Osun Defender Online Version of April 22, 2022

Osun Commissioner Warns Against Political Violence, Religious Bigotry

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FRIDAY, APRIL 22 - THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 VOL 17 NO 16

2023: Commissioners, Board Chair, SSA Resign From Oyetola’s Cabinet •Seven Other Appointees May Go Ismaeel Uthman

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•Members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Oriade Local Government during a sensitisation rally ahead of the Schemes National Environmental Sanitation coming up tomorrow, Saturday.

One Dead As Hoodlums, Hausas Clash In Ede P. 7 •The Thugs Have Been Terrorising Us For A While - Seriki Hausa

WO members of Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s cabinet have resigned their appointment to pursue their poli cal ambi on ahead of 2023 general elec ons.

OSUN DEFENDER authorita vely gathered that the Commissioner for Human Resources and Capacity Building, Alhaja Lateefat Giwa and her counterpart in the Ministry of Water Resources and Energy, Engr.

Amidu Tadese, have resigned their appointments.

This is just as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Bureau of Special Du es, Engr. Saheed Ganiyu, tendered his resigna on le er on Wednesday.

Ganiyu has declared his inten on to contest Iwo Federal Cons tuency cket of the APC.

Giwa, according to one of her aides, resigned her appointment early this month in pursuit of her ambi on to be the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for Osun West Senatorial District in the 2023 Na onal Assembly elec ons.

The woman poli cian is an indigene of Ede and married to an Iwo indigene.

According to sources in the office of the Secretary to the State Government, Tadese has also submi ed his resigna on le er yesterday.

Tadese, who confirmed his resigna on to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, is also eyeing the APC cket for Osun West Senatorial District.

The duo of Tadese and Giwa will contest the cket of the party with Senator Adelere Oriolowo who is

currently represen ng the senatorial district at the senate.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the Special Adviser to the Governor on Water Resources and Energy, Engr. Ibitoye Kilomode, may resign any moment from now.

Kilomode wants to contest the House of Assembly elec on to represent OdoO n State Cons tuency.

The medium gathered seven other appointees of Governor Oyetola might also resign their appointments to contest the 2023 general elec ons.

It was learnt that the Chairman, Osun Primary Health Care Development Board, Hon. Leke Ogunsola, has also resigned his appointment.

Ogunsola, who reportedly resigned his appoint•Continued on Page 2

How Police Allegedly Tortured 21-Year-Old To Death In Osun

Why We’re Supporting Osinbajo – Osun Youths

P. 5 Pg. 2

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 - THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

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News

2023: Two Commissioners, One SSA Resign From Oyetola’s Cabinet •Continued from page 1 ment yesterday, is eyeing Iwo Federal Cons tuency seat at the House of Representa ves.

However, some of them, according to sources, were confused on whether to resign their appointment to seek an elec ve office.

Oyetola had on Tuesday directed all poli cal appointees in the state with interest to contest the 2023 general elec ons to resign their appointment with immediate effect.

This is in considera on of Sec ons 84 (12) and 29 (1) of the Electoral Acts, 2022 and the 2023 elecons metable released by the Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC).

Sec ons 84 (12) of the Electoral Act states: “No poli cal appointee at any level shall be vo ng delegate or be voted for at the Conven on or Congress of any poli cal party for the purpose of the nomina on of candidates for any elecon”.

Though Sec ons 84 (12) has been nullified by a Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, controversy s ll rages on the clause, just as the Na onal Assembly has appealed the nullifica on.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that some of the poli cal appointees with ambi on to contest the 2023 general elec ons have begun consulta ons, amidst cau on not to heat up the polity, even as they are afraid of resigning their posi on because of the financial implica on.

The medium noted that about seven poli cal appointees who contested

the 2019 general elec ons have also indicated interest in the same offices they contested for.

Among the appointees is the Chairman of State Universal Basic Educa on Board (SUBEB), Hon. Ajibola Famurewa, who contested for Osun East Senatorial District elec on in 2019.

Famurewa, who lost to Senator Francis Fadahunsi of the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP), will most likely clinch the senatorial cket of the party to contest next year Na onal Assembly elec on.

Also, the Commissioner for Educa on, Hon. Folorunso Oladoyin, who was the APC’s candidate for Ife Federal Cons tuency in 2019 elec ons but lost to Hon Taofeek Ajilesoro of the PDP is interested.

Oladoyin is eyeing the

cket of the party and may slug it out with former lawmaker who had represented the federal cons tuency, Hon. Ro mi Makinde.

Makinde has declared his intension to represent Ife Federal Cons tuency at the House of Representaves under the pla orm of APC in the 2023 elec ons.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Pharm. Olamiju Olasiji, contested the 2019 Na onal Assembly elec on to represent Obokun/Oriade Federal Cons tuency at the House of Representa ves. But he lost to Hon. Wole Oke of the PDP. Olasiji is said to have renewed his ambi on.

Another appointee that is seeking elec ve office is Hon Olatunbosun Oyin loye, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Civic En-

gagement, who is aspiring to represent Obokun Cons tuency at the House of Assembly.

A young and popular poli cian, Engr. Olalekan Badmus aspired for the House of Representa ves to represent Osogbo Federal Cons tuency in 2019. But he was denied the cket.

Badmus who is the current Commissioner for Regional Integra on and Special Du es, is said to be very much interested in securing the cket of the APC for the federal cons tuency to contest next year elec on.

The commissioner is a biological son of a business mogul and philanthropist, Asiwaju Tunde Badmus.

The General Manager, Public Procurement Agency, Bello Adegboyega (BABS) is also eyeing the cket of the APC for Ifelodun/Boripe/

Odo-O n Federal Cons tuency.

Adegboyega, an indigene of Inisa, aspired for the House of Reps in 2019, alongside former Commissioner for Informa on and Strategy, Mr Adelani Baderinwa.

But APC leaders in the Federal Cons tuency gave the cket to Hon Rasheed Afolabi, who is currently represen ng the cons tuency at the House of Reps.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Poli cal Ma ers, Oluomo Sunday Akere, is also keenly interested in contes ng the Ila Federal Cons tuency elecon under the pla orm of the APC. Akere, who contested the elec on in 2019 under the Ac on Democra c Party (ADP), had at the early stage of his return to the

•The Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Osun Command, Emmanuel Ocheja addressing Muslim faithful during the annual Ramadan lecture organized by the command’s Muslim Community, on Tuesday.

Why We’re Supporting Osinbajo – Osun Youths Ismaeel Uthman

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OME youths in the State of Osun have explained why they are rallying round Vice President Yemi

•Osinbajo

Osinbajo to become the next President of Nigeria.

According to the youths, Osinbajo remains the best of all the aspirants that have so far indicated interest in the

presidency.

