Osun Defender Online Version of November 11, 2022

Suspense As Court Halts Appointment,

were

Ademola as the new Aree.

The

But inves ga ons revealed that the kingmakers did not hold any mee ng to select a new Aree.

Further

•

INDIGENES of Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun, yesterday, staged protest on the alleged plan by Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administra on to dethrone the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji.

The indigenes declared that any a empt to remove Oba Oyetunji will spark unrest with grievous consequences.

This is just as Oyetola denied any plan to depose the tradi onal ruler, saying that he has no issue with him.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that the protest came a er an indigenous group, Osogbo Ac on Committee, raised the alarm that the state government was planning to dethrone

Ataoja for some poli cal reasons.

However, Oyetola, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ismail Omipidan warned the group not to incite the people against him by spreading falsehood.

Omipidan said the group’s le er, asking the Governor to stay ac on on a non-existent process is not only mischievous but also a wicked one deliberately designed to pitch the people against the governor and his government by agents of the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) masquerading as community leaders.

He stated further that: “The author of the le er, Chief Ajadi Badmus, has unfe ered access to Mr. Governor. If indeed he has the best of inten ons, he

•Kingmakers, Chiefs Kick

•I Have No Issue With Oba Oyetunji - Oyetola

ought to have found out from the governor before making his spurious claims.

“Recall that Chief Badmus had also authored a similar le er shortly before the July 16 governorship elec on wherein he claimed that the government had relocated the Airforce Base from Osogbo to Iragbiji. The wicked lie became the major weapon the PDP agents deployed to canvass for votes in Osogbo and its environs.

“Ordinarily, the Ataoja is directly under the supervision of the Osogbo Local Government. Therefore, the governor has no business per se with his office. Besides, the governor has no issues with Ataoja.

“To this end, I appeal

Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji.

AN Ikirun High Court has directed Boripe local government and the State Government of Osun to stop further ac on on the appointment and installa on of a new Aree of Iree.

The order came 24 hours a er the state government announced the appointment of Prince Raphael Oluponle

Ismaeel Uthman

Kazeem Badmus

government claimed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Informa on and Civic Orienta on, Mrs. Funke Egbemode, that Oluponle got majority votes of the kingmakers in the town.

findings revealed that some individuals who

appointed as warrant chiefs by the local government selected Ademola and presented him as the chosen candidate to fill the vacant stool.

Besides, kingmakers in Iree had earlier dragged Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, Commissioner for Local Government and Chie aincy Affairs, Special Adviser to the Governor on Local Government and Chie aincy Affairs as well as the A orney General and Commissioner for Jus ce before a State High Court in Ikirun over the ap-

Refinery, Solution To Petrol Scarcity - MOMAN

Kazeem Badmus

MAJOR Oil Marketers Associaon of Nigeria (MOMAN) has said the only solu on to the incessant scarcity and arbitrary increment in the price of Premium Motor Spirit, popularly called petrol, is for the country to have func oning refineries.

The Chairman of the associa on in the State of Osun, Alhaji Sulaiman Afolabi, made this known in Osogbo on Wednesday while speaking on the ongoing fuel scarcity and increase in petrol price.

According to Afolabi, Nigeria is a consuming na on and the exchange rate will determine the price at which fuel will be sold.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that most of the filling sta ons in Osogbo, Ife, Ilesa, Ikirun and Iwo are selling between N200 and N210.

Only few independent filling sta ons were selling at the rate of N180 and there were always long queues whenever those sta ons are dispensing fuel.

Afolabi noted that it is no longer possible to sell fuel at the normal price due to the fall in the value of naira, adding that most of his members rely on the black market to get dol-

lars.

He said: “It is very pathe c and saddening that this country find itself in the present situa on we are. The situaon where we find ourselves unfortunately is a man-made problem.

“When dollar was exchanged for N400, problem of fuel scarcity was not rampant. Now, dollar is being exchanged for N800, the product we are selling is an imported product. This is simple mathema cs.

“If you are changing dollar at that rate and the government is s ll saying you should sell the product at the same price you are selling when you are exchanging dollar at 400 naira, how can that be possible? This is the problem Nigerians are facing.

“Everybody should know that impor ng the product at this period when the naira has been bastardised will cost a lot. Nigeria is a consuming na on, we only import and everything imported will definitely be accompanied by skyrocke ng prices.

“If the government can be courageous enough to build our own refineries, I think the problem will be solved. I s ll find it difficult that the Nigeria government can’t build a refinery”.

Protest Rocks Osogbo...

to leaders of thought and clerics in Osogbo to endeavour to find out the truth, know the truth and act based on the truth.

“I also urge the people to disregard the content of this fallacious le er as it does not fit the gentleman’s personality of a governor Osun people and the na on know too well.”

But thousands of Osogbo indigenes were not convinced by the governor’s reac on as they thronged major streets in

the state capital to warn the governor from embarking on anything that will threaten the Ataoja’s reign.

OSUN DEFENDER noted that over 56 Osogbo tradi onal Chiefs and 65 Heads of villages (Baales) led other indigenes of the ancient town to stage the peaceful protest against the alleged plan to dethrone their monarch.

The protesters were armed with placards with inscrip ons like “Don’t Cause Confusion In Osogbo”, “Stop the A empt to

Suspense As Court Halts Appointment...

•Continued from Page 1

pointment of the Iyalode of Iree, Mrs. Serifatu Adebayo as a warrant chief.

The kingmakers prayed the court to stop all acon on the selec on and appointment of new Aree pending the determina on of the suit.

When the case came up on Tuesday, Jus ce Isiaka Adeleke of the court said it was wrong for the government to take ac on on the Aree stool when it is s ll pending before the court.

Jus ce Adeleke said: “The cases were filed on 27-10-2022. The defend-

ants were served on 2810-2022. The court fixed the suit for hearing. It was slated for today 08-112022. Hearing no ce was ordered. All par es were served on 2nd November, 2022 that the case is coming up today for hearing. None of the defendants filed any process or react to the prayers of the plainffs.

“The best person in any society is the one who respects the right of others. The one who will not venture into doing that which can be challenged legimately. Obedience to the rule of law is for the good of the society at large. All the defendants in the case 1-5 are hereby ordered to stay further ac on on the facts in issue in the case before the court.

“In the interest of jusce, fairness and the sancty of judicial process, the defendants should STOP further ac on on the appointment and installa on of Aree of Iree pending the hearing and determina on of the mo on on no ce served on the defendants.

