Politics
Impeachment: Don’t make your deputy a ‘scapegoat,’ lawyer begs Akeredolu

Impeachment: Don’t make your deputy a ‘scapegoat,’ lawyer begs Akeredolu
A lawyer, Mr Donald Ayibiowu, has called on Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo not to make his deputy, Mr Lucky Aiyedatiwa, a scapegoat over allegation preferred against him by the state house of assembly.
Ayibiowu, an indigene of Okelusi Town in Ondo State, made the call in an open letter he wrote to the governor and a copy made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Abuja.
The letter titled: “An Open Letter to Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, in respect of the Ongoing Needless Charade Called Impeachment of the Ondo State Deputy Governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedatiwa; Request for Leadership, Restraint, Caution and Focus in the Governance of Ondo State,” was dated Sept. 20.
The state’s lawmakers, during plenary, had alleged that Aiyedatiwa was involved in gross misconduct while in the office as an acting governor.
The assembly wrote a letter to the deputy governor, to respond to the allegation within seven days, signalling the beginning of his impeachment.
Ayibiowu congratulated Akeredolu on his quick recovery and return to Nigeria from his medical treatment abroad.
READ ALSO:
-
Police nab sales boy, others for stealing 890 phones in Kano
-
Fish out killers of herdsman in 48 hours – Lagbaja orders Soldiers
-
Chief Medical Director beats wife to pulp, lands in hospital + Photo
The Abuja-based legal practitioner said while Akeredolu was away, the state was left near rudderless by a combination of factors ranging from debilitating politicking, rumor mongering, sycophancy, etc.
“One may be tempted to forgive the various dramatis persona in the light of the fact that your unexpected ailment may not have allowed you to give proper directives as to the governance structure type you want in your absence.
“Now that you are back and still recuperating in your Ibadan home, but in the light of your communication to the Ondo State House of Assembly that you have resumed work, one expects that you take charge fully of affairs of our dear Ondo, notwithstanding, the Shenanigans of family, friends and close political associates.
“The shocking news of the on-going pointless impeachment of your deputy, Mr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa, is the least the people expects from our dear state.
“I dare say that your deputy should not be made the ‘scape goat’ for what the whole world can see glaringly as ‘fuji house of commotion’ in your absence.
“To participate, consent or authorise his removal would mean that you have taken side.
“Your Excellency, your approach should be to declare that ‘all have sinned and come short the glory of God’, because I believe you don’t even know who is right, wrong, true, good or bad,” he said.
According to him, you cannot be seen to want to adopt one sided narration of wrong doing in your absence.
“This move will be misunderstood by most people; it will obstruct proper governance, due administration and it will subject our state to another round of ignoble national odious and negative perception that comes with such exertion’” he advised.
READ ALSO:
-
Eid-el-Maulud: Pray for sustainable peace, security – Police
-
Donald Trump found liable for fraud in New York civil case
-
How I will tackle inflation, naira, forex crises – CBN Gov, Cardoso
He said if some of the power brokers within the state had scores to settle with Aiyedatiwa, they should rather do so privately and not fiddle with the peace and integrity of the state.
“I wish to place on record that I have been your ardent supporter from your days as NBA President and I don’t know your deputy in person, I have never met him in person or by proxy, neither do I intend to hold brief for him.
“I believe he may have, or harbor gubernatorial ambition after your tenure but I will like to tell you that the deputy governor, as Acting Governor, if he was very desperate, could have sack some of your appointees or could have radically alter the status quo in your absence.
“But he didn’t do any of these things, why not imply that he is a saint, no one his either,” he said.
The lawyer, however, advised that should the governor intend to proceed with the impeachment of his deputy, he should follow the law and respect the sanctity of court processes.
His words: “Mr Governor, the law is settled per the position of the Supreme Court in Inakoju v. Adeleke on the process and procedures for the removal of persons holding the Office of the Governor/Deputy Governor.
“You are a respected law scholar in Nigeria.
“Therefore, should it be politically expedient for your team to proceed with their action, counsel them to follow the law.
“So far, the public have not seen any cogent misconduct or clear-cut financial misappropriation or embezzlement attributable to the deputy governor to warrant this harassment.”
Ayibiowu urged Akeredolu to call the impeachment actors to order, focus on finishing strong, pull his team together, motivate them and concentrate on delivery his campaign promises to the people.
Impeachment: Don’t make your deputy a ‘scapegoat,’ lawyer begs Akeredolu
(NAN)
Politics
Atiku says he’s not sure about contesting 2027 presidential election

