Don’t turn Nigeria into banana republic over Tinubu, Obanikoro warns oppositions – Newstrends
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Don’t turn Nigeria into banana republic over Tinubu, Obanikoro warns oppositions

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Former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro

Don’t turn Nigeria into banana republic over Tinubu, Obanikoro warns oppositions

A former Minister of State for Defence, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, says those protesting and kicking against the inauguration of the President-elect, Sen. Bola Tinubu, on May 29, should not turn the country into a banana republic.

Obanikoro, also  a former Ambassador to Ghana, made the remark while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sideline of the 9th Ramadan Lecture of Anwar-Ul Islam College, Agege Old Students’ Association (ACAOSA), on Saturday in Lagos.

NAN reports that the Ramadan Lecture  had in attendance various alumni of the school including Obanikoro; Alhaji Tunde Balogun, former Lagos APC Chairman; civil servants, technocrats; entrepreneurs; legal practitioners and academics.

The lecture was titled, “Islamic Perspective of a Good Governance: Any Lesson for Nigeria?”

Obanikoro said: “They are daydreaming. There is no perfect election anywhere in the world.

“For anyone that is not satisfied, what is next is to go through the judiciary. If you feel aggrieved, go to the court.

“We cannot turn Nigeria into a banana republic.

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“Our system is not perfect, it is a work in progress, we have to continue to work at it until we get to a situation that all of us will be comfortable with.”

Describing as sad and unfortunate the calls by some people for Interim National Government, Obanikoro said that those calling for it showed that they did not appreciate democracy, hence not qualified to lead such government.

“It sounds crazy to me,” he added.

On the Ramadan Lecture, Obanikoro, who described good governance as teaching of God in Quran and Bible, said that governance should be about putting people first.

“The idea  is to help the vulnerable among us and create a society where we will be our brother’s keepers.

“That is the essence of  governance, and that is what the religion of Islam or Christianity is preaching almost on a daily basis,” he said.

Obanikoro, who was presented an award by ACAOSA for his contributions to the school through the association, said it was a privilege to give back to the school that had given them so much.

“Giving back comes naturally. I commend the ACAOSA for honouring us and we shall do more.

“Anytime you are recognised by your peers for doing something special, you have to appreciate it because you are not the only one, there are others  too,” he said.

Commending the organisers for their tenacity, Obanikoro said that the association would continue to do more for the college.

Similarly, Alhaji Lawal Pedro (SAN),  the President General, ACAOSA,  also told NAN that those protesting against the May 29 inauguration of Tinubu were not democrats, saying “they are people who do not mean well for the country”.

Maintaining that the election was relatively free and fair considering the number of states each of the major contenders won, Pedro urged those who lost to plan for the next electoral cycle.

“These people should not be tolerated, in fact the necessary authorities should go after them. If they have evidence of being rigged, they should take it to the court rather can constituting nuisance,” he said.

Also, Alhaji Tunde Balogun, former Lagos APC Chairman, another recipient of ACAOSA Life Time Award, said that the college had done a lot of positive things for him in life.

“My life was shaped and given foundation by this college. I came into this school at age 14 and left when I was an adult.

“It is was a great privilege for this school to have helped me in building my character and preparing me for what I do now,” the former Senior Prefect Boy of the college said.

The Chairman of the day, Alhaji Fola Adeola, said that the school had produced so many great personalities in Nigeria.

Adeola, who was represented Mr Yinka Adeola, his brother,  noted that the association was proud of the feats of the college in the area of academics, sports and others.

NAN reports that other awardees include Alhaji S. Adeyanju, the first College Imam (1960-1963); Dr A. Omofade, a former Permanent Secretary in Lagos State and  Prof.  Alade Akintonwa, former Dean, Faculty of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, University of Lagos.

Others are  Alhaji Rasaq Yusuf, a retired civil servant, and Alhaji Abdul-Ganiu Ajala, a Surveyor among others. (NAN)

Don’t turn Nigeria into banana republic over Tinubu, Obanikoro warns oppositions

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Why I can’t form coalition with Peter Obi – Sowore

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Peter Obi and Omoyele Sowore

Why I can’t form coalition with Peter Obi – Sowore

Omoyele Sowore, the African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, recently shared his reasons for not forming a coalition with Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s candidate in the same election.

In his appearance on the Honest Bunch podcast, Sowore asserted that, in his view, Obi is similar to other Nigerian politicians, describing him as “better at packaging.”

