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The people of Owo woke up to the devastating news of innocent worshippers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, murdered in cold blood. The entire ancient city was thrown into total confusion and frustration.
The Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) Ondo State Chapter condemns in very strong terms this attack in which more than fifty persons including women and children were killed. It is very sad that, human lives mean very little to those whose business it is to provide security for lives and properties in our country.
A situation where everybody lives in fear of being kidnapped or even killed in this senseless manner should be addressed as a matter of urgency by the Muhammadu Buhari led All Progressives Congress (APC) government. We cannot continue to live like this as a people.
Our party commiserates with families of the victims of this attack, the Olowo of Owo, His Royal Majesty Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye 111 and all Ondo State people who are traumatised by this killing. We also urge the security agencies to up their game to be more proactive than allowing this kind of calamity to strike before promises of tracking down the culprits.
It is unacceptable for worshippers to be mowed down in a Church. The perpetrators must certainly be animals just in human skin.It is sacrilegious.
Says “The Permanent Solution to this Fulani Quagmire is an Independent Yoruba Nation”
Sunday 5th June, 2022
The Leader of the Apex Body for Yoruba Self-Determination and Self-Preservation Movement, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide (IOOW), Professor Banji Akintoye, has described the Sunday morning deadly attack allegedly unleashed against Christian Worshipers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo-State by Gunmen suspected to be Fulani Herdsmen, leaving about 85 people dead, as a declaration of War Against the Yoruba People.
Responding through the Communications Secretary of IOOW, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, Akintoye called on the State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, to declare an emergency against the activities of Fulani Herdsmen in the state with immediate effect.
The renowned scholar said the effontery of the Fulani Marauders needs to be frankly and courageously confronted so as to prove to their sponsors that the Yoruba people can never be intimidated or subjugated.
He said to permanently solve the Fulani Herdsmen’s quagmire, the Yoruba People need to negotiate their exit from the Union of Nigeria without further delay.
“We have stated it very expressly that the Yoruba people need to negotiate their exit from Nigeria as a matter of urgency but our Partisan Political Actors in Yoruba Land never took us serious. We warned them that there’s fire on the mountain but we were mocked because of their personal aggrandizement.
“Today, we have all been encircled, most especially, in Lagos. For Herdsmen to have the effontery of bombarding a Church in Yoruba Land to kill about 85 people shows that we are now in a realistic danger.
“My urgent advise to Governor Akeredolu is to pick up the gauntlet and declare an emergency against the activities of all Fulani Herdsmen in the state with immediate effect.
“We have now been taken for granted. We need not pretend anymore. We must demand unanimously, an exit from Nigeria.
“We the Yoruba People cannot live in the same country with characters whose idea of common citizenship in Nigeria is to brutalize, subjugate and even exterminate us. It is time to leave these characters now. All Stakeholders – the Elites, Traditional Rulers, Our Women should act now.
“All the South West States, including the Yoruba Leaders in Kogi and Kwara States should equally declare an emergency against the activities of Fulani Herdsmen. We must now take our destinies into our hands”
Following the unfortunate attack on the people of Owo worshipping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-Iowa Street, on Sunday, Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, has returned to Ondo State from his party’s national assignment in Abuja.
Governor Akeredolu, who moved straight to Owo from the Akure Airport has received briefs from the Heads of Security agencies in the state.
The Governor has vowed to hunt down the assailants and make them pay.
The Ondo state police command has disclosed that his men have commenced a manhunt for the assailants behind the attack.
•Condemns attacks, Condoles With Families of The Victims
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu,SAN, is deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and killing of innocent people of Owo, worshiping at the St Francis Catholic Church, Owa-luwa Street, on Sunday.
The vile and satanic attack is a calculated assault on the peace-loving people of Owo Kingdom who have enjoyed relative peace over the years.
“It is a black Sunday in Owo. Our hearts are heavy. Our peace and tranquility have been attacked by the enemies of the people. This is a personal loss, an attack on our dear state.
“I have spoken to the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Ondo, Most Reverend Jude Arogundade, who is presently on his way to Owo. Similarly, I have had to cut short my party’s national assignment in Abuja and visit Owo immediately.
“This is an unexpected development. I am shocked to say the least. Nevertheless, We shall commit every available resource to hunt down these assailants and make them pay. We shall never bow to the machinations of heartless elements in our resolves to rid our state of criminals.
“I commiserate with my people in Owo, particularly families of the those who lost their lives to this ugly and unfortunate attack. I extend my condolences to Olowo of Owo, Oba Gbadegesin Ogunoye as well as the Catholic Church.
