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Showing posts with label Oyo State. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oyo State. Show all posts

Governors Adeleke, Makinde, Top Leaders Eulogize late Aderemi Sanni at 8th Day Fidau Prayer

Governors Adeleke, Makinde, Top Leaders Eulogize late Aderemi Sanni at 8th Day Fidau Prayer


Leaders from all walks of life today stormed the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan for the eighth day fidau prayer of late Alhaji Aderemi Tohir Sanni, the husband of Yeyeluwa of Edeland, Mrs Dupe Adeleke - Sani.


Governor Seyi Makinde and top officials of the Osun state government joined the Osun state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and global business mogul, Dr Adedeji Adeleke at the Fidau prayer which was attended by family members, friends and associates of late Sanni and the Adeleke dynasty.


The prayer session which was conducted by a team of top ranking islamic clerics was led by Sheikh Akanni Olorunlomerue with the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye;  the House Speaker, Rt Honourable Adewale Egbedun;  the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; the Chairman, Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives, Hon Bamidele Sallam and the State Chairman of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON), Hon Sarafadeen Awotunde Spain leading members of the National Assembly, State House of Assembly, State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, Forum of Special Advisers, Forum of Senior Special Assistants, Board Chairmen and top officials in the prayer .


Leading traditional rulers from Oyo state were  led by the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Adeoye Ghandi while the Timi of Ede Land, Oba Muniru led other top traditional rulers from Osun state to the event.


The widow and the matriarch of the Adeleke dynasty in her tribute  described late Sanni as exceptionally supportive of her vision, noting that “his boldness and can-do spirit is infectious. 


“From him, I deepened my sense of persistence in pursuing my agenda and plans. From his daring exploits, I solidified my vision of achievements and attainments in worldly and religious matters”, Mrs Adeleke-Sanni noted


Governor Adeleke in his tribute said “we lost a mentor, a strong adviser, a facilitator and a pillar of support , before assuming office and now in government. Our late father was a selfless and public spirited leader, a colossus in business, politics and religious world. 


“In days of political wars, we find the later leader a calm and calculated point, offering invaluable advice and counsel. On many critical occasions he stood out for us, providing his insights and inputs that were very potent.


“I pay tribute to his decades of partnership not just with my sister , his wife , but the entire Adeleke dynasty. Our family has lost a strong ally, a man who selflessly  backed the family on several fronts. We praise his legacy as a family ; we salute his courage; and we applaud his philanthropism in service of God and man”, the Governor stated.


The Adeleke University in a tribute by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Solomon Ajayi Adebola said the sudden departure to eternal glory of Alhaji Aderemi Sanni is a personal loss to the management, academic and student communities of the Adeleke University, noting that “this transition is felt deeply by the university for many reasons.


“In our foundation and growth, Alhaji Sanni was a regular face with key roles in our development. At our take off and progression, Alhaji was a logistic supporter, a leader who supervised our makeup and is therefore part of our success story as a university


“We cannot forget in a hurry his multiple contributions even when the university has come of age. Alhaji Sanni was a constant factor as he remained ever available to assist in the  growth of the university.


“Aside from being our promoter and supporter, the deceased was a strong partner and husband of the mother of the university, Chief ( Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni. As a couple , the history of the university won't be complete without full reference to the duo. 


“As a university, we raise a flag of commendation, appreciation and gratitude for a life well spent, for indelible contributions to our academic growth and to decades of philanthropy for the young and the old”, the university boss posited.


More pictures from the event:






Signed:

Mallam Olawale Rasheed,

Spokesperson to the State Governor


Leaders from all walks of life today stormed the International Conference Centre of the University of Ibadan for the eighth day fidau prayer of late Alhaji Aderemi Tohir Sanni, the husband of Yeyeluwa of Edeland, Mrs Dupe Adeleke - Sani.


Governor Seyi Makinde and top officials of the Osun state government joined the Osun state Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke and global business mogul, Dr Adedeji Adeleke at the Fidau prayer which was attended by family members, friends and associates of late Sanni and the Adeleke dynasty.


The prayer session which was conducted by a team of top ranking islamic clerics was led by Sheikh Akanni Olorunlomerue with the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Hon Kazeem Akinleye;  the House Speaker, Rt Honourable Adewale Egbedun;  the Secretary to the State Government, Hon Teslim Igbalaye; the Chairman, Public Accounts Committee of the House of Representatives, Hon Bamidele Sallam and the State Chairman of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON), Hon Sarafadeen Awotunde Spain leading members of the National Assembly, State House of Assembly, State Executive Council, Permanent Secretaries, Forum of Special Advisers, Forum of Senior Special Assistants, Board Chairmen and top officials in the prayer .


Leading traditional rulers from Oyo state were  led by the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Adeoye Ghandi while the Timi of Ede Land, Oba Muniru led other top traditional rulers from Osun state to the event.


The widow and the matriarch of the Adeleke dynasty in her tribute  described late Sanni as exceptionally supportive of her vision, noting that “his boldness and can-do spirit is infectious. 


“From him, I deepened my sense of persistence in pursuing my agenda and plans. From his daring exploits, I solidified my vision of achievements and attainments in worldly and religious matters”, Mrs Adeleke-Sanni noted


Governor Adeleke in his tribute said “we lost a mentor, a strong adviser, a facilitator and a pillar of support , before assuming office and now in government. Our late father was a selfless and public spirited leader, a colossus in business, politics and religious world. 


“In days of political wars, we find the later leader a calm and calculated point, offering invaluable advice and counsel. On many critical occasions he stood out for us, providing his insights and inputs that were very potent.


“I pay tribute to his decades of partnership not just with my sister , his wife , but the entire Adeleke dynasty. Our family has lost a strong ally, a man who selflessly  backed the family on several fronts. We praise his legacy as a family ; we salute his courage; and we applaud his philanthropism in service of God and man”, the Governor stated.


The Adeleke University in a tribute by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Solomon Ajayi Adebola said the sudden departure to eternal glory of Alhaji Aderemi Sanni is a personal loss to the management, academic and student communities of the Adeleke University, noting that “this transition is felt deeply by the university for many reasons.


“In our foundation and growth, Alhaji Sanni was a regular face with key roles in our development. At our take off and progression, Alhaji was a logistic supporter, a leader who supervised our makeup and is therefore part of our success story as a university


“We cannot forget in a hurry his multiple contributions even when the university has come of age. Alhaji Sanni was a constant factor as he remained ever available to assist in the  growth of the university.


“Aside from being our promoter and supporter, the deceased was a strong partner and husband of the mother of the university, Chief ( Mrs) Dupe Adeleke-Sanni. As a couple , the history of the university won't be complete without full reference to the duo. 


“As a university, we raise a flag of commendation, appreciation and gratitude for a life well spent, for indelible contributions to our academic growth and to decades of philanthropy for the young and the old”, the university boss posited.


More pictures from the event:






Signed:

Mallam Olawale Rasheed,

Spokesperson to the State Governor

Governor Adeleke in Oyo State, Preaches Deeper Regional Collaboration, Hails Governor Seyi Makinde as Uncommon Engine on Infrastructural Development

Governor Adeleke in Oyo State, Preaches Deeper Regional Collaboration, Hails Governor Seyi Makinde as Uncommon Engine on Infrastructural Development

Adeleke received recognition award as agent of good governance




Osun state Governor Ademola Adeleke on Thursday showered praises on Governor Seyi Makinde for his landmark achievement on infrastructural upgrade of Oyo state, calling on South West states to deepen development partnership.


According to the reports signed by the Spokes person to the Governor Mallam Olawale Rasheed, speaking at the commissioning of  the dualised Alakia-Adegbayi -Iwo road, Governor Adeleke described his host as “an uncommon engineer of good governance”, tagging him “a trailblazer” in the quest  to regain South West’s pre-eminent position as a region of first class development.


At the commissioning ceremony attended by top leaders and former Governors, Senator Adeleke commended the efficient management of little resources to achieve so much by the Oyo state leadership,  noting that South West Governors are running a competitive race to regain the region’s leading position in good governance.


“The old Western Region was reputed  to be the leading zone in the areas of innovations, infrastructure and good governance. We lost that rating for some time now.


“ But I want to put it on record that the South West has regained its momentum. The Oyo state governor is a trailblazer. From Lagos to Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and Ogun states, South West is witnessing infra upgrades. Our roads are being fixed. Our schools and health centers are undergoing rehabilitation.


“Governors of the zone are keeping alive the great memories of our founding leaders.We are placing South West on the national and global map.


“ It is on this note that I congratulate my brother , Governor Seyi Makimde. You are an uncommon engineer of good governance.


“ As a Governor of Osun state , I watched with keen interest the positive development in Oyo State. I do peer review. I must say that Oyo state is lucky to have Governor Makinde at the helm of affairs. We are proud of him.


“ In Osun, we are implementing a multi- billion naira infrastructure plan. We are working to revive our dilapidated infrastructures. Oyo state performance is a great motivation , not just for Osun but for other states in the South West.


“ As we celebrate my brother today, I call for closer developmental cooperation among South West states. We must deepen regional collaboration”






Governor Adeleke who was awarded recognition as agent of good governance noted.


Speaking earlier, the host Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde said his infra agenda os premised on expanding business opportunities and creating multiple zones of development in Oyo state.


He noted that his administration prioritized inter-city roads to widen the net of development even with limited resources.


“ We are here today to again celebrate good governance”, Governor Makinde said, explaining that infra upgrades deepen the ease of doing business and diversify state development efforts.



Adeleke received recognition award as agent of good governance




Osun state Governor Ademola Adeleke on Thursday showered praises on Governor Seyi Makinde for his landmark achievement on infrastructural upgrade of Oyo state, calling on South West states to deepen development partnership.


According to the reports signed by the Spokes person to the Governor Mallam Olawale Rasheed, speaking at the commissioning of  the dualised Alakia-Adegbayi -Iwo road, Governor Adeleke described his host as “an uncommon engineer of good governance”, tagging him “a trailblazer” in the quest  to regain South West’s pre-eminent position as a region of first class development.


At the commissioning ceremony attended by top leaders and former Governors, Senator Adeleke commended the efficient management of little resources to achieve so much by the Oyo state leadership,  noting that South West Governors are running a competitive race to regain the region’s leading position in good governance.


“The old Western Region was reputed  to be the leading zone in the areas of innovations, infrastructure and good governance. We lost that rating for some time now.


“ But I want to put it on record that the South West has regained its momentum. The Oyo state governor is a trailblazer. From Lagos to Ekiti, Ondo, Osun and Ogun states, South West is witnessing infra upgrades. Our roads are being fixed. Our schools and health centers are undergoing rehabilitation.


“Governors of the zone are keeping alive the great memories of our founding leaders.We are placing South West on the national and global map.


“ It is on this note that I congratulate my brother , Governor Seyi Makimde. You are an uncommon engineer of good governance.


