DAPO ABIODUN: CREATING "A NEW ORDER" FOR OGUN POLITICAL LANDSCAPE.

Indeed, politics has turned So many people to educated illiterates.

Yesterday, the leading gubernatorial candidate in Ogun State under the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC)  Prince Dapo Abiodun appeared on a National Television to discuss his programs and policies among other issues.
While that was ongoing, the interviewer posed a question at him concerning his educational qualifications. As much as the matter is a subject of litigation, Prince Abiodun addressed the issue surrounding his education with a caveat that the matter is in court and limited information concerning that could be shared in the public.

Unfortunately they (the opposition) had probably expected Prince Dapo Abiodun to come up with a contradictory position that "of course he got admission into the Obafemi Awolowo University, studied there for a while but had to jettisoned the OAU program for his international studies".

What they are yet to reconcile with their evil thoughts was "how or why did DA includes that in his CV?" Number 1, it is a fact that he attended the school and acquired some level of education and knowledge in Civil Engineering within the short period he stayed in OAU (Except for Non-entities that will assume that even a semester at University is not enough to impact any knowledge on them).

Fact number two is that there was  nowhere in the INEC form of DA guber form where Dapo Abiodun claimed to have graduated from OAU. He only highlighted that he shared some of his educational time at OAU.

Another fact is that Prince Dapo Abiodun is a holder of Bachelor's of Business Administration (BBA) which was obtained at Kennesaw State University.  

I will rest this matter by a statement from a brother who asserted that;

 "Your view is very right simply because you are not used to a refined ,gentle and intelligent person man talk. You have all expected gutter languages, aggression and use of abusive words . You were disappointed that all through the interview he kept his calm and gently drove home his points inspite of many provoking questions .
DA has not only demonstrated erudition but also a new order to doing politics which is alien to you guys .
People who are better informed will tell it is not easy to keep a thriving business in this age of competitive business environment"

The New Order Is Here and Ogun State is ready to be governed by a refined, prepared, and competent personality in the person of Prince Dapo Abiodun.

"YOU WILL HAVE YOURSELVES TO BLAME IF..... " OBASANJO WARNS AMOSUN, OTHERS

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo had warned that the state should not be plunged into political violence. 

Chief Obasanjo  stated this on Wednesday at this year’s edition of Ibogun-Olaogun Day celebration in Ibogun, Ifo Local Government  of the state, where the Governor of Ogun State, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, his political godson who is also the CandIdate of Allied People's Movement (APM), Hon. AbdulKabir Adekunle Akinlade, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka, the gubernatorial candidate of African Democratic Congress (ADC)  amongst other dignitaries were also in attendance.

Obasanjo was quoted to have directly asked Senator Amosun to caution his supporters against fermenting trouble and violence in the build up to the coming 2019 general election. 

Speaking at the event, Obasanjo said "I am particularly happy that the Governor spoke against violence. I want to tell you,  if you do not stop violence among your supporters, you will have yourselves to blame. There is no earthly reason why we should not have a peaceful election in the state".

It should be recalled that several candidates who are opposed to the choice of governor Amosun's candidate have at different occasions have their convoys attacked by hoodlums who are loyal to the state governor. 

Recently, the campaign train of Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka was attacked in Yewa North Area of the state while that of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu was also attacked somewhere around Oke Ogun Area of Abeokuta North. 

Speaking further, "Ebora Owu" as the elderstatesman was fondly called had earlier pleaded with the number one citizen of the state to respect others people opinions in their choice of candidates for the governorship election in the state. "I have made my choice.  It may not be in tandem with yours(Amosun). Let my choice be and let yours be and let God decide and whoever gets there let all of us support him." Baba Obasanjo stated. 

BUHARI'S ENDORSEMENT; APC CHIEFTAIN ACCUSES APM OF ATTEMPT TO CATCH-IN ON BUHARI POPULARITY

Photo Credits: Tribune

A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in  Ogun State, Tunde Oladunjoye has lashed out on the leadership and promoters of Allied People's Movement in Ogun State describing their purpoted endorsement/adoption of President Muhammadu Buhari as their (APM) Presidential candidate, as a comical show and a Greek gift for which the President and the party cannot be cheaply be deceived with.

The former running mate of Prince General 'Tunji Olurin  in 2011 noted that "those behind the “purported endorsement” are “hiding behind one finger” to reap where they did not sow”

Oladunjoye who raised alarm over his life being under threat as he was forced to move a motion for the nomination Abdul Kabir Adekunle Akinlade as the "consensus candidate" of APC  few months ago in the statement on Thursday stated,  "Let me tell you clearly that these characters are aware of the popularity of Mr. President and they want to catch-in on that to promote their infant-party. Good enough, our dear President cannot be deceived by their duplicitous antics”.

The Allied People's Movement had earlier on Thursday flagged off it's governorship campaign in Ogun State in a carnival like manner at a rally held inside the mainbowl of MKO Abiola International Stadium  Kuto Abeokuta where several supporters and party faithful across the country attended.

THE GRAVE CAN BE LONELY. By- Wale Adedayo

Many hardly think about death. To them, it is as if life will have no end. But until scientists can discover an end to the death of the cells in our bodies, we are bound to die one way or another. There is no escape from death. Have you ever passed by a cemetery? Or let me put it this way: Have you ever visited a grave, maybe within a premises around you? Did you ever notice any activity around it? Meanwhile, while alive, the body in that grave had friends, dreams and a zest for life too!

After the person’s death, many would talk, publicly, about his/her good deeds. There would have been more than enough tears with some loved ones even throwing themselves on the floor in a show of sorrow at losing someone so dear to them. I’ve seen Indian movies where wives were cremated with their husbands, in a naïve belief that the poor woman would accompany her mate in the afterlife. In the days gone by in Yorubaland, we had our ‘Abobakus’, who were usually killed to serve as slaves to a deceased King. How many remain with a dead body, buried in the grave? Nobody! The grave can be lonely!

You may not share my belief. But as a Yoruba, first, before any other thing, the Creator of the heavens and everything in creation, Who we call Olodumare, made our fathers believe that our works (deeds), while alive, will be our companion once we pass to the other side. Early Muslims in Yorubaland borrowed this sagely belief to arrive at a popular saying, ‘Iwa ni esin’ (your deeds are the acceptable religion in the grave).

The Holy Bible teaches the same thing, but given the cultural background of its emergence, there are contexts slightly different from that of the average Yoruba. Christianity, in its true form teaches that, ‘it is the Fruits of the Holy Spirit in you that’ll guarantee you eternal life, not the Gift of the Holy Spirit you have’. Reading through the Holy Bible, my take on its summary has to do with what it describes as the gift of God. This gift has many branches – visions, words of knowledge, dreams and speaking in tongues among others.

