Politics
State of the Nation: Bola Tinubu & Bolaji Akinyemi By Ifeoma Ikem
State of the Nation: Bola Tinubu & Bolaji Akinyemi
By Ifeoma Ikem
As Nigeria prepares to hit 64 years later this year, the citizens are ever mindful that development and growth occur only in the soil of peace.
When the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration was sworn in last year to captain the ship of state, one of the basic duties it promised to oversee was a more united country, where all its peoples could live in harmony and togetherness.
However, kidnapping, banditry, insecurity amid other vices continue to escalate across the nation. An instance of particular concern are the incessant attacks and killings in Plateau State. In the past nine months, reports have revealed steady casualties on the people by suspected herders and militias.
Numerous houses, places of business and worship have been razed, people displaced while the perpetrators roam freely without apprehension by the government.
Various attacks in Mangu and Bokkos local government areas of the state over the period claimed over a hundred lives, 62 of these Baptist church members that included women and children. In Chiran, a child was cut on the head with a machete but survived in attacks that claimed over 40 lives.
Unprovoked assaults resulted in 33 of our members’ deaths in Mangu LGA alone on May 15, 2023, a cleric, Rev. Kpeole Saleh said at the Plateau Baptist’s 47th Annual Conference in Jos. Several other communities also bore the brunt of attacks. In Bokkos alone, over 15 communities were invaded and hate meted on sleeping people on Christmas Eve last year. The situation has not dissipated even this year.
While insecurity in the land has kept escalating, the destructions has inflicted heavy economic losses also with many fleeing their homeland. And despite calls to the government, help has not been forthcoming.
However, amidst the cries by the people of Bokkos, Mangu and Birin Ladi councils for the return of peace and stability to their homeland, civil society groups under the umbrella of Project Victory Call Initiative (PVC-Naija) led by Dr Bolaji Akinyemi recently took up the gauntlet through a peace walk, to lay their grievances before the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration through the Lagos State Government.
A fierce fighter for equity and a self-acclaimed nation builder, Dr Akinyemi is a brand that has consistently lent himself to the fight for peace and justice wherever the need may arise. Among prominent attendees at the peace walk were Mr Lekan Onafeko, Prime minister of the community, Dah Chief Jonathan Sunday Akuns (Galadima Daffo), and President of Bokkos Cultural and Development Centre, Prof. Stephen Mallo.
While calling on the FG to intervene and bring lasting peace to the Plateau communities, and rid the country of insecurity, the activist said if left unchecked, insecurity will continue to be a major issue and take its toll on the country and its people.
Dr Akinyemi pointed out that the nation needed to be safe and secure, hence the the peaceful protest.
Meanwhile, Avou Danlami Mabas, chairman of Daffo Mangai Community Development Association (DMCDA), Bokkos branch has commended the Dr Akinyemi-led group for its selflessness and bravery in speaking up for the embattled people of Plateau.
In a letter titled, Appreciation to Residents, Indigenes of Bokkos LGA, Plateau State on the Protest Letter to President Tinubu Through Lagos State Governor, Mabas appealed for swift response to the letter, urging all hands to be on deck towards realising the mission.
He also proposed that in the interim a mobile police division should be immediately deployed to ensure peace in the embattled area.
Earlier at the peace rally, various speakers made calls for a strengthened security apparatus and a unified approach in tackling insecurity in the country.
Collaborating, the Initiative for Better and Brighter Nigeria, Lagos State chapter had cried out over the alarming state of attacks on the plateau, citing the need for urgent action. “Many people are attacked and killed daily. The government must intervene, end the killings, attacks and kidnappings once and for all,” said the group coordinator Rev.
*Go out and vote, it’s your right – Ogun APC charges electorate*
As the party campaigns for the 2024 Local Government election in Ogun State draws to a close midnight of today (Thursday), the All Progressives Congress, APC, has charged registered voters in Ogun State to go out and exercise their fundamentals rights on Saturday “without any fear whatsoever”.
Addressing the grand finale of APC in Odogbolu Local Government, the Publicity Secretary of the party in Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye said, “APC has done very well under the administration of Prince Dapo Abiodun, and we are poised to win the chairmanship and councilorship elections overwhelmingly come Saturday”.
Oladunjoye, who is also Senior Media Consultant to Governor Dapo Abiodun on Media, thanked the Odogbolu people for showing massive support to the APC in the local government.
“With what I have seen here, victory is sure. I want to thank you on behalf of the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON and the Chairman of APC in Ogun State, Chief Yemi Sanusi. “Come out and vote peacefully on Saturday. It is your constitutional duty and obligation.”
Oladunjoye added that people should learn from the chairmanship candidate of the party in Odogbolu local government, Dr. Babatunde Oyetola Diya, who vied for the office about three and half years ago and did not get it, but remained faithful in the party and continued to reach out to people with his humanitarian efforts.”