Atiku says he’s not sure about contesting 2027 presidential election
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has said that he does not know if he will contest the presidency in 2027.
Atiku made the remark in a yet-to-be-aired interview for a television show, Untold Stories, with Adesuwa Giwa-Osagie, scheduled for broadcast today but exclusively obtained by Daily Trust.
The former presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) recently announced the formation of a coalition of opposition leaders to wrest power from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
However, there has been widespread speculation about who will lead the coalition and emerge as its presidential candidate, with former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, being considered among its key figures.
When asked if he would be running for the presidency in 2027, Atiku said: “I don’t know because there has to be, first of all, a viable platform, more than any other time in the political history of this country, particularly since the return of democracy.”
READ ALSO:
- Terrorists kill soldiers in attack on Borno military base
- Ex-NSA Dasuki’s N33.2bn fraud case begins afresh 10 years after
- Senate committee throws out Natasha’s petition
Atiku, who has run for the presidency a record six times, did not rule out the possibility of contesting again in 2027.
“I have not seen Nigeria in dire need of, you know, an experienced and credible leadership than this time.
“We had a similar, you know, what would I say, merger in 2014. About four of us or is it three? We all ran for president and one of us emerged, and we all supported the one who emerged, and he won,” he said.
He agreed with former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s assertion that Nigeria’s democracy is deteriorating, saying the situation is “very dire.”
“No doubt about that,” he said.
Atiku also expressed his disappointment with the country’s political leadership.
“The next generation after me, many of them had been governors, had been senators. Instead of me to see an improvement in the level of governance at the state level and so on and so forth, I don’t see it. So I feel a little bit distressed.”
Atiku also questioned the credibility of the current legislative leadership, especially as it relates to the National Assembly’s ratification of the state of emergency in Rivers State
“I am not surprised,” he said, alleging that they are corrupt.
Atiku says he’s not sure about contesting 2027 presidential election
Politics
Africa’s democracy is govt by small for small number of people – Obasanjo

Africa’s democracy is govt by small for small number of people – Obasanjo
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has advanced reasons for what he called abysmal failure of democracy in Africa.
According to him, African presidents work with a clique and wield enormous powers with little or no resistance from perpetuating illegalities and abuse of office.
The ex-President said the democracy being practised in Africa does not aligned with the people’s values, culture, and way of life.
Obasanjo said spoke on Monday at a colloquium in Abuja to mark the 60th birthday of Emeka Ihedioha, a former governor of Imo State.
The former Nigerian leader, who chaired the event, referencing Abraham Lincoln’s definition of democracy as “government of the people, by the people, for the people,” said the system should work for all citizens rather than a privileged few.
He however wondered if African countries are practising true democracy or only adopting Western Liberal democracy.
He said, “If you are talking about democracy failing in Africa, democracy in Africa has failed. And why has it failed?
“Because in context and in content, it is not Africa. It does not have any aspect of our culture, our way of life, what we stand for, what we believe.
“Today, we have democracy, which is the government of a small number of people, by a small number of people over a large number of people who are deprived of what they need to have in life. That is not democracy that will endure.
“It is ‘I am because I can grab.’ What sort of democracy brings you, and you grab everything and then illegally, corruptly, and you say go to court? When you know that even in the court, you cannot get justice.
“It’s not that democracy is failing, democracy is dying and if we are going to make democracy not to die, we have to look at democracy in the context and in the content of Africa. I hope that we will get to that stage so that democracy which will deliver will be the democracy that we will have in Africa.”
Obasanjo was Nigeria’s military ruler from 1976 to 1979 and democratically elected president from 1999 to 2007.
Politics
Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau

Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau
Former Kano State Governor, Ibrahim Shekarau, has cast doubt on the ability of a newly formed opposition coalition to unseat President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Shekarau described the alliance, which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, as a gathering of individuals with personal political ambitions rather than a structured and unified opposition front.
His remarks came just two days after the coalition’s formation was announced, with the stated goal of challenging Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement by his spokesperson, Dr. Sule Yau, Shekarau remarked, “This is just a gathering of certain individuals with political ambitions; none of them has officially consulted their party leadership.”
READ ALSO:
- Six students die of meningitis in Kebbi varsity
- Asake reconciles with ailing father, moves him to specialist hospital
- Soyinka Kicks against State of Emergency in Rivers
He further argued that a coalition featuring prominent figures does not necessarily equate to an effective political alliance.
“The coalition of opposition figures is a good development, as seen in their recent meeting under what they call an opposition alliance. However, none of the key figures involved represents their party leadership,” Shekarau stated.
Emphasizing the legal framework for political mergers, he pointed out that only registered parties could formally unite, making the recent gathering an informal arrangement rather than an officially recognized coalition.
Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai’s coalition can’t unseat Tinubu – Shekarau
-
metro1 day ago
Rivers administrator Ibas fires Fubara’s political appointees
-
metro1 day ago
JUST-IN: Ex-Oyo gov Ajimobi’s first child Bisola dies At 42
-
International2 days ago
Canada removes bonus ranking points for job offers in Express Entry system
-
metro2 days ago
How ritualists, native doctor drugged, murdered underage sisters in PH – Police
-
metro1 day ago
FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr
-
Sports3 days ago
Nigeria’s Super Eagles falter in W’Cup qualifiers against Zimbabwe, S’Africa lead, Egypt, Morocco qualify
-
metro3 days ago
Akpabio has habit of abusing women, says Atiku
-
Africa1 day ago
Niger coup leader sworn in as president for five years