But no matter the level of these gifts in you, without accompanying fruits, you are doomed to eternal damnation! There are those who canvass a position that faith in the finished work of Christ, which comes with confessing His name is all they need. No kain at all. A pade ni Ibode! The thief on His right side exhibited one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit, which earned a man condemned to eternal damnation by earthly powers the right to eternal life in bliss. It was not just a confession. He manifested honesty. He manifested compassion even in the face of certain death!

The Eternal Word of God, Jesus Christ, gave an insight that can help the discerning prepare for the other side, in the grave. And, it does not matter whether you are a Christian, Muslim, Traditionalist or an unbeliever. God has given, and continues to give, His gift(s) to humans. He does not discriminate in terms of whether you believe in Him or not. God also does not care when giving His gifts about whether you are a Christian, Muslim, Traditionalist or unbeliever. It is the reason an atheist can have the gift of seeing visions. Such a person can explain it away as some psychological phenomena. No problem.

But every gift, in the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, MUST bear good fruits, being seeds planted by the Almighty for the good of His creation. These fruits, which in Yoruba parlance our fathers described as ‘Iwa’ long before the white man came, are the ones that will ensure we are not lonely in the grave. They will be our companions. They’ll be our playmates. These fruits’ll ensure we are not lonely once we are dead, because they’ll take on form that we’ll wear after our death.
The grave can be very lonely

Pastors, Imams and Babalawos have made a mess of so many lives, who naively believe they are secure. Your Anowosi, Ipese, tithes, offerings, zakat and sadaqah cannot save you from the torment that is certain to come once you drop your earthly garment. Road accidents do not just happen. There are those who should have done the right things concerning those roads. Yet, they are only interested in amassing wealth. You’ll pay upon your death. That is certain. Ordinary malaria killing hundreds, if not thousands of poor people? Yet, you work in the Ministry of Health and only care about yourself and immediate family. Don’t worry, your Osuwon is full already.
The grave can be very lonely!

Tai Solarin of blessed memory was an atheist. But he bore fruits that were, and still remain, of benefit to mankind throughout his life. God has put you in a position to make things right for His creation in Nigeria. But greed, induced by selfishness, continue to blind you to the reality that you cannot take anything with you after death. Instead of taking action to effect corrections, which should begin with you, it is prayers you continue to ask the people to offer for things that God has already done.
The grave can be very lonely.

Let nobody deceive you that you’ll never walk alone. You’ll be alone in that lonely grave, because you deliberately elected not to bear the fruits that would have accompanied you.
The grave can be very lonely.

"I'VE HAD TO AVOID THE SHAME OF DEFEAT, WORK HARDER AND SMARTER SO AS NOT TO DISAPPOINT MY GIRL"- OTUNBA TUNDE ALABI

THE POWER OF A GIRL

The power of a girl is so potent it can propel any man to achieve anything. What the mind can conceive, can equally be achieved is the popular saying but with the backing of a girl who is cheering by the sidelines the task gets more fuel, naturally.

I have had to avoid the shame of defeat in several pursuits and had to work either extra hard or smarter so as not to disappoint the girl in my life.

About four decades ago, I was always being bullied by a classmate. He was tall and huge, what he lacked in intelligence was made up in physical strength and he was always terrorizing some of us. I was always his target because I had the ears of the girls in our class. Every girl likes to play with me because I was friendlier and help them out with their assignments.

On a fateful day, one of those days when students were less busy. I walked in to a discussion where the Bully was the subject of some jokes. I mistakenly laughed along with others and that was the opportunity that my tormentor was looking for. He challenged me to a fight and everyone clapped. I saw my girlfriend in the corner of my eyes. She looked worried. It would have been an unforgivable embarrassment if I had walked away and the idea of confronting the monster was suicidal. I opted for the suicide!

We were taken to a corner of the school. A circle was quickly formed and I was pushed to the center.

My girl whispered that she loved me to my ears and her sexy voice seemed to have injected power in to my blood stream. I quickly figured out that boxing would be better than wrestling because of his size. So it all began.

From the way he folded his fists and raised them I knew he wasn't gifted in the skills. I tested him with a light jab and it landed on his lips, bloods gushed out quickly. The crowd roared into life. He became so angry and charged furiously forward with a deadly blow, I dodged it and he lost his balance. I took advantage of that split second to pack all my powers behind my left fist and delivered it to his jaw. He fell on the ground with a loud thud. I jumped on him and started raining flurry of blows on his face only to see him crying. The crowd went roaring even more. I had won. My David had defeated his Goliath.

The power of a girl did it for me. The lesson stuck in my memory till today. I have achieved so many impossible tasks just to please the girl in my life. I realized that many men have gone to the battle fields to prove their manliness. Some return victorious while some return defeated.

As you face that challenge today, go all out and put in your very best. A girl, lady or woman is already backing you up with her prayers and best wishes. She could be your daughter, girlfriend, wife or mother. I wish you victory.

Remain blessed.

OGUN APC IN SEARCH OF WINNING FORMULA

Few days ago I promised to write an open letter to the leadership of the APC in the state over sundry issues I observed that is capable of affecting the performance of the party and its candidates in the coming general elections.

But because of current situation within the party, one find it difficult who to direct such write-up to since the party officials as at today seems not to be on the same page with majority of the stakeholders and candidates that will represent them in 2019 general elections. In the absence of that let me direct this piece to the leaders Chief Olusegun Osoba as the Supreme leader, Dr. Dapo Abiodun being the party guber flagbearer and Senator Odunsi being the leader from the Ogun West of the party as well as the other collegiate leaders.

Firstly, let me say that myself and many other associates have deliberately withhold our open support for any of the current gubernatorial candidates in the state because of current happenings within the polity. Despite enjoying very close association with one of the APC strong stakeholder, one still feel reluctant to fully key into the party project for obvious reasons which bothers on poor organizations and inability of the party to take some key decisions which indeed ought to have put the party in good shape.
One of such decisions is fielding the party's Deputy Governor from Ogun Central as against general expectations that Ogun West should be "pacified" with the position. At least as it stands, that is what is currently obtainable officially. Although I have been hearing about a possibility of substituting the name for a yet to be decided person from Ogun West. How best can one describe a party to be unserious than this?

As much as I wouldn't want to sound biased, I think the party leadership should consolidate the mandate of Prince Dapo Abiodun by going ahead to adopt Hon Abiodun Isiaq Akinlade who by every standard is a popular and generally acceptable personality within the party. In doing so, many people will not only key into his choice but the choice will add so much value and integrity into the project.