“By the agreement of

counsels, the case is adjourned to Tuesday 22-112022 for hearing of the moon on No ce”.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the Commissioner of Police, Faleye Olaleye, summoned a mee ng with the kingmakers and other stakeholders in Iree on Wednesday and talk to them on the need to maintain peace and orderliness in the community.

Council Of Elders Wants Oyetola To Reverse Appointment Of New Aree

This is just as the Council of Elders in Iree advised Governor Adegboyega Oyetola to cancel the appointment of Prince Raphael Oluponle Ademola as the new Aree.

The council described Oluponle’s appointment as a slap on the culture and tradi on of Ireeland, warning that the process may affect the peace of the town if it is not urgently reversed.

Chairman of the council, Asiwaju Adenrele Afolabi, who spoke at a press conference in Iree, on Monday, called on Oyetola

to allow the kingmakers to appoint a new monarch for the town, vowing that the council will not allow anybody to disrupt the peace of the town.

Adenrele said: “It is be er to stop the appointment and not confirm it. The kingmakers are there to select a king in line with tradi on.

“The en re members of Iree Council of Elders in conjunc on with the Iree Progressive Associaon (IPA) has condemned in its totality the process of using Warrant Chiefs by Boripe Local Council Development Authority to fill the vacant stool of Aree of Ireeland.

“The system of je soning all the authen c six (in the present situa on, five as Eesa is late) Afobajes (Ìwarefà Mefa) to appoint an Oba for Iree ran foul of the exis ng culture and tradi ons of the town.”

The council appealed to the indigenes of Iree, especially the youth to remain calm, maintain peace and tranquility, saying the elders were working on way forward on the situaon at hand.

depose Oba Jimoh”, “Efura oo, Ijoba Ipinle Osun Fe da rukerudo Sile” “Ataoja of Osogbo Is our king” among others.

The Baales and Chiefs who gathered at the residence of Baale’s Chairman, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, Gbodofon, Osogbo warned the state government not to embark on such moves.

They said the alleged a empt being made by the state government is capable of disrup ng the exis ng peace in Osogbo and Osun State in general.

They added that such move is an a empt to usurp the power and func on of the judiciary to adjudicate on the matter currently pending in the court of law.

Speaking with newsmen, Chief Jimoh Buraimo said: “It has come to the no ce of the good people of Osogboland of the clandes ne moves by the state government of Osun to dethrone the Ataoja of Osogbo, Oba Jimoh Olanipekun Oyetunji, Larooye II, without any just cause.

“The a empt by the government to take this unholy approach is against the backdrop of the exis ng case instuted by the members of Oluwin Ajibilu/Oyekomi Family of Oyekomi’s Compound, Osogbo in Suit No: HOS/115/2022: Prince Sakariyau Alabi Adebiyi & 2 Ors Vs Hrm Oba Jimoh Olanipekun (Ataoja Of Osogbo).

“The 3rd, 4th and 5th Defendants represent the state government and the case is s ll pending at the High Court of Jus ce, Osogbo.

•Continued from Page 1 •

“The current a empt being made by the state

government is capable of disrup ng the exis ng peace in Osogbo and Osun State in general. It is equally an a empt to usurp the power and func on of the judiciary to adjudicate on the ma er currently pending in the court of law and it is highly prejudicial to and contemptuous of the process of the court.

“It is to be noted that we cannot accept this unlawful a empt which will portray Osun State Government as highly insensi ve and blind to the yearnings and aspiraons of the people of the state.

“The ins tu on of Ataoja of Osogboland is the custodian of our tradi onal heritage. A empt to illegally remove the occupant of the exalted office is an affront on our tradi onal inheritance which shall be resisted legally.

“The people of Osogbo will not allow this to happen and they are ready to resist this insult and blatant conspiracy to cause disunity, chaos, violence and disharmony among the good people of Osogbo and Osun State generally.

Also, kingmakers in Osogbo in an interview with newsmen, unanimously rejected the alleged move by the state government to dethrone the monarch.

The head of the Kingmakers and Ajaguna of Osogboland, Chief Gabriel Oparan , who spoke on behalf of other kingmakers, said: “Oba Olanipekun is the 16th Ataoja of Osogbo and it has never been in our history that Ataoja was removed. So we won’t allow that to happen.”

He said any a empt

•Osogbo indigenes protesting the alleged plan to dethrone the Ataoja of Osogbo

•

Prince Raphael Oluponle

The Hushpuppi Saga

THE melodrama revolving around a Nigerian scammer who is known by the moniker “Hushpuppi”(real name Ramon Abbas) predictably ended in a court in the United States with his being sent to a correc onal facility for eleven years. He deserves the jail term. Unfortunately, there are consequences for the rest of us as well as for the economy of Nigeria.

The speediness of the trial as well as the diligence of the prosecutor is something we should learn from. Due process was followed without being bogged down in a never-ending trial full of twists, turns as well as tales of the unexpected. There are economic and social consequences a ached to the judicial process and we should be aware of this if we are ever ready to build a compe ve economy. No poten al investor is going to be enthusias c about inves ng in an economy in which the judicial process goes on as in forever

The convict himself is the product of a society which has sadly over me tolerated licenousness. The fellow was not born a miscreant and did not create himself. Unfortunately, Nigerian society and the authori es have tolerated even glamourised deviant behaviour for far too long. The social consequences have led to an unacceptable percep on and the consequences include unfavourable credit-risk assessment of Nigerians trying to carry out legi mate businesses. There are in addi on a host of debilita ng consequences.

There must be a push back and the state as well as civil and poli cal society must now be asser ve. The country needs to enforce zero tolerance for unexplained sources of wealth. We will do well to look at the United

will do well to look at the United Kingdom’s highly effective “2017 Unexplained Sources Of Wealth Act” It is obvious that the tax authorities are not up and doing”

OPINION B Y BY B A M I D E L E BAMIDELE J O H N S O N JOHNSON

Perspective On Presidential Debates

Here? I think they’re just to make us yell like barbarians parading the heads of freshly slain rivals.

Rigour, in general, is not our thing and I don’t believe that the debates change anything.

namely religion and ethnicity. I doubt if the greatest number of voters watch. I also doubt if such voters have the capacity to understand the high-sounding, big-talking guff to which our poli cians are given. Just imagine Ayade in a presiden al debate.

