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The historical reasons why I strongly support Tinubu – Omokri

Published

2 months ago

February 4, 2025

Reno Omokri

The historical reasons why I strongly support Tinubu – Omokri

Nigeria gained Independence on October 1, 1960, and, almost like in a fairytale, lived happily ever after in an idyllic union.

Until the coup of January 15, 1966, in which several of our best leaders were killed.

There were initial nationwide celebrations until the dust had settled and the rest of the nation realised that the Igbo coup plotters did not kill their own leaders.

And when an elected Northern Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa, was killed by Igbo soldiers and replaced by an Igbo General, instated of the next ranking member of parliament from the ruling Northern Peoples Congress (which would have been Zanna Bukar Dipcharima), protests broke out.

Sadly, Ironsi surrounded himself with only Igbo advisers, including Chief Francis Nwokedi, Dr. Pius Okigbo, and Colonel Patrick Anwunah. Calls for him to appoint at least one token non-Igbo were brushed aside.

Mr. Ironsi then promulgated Decree Number 34 on May 24, 1966, which ended regionalism and seized all resources, including oil. All resources previously belong to the regions.

Other members of the Supreme Military Council alleged that Ironsi did not consult them before promulgating the decree.

That decree ignited the counter-coup of July 29, 1966, during which Ironsi was killed and replaced with Lt. Colonel Yakubu Gowon.

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All Military Governors accepted him except Ojukwu. Eventually, the then Ghanaian military leader, General Ankrah, invited Gowon and Ojukwu for a peace meeting in Aburi, Ghana, between January 4-5, 1967. Agreements were reached, including that Gowon would broadcast first, AFTER CONSULTATIONS, followed by Ojukwu.

However, upon return, Ojukwu made his broadcast first, which shocked other regions and jeopardised Gowon.

Below are excerpts from a declassified cable by the U.S. State Department in Washington to the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, sent on March 3, 1967, at 5:13 PM:

“Ojukwu’s provocative broadcast, release of Aburi documents in Lagos and broadcast of Aburi tape recording in Enugu have heightened Department’s concern.

Re Gowon’s appeal of March 1, Dept. concurs in UK view that our response should be in general terms. We would prefer, however, that US response be oral and informal (Lagos 6714)3 particularly since we unwilling respond affirmatively to all Gowon’s requests and he apparently prepared accept oral response (Lagos 6586 para 3 A). Believe Ambassador Mathews’ expected meeting with Gowon on March 4 appropriate occasion and consequently we would wish to give him urgent instructions.”

If you are interested in the entire cable, you can read it on the Office of the Historian of the United States website.

if Ojukwu had proclaimed Biafra with only territories belonging to Igbos, then it might have still been possible to avoid war. But by seceding with the entire Eastern Region, Ojukwu made war inevitable.

My support for President Tinubu is because he is the first Nigerian President to try to bring Nigeria to that utopian state we were before the January 15, 1966 coup.

One of the cardinal principles of President Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda was his promise to reform Nigeria by devolving power to the lower levels of government.

We have seen the first fruition of that promise with Local Government autonomy achieved via the Supreme Court on Thursday, July 11, 2024.

Next month, Local Governments will receive funding directly without going through state Governors.

And by the time the Tax Reform Bill passes into law, Nigeria will begin to look more like the idyllic pre January 15, 1966 paradise it was before the serpents, Majors Ifeajuna and Nzeogwu, cast us out of the Garden of Eden.

For the first time since Ironsi’s Unification of Assets decree, we are gradually seeing a return to true Federalism. Leading me to see President Tinubu the father of modern Nigeria.

This is beginning to look like the Nigeria we agreed with the British to have as a country.

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We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

Published

8 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Trends Admin

Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde

We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has assured Muslims in the state that he has no objections to the operation of Sharia panels, emphasizing that individuals are free to seek dispute resolution through them if they so wish.

Speaking at the 2025 Iftar event organized by the state government at the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, Makinde clarified that he has no plans to challenge the legality of Sharia courts in the state. His comments were conveyed in a statement on Thursday by his media aide, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju.

Earlier in the week, Dr. Rafiu Bello, Chairman of the Sharia Committee of Oyo Land, had confirmed that a Sharia panel had already been established in Oyo town and had begun sittings. This led to renewed discussions regarding the panel’s constitutionality.