Abiodun Akinlade is a man that has created for himself a name capable of drawing quality support from every other zones away from his home-base Yewa-Awori.
Here is a man who while he was holding previous political positions has remained detribalised by extending his physical infrastructures and human capital empowerment across the state. To the best of my knowledge, several Ogun East and Ogun Central Youths have benefitted from his aggressive employment drive while some institutions (Government, Corporate and Social) have also enjoyed from his supports. This also is all over for one to see.

In all, what the party and/or it's candidate should occupy themselves with is how to put together a winning formula with very little extra efforts owing to the existing issues the platform is experiencing.

I wish the party and its candidates well in their endeavors.

Accept assurances of my highest regards.

Adegbokiki Kamorudeen
Abeokuta North Local Government

AS ATINUKE THOMAS CELEBRATES HUBBY'S BIRTHDAY, FRIENDS JOIN "OMOLUWABI LASGIDI" TO HONOR HIM WITH KIND WORDS.

For everyone that know Atinuke, a.k.a. "Omoluwabi-Lasgidi" will quite agree that only a special breed man like Akinwunmi can truly accommodate her. Not because Atinuke has any negative character of such but because of her frequent presence at almost every BIG PARTIES especially in Lagos. Having Atinu at your party is enough to brighten the dancing floor for as long as your musician still holds the mic(in fact, I'm considering she begin to charge people before she can attend their events)

It is on this premise that a friend couldn't hold his admiration of a man who has always been at peace with his wife and everyone around as he add another year days ago having few family and friends around to eat, drink and dance.

BELOW IS WHAT WAS SAID ABOUT ENGR. AKINWUNMI THOMAS.
I don't know of any woman who has not paid a huge price for love. Its a woman's thing. My mother will always remind that "I suffered in the hands of your father". Its a cliche dear. The women always bear the brunt. But please do not take away the fact that you have a fantastic man. He tolerates your excesses. Most men have a jealous streak. Not all men would permit their wives to be on WhatsApp or Facebook groups. Give him the credit. He has a nobility of the heart and generosity of the spirit.

He gives you the latitude to go to parties at the shortest notice and the slightest inkling..Give him the credit. It is only men who don't have confidence in themselves that shield their wives from the public. So, he is a man I admire and doff my hat for any day. If we have men like that, women would always shatter the glass ceiling that is the exclusive preserve of men. Take it from me, you can go to places with a man like your husband. He won't hold you down. It doesn't now matter if you have paid the supreme price. What matters is that he is a great man...👍"

OGUN 2019: "AMOSUN MORE COMMITTED TO OGUN WEST AGENDA MORE THAN GNI, OTHERS." -Hon. Tayo Oyekanmi.

Ogun 2019: Triple A To Be Or Not To Be!

 By: Tayo Oyekanmi

The decision of the National Working Committee of the APC  led by the enfant terrible Adam Oshiomole to stand as a composite bulwark against the candidature of Hon ABDULKABIR Adekunle Akinlade who emerged as the winner of the Governorship primary held in Ogun State on the 2nd of October undermines the party's credentials as a truly progressive party. The party has descended to an all-time low of where anything goes, as such cannot live up to the billing of worthy of her name. That action has exposes the party to ridicule and as well send bad signal to the outside world that the party is a nest and amalgamation of cabals where fairness, justice and equity have no meaning. Thus, the party cannot claim to be different from the pack with this kind of high level impunity.

Now that the Party has almost shut her door against Triple A candidature for the governorship election, following the continuous prevarication, the approbation and reprobation of the unreasonable justification of a never held October 3rd governorship primary will not help APC in Ogun State. Then, what are the options available to Triple A?  One of the options is to take everything in his chin and stay with the party even with open robbery and perish the hope of APC faithful who believes in Ogun West Agenda. The other option is to be a risk taker, take the bull by the horns, and see the unjust treatment as a challenge that must be overcome by flying the flag of another political party for the purpose of Governorship election. Examples of those who have done that and went on to win are bound just as those who lost too.

Truly the rumours has not been abating in the last few weeks of Triple A moving to another political party but with a good number of the people been hysterical and expressing reservations about such adventure, opining that it will result to a stillbirth like the 2011 episode under Otunba Gbenga Daniel. However, some of these political enthusiasts have taken their speculation and political postulation to higher level of pure sentiment diluted with emotions and cheer passion bereft of any logical empirical political inquiry of the present phenomenon emanating from the interface or competition among major actors with special and different idiosyncrasies in the political arena that can validate the vainglorious postulations. Rather, rational enquiries with facts and figures that can lead to objective projections are not put into the process. This is surely a deception and cannot stand the test of time. Though as rightly observed by Wilson Tozer, of all forms of deception, self-deception is the deadliest and of all deceived persons, the self-deceived are the least likely to discover the fraud or perhaps pretend not to have discovered the truth so as to drag other people into their deception. Not to be carried away by the deception of history, it is highly important for the people to know that despite the fact that history has a way of repeating itself, but that is if we do not properly guide against it. Life’s occurrences and vicissitudes of such are ordinarily supposed to be a learning curve for those who want to learn and avoid the pitfalls and landmines of yesteryears. We must also realise that the only thing constant in life is change.

A peep into the historical account and context of what happened under OGD and the present political imbroglio in APC look very similar in nature but surely not the same. In the first place, the dramatis personae are not the same. The statistics in terms of the indices, facts and figures are not the same. The time is different as such the voters are slightly different in terms of those who have attained voting age since after 2011. The circumstances are not the same just as it's a truism that no two elections are always the same in terms of everything. Therefore, we cannot safely as a Political Scientist conclude that the outcome will be the same cul-de-sac expedition. It will be hasty, personal prejudice and highly subjective to do that for an election that's yet to take place.

In our clime, aside some level of general acceptability of individuals, the major factors of winning elections is the structures and platforms/political parties, not leaving out availability of resources too. The present political configuration of Ogun State shows 3 major structures as being dominant and effectively efficient to win elections. These are the SIA structure, OGD and Osoba structures. There is no OBJ structure anywhere in the State. Baba is a Nationalist cum international figure not too keen on the rigours of grass root politicking. All the 3 structures are presently domicile in either APC, PDP, ADC or ADP so to say. The most formidable political Structure in Ogun State today is no doubt Amosun's. We can argue from now till tomorrow but the truth is always true. This structure might have become formidable on the account of Amosun being the Governor. But the structure dates back to 2003 from Central Senatorial districts before spreading to the other 2 senatorial districts in 2007 through the defunct ANPP platform and became what it is today since 2011 when Amosun became the Governor.  OGD and his political dexterity actually inherited the JMK structure, turned it into a political machine. But today, the structure might have seen her best glory in the years past as it is presently fractured and fragmented into Buruji's, Lado's, Dimeji's in ADP, the Kawonishe's in YES party and not forgetting those in Accord party too. The Akinrogun Osoba's structure is the most enduring in the State today but the potency of that structure is in doubt, maybe on the account of long years of absence from Government. It has been badly hit by economic factors at the local level leaving a lot of foot soldiers to become journey men. Besides, the last adventure of the structure with the SDP in 2015 ended up badly.