“ As a Governor of Osun state , I watched with keen interest the positive development in Oyo State. I do peer review. I must say that Oyo state is lucky to have Governor Makinde at the helm of affairs. We are proud of him.


“ In Osun, we are implementing a multi- billion naira infrastructure plan. We are working to revive our dilapidated infrastructures. Oyo state performance is a great motivation , not just for Osun but for other states in the South West.


“ As we celebrate my brother today, I call for closer developmental cooperation among South West states. We must deepen regional collaboration”






Governor Adeleke who was awarded recognition as agent of good governance noted.


Speaking earlier, the host Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde said his infra agenda os premised on expanding business opportunities and creating multiple zones of development in Oyo state.


He noted that his administration prioritized inter-city roads to widen the net of development even with limited resources.


“ We are here today to again celebrate good governance”, Governor Makinde said, explaining that infra upgrades deepen the ease of doing business and diversify state development efforts.



NEWS RELEASE: Governor Adeleke Extols Governor Makinde on Birthday , Says We Share Common Vision and Goals

NEWS RELEASE: Governor Adeleke Extols Governor Makinde on Birthday , Says We Share Common Vision and Goals


OSOGBO 

25 / 12 / 23







The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated his counterpart in Oyo state, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde, on the occasion of his 56th birthday, acknowledging his leadership style, characterized by humility, inclusivity, and sense of purpose.


Governor Adeleke notes his sincere admiration for Governor Makinde's dedicated leadership, which is evident in the laudable achievements recorded since assuming office, adding that Governor Makinde pro-people governance has made a mark in Oyo state.


The Governor cherishes the candor and frankness of Governor Makinde on topical issues, particularly on governance, appreciating him (Makinde) for the brotherhood forged out of  hot iron in the interest of the people of the two states.


"I heartily celebrate with my brother Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde on the auspicious occasion of his 56th birthday. This milestone represents endearing contributions to enriching lives, be it in the private sector or public service," the Governor noted in a congratulatory message.


"On this day, I honour the life of many impacts that Governor Makinde symbolizes and commend his tireless efforts to deliver good governance for the people, which has undoubtedly contributed to the visible progress and prosperity in Oyo state."


Governor Adeleke who relishes recent rapprochement as a foundation for an even more enduring partnership, said Governor Makinde's commitment to a shared vision of good governance and due process have not gone unnoticed, adding "I look forward to the continued collaboration between our states for the betterment of our people.


"May your new age be filled with the joy that you give to others in many folds and may the years ahead bring you continued success, good health and fulfillment in all your endeavors", Governor Adeleke was quoted as saying.


Signed:

Mallam Olawale Rasheed,

Spokesperson to the State Governor


OSOGBO 

25 / 12 / 23







The Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has congratulated his counterpart in Oyo state, Engineer Oluseyi Makinde, on the occasion of his 56th birthday, acknowledging his leadership style, characterized by humility, inclusivity, and sense of purpose.


Governor Adeleke notes his sincere admiration for Governor Makinde's dedicated leadership, which is evident in the laudable achievements recorded since assuming office, adding that Governor Makinde pro-people governance has made a mark in Oyo state.


The Governor cherishes the candor and frankness of Governor Makinde on topical issues, particularly on governance, appreciating him (Makinde) for the brotherhood forged out of  hot iron in the interest of the people of the two states.


"I heartily celebrate with my brother Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde on the auspicious occasion of his 56th birthday. This milestone represents endearing contributions to enriching lives, be it in the private sector or public service," the Governor noted in a congratulatory message.


"On this day, I honour the life of many impacts that Governor Makinde symbolizes and commend his tireless efforts to deliver good governance for the people, which has undoubtedly contributed to the visible progress and prosperity in Oyo state."


Governor Adeleke who relishes recent rapprochement as a foundation for an even more enduring partnership, said Governor Makinde's commitment to a shared vision of good governance and due process have not gone unnoticed, adding "I look forward to the continued collaboration between our states for the betterment of our people.


"May your new age be filled with the joy that you give to others in many folds and may the years ahead bring you continued success, good health and fulfillment in all your endeavors", Governor Adeleke was quoted as saying.


Signed:

Mallam Olawale Rasheed,

Spokesperson to the State Governor

Oyo APC Will Emerge Bigger And Stronger, Progressive Minds Leaders Assure

Oyo APC Will Emerge Bigger And Stronger, Progressive Minds Leaders Assure

Leaders and elders of Oyo State APC Progressive Minds, the gathering of progressives in the state has reiterated the need to learn from the mistakes of the past which led to the party's dwindling fortunes in the state and forge ahead for a better future by insisting on the possession of proven track records, good antecedents and contributions to the growth of the party, in choosing the party's flag bearers in future elections. 


The meeting which was graced by progressive leaders which included Alhaji Kehinde Balogun, Hon Caleb Oyaniyi, Hon Salawu, Alhaji Rasheed Jimoh, Mr Olu Abiola, Alhaji Tunde Ibrahim, Mrs Bamigbola Stella, Alhaji Abiade Yekeen, Alhaji Anifowose Shakiru, Alhaji Tirimisiyu Alarape, Eng A.I.M Olaniyan, Chief Tajudeen Hamed (Babaloja), Sheik Tajudeen Olujide, Alhaji Sulaimon Busari (Professor), Alhaji Ganiyu (Babayaro), Pa Shaba Adekunle and others, had members in attendance from local governments across all the zones of Oyo State. 


Members in attendance and progressives across the state are encouraged to make the necessary effort to ensure that the All Progressive Congress return to her roots, one of which is the practice of pushing forward candidates with proven track records and enviable antecedents for elective offices rather than the later and recent aberration of giving in to the highest bidder, noting that it is the former practice that attracted serious minded and people oriented politicians of proven integrity to the progressive fold in the Pa Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige and Alh Lam Adesina eras. 


Leaders in the party are also entreated not to divide their followers and members of the party into camps with the hope of getting feedbacks from opposing camps, but rather to be committed to the resolution of every misunderstanding and points of differences within the party, towards achieving the unification of the party as a whole, in the shortest possible period of time. 


Oyo APC Progressive Minds leaders assured members that the meeting is recognized by party elders in the state while expressing confidence that Oyo State APC will navigate her present challenges and emerge bigger and stronger.


Oyo APC Progressive Minds general meeting will reconvene by 12:00 noon on Tuesday September 26, 2023 at the premises of Black and White Chambers, Oke Ado, Ibadan. All Oyo State APC members are invited to join us at the meeting for the development of Oyo State APC progressive movement.



More pictures from the meeting!!






Leaders and elders of Oyo State APC Progressive Minds, the gathering of progressives in the state has reiterated the need to learn from the mistakes of the past which led to the party's dwindling fortunes in the state and forge ahead for a better future by insisting on the possession of proven track records, good antecedents and contributions to the growth of the party, in choosing the party's flag bearers in future elections. 


The meeting which was graced by progressive leaders which included Alhaji Kehinde Balogun, Hon Caleb Oyaniyi, Hon Salawu, Alhaji Rasheed Jimoh, Mr Olu Abiola, Alhaji Tunde Ibrahim, Mrs Bamigbola Stella, Alhaji Abiade Yekeen, Alhaji Anifowose Shakiru, Alhaji Tirimisiyu Alarape, Eng A.I.M Olaniyan, Chief Tajudeen Hamed (Babaloja), Sheik Tajudeen Olujide, Alhaji Sulaimon Busari (Professor), Alhaji Ganiyu (Babayaro), Pa Shaba Adekunle and others, had members in attendance from local governments across all the zones of Oyo State. 


Members in attendance and progressives across the state are encouraged to make the necessary effort to ensure that the All Progressive Congress return to her roots, one of which is the practice of pushing forward candidates with proven track records and enviable antecedents for elective offices rather than the later and recent aberration of giving in to the highest bidder, noting that it is the former practice that attracted serious minded and people oriented politicians of proven integrity to the progressive fold in the Pa Obafemi Awolowo, Chief Bola Ige and Alh Lam Adesina eras. 


Leaders in the party are also entreated not to divide their followers and members of the party into camps with the hope of getting feedbacks from opposing camps, but rather to be committed to the resolution of every misunderstanding and points of differences within the party, towards achieving the unification of the party as a whole, in the shortest possible period of time. 


Oyo APC Progressive Minds leaders assured members that the meeting is recognized by party elders in the state while expressing confidence that Oyo State APC will navigate her present challenges and emerge bigger and stronger.


Oyo APC Progressive Minds general meeting will reconvene by 12:00 noon on Tuesday September 26, 2023 at the premises of Black and White Chambers, Oke Ado, Ibadan. All Oyo State APC members are invited to join us at the meeting for the development of Oyo State APC progressive movement.



More pictures from the meeting!!






Press Release: Oyo LP Chairman consistent attacks; a show of shame

Press Release: Oyo LP Chairman consistent attacks; a show of shame


Akinwale

Our attention has been called to yet another vituperation by the Oyo State Labour Party Chairman, Sodiq Atayese on a Splash FM programme tagged “Gbagede Oselu” on Thursday.


It is becoming rather embarrassing that Mr. Sodiq Atayese has turned bitterness into a hobby and has neglected his primary duty as the chairman of a party in the state facing numerous self-inflicted issues.


Before the election, Mr. Sodiq Atayese consistently attacked the personality of Hon. Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale the Gubernatorial Candidate of his party, in a bid to soil his reputation. He anchored all sorts of organized and informal propaganda and varieties of blackmail against the person of Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale and to cap it, he resolved to the dubious and anti-party collapse of the Labour Party structure in the state for the incumbent with whom he seeks favor.


One would expect that after the election, Mr. Sodiq will have a sober reflection and bury his head in shame for the woeful performance of the party in the election at all levels. Unfortunately,   this has not been the case probably because he hasn’t been considered for his seek favour by his “paymaster” only God knows.


His remarks about the person of Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale are not new, Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale's competency is one of the reasons why Mr. Sodiq Atayese became so embittered because he couldn’t find the “Yes sir” attributes in him despite Akinwale’s humility and respect for everyone in the party.


We are using this medium to advise Mr. Sodiq Atayese to face his business of fixing the mess he has dragged the party into instead of his continuous embarrassing media tour to shamelessly nag and present excuses for his shameless anti-party actions in the last elections. The same man nagging about incompetency was blown away by Akinwale’s submissions at the BBC gubernatorial debate where he uttered the remark “I am proud of you.”


Mr. Atayese claimed that Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale is not competent enough, should we say that all candidates in the party are not competent enough for their respective positions and that was why the Chairman sold the party out?


In 2019, Mr. Atayese was the Labour Party Guber and he refused to step down for the incumbent Governor despite being the accountant to Seyi Makinde’s company. Mr Atayese should remember that there are consequences for each action, and whatever a man sows he shall reap.


Hon. Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale has moved on and has continued to make his impact felt on matters that concern the state just recently his intervention in the proposed Chieftaincy amendment bill has generated serious actions and scrutiny of the process.


The Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate in the last election is a man with focus and does not get swayed away by petty talks. However, it is necessary to call the chameleon Chairman to order which necessitated this response.


Hon. Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale remains committed to the growth and betterment of Oyo State and every citizen therein and he is focused on making meaningful contributions and impacts to take the State to an enviable height.


*E-signed:*

*Samuel Abodunrin*

*_Press Secretary to Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale, Oyo State LP Guber 2023_*

May 12, 2023.


Akinwale

Our attention has been called to yet another vituperation by the Oyo State Labour Party Chairman, Sodiq Atayese on a Splash FM programme tagged “Gbagede Oselu” on Thursday.


It is becoming rather embarrassing that Mr. Sodiq Atayese has turned bitterness into a hobby and has neglected his primary duty as the chairman of a party in the state facing numerous self-inflicted issues.


Before the election, Mr. Sodiq Atayese consistently attacked the personality of Hon. Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale the Gubernatorial Candidate of his party, in a bid to soil his reputation. He anchored all sorts of organized and informal propaganda and varieties of blackmail against the person of Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale and to cap it, he resolved to the dubious and anti-party collapse of the Labour Party structure in the state for the incumbent with whom he seeks favor.


One would expect that after the election, Mr. Sodiq will have a sober reflection and bury his head in shame for the woeful performance of the party in the election at all levels. Unfortunately,   this has not been the case probably because he hasn’t been considered for his seek favour by his “paymaster” only God knows.


His remarks about the person of Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale are not new, Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale's competency is one of the reasons why Mr. Sodiq Atayese became so embittered because he couldn’t find the “Yes sir” attributes in him despite Akinwale’s humility and respect for everyone in the party.


We are using this medium to advise Mr. Sodiq Atayese to face his business of fixing the mess he has dragged the party into instead of his continuous embarrassing media tour to shamelessly nag and present excuses for his shameless anti-party actions in the last elections. The same man nagging about incompetency was blown away by Akinwale’s submissions at the BBC gubernatorial debate where he uttered the remark “I am proud of you.”


Mr. Atayese claimed that Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale is not competent enough, should we say that all candidates in the party are not competent enough for their respective positions and that was why the Chairman sold the party out?


In 2019, Mr. Atayese was the Labour Party Guber and he refused to step down for the incumbent Governor despite being the accountant to Seyi Makinde’s company. Mr Atayese should remember that there are consequences for each action, and whatever a man sows he shall reap.


Hon. Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale has moved on and has continued to make his impact felt on matters that concern the state just recently his intervention in the proposed Chieftaincy amendment bill has generated serious actions and scrutiny of the process.


The Labour Party Gubernatorial Candidate in the last election is a man with focus and does not get swayed away by petty talks. However, it is necessary to call the chameleon Chairman to order which necessitated this response.


Hon. Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale remains committed to the growth and betterment of Oyo State and every citizen therein and he is focused on making meaningful contributions and impacts to take the State to an enviable height.


*E-signed:*

*Samuel Abodunrin*

*_Press Secretary to Tawfiq Tayo Akinwale, Oyo State LP Guber 2023_*

May 12, 2023.

THE REAL REASON TUNJI SADIQ (OYO STATE LP CHAIRMAN) IS PRO- JULIUS ABURE AND ANTI-PA LAMIDE APAPA

THE REAL REASON TUNJI SADIQ (OYO STATE LP CHAIRMAN) IS PRO- JULIUS ABURE AND ANTI-PA LAMIDE APAPA


Tunji Sadiq Atayese

The Labour Party built on the collective resolve of the working masses would have transcended the mantra of the third force to the main force if a founding champion and a Labour Movement veteran like comrade Lamidi Apapa had been in charge of her national affairs years before now.


It’s unfortunate that a self-styled personality like Barrister Julius Abure whose only mission is to destroy the common interest for personal gain was championing people’s agenda at a critical time of the 2023 general elections. It was a similitude of Joseph Sterlin’s championing of a purported revolution which had been betrayed from the outset.


Tunji Sadiq like some other corrupt state chairmen were the instruments upon which Julius Abure could exploit every means for personal aggrandizement. The perjury, forgery, alteration and all other criminal charges levied against Julius Abure would not be complete if some corrupt state chairmen were not joined in the suit because Julius Abure couldn’t have succeeded without the conspiracy of some state chairmen.


In Oyo state, for instance, Atayese Tunji Sadiq is a typical example of a famished Jackal who’s offered a monumental chance to manage ranches. Everyone knows that such a person would definitely devour the affairs he’s overseeing. The unholy marriage between Atayese Tunji Sadiq and Julius Abure are a mirror of coalition of plundering interest between two cunning personalities. 


The same totalitarian approach to leadership being deployed by Julius Abure agrees with Sadiq’s. Members of the Labour Party, stakeholders and wary Nigerians couldn’t have been oblivious of dictatorial dismissal of some entire state executive structure by Julius Abure which was a sheer contravention of the provisions of the Labour Party constitution. This is the reason an illegal ‘firer’ is being fired. He is being haunted by his dubious past.


On the respective meetings convened by the two fashions of the Labour Party last Wednesday 3rd May, 2023, Tunji Sadiq cunningly neglected comrade Apapa Lamidi’s Bauchi meeting to attend Abure’s meeting in Abuja. He only sent delegations to Bauchi to spy on comrade Apapa’s fashion of proceedings. Baba Apapa who was supposed to get the full backing of Tunji Sadiq did not hesitate to suspend all the state chairmen who attended Abure’s jankara meeting.


The public should be aware that Tunji Sadiq will be loyal to Abure because the money meant for the presidential elections as provided to the party by Obi did not pass through the party’s account. Sum of fifty million naira was sent to the private account of Tunji Sadiq but he only declared seventeen million (17,000,000) naira for the party. To date, Tunji Sadiq is yet to pay majority of presidential election polling unit agents.


Tunji Sadiq only declared fifty million naira (N50,000,000) out of huge amount of money that Engr. Seyi Makinde released for the Labour Party during gubernatorial elections. The template he used to share less than 20m to some state working committee members and party stakeholdersand.  How he neglected the local government chairmen will soon be published. Tunji Sadiq only appeased greedy national chairman (Julius Abure) out of the remaining money and he pocketed the rest.


Like Juius Abure, suspended Tunji Sadiq will soon face legal tussle and he will be made to face the consequences of his nefarious activities.


Tunji Sadiq Atayese

The Labour Party built on the collective resolve of the working masses would have transcended the mantra of the third force to the main force if a founding champion and a Labour Movement veteran like comrade Lamidi Apapa had been in charge of her national affairs years before now.


It’s unfortunate that a self-styled personality like Barrister Julius Abure whose only mission is to destroy the common interest for personal gain was championing people’s agenda at a critical time of the 2023 general elections. It was a similitude of Joseph Sterlin’s championing of a purported revolution which had been betrayed from the outset.


Tunji Sadiq like some other corrupt state chairmen were the instruments upon which Julius Abure could exploit every means for personal aggrandizement. The perjury, forgery, alteration and all other criminal charges levied against Julius Abure would not be complete if some corrupt state chairmen were not joined in the suit because Julius Abure couldn’t have succeeded without the conspiracy of some state chairmen.


In Oyo state, for instance, Atayese Tunji Sadiq is a typical example of a famished Jackal who’s offered a monumental chance to manage ranches. Everyone knows that such a person would definitely devour the affairs he’s overseeing. The unholy marriage between Atayese Tunji Sadiq and Julius Abure are a mirror of coalition of plundering interest between two cunning personalities. 


The same totalitarian approach to leadership being deployed by Julius Abure agrees with Sadiq’s. Members of the Labour Party, stakeholders and wary Nigerians couldn’t have been oblivious of dictatorial dismissal of some entire state executive structure by Julius Abure which was a sheer contravention of the provisions of the Labour Party constitution. This is the reason an illegal ‘firer’ is being fired. He is being haunted by his dubious past.


On the respective meetings convened by the two fashions of the Labour Party last Wednesday 3rd May, 2023, Tunji Sadiq cunningly neglected comrade Apapa Lamidi’s Bauchi meeting to attend Abure’s meeting in Abuja. He only sent delegations to Bauchi to spy on comrade Apapa’s fashion of proceedings. Baba Apapa who was supposed to get the full backing of Tunji Sadiq did not hesitate to suspend all the state chairmen who attended Abure’s jankara meeting.


The public should be aware that Tunji Sadiq will be loyal to Abure because the money meant for the presidential elections as provided to the party by Obi did not pass through the party’s account. Sum of fifty million naira was sent to the private account of Tunji Sadiq but he only declared seventeen million (17,000,000) naira for the party. To date, Tunji Sadiq is yet to pay majority of presidential election polling unit agents.


Tunji Sadiq only declared fifty million naira (N50,000,000) out of huge amount of money that Engr. Seyi Makinde released for the Labour Party during gubernatorial elections. The template he used to share less than 20m to some state working committee members and party stakeholdersand.  How he neglected the local government chairmen will soon be published. Tunji Sadiq only appeased greedy national chairman (Julius Abure) out of the remaining money and he pocketed the rest.


Like Juius Abure, suspended Tunji Sadiq will soon face legal tussle and he will be made to face the consequences of his nefarious activities.

NIGERIAN ARMY OR NIGERIAN PEOPLE'S ARMY?

NIGERIAN ARMY OR NIGERIAN PEOPLE'S ARMY?


by Moses Oludele Idowu


*FOREWORD*


Few days ago, the leaders of the Southern Kaduna Peoples expressed their anger at the the double standard maintained by the military under the Buhari Administration. That several deadly attacks from Fulani militia against their people go on without arrest or prosecution from the military, but whenever a cow is lost in the Fulani community, the military will immediately invade their place to arrest and harass their people. Several hundreds of of Southern Kaduna people have been killed in this area and till today no arrest has been made. It is the victims who are arrested whenever a cow is lost and beaten. What an army!


Gov. Ortom has corroborated this in his own Benue State where he accused the Buhari Administration and the security agents of injustice. 


Recently, the whole nation was shocked when a former militant, Tompolo, alerted us that for 9 years our crude has been stolen through illegal connection running into billions of dollars. In a nation that has a "Nigerian" Army including Navy and Air Force?


These are just two recent cases which confirm the truth in this essay.

  

This essay has been written since October 2021 and I am not changing anything. Read and judge for yourself.


  In this essay the author argues that what we have is a Nigerian Army, but what we need is a Nigerian People's Army


 Happy reading.


  MOI

  Saturday 22 April, 2023.


There is one thing about a lie: you can repeat it a thousand times and it would still not be the truth. And there is one quality about the truth: the whole world can deny it and rubbish it as long as they wish and it would not cease from being the truth. I think it was Winston Churchill who once said that no matter how long you ply the wrong road it won't become the right one. And I think it was also Martin Luther who said that you don't have to defend the truth, you only need to declare it; truth will defend itself and will survive any lie.