The youths who gathered under the aegis of Youth Wing of Osinbajo Grassroots Organisa on, State of Osun Chapter, urged the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to adopt Osinbajo, as the party’s flagbearer for the 2023 general elec ons.

The Coordinator of the organisa on, Comrade Miftah Saheed, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said feelers so far across the country indicated that Osinbajo is loved by most Nigerians and has their support for the elec on.

Saheed said events of the last few days since the Vice President’s declara on pointed to the fact that most of the na on’s ci zens have confidence in the capacity and the ability of the Vice President to make Nigeria great again.

He contended that the

presiden al hopeful is the best among the presiden al aspirants in terms of problem-solving spirit, competence, sound mind and body, intellectual prowess, professional, adminstra ve and poli cal experience to lead the country to its dreams.

Saheed said: “From our findings, it is established that Prof. Osinbajo’s declara on received the support of the vast majority of Nigerians.

The general electorate have confidence in the ability and capability of the Vice President to make Nigeria a great country.

“One astonishing fact is that the VP’s acceptability transcends his religion and poli cal party, APC and Western Nigeria where he hails from. We have observed that Prof. Osinbajo is a choice of the people and on that note, we welcome his declara on to take a shot at the highest poli cal seat of the country.

“Prof. Osinbajo is a refined poli cian, visionary and calcula ve leader; a promising presiden al aspirant and a harbinger of hope. APC will be making a right, thoughtful and patrio c decision by fielding Prof. Osinbajo for the 2023 presiden al elec on.

“His days of Ac ng President whenever President Muhammadu Buhari was not in the country speak about his leadership acumen. We urged the APC to make good use of Prof. Osinbajo by ensuring that the party’s presiden al cket is given to him.

“The na onwide popularity and acceptability of Prof. Osinbajo will definitely ease APC the stress of winning the 2023 presiden al elec on.

“We also note that Prof.

Osinbajo is poli cally, religiously, morally and geographically favoured to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.”

APC disclosed that he will contest the House of Reps elec on in 2023.

According to some poli cal analysts, Boluwaduro Local Government where Akere hails from, is next to produce candidate for the House of Reps in line with the rota onal arraignment in the Federal Cons tuency.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER in a telephone interview yesterday, Akere restated his inten on to contest the House of Reps elec on, saying “I am s ll much interest.”

Akere described the Governor’s direc ve as a right decision in order not to run foul of the law, saying all poli cal appointees with ambi on to contest in next year elec on will definitely comply with it.

He said: “The direc ve of Mr Governor is in order; and we are going to comply with it. I am s ll much interested in securing the cket of the APC for Boluwaduro/ Ila/Ifedayo Federal Cons tuency.

“The Governor’s direcve is in considera on of Sec on 84 (12) of the Electoral Act. Though the secon has been cancelled by the court, but the Na onal Assembly is challenging the cancella on at the Court of Appeal. So, it be er to be on a saver side, and that what our governor has done.

Akere said the Governor’s direc ve did not in anyway worry him, saying it is a legi mate sacrifice to make.

However, sources in the Oyetola’s camp disclosed to OSUN DEFENDER that some of the appointees were afraid of resigning their appointment and were yet to decide whether to resign or not as at the me of filing this report.

According to the sources, some other appointees have made up their minds to resign and were ready to meet the Governor to seek his support and assurance that they will be given cket of the party in their various cons tuencies.

One of the sources said: “I know of four appointees of Mr Governor who are ready to resign their appointments. They are waiting for the Governor to return from Abuja to have a mee ng with him. They want to seek the Governor’s support and assurance that they will be given the cket to contest in their various cons tuency.”

While the appointees who have the financial muscles to prosecute their ambi on are ready to resign, sources said others who had relied on ‘using the instrument of their offices’ to fund their ambi on might not resign.

PEOPLE FIRST

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 - THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

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Review & Outlook

BY KANMI ADEMILUYI Contentious Nomination Fees

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HERE is no need to regurgitate the figures that prospec ve presiden al candidates are mandated to pay before obtaining the forms required to contest in party primaries. The airwaves and the commentators have been awash with the sums for days.

The best way to put the absurdity in perspec ve is to do a compara ve analysis of the current minimum wage (where it is paid) and the country’s purchasing power parity as well as the rate of infla on.

The disparity reveals that there is no correla on between the price of poli cal ac vi es and derived benefits to the electorate.

The costs of poli cal ac vies have gone up exponenally and the people have concomitantly become poorer.

This is a “descent from tragedy into farce”.

We will con nue to grin and bear it because it is a reflec on of a deformed polity as well as the absence of a necessary social contract to bind poli cal and civil society in tandem. That the country does not have poli cal pares funded and controlled by a mass membership. This has its origins in the disrup on of the process of natural poli cal evolu on by the military, but it has been beneficial to their succeeding poli cal class who have seized control of the poli cal par es and created fiefdoms out of them for the ben-

“The only way out is to hope that a new generation can either build their parties from scratch or seize control of the presently available dominant structures” efit of a few.

The highest cost of a misconstrued no on of ‘poli cs ‘ means that the country will con nue with what in effect is “ the development of “underdevelopment”. With campaign funding obliga ons to pay back and a posse of party apparatchiks to ‘se le’ the costs of the machinery of the government, we will con nue to balloon leaving li le for genuine sustainable development.

This is tragic in every conceivable way.

The only way out is to hope that a new genera on can either build their par es from scratch or seize control of the presently available dominant structures. Whichever way the country cannot deepen democracy and be compe ve with the exis ng order of things. Hopefully, the public outpouring of disaffec on over the high cost of poli cal par cipa on will lead to a rethink and a change.

The Need For A National Compromise

•Adebanjo

•Osinbajo

•Babalola From disparate perspec ves, they do not see the fixaITH guidelines out for the conduct of the party on on the 2023 succession as a panacea to the na on’s primaries and the humongous price tags unveiled for poten al par cipants and wannabes, myriad of existen al horror stories.

Are Babalola’s call for an interim na onal government the race to succeed incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari is in full swing and it is not for the faint is imprac cable, apart from lacking in cons tu onal validity. It also, although this is not Babalola’s inten on, brings of hearts.

Ordinarily, the Vice President Yemi Osinbajo should back be er forgo en nightmares of an undemocra c inhave the first offer of refusal. He has the gait, the de- terlude in the a ermath of the annulment of the June 12, meanour and the prepara on. In addi on, on the infre- 1993 elec on. Chief Adebanjo believes that a resolu on quent occasions he has held fort for his principal, he has of the issue of the na onali es, (the na onal ques on) had a good innings. Also, in his favour is that he clearly should be resolved first before any elec on.