S ll, I’m for debates. They generate premium entertainment. That is all.

Kingdom’s highly effec ve “ 2017 Unexplained Sources Of Wealth Act”. It is obvious that the tax authori es are not up and doing. This must be changed. As long ago as the nineteen-twenes, it was charges of tax fraud and not murder that nailed the notorious gangster Al Capone and assorted criminals. Without proac ve tax authori es, the country will con nue to be embarrassed. For too long, crime figh ng in Nigeria has focused on closing the stable doors a er the horse has fled. It must now be preven ve.

The ac vi es of people like Hushpuppi is an embarrassment and the poli cal will must be summoned to stamp out what has become a threat to the cohesion and moral stability of society.

Pre-debate, our favourite candidate would have been awarded the gold medal even if he stank the place out with fluency in gibberish and excellence garbage. Presiden al debates, in theory, allows us to forensically scan manifestos, to which poli cians are neither aligned nor commi ed because they bought them off the shelf of some policy wonk.

As seduc ve as they are as a tool of gauging alignment with stated programme objec ves, they change nothing in the domes c poli cal game. We are more interested in other things,

But class ac on? How Dr. Ezekwesili got seized by this idea eludes me. What exis ng law (Cons tu on or Electoral Act) would the courts say has been broken by not deba ng? What body is the legally or INEC-recognised group with the mandate to organize debates? There’s a chance I’m talking tripe as I o en do, but there’s also a chance that Doc is genera ng what we know Olusosun for: garbage.

•Bamidele Johnson a noted public analyst wrote in from Lagos.

Briefly...

So Far Not Inspiring

Town hall mee ngs and all it is all very lacking in depth. For a country in focal straits what we have seen so far reveals a hesitancy about taking on the issues.

The aforethought excuse Is that “you campaign in prose and govern in poetry”. This is an opportunist posi on

The astute analyst Bamidele Johnson has laid it bare however he was too guarded and did not emphasise that whoever wins the presiden al is taking over a poisoned chalice. In a difficult more is to be expected such as detailed costed policy opons. There is very li le to be op mis c about. Sad.

- Kanmi Ademiluyi

“We

PRESIDENTIAL debates in places where rigour is valued are great. They provide a window into the minds of those seeking to be president and could have some effect on how things turn out.

“We are more interested in other things, namely religion and ethnicity. I doubt if the greatest number of voters watch. I also doubt if such voters have the capacity to understand the highsounding, big-talking guff to which our politicians are given”

•Do the crime, serve the term!

Protest Over Alleged Plan To Install Osun APC Chairman As Owa Of Igbajo

THE alleged plan by the Government of the State of Osun to install the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State, Prince Gboyega Famodun as the Owa of Igbajo, has again been rejected by indigenes of the community.

OSUN DEFENDER had in its October 28, 2022 edion reported that there was a move by the Governor Adegboyega Oyetola administra on to appoint Famodun as the new monarch for Igbajo, a town in Boluwaduro Local Government Area of the State.

However, two ruling houses in the town, Akeran and Agbon have protested against the move, calling on the government to be transparent and fair in the selec on process for the new Owa of Igbajo.

Members of the ruling houses came out in their large numbers in Osogbo on Tuesday to protest the alleged secret move to appoint Famodun, sta ng that Akeran and Agbon are next in line to produce a new tradi onal ruler for the town.

Armed with placards with different inscrip ons, members of the ruling houses said it is not yet Famodun’s ruling house’s turn to occupy the throne, alleging that some policians are trying to impose the APC chairman on the town.

Some of the inscrip ons on the placards include; “Owa of Igbajo: Osun State Government don’t impose Prince Gboyega Famodun, obey the rule of law, we are s ll in court”, “Prince Gboyega Famodun obey the court order”, “Baba Gboyega Lo je ni Ijeta, ko kan gege bi Owa of Igbajo”, “Osun State Government, don’t impose Famodun as Owa of Igbajo “.

Addressing newsmen at the protest, a member of Akeran ruling house, Prince Gbenga Akande, alleged that the tradi onal crowns of the ancient town are now missing.

According to Akande, the tradi onal crowns were supposed to be kept with Chief Looye of Igbajo a er the demise of a king un l another king assumes the throne.

He alleged that the tradi onal crowns were not kept with Looye but instead brought to the house of the APC chairman in Osogbo.

Akande said: “Igbajo tradi onal crowns are missing and the remaining things that are supposed to be at Baba Looye’s house are not there. They kept it with Prince Gboyega Fa-

modun.

“When the late king passed on, the tradi onal crowns alongside other things used by the late king was supposed to be kept in Baba Looye’s house but instead of doing that, the elders brought it to Osogbo.

“I was there when they brought out the crown from the palace and I asked the elders where they were taking the crown to but they said I should not worry.

“During our monthly mee ngs, I raised issue about the crown and asked where they took them to but they couldn’t give me any answer.

“The case concerning the stool of Igbajo is s ll in court but some people are bent on imposing someone on us”.

Also, the Loogunde of Igbajoland, Chief Aderemi Adeife, declared that the community does not want the selec on of a new Owa of Igbajo to cause any form of bloodshed, no ng that the people of the town de-

•The protesters

serve peace.

Adeife said the selecon process should be done exclusively for Akeran and Agbon ruling houses, saying they are the next

in line to produce a new tradi onal leader for the town.

He said: “We don’t want bloodshed in Igbajoland because of a selec-

on of a king. If we begin to kill innocent lives, who are those we want to be king upon? What the people deserve is peace. The town is known for peace

Hoodlums Set INEC Office Ablaze In Osun

THE office of the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) located at Oke-Iresi, Ede, State of Osun, was yesterday a acked by suspected hoodlums.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered the arsonists stormed the INEC office in the early hours of Thursday with petrol to carry out the act.

It was learnt that the hoodlums targeted the main offices of the commission and the documents therein.

A resident of town who gave his name as Taiwo said: “The prompt interven on of men of fire service stopped the fire from spreading to the hall and other sec ons of the office.

“Firefighters recovered bread, petrol kegs, fix-cap and knives used by the hoodlums. They really tried by ex nguishing the fire. I hope that vital documents of INEC is s ll safe because the fire gut some offices.”

Confirming the incident, INEC, in a press release by it Chairman, Informa on and Voter Educa on Committee, Festus Okoye, said damaged done to the office was limited to a sec on of the building with some furniture items destroyed.

