Politics

Adebanjo insists on Obi as Fasoranti backs Tinubu

The leader of the Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Afenifere, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, and several South West leaders on Sunday endorsed the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu received their endorsement during a meeting he had with the leaders of the organisation at Fasoranti’s residence in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

Some members of the group, including Pa Ayo Adebanjo, and the Secretary-General Chief Sola Ebiseni, were however absent at the meeting.

Adebanjo had earlier declared support for the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi.

Adebanjo insists

Adebanjo, in a telephone interview with one of our correspondents on Sunday, said he was not supposed to be at the meeting in Akure, adding that his support for Obi was already known.

He said, “In the first place, I was not supposed to be there. In the second place, we have made our position clear. Pa Fasoranti asked me if I was coming, I said if he asked me to come. But tell him what the position of Afenifere is. Once he has done that, I’m not going into any controversy about that.

Afenifere has taken a stance to support Obi. Any other splinter or rebel group… I’m not going into any controversy about that. I regard that as a diversion. What we are going to do now is see that we succeed at the election.”

Fasoranti, who briefly prayed for the APC candidate, simply declared, “Tinubu will win the election.”

The organisation’s National Organising Secretary, Abagun Omololu, also issued a statement at the end of the meeting.

In attendance at the meeting were former Governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel; Retired Methodist Bishop, Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu; National Secretary of APC, Senator Iyiola Omisore; General Secretary of Yoruba Council of Elders, Senator Cornelius Adebayo; former Governor of Osun State, Chief Bisi Akande; and Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, who represented Governor Seyi Makinde.

Omololu explained that Tinubu briefed the gathering about his aspiration for the presidency and also presented his manifesto to Fasoranti.

But Omololu said the Afenifere leaders did not hesitate to endorse the former Lagos State governor after he proved beyond doubt that he would practise true federalism by giving states more control over internal affairs when elected.

His statement partly read, “Tinubu shared with us his vision of a greater and more prosperous Nigeria where democratic rights, rule of law, justice and fairness will reign supreme. He also gave assurance on steps to be taken to ensure the safety and security of Nigerians and their properties.

“We support the decision of all qualified citizens to exercise their fundamental rights of seeking offices provided by the federal Constitution.

“Having taken cognisance of his commendable antecedents as Lagos State Governor and his demonstrated ability in building physical and human capital, the Yoruba leaders at today’s meeting are in no doubt that Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, offers the best opportunity to produce a government that will usher in a new era of hope, peace, security, harmony, gainful employment for the multitude, economic development, social and political stability.

“We have also been assured of his commitment to the promotion of true federalism that will give states more control over their affairs. Afenifere wishes him success in the pursuit of his vision.”

Tinubu excited

Reacting to his endorsement, Tinubu applauded the group saying the struggle he encountered before clinching the APC ticket was a constant reminder of why he cannot afford to let the country down.

He said, “I thank God almighty that the dream of that time has come to reality. The battle was much. Many of them wanted Buhari to anoint another person but he (Buhari) said no. Some of the Northern governors came together and resolved that it (power) has to go to the south.

“One certain thing is that no Yoruba men and women opposed this ticket. They support this ticket. I want to tell you that I will bring the trophy home. It is not just a Yoruba thing. It is a Nigeria project.

“The North proved to me that Nigeria can survive its unity. Some people want President Muhammadu Buhari to announce someone but the President said no. He insisted the process must go on democratically. The president said anyone that would mess up the APC process would see the other side of his eyes. He remained upright and saw the process to the end.

“Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Abdullahi Ganduje and others supported me to the end. The battle was tough and at a point, I was in doubt. There were many rumours and I became confused about what to believe.”

Speaking further, Tinubu said he enjoyed the support of the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), who had affirmed his full support to make sure he( Tinubu) wins the election,

“President Buhari told me I promoted his name with the way I won the primary election because the process was clean and transparent and nobody can accuse him of manipulating the process. President Buhari said I gave him credibility and I deserved to be President.

“When I asked him to nominate the VP candidate for me, he said I should pick whomever I want and it is the reason I chose a competent man in Kashim Shettima who never lost any election and protected Christians in times of trouble in his state,” he stated.

Falae speaks

An Afenifere chieftain and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Olu Falae, urged Tinubu to fix the economy of the country if elected.

Politics

Ondo Commissioner Confirms Forgery of Akeredolu’s Signature

The Ondo State Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Mr. Razak Obe, has alleged that the signature of the state governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu, was forged.