Imprac cable and disagreeable as they are, the sughas a very good grasp of today’s world. This will be crucial as Nigeria has to navigate its way through a make- ges ons are symptoms of a desire to infuse seriousness or-break decade. And it will be make or break with the into an hitherto uninspiring poli cal season. The two cards stacked against a hideously uncompe ve econ- chie ains are sensibly trying to steer the debate away omy in which disturbingly, popula on growth rates are from the self serving pla tudes and vacous u erances and way ahead of economic ‘growth’ projec ons (more like abuse currently on offer. We should be grateful for this.

It presents an opportunity to think beyond the abephemeral growth without sustainable development).

So far, the objec ons to Osinbajo’s bid have being surd fixa on on the discredited Great-Man-heory of hisinfer le. Arrant nonsense actually. The irresponsible tory. This posi on that a tree makes a forest is a childlike well-funded and coordinated smear campaign exposes fixa on on a search for a father figure. As Galileo said in a feudal mindset. It is as if the Vice President has served pleading for mercy to save himself from the wrath of the up to life long indentured labour in servitude to a slave Pope, “woe be de a na on in search of a hero”. Nigeria master. Those peddling the mendacity have clearly today is in need of a program of social and economic rewatched too many Mafia films. There is also revealed construc on. Searching for a hero is childishly delusional.

A solu on worthy of considera on as a solu on is to an authoritarian paradigm and intolerance of opposing views and tendencies which is profoundly disturbing put together our own version of Italy’s ‘historic comproand a forewarning of a streak of underlying nas ness mise’ (Comprimessio historica in Italian). The Italians in and probably brutality. We have been put on no ce. The the 1970s decades ago were in a similar predicament. As fascist mindset revealed should make the ra onal mind in Nigeria, the country had secessionist agita ons; principally the most prosperous region Lombardy was seething as well as the democra cally inclined very weary.

Outside of the en tled self-serving authoritarian- with discontent. The fiscal framework was in disarray and ism of the an Osinbajo crowd, much more worthy of the currency in freefall. It all resembled what we are going considera on are the reserva ons about the succession through today.

What saved the republic in Italy was a remarkably race by two seasoned worthies, Afenifere elder Chief Ayo Adebanjo and the notable lawyer and university far sighted and patrio c poli cal elite. The differences between the dominant par es, the Communists led by the proprietor, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN. hardline Stalinist Togiala and the Chris an Democrats looked unbridgable. Nevertheless, the historic compromise took place and it worked, reinvigora ng the republic and perPublisher – Moremi Publishing haps saved it from implosion.

House Ltd. There is clearly no such ideoDeputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman logical gulf between the APC and the (0805-121-2204) PDP. If anything, they resemble the sa rical Tweedle-dee and TweedleProduc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa dum. The problem is that unlike in ItReporter – Yusuf Oketola aly at a me of dishevelment, Nigeria Reporter – Kazeem Badmus does not appear to have an expanPhoto Journalist – Olushola Aderinto sive na onal patrio c establishment Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere capable of pu ng na onal salva on OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing ahead of self - aggrandisement.

A newly sworn in president next House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo, year must try and set the stage and create the atmosphere for a na onal State of Osun compromise. The en re spectrum ISSN : 0794-8050 of civil and poli cal society must be Telephone : 0805-121-2204 woven into a na onal consensus in Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php order to take the difficult decisions e-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com necessary to break the present logosundefenderbank@gmail.com jam. Difficult to work out an alternaAll correspondence to the above email addresses. ve.

W

OSUN DEFENDER

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 - THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

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News

Osun Commercial Transporters Refuse To Reduce Fare After Fuel Scarcity Ends Kazeem Badmus

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OMMERCIAL transporters in the State of Osun have refused to reduce transporta on fare, weeks a er an end to the scarcity of Premium Motor Spirit, popularity known as petrol, which engulfed the na on some months ago.

It would be recalled that there was fuel scarcity across the country between February and March this year, due to the importa on of adulterated fuel.

The fuel scarcity led to increment in pump price as some private filling sta ons in the state were selling as high as N300 per liter.

The scarcity and subsequent increase in PMS pump price also led to increase in transporta on fare.

However, weeks a er normalcy has returned with disappearance of queues at filling sta ons and normal pump price, some commercial transporters are yet to reduce the transport fare back to the prices pre-fuel scarcity.

At Iwo garage in OkeFia, Osogbo, the medium gathered that transport fare to Iwo remained N700 as against the N600 it was before the fuel scarcity.

A driver who iden fied himself only as Abass said reducing the fare back to the former price will be the decision of the management of the branch.

According to Abass, the increment in transport fare also led to increase in some charges at the motor park, adding that it may be difficult to revert to the normal price.

He said: “It is true that we increased transportaon fare by N100 during the fuel scarcity, but to return to the former price may be difficult because it will have to come from the management of the branch and I don’t know if they will do that because they are charging us more money now”.

The medium visited Ibokun, Imesi, Esa-Oke garage in Oja- Oba and it was the same story.

Osogbo to Ibokun remained N350 as against N300 before the fuel scarcity while Imesi Ile

•A motor park. was N700 in contrast to the N600 pre-scarcity.

One of the execu ves of the motor park who pleaded anonymity while speaking with OSUN DEFENDER said he was part of the commi ee who encouraged the increment during the fuel scarcity.

He however declined to respond when asked why they have not returned to former price a er normalcy has returned to the filling sta-

ons.

Also, at Aregbe garage, Osogbo, N1000 is being charged as transport fare from passengers going to Ibadan as against N800, charged before the fuel scarcity.

Passengers Lament

Passengers have been lamen ng the refusal of the commercial transport drivers to reduce the transporta on fare weeks a er the availability of fuel.

They complained that

the commercial drivers are not being fair by failing to reduce the transport fares in spite of buying fuel at normal price without queue at filling sta ons.

The passengers called on the state government and leaders of Na onal Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Associa on of Nigeria (RTEAN) to see to the reduc on in transport fair.

A passenger, Doyin

Olabamiji, said commercial transporters are fond of increasing transporta on fare at any giving opportunity, saying they don’t care about the suffering of the masses.

She said, “I go to Ibokun at least four mes in a week and this is what we experience always from these drivers. Osogbo to Obokun is not up to 30 minutes, yet they increase the fare.

“At first, it was N100 before they increased it

to N200 and a er that N300. Now, it is N350 and they are doing this because nobody can challenge them. What if they wake up tomorrow and jack up the fare again?”.

Another passenger, Olawale Abayomi, urged Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and the Commissioner for Works and Transport, Engr. Remi Omowaiye, to see to the reduc on in the transport fare He said: Increment always follows fuel scarcity and it is only in this country I know that once the price of something is increased, the tendency of it being reduced back is low. The commercial transporters are not to be blamed. I would lay the blame at the door step of the government who doesn’t control the excesses of these unions.