 

Against this backdrop I want to explode one of the popular lies and myths that undergirds this nation. It is important because I won't be a honest man as a servant of God and also an intellectual if I didn't. The fact that no one has said it really matters little. We cannot build a foundation of nationhood on quicksand.


 In this, as in all my articles I welcome exchanges. In point of fact I challenge all Nigerians from the military, the universities, seminaries, research institutes to take me up and challenge me on this. I am happy that most of our generals are still alive, Olusegun Obasanjo, Theophilus Danjuma, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Oladipo Diya, etc. Since what I am saying this morning particularly concerns them I challenge them to take me up in debate or impeach my thesis or my proposition. It is allowed.


THE THESIS


There is a general, widespread, - yet mistaken impression - that there is Nigerian Army, that we have a Nigerian Army, among the common run of Nigerians and the nation. It is my proposition this morning that we do not. If by Nigerian Army we mean a Nigerian People's Army, if by Nigerian Army we mean - and rightly so - an army devoted solely and practically to the lives, welfare, security, sustenance of Nigerian Peoples of whatever ethnic background; if by Nigerian Army we mean an army that is subordinated to the will, choices and desires of Nigerian Peoples, if by Nigerian Army we mean an army that sees Nigerians as lords and masters and superiors not slaves, servants, minions or poor civilians the same way the Chinese People's Army sees the Chinese as superiors, the same way the Israeli Defense Force sees a Jew as the reason for its existence, the same way the United States Army sees the average American as its employer - sorry we do not have a Nigerian Army in that sense.


I challenge anyone even among the generals for a debate on this. No, we do not have a Nigerian Army if by Nigerian Army we mean a Nigerian People's Army. There is a difference between Nigerian Army and a Nigerian People's Army. Happy and fortunate is the nation and people who know the difference.

 

Yes we have a body statutorily called Nigerian Army, an outgrowth of British Colonial West African Frontier Force with Nigerians of various ethnic groups as members and with various sectors like Navy, Air Force, Infantry etc. I do not deny this. What I deny is that this Army is a Nigerian People's Army - both by its actions,  antecedents, behavioral practices, culture, actions etc.


It is my purpose in the following investigation to  show and establish this thesis.


CASE STUDIES AND CONTRASTS


1. On July 3 - 4, 1976 hundreds of Israeli commandoes from the Israeli Defence Force ( the official name of Israeli Army) in four military planes and Hercules stormed Entebbe Airport, Uganda and in an operation that was rare even in military history rescued Jewish hostages and took them to safety, killing several of Idi Amin's soldiers and losing only 1 officer in the process. 

 

Now this is not the real issue in itself. What most people do not know is that some of those people Israeli solders took that risk for were not even citizens of Israel, but they were Jews. And as Jews the IDF is committed to their rescue and defence because it is an ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCE, an army committed to the defense of Jews and Israeli people not just territory.


2. In 1981 Israeli commandoes again flew hundreds of kilometers and stormed Tunis to exterminate one notorious terrorist, Abu Nidal ( Abu Jihad) of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine for the death of 11 Jewish athletes during the Munich Olympics in 1972. IDF considers it its duty and an obligation to avenge the blood of any Jewish soul anywhere no matter how long.


3. In 2020 American marines backed by drones and logistics stormed the Northeastern part of Nigeria to rescue one American missionary and his son and in the process killing all the Fulani captors without losing a single soldier. Imagine the distance from their base to here and yet they did it to save one American soul who was not resident in America.


CONTRASTS


I will cite just some cases in recent memory.


1. In 2014 more than  250 female students were abducted from Chibok, Borno State and till today a large percentage of them are still in captivity. I want everyone of us to think how long it will take and with what facilities, the number of buses to transport 276 girls, teenagers within an unleveled terrain and difficult topography. Yet our army has no clue, insight or logistics to stop this, arrest the captors or release the captives.


2. About two years ago police detectives from the Inspector General of Police went to Taraba State to arrest a wanted kingpin of kidnappers named Wadume. Despite the fact they were carrying Identification Tags as policemen on duty and the suspect was in handcuffs and they declared that they were on official duty soldiers of Nigerian Army still shot them and released the criminal in handcuffs. This is not the worry. Today those soldiers are still in service and had not been charged or tried.


3. Some months ago a video trended on social media that was ominous. Fresh female recruits of the Armed Forces made a video where they expressed their minds about their new jobs. And what did they say? They were warning how they would deal with civilians, flog anyone who crossed their paths, and other threatenings with clear forebodings. This is their wish and desires and intentions of joining the Army... The Israeli soldier is thinking of how to free his/ her citizens, the American soldier, Chinese soldier are planning of how to secure the lives of their civilians.. But, wait, the Nigerian soldier is thinking of how to deal with civilians, how to establish the hegemony of the army and a uniform over the very people who paid the tax that made his/ her uniform possible!


We have a big problem on our hands. The Army needs a complete retraining and reorientation. I shall come to this before concluding this essay.


SPECIFIC ISSUES


1. ANNULMENT OF JUNE 12, 1993 ELECTION


In the morning of Saturday June 12, 1993 Nigerians trooped out in their numbers and went to vote for one of the candidates of the two military-allowed parties. By the next day it was clear where the pendulum was swinging. M.K.O Abiola was going to win. Even in the North, he won. Even in most army barracks, he won  the election.


Then a group of army officers in the upper echelon decided that they did not want a candidate who had already won a free and fair election. The short and long story, the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) headed by Ibrahim Babangida with contemptuous cynicism and aristocratic arrogance annulled the result of the election, a move that stunned the whole world. 


Now this is the issue. The Nigerian Armed Forces and their officers arrogated to themselves the power to annul the will of Nigerian Peoples. A coterie of a few officers, soldiers of fortune, attempted to write off and erase by a stroke of pen the collective aspirations and desires of Nigerian peoples expressed through the ballot. An army that would do that cannot be called a Nigerian Army or Nigerian People's Army because a Nigerian People's Army won't erase the will of Nigerian People's. That was the best evidence to establish my thesis.


 I ask you to reflect and think: which army in the world would do this to their own peoples? Would IDF do that to Jews in Israel? Would the United States Army countermand the will of Americans? You saw when Donald Trump wanted to use the army for his purpose to override the will of Americans in the last elections and the response of the Commander.


Now this is not the point alone. What happened thereafter? Someone would argue that it was not Nigerian Army that did it, but the leaders, the generals. That argument made matters worse, it even defeat the point it was meant to serve. If it was the officers or generals alone who annulled the election what was the position of their subordinates? On whose side were they? Their generals or the Nigerian peoples?


The sad thing is the Army represented by its common run of soldiers and officers stood by their generals to uphold the annulment, and against the Nigerian peoples. Instead of rejecting the treacherous decisions of their superiors, the junior officers came out to shoot demonstrators and protestors fighting for the truth and calling for the deannulment. Except for one or two officers who resigned or retired on grounds of conscience and principles, nothing happened. Things went on. Later, the same Army imposed one of its worst and most corruptive generals as leader and backed him with force and vigour while keeping the authentic winner elected by the people in chains.


Either there is no nation called Nigeria or it is a banana republic or there is no Nigerian Army. A Nigerian Army is supposed to stand by a Nigerian people, all things been equal. The past is a proof that is not so.


I state all these openly and I ask anyone to disprove me if these facts are not so. I am writing this now when all the dramatis personae are still living and when most of these generals are still alive. Tomorrow it will become history so if what I say here is not true let them speak and challenge it.


2. ANYTHING GOES


"We became an army of anything goes..."

        - Gen. Salihu Ibrahim


Don't try Ebira people, they can be very stubborn and bold. That was demonstrated at the passing out of General Salihu Ibrahim, then Chief of Army Staff under Sani Abacha. At his passing out or retirement, he gave a speech which should pass into the archive as a monument for truth- telling. That day, this Ebira man shocked his colleagues by telling them he is in fact happy to leave the army because the Nigerian Army has become, in his words, "an army of anything goes.."


Then he began to itemize the flaws. Soldiers preferring political appointments rather than military postings that would help their professional and career development. Our army had seen money, they have tasted power and no one was willing to remain in barracks commanding soldiers when you could be commanding millions. It got so bad under Babangida that generals would be courting and showing respect for junior officers because the junior officers, as governors and military administrators, had the power to make rich which a GOC does not have!


3. CORRUPTION IN THE ARMY


The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo tactically made allusion to wanton corruption in the army even as early as his day as a civil servant. He was  the Finance Minister during the Nigerian Civil War. He said that throughout the Civil War no military sector or command returned any money to the Federal purse from salaries sent to them. Then he asked, does it mean no Nigerian soldier died in the war? If they did what happened to their salaries? Why were they not returned to the covers of Federal Government? Corruption in the army is deep and grounded. Has anyone ever audited Ministry of Defence's accounts?


Jonathan took $1Billion to buy arms for our soldiers to fight Boko Haram few months to elections. What happened to the arms or the money?


Buhari has taken the same amount twice to buy arms for the same army. Yet the new Army boss said he did not find any arms before the National Assembly!


WE ARE IN TROUBLE 

There used to be a Defence Industry Corporation that manufactured weapons. What happened to it? It now manufactures furniture and upholstery. If you think it is funny I am not joking. Now why was it grounded? A Senator has supplied the answer in the newspaper of this morning. Producing weapons in Nigeria does not afford opportunity for our generals to steal as it would have been when weapons have to be imported with dollars earmarked. Today, all our former generals are billionaires and multi-billionaires. Obasanjo, Babangida, Danjuma, Abdulsalami Abubakar, David Mark etc. Even Mr Integrity cannot be extricated from the Group. So the big question is: If these men were all their lifetime in the Army and never did any other work, where did they get their stupendous wealth from?


General Sharon of Israel, one of the most remarkable soldiers of modern time still had to go back to the farm after retirement. Colin Powell and Sharkspov relied on pensions and royalties from their biographies after an unblemished career and after distinguishing themselves in the battlefield of the Gulf. So where did our own generals get their money, their millions and billions? I challenge them to tell the world.


The late Chief Falegan told of how, under Abacha, soldiers would come to CBN with trailers to pack minted money. ( Source: Obadaih Mailafia Column)


So where is the loyalty then when the leading voices of an institution do not even believe in probity and due process? Abacha loots are still been returned to Nigeria as we speak and this was a general in the army. You need to worry about an institution that has produced such a man and helped him to rise to the very apogee of its leadership. You need to worry about an institution that has produced and helped an Obasanjo with his arrogance and contempt for the people to rise to the top; a Babangidda with his deceit and maradonic tactics and corruption to reach the top and an Abacha with his greed and thievery to make it to the top; that has allowed Muhammadu Buhari with his nepotism, ethnic irredentism and religious bigotry to make it to the very top...!