The SIA structure has become a sizeable enclave, a significant factor in the demographic, political and electoral calculus of where Ogun State is heading in the next election. If Triple A decides to try his luck elsewhere, of course with the full backing of SIA political structure, his candidature and the new party becomes a force to be reckoned with instantly. While the biggest and immediate causality of that movement will surely and definitely be APC as a political party in Ogun State. Those pushing for the exit of SIA structure are not taking this into consideration. Hitherto, no political party can shout Eureka yet in the State. The APC almost have it in the kitty but with the present impasse, things are no longer the same.

If the issue become more pertinent around the noble course of Ogun West agenda and looking at the best approach and chance to cement the governorship aspiration on solid ground for the first time in history, no matter how difficult and rigorous it becomes, then, GNI and the rest of ADC team must find a means and understanding of working together with Triple A and the larger and tested structure of SIA political family. If the aspiration is about Ogun West then something must give way. This might not be palatable to some hearing.  But we must become practical and realistic in our quest for the governorship contest. Ogun West cannot fight the governorship battle without a propelling force in the mode of Governor Amosun with the State power. Unless we are thinking of just participating in the contest but not winning like participants at the Olympic. The biggest backer of Ogun West governorship aspiration as at today, that possess courage in abundance, conviction and have what it takes to drive the process to a logical conclusion remain no other person than Amosun. Though difficult from the surface for the camp of GNI, having done a lot of ground works; But the difficulty of it does not implies that it is out rightly impossible. Putting it succinctly, the difficulty of a task should not be an excuse to avoiding it. As Orison Swett Marden said "Success is not measured by what you accomplish but by the opposition you have encountered and the courage with which you have maintained the struggle against overwhelming odds". In this case, we talk about the collective success of Ogun West in the Governorship race. May we have the courage and honour to do that which will lead us to our collective goal.

Hon. Tayo Oyekanmi is a former Leader Ipokia Legislative Council

WHY ATIKU DESERVES THE PDP PRESIDENTIAL TICKET BY OTUNBA GBENGA DANIEL

HISTORY BECKONS
By Gbenga Daniel

Esteemed Delegates of our great party,

Our nation is about to rewrite its own history; and it has pleased the Almighty God to append the signature of our Peoples Democratic Party as the author of the new pathway for the country with the choice we make about our Presidential candidate in the next few hours.

"If We Succeed, History Will never forget us, but if we fail, history will never forgive us and posterity will judge Us..."
          -Otto von Bismarck, former German Chancellor.

INTRODUCTION
I have the greatest pleasure to present Atiku Abubakar, GCON, the Waziri Adamawa, former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as the most competent, most capable aspirant, the best option and the man who is ready for the task of getting Nigeria working again, as the candidate for our political party in the February, 2019 Presidential election.

In the next few hours, PDP delegates from various destinations across the country will be saddled with the responsibility of saving our dear nation; you will be expected to choose for the Peoples Democratic Party, and of course the whole country, the man who will take over as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

This is a great historical responsibility which Providence has thrust upon you all to help save the ship of the Nigerian state; to put right some of the things that we all know, think and acknowledge that are wrong with this country. My passionate plea, however, is that we should consider ourselves as patriots who out of a population of close to 200 million people, just 4,000 men and women have been selected and elected as delegates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the 2018 National Convention. What this means in essence is that we are the pathfinders for a troubled nation in its time of great need. We should bear in mind, that we are not just choosing a presidential candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party but we are bestowed with the responsibility of choosing a President for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

As we cast our votes, what should be most important in our minds sincerely, leaving every other consideration is, "who Can help Nigeria at this critical time? Who has the capacity to Deliver? Who can defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) and incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari truly on behalf of our great party?"

Today, as 4000-strong great men and women of our nation; our duty is sacred. We have assumed the status of our nation's founding fathers. Our duty, just like theirs at the time of our nation's Independence is to navigate for Nigeria and Nigerians and we cannot afford to fail them. While coming to the National Convention, we should be guided that the whole of Nigeria is our Constituency, not just the PDP; because the citizens are waiting and watching with bated breath for the outcome of the choice we make. I need to state clearly that the greatest honour, that we can give to Nigerians is to feel their pulse, we should think like them, we should take time to visit them in the markets, discuss with them about their preference in taxis, motor parks, salons and boutiques, in schools, mosques and churches, we should take a reading of the public mood and perception, and truly try to gauge their feelings and interests, we should answer rightly the question about who do they believe or would they prefer to lead us out of the economic impoverishment and unite Nigerians? Our sacred duty is to those ordinary Nigerians who have been impoverished by poor economic management of our commonwealth, patrimony and God-given resources. Our covenant is with the woman in that hospital who cannot afford good health care service; our social contract is not with PDP leadership, but with all those millions of unemployed youth who roam the streets in search of what to eat. Our sacred mandate is to those men and women who die daily from insurgency as a result of poor management of our security architecture.

We have to think more as patriots than as party men and women in this historical assignment. We are back to the pre-independence era where our founding fathers: Late Sir Ahmadu Bello; the Sardauna of Sokoto, Late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Anthony Enahoro and a host of others had to sit together at tables and for sleepless nights holding several meetings charting a path for our great nation. Think like them, imagine what kind of thought must be going on in their minds while trying to take this critical decision; *Who Can Save Nigeria at this point in time?* Who can take back power on behalf of Nigerians away from dictators as we have in Aso Rock at the moment and return it to the People?

I am convinced, just as I know you all are, that ONLY ATIKU ABUBAKAR can guarantee hope of winning against the incumbent in 2019 and restore power back to Nigerians. It then becomes our duty to ensure he gets the ticket of the PDP to be able to liberate all of us from the shackles of this oppressive regime which had returned Nigeria under the jackboot of pseudo military dictatorship.