“I think it is high me the state government through the Ministry of Works and Transport shows it has the collec ve interest of the masses at heart and call this people to order. I will also appeal to the leaders of both the NURTW and RTEAN to look into this and reverse the increment”.

Obaagun Community Accuses Govt Of Marginalisation Yusuf Oketola

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NDIGENES of Obaagun, a community in Ifelodun Local Government of the State of Osun, have accused Governor Adegboyega Oyetola’s administra on of marginaliza on.

According to the indigenes, the current administra on has not carried out a single project in the community, in spite of huge revenue the government gets from various quarries located in the town.

They lamented that all the roads in the town are deplorable with no a en-

•Obaagun township road.

on from the state government.

Leading the indigenes, the Na onal Treasurer of Obaagun Development Union, Prince Jimoh Atoba, said no single road was constructed or rehabilitated, not to talk of repairing culvert in Obaagun since Oyetola took over power in 2018.

Atoba, in an open le er to the state government, said Obaagun as a community gave massive support to Oyetola during the 2018 governorship elec on, wondering while the government would abandon

the town in the area of road construc on.

He said all the township roads which were constructed in the early 80s by old Oyo State government are now a death trap for motorists and residents of the area.

The le er reads in part: “Your Excellency sir, I am an indigene of Obaagun, a community shared boundary with your home town, Iragbiji which its development is at the utmost importance to me. I owe it as a duty and as a patriot to draw your government a en on to the deplor-

able condi on of Obaagun Township Road which was constructed in the early 80s by the then Oyo state government.

“Not minding the various roads construc on which your administra on has completed in Ifelodun local government; the people of Obaagun have not received any interven ons from your government on the area of road construcon, rehabilita on and even repair of culvert.

“This is being perceived as magiliza on despite the fact that the state government has been ge ng huge revenue from the various quarries located in the town, by this Obaagun is also contribu ng to the state resources.

“This saddens our hearts that with the massive support the community gave your Excellency in the last governorship elec on in 2018 which the community s ll hope to repeat in the forthcoming governorship elec on in the state, the ancient community is abandoned in the area of road construc on.

“We are wondering what would have been our offence that Obaagun peo-

ple are so neglected and treated as though we are not in the map of Osun state.

“A visit to the community by the Commissioner for Work will surely support my point, the road is as bad to the extent that “Okada riders” have totally abandoned the road as a result of its condi on. What a pity condi on! I must also emphasize here that the road is a state government road of same category with the one constructed across the state.

“I can also emphasize that the Olobaagun of Obaagun has wri en le er to your office concerning this road but all the efforts have not been ge ng a favourable response. Therefore as a patriot, I have no op on rather than sending an open le er to appeal for immediate rehabilita on of the road.

Atoba, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER, noted that some officials of the state government have been reaching out to him since he released the le er.

He said they promised to take necessary steps about the development.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 - THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

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News

How Police Allegedly Tortured 21-Year-Old To Death In Osun Ismaeel Uthman

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ONTROVERSIES have con nued to trail the death of a 21-yearold Ile-Ife indigene, Olufemi Oriyomi, who died in police custody.

The police claimed that Oriyomi and two others, Kehinde Olayade (25) and Raimi Sheriff (21) were suspected ritualists who were arrested on April 7, 2022 at Safejo area, along Osogbo/ OAU Ife Campus road, IleIfe, for alleged ritual killings.

According to a statement by the Police Public Rela ons Officer, Yemisi Opalola, on Friday, April 15, the police found human heart in the custody of the suspects when they were apprehended and searched by the police.

Opalola said the suspects confessed that the human heart was that of their friend whose name was not men oned.

According to the PPRO, Oriyomi developed illness while in police custody and died at an undisclosed hospital where he was taken to.

However, contrary to the claim of the police, inves ga ons by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the suspects were busted and arrested at their residence located behind Olubuse Memorial Grammar School, Ogooluwa community, IleIfe on Thursday, April 7.

They were arrested around 5AM, according to residents of the area who spoke with the medium.

Inves ga ons revealed that the suspects were said to be into internet fraud, notoriously known as ‘Yahoo-Yahoo’.

The medium gathered that a team of ‘CP Surveillance’ a squad said to be under direct supervision of the Commissioner of Police, stormed the residence of the suspects in a commando style.

According to some sources, the policemen scaled the fence to gain entry into the apartment of the suspects.

The sources said the ‘CP Surveillance’ officers demanded for a sum of N1.5m as a condi on to release the suspects.

It was gathered that one of the friends of the suspects gave a sum of N150, 000 to the police the third day of their arrest.

The police reportedly told the concerned friend that the N150, 000 could only secure the ‘bail of the suspects’ phones’ which were released to him.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that a rela ve of one of the suspects who went

•Two Other Suspects Released After Protest •It’s A Lie, My Son Wasn’t A Ritualist – Grieving Father

CP, Wale Olokode. to plead with the police to release them was detained ll the following day.

According to the sources, a sum of N500, 000 was raised by the disturbed rela ves of the suspects and was given to the policemen the sixth day of their arrest.

But the police insisted on collec ng the N1.5m they requested for before releasing the suspects, said the sources.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the policemen were reportedly torturing the suspects with electric shock which resulted into sickness for Oriyomi.

Oriyomi died on Friday, April 15, eight days a er he was arrested.

Oriyomi’s death lead to protests in Ile-Ife as angry youths in their numbers on Friday and Saturday thronged the streets and later went to police sta ons located at Moore and Iloro to kick against extrajudicial killings in the state.

A friend of the deceased named Bisi while protes ng in front of Ooni of Ife palace, said: “A er three of my friends were arrested by the police, we raised N1.5 million to bribe them but they told us to add to it which we refused. The police put them inside water and insert electric shock inside it.

During the torture, Oriyomi develop a serious health issue and he later died.

“We are here protesting at the palace of Ooni to intervene in the incessant extrajudicial killings by the police in the state. This is the second me within a week “ OSUN DEFENDER gathered that during the protest, the youths clash with

Oriyomi. some police officers at Iloro area, which led to sporadic gunshots.

In a short video watched by the medium yesterday, some women were seeing displaying expended ammuni on fired by the policemen to their house.

Besides, the medium gathered that the police have released the two other suspects, Kehinde Olayade (25) and Raimi Sheriff (21) who were arrested with Oriyomi.

They were reportedly released on Monday.

When contacted, the Police Public Rela ons Officer, Mrs. Yemisi Opalola, said the two suspects were released for medical treatment.

Opalola said: “The suspects were release to go an treat themselves so that the police will not be ac-

cused of killing them again.