Okoye described the attack as worrisome, par cularly with the next general elec on just 106 days away.

He further disclosed that the a en on of the Nigeria Police Force and other security and safety agencies has

been drawn to the incident.

He said: “The Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, Dr. Mu u Agboke, reported that our office in Ede South Local Government Area was a acked and set ablaze.

“The incident occurred in the early hours of this morning when some uniden fied persons a acked the building and set a poron of it ablaze.

“Fortunately, the damage to our Ede South Local Government was limited to

a sec on of the building and only some furniture items were destroyed.

“The a en on of the Nigeria Police Force and other security and safety agencies has been drawn to the incidents and they have commenced inves ga on.

“With just 106 days to the 2023 General Elec on when the commission has commenced the movement of materials to our offices na onwide, these simultaneous a acks are very worrisome indeed”.

Protest Rocks Osogbo...

•Continued from Page 2

to depose the monarch in any quarters would be resisted, adding that the monarch has brought

since the me of our forefathers.

“That is why we are out today to appeal to all indigenes of Igbajo at home and in diaspora to stand against this injus ce. All what we want is development of the town, and not to cause havoc.

“We have students across the 36 states of Nigeria schooling in Igbajo Polytechnic and we are concerned about their safety; that is why we don’t want chaos in the town.

“The process of selec ng a new king should be a unanimous decision. We can let go of somethings so far we all agree to it. That is why we are coming out to protest against any imposi on.

“The ma er of selecting a new king is s ll lingering at the court; getng to one and half year, and we are yet to go into hearing of the case.

unprecedented development to the ancient town.

In his address, the Asipa of Osogboland, Chief Ajadi Badmus, revealed that Oyetola had in a conversa on he had with him on Wednesday evening told him that there was no plan to dethrone Oba Oyetunji.

Badmus said: “We have been inundated with rumour that the state government is planning to depose Ataoja of Osogbo and we have reacted appropriately. I personally authored a le er that is flying on social media.

“The economic acvi es of the town have paralysed due to what we are witnessing in the town presently. This shouldn’t be. We have had over 30 kings in the town. This won’t be the first me. Due process should be followed on the selec on process.

“There are rumours that some people want to use veto power to impose someone on us and we are against that. Those who have right to the posi on currently should nominate the right candidate for the stool”.

•The razed INEC office.

“Yesterday night around 11pm, the Governor called me and informed me that no such plan exist. So I am here to brief our people of the conversa on I had with the Governor.”

Both Akeran and Agbon, in a le er wri en to Oyetola, had informed the governor about the li ga on on the Owa’s stool, warning him that any a empt to impose Famodun would result to anarchy in the town.

Yusuf Oketola

Dolapo Bamisedun

Yusuf Oketola

VICTIMS of Tuesday’s inferno that razed nine shops at the popular Oja-Oba market, along Ibokun road in Osogbo, State of Osun, have sought for assistance from the government and individuals in the state.

The market is mainly occupied by herb sellers.

Some of the vic ms who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER a er the incident recounted their ordeal and called for help from both the state government and well-meaning Nigerians.

One of the vic ms, Ishola Olalekan, said his shop was razed and that wares including herbs, animal skins, cowries, among other na ve items were destroyed.

Olalekan said: “The fire started at about 1:00am, but my a en on was called to it at about 3:00am. A vigilante who was watching the market discovered the fire and raised the alarm.

“My shop is part of those that got burnt. I sell animal skin, cowries, and other things that have been prepared for my customers. There are items I sell to foreigners and I have like 12 of them prepared and each of them costs N130,000, apart from the cowries and animal skin that I haven’t used. There was a soap there I prepared which was ordered

from Brazil.

“All the items that got destroyed cost more than N100 million in that market. We thank the firefighters for arriving at the scene on me. We want government to assist us.”

Babalola Oyebode, a provision seller whose shop was not affected, said the fire destroyed properes and goods worth several millions of naira.

Oyebode said: “The fire started from one of the shops before it spread to the others. A total of nine shops were burnt before the fire service arrived. I

think the fire was caused by an electricity surge.”

Victims Of Oja-Oba Market Inferno Seek Help PDP Accuses Oyetola Of Carting Away 90 Jeeps

Another vic m of the inferno, Mrs Serifat Amoo, appealed to the government to help them to rebuild their shops and support them in raising capital to start again.

Spokesperson for the Fire Service in the state, Ibrahim Adekunle, who confirmed the incident, said several proper es were destroyed before the arrival of his officials who got to the scene three minutes a er they were informed.

Adekunle, who did not disclose the cause of the

incident said: “The fire started some hours before the men of Osun State Fire Service, Oke-fia Sta on, were informed through one Mr. Oyedele Mu au, who visited our sta on.”

Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the state, who visited the scene to commiserate with the shop owners, directed that one of the affected buildings be pulled down.

The incident occurred five days a er a midnight fire gu ed two warehouses around Alekuwodo in Osogbo.

THE Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) in the State of Osun has accused Governor Adeboyega Oyetola of car ng away 90 Jeeps belonging to the state government.

According to the PDP, the jeeps were taken by top poli cal func onaries in Oyetola’s adminis-

tra on, including those in the office of the Wife of the Governor.

In a statement signed by the party’s Director of Media, Oladele Bamiji, yesterday, the PDP threatened to report Oyetola to the EFCC if the vehicles were not returned.

“We are compiling detailed pe on to be sent to the an -corrup on commissions, EFCC, ICPC and others. We are providing details of the sharing of exo c vehicles and beneficiaries”, said the PDP.

The party disclosed that it is in possession of official records of number of cars, jeeps and other assorted cars already shared among the officials, including ongoing raiding of key agencies for clean vehicles as parting gi s to leading officials.

The statement reads in part: “We have documentary proof of about 15 vehicles with the First Lady, 20 top cars with the Governor’s son, and about 30 variously shared to five other top officials.

Police Parade 106 Suspects After Raid On ‘Black Spots’ In Osun

Kazeem Badmus

Atotal of 106 suspects were arrested by the police a er raiding some blackspots across the State of Osun.

According to the new Commissioner of Police in the State, Mr Faleye Olaleye, the suspects were caught with “locally made single barrel gun, large quan ty of weed suspected to be Indian hemp, cross bag containing some charms and knife, large quan ty of hard drugs, various types of criminal charms, two stainless short cutlasses.”

