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“Don’t Disgrace Us”, Yoruba Plead with Tinubu

Published

8 months ago

February 4, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Considering how things are in the country presently, the ‘on your mandate’ slogan of the then candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who later emerged elected, that resonated during the 2023 presidential election, now sounds like a broken record. Many say it now leaves a sour taste in the mouth.

“Not many Nigerians are fit enough at the moment to stand on anything, not to talk of on a certain mandate that has become bad news,” a respondent told The Boss Newspaper, and the reasons are not farfetched.

President Bola Tinubu, who emerged winner of the February 25, 2023 presidential election, beating the candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party, Peter Obi, to the second and third positions respectively, had promised to hit the ground running from day one.

“Actually, Tinubu hit the ground running from day one, but it was obviously for and on the wrong reasons. He messed up the mandate from day one with the unprepared removal of petrol subsidy,” another respondent informed.

On May 29, 2023 when Tinubu was sworn as president, he declared in his inaugural address that ‘subsidy is gone’. That declaration triggered a chain reaction that Nigerians are to recover from, eight months into the administration. It took the price of petrol from N181 to a whopping N617. The spiral effects are better imagined. Every sector of the economy has been seriously affected, and poverty has become the order of the day.

Across the Yoruba states of Lagos, Ogun, Osun, Oyo, Ondo and Ekiti, complaints abound of how life has become unbearable for the citizens. Residents told The Boss that they are taking it personal because Tinubu is on the verge of disgracing the Yoruba race, that contributed to his ascendancy to presidential seat, through legitimacy, aggression and other means.

Among those that protested in some of the states were fish sellers, who lamented inability to make gains anymore amid the rising cost of fuel and every other item in the country.

Much as the government however, has tried introducing and implementing various policies in an attempt to cushion the effect of the harsh economic realities, the prices of food items, and services of every kind, continue to hit the roof, giving the so called poor masses no chance of survival, and no hope for tomorrow. No one is letting ‘the poor breathe’ in Tinubu government.

But among the major reactionaries to the hardship the Tinubu government has wrought on the people of Nigeria are the Yoruba tribe of Nigeria’s South West many of whom arguably voted for the president and stood stoutly in his favour during the electioneering period. These people are die hard fans of the ’emilokun’ agenda that preceeded and ran the aspirations of Tinubu.

On social media platforms, radio and television interviews and newspapers pages, netizens of Yoruba origin have pleaded with the President to soft pedal on his government’s policies, which rather make lives better, have continued to impoverished the citizens. They have separately pleaded with the president not to disgrace the Yoruba, noting that he has so far done everything wrong in the last eight months.

“I’m a Yoruba man, I regret voting for him because this is not what we bargained for,” has been the major refrain from reactions on social media space among those speaking out against the untold hardship the Tinubu-government has so far provided.

Another prominent Yoruba man was spotted on social, wearing a replica of Tinubu’s cap, lamenting the situation, and calling on the president not to bring disgrace on the Yoruba race. He said in part:

“President Tinubu, you are beginning to attract disgrace from Nigerians…if you listen to what Nigerians are complaining about; they are crying because of hunger. All the boys (appointees) working for you in Abuja cannot tell you the truth. You are disgracing us. When you were shouting Emilokan, you didn’t tell us it was your turn to make us suffer.

“There is insecurity. You went to Ogun State during campaign to prostrate to Nigerians to vote you. You are disgracing Yoruba. You should reshuffle your cabinet. All the people you appointed are your loyalists.”

Other regular citizens have taken the cue, calling on Tinubu to temper hardship with mercy as hunger reigns supreme in the land.

In a sermon before and after the elections, Leader of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church, Primate Elijah Ayodele, told Nigerians that a vote for Tinubu is obviously a vote for hardship. He said Nigerians will suffer if Tinubu is elected as president.

After the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced Tinubu winner on March 1, 2023, Ayodele reacted to the victory. He said that:

“I am seeing a new government of sorrow, hardship, failure, and economic disappointment. There will be more hardship because God never approved another APC government for Nigerians. Under this new government, Nigeria will not be regarded internationally, this government will not make it better than what we experienced in the outgoing government.

“This is not the government God approved for us. God has not approved Nigeria to be an Islamic republic, he has not said Christians will not be part of the government but these people have berated God, they want to stir confusion in the religious sector but God has rejected them.

“INEC and APC colluded to steal the will of the people, God will definitely fight for the cause of the people at the appropriate time. Nigeria will not enjoy this government, even the APC will not enjoy this government and Tinubu will be the last president the party will produce. The party will go into oblivion very soon because the present government has deprived people of their rights, they have made people suffer and lose hope in democracy,” Ayodele said.