“I urge our people to remain calm and vigilant. Do not take laws into your hands. I have spoken to the heads of the security agencies. I have equally been assured that security operatives would be deployed to monitor and restore normalcy to Owo kingdom.” Akeredolu said.
Signed: Richard Olatunde Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Ondo State. June 5, 2022.
It’s a great task for Bar. Jimoh Ibrahim of APC has never won any general election despite several attempts, to defeat a political Igodomigodo like His Excellency, Hon. Agboola Alfred Ajayi of PDP, it’s only a political neophyte who can give this business mogul turned politician any chance.
INTRODUCTION
Abiku is a Yoruba word that means a child who dies a few hours or days after birth, causing more pains than the initial joy of parenthood to the affected parents. Because of the educational level of our forefathers, many of our aged parents suffered the death of many children during their times. This terrible occurrence was often misconstrued as a punishment from the gods, some demonic incarnations, ancestral curses, and many other archaic theories to explain this unfortunate experience.
This Abiku phenomenon was due to many factors, mostly poor medical facilities, and low level of education and some might be due to environmental factors. The truth is that the infant mortality rate was unbearable during the dark age of Africa. Some names like Kokumo (you won’t die again), Malomo (you are going nowhere), and many other Yoruba names were given to surviving children after several episodes of Abiku by their parents. It was an opportunity for herbalists and priests to milk dry these parents with such occurrence their hard-earned resources.
It’s an understatement that APC in Ondo state has collapsed, the last shoddy primaries in the state have finally nailed its coffin, awaiting burial from the National Convention. It has never been this bad in Ondo state in terms of lackluster attitude and reckless handling of sensitive party issues by the ruling party. The high-handedness, undemocratic tendencies, and poor human resources management of Aketi betrayed his intimidating credentials. It’s hard to believe that the state is currently being governed by a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and former two terms Nigeria Bar Association president.
As I rightly said in one of my articles that Ondo state APC is under a spell of self-destruction, it’s becoming clearer that the beginning of the end has started for the ruling party in the sunshine state.
THE SENATORIAL CANDIDATES OF THE TWO MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES AND CHANCES IN ONDO STATE
Ondo South Senatorial District
The primary elections of two major political parties have been conducted, as usual, People’s Democratic Party conducted the best primaries in recent times, to show the world that their more serious and learned from their previous mistakes. The ruling party in Ondo state has finally put down the building upon its members by the kangaroo primary elections conducted throughout the state by Aketi-led party leadership. Bar. Jimoh Ibrahim will be flying the ticket of APC for Ondo South Senatorial district against the political juggernaut, His Excellency, Agboola Alfred Ajayi of PDP.
Both of them are not new to political terrain in that region but with different experiences. Bar. Jimoh Ibrahim, the Araba of Ikale land has been contesting from the days of ANPP when he almost scuttled the chance of late Dr. Olusegun Agagu, the same Ikaleman with a bright chance to win the governorship of Ondo State in 2003 despite the yearning of these people to have a taste of governorship then. People of Ondo state were wiser, and voted massively for the late Iju-Odo born lecturer turned politician, he later spent six years in the Alagbaka government house.
In the same vein, Mr. Eyitayo Jegede SAN won’t forget him (Bar. Jimoh Ibrahim) in a hurry as he was a governorship candidate of the Alimodu Sherrif faction that paved way for Aketi in the general governorship election of 2016. That he was the Mr. governor (Aketi’s) consensus choice in the last primary was not surprising to some of the political watchers in the state. These above-stated facts may explain why he is not loved by the populace of the southern region and the entire Ondo state despite his brilliance and being a billionaire.
His Excellency Agboola Alfred Ajayi, an offshoot of the Agagu political dynasty, immediate former deputy governor of Ondo state, is a political Igodomigodo loved by the majority of people in Ondo State. There is no doubt that he is a future governor of Ondo state. It was not unexpected when he defeated the sitting senator, Sen. Nicholas Tofowomo in a keenly contested primary election of PDP, such a rare victory can only be achieved with a man of God’s favor. The recent political achievements by H.E. Agbo have been given his erstwhile boss (Aketi) sleepless nights in the state. When the news of his victory broke out, it was welcomed with pomp and pageantry by the majority of Ondo state indigenes (including APC members) who have been praying for a rescuer from Aketi and his stooges in the state
IN CONCLUSION
The current celebrations of many Ondo state APC candidates will be short-lived as a significant number of them will lose out in general elections, many disenfranchised aspirants have vowed to ensure justice prevails. There is a political waterloo that awaits APC as a party in the state. A divided party like the current situation of Ondo APC can’t win any election. It should be noted that some candidates of the party like Hon. Bunmi Tunji Ojo (BTO) and Hon. Tajudeen Adefisoye (Small Alhaji), house of Representatives member for Akoko Northeast/ Northwest and Idanre/ Ifedore federal constituencies respectively may win their re-election come 2023 because their enviable performances are very glaring.
