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PASEDA: Striving beyond Awolowo’s unending dreams

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As much as we cannot crush faith by simply removing its earthly manifestation, we can hold firm as long as we believe in the fact that change must continue to occur in our dear country. The change we deserve would come through individuals or collective of individuals that truly believe that a political position is not an avenue to fulfil an unrealistic childhood dreams of owning the entire world through pocket servicing.

Many would reason along with me that the political, economic and social footprints of the only president Nigeria never had has been the bedrock for many individual politicians and political parties in Nigeria today. Hardly would a day go by without you hearing from a politician that his or her party’s stands to build on the foundation of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. It is in no doubt that the Awolowo’s dream is so marketable to this generation and to the arriving generations as far as politicking and governance is concerned in Nigeria.

The first noticeable trait of good leadership that was exhibited by Chief Obafemi Awolowo is the vision and wisdom that he harnessed in reforming and forming a strong political structure with ideals of liberating the entire Nigerian race as far as governance is concerned. Awolowo from my opinion was a man that strived to create a consenting process and unity which was aimed at ensuring that the shared origins and the economic well-being of Nigerians are extremely important. In all circumstance, I have come to conclude that Awolowo’s resentment of discrimination and inequality influenced his politics and ambitions as a nationalist. This I have traced to the character of Olawale Rotimi Paseda, a man that has seen himself as a crusader on behalf of his beliefs. He has demonstrated this through his personal convictions and concerns about morality, honour and truth in the political process. This has been expressed through his servant-leader relationships among people around him.

Rotimi Paseda might have lost the gubernatorial race in Ogun State at the last polls but the stricking thing about his loss was that he came around the state politicking barely few months to election and pulled enough strength by emerging third at the polls.  Beyond the material and intellectual benefits of linking wider political ambitions with local political support, a comparison of Awolowo’s career with a typical man like Paseda suggests that local support was not only instrumental for a successful political career at all levels because it provided the required votes. The Unity Party of Nigeria is a political party that many have forgotten about.

It is a party that the late Awolowo himself nurtured for modern democracy but after his death; the party barely survived the heat of real Nigerian political struggle especially at the emergence of stronger political parties at the fourth democratic republic. Unity Party of Nigeria is so alien to many eardrums until the last election when it resurrected from angles that no one expected. The notion behind the party’s sudden emergence is that the great vision of Awolowo must be achieved beyond imagination. I guess heaven smiled at the intention has a singular man’s struggle has made it a party to be reckoned with at the moment. If not a strong opposition as at now, it is growing the tentacles of a viable opposition sooner or later. Paseda insists that Awolowo’s legacy must not die. He is not saying this with mere words of mouth; he is acting it like Awolowo himself would have acted if he still sailing on this Island called mother earth. Awolowo was a supporter of good initiative just like Paseda made it obvious that he stood for that irrespective of where or whose party it is coming from. If it is a good initiative that would checkmate the excesses of the citizenry or initiatives that would better the life of every Nigerian, he readily admires and embrace. No doubt that Paseda being an Awoist to the core, believes so much in Awolowo’s philosophy to the latter. This single man went on a tour to Northern part of Nigeria to revive the Unity Party of Nigeria in that part of the country. This is a rare breed of today’s politician. Most of our politician wants readymade parties that they can easily ride on smoothly to power.  I guess Paseda took a well grip of Awolowo’s message at the point of death that, there will be a time when the good from the left and right will come together to form a credible government’, what this means is that the good from APC, PDP, UPN, etc, can come together to form a formidable force to move Nigeria forward.

To the youths, this is a typical politician that we can learn from his style of politicking. If it is to be, it is up to us. (Whyte Habeeb Ibidapo is a Lawyer, United Nations Award winner, Africa International Arbitration Award winner, amongst others.

 

Politics

Captain Buratai Joins Borno Assembly Race, Sparks Youth Mobilisation in Biu

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Captain Buratai Joins Borno Assembly Race, Sparks Youth Mobilisation in Biu

 

Pilot Muhammad Tukur Buratai (MTTB), son of former Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Yusuf Buratai, has intensified political activities in Borno State after purchasing the nomination form of the All Progressives Congress to contest for a seat in the Borno State House of Assembly.

General Buratai Backs Son’s Political Ambition, Calls For Greater Youth Inclusion In Governance

The young aviator is seeking to represent Biu Constituency, a move many political observers describe as a bold transition from professional service into active grassroots politics.

 

 

Supporters of the aspirant insist his emergence represents a blend of youthfulness, exposure and leadership capacity needed in the state legislature at a time when demands for greater youth representation in governance continue to gain momentum across the country.

 

Unlike conventional political entrants, allies of captain Buratai argue that his aviation background has equipped him with discipline, technical knowledge, calm decision-making and strategic coordination skills considered valuable in public leadership.

 

 

Political watchers within Biu also believe his candidacy could energise younger voters and strengthen grassroots participation within the APC ahead of the party primaries.