But of all reations directed at the president from his kinsmen, the one from his staunch loyalist and unofficial campaign vocalist, K1 de Ultimate, was the most prominent.

The veteran fuji musician, whose real name is Wasiu Ayinde, practically called out Tinubu, telling him to live up to expectation as Nigerians are living their worse lives in his government. He made the comments while performing on stage at the funeral of the mother of the Are Ago Iyalode of Ibadanland, Bolupe Aramide, held at the University of Ibadan Endowment Fund Hall, Oyo State.

In his usual streak, K1 said in sonorous tune, “Nigerians send their greetings. They said because I am a supporter of your administration. One who dwells in the Lord will see God’s face. Tinubu, hear what the world is saying. Everybody in the country is frustrated, and wants you to do something about the current situation, with the issue of fuel and dollars.

“Someone collecting salary wouldn’t be able to use it for anything. But, I know that my boss, Tinubu, is merciful; and God had given you everything before you took on the burden of being Nigeria’s president.

“My boss, find a solution to this situation. Citizens are suffering, and crying, and there isn’t power supply. Tinubu, please find a solution. All the bad people should find a place to hide. You are merciful, Asiwaju. All of us in Nigeria are angry. The issue of kidnapping is enough to cry over. Please, we beg you to find a solution. Let us be patient with all that the country is facing. The president has said he will make things better.”

Apart from making the remarks at a public gathering, and before notable Yoruba sons and daughters, including a wife of the Ooni of Ife, Olori Ashley Ogunwusi; wife of Olowu of Owu, Olori Saka Matemilola; Otun Iyalode of Egbaland, Taofeekat Babayemi; a former Minister of Industry, Nike Akande; Abiola Olatunji, Suliat Malo, Idowu Agarawu, and Folake Anifosowoshe, the saying has gone viral on the social space, eliciting reactions from all and sundry.

Earlier in the year when Tinubu visited Lagos, he was spotted driving through Lagos Island after attending Jumat with a retinue of aides and fleet of cars in his convoy. But the crowd that gathered around was not there to hail. They came to complain of the prevailing hunger in the land with shouts of ‘ebi mpa wa’ (we are hungry) renting the air.

But the loyalists of Tinubu in the presidency and cabinet have continually mount podiums to defend the president amid his failing policies, rising cost of living, unaffordable fuel products, lingering insecurity, occasioned by kidnappings for ransom, killings among many others.

In his defense, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, who spoke during a programme on Channels Television, defended the decision of President Bola Tinubu, saying Nigeria would have been worse off if petrol subsidy was not removed.

“You are premising your argument on the fact this problem just started yesterday. The foundation of our economy had taken a beating a long time ago. The substructure of our national economy has been one that cannot hold a meaningful substructure on it.

“So, it is important that Nigerians recognise that the President and his team would have to go back to reset that and that is why from day one, he said, ‘Look, subsidy issue has to go’. He had to expect that there would be this pain, of course. He anticipated that Nigerians would encounter some difficulties. But it would be worse if that subsidy did not go. It would have been difficult to carry out any meaningful development. We needed to free up resources.”

But while the Yoruba are pleading for a face saving, Nigerians in general are wondering if there is an end to the excruciating pains the populace are experiencing in the present dispensation. They recalled that the eight years of former President Muhammadu Buhari was clueless, and reduced Nigerians to less than citizens.

“The way it is, it appears Tinubu is contesting with Buhari to know who takes the crown of Nigeria’s worse president,” an analyst said.

Time, surely, will tell.

Headline

Ighodalo to Sue Oshiomole over ‘False, Defamatory and Malicious’ Comments, Demands N20bn

Published

3 days ago

September 17, 2024

Eric

The governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo, Mr. Asue Ighodalo, has asked his lawyers to institute a suit against Adams Oshiomhole, senator representing Edo north, over defamatory allegations.

Ighodalo said Oshiomole had accused him of involvement in “Planwell,” a ponzi scheme that surfaced in Edo state in the early 1990s.

“People of my age and even younger have not forgotten how Asue Ighodalo and all his associates were involved in what they call Planwell,” Oshiomole said during a campaign rally on Saturday.

“Planwell was set up as an institution where you deposit 10,000 in the morning by tomorrow it becomes 15,000, and after six months, people were defrauded, and the institution disappeared. And they became rich, and Edo people became pauperised.”

In a response to the allegations through his counsel, Ayo Asala, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Ighodalo described Oshiomole’s comment as “false, defamatory, and malicious”.