Olaleye said the raids were part of his efforts to get rid of criminal elements in the state.

“In the course of the coordinated raids carried-out, many suspects were arrested and transferred to the State Criminal Inves ga on Department (SCID) for discreet inves ga on. The suspects were screened, inves gated and those found not wan ng were released”, he said.

Some other suspects

were also paraded for alleged murder, a empted murder, armed robbery, stealing, burglary, membership of unlawful society (cul sm) and unlawful possession.

Harsh Economic Situa on Pushed Us To Stealing - Suspects

Two residents of Iree,

headquarters of Boripe North Local Council Development Authority, Kazeem Hammed and Tayo Olaniyi were among the suspects paraded by the police for allegedly stealing five motorcycles.

Hammed and Olaniyi were arrested on October 31, 2022 by AnCul sm team of the police at Service Area, Osogbo where they were allegedly bidding

to sell one unregistered bajaj motorcycle.

According to the police, the suspects confessed during interrogaon that they burgled a motorcycle dealer shop located opposite Bap st High School, Iree, State of Osun and carted away three new motorcycles on October 21, 2022 at about 11:30pm.

The suspects, according to the police, said

two of the stolen motorcycles, were stolen by another person where they were parked, leaving them with just one.

Speaking with newsmen, Olaniyi, one of the suspects, said economic hardship pushed them into stealing.

Olaniyi said they were commercial motorcycle operators but ventured into stealing because the okada business was no longer bringing enough money for them.

He said: “We went to steal the motorcycles (okada) because of the economic situa on of the country. We also want to do what our mates are doing and since the job we are doing was not moving well, we decided to venture into stealing.

“We stole three motorcycles in Iree and we were apprehended during the process of trying to sell one of the motorcycles in Osogbo.

“We only stole three motorcycles; the other two the police took from us were obtained on installment payment and we are using them for our business.”

“We have records of about 30 other vehicles raided from some top agencies. In RAAMP, eight vehicles including jeeps, hummer bus and others were taken away. Other cronies including a professor based in Abuja also went away with a jeep belonging to a top agency.

“We have full inventory of all the vehicles including the plate numbers, engine numbers and their state before they were shared out. We call on those holding the vehicles to return them before November 26th.

“From November 27th, our administra on will ensure the retrieval of the vehicles through administra ve channels, an -corrup on agencies and criminal indictments.

“Any official with government vehicles should return it to the pool. They are not personal properes but for the statutory offices and subsequent occupants of the offices.”

Ali Ibrahim

•Some of the razed shops.

•Some of the paraded suspects.

Religion

IN the name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful. All praises and adora on are due to Allah alone, the Lord of the whole universe, the creator of all creatures. May the peace of Allah been upon the noble soul of our beloved Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him), the Prophet sent by Allah to liberate us from darkness and show us the light, may Allah con nue to shower His blessing upon Him, His households, His companions and generality of Muslims who follow His footstep ll the day of reckoning.

JUMAT SERMON JUMAT SERMON

The procedure to be followed is that two persons, one on behalf of each family should be nominated to look into the ma er together without being bias and devise means whereby the misunderstanding or dispute between the spouses may be brought to an end.

By Sheik Muhammad Abdulalimi

By Sheik Muhammad Abdulalimi

There is nothing untouched by Islam pertaining the religious, poli cal, socio-economy and security life of an individual and community as a whole.

Islam is a religion of peace that provides a complete system of living for humankind, including marital harmony and conflict resolu on. Conflict or quarrel is not what we can avoid among us but we can manage it. Allah created us differently, we have different thinking, different behaviour and different understanding. In view of this, there must be conflict among us such as conflict between husband and wife (wives), conflict among our children, in community, state, country and world in general.

Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, know that reconciling people is among the great noble morals as Allah says: “So fear Allah and amend that which is between you” (Qur’an 8:1).

Reconciling people is a branch of faith and Islamic moral code through which grudges are eliminated, hearts are purified, and flames of fitnah are ex nguished. Allah says: “No good is there in much of their private conversa on, except for those who enjoy charity or that which is right or concilia on between two people. And whoever does that seeking means to the approval of Allah, then We are going to give him a great reward”.

Dear brothers and sisters! We have to realise that we are human beings and that for disputes to break up among us is something that is normal and natural. Rare are those people who are safe from disagreement. It might occur between you and your brother, rela ve, spouse, or friends. This happens o en so, we have to rid ourselves of this by reconcilia on, shaking hands, forgiveness, love and brotherhood so that everything becomes alright again

Allah (SWA) says in glorious Quran, Suratul Al-Hujiraat

Reconciliation Among People, Islam Perspective

(49 vs 9) “If two par es among the Believers fall in to quarrel, make a peace between them; but if one of them (groups) transgress beyond bounds against the other, then fight against one that transgress un l it reverts to Allah’s commandment; and if they revert, make peace between them with jus ce and deal equitable with them, verily Allah loves those who act equitable.”

Conflict among us is not what we can avoid rather it is to be manage, if we see two people or two par es that are figh ng or quarrelling, the third person should be in posi on of media on between them. But the reverse is the case today in which people will be happy when husband and wife or two groups or even between two na ons are figh ng, instead of resolving the conflict between them, they will be looking for the way the fight will con nue maybe because of material gain.

The first effort to resolve should be at the family or friends level. In a marriage conflict or quarrel, an a empt should first be made to resolve the dispute at the family level before it is aggravated and leads to disrup on or dissolu on of the matrimonial e. This may be the reason why prophet’s marriage sermon always included emphasis on maintaining strong es with the rela ve. Prophet Mohammad says in an authen c hadith that “one of the permissible thing in Islam but not happy with Allah is Divorce”.

Dear brothers and sister! The one who seeks reconcilia on should keep the e que es of se lement in mind so that Almighty Allah will support him and so that he receives the rewards of his endeavour. The greatest of these e que es include;

He should make his inten on sincere for the sake of Allah. He should not intend money, pres ge or fame with the reconcilia on, but he should seek for the guidance of Allah. Allah sys; “And whoever does that seeking means to the approval of Allah, then we are going to give him a great reward” (Qur’an 4:114).

He should adhere to jus ce and completely avoid injus ce. Allah says; “Then make se lement between in jus ce and act justly. Allah loves those who act justly” (Qur’an49:9).

Let your concilia on be upon Shari’a knowledge. It is preferable that you consult scholar in this regard, study the issue from all its side, and listen to each of the par es.