Sowore explained that his own journey in politics began long before Obi gained national recognition, emphasizing his dedication to advocating for systemic change in Nigeria.

During the podcast, co-hosted by Nedu, Husband Material, Deity Cole, and Ezinne, Sowore highlighted his belief in challenging the status quo, which he feels differs significantly from Obi’s approach.

Sowore said, “Before you discovered Peter Obi, I was already running for president. All these shouts about Peter Obi… He just knows how to package. Anyone can do it.

“If I form a coalition with Peter Obi, I will be going against what I have always stood for, which is that I will never support a Nigerian leader who has held any political office — whether at the federal, state, or local level — if I consider them non-performing.

“It’s the same reason I would never have joined hands with Atiku. And the Peter Obi you’re talking about was a vice-presidential candidate to Atiku when I was a presidential candidate in 2019.

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“So, what are we talking about? There is no lesser evil in my book. If you are evil, you are evil. If you are good, you are good. I have a general disdain for non-performance.”

He added that there is no such thing as “emotional attachment” in his dictionary.

“There was a friend of mine who kept saying, he doesn’t care if Peter Obi is Igbo, but that it is the turn of the Igbos. But it is beyond that; I have a natural disdain for poor performance,” he explained.

Sowore insisted that while many may not know it, he knew Obi before and during his time as governor, and he backed him.

“I had always known and supported him and stood against his removal when (Olusegun) Obasanjo wanted to use Andy Ubah to replace him—the twists and turns then.

“However, when Peter Obi finished his term in Anambra, the question I asked him was whether he could send his child to any university he had built in Anambra—he was mute and could not respond.

“I also asked him if he could enter any hospital he built in Anambra, which he governed for eight years, even if it was for the slightest headache—there was also no response.”

Sowore went on to challenge the four anchors or any other Nigerians, saying, “If they can pack their bags and head to Anambra for a vacation.”

PUNCH Online reports that President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress recorded 8,794,726 votes in the 2023 presidential election, followed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party who secured 6,984,520 votes.

In third place, Labour Party’s Obi garnered 6,101,533 votes, and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party secured 1,496,687 votes.

Why I can’t form coalition with Peter Obi – Sowore

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Why we want Jonathan to contest 2027 presidency – Northern group

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Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

Why we want Jonathan to contest 2027 presidency – Northern group

The Arewa Consensus for Jonathan, a political group in the North, has urged former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to enter the 2027 presidential race.

Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, is widely regarded for his role in fostering democratic growth and his relatively peaceful exit from power after losing the 2015 election.
Despite his exit from politics, his name has remained a focal point in discussions about Nigeria’s future leadership.

The group’s leader, Munir Musa, who made the appeal during a press conference in Bauchi over the weekend, emphasised that Jonathan’s return to office was crucial to addressing Nigeria’s pressing economic and security challenges.

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He argued that Nigeria, grappling with severe economic downturns and rising security threats, needs a leader with Jonathan’s experience and competence to restore stability.

“The nation is at a crossroads, and we believe that Goodluck Jonathan is the right man to steer us out of the current malaise,” Musa told reporters.

He expressed confidence that Jonathan’s leadership could heal the country’s deepening wounds and usher in a new era of progress.

 

Why we want Jonathan to contest 2027 presidency – Northern group

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Afenifere, Council of Obas back Aiyedatiwa for Ondo gov

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Governor of Ondo State, Lucky Aiyedatiwa

Afenifere, Council of Obas back Aiyedatiwa for Ondo gov

Afenifere, the pan-Yoruba socio-political and cultural organization, has endorsed Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the November 16 governorship election in Ondo State.

Sehinde Arogbofa, a prominent Afenifere leader, announced the support at the Olubaka of Oka land palace, Oba Yusuf Adebori Adeleye.

Arogbofa expressed confidence in Aiyedatiwa’s leadership and encouraged him to follow the values and legacy of Chief Adekunle Ajasin, Ondo State’s first governor. “Afenifere stands firmly behind your mandate… Strive to make Ondo State great again,” Arogbofa said.

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Oba Adeleye, speaking on behalf of traditional rulers in Akoko South West Local Government Area, also endorsed Aiyedatiwa, citing his masses-focused policies and the governor’s initiative to allocate five percent of local government funds to traditional institutions as a demonstration of his commitment to their welfare.

“The Council of Obas has decided that Governor Aiyedatiwa is our candidate,” Oba Adeleye stated, pledging their support for Aiyedatiwa’s election campaign.

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