The State Of Our Nation
Our nation today is in an emergency situation, and this is clearly obvious to all. The more reason we need a leader who is capable, who has the capacity not only to lead, but who also possess the strength of character like Atiku Abubakar to do the right thing to unite the people of our great nation . Our diversity should be our strength and not a source of division.
There comes a time in the life of a nation, that it must re-think and recreate itself. Nigeria is already at such critical crossroad again. We have a plethora of questions to be answered on our nationhood, we have myriads of problems that need experience to be answered and attended to.

Our country is not looking healthy at all from so many fronts, factors and indicators. The nation is in search of a leader who can hit the ground running. Statecraft is not by apprenticeship, Nigeria cannot afford on-the-job-training for its leaders. There are too many activities and competition on the global platform that no country can afford to wait for another crawling country; we either chip in or chip out of the race for development.

There are several indicators pointing to the fact that the social and economic health of our nation is troubled:

1. According to the World Health Organization, an average of 17 Nigerians out of 100,000 now commit suicide every year. This means that around 82 Nigerians knowingly take their own lives largely due to frustration of their present situation daily.

2. The World Bank expressly stated that 53.3% of the people of our country live below $1.90 per day. That is, over 100 million Nigerians who can not boast of taking home 500 naira as daily wage!

3. It is equally disheartening to read via the World Poverty Clock that Nigeria has overtaken India as the world capital of EXTREME poverty with 86.9 million Nigerians living in EXTREME poverty as at June 2018.

4.  According to the National Bureau of Statistics, in its third quarter report of 2017 released in December, 7.9 million Nigerians became unemployed between 2016 and 2017. Youth Unemployment Rate in Nigeria increased to 33.10 percent in the third quarter of 2017 from 29.50 percent in the second quarter of 2017. Youth Unemployment Rate in Nigeria averaged 21.73 percent from 2014 until 2017, reaching an all time high of 33.10 percent in the third quarter of 2017 and a record low of 11.70 percent in the fourth quarter of 2014.

5. Despite the much advertised anti-corruption crusade by the current administration, Nigeria scored just 28 out of 100 mark designated for corruption free country according to the corruption perception report of the Transparency International released this year.

6. According to the World Economic Forum report of 2017, Nigeria is ranked out of 137 countries as 127th in Roads quality, 125th in Airport quality, 132nd in electricity supply, 120th in Education and 133rd in life expectancy.

7. Herdsmen attacks have killed over 1,300 in 2018 alone and rendered an average of 300,000 people homeless according to the International Crisis Group report of 2018. In fact the perpetrators are believed to be six times deadlier than Boko Haram yet the Federal Government has refused to take significant steps into ending the killings. Just few days ago we received reports of same attacks on Students in Jos. 

8. Up till now, the damning allegations made by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources on how $25billion of NNPC was siphoned in shady contracts still remain. NNPC has continued to be a sacred web of corruption and sharp practices. In its partial financial result published by Bloomberg, NNPC budgeted for an operating income of 600 billion naira in 2017 but magically still managed to make 82 billion naira operating loss.

9. Nigeria ranks 127th out of 144 in global competitiveness. Poverty rate is 70%.

Why Atiku ?

Every well meaning Nigerians should therefore be worried with all the above statistics and data about our country and we should be patriotically desperate to find a solution, which Atiku Abubakar at this period stands to provide.

The Atiku Abubakar Advantage

I am persuaded without any iota of doubt that our party, being an Opposition, needs a strong candidate like Atiku Abubakar to face and confront the ruling APC.

Atiku Abubakar advantage as the Presidential flag bearer of our party include but not limited to the fact that he is:

1. A highly successful businessman, the largest employer of labour in the country, who knows and has the wherewithal about creating jobs and employment

2. A detribalised Nigerian who can unite every segments of the country

3. Capable of providing Security through massive employment and job creation; coming from a paramilitary background, he is clearly not a novice about security.

4. Empathic to the plight of ordinary citizens. He is a humane.

He has the intellectual wherewithal to make Nigeria work again. Nigerians love him, Nigerians want him.

The destiny and future of Nigeria is in our hands! The citizens are waiting for us to do the right thing by electing Atiku Abubakar so that we can write our names on the golden page of history.

Thanks.

His Excellency
Otunba Gbenga Daniel, FNSE, FNAEng
Director General, Atiku Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCO)

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY INVASION: SENATE PRESIDENT ADDRESS WORLD PRESS, HAILS NIGERIANS FOR STANDING UP TO DEFEND DEMOCRACY

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, HIS EXCELLENCY (DR.) ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, AT A WORLD PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMPLEX ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 2018.


1. It is a matter of record that yesterday, lawmakers and staff of the National Assembly were prevented from entering the National Assembly Complex by heavily armed security agents of the Department of State Services (DSS). All entries to the Complex were blocked. The National Assembly, the seat of democracy in Nigeria, was under lockdown. Senators and Members of the House of Representatives were prevented from gaining access.

2. The ensuring standoff was a show of shame that played itself out over several hours in full view of the country. In no circumstances should this have happened. And we as a nation reaped the bitter fruits instantaneously, as evident in media images relayed around the world, images that shame us as a democratic nation. The siege was also an act of cowardice by those seeking to carry out an illegal impeachment of the leadership of the Senate in flagrant disregard of the law. People who seek control at all costs, by whatever means, never minding the injury to democratic norms.

3. I have to say that this is not about me – Abubakar Bukola Saraki as an individual. It is not about Ike Ekweremadu, nor is it about Yakubu Dogara. I am speaking for my colleagues when I say that this is about the soul of Nigeria, what we represent as a country, and our standing in the comity of nations. This is a country where so much is expected of us, so many rungs of the ladder that we are supposed to have ascended as a nation. Instead we are wallowing in impunity and illegal show of force, all of which retard our progress.

4. This is most disheartening. I don’t get any joy in saying: I said so. I don’t. However, some of you may recall that about two years ago, I stated that there was a government within this government, to a purpose that was not in the interest of what the people voted for. I said it then, and now we are beginning to see the manifestations of that government within a government. It beats one’s imagination how the head of an agency could have authorized the brazen assault on the legislature that we saw yesterday. Despite the threat to our lives, we shall continue to fight impunity and injustice in this country.

5. Happily, by the actions that Nigerians took yesterday, they demonstrated our strong resolve as a nation not to give ground to oppression. The legislature, more than any other institution in this country, more than any other arm of government, represents the will of the people. We are elected by the people, and an assault on the legislature is an assault on the people of Nigeria. The forcible shutdown of the legislature was an unconscionable assault on a national institution, and thanks to all your efforts, the aggressors have been put to shame.

