Obasanjo’s position on Rivers emergency rule hypocritical, says Presidency

The Presidency yesterday chided former President Olusegun Obasanjo for criticising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.

It accused the former leader of hypocrisy and  poor democratic legacy, urging him to purge himself from deceit.

Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, who reflected on Obasanjo’s tenure, highlighted many undemocratic actions of his administration between 1999 and 2007.

“Obasanjo is trying every trick possible to whitewash his bad democratic records by attempting to exonerate himself from blame for how Nigeria’s democracy has fared,” Olusegun said in a post on his verified X handle.

The former president, who spoke at the colloquium marking the 60th birthday of Emeka Ihedioha, had condemned Tinubu’s decision to suspend Governor Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor Ngozi Odu, and members of the House of Assembly, warning that “democracy is dying in Nigeria.”

Olusegun flayed Obasanjo over his remarks, recalling instances where the former leader allegedly undermined democracy.

Obasanjo’s position on Rivers emergency rule hypocritical, says Presidency

Attack on Mufty of Ilorin: Onikijipa Family Charges Stakeholders to Call Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory to Order

Stakeholders in Ilorin Emirate have been asked to call to order the Mudirul, Markaz Centre for Arabic and Islamic Studies, Agege, Lagos State, Sheikh Habibullahi Adam Al-Ilory, over his persistent attacks on the personality of the Grand Mufty of Ilorin, Sheikh Suleiman Faruq Onikijipa.

In a statement issued in Ilorin on Sunday and obtained by Just Event Online TV , the Magaji Onikijipa Compound, Alhaji Abdulrahman Suyuti Onikijipa, on behalf of the family, said there is no distinction between the descendants of Onikijipa as they remain an indivisible entity.

The statement was titled “No Bastard among the Onikijipa: A Rejoinder to Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory”.

It clarified that the statement credited to Habibullahi Al-Ilory that the father of Grand Mufty of Ilorin, Sheikh Faruq Onikijipa was not a member of Onikijipa was not only false but a lie from the pit of hell.

The statement explained that Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory’s unsubstantiated claim was borne out of mischief and a ploy to create a wedge among Onikijipa family, insisting that the family does not harbour a bastard.

It recalled that this was not the first time the Mudirul Markaz would try to rewrite history of Onikijipa even in explicit contradictions to his father, Sheikh Adam Abdullahi Al-Ilory’s narrations in his mere usual bid to claim the “all-knowing”.

READ ALSO:

• FG declares public holidays for Eid-el-Fitr
• JUST-IN: Ex-Oyo gov Ajimobi’s first child Bisola dies At 42
• Crisis hits LagRide, drivers threaten protest as operators move to withdraw vehicles

The statement noted that Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory was out to discredit the good image of the Grand Mufty of Ilorin, adding that he has made attacks on anyone as his own trademark.

It described as bogus the claim attributed to Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory that only Alfa Alabi Onikijipa is the original Onikijipa and maintained that both Alfa Alabi Onikijipa and Alfa Faruq Onikijipa, the father of the Mufty of Ilorin are brothers and one family.

“We are compelled to release this statement in view of the recent shenanigan being displayed by Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory. We would not have responded to the story he put up in his head for reasons best known to him, but for the important need to set the record straight so that in the future people will not doubt our history as one strong Onikijipa family. This is not the first time this individual has tried to rewrite history even in explicit contradictions to his father’s narrations in his mere usual bid to claim the “all-knowing”. He is the only one who can help us to understand the reasons for doing that. As far as we are concerned, he is just being mischievous.

“On Friday 21st of Ramadan, Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory informed his listeners that he wanted to attack the Onikijipa family. During his daily tafsir, he went astray to attack our family in his usual nonsensical manner, an attempt to create disunity among us. But for his information, we are one strong indivisible family.

“There are some points that need to be addressed.

Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory claimed that our illustrious son, Sheikh Suleiman Faruq Onikijipa, the grand Mufty of Ilorin, is angry with Sheikh Adam Al-Ilory, Habibullah’s father, because the sheikh did not mention Sheikh Suleiman Faruq’s father in his book. This is not only laughable but a lie from the pit of hell. Habibullah should inform us the point at which Sheikh Suleiman said this and in what context. We believe this is just another lie to discredit the Mufty’s good image. That is Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory trade mark: he attacks everyone. He recently did the same to the people of Agbogunmati.

“As if that was not enough, Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory narrated that Sheikh Suleiman’s father is not a member of Onikijipa. This is another nonsense! His theory is that any house or household in Ilorin that is situated outside the main compound is not part of the family. Such a household, according to his theory, must have been given or gifted to the land. They are not originally part of the family. One begins to wonder if Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory remembers where his own family house is situated in Ilorin. It is there for everyone to see.

“Habibullah Adam Al-Ilory, in his desire to create disunity among us, claimed that Alfa Alabi Onikijipa is the original Onikijipa. If we had not heard this ourselves, we would not have believed it is coming from a man, who is expected to know better. But it is not surprising; that is his way. He attacks without a reason. He comes up with all sorts of theories just prove anything! There are instances out there. But this is our story, Alfa Alabi Onikijipa and Alfa Faruq Onikijipa are brothers and one family. There is no separation among us. It is even more worrisome that such a respected scholar is using “show me your father’s grave” theory as a proof of originality. Pathetic!

It is really appreciative if this man is called to order by stakeholders from Ilorin Emirate. Using his own words, he should not let people begin to “dig his own dead”. But we the Onikijipa are learned and respectful. We will not become pig”, the statement read partly.

Attack on Mufty of Ilorin: Onikijipa Family Charges Stakeholders to Call Sheikh Habibullahi Al-Ilory to Order

Updated: Tinubu reacts as Atiku, Obi, El-Rufai, others form coalition 

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar says he has formed a coalition with some prominent opposition leaders aimed at unseating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.

Atiku made the declaration during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, attended by several opposition politicians, including former key members of the All Progressives Congress who have since defected.

But the Tinubu-led administration has reacted saying the coalition was driven by hate and not genuine.

The event was convened to address President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State.

Among those present at the event were the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who was represented by Dr Yunusa Tanko; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal; and former Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai.

Others are a former governorship aspirant in Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi; former Director General of Progressive Governors Forum (PGF), Dr Salihu Lukman; Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, Chief Peter Ameh and Soni Monidafe, among others.

When asked whether the emerging coalition would serve as the main opposition against the APC in the 2027 elections, Atiku said, “Yes, this is the birth of the coalition of opposition ahead of 2027.”

Many are wondering how leaders with differing ideologies, ambitions, and party affiliations can work together.

In his reaction, spokesperson for the Tinubu-led government, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement referred to the Abubakar-led coalition as “the coalition of Tinubu haters.”

“They are not politicians after the public good. It’s all about their self-interest. They are disgruntled. They are a frustrated lot. The leaders are sore losers. The coalition is an amalgam of Tinubu haters. Their agenda is to stop Tinubu,” Onanuga said.

The presidential spokesperson added that Tinubu remained focused on governance and would not be distracted by a coalition of politicians driven by selfish interests.