Do not rush in your judgement and take your me because has ness may lead to corrup ng more than what has been amended.

You should choose the appropriate me reconciling between the conflic ng par es. That is you only start reconcilia on when the issue becomes cool, the severity of the dispute is alleviated, and the fire of anger is ex nguished; then you start to reconcile them.

What is more important also is using of nice words, you should men on his merits and good deeds and you may exaggerate even to the point of lying to make him happy then, warn him against grudges and disputes.

May Allah Almighty guides us right, purify our hearts from grudge, envy and chea ng. Make this sermon be a beneficial one for me, the writer, the readers, and the en re Muslims. And our last prayer, is praise be to Allah Almighty, Lord of the word

•Sheik Muhammad Abdulalimi, is the Mudiru Ad-Da’wah Wal-Irshad, Obaagun, State of Osun.

Adedoyin Now Faces Murder Charge Over OAU Student’s Death Crime

CHIEF Rahmon Adedoyin, owner of Hilton Hotel, Ile-Ife, State of Osun, is now facing a murder charge over the death of a postgraduate student of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Mr. Timothy Adegoke.

This follows the amendment of the charges against the accused persons standing trial on the death of the OAU student at an Osogbo High Court.

The court, on Monday, granted an applica on for the amendment of charges against Adedoyin and six of his workers, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle, and Adedeji Adesola are being charged.

Adedoyin’s son, Raheem and other suspects at large have also been included in the new charges bordering on conspiracy, murder, a empted felony, unlawful interference with a dead body, altering and intent to destroy evi-

dence.

A er the par es had called their witnesses, the prosecutor, Chief Femi Falana, SAN, approached the court with an 18-paragraph applica on dated June 14, 2022, and sought to further amend and subs tute the charges against the defendants to complement already established evidence.

Counsels to the defendants, Kehinde Eleja, Kunle Adegoke, Rowland Otaru, and Okon Edet, had urged the court to discountenance the applica on, saying it was brought in bad faith.

However, Chief Judge of the State of Osun, Jusce Adepele Ojo, granted the amendment while delivering her ruling on

the applica on when the ma er resumed on Monday.

The amended charge sheet has 18-count as against the former 11count charges.

Adedoyin, who was only facing conspiracy and felony accusa on, has been included in the murder charge.

Two other defendants,

Kazeem Oyetunde and Aderogba Adeniyi were also slammed with new charges of stealing phone, laptop and other belongings of the deceased after allegedly dumping his body inside a bush.

The amended charges were read to the defendants and they all pleaded not guilty.

The murder charge

FEDPOLY Ede Students Lament Incessant Armed Robbery Attacks

STUDENTS of the Federal Polytechnic, Ede, State of Osun have lamented the incessant armed robbery attacks on them and their homes.

According to the students, there have been persistent cases of forceful collec on of students’ items at gunpoint, the , criminal trespasses and disturbance of peace at Odo-eja, Ogeberin, among other areas.

The incessant armed robbery a acks, it was

gathered, has been prevailing for over six months.

Some of the affected students have taken to their various social media pla orms to register their displeasure on the unabated armed robbery incidents.

Findings revealed that the con nued armed robbery and vic misa on of residents of the affected areas have truncated night trading, thereby crippling people’s business.

The medium also gathered that the armed

robbers and hoodlums have been opera ng with impunity in the areas.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, the Student Union President of the Polytechnic, Adepoju Zakariyah, confirmed that armed robbers and hoodlums, had for long laid siege to Odo-eja and Ogberin areas of Ede.

Zakariyah said: “The issue has been happening incessantly right from me, but it has been alarming in recent mes and we the students are mostly at the receiving end. We demand for all me police patrol at every students populated

area”.

A student of Office Technology and Management Department, Folorunso Benjamen said: “Ede is not peaceful like before. There was a terrible robbery around Odo-Eja and the assailants a acked, injured and shot people. They stole cars and many other valuable things.

“Things are not easy for students at the moment.”

When contacted, the Public Rela ons Officer of the School, Mr. Sola Lawal, said the security agencies and local hunters were already handling the situa on.

reads: “That you Dr. Rahmon Adedoyin, Magdalene Chiefuna, Adeniyi Aderogba, Oluwole Lawrence, Oyetunde Kazeem, Adebayo Kunle, Adedeji Adesola and others now at large, on or between 5th day of November, 2021 and 7th day of November, 2021, within the jurisdic on of the honourable court, did unlawfully kill one Timothy Adegoke and thereby commi ed offence contrary to and punishable under sec on 306 of the Criminal Code, Vol II, Cap 34, Laws of Osun State, 2002.”

Some of the defendants’ counsel informed the court that they would be calling and re-calling their witnesses in lieu of the addi on of offences against their clients.

The defence counsels urged the court to adjourn the case for them to prepare their witnesses.

Jus ce Ojo granted the request and adjourned the ma er ll December 2 for calling and recalling of witnesses.

Kazeem Badmus

Yusuf Oketola

Osun FRSC Clampsdown On Motorists With No Number Plate

Kazeem Badmus

THE Federal Road Safety Corps, State of Osun Sector Command, has embarked on operaon ‘Number Plate Viola on’ across the state.

The opera on is to clampdown on motorists with no numbers plate.

Speaking with newsmen in Osogbo, the state capital, the Sector Commander, Paul Okpe, lamented the rate at which motorists, most especially car dealers drove around with no number plate is alarming, hence, the reason for the operaon.

Okpe advised motorists to get their

number plate from appropriate licensing office before driving on roads in any part of the state to avoid embarrassment.

He said: “The sector has started clamping down on motorist without numbers plate and I want to advice motorists to get their number plates from appropriate licensing office before driving on Osun state roads.

“The rate at which motorist, especially car dealers driving unnumbered vehicles round the city is alarming and has to be stopped.

“To avoid any embarrassment, I want to appeal to motorists to do the right thing by ge ng their plate numbers”.

Traders Return To Walkways, Roadside Amidst Govt Ban

Kazeem Badmus

TRADERS in Osogbo, capital of the State of Osun, have returned to walkways as selling points, few months after the State Government banned roadside trading, findings revealed.

Visits to some major markets in Osogbo showed that the traders are gradually moving back to the roadside and occupying the walkways in defiance of the government’s direc ve.