They were complaining of stomach disorder and that was what the third suspect was complaining too before he died. So, they were released to get themselves treated.”

Asked for clarifica on on the place of arrest, Opalola said: “The place of arrest is inconsequen al, what ma er is the crime they allegedly commi ed.

People were caught with human heart and they confessed in their statements; and people are ques oning where and how they were arrested! That is not disturbing.”

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, the father of the deceased, Mr. Adesina Olumide, accused the police of ‘framing up’ his son a er they have tortured him to death.

Olumide said Oriyomi was not a ritualist, nor an internet fraudster, saying that he just completed his appren ceship with an aluminum fabricator in Lagos, adding that he was raising money to send Oriyomi to ter ary ins tu on.

The grieving father said: “I was not around when the incident happened. What I was told was that they went to watch a football match on that day and his friends, whom they watch the match together, urged him to stay with them overnight since it was late.

“He was sleeping in his friends’ house when the Police officers came and arrested them around 5:00am. People said the policemen jumped over the fence. The person leaving beside that house is a policeman and he was the one

I Have No Political Relationship With Tinubu – Ogunbiyi Yusuf Oketola

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HE candidate of Accord Party in the forthcoming July 16 gubernatorial elec ons in State of Osun, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, has stated that he never sat one-on-one or had poli cal rela onship with the All Progressives Congress presiden al aspirant, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Ogunbiyi noted that poli cal opponents in his former party, the Peoples Democra c Party (PDP) were behind the insinua on that he was planted by Tinubu as mole within the party.

The governorship aspirant made this known on Wednesday while featuring as guest in April’s edi on of The Frontliners, a special personality engagement programme organized by

the Associa on of Veteran Journalists, Osun chapter, in Osogbo.

He said: “I am Akinade Ogunbiyi. I have no poli cal rela onship with Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I respect him for what he has done for Yoruba race but I can’t be his mole at any party. I am a man of my own. It is those in my

Ogunbiyi.

former party, PDP that ins gated that to weaken me.”

Speaking on his defecon from the PDP, Ogunbiyi accused the leadership of the party of not having interest of Osun at hearts, saying they are only a er “their pockets”.

Ogunbiyi said: “We had known that Uche Secondus would go. But when he finally le , Iyorcha Ayu became worse. The day I met Ayu, He told that he has no interest in Osun ma er and not ready to listen to anyone. That is when I decided to leave the party.”

He called on voters in Osun to vote for someone who has what it takes to boost the state’s economy, sta ng that he will be the first person to present a trillion naira budget.

that led the officers.

“A er their arrest, his mother and the family of the other boys wanted to secure their bail but they didn’t a end to them.

“One of their friends went to the office of the “CP Surveillance” where they were being detained to secure their bail. The police collected N150,000 and handed over their phones to the person. I heard about the incident eight days a er their arrest. I was on my way to Osogbo when I received a call that the boy has died.

“I heard that he died from the pain caused by the torture melted on them by the officers. The police who claimed they found a calabash with human heart with the boys later released the other two suspects the next day a er Oriyomi died.

“I heard they collected N500,000 from the family of the other boys for their release.

“Some neighbors who were not happy with the development went to meet the police officer who led the team and he confessed that the boys are innocent and that the calabash they claimed belong to the boys had been in the police car before they arrested them.

“We went to the ‘Cp Surveillance Office’ around Oke-Fia, Osogbo, on Wednesday to demand for our son’s corpse, but the policeman in charge said it could not be released to us.

I asked that I should be allowed to see his corpse but the policeman insisted that I couldn’t see it. He directed us to the Area Commander in Ile-Ife. “When we got to Ile-Ife, our chiefs helped us to call the Commissioner of Police who told us to come yesterday for a post mortem but I don’t think they should be the one to tell us where we will carry out the post mortem.

“They already claimed the boy had ulcer but that is a complete lie. He was healthy without any sickness. He was not an internet fraudster.

“I appeal to the people of the state to help us fight our cause. The police killed my son and they are trying to oppress us. The Federal Government and Civil Society persons should please help us.”

It would be recalled that just two weeks ago, a businessman named Abiola Afolabi was killed by the police who shot him in the leg in front of his house at Capital area, Osogbo around 12:30am on April 3, 2022.

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 - THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

6

I

seek refuge in Allah from the devil the accursed and I start in the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful. I testify that there is no deity worthy of worship except Allah. I also testify that Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is His Messenger. May the benediction be upon his soul, members of his household, his companions and those who follow his ways till the last day.

Say O ‘Ibaadi (My slaves) who have

Religion

JUMAT SERMON By Imaam Raji, Musa Oladapo

transgressed against themselves by committing evil deeds and sins. Despair not of Mercy of Allah, verily Allah forgives all sins. Truly He is oft Forgiving Most Merciful.

This discourse would not have come at any other time better than this, when various degrees of sins are being committed every moment unabated. And if truly we are seeking the countenance of Our Creator, we must put an end to wallowing in sins. Allah (SW) our Creator honours and prefers us to other creatures.

He gives us reasoning faculty that makes us to excel above other creatures. But alas! What we are doing is contrary to the expectations of Allah, and then we still expect His mercy to be in abundance, whereas mercy and blessing of Allah are not given to sinners and perpetrators of evil acts.

Allah (SW) is happy when a servant repents to Him, because He was created by Himself and created other things for the benefit of mankind. He (Allah) has made the heavens and earth and whatever therein of service to the mankind. Even the angels whom we believe to be closer to Allah, Allah still makes them to be subservient to mankind by charging them (angels) to guard mankind at all times. As a result of this uniqueness of mankind, he has succeeded in having a manifest enemy (satan) or devil who always wishes to distant mankind from Allah. He (devil) always provides paths that will lead him (mankind) to distant him from Allah. In fact in most cases, he (devil) will make the path attractive and adorable for his perceived enemy to follow because his happiness lies in that. Should somebody fall prey to his trick, he rejoices at this type of situation, because he considers it as part of his score card over the mankind.

Let Us Turn To Allah In Repentance If however, a servant turns to Allah in repentance, the devil became annoyed because he regards it as a loss, but he will still strive harder probably such person can still be in his shackle. It is our duty therefore to do everything humanly possible to free ourselves from this avowed enemy. If a servant returns to His master confessing his misdeeds with moody appearance, there is every probability for the master to change his anger to pleasure and punishment to reward.

Nevertheless, my esteemed readers, sincere repentance has five conditions that must be in place before Allah accepts it. These will be explained in brevity: (1) Repentance must be SINCERE for the continence of Allah, without any atom of showoff or because of worldly gain. If it is otherwise, such repentance is not accepted. Allah says: “So, call you upon Allah making worship pure for Him” (Quran 4:14).