Anthony Ojo congratulates Gov Okpebholo, confirms Edo Central Senate aspiration
Influential Edo State politician, Anthony Ojo has congratulated Senator Monday Okpebholo after being sworn-in as the new Governor of the State.
In his congratulatory message, Ojo expressed confidence in the abilities of Gov Okpebholo to bring the dividends of democracy close to the people of Edo State.
“The people of Edo State have total trust in your five-point agenda, capacity as a leader, and this is evident with their immense show of love. We have no single doubt that under you, this state will progress to the promised land,” the statement reads.
Meanwhile, Anthony Ojo has confirmed his aspiration to contest the Edo Central senatorial seat under the flagship of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a position previously held by Senator Okpebholo before he was elected governor.
He cited that sharing the same leadership ideologies with Governor Okpebholo, and the keen desire for transformative human and capacity developments in Edo State are the reasons behind his ambition.
He promised to work closely with the Governor to provide succour to Edo citizens.
Appeal Court Further Affirms Udeze-led NEC Of Action Alliance As Valid, Authentic
ABUJA – The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has further affirmed Chief Barr. Kenneth Udeze-led National Executive Committee (NEC) of Action Alliance (AA) elected on 14th March 2021 National Convention of the party as valid and authentic.
Action Alliance, in a statement by its National Secretary, Vernimbe A James said, “the court of appeal Abuja Division today in Appeal Number; CA/ABJ/CV/1163/2024 in a lead Judgement delivered by Hon.Justics Abba Mohammed which was concord by the other two Justices dismissed the appeal filed by Adekunle Omoaje faction through one Miller C.Orgwu ( on behalf of himself and all NEC Members Elected at Action Alliance Elective National Convention of 7th of October,2023, held at OOPL Abeokuta, Ogun State ) against 1, INEC, 2, Kenneth Udeze,3, James Vernimbe, 4, Akinuli Fred Omolere.
“The Court also awarded N400,000 cost against the appellants in favor of the Respondents.
The appeal was about the validity of the powers of Action Alliance NEC under Chief Kenneth Udeze led executive to conduct the party Governorship primary in Ondo State for the upcoming Saturday 16th November 2024, Governorship Election.
“The Federal High Court Abuja Division had earlier In Suit Number; FHC/ABJ/ CS/626/2024 Between Miller Orgwu and others (Omoaje faction) claiming to be authentic NEC of the party against 1, INEC, 2, KENNETH UDEZE,3, JAMES VERNIMBE, 4, AKINULI FRED OMOLERE presided by HON. JUSTICE JOYCE O.ABDULMALIK on 24th, September 2024 dismissed their Claim and validated the Ondo State Governorship Primary Election Conducted by Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC as valid and authentic, thereby Confirming the Ondo State Governorship Candidate of the party AKINULI FRED OMOLERE as the valid Candidate of the party for the 16th, November 2024 Governorship Election in Ondo State.”
The statement further said: “On 28 March 2022, the FCT High Court Abuja had affirmed and validated the Action Alliance National Convention held on 14th, March 2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led NEC of the party were elected.
“Dissatisfied with the said Judgement, one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others were granted leave of the court of appeal to appeal same Judgement.
“On the 26th, January 2024, the Court of Appeal Abuja Division in Appeal Number; CA/ ABJ/ CV/ 955/22 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others further Affirmed the FCT High Court Judgement that earlier validated the Action Alliance National Convention of 14th March,2021 wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance (AA) NEC of the party was elected.
“Dissatisfied with the appeal court Judgement one Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others have appealed the Judgement to the Supreme Court of Nigeria in appeal Number: SC/ CV/162/2024 Between Adekunle Rufai Omoaje and others and Chief Uzewuru Nwachukwu and others, the matter is still pending at the Supreme Court of Nigeria which he has abandoned but desperately looking for how to come through the back door to claim the leadership of Action Alliance.”
The statement also explained that “INEC has since Complied with the Judgements validating the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party wherein Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze led Action Alliance NEC of the party was elected and uploaded on its website the Name of Chief Barr Kenneth Udeze- National Chairman, Vernimbe A James -National Secretary and other Elected NEC of the party as authentic.
“There is no court ruling or Judgement that Affirmed or validated any other National Convention of Action Alliance (AA) held on any other date apart from the 14th, March 2021 National Convention of the party which Courts have already and variously validated.”
Ezenwa Ibegbunam, who is the Counsel to Chief Fred Omolere, the governorship candidate of the party affirmed by the Court, noted that the judgment has further restated the correct position of the law and a vindication of the previous decision of the Court of Appeal which had earlier affirmed Chief Udeze led executive as the authentic leadership of the Action Alliance.
On his part, Chief Kenneth Udeze has praised the Court of Appeal as a citadel of justice and urged the party members across the country to remain focused.
He further noted that the Judgment has cleared the way for the victory of the party in the Ondo State gubernatorial election.
Source: Daily Independent
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