OSUN DEFENDER was at Ota-Efun market on Tuesday and observed that traders displayed their

goods on the walkways while security opera ves watched them without taking any ac on.

Notable among the goods displayed are foodstuffs, tomatoes and second-hand clothes with pedestrians having to walk by the roadside.

The medium also observed a reduc on in the number of security personnel enforcing the ban against what was obtainable when it was first announced.

Govt. Don’t Follow Through Processes - Group

Meanwhile, a Civil Society group, Centre for Social Jus ce and Public Protecon (CSJPP), has said that government at all levels only make laws without following them to the letter.

The group Coordinator, Akin Akanji, while reacting to the news of traders returning to walkways, bemoaned what he termed lack of proper implementa on.

According to Akanji, governments are fond of je soning processes once they make li le success on them, sta ng that such prac ce cannot ensure a be er society.

He however warned the government that allowing traders to return to the walkways and roadside may lead to impending doom and threw its effort in the dustbin.

Akanji said “It is so unfortunate that we are in a country where the government doesn’t follow through processes to the end. Governments only make laws and je soned them whenever they have achieved li le success.

“Banning roadside trading was a good and welcome development, but we can see what is happening now and gradually, we will forget about it and people will resume their normal ways of doing things.

“If care is not taken, the traders will move from the walkways and occupy the road and it may lead to danger and it will defeat the purpose of the ban in the first instance”.

Osun REC Declares End To Election Rigging In Nigeria

THE newly appointed Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) of Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC) in the State of Osun, Dr. Mu u Agboke, has declared that the era of elec on rigging in Nigeria has gone for good.

Agboke made this known while addressing staff of the commission in Osogbo, last Friday.

He said manipula on of the elec on processes, through any means, was no longer possible under the present arrangement, especially with the introduc on

of the Bimodal Voter Accredita on System (BVAS).

According to him, the new device had “technically murdered” all forms of elec on rigging in the country.

The new REC promised to uphold the tenets of the commission by ensuring that people’s votes count in the 2023 general elec ons.

He said: “My responsibility is to uphold the value of INEC, and the value of INEC is to ensure that the people’s votes count in the elec on that will be conducted.

“I want to assure the electorate in the state that

we will not disallow them from ge ng the fruit of the votes, and the fruit of their votes is to vote in a direcon, and get results in that direc on.

“The era of rigging is gone. Rigging has been technically murdered by our process and procedure, and that is what BVAS has come to achieve.”

“So, in the 2023 elecon, INEC will ensure that the votes of the people of Osun reflect their desire.

“Nobody will be deprived of his right to cast his or her vote, and the commission will do the needful at all mes”.

Residents Lament As Collapsed Bridge Cuts Off Communities

RESIDENTS of Ilobu, the headquarters of Irepodun local government council of the State of Osun, have expressed worry over what they called dangerous condi on of Laaro bridge in the town.

They lamented that the bridge has become a death trap and impassable, cutng off many communi es in the area from the town.

President of Ilobu-Asake Development Union, Pastor Olufemi Salako, said the collapsed bridge cons tuted danger to the people of the town, appealed to the state government to rehabilitate the bridge.

Speaking last Saturday at the Ilobu Day celebra on, Salako said the collapsed bridge which connects Konda and Atoyebi communies has made it difficult for farmers to bring farm pro-

duce to Ilobu town.

The president said the collapsed bridge has also cut off students from three

Yusuf Oketola

•Founder, SEAD Africa, Comrade Semih Adabanija, in a group photograph with participants of an ongoing entrepreneurship training for Youths in the State of Osun, organised by the SEAD Africa Team.

Kazeem Badmus

secondary schools, as well as workers and pa ents of the General Hospital in the area.

FEDPOLY Ede Students Lament Incessant Armed Robbery Attacks

ON 14th February, 2022, Academic Staff Union of Universi es (ASUU) had embarked on a warning strike to pressure the Federal Government (FG) to release revitaliza on funds for universi es, payment of Earned Academic Allowances, release of white paper of the presiden al visita on panels and implementa on of the University Transparency and Accountability Solu on (UTAS) for university workers as against Integrated Payroll and Personnel Informa on System (IPPIS) conceptualised in 2006 by FG to improve the efficiency in the storage of personnel records and administra on of monthly payroll because of peculiarity of academia. In its characteris cs manner, FG refused to blink an eye throughout the dura on of the warning strike which led to its several extensions and eventual full-blown in August – indefinite strike. When several mee ngs ini ated by FG to nego ate with ASUU ended in a deadlock, it headed to Na onal Industrial Court (NIC) to forc e ASUU back to classes. It worked as NIC ordered ASUU to suspend the strike which was backed by Court of Appeal when ASUU approached it.

On 14th October, ASUU called off the strike and ordered its members back to class based on Appeal Court verdict, interven ons of the Speaker of the House of Representa ves, Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila and several pleas of President Muhammadu Buhari. However, to break ASUU backbone and render it toothless, the FG had on 4th October registered two other different academic staff unions – Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA) and the Na onal Associa on of Medical and Dental Academics (NAMDA).

Throughout the eight-month-old strike, FG had applied “no work, no pay” rule on ASUU. The rule means that if the workers refuse to work, they would not be paid for work not done. This rule was drawn from Trade Dispute Act Vol. 15, CAP T8, Laws of the Federa on of Nigeria, 2004 targeted at discouraging workers’ strike. Having called off the strike, the FG only credited ASUU members half salaries of the month of October as a demonstra on of its disdain to the union, hiding under pro-rata pay as jusfica on.

Based on this, ASUU had called an emergency mee ng to review FG affront and insult which could spark off another round of strike. How does FG expect an aggrieved lecturer commitment and dedica on to give his/her best to impac ng knowledge? It is clear that our unenviable low quality educa on will become lower and consequently to poor learning, which will ul mately lead to unskillful workforce that will be unemployable with a endant nega ve consequences on economy and crime rate. A discerning mind would not be surprised at FG disdain for ASUU. A er

“Apart from failure to pay outstanding eight months salaries owed during the period of strike, FG went ahead to pay half of October salaries to ASUU members! How can FG justify regular and full payment of NNPC and our four refineries staff who refine no single oil? What difference would full payment of ASUU salary make in its stealing of our collective money in its care? Has 2022 budget not taken care of ASUU full salaries including eight months it has refused to pay? FG action in this respect is shameful and petty”

FG’s Disdain Of ASUU Is Unacceptable

all, the ruling elite children study abroad with very few of them at home studying at selected private varsi es. They are, therefore, not bothered whether ASUU members are happy with their job or not; whether they go on incessant strike or not. They don’t care whether or not the children of the poor have access to university educa on. Before now, I had thought that the ruling elite would have taken care of ASUU “irrita on and nuisance deviance” by ini a ng Private Sector Par cipa on (PSP) for eventual sales and transfer of our varsi es to private sector instead of new structures being built by private sector. A er all, that was how most of our collecve heritage were sold at give away prices to the ruling elite and their cronies during Obasanjo/A ku PDP regime between 1999 and 2007.

