Under President Olusegun Obasanjo we had Mr. Frank Nweke Jr. as Minister of Information and Orientation. There was
Dr. Dora Akunyuli at NAFDAC and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala in the Finance Ministry. Under the Jonathan Dr. Akinwunmi excelled as Minister of Agriculture. In contrast, the Buhari regime did not showcase similar exceptional performances.

However, under the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, we have David Umahi, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, Nyesom Wike, Dele Alake, Wale Edun, Yemi Cardoso, Festus Keyamo, SAN, and our very own Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo. Despite numerous challenges, these ministers have demonstrated capacity, capability, courage, resilience, and innovation.

In this crop of high performers is our BTO who has done an extraordinary job tackling intractable challenges at the Ministry of Interior, a ministry previously known for underperformance.

We recognize that BTO’s success is, wholly due to the opportunity provided by Mr President. The President’s recruitment process is top notch, commendable, and his ability to identify talent is evident in BTO’s appointment.

As we celebrate BTO’s humble achievements as a Minister of the Federal Republic, we acknowledge the President’s role in recognizing his potential.

As the grandmaster in talent hunt that owns the dice and not afraid to throw it what further affirmation do we need than the acclamation in the President’s address on independence day. This is a multibillion naira endorsement that cannot be purchased but earned. It came from the President of the most populous concentration of the black race in the world.

Those of us who share in BTO’s success are encouraged and we look forward to celebrating more successes under Asiwaju’s leadership and appreciate the opportunity to work with exceptional leaders like BTO in the future.

*Sola Ajisafe, Esq
Lawyer, Journalist and Farmer writes from Akure, Ondo State.*

The role of the Nigerian Constitution in the formation and existence of a political party is enshrined on the principle of Constitutional Supremacy. The Nigerian Supreme Court on many occasions has considered and decided on this in many cases. Examples abound in cases like A.G Ondo State v A.G Federation (the importance of complying with constitutional provisions), A.G. Lagos State v A.G Federation ( the nullification of the power of the President to withold local government funds), A.G.Federation v Atiku Abubakar ( on the interpretation of the Constitution and and constitutional supremacy in governance). The

It is this realisation that made the All Progressives Congress (APC) in it’s Article two states as follows ” Subject to the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 ( as amended) and any other laws for the time being in force in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the provisions of this constitution shall be supreme PROVIDED that where any Rule, Regulation or other enactment of the Party is inconsistent with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, such a Rule, Regulation and Enactment shall be null and void and of no effect whatsoever”.

This means every law or rule or activity of any political party, it’s government, officials acting for itself or for the people must take a bow and align with the Constitution. Further more, the Nigerian Supreme Court on many occasions has restated this fact that all it’s activities must align and obey not only with the constitution but must obey it’s own rules and other regulations and rules validly in force in the country.

Therefore, the APC Constitution is the most important document for its internal activities and administration being a product of the Nigerian Constitution and the loud and emphatic statement of the courts. In giving itself this constitution, it must not only obey it as a point of obedience alone it must do it to strengthen democracy and the rule of law for the ultimate preservation of the society. This is the foundation of good governance, peace and solidarity. Any erosion of this time tested rule is an invitation to strife and anarchy.

In the Constitution of the APC starting with Article 10 on Party Organisation, Article 11,12, 13, 14,15, and 16, it provides a copious mode of how the party would be administered and the functions of it’s officials.

Specifically, the APC Constitution under Section 14.1 provided for the office of the National Chairman to ” Be the Chief Executive, Accounting Officer and shall preside over the meetings of the National Executive Committee and the National Working Committee of the Party;Provide good and effective leadership to the Party;Uphold the Constitution and defend the name, policies and programmes of the Party;Be a signatory to the accounts of the Party;Direct the due execution of the programmes of the Party;Give lawful directives to all officers, organs, and members of the Party at all levels;Have a casting vote in the event of a tie in the meetings of the Party over which he presides;Ensure the implementation of the directives of all superior organs of the Party, namely the National Convention, the Board of Trustees, the National Executive Committee, the National Working Committee and the National Caucus;Perform such other functions as may be assigned to him from time to time by the National Convention, Board of Trustees, National Executive Committee and/or the National Working Committee”.

This position is restated under Article 15, as Officer at Other Levels whereas the powers are devolved to the States and local governments.

The power invested in the National Chairman under Article 14.1 is equally vested in the State Chairman and other officers under article 15. This powers are exercisable statutorily. Whether in the composition or activities everyone would have to abide by the constitutional provisions.

To maintain amity, respect and party discipline, it is not by chance that the composition in the State Caucus was so arranged. A careful look will show the intendment of the drafters of the constitution.

Going forward, it is my view that for our party to continue to maintain it’s peace and growth for the development of our State as the party in power, all concerned must keep to their assigned roles. As far as the constitution has provided, the Chairman is the Chief Executive of the Party while the Governor is the Chief Executive of the governance arm. They are not in contention or power supremacy, but their roles are distinct. He is not only the primus inter pares of the party he is the head of all the organs of the party structure. He must be allowed to do his job while the party structure must function effectively for the growth and development of our society.

In essence, the party cannot function without the government and the head of the government as reserved in the Governor of the State deserves every respect, and consultation on party administration. There must be synergy and respect, consultation and agreement on all actions and activities. Where there seems to be a clash of interest, both must shift ground and the role of the government must lalways be recognised on all issues without any overeaching influence from the government.
Both cannot exist without the other but their must be mutual respect to one another’s positions.

In the same vain, the government and the party must also recognise other stakeholders whose activities and participations make the party what it is. Party elders, appointees, other elected officials and party members should not be outsiders to be treated like trash or dispensables. They must be carried along and given their own due at all times. This will foster cohesion and party growth.