Whether you see it or not whether you say so or not an institution that has allowed these men to prosper as to curse a whole nation with their wiles and leaven cannot be upright or innocent. Whether you hate me or not I must tell you that is the truth. That is what Salihu Ibrahim was trying to say to Nigeria but we are not a perceptive people. Corruption seem to mean very little to the Army, Nigerian Army and its leadership.


4. SMUGGLING


Under Goodluck Jonathan Government, we were loosing 450,000 barrels per day to thieves and smugglers on land and high sea. At the same time, we were also paying militants, under that archetypal waster, millions to protect the pipelines and prevent thieves from stealing the nation's crude. Now the question is this: A barrel of crude oil is not a pin or cocaine that people hide in private parts. How could this large amount of materials and assets be lost in a nation where there is an Army, Navy and Airforce on land and sea? What is their work? Everywhere in the Niger Delta, especially in Rivers State, you see military checkpoints, yet these humongous sums and materials are smuggled out of the country in a nation that has an Army and Customs in what ECONOMIST of London calls "industry-scale robbery".


NEUTRALITY AND IMPARTIALITY


At the Convocation of the Taraba State University, Theophilus Danjuma, a general and former Army Chief declared to his stunned audience that if they wished to survive they should make their personal arrangements for self- defence because the Army is no longer neutral. If you rely on the Army, declared the Chief, "you will die one by one!" Recent events now show convincingly that Danjuma was right on target. T.Y. Danjuma is not a frivolous person; if he warns about a matter, be sure he has his facts. In 1980's, he warned that the next war will be a Religious War when he observed the way the same Muslim fundamentalists were burning churches and wreaking havocs in the North. Are we not getting closer now to that danger under Buhari?


Danjuma is right and he has now been proved right.


1. Recently, some soldiers of the Nigerian Army accompanied some Fulani sub-nationals to communities in Ogun State to deal with the natives and even the traditional rulers because they asked the Fulanis to leave after violating the ethical code of good behavior. This incident was recorded on video and reported by Sahara Reporters, an online news medium. Why should it be the business of the Nigerian Army to take side on civil matters? Is it the Nigerian Army or the Army of the Fulanis?


2. Recently, a South-East governor expressed deep reservations and helplessness publicly. He phoned the Commander of the Army Division in the state to tell him of the information reaching him that Fulani militants were massing to commit atrocities in the state. But the Army officer told him that he could not take orders from him. He should talk to the President and Commander-in-Chief. He then phoned the President and was put on hold for hours without being able to reach him until the Fulanis had committed their atrocities. To his greatest surprise, the same Army officer, who claimed he could not mobilize without orders from Abuja, was now mobilizing as soon as the Fulani militants finished, not to arrest them, but to stop the people from retaliating. This is from the mouth of the governor himself! Is that a neutral army? Can we call that a Nigerian Army or the Nigerian People's Army?


3. Selective Enforcement of Law 


Soldiers have been known to confiscate weapons from people in Benue State, Southern Kaduna while the people who daily maim them have their own weapons. Their arrows, knives, swords were taken from them while the murderers who wreak havoc keep their own. What kind of Army does that in the world? Can that be truly called a Nigerian Army?


4. The Killing of "Gana", the Militant


A Benue militant warlord who was going to surrender in response to the Amnesty of the State Government declared by Governor Ortom and jointly approved by the Security Council of the state, which includes the military, was still waylaid by soldiers and killed between Gboko and Makurdi.


Sometimes, the soldiers of Nigerian Army behave as if they are above the law; as if they are the law. Yet leaders of Myetti Allah Association that threatens an entire state, a federating unit, is left untouched and unmolested. Would Gana have been killed that way if he were a Fulani?


Our army is not neutral, and if it is not neutral with all ethnic nationalities, then it cannot be a Nigerian Army, a Nigerian People's Army. There is no way.


A foreign journalist years ago expressed his shock after interviewing several residents of Southern Kaduna. They all told him why they no longer trust the Army.


 In one town there were soldiers guarding the place ( or perhaps guarding the people from retaliating?). The soldiers told the people to hide somewhere from the rampaging herdsmen who were coming. To their shock and surprise, when the militants came they went no where and attacked no other place save the very place soldiers told them to hide. The coincidence was too confounding.


NIGERIAN ARMY OR NIGERIAN PEOPLE'S ARMY?


Nigeria is a federation of several ethnic nationalities and disparate groups. What we need and the best for us is a Nigerian People's Army, an Army that is not only drawn from among different ethnic groups, but that is also subordinated to the whims, feelings, sensitivity of the different peoples of the federating units. That is not what we have now. 


To be honest to the fact, we do not have a Nigerian Army in the sense of being a Nigerian People's Army. I will be very blunt here. What we have and have had is a Danjuma Army, Murtala Army, Babangida Army, Abacha Army, Buhari Army... but not a Nigerian Army or a Nigerian People's Army.

   

Once you understand this, then nothing about the actions of the Army will shock you, nothing in their history, their coups and counter - coups, Civil War etc will shock you. Failing to understand this,, however, you will miss the big picture.


This is why the Army can annul an election, rig elections, engage in corruption etc. The Army can be good and bad depending on who is presently calling the shot. If a good man is there, then the Army follows him and is good, and if a bad man is there, then it becomes bad. A Fulani man is presently in charge, so the Army too serves the purpose of the Fulani. When a ruthless thief like Abacha was in charge, then the Army too was ruthless. As its leader goes, so goes the Nigerian Army! This is what Gen. Salihu Ibrahim meant by an "An Army of anything goes"


Like the Legionnaires of the old Roman Empire, that was more loyal to their Generals than to Rome, the Nigerian Army is more like that in the light of the several cases I have mentioned here and several I still could have mentioned. This is one of the causes of the defeat of Roman Army before the Gothic Army of King Alaric at the Battle of 410 A.D and the eventual fall of the Roman Empire.

   "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana.


People are asking for restructuring for Nigeria to move forward. They want a new Constitution etc. The number one thing to restructure if Nigeria will move forward is the institution called the "Nigerian Army". Until this is done, no other restructuring will work or be allowed to work.


More than 90% of the problems this nation has today have their origins in the military or in its personnel, both directly and indirectly. The "Sharia" Constitution that is the root of most tensions was given to us by the Military!


Muhammadu Buhari, our current nemesis, was a product of the Military. Olusegun Obasanjo, who imposed Yar'Adua on us and Goodluck Jonathan to fight us after we refused to accede to his Third Term Agenda, is a product of the Military. Babangida, who annulled an election, the freest election conducted by a black community and his fellow colleagues who aided him, were all from this institution.

  

What of Abacha? So the biggest trouble we have is the Military. Abdulsalami Abubakar was only the saddle of national leadership for about a year, and what did he do to our External Reserves? Read the Kolade Report? Read the Okigbo Report and what happened to our Gulf Oil windfall, ($12.8Billion)?


The civilian politicians have now taken this template and fashioned it to another level.


So begin the restructuring with the military. In essence, we have been ruled by the Military, except the régime of Tafawa Balewa.


Shehu Shagari was installed by the Military and favored by the Military. Days to the election, we had been told that "the best candidate need not win the election" as if the Military had a crystal ball as to know how the people would vote. The rigging and manipulation characterizing that election to ensure that NPN won are well known especially in the North. The announcement of Shagari as winner even when he did not technically meet the requirements of the law instead of proceeding to Electoral College as provided by law had the imprimatur of the Military, and Danjuma, in one of his interviews in the 1980's, admitted this much. They wanted Shagari and Shagari "won".

 

Abiola wasn't favoured by the Nigerian Military, and he didn't get there even when he won! Both Yar'Adua and Jonathan were picked by Obasanjo so they were still chosen by the grace of the Military. Obasanjo and Buhari are Army generals, meaning they are still in the reserve list of the Military.


What does this sum to? Only Tafawa Balewa has ruled Nigeria as a civilian without any input or help from the Military or as a Military personage. Even he too and his party were helped by the Colonial Army. Shonekan was there as an interlude by the favour of the Military.


So this is the source of the trouble. Let the restructuring begin from here for it to work. Else we shall continue to have Federal Republic of Nigerian Army ( apologies to Chris Alli).


IN CONCLUSION


I believe every nation has its prophet, a person chosen by God whose life, circumstances and message encapsulate the best and easier way for that nation to reach the top. Happy is that nation that recognizes her own prophet.


For America, it was Jonathan Edwards; for Britain it was John Wesley; for Germany, it was Martin Luther... What if France had accepted John Calvin? It would have been spared the horror of a pogrom and a bloody Revolution!


Nigeria too had a prophet, a man sent to her by God, but few realized it. His name is Joseph Ayo Babalola. Why am I saying this? It is this.

In one of his visions, he said he saw a woman carrying a baby at her back upside down, the legs pointing upwards toward her head and the head of the baby pointing downward. He was amazed and stared at the lady. Then he heard the Voice of God telling him to move near and pay attention. He saw as this child began to kick her mother with her legs, kicking her head. The lady then entered real trouble and confusion. He was watching and the terrible child carried upside down kicked her mother to death. Then the vision was taken away from him.


Afraid and troubled, he began to pray what the meaning could be. In his own interpretation, the woman is the Church and the child is Modernism.

And that is also correct.


However, a revelation or a message of God always have parallels and multidimensional meanings and layers of meanings. Of recent, I began to think about this vision again as it relates to Nigeria. In my own interpretation, that woman could be Nigeria and the child carried upside down that is kicking his mother until it enters into confusion could mean the the Nigerian Army, in the light of this exposition..


More than 90% of the problems we have today has their roots in the Nigerian Army, their personnel, officers and men. Even the Civil War was essentially caused by their officers' failure to resolve their disputes. Some of the biggest rogues we have heard in public office have been from this vital institution of state.

'

This is not to deny or ignore their professional accomplishments, contributions, some very altruistic services to this nation and even the world; and this is not to say that all soldiers are bad or corrupt. No, but it is now clear that the Army we have today, with all the facts as stated in this essay, is still a far cry from a People's Army.


At the end of this Crisis or Conflict we should all attempt to restructure the Army and make it a truly Nigerian People's Army that cannot be hijacked by anyone or for any purposes other than Nigerian. A Nigerian Army as we now know it is not the same as Nigerian People's Army. What we need is a Nigerian People's Army, an Army that is fair, balanced unbiased, impartial and absolutely neutral and detribalized. An Army that cannot be corrupted or compromised.


 I am not sure that is what we now have now! Let the debate begin.


© Moses Oludele Idowu

08028472423; [email protected]

May 15, 2021

All Rights Reserved


by Moses Oludele Idowu


*FOREWORD*


Few days ago, the leaders of the Southern Kaduna Peoples expressed their anger at the the double standard maintained by the military under the Buhari Administration. That several deadly attacks from Fulani militia against their people go on without arrest or prosecution from the military, but whenever a cow is lost in the Fulani community, the military will immediately invade their place to arrest and harass their people. Several hundreds of of Southern Kaduna people have been killed in this area and till today no arrest has been made. It is the victims who are arrested whenever a cow is lost and beaten. What an army!