6. The resistance mounted by staff of the National Assembly, my colleagues in both chambers and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) who refused to leave the entrance of this Complex until the siege was broken, strengthens my faith in the people of this country. The rain fell, the sun rose, but Nigerians stood their ground in defence of democracy. With the strength of will demonstrated by everyone against unwarranted and unconstitutional militaristic might, the siege could not stand.

7. By this, we have shown that Nigerians can resist government within government in whatever guise, and this is humbling for me. Those who sought to attack the National Assembly under my leadership for their selfish ends have only affirmed my belief in this country. They attempted to execute an illegal impeachment of the leadership of the Senate without the backing of the law, but they faltered. I am confident that, together, we shall always defeat acts of unconstitutionality. The rule of law shall always prevail.

8. I want to thank Nigerians, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives and National Assembly Staff, for standing up to be counted for democracy during yesterday’s siege. I thank the thousands who monitored the situation on radio, television and social media, voicing their outrage at the siege, thereby sending a clear message to those that hatched the plot that the Nigerian public would not buy this act of gangsterism using instruments of state such as the DSS.

9. I also thank the international community - particularly the European Union - and the international press, for their prompt reactions to the invasion of the National Assembly. CSOs and Socio-cultural groups were emphatic in their statements during the crisis, and we very much appreciate their vigilance.

10. Among the many that come up for special mention, I believe that Honourable Boma Goodhead, a member of the House of Representatives, stands out.  She looked a masked security operative in the eye and dared him to shoot. She let it be known that Nigerians would not stand for the barricade at the National Assembly, that we would not be cowed. It was another pointer to what is possible in this country when women take their place in leadership.

11.  I applaud all who kicked against the atrocity and who stood firm until sanity prevailed. I am proud of how everyone conducted themselves in what was no doubt a tense standoff. The principled stance and defiant reactions to the ugly incident, proved crucial to the failure of the plot. This is what we have been saying about the power of the people. The role of the people in defending democracy is paramount.

12. I thank the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, for his handling of the situation we were all confronted with yesterday. His decisive action went a long way towards restoring confidence. It sent a powerful message - that the DSS cannot be recklessly deployed against institutions of our democracy. The path of leadership is not by party, and we must commend it wherever it is found. Mr. Acting President did the right thing. However, the damage control so far does not address the question of how this atrocity happened in the first place.

13. This is an incident concerning which we have it on good authority that it has been in the planning for months, and yet it was allowed to happen. How is it that such an atrocity was not prevented? How is it that the masterminds were not deterred? Very serious questions remain that can only be answered by a full investigation. We call for an investigation, and we demand that all perpetrators are brought to book. We owe it to ourselves to ensure that such a situation never occurs again. Many agencies have abused their powers and acted outside the ambit of the law on occasion. Where abuses occur, similar actions must be taken immediately and full investigation instituted.

14. I must say that when we fought for Change, we could not have envisaged a scenario such as unfolded yesterday – an atmosphere where people cannot tolerate dissent, or mere differences of opinion as to the future of our dear country. This is not the Change we fought for. We did not fight for instruments of state to be used to oppress Nigerians and their lawmakers. I know that I, certainly, did not fight just so the legislature could be undermined and subjected to this onslaught.

15. There are many lessons to be drawn from the ugly incident we all witnessed yesterday. For one, government must ensure that security agencies remain neutral and act in line with the position of the constitution as well as their enabling laws. Heads of Agencies should be accountable, and those who step out of line must be held responsible for their actions. Enough with impunity. Enough with the reckless and senseless deployment of militaristic force. Enough.

16. In this dark cloud, we can see the silver lining, and that silver lining is the commitment of Nigerians to defending their hard-won democracy. I am more than encouraged by the strength, the determination and the resolve of ordinary Nigerians to see to it that democracy survives and thrives in this country. I am also strengthened by the determination of the media to report and analyse the truth as they see it.

17. I want to reassure Nigerians that, on our part, we remain committed to working for a country governed by the rule of law. Our desire is to have a society where there will be equity and justice, not oppression. We stand committed to doing our utmost as lawmakers to ensure that the responsibility and functionality of governance are met. Although we are on annual break, we are daily reviewing the situation and are alive to the responsibility to take action as necessary. Unfortunately, yesterday’s shutdown prevented us from meeting with INEC, as scheduled, to address funding concerns. We will continue to look into the matter. In the spirit of that, we also appeal to Mr. President to sign the 2018 Electoral Act Amendment Bill which has been sent for his assent.

18. I remain confident in the support of my colleagues and their focus on the job at hand, which is to serve the Nigerian people. My confidence is unshaken. I remain committed to the success of the historic 8th National Assembly, and to the continued progress of our country.

Thank you.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE.

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE, HIS EXCELLENCY, DR. ABUBAKAR BUKOLA SARAKI, CON, ON 31ST JULY, 2018.