“It is sad to note that despite your status as an elder and holder of a public office, you appear to have developed a pattern of spewing false statements in the public domain purely for the achievement of your political ends,” a letter by Ighodalo’s lawyer and addressed to Oshiomhole reads.

“This baseless, unfounded, false, and malicious allegation has become another in a long line of such defamatory fabrications and statements made by you in respect of our client in the recent past.

“Our client is an accomplished Nigerian legal practitioner and a corporate leader whose impressive resume from birth up till the current day is entirely in the public domain, and our client has absolutely no connection with and could never have been involved in any manner whatsoever with the purported ‘Planwell’ scheme with which you have seriously defamed our client’s reputation.

“It is clear that the fabrication of the unfounded and false story regarding the purported involvement of our client in the said ‘Planwell’ scheme or any other financial scheme whatsoever is a figment of your imagination and a story fabricated purely for the purpose of denigrating the good character and reputation of our client for the achievement of the political purpose of advancing the sinking fortunes of your political party and candidate in the forthcoming Edo state gubernatorial elections.

“Our client has been inundated with calls and other contacts from concerned members of the public who heard your said allegations on electronic and social media, as a result of which our client has suffered enormous unwarranted reputational damage arising from the lies and baseless fabrications of which you have become the purveyor.”

Ighodalo is demanding “an immediate and unqualified retraction and apology for your false, defamatory, and malicious statements, which should be published in at least two national television networks and three nationally circulating newspapers”.

“Pay to our client damages in the sum of 20 billion Naira for your false, defamatory, and malicious statements referred to herein,” the letter further stated.

“Take notice that it is our client’s instructions that we immediately institute appropriate proceedings against you for damages in the sum of twenty (20) billion Naira (N20,000,000,000.00) for your said false, malicious, irresponsible, and damaging statements made against our client without any foundation whatsoever in fact.

“Further take notice that such action will be instituted without further notice or correspondence to you in that regard whatsoever.”

Headline

The World Celebrates Chief Gabriel Igbinedion at 90

Published

3 days ago

September 16, 2024

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

It was that time of the year again when the world gathers in their numbers in the ancient city of Okada and Benin to celebrate a man of immense achievement.

The town of Okada and the beautiful city of Benin were agog one more time as the month of September approached. It was the birth month of one of the most brilliant entrepreneurs the Nigerian nation has ever produced. It was the birthday of the Esama of Benin and pioneer patriarch of the Okada Dynasty, Chief (Sir) Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion CFR, CON, KSJI, who clinched the nonagenarian trophy in grand style.

As always, the ebullient community leader, meticulous mentor and businessman extraordinaire left no stone unturned to treat himself to the best entertainment, drawing the who is whos in politics, entrepreneurship, entertainment and religion to the grand events making his 90th birthday.

Again, the Esama used the occasion of his birthday to centre all eyes on him, and did not hesitate to take up the opportunity to create another sizzling razzmatazz in hosting dignitaries and providing top notch treats; the type that would not only be mouthed, but proclaimed from the mountain tops for a long time to come.

According to former President Olusegun Obasanjo, “Judging by the mammoth crowd that came to celebrate the occasion, his (Igbinedion) legacy in history is assured.”

It was a carnival-like event that ran a month long with preparations and activities that told a tale of a great man, gathering people of different class and creed from all parts of the world to celebrate the great Esama of Benin Kingdom.

A philanthropist of no mean repute, business mogul, and politician, Chief Igbinedion pulled all stop to ensure that this year’s celebration tagged “Jubilation”, and drawn from the Bible book of Psalms 126:3 sustains the carnival-like identity it has always been known for, while reflecting on testimonies of his numerous achievements in life.

With wholesome lineup of activities, the birthday celebrations held in various locations including his Benin palatial home and the prestigious Archangel Gabriel Catholic Church, along Sapele Road, where a thanksgiving mass was held.

Among the earliest callers at the Igbinedion residence were members of the governing council of the Igbinedion University, where notable officials took turns to eulogised the pacesetter of private universities in Nigeria. Among the officials present were the Pro Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Prof Sheik Ahmed Abdulla, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Lawrence Ezemonye, and the Chief Medical Director, IUCH, Dr Yau Abubakar Garawa.

Kicking off the activities as the occasion dovetailed into a weeklong event, on September 10, the residence of the Esama of Benin, who is also the Honorary Romania Consul to Edo and Delta States, became a beehive of activities with celebrations as different groups including the Igbaboleme Dancers under the aegis of Esan Congress led by Goodluck Imonite, St John the Army Catholic Church led by Rev Alfred Agbolahor, and Parishers of St. Jude’s Catholic Church led by Very Rev Father Paul Edegware, entertained the Esama and his visitors who came from far to be part of his birthday celebration.