Gov. Ortom has corroborated this in his own Benue State where he accused the Buhari Administration and the security agents of injustice. 


Recently, the whole nation was shocked when a former militant, Tompolo, alerted us that for 9 years our crude has been stolen through illegal connection running into billions of dollars. In a nation that has a "Nigerian" Army including Navy and Air Force?


These are just two recent cases which confirm the truth in this essay.

  

This essay has been written since October 2021 and I am not changing anything. Read and judge for yourself.


  In this essay the author argues that what we have is a Nigerian Army, but what we need is a Nigerian People's Army


 Happy reading.


  MOI

  Saturday 22 April, 2023.


There is one thing about a lie: you can repeat it a thousand times and it would still not be the truth. And there is one quality about the truth: the whole world can deny it and rubbish it as long as they wish and it would not cease from being the truth. I think it was Winston Churchill who once said that no matter how long you ply the wrong road it won't become the right one. And I think it was also Martin Luther who said that you don't have to defend the truth, you only need to declare it; truth will defend itself and will survive any lie.

 

Against this backdrop I want to explode one of the popular lies and myths that undergirds this nation. It is important because I won't be a honest man as a servant of God and also an intellectual if I didn't. The fact that no one has said it really matters little. We cannot build a foundation of nationhood on quicksand.


 In this, as in all my articles I welcome exchanges. In point of fact I challenge all Nigerians from the military, the universities, seminaries, research institutes to take me up and challenge me on this. I am happy that most of our generals are still alive, Olusegun Obasanjo, Theophilus Danjuma, Ibrahim Babangida, Abdulsalami Abubakar, Oladipo Diya, etc. Since what I am saying this morning particularly concerns them I challenge them to take me up in debate or impeach my thesis or my proposition. It is allowed.


THE THESIS


There is a general, widespread, - yet mistaken impression - that there is Nigerian Army, that we have a Nigerian Army, among the common run of Nigerians and the nation. It is my proposition this morning that we do not. If by Nigerian Army we mean a Nigerian People's Army, if by Nigerian Army we mean - and rightly so - an army devoted solely and practically to the lives, welfare, security, sustenance of Nigerian Peoples of whatever ethnic background; if by Nigerian Army we mean an army that is subordinated to the will, choices and desires of Nigerian Peoples, if by Nigerian Army we mean an army that sees Nigerians as lords and masters and superiors not slaves, servants, minions or poor civilians the same way the Chinese People's Army sees the Chinese as superiors, the same way the Israeli Defense Force sees a Jew as the reason for its existence, the same way the United States Army sees the average American as its employer - sorry we do not have a Nigerian Army in that sense.


I challenge anyone even among the generals for a debate on this. No, we do not have a Nigerian Army if by Nigerian Army we mean a Nigerian People's Army. There is a difference between Nigerian Army and a Nigerian People's Army. Happy and fortunate is the nation and people who know the difference.

 

Yes we have a body statutorily called Nigerian Army, an outgrowth of British Colonial West African Frontier Force with Nigerians of various ethnic groups as members and with various sectors like Navy, Air Force, Infantry etc. I do not deny this. What I deny is that this Army is a Nigerian People's Army - both by its actions,  antecedents, behavioral practices, culture, actions etc.


It is my purpose in the following investigation to  show and establish this thesis.


CASE STUDIES AND CONTRASTS


1. On July 3 - 4, 1976 hundreds of Israeli commandoes from the Israeli Defence Force ( the official name of Israeli Army) in four military planes and Hercules stormed Entebbe Airport, Uganda and in an operation that was rare even in military history rescued Jewish hostages and took them to safety, killing several of Idi Amin's soldiers and losing only 1 officer in the process. 

 

Now this is not the real issue in itself. What most people do not know is that some of those people Israeli solders took that risk for were not even citizens of Israel, but they were Jews. And as Jews the IDF is committed to their rescue and defence because it is an ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCE, an army committed to the defense of Jews and Israeli people not just territory.


2. In 1981 Israeli commandoes again flew hundreds of kilometers and stormed Tunis to exterminate one notorious terrorist, Abu Nidal ( Abu Jihad) of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine for the death of 11 Jewish athletes during the Munich Olympics in 1972. IDF considers it its duty and an obligation to avenge the blood of any Jewish soul anywhere no matter how long.


3. In 2020 American marines backed by drones and logistics stormed the Northeastern part of Nigeria to rescue one American missionary and his son and in the process killing all the Fulani captors without losing a single soldier. Imagine the distance from their base to here and yet they did it to save one American soul who was not resident in America.


CONTRASTS


I will cite just some cases in recent memory.


1. In 2014 more than  250 female students were abducted from Chibok, Borno State and till today a large percentage of them are still in captivity. I want everyone of us to think how long it will take and with what facilities, the number of buses to transport 276 girls, teenagers within an unleveled terrain and difficult topography. Yet our army has no clue, insight or logistics to stop this, arrest the captors or release the captives.


2. About two years ago police detectives from the Inspector General of Police went to Taraba State to arrest a wanted kingpin of kidnappers named Wadume. Despite the fact they were carrying Identification Tags as policemen on duty and the suspect was in handcuffs and they declared that they were on official duty soldiers of Nigerian Army still shot them and released the criminal in handcuffs. This is not the worry. Today those soldiers are still in service and had not been charged or tried.


3. Some months ago a video trended on social media that was ominous. Fresh female recruits of the Armed Forces made a video where they expressed their minds about their new jobs. And what did they say? They were warning how they would deal with civilians, flog anyone who crossed their paths, and other threatenings with clear forebodings. This is their wish and desires and intentions of joining the Army... The Israeli soldier is thinking of how to free his/ her citizens, the American soldier, Chinese soldier are planning of how to secure the lives of their civilians.. But, wait, the Nigerian soldier is thinking of how to deal with civilians, how to establish the hegemony of the army and a uniform over the very people who paid the tax that made his/ her uniform possible!


We have a big problem on our hands. The Army needs a complete retraining and reorientation. I shall come to this before concluding this essay.


SPECIFIC ISSUES


1. ANNULMENT OF JUNE 12, 1993 ELECTION


In the morning of Saturday June 12, 1993 Nigerians trooped out in their numbers and went to vote for one of the candidates of the two military-allowed parties. By the next day it was clear where the pendulum was swinging. M.K.O Abiola was going to win. Even in the North, he won. Even in most army barracks, he won  the election.


Then a group of army officers in the upper echelon decided that they did not want a candidate who had already won a free and fair election. The short and long story, the Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC) headed by Ibrahim Babangida with contemptuous cynicism and aristocratic arrogance annulled the result of the election, a move that stunned the whole world. 


Now this is the issue. The Nigerian Armed Forces and their officers arrogated to themselves the power to annul the will of Nigerian Peoples. A coterie of a few officers, soldiers of fortune, attempted to write off and erase by a stroke of pen the collective aspirations and desires of Nigerian peoples expressed through the ballot. An army that would do that cannot be called a Nigerian Army or Nigerian People's Army because a Nigerian People's Army won't erase the will of Nigerian People's. That was the best evidence to establish my thesis.


 I ask you to reflect and think: which army in the world would do this to their own peoples? Would IDF do that to Jews in Israel? Would the United States Army countermand the will of Americans? You saw when Donald Trump wanted to use the army for his purpose to override the will of Americans in the last elections and the response of the Commander.


Now this is not the point alone. What happened thereafter? Someone would argue that it was not Nigerian Army that did it, but the leaders, the generals. That argument made matters worse, it even defeat the point it was meant to serve. If it was the officers or generals alone who annulled the election what was the position of their subordinates? On whose side were they? Their generals or the Nigerian peoples?


The sad thing is the Army represented by its common run of soldiers and officers stood by their generals to uphold the annulment, and against the Nigerian peoples. Instead of rejecting the treacherous decisions of their superiors, the junior officers came out to shoot demonstrators and protestors fighting for the truth and calling for the deannulment. Except for one or two officers who resigned or retired on grounds of conscience and principles, nothing happened. Things went on. Later, the same Army imposed one of its worst and most corruptive generals as leader and backed him with force and vigour while keeping the authentic winner elected by the people in chains.


Either there is no nation called Nigeria or it is a banana republic or there is no Nigerian Army. A Nigerian Army is supposed to stand by a Nigerian people, all things been equal. The past is a proof that is not so.


I state all these openly and I ask anyone to disprove me if these facts are not so. I am writing this now when all the dramatis personae are still living and when most of these generals are still alive. Tomorrow it will become history so if what I say here is not true let them speak and challenge it.


2. ANYTHING GOES


"We became an army of anything goes..."

        - Gen. Salihu Ibrahim


Don't try Ebira people, they can be very stubborn and bold. That was demonstrated at the passing out of General Salihu Ibrahim, then Chief of Army Staff under Sani Abacha. At his passing out or retirement, he gave a speech which should pass into the archive as a monument for truth- telling. That day, this Ebira man shocked his colleagues by telling them he is in fact happy to leave the army because the Nigerian Army has become, in his words, "an army of anything goes.."


Then he began to itemize the flaws. Soldiers preferring political appointments rather than military postings that would help their professional and career development. Our army had seen money, they have tasted power and no one was willing to remain in barracks commanding soldiers when you could be commanding millions. It got so bad under Babangida that generals would be courting and showing respect for junior officers because the junior officers, as governors and military administrators, had the power to make rich which a GOC does not have!


3. CORRUPTION IN THE ARMY


The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo tactically made allusion to wanton corruption in the army even as early as his day as a civil servant. He was  the Finance Minister during the Nigerian Civil War. He said that throughout the Civil War no military sector or command returned any money to the Federal purse from salaries sent to them. Then he asked, does it mean no Nigerian soldier died in the war? If they did what happened to their salaries? Why were they not returned to the covers of Federal Government? Corruption in the army is deep and grounded. Has anyone ever audited Ministry of Defence's accounts?


Jonathan took $1Billion to buy arms for our soldiers to fight Boko Haram few months to elections. What happened to the arms or the money?


Buhari has taken the same amount twice to buy arms for the same army. Yet the new Army boss said he did not find any arms before the National Assembly!


WE ARE IN TROUBLE 

There used to be a Defence Industry Corporation that manufactured weapons. What happened to it? It now manufactures furniture and upholstery. If you think it is funny I am not joking. Now why was it grounded? A Senator has supplied the answer in the newspaper of this morning. Producing weapons in Nigeria does not afford opportunity for our generals to steal as it would have been when weapons have to be imported with dollars earmarked. Today, all our former generals are billionaires and multi-billionaires. Obasanjo, Babangida, Danjuma, Abdulsalami Abubakar, David Mark etc. Even Mr Integrity cannot be extricated from the Group. So the big question is: If these men were all their lifetime in the Army and never did any other work, where did they get their stupendous wealth from?


