Lekan Balogun endorsed as next Olubadan

January 5, 2022 | anaben

Out of the eleven Olubadan-in-Council members, Wednesday, ten endorsed the nomination of the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun, as the one to ascend the throne of Olubadan, as the Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rashidi Ladoja was absent.

The endorsement came after the ratification by members of the Olubadan-in-Council, during a press conference, held at the ancient Mapo Hall, Ibadan.

Disclosing the development at the conference that was boycotted by the Osi Olubadan, High Chief Rasidi Ladoja, Iyalode of Ibadaland, Chief (Mrs.) Theresa Oyekanmi, the Osi Balogun of Ibadan, High Chief Tajudeen Ajibola said it wasn’t true that there is a legal tussle on the succession to the Olubadan throne.

He also said rumours bordering on the health and willingness of the new Olubadan-designate are nothing to write home about.

According to him, rumour going round about who will become the next Olubadan of Ibadaland was all false. He said: “We have endorsed the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadaland.”

“This is the decision that was taken by ten out eleven Olubadan-in-Council and there is no going back on it, it is the tradition that we need to follow to the latter,” Ajibola said.

Contributing, the Ekarun Olubadan of Ibadaland, High Chief Amidu Ajibade, noted that the Olubadan stool cannot be politicised, emphasising that the case in court was not in any way related to who becomes the next Olubadan.

Amidu said: “Those people and others were promoted during the reign of late Olubadan with their crowns and there was not problem, so there should not be problem now when the next person to late Olubadan needs to be supported to emerge as Olubadan.”

“Those people were duly promoted and their promotions were approved by the governor, so why are they now peddling rumours that are not relevant to the issue on ground, after this conference we will submmit our resolutions to Governor Makinde,” Amidu said.

In their separate remarks, the Oba Sulimon Akinsola Oladepo, the Alajia of Ajia of Ona-Ara local Government, Oba Dauda Omotosho Alawatan of Awatan of Ido Local Government, Oba Olasunkanmi Abioye the Oniroko of Iroko, Akinyele Local Government praised the Olubadan-in-Council for the peaceful way the next Olubadan was selected.

In his speech, High Chief Balogun said as bonafide indigene of Ibadanland, it was naturally needful for him to join the poeple in commiserating with the family of the late Oba Adetuni on his sudden home.

“By the way of duty, as the Prime Minster of the Olubadan-in-Council, we owe the people of Ibadanland and Oyo State in general the obligations to inform and update you all on the latest development at our Palace.”

“I, therefore, enjoin you all to discard with all unfounded rumors and insinuations capable of disturbing the peace of Ibadanland, irrespective of the quarter from which such fake news emanate.
In line with the traditional practice of Ibadanland when occasion like this arises, the Olubadan-in-Council has been up and doing liaising with the Oyo State Government to ensure that every necessary step to sustain the peace of the City is strictly followed.” Balogun said.

Chiefs present at the press conference include High Chief Abiodun Kola-Daisi, High Chief Eddy Oyewole, Senior Chief Adebayo Akande among others.

Why Lekan Balogun can’t be next Olubadan of Ibadan —Ex-Oyo AG writes Makinde

With or without money, I’ll be next Governor of Kaduna – Shehu Sani

January 5, 2022 | anaben

Activist and immediate past Senator representing Kaduna Central, Shehu Sani has expressed confidence that with the masses by his side, he would be the next Governor of Kaduna State with or without money.

Shehu Sani, in a radio interview monitored in Kaduna, said he was interested in participating in the Kaduna State Governorship race in 2023.

According to him,”anyone who insults and embarrasses the people is not worth being in power because respecting human being is very important in religion.”

“It’s left for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to unite its members to ensure that they form a government that will respect the will of the poor in Kaduna.”

“We sat with my loyalists and supporters and they wanted me to contest the governor of Kaduna state which I will do to remove APC, God willing; to remove anointed candidate of the state governor and to enter Government house where Comrade will be sworn in as the next governor that will bring changes, that will clean all the dirt they brought in the state in the name of development.”

“I will bring security. This is what my supporters wanted and I trust them. So, I will contest the governorship seat under the PDP. Therefore, I call on the people of Kaduna to support and collaborate with me.

“I also solicit for their prayers; I need the prayers of religious leaders, marketers, physically challenged, women and youths. You voted for Malam as Governor what remains now is to have a comrade as a governor so as to see the difference between us.”

“You must reject the anointed candidate ‎of those who demolished your houses. Support us to see how we form a government that respects the will of the poor in the state.”

“I don’t have money to share to delegates to vote for me, money politics is what brought the country into the mess under the ruling party.”

“If the masses decide to vote for me, with or without money, I will win.