I wish to inform Nigerians that, after extensive consultations, I have decided to take my leave of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is not a decision that I have made lightly. If anything at all, I have tarried for so long and did all that was humanly possible, even in the face of great provocation, ridicule and flagrant persecution, to give opportunity for peace, reconciliation and harmonious existence.
Perhaps, more significantly, I am mindful of the fact that I carry on my shoulder a great responsibility for thousands of my supporters, political associates and friends, who have trusted in my leadership and have attached their political fortunes to mine. However, it is after an extensive consultation with all the important stakeholders that we have come to this difficult but inevitable decision to pitch our political tent elsewhere; where we could enjoy greater sense of belonging and where the interests of the greatest number of our Nigerians would be best served.
While I take full responsibility for this decision, I will like to emphasise that it is a decision that has been inescapably imposed on me by certain elements and forces within the APC who have ensured that the minimum conditions for peace, cooperation, inclusion and a general sense of belonging did not exist.
They have done everything to ensure that the basic rules of party administration, which should promote harmonious relations among the various elements within the party were blatantly disregarded. All governance principles which were required for a healthy functioning of the party and the government were deliberately violated or undermined. And all entreaties for justice, equity and fairness as basic precondition for peace and unity, not only within the party, but also the country at large, were simply ignored, or employed as additional pretext for further exclusion.
The experience of my people and associates in the past three years is that they have suffered alienation and have been treated as outsiders in their own party. Thus, many have become disaffected and disenchanted. At the same time, opportunities to seek redress and correct these anomalies were deliberately blocked as a government-within-a-government had formed an impregnable wall and left in the cold, everyone else who was not recognized as “one of us”. This is why my people, like all self-respecting people would do, decided to seek accommodation elsewhere.
I have had the privilege to lead the Nigerian legislature in the past three years as the President of the Senate and the Chairman of the National Assembly. The framers of our constitution envisage a degree of benign tension among the three arms of government if the principle of checks and balances must continue to serve as the building block of our democracy. In my role as the head of the legislature, and a leader of the party, I have ensured that this necessary tension did not escalate at any time in such a way that it could encumber Executive function or correspondingly, undermine the independence of the legislature. Over the years, I have made great efforts in the overall interest of the country, and in spite of my personal predicament, to manage situations that would otherwise have resulted in unsavoury consequences for the government and the administration. My colleagues in the Senate will bear testimony to this.
However, what we have seen is a situation whereby every dissent from the legislature was framed as an affront on the executive or as part of an agenda to undermine the government itself. The populist notion of anti-corruption became a ready weapon for silencing any form of dissent and for framing even principled objection as “corruption fighting back”. Persistent onslaught against the legislature and open incitement of the people against their own representatives became a default argument in defence of any short-coming of the government in a manner that betrays all too easily, a certain contempt for the Constitution itself or even the democracy that it is meant to serve.
Unfortunately, the self-serving gulf that has been created between the leadership of the two critical arms of government based on distrust and mutual suspicion has made any form of constructive engagement impossible. Therefore, anything short of a slavish surrender in a way that reduces the legislature to a mere rubber stamp would not have been sufficient in procuring the kind of rapprochement that was desired in the interest of all. But I have no doubt in my mind, that to surrender this way is to be complicit in the subversion of the institution that remains the very bastion of our democracy. I am a democrat. And I believe that anyone who lays even the most basic claim to being a democrat will not accept peace on those terms; which seeks to compromise the very basis of our existence as the parliament of the people.
The recent weeks have witnessed a rather unusual attempts to engage with some of these most critical issues at stake. Unfortunately, the discord has been allowed to fester unaddressed for too long, with dire consequences for the ultimate objective of delivering the common good and achieving peace and unity in our country. Any hope of reconciliation at this point was therefore very slim indeed. Most of the horses had bolted from the stable.
The emergence of a new national party executives a few weeks ago held out some hopes, however slender. The new party chairman has swung into action and did his best alongside some of the Governors of APC and His Excellency, the Vice President. I thank them for all their great efforts to save the day and achieve reconciliation. Even though I thought these efforts were coming late in the day, but seeing the genuine commitment of these gentlemen, I began to think that perhaps it was still possible to reconsider the situation.
However, as I have realized all along, there are some others in the party leadership hierarchy, who did not think dialogue was the way forward and therefore chose to play the fifth columnists. These individuals went to work and ensured that they scuttled the great efforts and the good intentions of these aforementioned leaders of the party. Perhaps, had these divisive forces not thrown the cogs in the wheel at the last minutes, and in a manner that made it impossible to sustain any trust in the process, the story today would have been different.
For me, I leave all that behind me. Today, I start as I return to the party where I began my political journey, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
When we left the PDP to join the then nascent coalition of All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014, we left in a quest for justice, equity and inclusion; the fundamental principles on which the PDP was originally built but which it had deviated from. We were attracted to the APC by its promise of change. We fought hard along with others and defeated the PDP.
In retrospect, it is now evident that the PDP has learnt more from its defeat than the APC has learnt from its victory. The PDP that we return to is now a party that has learnt its lessons the hard way and have realized that no member of the party should be taken for granted; a party that has realized that inclusion, justice and equity are basic precondition for peace; a party that has realized that never again can the people of Nigeria be taken for granted.
I am excited by the new efforts, which seeks to build the reborn PDP on the core principles of promoting democratic values; internal democracy; accountability; inclusion and national competitiveness; genuine commitment to restructuring and devolution of powers; and an abiding belief in zoning of political and elective offices as an inevitable strategy for managing our rich diversity as a people of one great indivisible nation called Nigeria.
What we have all agreed is that a deep commitment to these ideals were not only a demonstration of our patriotism but also a matter of enlightened self-interest, believing that our very survival as political elites of this country will depend on our ability to earn the trust of our people and in making them believe that, more than anything else, we are committed to serving the people.
What the experience of the last three years have taught us is that the most important task that we face as a country is how to reunite our people. Never before had so many people in so many parts of our country felt so alienated from their Nigerianness. Therefore, we understand that the greatest task before us is to reunite the county and give everyone a sense of belonging regardless of region or religion.
Every Nigerian must have an instinctive confidence that he or she will be treated with justice and equity in any part of the country regardless of the language they speak or how they worship God. This is the great task that trumps all. Unless we are able to achieve this, all other claim to progress no matter how defined, would remain unsustainable.
This is the task that I am committing myself to and I believe that it is in this PDP, that I will have the opportunity to play my part. It is my hope that the APC will respect the choice that I have made as my democratic right, and understand that even though we will now occupy a different political space, we do not necessarily become enemies unto one another.
Thank you.
Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki, CON
President of the Senate