General Sharon of Israel, one of the most remarkable soldiers of modern time still had to go back to the farm after retirement. Colin Powell and Sharkspov relied on pensions and royalties from their biographies after an unblemished career and after distinguishing themselves in the battlefield of the Gulf. So where did our own generals get their money, their millions and billions? I challenge them to tell the world.


The late Chief Falegan told of how, under Abacha, soldiers would come to CBN with trailers to pack minted money. ( Source: Obadaih Mailafia Column)


So where is the loyalty then when the leading voices of an institution do not even believe in probity and due process? Abacha loots are still been returned to Nigeria as we speak and this was a general in the army. You need to worry about an institution that has produced such a man and helped him to rise to the very apogee of its leadership. You need to worry about an institution that has produced and helped an Obasanjo with his arrogance and contempt for the people to rise to the top; a Babangidda with his deceit and maradonic tactics and corruption to reach the top and an Abacha with his greed and thievery to make it to the top; that has allowed Muhammadu Buhari with his nepotism, ethnic irredentism and religious bigotry to make it to the very top...!


Whether you see it or not whether you say so or not an institution that has allowed these men to prosper as to curse a whole nation with their wiles and leaven cannot be upright or innocent. Whether you hate me or not I must tell you that is the truth. That is what Salihu Ibrahim was trying to say to Nigeria but we are not a perceptive people. Corruption seem to mean very little to the Army, Nigerian Army and its leadership.


4. SMUGGLING


Under Goodluck Jonathan Government, we were loosing 450,000 barrels per day to thieves and smugglers on land and high sea. At the same time, we were also paying militants, under that archetypal waster, millions to protect the pipelines and prevent thieves from stealing the nation's crude. Now the question is this: A barrel of crude oil is not a pin or cocaine that people hide in private parts. How could this large amount of materials and assets be lost in a nation where there is an Army, Navy and Airforce on land and sea? What is their work? Everywhere in the Niger Delta, especially in Rivers State, you see military checkpoints, yet these humongous sums and materials are smuggled out of the country in a nation that has an Army and Customs in what ECONOMIST of London calls "industry-scale robbery".


NEUTRALITY AND IMPARTIALITY


At the Convocation of the Taraba State University, Theophilus Danjuma, a general and former Army Chief declared to his stunned audience that if they wished to survive they should make their personal arrangements for self- defence because the Army is no longer neutral. If you rely on the Army, declared the Chief, "you will die one by one!" Recent events now show convincingly that Danjuma was right on target. T.Y. Danjuma is not a frivolous person; if he warns about a matter, be sure he has his facts. In 1980's, he warned that the next war will be a Religious War when he observed the way the same Muslim fundamentalists were burning churches and wreaking havocs in the North. Are we not getting closer now to that danger under Buhari?


Danjuma is right and he has now been proved right.


1. Recently, some soldiers of the Nigerian Army accompanied some Fulani sub-nationals to communities in Ogun State to deal with the natives and even the traditional rulers because they asked the Fulanis to leave after violating the ethical code of good behavior. This incident was recorded on video and reported by Sahara Reporters, an online news medium. Why should it be the business of the Nigerian Army to take side on civil matters? Is it the Nigerian Army or the Army of the Fulanis?


2. Recently, a South-East governor expressed deep reservations and helplessness publicly. He phoned the Commander of the Army Division in the state to tell him of the information reaching him that Fulani militants were massing to commit atrocities in the state. But the Army officer told him that he could not take orders from him. He should talk to the President and Commander-in-Chief. He then phoned the President and was put on hold for hours without being able to reach him until the Fulanis had committed their atrocities. To his greatest surprise, the same Army officer, who claimed he could not mobilize without orders from Abuja, was now mobilizing as soon as the Fulani militants finished, not to arrest them, but to stop the people from retaliating. This is from the mouth of the governor himself! Is that a neutral army? Can we call that a Nigerian Army or the Nigerian People's Army?


3. Selective Enforcement of Law 


Soldiers have been known to confiscate weapons from people in Benue State, Southern Kaduna while the people who daily maim them have their own weapons. Their arrows, knives, swords were taken from them while the murderers who wreak havoc keep their own. What kind of Army does that in the world? Can that be truly called a Nigerian Army?


4. The Killing of "Gana", the Militant


A Benue militant warlord who was going to surrender in response to the Amnesty of the State Government declared by Governor Ortom and jointly approved by the Security Council of the state, which includes the military, was still waylaid by soldiers and killed between Gboko and Makurdi.


Sometimes, the soldiers of Nigerian Army behave as if they are above the law; as if they are the law. Yet leaders of Myetti Allah Association that threatens an entire state, a federating unit, is left untouched and unmolested. Would Gana have been killed that way if he were a Fulani?


Our army is not neutral, and if it is not neutral with all ethnic nationalities, then it cannot be a Nigerian Army, a Nigerian People's Army. There is no way.


A foreign journalist years ago expressed his shock after interviewing several residents of Southern Kaduna. They all told him why they no longer trust the Army.


 In one town there were soldiers guarding the place ( or perhaps guarding the people from retaliating?). The soldiers told the people to hide somewhere from the rampaging herdsmen who were coming. To their shock and surprise, when the militants came they went no where and attacked no other place save the very place soldiers told them to hide. The coincidence was too confounding.


NIGERIAN ARMY OR NIGERIAN PEOPLE'S ARMY?


Nigeria is a federation of several ethnic nationalities and disparate groups. What we need and the best for us is a Nigerian People's Army, an Army that is not only drawn from among different ethnic groups, but that is also subordinated to the whims, feelings, sensitivity of the different peoples of the federating units. That is not what we have now. 


To be honest to the fact, we do not have a Nigerian Army in the sense of being a Nigerian People's Army. I will be very blunt here. What we have and have had is a Danjuma Army, Murtala Army, Babangida Army, Abacha Army, Buhari Army... but not a Nigerian Army or a Nigerian People's Army.

   

Once you understand this, then nothing about the actions of the Army will shock you, nothing in their history, their coups and counter - coups, Civil War etc will shock you. Failing to understand this,, however, you will miss the big picture.


This is why the Army can annul an election, rig elections, engage in corruption etc. The Army can be good and bad depending on who is presently calling the shot. If a good man is there, then the Army follows him and is good, and if a bad man is there, then it becomes bad. A Fulani man is presently in charge, so the Army too serves the purpose of the Fulani. When a ruthless thief like Abacha was in charge, then the Army too was ruthless. As its leader goes, so goes the Nigerian Army! This is what Gen. Salihu Ibrahim meant by an "An Army of anything goes"


Like the Legionnaires of the old Roman Empire, that was more loyal to their Generals than to Rome, the Nigerian Army is more like that in the light of the several cases I have mentioned here and several I still could have mentioned. This is one of the causes of the defeat of Roman Army before the Gothic Army of King Alaric at the Battle of 410 A.D and the eventual fall of the Roman Empire.

   "Those who forget the past are condemned to repeat it" - George Santayana.


People are asking for restructuring for Nigeria to move forward. They want a new Constitution etc. The number one thing to restructure if Nigeria will move forward is the institution called the "Nigerian Army". Until this is done, no other restructuring will work or be allowed to work.


More than 90% of the problems this nation has today have their origins in the military or in its personnel, both directly and indirectly. The "Sharia" Constitution that is the root of most tensions was given to us by the Military!


Muhammadu Buhari, our current nemesis, was a product of the Military. Olusegun Obasanjo, who imposed Yar'Adua on us and Goodluck Jonathan to fight us after we refused to accede to his Third Term Agenda, is a product of the Military. Babangida, who annulled an election, the freest election conducted by a black community and his fellow colleagues who aided him, were all from this institution.

  

What of Abacha? So the biggest trouble we have is the Military. Abdulsalami Abubakar was only the saddle of national leadership for about a year, and what did he do to our External Reserves? Read the Kolade Report? Read the Okigbo Report and what happened to our Gulf Oil windfall, ($12.8Billion)?


The civilian politicians have now taken this template and fashioned it to another level.


So begin the restructuring with the military. In essence, we have been ruled by the Military, except the régime of Tafawa Balewa.


Shehu Shagari was installed by the Military and favored by the Military. Days to the election, we had been told that "the best candidate need not win the election" as if the Military had a crystal ball as to know how the people would vote. The rigging and manipulation characterizing that election to ensure that NPN won are well known especially in the North. The announcement of Shagari as winner even when he did not technically meet the requirements of the law instead of proceeding to Electoral College as provided by law had the imprimatur of the Military, and Danjuma, in one of his interviews in the 1980's, admitted this much. They wanted Shagari and Shagari "won".

 

Abiola wasn't favoured by the Nigerian Military, and he didn't get there even when he won! Both Yar'Adua and Jonathan were picked by Obasanjo so they were still chosen by the grace of the Military. Obasanjo and Buhari are Army generals, meaning they are still in the reserve list of the Military.


What does this sum to? Only Tafawa Balewa has ruled Nigeria as a civilian without any input or help from the Military or as a Military personage. Even he too and his party were helped by the Colonial Army. Shonekan was there as an interlude by the favour of the Military.


So this is the source of the trouble. Let the restructuring begin from here for it to work. Else we shall continue to have Federal Republic of Nigerian Army ( apologies to Chris Alli).


IN CONCLUSION


I believe every nation has its prophet, a person chosen by God whose life, circumstances and message encapsulate the best and easier way for that nation to reach the top. Happy is that nation that recognizes her own prophet.


For America, it was Jonathan Edwards; for Britain it was John Wesley; for Germany, it was Martin Luther... What if France had accepted John Calvin? It would have been spared the horror of a pogrom and a bloody Revolution!


Nigeria too had a prophet, a man sent to her by God, but few realized it. His name is Joseph Ayo Babalola. Why am I saying this? It is this.

In one of his visions, he said he saw a woman carrying a baby at her back upside down, the legs pointing upwards toward her head and the head of the baby pointing downward. He was amazed and stared at the lady. Then he heard the Voice of God telling him to move near and pay attention. He saw as this child began to kick her mother with her legs, kicking her head. The lady then entered real trouble and confusion. He was watching and the terrible child carried upside down kicked her mother to death. Then the vision was taken away from him.


Afraid and troubled, he began to pray what the meaning could be. In his own interpretation, the woman is the Church and the child is Modernism.

And that is also correct.


However, a revelation or a message of God always have parallels and multidimensional meanings and layers of meanings. Of recent, I began to think about this vision again as it relates to Nigeria. In my own interpretation, that woman could be Nigeria and the child carried upside down that is kicking his mother until it enters into confusion could mean the the Nigerian Army, in the light of this exposition..


More than 90% of the problems we have today has their roots in the Nigerian Army, their personnel, officers and men. Even the Civil War was essentially caused by their officers' failure to resolve their disputes. Some of the biggest rogues we have heard in public office have been from this vital institution of state.