(2) Showing of REGRET over one’s misdeed: This must reflect on him of being sober and blaming his soul for the sin he has committed.

(3) Total REFRAIN from such sin: This is necessary because if he persists in repeating the same act, it appears as if he does not take Allah serious or his repentance could be likened to being sarcastic. This type of repentance lacks sincerity of purpose and it is not accepted.

(4) Taking a FIRM DECISION not to commit such sin in future.

(5) The repentance must be TIMELY: i.e. when it is acceptable, this is divided into two; general and specific.

The general one is the repentance a sinner makes before the sunrise from where it used to set. Any repentance after this is not acceptable.

Allah says; “The day that some of the signs of your Lord do come, no good will it do to a person to believe then, if he believe not before, nor earned good (by performing deeds of righteousness) through his faith” (Quran 6:158). “The signs of your Lord” in the verse was interpreted to be rising of the sun from the west (where it used to set) by the Prophet (SAW).

The specific one is the repentance that one makes when one is dying, this is not acceptable for Allah says; “Allah only accepts the repentance of those who do evil in ignorance and foolishness and repent soon (i.e. afterwards). It is they whom Allah will forgive and Allah is Ever all Knower, all Wise. And of no effect is the repentance of those who continue to do evil deeds until death faces one of them and he says; now I regret, nor of those who die while they are disbelievers. For them we have prepared a painful torment” (Quran 4:17-18). Any repentance makes during the time of death is not acceptable.

You will all recall that Pharaoh made the same attempt but Allah turned it down. Allah says; “till drowning overtook him, he said, I believe that none has the right to be worshipped but He (Allah) in whom the children of Israel believe, and I am one of Muslims” (Quran 10:10). Listen to what Allah says thereafter “Now (you believe) while you refused to believe before and you were one of the Mufsiduun (evil doers, the corrupter)” (Quran 10:91).

With this last condition, it is pertinent to encourage ourselves and stress the need to flee to Allah in repentance because of our being shortsighted in nature, only Allah knows what the future holds for us.

Read full article on www.osundefender.com •Imaam Raji, Musa Oladapo is the Chief Imaam of Telemuland, State of Osun.

News Proposed Fed. University Of Education, Ilesa Will Boost Osun Economy - Fadahunsi Yusuf Oketola

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HE Senator represen ng Osun East Senatorial District at the Na onal Assembly, Francis Fadahunsi, has said that establishment of a Federal University of Educa on, Ilesa, as proposed in his sponsored bill, will bring about job crea on and empowerment for his cons tuents and the state at large.

Fadahunsi, on April

•Fadahunsi

16, 2022 presented a bill for the establishment of a Federal University for first reading at the plenary of the Senate.

The bill came few weeks a er Governor Adegboyega Oyetola approved the conversion of Osun State College of Educa on, Ilesa to a fullfledged University.

Speaking with OSUN DEFENDER, the spokesperson to the Senator, Mr Sam Segun, stated that the essence of pro-

posing a federal university in Ilesa is to ensure job crea on and empowerment of the people.

Segun disclosed that Fadahunsi has been lobbying Governor Oyetola and the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola for the actualisaon of the project.

He said: “The intenon behind the project is that, basically, Senator Fadahunsi wants job crea on for the people and that has been a major reason he joined poli cs. He is a er empowering and taking people off the street.

“If you observe very closely, you will no ce that the major bills he has sponsored at the Na onal Assembly since he came in has being establishment bills.

“When you have a university within your area, there will be a quest for the people to go to school. So, we felt this is the right me to bring such project to the people in that cons tuency. We are op mis c that the project will come into frui on before the 2023 general elec on.”

Ismaeel Uthman

T

HE Commissioner for Regional Integra on and Special Du es, Engr. Olalekan Badmus, has warned against poli cal violence ahead of the July 16, 2022 governorship elec on and the general elec ons coming up next year.

Badmus who also called on Nigerians to excuse religious bigotry, said the peace and unity of Nigeria is fragile, saying the country cannot afford any act of violence that could snowball into unrest.

According to Badmus, it is high me Nigerians excused violence in every form, saying what the country needs is peace and unity for rapid socioeconomic development.

He spoke on Monday while felicita ng with Chris ans on Easter season through a statement.

The statement reads: “I celebrate with our Chris an brethren who have dedicated their

Osun Commissioner Warns Against Political Violence, Religious Bigotry

•Badmus me to the holy preaching and fast for 40 days and 40 nights.

“The Easter season teaches us unity, love, trust but more importantly, steadfastness and sacrifice to live in peace and harmony with one another.

“Now, more than ever, we need to imbibe and emulate the teachings of Christ with a view to reunite and live harmoniously together.

“May the mul ple

blessings of these spiritual season radiate in our lives now and always.

May this season teach us the true love of God, unity, trust and guide our thoughts and deeds as we wade through an increasingly vola le world. May God heal the wounds created by conflicts across the globe.

God bless our homeland.

“Importantly, I urge our people to excuse religious bigotry, extremism and poli cal violence in any form. The peace and unity of the country are fragile; we cannot afford any act of violence that may snowball into unrest in Nigeria.

“Easter refreshes our hope and gives a rebirth of joy. May every good thing that is dead in our lives be resurrected. May the State of Osun con nue to enjoy peace, tranquility and progress.”

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 - THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022

7

News

One Dead As Hoodlums, Hausa Clash In Ede Kazeem Badmus

A

violent clash between some hoodlums and Hausas in Ede, State of Osun, has le one person dead.

OSUN DEFENDER gathered that some thugs invaded Sabo, a Hausa Community in Ede, in the early hour of Tuesday and allegedly unleashed violence on them.

The a ack, according to sources, was repelled by the Hausa people as they fought back, leading to the death of one of the thugs.

A resident of the town who pleaded not to be named said the thugs were led by one Olopa, working with the Second-In-Command of a notorious thug, Rasheed Oko-Ilu whom the police had declared

wanted over series of criminal allega ons.

The resident disclosed that the hoodlums have been going to Sabo for a while, adding that the leader of the Hausa Community, Alhaji Gambo Ibrahim, had reported to Oko-Ilu several mes.

He added that Rasheed Oko-Ilu had also instructed his SecondIn-Command not to go to Sabo again, but he did not adhere to the instruc on.

According to the resident: “Rasheed had called Olopa to warn him not to go to Sabo again but he refused to listen. Three days ago, Rasheed went to him in person to go and warn him but his Second-incommand refused to listen, he has seen himself as a boss who should not take instruc ons

•Guests at the 9th Ramadan lecture organised by Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, held in Ìwo recently. from anybody again.

“Rasheed le the place and met with Seriki. He told the Seriki that any me they visit

Sabo again, they should ensure that they arrest such person.