 

His growing acceptance, according to supporters, is also linked to his accessibility, community engagement and understanding of the developmental concerns facing youths and rural communities within the constituency.

 

The aspirant recently met with his father to seek his blessing ahead of the political contest, a development seen by many as a symbolic endorsement of his ambition and readiness for public service.

 

 

Stakeholders within the constituency say his entry into the race has already altered political calculations in the area, with consultations and mobilisation intensifying across several wards.

 

Supporters further maintain that beyond family name recognition, the young aspirant possesses the educational exposure, leadership orientation and communication skills required to effectively represent the interests of the people at the legislative level.

 

 

As political activities gather momentum ahead of the elections, many within Biu believe his emergence could usher in a new generation of leadership focused on youth empowerment, education, economic opportunities and community development.

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Ajadi Congratulates Bimbo Adekanmbi, Vows Supports to 2027 Governorship Project

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Ajadi Congratulates Bimbo Adekanmbi, Vows Supports to 2027 Governorship Project

 

 

Prominent political figures within the Team Seyi Makinde political structure in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo and Hon. Adedeji Stanley Olajide, popularly known as Odidiomo, have congratulated Chief Bimbo Adekanmbi following his emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of the political movement ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

The duo, who also emerged as consensus senatorial candidates for Oyo Central and Oyo South Senatorial Districts, respectively, pledged total support for Adekanmbi’s governorship ambition, while assuring residents of Oyo State of inclusive governance and continuity of developmental policies associated with Governor Seyi Makinde’s administration.

 

“I throw my full support behind Chief Bimbo Adekanmbi as the consensus governorship candidate chosen by our political leaders through a unified process,” Ajadi said.

 

He added, “His emergence reflects unity, consultation, and the collective resolve of our political family, and we are fully committed to delivering victory in 2027.”

 

According to him, the endorsement of Adekanmbi was based on competence, loyalty, administrative experience, and the need to sustain ongoing developmental strides in the state.

 

Also reacting to the development, Hon. Stanley Odidiomo expressed appreciation to stakeholders for the confidence reposed in the candidates selected through consensus.

 

He assured party loyalists and supporters that the candidates would work collectively to deepen democratic dividends across the state.

 

“This is not about individual ambition alone; it is about protecting the future of Oyo State and consolidating on the achievements already recorded. We are united, and we are prepared to serve the people with sincerity and fairness,” Odidiomo said.

 

Sources close to the meeting disclosed that discussions centered on political unity, grassroots mobilization, and sustaining the developmental momentum associated with Governor Makinde’s administration.

 

The Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal, was also said to have witnessed the strategic meeting alongside other influential stakeholders within the political structure.

 

Lawal reportedly congratulated Adekanmbi and the senatorial candidates while expressing optimism that the political family would remain united ahead of the next general elections.

 

Political observers in the state believe the consensus arrangement may reshape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 governorship contest, especially with increasing alignments and consultations among major political actors across the state.

 

Adekanmbi’s emergence is already generating conversations within political circles, with supporters describing it as an attempt to maintain continuity, stability, and the governance philosophy championed by Governor Makinde over the years.

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CityBoy Movement Denounces ‘False Blasphemy Claim’ Against Seyi Tinubu

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Why Seyi Tinubu is not your usual silver spoon

CityBoy Movement Denounces ‘False Blasphemy Claim’ Against Seyi Tinubu

 

 

The CityBoy Movement has dismissed as false and malicious a viral social media post alleging that its patron, Barr. Seyi Tinubu, made blasphemous remarks concerning God and the 2027 presidential election.

 

In a statement issued on Monday by the group’s Deputy Director-General for Communication and Public Affairs, O’tega Ogra, the movement described the publication as “deliberately inflammatory” and aimed at creating religious tension in the country.

 

The group said the statement, allegedly authored by one “Albaabu Abudulahi,” falsely attributed comments to Tinubu which he never made “at any time, in any place, through any channel, or under any circumstance whatsoever.”

 

According to the statement, the allegation was “entirely false, malicious in intent, reckless in circulation and dangerous in consequence.”

 

The movement maintained that Seyi Tinubu is a man of faith who believes that all authority comes from God alone and would never insult or diminish the supremacy of God or Allah.

“He has never insulted, mocked, questioned or diminished the supremacy of Almighty God or Allah, and will never do so,” the statement read.

The group further accused unnamed individuals of attempting to damage Tinubu’s image and provoke unnecessary religious controversy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

While reaffirming Tinubu’s support for the re-election bid of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, the CityBoy Movement stressed that all political ambitions and public service efforts remain subject to “the will and guidance of Almighty God.”

The organisation urged Nigerians to disregard the circulating claims, describing them as a calculated attempt to mislead the public and sow division along religious lines.

It also called on media organisations, digital publishers and social media users to verify information before sharing materials capable of threatening national unity and peaceful coexistence.

The statement reiterated the movement’s commitment to democratic engagement, responsible public conduct and respect for all faiths.

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