As always, the celebrant Chief Sir Dr Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, was accompanied by his wife, Lady Cherry Igbinedion, his son and former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and his siblings, a retinue of members of the Igbinedion Dynasty among other dignitaries arrived the Archangel Gabriel Catholic Church, to a warm reception by the members of the Church community with band parade, in a distinct ceremony tagged “The Early Morning Dew”

The birthday celebration began with Service of Praise and Thanksgiving at St Gabriel, The Archangel Catholic Church, Sapele Road, where adoration was offered unto the Creator as coordinated by the Rev. Fr. Augustine Ehigie and church officials.

During the conventional Mass, which has become a tradition in the House of Igbinedion, the guest speaker, and President of Nigerian Baptist Convention, Reverend Israel Akanji, preached a sermon encouraging all and sundry to live their lives, and have the mindset of a child.

“The childlike spirit must not die; the spirit must remain, and if there is a challenge for our papa at 90, the challenge is that even in old age, you are to continue with the heart of a child,” Akanji said.

Also praying for the nonagenarian, a former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafo, lauded his philanthropic gestures, and declared that heaven will recompense him.

“As you have identified with everyone, heaven will always identify with you. May God increase you on every side,” he said.

Tom Amekhianam of the Christ Embassy also offered prayers for the latest member of the nonagenarian club, asking for more of God’s wisdom and honour upon him and his family.

Speaking on behalf of the family in response to all the prayers and goodwill showered on Chief Igbinedion, the son of the celebrant, Mike Igbinedion thank guests and well wishers as well as appreciate the celebrant for being a father in deed.

Dignitaries that attended the Mass were the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki, prominent religious and traditional leaders, high profile politicians and High Commissioners and Representatives of High Commissions so from over 15 countries.

It was a total conglomeration of the best of Nigerians in respect of a man who has given more than enough to the economic, industrial, political, academic and social development of Nigeria.

Also in attendance were the traditional rulers and title holders from the Benin Kingdom.

The highpoint of the event was the thanksgiving procession by Chief Igbinedion and his immediate family members, amid soulful renditions from the Saint Gabriel the Archangel Parish choir.

Speaking on behalf of some of the dignitaries that graced the occasion the representative of the South African High Commission in Nigeria and the Representative of the King of Ashanti, Ghana among others, described the celebrant as a Man who has added value to the lives of many.

Guests at the birthday thanksgiving Mass were later hosted to a lavish reception at tastefully decorated country home of the Esama of Benin Kingdom where music was supplied by a host of upcoming artists, live band, cultural troupes among others.

The colorful event was rounded off with the cutting of the 90th birthday cake of the Esama of Benin Kingdom His Excellency Chief Sir Dr Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion, surrounded by members of his family siblings and selected dignitaries.

The event reception which was held at the residence of this unequivocally brilliant mind witnessed a potpourri of the nation’s high and mighty as they trooped out in their numbers to appreciate the goodness of the creator upon his praise-worthy life.

Wishing the Esama a life where he will never mourn the death of any of his children, HRM Oba Oyetunde Olumiluwa Ojo, Ogunbodun I Olono of Ada, Osun State, assured him of longer life and more fruitful living.

Also the Enogie of Ukhiri, HRH (Barr) Godwin Aigbe described the celebrant as a legend at 90, just as a daughter of the House of Igbinedion and former First Lady of Edo State, Mrs Eki Igbinedion showered encomium, describing as a gift to his generation.

In her word, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, Miriam Morales, thanked the Esama for being a worthy personality and a human being with a face.

The reception was another form of banquet, coming with all the trappings a superiority. The crowd was unprecedented with security agencies of different creed mounted at various corners. One would not be wrong if they call the event a fantasy brought to reality. Everyone who was someone was either present or represented.

It was reported that over 22 food and beverage vendors were busy with different local, African and intercontinental cuisines and beverages, attending to the large crowd of audience as the grand reception swept way into the night.

Among special personalities that were present at the well attended banquet were past and present governors, politicians and industrialists. Some of them were former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo; Bayelsa State governor, Senator Douye Diri, Osun State governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke; Constitutional Lawyer, Prof Mike Ozekhome SAN; former governor of Akwa Ibom State, Obong Victor Attah; former governor of Imo state, Chief Achike Udenwa, former governor of Ekiti State, Niyi Adebayo; former governor of Delta State, Mr. James Ibori; former governor of Adamawa State, Boni Haruna and former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke.

