Headline

Osoba Describes GCFR Honours on Abiola as Symbolic

Published

8 years ago

June 12, 2018

Eric

A two times governor of Ogun State, the home state of Bashorun MKO Abiola, Chief Segun Osoba, has described the the conferment of GCFR honours on the presumed winner of the June 12, 1993 Presidential Election, as a welcome and symbolic gesture.

Chief Osoba made the remark Tuesday during the honours award ceremony in Abuja, saying that as a sitting governor during the period under review, he felt the pains, fears and anxieties of fellow Nigerians.

He congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and members of his cabinet for the gesture, and pledged to match on with him on any ‘further legacies to construct on the solid June 12 foundation’ already laid.

Below is the full text of Chief Osoba’s speech:

A WELCOME, SYMBOLIC GESTURE

(REMARKS BY H.E. CHIEF OLUSEGUN OSOBA, CON AT THE JUNE 12, 2018 POSTHUMOUS CONFERMENT OF THE NATIONAL HONOUR OF GCFR ON CHIEF MOSHOOD KASIMAWO OLAWALE ABIOLA, WINNER OF THE JUNE 12, 1993 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION)

Mr President

Fellow Nigerians,

I join all of us in expressing gratitude to Almighty God for making us witness the historic occasion. As the sitting governor of Ogun State, home-state of the late Bashorun MKO Abiola in 1993, I was in the forefront and an active participant in the politics of the era. I shared the fears, pains, and anxieties of fellow Nigerians about those developments. Since that annulments; our efforts at building an enduring democracy have not always been smooth. Many have sought to falsely consign the promise of the June 12 election to irrelevance. We have lived in denial for so long.

The decision by President Muhammadu Buhari to halt the deceit, and repair the damage by taking the symbolic step of recognizing the promise of June 12, the sacrifice of Bashorun Abiola and many other heroes of democracy-the artisans, human rights organization, students, traders, journalists, academics, various professionals, organized religion and the labour movement through this conferment of the GCFR award on Chief Abiola is welcome. So is the proclamation of June 12 as our Democracy Day. It is never too late to correct a wrong. We congratulate Mr President and members of his government for this historic action.

We commit The President to the guidance of Almighty God for the courage and wisdom to Do MORE by building on the larger implications of the June 12 election for the sustainable progress and development of Nigeria.

During that campaign our T.V. advert clip of Hope 93 slogan was “on the March Again-MKO is our man O.” In the spirit of Hope 93, we are prepared and ready to March behind you on any further major legacies you want to construct on the solid June 12 foundation that you laid today.

God Bless you Mr President. God Bless us all and God Bless Nigeria.

H. E. Olusegun Osoba (CON)

Former Two Times Governor of Ogun State.

Headline

UK Orders Airspace Restrictions, Road Closures for Tinubu’s State Visit

Published

1 day ago

March 12, 2026

Eric

Authorities in the United Kingdom (UK) have announced temporary airspace restrictions and road closures in Windsor ahead of President Bola Tinubu’s State visit to the country.

Britain’s monarch, King Charles III, will host Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu at Windsor Castle on March 18 and 19, 2026.

State visits represent the highest level of diplomatic engagement hosted by the British monarch.

According to Thames Valley Police, extensive security measures will be implemented in Windsor during Tinubu’s state visit, including an expanded airspace exclusion zone and a large-scale policing operation.

The castle already operates under a permanent airspace restriction, but authorities said the exclusion zone will be extended on March 18 between 07:00 and 23:59 GMT.

Police warned that anyone who breaches the restriction will “likely” face arrest.

Security operations will involve search teams, armed units, mounted officers, and road policing officers. Neighbourhood officers and Project Servator teams will also conduct patrols across the town to deter and detect criminal activity while engaging with the public.

Officials added that Windsor’s extensive CCTV network and hostile vehicle mitigation barriers will also be used as part of security arrangements.

Ch Supt Adrian Hall of the joint operations unit said:

“As a force, we have a vast amount of experience in policing royal events in Windsor, and significant planning and preparation have gone into this event.

“We will ensure everyone attending the state visit, including dignitaries, spectators, and members of the public, are kept safe to enjoy the historic occasion.”

Authorities said several road closures and parking restrictions will begin on March 17 ahead of Tinubu’s State visit, warning that motorists may experience temporary disruption on roads in and around Windsor.

Some footways and pedestrian crossings in the town centre will also close periodically between 09:30 and 12:30 on March 17 and 18 for a ceremonial procession.

Headline

False and Misleading: Senator Ireti Kingibe Not Suspended, Says ADC

Published

1 day ago

March 12, 2026

Eric

The African Democratic Congress, ADC, has dismissed reports that Senator Ireti Kingibe has been suspended from the party, describing the claims as false and misleading.

Kingibe currently represents the Federal Capital Territory in the Senate.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said the ADC is not aware of any decision to suspend the senator and urged the public to ignore the circulating reports.

Abdullahi emphasized that the party has well-defined constitutional procedures for handling allegations involving its members.

“The African Democratic Congress is unaware of any suspension of Senator Ireti Kingibe, the distinguished Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory,” he said.

He added that as a law-abiding political party, the ADC follows established internal mechanisms when dealing with issues concerning its members rather than addressing such matters through media statements.

“As a law-abiding political party, the ADC has clear constitutional procedures for addressing any allegations involving its members. Such matters are handled through established internal mechanisms, not through press statements,” Abdullahi stated.

The party therefore called on the public and media organizations to disregard the reports of Kingibe’s alleged suspension.

“We therefore urge the public and the media to disregard the reports suggesting that Senator Ireti Kingibe has been suspended by the party, as they are false and misleading,” the statement added.

Headline

Tambuwal Finally Dumps PDP, Defects to ADC

Published

1 day ago

March 12, 2026

Eric

Former Governor Aminu Tambuwal has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the African Democratic Congress.

“I write to formally tender my resignation as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), effective from today,” the letter stated.

Mr Tambuwal stated that the party’s persistent internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and divisions at various levels made it difficult for him to continue his active participation and commitment as a member.

“The ongoing conflicts have, unfortunately, worsened the unity and direction that once defined the party,” the former Sokoto governor stated.

Meanwhile, in a statement on X on Thursday, Mr Tambuwal said he had officially joined the ADC with his associates and supporters.

“I am convinced that this decision is guided by my belief that Nigeria needs a stronger political platform built on integrity, accountability, inclusiveness, and a clear commitment to national development.

“I remain fully committed to the service of our country and to the ideals of democracy, justice, and national unity,” the former governor stated.