Speaking with newsmen on Tuesday, Ibra-

him, the Leader of Hausa Community in Ede, said the thugs were found of terrorising the people of the town in-

Guru Maharaji Cautions Oluwo On Disrespecting Yoruba Tradition Kazeem Badmus

T

HE founder of One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji, has cau oned the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi over his a tude and steps towards Yoruba tradi on.

Maharaj Ji gave the warning recently while speaking with newsmen at his residence in Ibadan.

According to him, part of the steps being taken by Oluwo that are not in conformity

with Yoruba tradi on include calling himself Emir, abusing Yoruba descendants, marrying a wife from the North and disrespec ng the en re Yoruba people.

He said no one goes against Yorubaland and go scot free, adding that karma will always catch up with such person.

Maharaj Ji said: “We want Oluwo to remember that those who are not privileged to be in the posi on he is today are also born by a father.

“In lieu of this, we

want to urge him to stop disrespec ng us. I heard some mes ago that he wanted to become Emir because of the love he has for a woman from that side.

“He is full of lies and deceits. He is our father but he wanted to reap where he did not sow, that is why he came through the religion angle.

“Help us appeal to Oluwo not to leave the earth now due to his bad a tude. We s ll need him. He should as a ma er of urgency

changed because Yoruba culture and tradion is taking the center stage throughout the world. I dare anyone who claimed otherwise to come out and face me”.

Maharaji added that Oluwo’s a tudes are disheartening and not good at all, adding that nobody dares go against Yoruba race as anyone who do so will face the consequences.

Speaking on Oluwo’s new wife, Maharaj Ji

Osun 2022: Disabled Corps Members To Serve As Ad-hoc Staffs - INEC Kazeem Badmus

T

•Guru Maharaj Ji

•Oluwo

said: “Even though we are now in the global age and Oluwo might have his reasons for taking a wife from the North, he should not forget the culture.”

He said it is a strange decision not expected of a Yoruba King.

When contacted for reac on, Mr. Ibrahim Alli, the Chief Press Secretary to Oluwo, said there was no point in engaging Maharaj Ji on his comments on the tradi onal ruler.

cluding the Hausas for.

Giving an account of how the incident happened, Ibrahim said: “The thugs a acked/ clashed with the traders.

Not only the Hausa but the whole Sabo community, because Sabo community houses the Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba and other tribes in Ede. The thugs are the ones disrup ng the peace of the community.

“Rasheed Oko-Ilu was not among them; he did not partake in the a ack. The thugs that attacked us are Rasheed’s boys but he was not involved because there is a new man who wants to be number one and Rasheed is not around.

It is the new man that gave the order. The new leader and Rasheed are at loggerheads over the posi on of number 1.

“The thugs came to Sabo, they were four to five in number, they were shoo ng sporadically, the person who led the thugs is deceased now, his name is Olopa but real name is Rasheed, we cannot say how he was killed because the police were there and there was gunfire”.

Confirming the incident, Osun Police Command’s spokesperson, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, said some hoodlums invaded Sabo community in Ede and seized motorcycles belonging to some Hausa residents.

“However, the people in the community resisted them, leading to pandemonium in the area and in the process one person was killed”, she said.

HE Independent Na onal Electoral Commission (INEC), has disclosed that corps members who are disabled will serve as part of Ad-hoc staff during the July 16 gubernatorial elec on in the State of Osun.

INEC’s Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Prof. AbdulGaniy Raji made the disclosure while speaking with some newsmen at the commission state headquarters, Os-

ogbo, on Tuesday.

According to Raji, the commission was working closely with the NYSC as it will be making use of the corps members as Ad-hoc staffs during the elecon.

He said: “What I have in front of me is a list of youth corps members who have disabili es.

Out of maybe about 15,000 adhoc staff that we are going to be using for the elec on, the list is just about 18 and we are assuring that we will admit all these 18 disa-

bled corps members as part of our adhoc staff for the elec on.

“We are working closely with the NYSC and the Local Government Inspectors and they were the ones who gave us the list. Some of them par cipated in the just concluded Connuous Voter Registraon”.

Raji admonished those who are yet to collect their Permanent Voter Card to do so by visi ng their local government offices to collect them.

ISSN : 0794 - 8050

News

FRIDAY, APRIL 22 - THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2022 VOL. 17 NO 16 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com

Guru Maharaji Cautions Oluwo On Disrespecting Yoruba Tradition Pg. 7

S

INCE Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, declared his presiden al ambi on on 10th April, 2022 for the 2023 general elec ons, the polity and poli cs have gone electromagnetic especially in the South-West Nigeria, between the supporters of the former Lagos State Governor and Na onal Leader of ruling All Progressive Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is also an aspirant for same President posi on and Osinbajo’s supporters. The intrigues, specula ons and calcula ons of each side of the divides despite the fact that there are other powerful aspirants for the same posi on in same party have been very interes ng and deserve cri cal analysis ahead of the party presiden al primary slated for 30 May, 2022.

However, this will be an issue to treat the next edi on. For now, our preoccupa on is on how to fight and conquer Terrorism, Terrorists and their sponsors as nowhere seems to be safe any long with almost daily a acks, killings and kidnapping for ransom on the road; same experience in the train and train sta ons and in the airports as terrorist ac vi es have radically metamorphosed from ca le rustling and killings of farmers in their farmland.

Paradoxical complexity of terrorist a acks have made some authori es in Nigeria, like Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai, call for engagement of external mercenaries, as our armed forces seem incapable of ending the scourge. I, however, disagree with El-Rufai and co and align with the posi on of Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), in toto, that we do not need external help to fight and conquer insecurity; that our military and other security agencies have capacity once the government does the needful by equipping them with more sophis cated weapon and boost their morale. Besides, the bandits and their sponsors should have been exposed, tried and prosecuted very long me ago, which would have broken their chain of supply and logis cs.

This alone would have made easy the job of our intelligence and military incursion to defea ng terrorism. Unfortunately, what is on ground is very disheartening.

For instance, for a very long me, the government had been very reluctant in labelling gunmen and bandits terrorists. A er many years of foot dragging in pronouncing bandits terrorists, Jus ce Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted an ex parte applica on for gunmen and terrorists to be declared terrorists on 25, November, 2021. In spite this, it s ll took the government weeks to heed the judgment.