As we move towards the 2027 election as stakeholders and interested parties, our focus should be how to win the coming election resoundingly.

Our modest request and irreducible demand from both Mr. Governor and the Chairman of the party is to work in synergy to achieve a 90 percent success for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Anything or act by anyone to the contrary would be a disservice to our collective happiness and they would have us to contend with.

All we need is peace in our party and our State and those charged with that onerous responsibility must pull everyone together to achieve the purpose of victory in the coming election.

Sola Ajisafe, lawyer, journalist, farmer writes from Akure, Ondo State.

“When the Elders meet, the ear of the people would hear good news” – An African Wise Saying

In the African socio-political milieu, the concept of being an elder is achieved through two means. One is based on the template of age and longevity, and the other is based on status and responsibility. Each of these carries tones of expected expectations. The African way provides a mirad of power relation helmed on the canvass of a broader person to community model.

While an elder is granted the liberty invested on the person by age or status, the community sets a performance template upon the activity is interrogated. Being an elder confers on you the task of providing leadership, direction and taking responsibility for others.

At a time in Nigeria when politics is becoming unhelpful in solving social problems, it demands that men of courage and ability must take the gauntlet to redirect the social discourse. More specifically as we approach the next election, and the consuming rhetoric is laced with divisiveness and lies, ethnic and religious bigotry, especially towards a governement that is doing so much but not been appreciated, the need for a new movement to redirect the narrative is imperative. Such moves must come from those who appreciate the importance of the job been done by the government of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Hence, with the inauguration earlier this week of the PBAT Continuity Project (PCP), a group set up to lead the charge for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the flame of political activities in Ondo State under the All Progressives Congress has just been ignited. While it is an established truth that Ondo State is historically the bastion of progressive politics in Nigeria, particularly in the South West, the array of established and top-notch politicians who were present at the unveiling of the group suggests the convergence of the established pillars of progressive politics in our State.

It is true that sometimes political statements, especially by politicians, need to be properly interrogated. Not every politician is without fidelity, and not all words by politicians fall flat without actions. Some have established a history of backing up their words with positive action. Hence, the array of political presence and the goodwill messages delivered via telephone and the number of persons who sent in their apologies reveal clearly that the process of setting the building blocks for the re-election of Mr. President in 2027 is on course.

In Ondo State, it’s difficult to underate the calibre of men and women who had subscribed to the membership of PCP. Aside from the Director General, Pastor Femi Agagu, the interest and commitment of Hon. D.I. Kekemeke, Dr. Bunmi Tunji-Ojo, Hon. Wale Akinterinwa, Princess Oladuni Odu, Hon..Lola Awoh, Dr. Mrs Osadaun, Yeye-Oba Bamidele Ademola-Olateju, HE. Mrs Kemi Iyantan, High Chief Ojo Alalabiaye, Prince Diran Iyantan, Hon. Sunday Araoyinbo, Hon. Yemi Olowolabi, Hon. Tobi Ogunleye, Hon. Goke Jatuase, Hon. Mekuleyi, Hon. Ayeni, Ambassador Sola Iji, Dr.Jibayo Adeyeye and many notable politicians, show clearly that a new vista has emerged in Ondo State to carry the gospel of an Asiwaju political success in 2027.

One does not need to have the power of clairvoyance when the Director General of the group, Pastor Femi Agagu, in his opening statement, states, “Our task is to ignite support of all Ondo State indigenes for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” This is the article of faith of the group, and the destination is another four more years in Aso Rock. It is a direct charge to all and sundry.

No doubt, the convergence of minds behind this group is a pointer to what it could achieve. Setting the goal, Dr. Bunmi-Tunji Ojo, Minister of Interior, said Ondo State will surpass its 2023 percentage votes contributed for the President. He maintained, “…Asiwaju for a second term is our project, PCP is our project. In the last election, we had 67%, but our target this time is to do far better than that. With the caliber of people in PBAT Continuity Project, we will deliver more than expected once we agree to work together.”

In working together, no one knows the art more than Hon. Isaac Kekemeke. A man who has traversed vast political activities and coupled ragtag political organs to success by being the first Chairman of a political party in opposition to lead his party to presidential victory in Ondo State. Kekemeke rests on his vast political experience in many capacities and is the current APC Vice Chairman for the South West. He knows what he meant when he said, “Mr. President deserves a second term going by his leadership style and commitment to national development.”

In an emphatic statement, he said, “This is a President from the South West…more so, this President is doing extremely well. For the good of our country, for the good of our region, and for the good of ourselves, it is good that President Bola Tinubu continues to be President…I’m happy that some leaders of APC decided to start.”

The above enlightened and informed statements are not just mere words. They are statements made from years of organizing, mobilizing, and participation in the political process and democratic engagement in Ondo State in particular and Nigeria in general. The impact these leaders have made to the development of democracy places them in a vantage position to understand what is required for the benefit of our State and our nation under an Asiwaju Presidency.

Establishing his own reason on the plank of performance, Hon. Wale Akinterinwa extolled the excellent performance of Mr. President and said this is the time he needed the support of all Nigerians to consolidate his various policies beyond 2027. In restating his support for the group, he said, “…I’m happy to be part of this group, and I can assure you that we will play our part and deliver on the mandate of the group.”

Going forward, he opined, “This is a group of very committed and respectable leaders who have come together for the purpose of ensuring that our President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, not only returns in 2027 but we will give him the maximum vote in 2027.”

These deep and colossal statements were made by people who have a history of political performances and electoral value in Ondo State and the days ahead will prove that they are not mere statements but words that are indelible and carved on to the open plates of history.

Sola Ajisafe, Lawyer, Journalist, Farmer is a member of the APC. He lives in Akure, Ondo State.