Obe stated this in a letter he wrote to the state deputy governor, Hon. Lucky Aiyedtiwa, calling the attention of the latter to the development.

The letter was made available to our Newsmen on Friday.

In the letter, Obe noted that after his discovery, the forensic expert had confirmed that the governor’s signature was forged.

The letter read, “I write to call your attention to a critical matter that has been confirmed; the signature of Mr Governor on a certain document has been forged.

“The irregularities in the signature were first observed when a file from my ministry was returnd through the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. This is the only fil been returned so far out of the five files that were sent to Mr Governor for approval about two months ago.

“Under close inspection, I noticed significant differences between the suspicious signature and handwriting and Mr. Governor’s known signature and handwriting in the file.

” Concerned about the gravity of the situation, I decided to seek a forensic review before disclosing my discovery. I sent the suspicious signature handwriting samples and copies of the old regular signatures to forensic experts, who have now confirmed that the suspicious signature and handwriting were indeed forged.

“Despite the inherent risks involved, I have chosen to fulfill the obligations of my office by reporting this alarming development to you as the highest-ranking member of the State Executive Council after Mr. Governor. I firmly believe that this is the course of action our esteemed leader, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, would take in such a situation.

“Considering the possibility that such forgery may be widespread, this heads-up is of utmost importance to the government and people of Ondo State. I have attached a copy of the forensic report and relevant pages from the file for your reference.

“I urge you to treat this matter with the urgency it deserves and take appropriate actions to address the situation. It is crucial that we restore the integrity of our processes and ensure that such a disturbing development is swiftly punctuated.”

Recall that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Kayode Ajulo, alleged that some officials in the administration of the Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu were signing on behalf of the ailing governor.

According to him, the deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, cannot take over from the governor since power has not been transferred to him constitutionally, making way for the hijack of state governance by the cabal.

He said, “I have it on good authority as a lawyer. Some of the commissioners, about five of them, sent memos to the governor, and they all returned with approval.

“Going through the approval compared to what the governor had approved when he was hale (sic) and hearty, there are notable disparities in them.

Politics

Court freezes 24 bank accounts of Kano State government over N30bn compensation dispute

A Federal High Court in Abuja has issued a garnishee order, freezing 24 bank accounts belonging to the Kano State government over a N30 billion compensation dispute

This order, according to a report of Channels Television, was granted in response to a suit filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Masalachi Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association.

The association, it is gathered, sought compensation for the demolition of their shops, which they deemed illegal and unjust.

Justice I. E. Ekwo, presiding over the case, delivered the ruling on November 28, 2023, affirming the attachment of funds totaling N30 billion.

According to the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling signed by the Registrar, Chioma Chijioke, the action is aimed at satisfying the judgment in favour of the shop owners, following the alleged illegal demolition carried out by the state in June 2023.

In the court order, Justice Ekwo specified, “A garnishee order Nisi is hereby made attaching the funds (present and future) of Kano State Government, Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, KNUPDA, and Attorney General of Kano State… to the tune of N30 billion in satisfaction of the judgment.”

Moreover, the court has mandated the garnishees to appear before it and provide cause, if any, against the order Nisi being made absolute. The Judge also stipulated that the judgment creditors should serve the defendants and Garnishees at least 14 days prior to the next hearing, scheduled for 18th January, 2024.

This ruling comes subsequent to an earlier judgment by the Federal High Court in Kano, where the shop owners were awarded N30 billion as compensation for the demolition of their shops.

The frozen accounts span across 24 banks.

Politics

Fmr Governor, Osunbor Declares for Edo guber race

The Edo State former Governor, Prof. Oserheimen Osunbor on Thursday declared his intention to seek the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming 2024 governorship election in the state.

Prof. Osunbor who spoke with journalists in Benîn City at the APC state secretariat
Shortly after making his intention known, the leadership of the state chapter of the party said that he has the capacity to lead Edo state to an enviable position if given the opportunity in 2024 to be governor of the state.

The former governor said he was aware of the sufferings of the Edo people and would change the narrative if he got the party’s ticket and subsequently emerged as governor of the state in the 2024 governorship election.

He added: “I have the experience and integrity, having been in the office as governor for a short time. I will deliver good governance if given the ticket and win the election.”

Osunbor solicited the support of the party leaders, promising he would take the state to greater heights following his rich history as an astute politician, whose tenure as governor between May 2007 and November 2008 recorded laudable feat.

The ex-governor was received by the state secretary, Mr. Lawrence Okah, the state Youth Leader, Mr. Tony “Kabaka” Adun and a host of others.