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Why Lekan Balogun can’t be next Olubadan of Ibadan —Ex-Oyo AG writes Makinde

January 3, 2022 | anaben

There are strong indications that legal tussle may affect the appointment and installation of the next Olubadan of Ibadan.

Recall that 41st Olubadan of Ibadan, Saliu Adetunji, died on Sunday at the age of 93 at the University College Hospital, Ibadan and has since been buried according to Islamic rites.

A few hours after the monarch’s death, family members, friends, and well-wishers thronged the Aliiwo and Alarere Compounds of Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, who is the next in line to become Olubadan of Ibadanland, according to tradition.

However, a former Attorney-General of Oyo State, Michael Lana, in a letter to the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has said that Lekan Balogun is not fit to be the next Olubadan of Ibadan.

Ongoing legal cases

The lawyer made reference to some ongoing legal cases that hindered Balogun’s enthronement as Olubadan.

In the letter dated January 3, Lana explained that installing Balogun as Olubadan was only an “aberration and illegality”.

According to the ex-Attorney-General, Balogun, some high chiefs and Baales had been given their titles by the late Abiola Ajimobi, when he was the Oyo State Governor.

Part of the letter read, “Kindly note, your excellency, that your predecessor in office, without thinking of the legal effects of his actions on the future of Ibadan traditional institution, conferred the title of Obaship on some high chiefs and Baales and gave them the right to wear beaded crowns and coronets in 2017.

“This action was challenged in suit No. M317/ 2017-high chief Rashid Ladoja V the governor of Oyo state.

“However, the court of appeal in Appeal No.CA/111/99/ 2018 set aside the said Judgment of Aiki J on technical grounds without touching on the merit of the case and sent the case hack for retrial,” the lawyer continued.

“Upon your excellency’s assumption of office, it was resolved that the matter be settled amicably and the same was settled through the instrumentality of a Terms of Settlement which became the judgment of the court.

“The said Terms of Settlement recognised the illegality of the said actions and therefore set aside the gazettes by which the said chiefs became Obas with a right to wear beaded crowns and coronets.

“These high chiefs and Baales were dissatisfied with this consent judgment and therefore instituted two separate suits to set aside the consent judgment while at the same time clinging to the title of Obas (which actually is in contempt of court).

The lawyer further explained that though the judgment amended the Ibadan chieftaincy customary law, “the Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration of 1957 was not amended and therefore remains extant”.

He added, “Under that declaration and all relevant law, no Oba can ascend to the throne of Olubadan.

“In other words, as long as the high chiefs still cling to the title of Oba, they cannot ascend to that throne and any installation of any of them during the pendency of that suit is illegal, null and void.

“It is in line with this legal situation that I advice, most humbly, that you should withhold any approval of any high chief to become the 0lubadan so that you will not also join in the desecration of Ibadan chieftaincy customary law.”

‘What can be done for Balogun to be installed’

Lana explained that until the cases are concluded or withdrawn, Balogun would be unfit to be installed as Olubadan.

He said, “There are only two ways to deal with this situation: one is for the high chiefs to withdraw the aforementioned cases and the other is to wait for the court to pronounce on it before any step is taken to install an Olubadan.

“If the court holds that they have the right to be Obas and entitled to wear beaded crowns, then they are perpetually barred from becoming another Oba. Nowhere in the customary law of any Yoruba town is an Oba elevated to become another Oba.

“On the other hand, the court holds that the Terms of Settlement stands, and their Obaship title is illegal, then they are free to be elevated to the post of Olubadan.”

How Olubadan died – UCH

January 3, 2022 | anaben

The University College Hospital, Ibadan has given details of how the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, died at the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital at 01.15 am on Sunday.

In a statement by its Deputy Director of nformation and Public Relations Officer, Toye Akinrinola, it was revealed that the monarch was referred to UCH from a private hospital in Ibadan about 9.30 pm on Saturday.

It further stated that the Chief Medical Director CMD, Prof. Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo, immediately instructed a high-powered medical team to attend to the late monarch.

The CMD also wrote the Governor of the state, Seyi Makinde, informing him of Olubadan’s death.

The statement read in part, “The Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Oguguniso 1, on January 2, 2022, passed on at the Intensive Care Unit of the University College Hospital, Ibadan at 1.15 am.

“The late Monarch was referred to the UCH from a private hospital in Ibadan at about 9.30 pm yesterday.

“He was immediately admitted at the ICU where the Chief Medical Director CMD, Professor Jesse Abiodun Otegbayo directed that a high-powered medical team be constituted to provide the best medical treatment to him.

“By 1.15 am today, His Imperial Majesty breathed his last breath.