It’s only a political neophyte who gives any chance to Bar. Jimoh Ibrahim against H.E. Agboola Alfred Ajayi. Ondo APC has been destroyed beyond redemption by the current leadership of Aketi and Ade Adetimehin. The only surviving grace is if Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu emerges as the presidential candidate in the upcoming convention with the hope that Mr. Ade Adetimehin will soon be removed as the state chairman. Watch out for other parts of this article in which the chances of other Senatorial districts and federal constituencies will be discussed.
Dr. Akeredolu O.N. leader, Aketi medical team 2016, vice chairman Aketi-Aiyedatiwa Medical Committee 2020 campaign
The Olofa of Offa HRM Oba Mufutau Muhammed Gbadamosi Ajagungbade I Esuwoye II, the Olofa-in-Council, and the good people of Offa have congratulated the Offa-born #LondontoLagos biker, Kunle Adeyanju who defies all odds to embark on such a historic journey to reverberate the #EndPolio campaign in Africa and other parts of the world.
The 41-day ride was a 12,000km journey that took him through 14 countries from Europe to Africa in his quest to further stress the need to #EndPolio once and for all in Africa.
This act of valour by this proud son of Offa was borne out of sheer love and compassion for humanity – a feat that can be summarized in the words of Kendra Levin who said that “a hero is a person who says yes to the adventure”. Indeed, Kunle Adeyanju is a hero.
The Olofa of Offa on behalf of the entire community in his congratulatory message said – “Kunle Adeyanju has distinguished himself among the mortal men and as well written his name in the history book. This is a thing of joy to me especially because he is from Offa. His bravery is not far-fetched because he hails from Jagun Esunja lineage which is a family with a proven history of valour and honour in Offa Kingdom”
“As a father, I am proud of his achievements and I am confident the world has heard his message. May Almighty Allah bless him beyond his expectation. Congratulations dear Kunle Adeyanju, you are indeed a true omo olofamojo”
Signed: Olayinka Kadri Principal Private Secretary to Olofa of Offa
It is our pleasure to be here with you today to present our reports. I will be very brief.
Having been a tenant in this building before, Mr chairman, I came in I thought I was in the wrong premises. I want to say you have performed something short of a miracle in this building. And I can thread properly now that I am in the secretariat of the governing party.
I thank you for the assignment that you gave us an enormous and how short time has been. I know the environment on which you took over. And so, we are quite happy to do as much as we could to make the work of the party lighter.
We had the privilege of being inaugurated by you. Precisely on the 30 of May and we immediately started work that very day after a brief meeting. I will just summarize the main thing.
First, we had 23 member aspirants that we interacted with. And my first comment is that we were very inoccupant. Those were 23 that presented themselves. We had alot of others, prominent Nigerians both within and outside the country that had applied but for whatever reason, could not proceed with their applications.
The point I want to make is the quality of the people that wants to govern this country.
The second point I want to make is that, we were surprised at the active participation of the youthful members of the party. Some of whom really surprised us at to what they have accomplished in life, their understanding of the situation in this country and why they want to have the privilege of governing this country. What was important was that they so believed in the country and the party that they were able to pay the sum that some of us considered princely handsome to participate in the process. And I think the party ought to path itself in the back for them.
Our report is basically simple and short. I don’t want to beat about the bush. There were two aspects to it.
The basic constitutional qualifications for you to aspire to be a president of the federal Republic of Nigeria. That was simple and straight forward.
And on that basis, every single aspirants that presented himself qualified. Because it was basic and simple. But we are a governing party. And we are keen on continuing the process and replacing at the proper time with our president with yet another member of the party.
So, the ability to lead, background, experience and your understanding of the Nigerian situation, your ideas as to how issues, difficulties and problems can be addressed and how the country can be moved forward became a critical consideration. It is on that basis who are you, what have you achieved, your understanding of the nation and things you can contribute to move the nation forward. It was on the basis of that we made our final shortlist. I don’t list the names. I think I will leave that to you. We have a shortlist which brought the number down to 13. We could have cut it a little shorter. But we wanted a pedigree with a longer element to surface. For them to be seen whether to be noticed, who knows? We hand them over to the party. And it is for the party to decide who their preferred candidate will be.