Others were ING Nana Poku Aygeman, who represented the King of Ashanti, Ghana, High Commissioners of South Africa to Nigeria, Tami Mseluku, Engr Elvis Obaseki of ITV and Radio, E. J. Agbonayinma of APC, former Edo State Governor, Adams Oshiomhole, Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr. Peter Obi, and Labour Party governorship for Edo State, Barr Olumide Akpata, who was a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).

The family also set aside a day for all those born in the House of Igbinedion to meet, fratenise and bond with one another. Members of the family from.across the world including the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany and more were present. They sang, made merry and cut a huge birthday cake in honour of the patriarch.

Mabel Amadin, who spoke on behalf of the children of Igbinedion said that ‘my father’s tentacles have gone worldwide’, and it was only natural that all the children, grandchildren, great grandchildren use the opportunity of his 90th birthday to reignite their brotherhood.

The weeklong grand ceremonies rounded off with a thanksgiving service at the Saint Gabriel the Archangel Church, where dignitaries also trooped out in their numbers to thank God for His mercies, and for seeing the family and friends through the activities.

In another development, a former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar,Ed many other dignitaries to pay homage to the nonagenarian, describing him as a rare breed that can only be seen once in a century. In his entourage were the Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu, former Chief of Defence Statf, General Martin Luther Agwai, who prayed that God will continue to keep Chief Igbinedion so that humanity will continue to tap from his wealth and well of knowledge.

The highpoint of the 90th birthday celebration was the special visit of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) delegates, led by former Vice President and Waziri Adamawa, who was the party’s presidential flag bearer in the 2023 elections, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to pay homage to the Esama.

In their various speeches, the former Vice President and the host Governor, Obaseki, praised the Esama for his laudable contributions to the Nigerian nation and his philanthropic gestures to all and sundry, wishing him a happy birthday and many happy returns.

They delegates supported the celebrant in cutting his birthday cake in the presence of his wife, Cherry Igbinedion, and conducted by the former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Donald Duke.

The members present were the party’s Acting National Chairman, Umar Damagum, former governor of Delta State, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, former governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, Rivers State governor, Sim Fubara, Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori; former governor of Bayelsa, Senator Seriake Dickson; former governor of Cross River State, Leyel Imoke, Chief Ben Obi, High Chief Tom Ikimi, Edo Deputy Governor, Marvelous Omobayo; former governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Igbinedion and Osun State governor, Senator Adeleke, who displayed his singing and dancing talents while wishing the Esama a happy birthday.

Chief Gabriel Osawaru Igbinedion was born on September 11, 1934, and has been a beacon of entrepreneurial excellence since he embraced career trajectory. He is known to have pioneered many Enterprises including the first to own a private airline; Okada Air and private university; Igbinedion University.

From all us on The Boss Newpaper, we wish the Esama a glorious 90th birthday, and many more healthy years in view.

Headline

Edo Election: Police Acting in Interest of APC, Says Obaseki

Published

1 week ago

September 12, 2024

Eric

The Edo State Governor, Mr Godwin Obaseki, has called out the Nigerian Police Force, saying they are working in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the buildup to the 2024 Edo Governorship Election. He added that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) may not sign the Peace Accord for the September 21 election.

The accord is an official agreement among political parties to be of good conduct before, during and after election.

Obaseki said the agency, the Police, responsible for enforcing the accord, have through their actions, shown that they are acting in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and waging war against the PDP.

He expressed worry that “the Police under the manipulation of the APC, has arrested not less than 10 PDP chieftains, who they perceived would be strong political opposition to them in the coming election.”

The governor who spoke when he received the Chairman of the National Peace Committee (NPC) and former Military Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar said those arrested include a serving Local Government chairman, Hon. Collins Aigbogun.

He stated that the party chieftains were arrested and whisked to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.

Obaseki queried: “how do one enters a peace accord with an umpire who, from the onset has shown bias in favour of one of the parties in the election.”

He added: “you are very conversant with the politics of Edo State. You were here in 2020 and we had a very heated election. You know this is an off-circle election and there is a lot of attention.

“Unlike 2020, I am very worried with the developments in the State today. The party met yesterday and we might not likely sign this agreement.

“The opposition party in the State, the APC has always argued that they may not be as popular and didn’t win in the last election, but however promised to use Federal might to determine the outcome of the election.”

He added: “We thought it’s just rhetoric. But in the last four weeks, we’ve had a situation where from the office of the IGP, armed gang policemen have come into Edo State to invade, arrest and take away PDP members.”