“The CMD was at the ICU in the early hours of today to pay the late Olubadan his last respect.

“Afterward, the CMD wrote a letter of notification of the demise of the revered Monarch to His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State which was received by the Permanent Secretary of the Oyo State Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Dr. Bashiru Olanrewaju on behalf of the Oyo State Government. A similar letter was written to the Family of the departed Olubadan.

“The CMD further ensured that the remains of the late Monarch were taken care of in a manner befitting to the late Olubadan.

“Professor Otegbayo also escorted the corpse of Oba Adetunji from the ICU to a waiting ambulance and handed the corpse to the family and other dignitaries on the ground.”

Meanwhile, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale, has condoled with the immediate family, people of Ibadanland, Oyo State, and Nigeria on the death of Oba Adetunji.

He described Oba Adetunji as a pillar of support to the University, who never hesitated to offer wise counsel and words of support for the progress of the institution.

He said, “My last engagement with Oba Adetunji was on 16 November, 2021, when he received our Chancellor and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, on a courtesy call, in his Popoyemoja Palace.

“Kabiyesi demonstrated that he was UI’s father and Chief Landlord. UI was, indeed, honoured and celebrated on that memorable visit.”

“I must say, Kabiyesi Adetunji lived humbly; served humbly; came loving; lived loving; and served loving.

“Oba Adetunji knew how to serve God; how to serve humanity; how to lead humanity: how to serve others; how to lead others; how to assist others; how to develop others and how to mentor others. He had the true formula of how to lead the community and society. He was a leader of leaders.

“Our consolation lies in the great deeds of the late Olubadan which are engraved unforgettably in the hearts of women and men. Such deeds, which knew no ethnic or religious boundaries, bear clear testimony to the late Olubadan’s triumph over death.

“On behalf of the governing council, management, staff, and students of the University of Ibadan, we sincerely commiserate with the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, the immediate family of the late Olubadan, Olubadan-in-Council, Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), and all Ibadan indigenes and residents.”

Makinde mourns Olubadan of Ibadanland

BREAKING: Former NRC Presidential candidate is dead

January 3, 2022 | anaben

The former Presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention, NRC in the June 12, 1993 election, Bashir Othman Tofa has died.

According to a source close to the family, the Elder Statesman passes on in the early hours of Monday after a protracted illness.

Tofa had contested against his opponent, Social Democratic Party, SDP Presidential candidate, late Chief Mashood Abiola in the election which was annulled by the former Nigeria Military head of state, Ibrahim Babangida.

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Makinde mourns Olubadan of Ibadanland

January 2, 2022 | anaben

The Governor of Oyo State, ‘Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, expressed shock at the death of Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso 1. He said he was an exemplar in royalty.

Makinde said the royal icon was a great leader and an exemplary royal father whose wisdom and wealth of experience would be greatly missed. He was pained at the death of Olubadan, despite his old age .

The governor sent his condolences to the immediate family of the Olubadan, the Olubadan-in-Council and all Ibadan indigenes as well as the Oyo State Traditional Council.

Makinde, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, praised the monarch for giving his all to see that Ibadanland is developed and took its pride of place as one of the major cities in Africa.

His words: “The news of the death of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, came as a shock.”

“Kabiyesi’s exit at this time is painful, to say the least. His wealth of experience, his immense wisdom and his commitment to seeing a greater Ibadan and a better Oyo State are unrivalled.”

“Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and humanity at large will miss Kabiyesi, who was ever ready to give his all to see a better society.”

“I commiserate with his immediate family, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad on the demise of our father.”

“I equally extend my condolences to the Oyo State Traditional Council and pray to God to keep all our Obas safe and give them more years to direct the affairs of our people, especially as Olubadan’s death is coming on the heels of the demise of the Soun of Ogbomosoland and Asigangan of Igangan. May God grant them all eternal rest,” Makinde prayed

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South-East has right to produce next presidency — Ikpeazu

December 30, 2021 | anaben

The Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has said the South-East has the right to produce Nigeria’s next president because it understands the country better.

Ikpeara was addressing State House correspondents after a visit to the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), in Abuja on Thursday when he let this out.

“I think that the southeasterners have a right to take a shot at the presidency of Nigeria and I dare say that our qualification starts from the fact that we understand and know Nigeria better than the other states of Nigeria.

“I dare say, this is my opinion. We go everywhere, we are everywhere, we invest everywhere, we are Pan-Nigerian people,” he said.

“Today, a lot of people are afraid of Sambisa, but for an Igbo man, Sambisa is a business opportunity,” he added.

Ikpeazu added that the next president of Nigerian must possess a Pan-Nigerian mentality with understanding of all the contending interests and influences in the country.