Eventually, on 6th January, 2022, Nigerian government, through the A orney General of the Federa on (AGF) and Minister of Jus ce, made an official Gaze e declaring bandits terrorists. In

“Anybody who wants to wear President Buhari’s shoes must not only assure us and demonstrate capacity to expose sponsors of terrorists and prosecute them, he/ she must be prepared to mop up internal conspiracy in our system ”

Defeating Terrorists And Their Sponsors a similar development, on the 6th of February, 2022, the Minister of Informa on and Culture, Lai Mohammed, at a press conference in Abuja, said it had uncovered 96 financiers of Boko Haram terrorists’ group and the Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP). He further said that 424 associates and supporters of the financiers were also uncovered; about 123 companies and 33 Bureau de change were linked to the terrorists in addi on to 26 suspected bandits/kidnappers and 7 co-conspirators inden fied. But all these are mere announcements on paper.

What prac cal steps have been taken to try all these criminals and their associates as listed by the government? Is there somebody behind the scene holding down the government from doing the needful? Are there some problems Nigerians don’t know but only known to the government that are inhibi ng open trial of these criminals while Nigerians are being daily killed, maimed, rapped, kidnapped for ransom among others?

STRIKER

For how long shall we wait for government to protect our lives and property as sworn by the President when taking the oath of office?

As at today, it is difficult to have a sta s c of deaths recorded as a result of terrorists’ attacks as they happen almost everyday and have become parts of our existence. There is a conserva ve es mate of 230,000 deaths and over 3 million people displaced as at March, 2022.

A study has it that Nigeria recorded the second highest number of people who died in terrorist a acks worldwide a er Afghanistan with several groups of terrorists’ a acks on civilian and military targets, especially in the northern part of the country.

Meanwhile, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had, since September 2021, named six Nigerians with es to Boko Haram and terrorists financiers. UAE authori es didn’t stop at that; they tried and prosecuted them.

The manner with which terrorism is handled

by the authori es in Nigeria seems to suggest possibility of terrorists’ collabora on within our security forces on the one hand and terrorists seem to have had larger capacity in terms of logis cs and advanced weaponry than our naonal security agencies. The situa on seems to suggest that there are some very rich and powerful individuals who have power of the laws of the land to perfect their evil and they seem to be succeeding. Otherwise, how could Nigeria have all the facts showcased by Minister of Informaon and nothing concrete is done in exposing and prosecu ng terrorists’ sponsors? Nigeria government is responsible and accountable to us. It must be prepared to take a bold step, including stepping on some big toes, to salvage this degenerate situa on. A er all, the President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces owes us fulfilling an oath he sworn to – protect and defend the Cons tu on of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Our prac cal experiences in the past years have shown that insecurity and war are same. Either of the two breeds anxiety, uncertainty and despair. Development will certainly elude any society with these a ributes and over a period of me, it may go into ex nc on as produc on and reproduc on system that ensures con nuity of life of mankind will be constantly disrupted and eventually come to a halt.

As presiden al campaigns ac vi es begin towards 2023 general elec on, anybody who wants to wear President Buhari’s shoes must not only assure us and demonstrate capacity to expose sponsors of terrorists and prosecute them, he/she must be prepared to mop up internal conspiracy in our system – in government and security agencies – and equip security agencies with latest sophis cated weaponry to fight with mo va onal incen ves to boost morale of our security forces to defeat terrorism.

Striker is not the opinion of the Columnist featured above

Waiting For The Messiah

W

E are all living witnesses to the monumental challenges that Nigeria and Nigerians face today. Therefore, rather than list or lament about them, let us rethink our a tude to them. The one prevalent a tude that will yield no result is the belief that a messiah is coming to help us out.

No messiah is coming. Full stop. What next?

The understanding that no messiah is coming, either in the form of a President by elec on or coup d’état, should be a sobering call to duty for every enlightened ci zen to rethink our situa on in all ramifica ons, and to act.

For one, we have a compound problem with poverty and ignorance among majority of Nigerians, even among so-called ‘educated’ ci zens who merely went to school but had li le or no educa on. Secondly and accordingly, very few can resist material and financial inducement when approached with senseless op ons or evil errands despite their conscience. Thirdly, we are stuck at best with 3 or 4 poli cal par es with capaci es (2 being the most capable) and whosoever they choose for us is what we are stranded with and called upon to vote for (President, Senators, Federal Representa ves, Governors, State Lawmakers, Council Chairpersons); and they rarely ever choose the best as all kinds of considera ons determine their choices other than capability to solve Nigeria’s problems.

Fully apprecia ng the above scenario as we approach a season of general elec ons, in an

atmosphere of grave security challenges and deep-seated sec onal agita ons, is a call to acvism by all enlightened and patrio c ci zens.

They have a duty to assume leadership responsibili es within their various social, cultural, religious, community, trade, professional associa ons; to talk to, convince and mobilise large members therein, for the needful.

The need for the survival of our country and its stunted democracy should be our first priority with robust, dispassionate discussions on our current predicament, the root causes and the most sensible solu ons – bo om up, followership to leadership. Secondly, whereas the key solu ons will take years of efforts, what are the choices available presently based on our understanding of the candidates across all poli cal par es being showcased, irrespec ve of religion, ethnic background?

Then, we face the main task of engaging the candidates with sa sfactory backgrounds and recognized commitments to clearly stated agenda! A erwards, ini ate the process of organisaonally commi ng those candidates to certain short-term policies that will, at least, allow the state or na on to escape suffoca on and live again. For instances, why should we not be able to refine our crude oil and harvest all the ensuing benefits, including solu ons to power generaon? Why should cost of running government be more than what governance delivers? Why have we failed consistently to explore mechanised

agriculture to engage millions of youth for jobs, even if we cannot do anything about Ajaokuta iron and steel, and why not? Why are we failing to publicly and promptly punish crimes and corrupon commi ed in full public glare, confessed and confirmed, and to deliver jus ce? Why should we not be able to devolve power, and if not write a new cons tu on but amend it profoundly to allow states and local governments take control of all they need to take control of? Knowing the value of educa on, why should we not place premium on it, any strategy whatsoever, in this knowledge-age of Informa on and Communicaon Technology and veer our youths’ proficiency therein from crime and fraud into a harvest of prosperity for all? There are endless possibili es in our capacity, even in a four-year term.

We know the background and disposi on of all the major contestants, and no sweet lies nor material, monetary inducement should dissuade us from mobilising sensibly: for commi al of the best individuals across par es, and mobilisa on for their emergence. Finally is engaging them daily for the next four years on those commitments, backed throughout with loud applauses and firm protests as need be.

We can thereby be our own messiahs, perhaps in no distant future, we can have a democracy that is no longer a demonstra on of craze, and a society in which there is hope for tomorrow, instead of unending “sorrow, tears and blood.”

OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guarnaty Trust Bank (GTB), Gbongan Road, Osogbo, State of Osun.

All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, ISMAEEL UTHMAN, Telephone: 0805-121-2204, usmanismail001@yahoo.com. ISSN: 0794-8050.

Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefemder@yahoo.com