GOVERNOR AMINU TAMBUWAL DEFECTION STATEMENTS

Why I am leaving APC – Tambuwal

Politicians and political leaders, groups and group leaders, stakeholders in the development of our state and our nation, fellow indigenes of Sokoto State and citizens of our great country, members of the press, ladies and gentlemen. It is with gratitude to Almighty Allah, our Sustainer that I address you on a matter of great importance to our nation at this auspicious moment in our political history. I stand before you with a heavy heart, wishing I had cheery words of progress, instead of the sad report that I am constrained to give you on the situation of our dear nation.
2.​The struggle for democracy is one that began with our fight for independence as a sovereign nation. To this end, the blood, freedom and other liberties of our past heroes and contemporary veterans were sacrificed. The current dispensation began in 1999, as the watershed of our toil, which granted to us a democratic system that is striving to evolve and survive.
3.​Through those years the forces of genuine change gravitated and by 2015, merged to ensure a transition of power that Nigerians hoped would herald a new order of true democracy under an atmosphere of justice, peace, equity and the rule of law. The leaders of that coalition represented and symbolized the aspiration of Nigerians for progress and prosperity under one united, indivisible nation.
4.​As the speaker of the House of Representatives then, I left my comfort zone to be involved in the struggle for the enthronement of purposeful leadership for the citizens of our dear country.
6.​Now, almost four years into what ought to be a new order as desired and elected by Nigerians, the nation is unfortunately going through the most difficult and precarious times, since the Civil war; with ethno, religious and regional distrust at its highest ebb.
7.​This development had often been blamed on political opponents. Meanwhile, there are issues of brazen inequity and capacity and questionable distribution of appointments/projects. This is in addition to lack of statesmanship in responding to national issues, among other things that are for aggravating the anomaly.
8.​In line with the best traditions in any major political decision, especially by a serving elected Governor, I have painstakingly consulted far and wide, on whether the present political platform is a viable vehicle for achieving the aspiration of our people.
9.​It is because I am convinced that no nation can thrive while there is inequity and bad governance; because I am saddened by the fact that lethargy, incompetence and sustained denial of obvious leadership missteps have become the major raw materials with which the Nigerian State is being run today; because I am unwilling to be part of frightful conspiracy against the cohesion of the Nigerian State, Nigeria youths and peoples; because I am unable to feel at ease in the face of a progressively divided nation and, above all, because I am totally unable to reconcile myself to a national leadership that offers no redeeming moral beacons that I am here with you today; to announce withdrawal of my membership of the All Progressives Congress and return to the People’s Democratic Party.
10.​I speak to you today with a mixture of sadness and relief because I did not expect that the APC, which promised so much when the People’s Democratic party (PDP) stood under the sway of impunity, could not maintain or manage whatever good it inherited. It has also not broken new grounds in any positive sense, but has instead reached historically unprecedented heights of impunity in all manner of vices far above and beyond the challenges which made some of us to leave the PDP about four years ago to join others to form the APC. The party has brazenly turned itself into a sanctuary for the corrupt and a machine for rigging and for the rape of democracy.
11.​Let me also put it on record that all attempts to discuss the electoral promises of the APC-led government, including the restructuring of the country as promised Nigerians and as contained in the APC manifesto, have proved abortive.
12.​Beyond that, I cannot look those who elected me their Governor here in Sokoto State in the face and boldly point to any meaningful Federal Projects initiated in the state under the APC government. Even the bulk of uncompleted Federal Projects here that were inherited from the previous administration have largely remained in their state of neglect. Sokoto State is also not being meaningfully carried along in political appointments and in other matters of national importance.
13. Like most states of the North, and indeed the entire federation, elders and traditional institutions have come under measured disrespect. The recent attack in Tabinnii in Rabah LGA of Sokoto State, the routine invasion of Zamfara State by armed bandits, the now-regular killing of policemen by unknown gun men all over the country, the regular massacre of innocent people in the North East axis and many similar daily incidents, do not attract much attention any more.
14.​Good governance, viz-a-viz economic wellbeing of our people, remain the major reason for my action of today. Information from National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that over nine million jobs have been lost in the last 3 years, since the APC Government came into office. While youth unemployment rate was 11.70 per cent during the fourth quarter of 2014, it rose to 33.10 per cent in third quarter of 2017 under the APC Government. The economy is not showing any real signs of improvement. Our educational and health institutions are in retreat. Poverty is on rampage and still ravages the land. It is unacceptable that majority of those who voted for APC in 2015 should have nothing good to show for it.
15.​As in the past, it is only my interest in equity, the wellbeing of Nigerians and a befitting future for our teeming youths, national unity and economic prosperity that has led to my new locus in Nigerian politics today. We all have a duty to do our best, while nudging our political parties to progressively align political contests in Nigeria along clear ideological lines; such that sooner rather than later the aspirations and the will of our people will be the only determinant of election outcomes.
16.​Let me at this juncture state emphatically that I return to the PDP with a clear conscience today, because the party has learnt some bitter lessons and noted what mistakes it must avoid in the future. It is now a repositioned and forward looking political party to which I now pledge loyalty, in my resolve to contribute towards improving the lives of Nigerians and expanding opportunities for the youths. It is only by working together as agents of development that we can promote excellence, competence, good governance and enthronement of genuine democracy to save Nigeria.
17.​I thank you for your understanding, support, prayers and your continued faith in the Nigerian Project. May Almighty Allah guide and protect us.
Signed
Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal ,
Governor of Sokoto state.

Credits : NAN

FROM WEST TO WEST; THE ENTRY AND EXIT OF "PRODIGAL SON" ( PART 1.)

Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola is one politician any intending successful (upcoming, especially the Youths) politician need to study his progress along the ladder of political posterity.
For a man who started as representative of just a state constituency through to the Green Chamber and now the Senate (of the most populous Senatorial District in Lagos State), deserves some accolades. Whatever he was doing for the political establishments who entrusted the mandate of the platform unto him is worthy of special acknowledgement. Winning election during those times (under any circumstances) is also a good reward for his personal competence and vibrancy. In short, he knows how to walk his ways into both classes of the stakeholders in politics i.e The Political Class and The Electorates.
At the eve of 2015 general elections, the "August visitor" landed on political turf of Ogun State. Senator Olamilekan Solomon Adeola did not only activated a political movement, he also signifies his interest to contest for the Senatorial Election of the already alleged politically "marginalized" zone of the state, Ogun West Senatorial District. At this period, YAAYI was an incumbent House of Representatives member from Lagos State representing Alimosho Federal Constituency. Well, he was not the only one on this kind of self Political-Secondment, the likes of Hon Ganiyu Hamzat (Ogun Central), Senator Olorunimbe Mamoora (Ogun East) have also signifies their choice to transfer their political service to their "Ancestral Home Bases".
While his (YAAYI) colleagues that moved down to Ogun state had little or no resistance gaining access to their respective chosen "Ancestral Home Bases", Senator Adeola was faced with several political and social burdens settling down within his acclaimed kinsmen in Ogun West. One of the highly respected personality, my very good egbon Ajiroba Dapo Oke led most of us through to believe YAAYI is not one of them in Yewaland. In fact, Chief was emphatic saying he (Sen. Adeola) is an Ekiti man. In his words, Chief Oke stated that "THE ISSUE IS YAYI IS NOT YEWA , HE IS EKITI. HIS RECORDS ARE THERE....IF YAYI IS ONE OF US IN YEWA WE SHALL BE PROUD TO CLAIM HIM REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY YEARS HE HAD LIVED ELSEWHERE EVEN IF HE HAD NEVER STEPPED YEWALAND BEFORE. HE IS AN ASSET NOBODY WILL THROW AWAY IF TRULY HE IS OUR SON AND I'M SURE EVERYBODY IN YAYI PROJECT KNOW THIS."
Chief concluded saying "BUT HE IS NOT IN ANYWAY RELATED BY BIRTH TO YEWA HENCE WE ARE NOT WILLING TO CLAIM HIM REGARDLESS OF HOW RICH HIS BANK ACCOUNT MAY BE."
Note that the above scenarios came up during the 2015 political build up. In no time, Senator Adeola abandoned his Ogun State project and went back to Lagos where he picked the waiting ticket to represent the Lagos West Senatorial District. Luckily, he won.
Events that led to his return to Lagos remains that of the pressure from within his party and burden of "Mistaken Ancestral Home". By October 2014, YAAYI has finally rounded up his first adventure into Ogun State politics.