'

This is not to deny or ignore their professional accomplishments, contributions, some very altruistic services to this nation and even the world; and this is not to say that all soldiers are bad or corrupt. No, but it is now clear that the Army we have today, with all the facts as stated in this essay, is still a far cry from a People's Army.


At the end of this Crisis or Conflict we should all attempt to restructure the Army and make it a truly Nigerian People's Army that cannot be hijacked by anyone or for any purposes other than Nigerian. A Nigerian Army as we now know it is not the same as Nigerian People's Army. What we need is a Nigerian People's Army, an Army that is fair, balanced unbiased, impartial and absolutely neutral and detribalized. An Army that cannot be corrupted or compromised.


 I am not sure that is what we now have now! Let the debate begin.


© Moses Oludele Idowu

08028472423; [email protected]

May 15, 2021

All Rights Reserved

STATEMENT : Sadiq Atayese led Oyo Labour Party defrauds 3000 PDP back up polling agents

STATEMENT : Sadiq Atayese led Oyo Labour Party defrauds 3000 PDP back up polling agents

*FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES OF OYO LABOUR PARTY CHIEFTAINS* 

We wish to bring to the notice of activities of the so- called chieftains of Labour party in Oyo state who have identified themselves as new bride of Omituntun 2.0 project despite making a zero input.
 
It is exactly a month today, when on 18th March we tropped out to partake in the elections of Gov. Seyi Makinde and the Honourables.

A week to these elections , a call was made state wide by these _hungry_ Labour party chieftains that Seyi will be needing 3000 backup polling agents in addition to those provided by his party, the PDP. Consequently, a training programme was scheduled at University of Ibadan in three batches. 
At the end of the training, we were told that transport fares have been provided in respect of the training but unfortunately no cash was readily available so we should all drop our bank account details for payment of these transport and stipends for acting as agents of the Saturday elections.

Till date no kobo has been received by any of us, we mean none was paid ostensibly the total amount scammed was pocketed.

That was a fraud and cheat too many. Seyi Makinde and all of all have been scammed!


Oyo state ICPC over to you. 

Some scapegoats have been identified here for timely action .

These are the people who are already jostling for positions in the next cabinet of 2.0 despite defrauding him. The governor should be careful of these hungry wolves as no part of any MDA is worth being entrusted to these opportunists.

The governor should beware of these unknown strangers and opportunists. 

There is no credibility or honour in them, if they can't be entrusted with this little.

It's all illgotten wealth amassed so much that by His grace, it will be used on ill health by those people and their posterity.

These are the leaders of today. *Shame* !

We used our time and money in attendance at the seminar on one hand, and acting as adhoc PDP party agents, on the other.


Thank you.


Opoola Ridwan 
 *Coordinator* 07056978915


1
Rafiu Mutiu
08140298750
 _Signatory_ 

2
Olalekan Shakirat
08058613441
 _Signatory_ 



 *CC* :

Governor Seyi Makinde

Senator Hosea Agboola, Chairman Advisory council 


Hon Bayo Lawal campaign DG

Prof Nureni Adeniran

Chief Dotun Oyelade
Chairman publicly committe of campaign 

 Honourable Babs Oduyoye 
Special Adviser political 

Chief Seye Famojuro

Alhaji Akeem Azeez, PA to the governor 

 Mr Taiwo Adisa Press secretary to the governor




Atayese

Before publishing the above statement, LP chairman in Oyo State honourable Sadiq Atayese was contacted on WhatsApp on his Verified numbers 07088956726 / 08033001036.

Other members of the state working committee who responded said the statement should be ignored or be be brought to the exco at the state.


However, the statement can not be far from the truth as it was too obvious and glaring that the Oyo State working committee of the Labour Party worked against the interest of the party under Atayese leadership. A total show of antiparty outing in the last elections.
*FRAUDULENT ACTIVITIES OF OYO LABOUR PARTY CHIEFTAINS* 

We wish to bring to the notice of activities of the so- called chieftains of Labour party in Oyo state who have identified themselves as new bride of Omituntun 2.0 project despite making a zero input.
 
It is exactly a month today, when on 18th March we tropped out to partake in the elections of Gov. Seyi Makinde and the Honourables.

A week to these elections , a call was made state wide by these _hungry_ Labour party chieftains that Seyi will be needing 3000 backup polling agents in addition to those provided by his party, the PDP. Consequently, a training programme was scheduled at University of Ibadan in three batches. 
At the end of the training, we were told that transport fares have been provided in respect of the training but unfortunately no cash was readily available so we should all drop our bank account details for payment of these transport and stipends for acting as agents of the Saturday elections.

Till date no kobo has been received by any of us, we mean none was paid ostensibly the total amount scammed was pocketed.

That was a fraud and cheat too many. Seyi Makinde and all of all have been scammed!


Oyo state ICPC over to you. 

Some scapegoats have been identified here for timely action .

These are the people who are already jostling for positions in the next cabinet of 2.0 despite defrauding him. The governor should be careful of these hungry wolves as no part of any MDA is worth being entrusted to these opportunists.

The governor should beware of these unknown strangers and opportunists. 

There is no credibility or honour in them, if they can't be entrusted with this little.

It's all illgotten wealth amassed so much that by His grace, it will be used on ill health by those people and their posterity.

These are the leaders of today. *Shame* !

We used our time and money in attendance at the seminar on one hand, and acting as adhoc PDP party agents, on the other.


Thank you.


Opoola Ridwan 
 *Coordinator* 07056978915


1
Rafiu Mutiu
08140298750
 _Signatory_ 

2
Olalekan Shakirat
08058613441
 _Signatory_ 



 *CC* :

Governor Seyi Makinde

Senator Hosea Agboola, Chairman Advisory council 


Hon Bayo Lawal campaign DG

Prof Nureni Adeniran

Chief Dotun Oyelade
Chairman publicly committe of campaign 

 Honourable Babs Oduyoye 
Special Adviser political 

Chief Seye Famojuro

Alhaji Akeem Azeez, PA to the governor 

 Mr Taiwo Adisa Press secretary to the governor




Atayese

Before publishing the above statement, LP chairman in Oyo State honourable Sadiq Atayese was contacted on WhatsApp on his Verified numbers 07088956726 / 08033001036.

Other members of the state working committee who responded said the statement should be ignored or be be brought to the exco at the state.


However, the statement can not be far from the truth as it was too obvious and glaring that the Oyo State working committee of the Labour Party worked against the interest of the party under Atayese leadership. A total show of antiparty outing in the last elections.

#2023Election: Adeyanju Ajala Led Labour Party receives new members daily in Ogbomoso (PHOTOS)

#2023Election: Adeyanju Ajala Led Labour Party receives new members daily in Ogbomoso (PHOTOS)


The never tired chairman of the Labour Party in Ogbomoso South Local government Prophet Adeyanju Ajala who is also the Senatorial and Ogbomoso Zonal chairman is doing wonderfully and creditably well in promoting the party.


Adeyanju receives on daily basis new members into the fold of Labour Party in the ancient city.

 

Below is the photos of newly admitted members who have immediately shown commitment to the Party's Victory in the forth coming general elections in Nigeria.









© LATEST NEWS PLUS ®👇👇👇

Support, Mobilise and Vote Labour Party in the upcoming General Elections in Nigeria!!!















The never tired chairman of the Labour Party in Ogbomoso South Local government Prophet Adeyanju Ajala who is also the Senatorial and Ogbomoso Zonal chairman is doing wonderfully and creditably well in promoting the party.


Adeyanju receives on daily basis new members into the fold of Labour Party in the ancient city.

 

Below is the photos of newly admitted members who have immediately shown commitment to the Party's Victory in the forth coming general elections in Nigeria.









© LATEST NEWS PLUS ®👇👇👇

Support, Mobilise and Vote Labour Party in the upcoming General Elections in Nigeria!!!














OTO CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION LAUNCHES AGGRESSIVE VILLAGE TO VILLAGE MOVEMENT WITH 50 MOTORCYCLES

OTO CAMPAIGN ORGANIZATION LAUNCHES AGGRESSIVE VILLAGE TO VILLAGE MOVEMENT WITH 50 MOTORCYCLES









Reacting to the stimulus which sparkled a volition of redemption  in our principal to reach out to the forgotten settlements of our society, Mr. Oladimeji Theophilus released motorcycles for his campaign team on 21st January, 2023.


Part of the 50 motorcycles dedicated to traversing villages were launched and handed over to members of OTO Campaign Team for Rural Reformation


The OTO Campaign Team for Rural Reformation was inaugurated to ensure that over 2,000 villages located within the Oyo South Senatorial District were reached and mobilized not only for elections but post election-reform agenda.


These villages despite their active participation in election process have been forgotten by successive governments and their people have  been reduced to sub-humans because of sheer exclusion in the scheme of development.


The focus of OTO is to bring villagers to their rightful seats as stakeholders in the affair of governance and to ensure that they are his priorities in the development agenda. 


Oladimeji blamed poor condition of living in the rural settings on poor legislation and other political factors which he said had not gone beyond redemption.


Oladimeji (Labour Party candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District) used the opportunity to declare his agenda on women empowerment, meaningful youth engagement, material and financial support for the disabled, support for widows and the old-aged and significant subsidization of food for the poor.


He concluded by imploring the good people of Nigeria to vote the Labour Party candidates at all levels.






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© LATEST NEWS PLUS ®👇👇👇

A1 PREMIER MODEL ACADEMY LTD, OSOGBO, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA




Excellent, our choice!!!




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Reacting to the stimulus which sparkled a volition of redemption  in our principal to reach out to the forgotten settlements of our society, Mr. Oladimeji Theophilus released motorcycles for his campaign team on 21st January, 2023.


Part of the 50 motorcycles dedicated to traversing villages were launched and handed over to members of OTO Campaign Team for Rural Reformation


The OTO Campaign Team for Rural Reformation was inaugurated to ensure that over 2,000 villages located within the Oyo South Senatorial District were reached and mobilized not only for elections but post election-reform agenda.


These villages despite their active participation in election process have been forgotten by successive governments and their people have  been reduced to sub-humans because of sheer exclusion in the scheme of development.


The focus of OTO is to bring villagers to their rightful seats as stakeholders in the affair of governance and to ensure that they are his priorities in the development agenda. 


Oladimeji blamed poor condition of living in the rural settings on poor legislation and other political factors which he said had not gone beyond redemption.


Oladimeji (Labour Party candidate for Oyo South Senatorial District) used the opportunity to declare his agenda on women empowerment, meaningful youth engagement, material and financial support for the disabled, support for widows and the old-aged and significant subsidization of food for the poor.


He concluded by imploring the good people of Nigeria to vote the Labour Party candidates at all levels.






© LATEST NEWS PLUS ®👇👇👇







© LATEST NEWS PLUS ®👇👇👇

A1 PREMIER MODEL ACADEMY LTD, OSOGBO, OSUN STATE, NIGERIA




Excellent, our choice!!!




© LATEST NEWS PLUS ®👇👇👇

























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