent from all primaries and still claim that you are with us. We have conducted House of Representatives, Senate, House of Assembly, and Governorship primaries, yet some disgruntled party members have consistently stayed away. It is not possible. They are not part of us.”

 

Further, Obasa said: “We should be mindful of the people we send to represent us in any position. If they disregard us, we will wait until their tenure expires and remove them. The beauty of any political structure is continuity. Agege remains a shining example of a well-structured political organisation at the local government level.

 

“Nothing was done by subterfuge; everything was done in the open. INEC, DSS, Police, the media, and party leaders were all present. There’s nothing to fear. If anybody is initiating fake reports, let them continue. Anybody who has a problem should go and challenge the result in court. After the general election, maybe they will wake up,” he added.

 

With Hamzat’s candidacy sealed and Obasa drawing a hard line against internal dissent, Agege has sent a clear message: the APC’s fortress stands on loyalty and discipline, and those unwilling to march in step will be left behind as the party advances toward 2027.

 

Obasa Warns Dissidents as Agege Affirms Hamzat as APC governorship candidate

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