What FG had done is nothing but wage the . Academia is peculiar; it’s not like

other civil service environment as work le undone could be recovered over a period of me. Apart from failure to pay outstanding eight months salaries owed during the period of strike, FG went ahead to pay half of October salaries to ASUU members! How can FG jus fy regular and full payment of NNPC and our four refineries staff who refine no single oil? What difference would full payment of ASUU salary make in its stealing of our collec ve money in its care? Has 2022 budget not taken care of ASUU full salaries including eight months it has refused to pay? FG ac on in this respect is shameful and pe y.

According to Wikipedia, “Collec ve bargaining is a process of nego a on between employers and a group of employees aimed at agreements to regulate working salaries, working condi ons, benefits, and other aspects of workers’ compensaon and rights for workers.” Simply put,

“it is the process in which working people through their unions, nego ate contracts with their employers to determine their terms of employment, including pay, benefits, hours, leave, job health and safety policies, ways to balance work and family, and more.” In collec ve bargaining, there must be mutual respect on both par es. The management must respect the unions and the unions must recognize the importance of management towards arriving at a solu on for peace to reign.

ASUU had gone on eight-month-old strike as a result of refusal of FG non-adherence and implementa on of previous agreements between FGN/ASUU. Successive governments had always reneged and arm twisted ASUU on previous nego aons and agreements leading to incessant strikes in the ivory towers.

The poor people and their children who desire affordable but quality educa on must brace up to the challenge. The present ruling elite and those who aspire to replace them do not have their interest at heart. To change their pathe c condi on for be er, they must enmasse form or join a poli cal party, use their sweat and blood to determine the leadership and candidates that will contest elec ons, use their numerical strength to make their candidates win and watch them as they implement policies that will turn around things for their better working and living condi on, affordable quality educa on, healthcare, employment and happiness. It may be tumultuous but this is the only path to freedom and happiness for the poor people from the shackle of the thieving ruling elite.

UNLIKE marriage, which is believed to have a divine mandate, democracy is not ordained by God, it is a human inven on. To purify democracy as a prac se, it is important to understand its basics and history. At its best form, the people (the majority), the rule of law, separa on of governmental powers and fundamental human rights reign supreme. At worst form, democracy is what Fela of blessed memory described as “demonstra on of craze,” a masked dictatorship dispensing “sorrow, tears and blood,” amidst “suffering and smiling.”

Humans invented and adopted democracy as a form of government, believing it noble, lo y and a salva on from other form of authoritarian government characterised by class privileges, social injus ces, exploita ons and oppressions. By pu ng powers to make poli cal, economic and social decisions in the hands of representa ves elected by the majority of the people, it is believed that all is fair and square and will therefore be well with the society. Fair and square, maybe; wellbeing is another thing en rely.

Democracy began in Athens and was prac sed for at least 186 years between 508 and 322 BCE, while the act of vo ng itself was popularised by the Academy of Sciences a er the French Revolu on of 1770. Democracy, best defined by Abraham Lincoln as “government of the people, by the people, and for the people,” is clarified in contemporary poli cal literature as “majority rule.”

However, the devil is in the details of who “the people” are. Even in Athens, at the beginning, not all members of society are allowed to be part of decision making, slaves and non-Athenians par cularly, who stood to be affected by the decisions of the Assembly and the Council.

ABC Of Democracy

Today, if democracy is to achieve its lo y objec ves and deliver its golden dividends, “the people” must define who they are and take ownership of the democra c process from start to finish, otherwise, it will connue to be as of old - the decision of an elite band who consider themselves the true cizens, in their own interests, as against those they consider “slaves” and non-ci zens, who are simply to be bamboozled with a packaged process that gives the majority the illusion of par cipa on.

Right from Athens, down the ages, all the way to this 21st century, democracy only comes as close to democracy as much as “the majority” struggle to make it. Once the majority of ci zens are nonchalant, nonvigilant, and unwilling to struggle for their rights and the guarantee of their freedom, democracy will begin to move as far away from democracy as possible, while moving closer and closer to “demonstra on of craze,” as gangs of passionate autocrats and dictators take over under the guise of democracy to further their clique interests and privileges decep vely packaged as na onal interest. Recent example in America, which has a rich history of democra c struggles and corresponding ins tu ons, proves this! “Eternal vigilance (and struggles) is the price of liberty!”

Therefore, knowing that democracy can be so corrupted and manipulated with money, power, and by the exploita on of poverty, ignorance and religious/ethnic fault lines, it is not too late, despite the year of a decisive elec on that is upon us in Nigeria, for

patrio c and well-meaning ci zens across all divisive lines to start asking the ques ons: who are “the people” in Nigeria? Are they the ones that wrote the Nigerian cons tuons? Are the rulers of Nigeria aware that the cons tu on says we should be a Federal Republic? If it is far from being a Federal Republic today, why are they unconcerned? Since the electorate will be stranded with candidates churned out by poli cal par es, “the people” should then interrogate how poli cal par es are formed, how they operate and for what ideal and objec ve. Are they democra c in their internal dealings and opera ons? How credible and fool-proof is the electoral process so far and how could it be further purified? How jus fiable is the en re jus ce system and how is the third estate of the realm fairing? How in good standing are “the people” themselves, how clean are their hands to make a call for equity, fairness and jus ce? What are the corrup ng factors and influences and how can an organisa on of “the people” be arrived at whose hands and dealings are clean enough to call for equity by any means necessary?

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and the sooner begun the sooner done. While making the most of the present unpalatable situa on and the current elec on agenda, it is clear nothing different can be experienced in Nigeria’s current journey to nowhere unless we return to the root of the ma er by answering these kind of ques ons and by rising to the responsibility that the facts and the truth impose on us.

by

STRIKER Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above