It is also an opportunity to showcase the kind of people that exist within the party with their usefulness and kind of experience. Let the world know that this is a party that cares for the young and a party when we say the young can aspire, we really mean it. And this has been showcase in the report that we have written.
I will conclude by saying that we only drew a word of caution. That there is this cleavage that I gradually becoming the Centre stage in a national discourse. As between the north and the south and the presidency. And we just want to advise strongly that the party should please think of it in making its decision, address it and let it influence their thoughts because it has its own implications.
Outside that, just on behalf of the wonderful colleagues you gave me to work with. I want to thank you very much. It was a sensitive assignment, a challenging assignment but very interesting assignment on which all of us have profited immensely from which the party will also profit.
Against every aspirants, the issue of consensus and it is pleasant surprise that 98 to 99% agreed that the party is supreme. And that whatever the party finally decides with proper consultation, they will likely to accept. We had only one exception who said yes, he will accept consensus so long as it is build on him. So, I think it is a point that needs to be made and emphasize. So, that gives you a lot of leeway in the days and hours ahead to trim down even more drastically. But, finally we think you should not be afraid for a contested primary if anybody insist on the contest.
I thank you very much Mr chairman. It is now my honor and privilege on behalf of the committee set up to present to you the report.
Thank you.
– Chief John Odigie Oyegun Chairman APC Screening Committee
APC PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARIES: ERRONEOUS INTERPRETATION OF ASIWAJU’S PLEAS FOR LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
The attention of the Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu Presidential Campaign Organisation has been drawn to the erroneous, misleading and mischievous interpretation of his address in Abeokuta, capital of Ogun State on Thursday.
It is on record that the leading presidential aspirant in the forthcoming primaries of the All Progressives Congress, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu addressed the national delegates of the party in Ogun State , with Governor Mr.Dapo Abiodun in attendance.
In his effort to convince the party delegates to vote for him at the primaries, he went down memory lane to provide specific instances when he brought his political clout and strategic skills to assist individuals, groups and tendencies in the party to gain political power.
These factual references are already in the public realm.
They have been reported and analysed in the media in the last eight years.
They are therefore, matters of public knowledge.
While we recognise that recent unexpected interventions in the time table and the heat generated by the proximity of the event might have led to some anxiety, this campaign organisation believes that the main thrust of Asiwaju’s presentation, was that his huge contributions to the formation and electoral success of the All Progressives Congress should count in his favour as a true party man who desires to be the flag bearer.
There is also no doubt that the fresh conditions proposed by President Muhammadu Buhari for the consideration of a presidential candidate of the party made it necessary for Asiwaju to labour to convince the delegates that he fits the bill.
The campaign was surprised at the way the opposition and Tinubu’s traducers had turned his statement to give an interpretation Tinubu did not mean and did not say.
At no time did Tinubu play any ethnic card or denigrate any ethnic group. That is surely out of his character, as Engineer David Babachir Lawal, attested in his viral whatsApp statement.
Tinubu’s speech in Abeokuta did not demonstrate any disrespect to President Buhari, for whom he has a very high regard, and whose re-election campaign he chaired in 2019.
Since the video of the speech he delivered in Yoruba hit the social media, varied interpretations have been given to the speech, which in the main was about Governor Abiodun, who in the true tradition of Yoruba culture bowed to his leader after Tinubu’s short speech.
The Tinubu campaign is not surprised why the opposition in the APC have decided to turn and twist the statement.
The former Lagos governor, a great party man remains the man to beat at the party’s convention on Monday.
We are least surprised that he is the target of well-calculated and most unkind virulent attacks
The campaign organisation hereby appeals to the media to avoid over- sensationalising issues of facts and play its constitutional role of informing the electorate to make informed choices at the presidential primaries.
Bayo Onanuga Director Media & Communications Tinubu Campaign Organisation
The All Progressives Congress’ presidential screening committee has disqualified 10 aspirants from its primaries scheduled for next week.
Chairman of the Committee, John Oyegun, revealed this on Friday in Abuja ahead of the APC Presidential Primary Election slated for between June 6 and 8 this year.
According to Mr Oyegun, only 13 out of the 23 aspirants screened were cleared by the committee, noting that only youthful aspirants made the list of cleared aspirants.
However when asked about the identity of the disqualified aspirants, Mr Oyegun shielded word by hiding those identities.
Recalled that the committee had since held the screening exercise between Monday and Tuesday this week.
Cleared aspirants are expected to contest the presidential primary at a scheduled special convention in Abuja between June 6 and 8.
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