“The question of Nigerian president of southeast extraction is a national question that required negotiation, discussion and conversation with all parts of this country and I am least qualified to determine what happens in 2023.

“I also want to spend my time supporting the incumbent president to do his time and do his best while we wait for what will begin to unfold. So, these are my views about the presidency.

“In the first place, anybody who wants to aspire to the highest post of the presidency must have what I regard as Pan-Nigerian mentality. He must be somebody who has an understanding of all the contending interests and influences in this country. He must understand that we are a country of diversity with the different persuasions, traditions, cultures and religions. All of these must be put in a place where you can understand and respect them.

“That individual must also be somebody who is ready to accommodate the youths of this country without necessarily throwing away the experienced ones, he must be able to find a labyrinth of all the interests.

“He must also reflect an extreme women agenda. He must be investor-friendly and an individual who understands the nuances of economics, the relationship between international politics and economy. The person must be strong enough to face up to the issue on the front burner, which is security.

“He must be able to create jobs, he must be able to not deploy the kinetic device all the time, he must able to also listen and negotiate peace.

If anything should happen to Igboho, we will hold FG responsible —- Lawyer

Nigerian economy better under PDP – Onuesoke

December 29, 2021 | anaben

Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, chieftain and former Delta State gubernatorial aspirant, Sunny Onuesoke has compared the economy of Nigeria when it was being led by PDP to its state now under the All Progressive Congress, judging that Nigeria had a better economy under PDP.

According to him, “Under PDP, you had a government that listened, had rule of law and you could protest without fear. The cost of living was way better, unemployment was far lesser, insecurity was contained to an area, electricity supply and charges were way better.

“But today, you are dying yet can’t cry. You dare to cry, you end up behind bars. Egg of N20 now sells for N70-N80 naira. Indomie of N20 now sells for N80-N99. Pure water of N5 now sells for N20-N30. An electricity bill of N1, 500, is now N40, 000 with no light.”

Reacting to recent outburst by Transport Minister, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi against former President Goodluck Jonathan, Onuesoke said it was only an attempt to divert the people’s attention from the failure of this present administration.

Onuesoke wondered how it is possible that the money the ex-President left behind couldn’t sustain Nigerian for three weeks just as he queried where they saw money to sustain the economy for the past years.

He termed it embarrassing that a government that has ruled for two terms keep laying blames on a government that ruled for only one term, rather than stop the blame game and concentrate on fulfilling the promises they made to Nigerians.

The chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Delta State, Chief Sunny Onuesoke, said the country would have been a better one without President Muhammadu Buhari

Save Nigeria from Buhari now, PDP Reps’ caucus cries out

Imo government sent security operatives to humiliate me — Nwosu alleges

December 29, 2021December 29, 2021 | anaben

The 2019 Imo state governorship candidate, Uche Nwosu, on Tuesday, has accused the Imo state government of sending security operatives to bundle him from Imo state to Abuja.

Nwosu said this in Owerri while narrating his ordeal on how he was arrested from St Peter’s Anglican Church Eziama-Obiere in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo state, during the outing service of his late mother, Jemimah Nwosu, last Sunday.

Nwosu said this was part of what he discovered on the way to Enugu Airport where he was flown in a private jet.

He was taken to the tactical squad office in Abuja where the police informed him that “Someone wrote a petition against me (Nwosu) that I was supplying arms to militants and giving them money.”

He went on to say that the police never officially invited him for questioning about the petition against him.

Narrating his ordeal Nwosu said: “The petition the Police said was from somebody, that their reason for arresting me was alleged that I was supplying arms to militants and giving them money, the whole plan was cooked up in govt house. The security men attached to the government house one Shaba was behind this plot.

“The plot was to humiliate me and malign my image. No security man from the Abuja or state command came for that operation. Those security officers were all security men attached to the government of Imo state.

“Because a normal policeman cannot behave the way they did. They came shot inside the church which no professional police officers could do it. They shot anyhow. They are a killer squad from the government house.

“Nobody invited me or called me on phone I would have answered I did not receive any invitation from the police. So, just like that they came arrested me handled me like a criminal and treated me like I have committed any offence.

“I want the Inspector General of Police, IGP, to investigate the person who ordered for my arrest and the owner of the private jet and who paid for the private jet that took me from Enugu state to Abuja. They took me to the tactical squad office where the IG, now send somebody to come and interview me and I gave my statement, from what I gathered the IG, was not properly briefed on what was going on.”

However, the Imo state government through the Imo state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, has vehemently denied the state’s involvement in the arrest of Nwosu, saying it was purely the activities of security operatives. He urged them to wait for the outcome of the police investigation.

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