In response, Makinde reiterated his stance that the Constitution remains the supreme authority in all legal matters while acknowledging the role of Sharia panels in alternative dispute resolution.

“I read in the newspaper that I would go to court for interpretation on the Sharia panel, which is ongoing in Oyo. That is not my position,” the governor stated. “My position is that we will support anything that is in our Constitution.”

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Makinde explained that alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, including the Sharia panel, could ease the burden on the courts, provided they do not conflict with constitutional provisions.

He further emphasized his administration’s commitment to maintaining religious harmony and unity in the state, cautioning against attempts to use religion for political gains.

“As we move towards the next election, there will be elements that only think about the next election. But what we have done in this administration is to think about the next generation,” he said.

The governor also used the occasion to appreciate the Muslim community for their support and prayers, acknowledging the contributions of religious leaders, lawmakers, and security agencies in fostering peace and development in Oyo State.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including former Governor Rashidi Ladoja, Deputy Governor Bayo Lawal, Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Adebo Ogundoyin (represented by Deputy Speaker Mohammed Fadeyi), and other key figures from the judiciary and legislative arms of government.

We won’t stop Sharia panels from operating in Oyo – Gov Makinde

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EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

Published

8 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Trends Admin

EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

Mamman Nasir Ali, the son of former chairman of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and one Christian Taylor were on Thursday rearraigned for an alleged N2.2 billion oil subsidy fraud before Justice Mojisola Dadap of the Special Offences Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

They were re-arraigned alongside Nasaman Oil Services Limited on an amended 57-count charge, following new findings in the case.

The defendants had initially been arraigned on a 49-count charge bordering on conspiracy to obtain money by false pretence, obtaining money by false pretence, forgery and the use of false documents.

At the scheduled trial for the adoption of final written addresses on Wednesday, the prosecution counsel, Seiduh Atteh, informed the court of the amended charges and requested that the defendants take a fresh plea.

There was no objection from the defence counsel, Obafemi Kolade, SAN.

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Consequently, the court granted the request.

The defendants, thereafter, pleaded “not guilty” to the amended charges preferred against them.

In the amended charge, the defendants, as well as Oluwaseun Ogunbambo and Olabisi Abdul Afeez, who are both at large, allegedly “fraudulently obtained money from the Federal Government on or about September 9, 2011.”

The defendants also allegedly forged a document titled: “ GASOLINE ANALYSIS” on board MT Overseas Limar, purportedly issued by Saybolt Concremat on the said date.

Following the re-arraignment, Kolade requested time for the defence to amend its written address in response to the new charges.

Justice Dada directed the prosecution to file a response before the next hearing.

The case was adjourned till April 15, 2025 for the adoption of final written addresses.

EFCC re-arraigns son of ex-PDP chairman for alleged N2.2bn oil subsidy fraud

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Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

Published

8 hours ago

March 28, 2025

Trends Admin

Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan

Group says Natasha’s recall will deepen democracy

The Campaign for Democracy, a civil society organisation, on Thursday said the recall of Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan (PDP-Kogi Central) by her constituents would deepen democracy in Nigeria.

The pro-democracy group also said that such action by her concerned constituents would help put lawmakers on their toes to serve them well.

The group made this known in a statement issued in Lokoja by its President, Mr Ifeanyi Odili.

It expressed worry over what it described as “avoidable” crisis between embattled suspended Sen. Akpoti-Uduaghan and Senate President Godswill Akpabio a few weeks ago.

According to the group, the incident has put Nigeria’s image on trial before the global community.

The CSO said it was worried that, rather than addressing the core issues surrounding her (Akpoti-Uduaghan) suspension within the framework of Nigeria’s democratic institutions, she chose to “engage in a campaign of calumny against the Senate as an institution.”

“It’s unfortunate that Akpoti-Uduaghan’s activities within and outside the country since the beginning of the controversy have cast an unfortunate dent on the image of Nigeria, for which she must apologise.

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“This is nothing but gross misconduct against Nigeria,” it said.

It advised respected Nigerian leaders to always identify when not to play opposition politics with delicate national issues, in the best interest of the nation.

“More worrisome is the fact that she has distorted the facts preceding her suspension and curiously held on to her sexual harassment allegations against the Senate President as the reason for the initial actions taken against her.

“Taking such misrepresentation to the world stage and representing Nigeria illegally at the Inter Parliamentary Union to air such views can be described as nothing but gross misconduct against the country.