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VOL 21 NO 63
Osun 2026: The Salaam Blueprint Of Real Continuity P6
●ADC Not In Alliance With Any Party, Group – Aregbesola
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ITH less than a week to the Osun State governorship elec on, the state stands at an important juncture. Elec ons are ul mately about choices, but the most consequenal choices o en extend beyond personali es and poli cal calculaons to the kind of society ci zens wish to build. For Osun, the central ques on should therefore be: what model of governance can restore confidence, widen opportunity and place inclusive development at the heart of the state’s future? The answer requires a careful assessment of the compe ng visions before the electorate. Osun is not without examples of what purposeful public policy can achieve. The state has, at different mes, experimented with interven ons that sought to address unemployment, educa on, food security, infrastructure and social welfare. Some of these inia ves demonstrated the capacity of government to make a direct difference in ci zens’ lives when policy is backed by poli cal will and effec ve implementa on. The administra on of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola provides one such reference point. Programmes including O’YES, O’Meal, O’REAP and O’Calisthenics sought to connect government interven on with the everyday needs of young people, pupils, farmers and families. The important lesson is not that every policy of the past was perfect. Rather, it is that development should be cumula ve. Good ideas should not necessarily disappear simply because administra ons change. They should be evaluated, strengthened and adapted to meet contemporary reali es. This is where the development agenda of Najeem Folasayo Salaam, the African Democra c Congress governorship candidate, deserves a en on. His 10-point agenda, “Restoring Trust, Rebuilding Osun, Empowering the People,” a empts to combine con nuity with renewal. It proposes the restora on
“And if the future Osun seeks is one defined by inclusive growth, continuity of worthwhile programmes, accountable leadership and renewed opportunities for its people, the direction offered by Najeem Folasayo Salaam merits thoughtful and favourable consideration at the ballot”
rial districts, rural electrifica on, road rehabilita on and construcon, rural access roads and urban renewal. Yet development cannot be sustained without credible ins tuons. Here, the proposal for a Governor’s Delivery Unit, measurable performance indicators for commissioners and heads of agencies, and quarterly public performance reports deserves par cular a enon. Such mechanisms, if properly implemented, could help move governance away from broad political promises towards measurable obliga ons to the public. This is perhaps the most important conversa on Osun should have at this point: not simply who makes the most a rac ve promises, but who presents the clearest framework for turning public resources into measurable improvements in people’s lives. The state’s next administra on will inherit challenges that cannot be solved through poli cs alone. Educa on requires sustained investment. Healthcare needs stronger primary care. Young people require skills and opportuni es. Farmers need markets as much as they need inputs. Businesses need electricity, infrastructure and a predictable regulatory environment. Above all, ci zens need to trust that government works for them. A credible development strategy must therefore be inclusive, measurable and capable of surviving poli cal transi ons. Salaam’s agenda offers one of ni es for people to become ecothe clearer a empts in this elecnomically produc ve. The same thinking can be seen on to bring these issues together in proposals for technology inno- under a single framework. Its emva on hubs, start-up funding, ap- phasis on restoring worthwhile inpren ceship programmes, SME terven ons while introducing new financing, women’s enterprise ideas around technology, investsupport and an improved ease of ment, accountability and ins tuonal performance makes it wordoing business environment. There is also emphasis on infra- thy of serious considera on. The people of Osun now have structure required to make economic ac vity possible. The mani- the responsibility to weigh the alfesto proposes alterna ve power terna ves carefully. In the final analysis, elec ons are systems across the three senatonot merely contests between candidates. OSUN DEFENDER They are choices bePublisher – Moremi Publishing tween compe ng ideHouse Ltd. as about the future. Deputy Editor – Michael Bamigbola And if the future Deputy Photo Editor – Shola Aderinto Osun seeks is one Deputy Graphics Manager – Zainab Olalere defined by inclusive growth, con nuity Produc on Controller – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa of worthwhile programmes, accountOSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing able leadership and House Limited, Behind Oranmiyan Building, Gbodofon, renewed opportuniOff Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. es for its people, the ISSN : 0794-8050 direc on offered by Telephone : 0809-301-9152 Najeem Folasayo SaWebsite : www.osundefender.com/index.php laam merits thoughte-mail : osundefenderhq@gmail.com ful and favourable osundefenderbank@gmail.com considera on at the All correspondence to the above email addresses. ballot.
Inclusive Growth: The Case For A New Direction In Osun
of some social interven ons while introducing new mechanisms for economic expansion, ins tu onal accountability and human capital development. The proposal to re-establish O’YES, with a target of 20,000 cadets within the first 100 days, is significant in a state where youth employment remains a major concern. So too is the proposed return of school feeding, alongside free basic and secondary educa on, expanded scholarships, skills acquision, technical educa on and digital learning. Perhaps the more interes ng aspect of the Salaam proposi on is its a empt to connect social interven on with produc ve capacity. Its agricultural agenda goes beyond distribu ng inputs. It envisages Osun as a regional food hub, with farm estates in the three senatorial districts, a proposed 1,000hectare farm estate, mechanised farming, agricultural extension services, agro-processing hubs and systems for marke ng and off-taking farm produce. That approach reflects an important principle of inclusive growth: social programmes are most sustainable when linked to opportu-
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The National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, has in the last few weeks led the campaign rallies of the party’s candidate in the August 15 governorship election in the state, Dr. Najeem Folasayo Salaam and his deputy, Mrs Temitope Agiri, across the nooks and crannies of Osun. The team has met traditional rulers, religious leaders, marketmen and women, party members and particularly residents of Osun State, to canvass votes and draw supports for the party. Photos are courtesy of LEKAN ADAGUNODO and TAOFEEK ADEJARE
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Osun 2026: The Salaam Blueprint Of Real Continuity By Sodiq Yusuf
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S the August 15 Osun State governorship elecon draws closer, the African Democra c Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Dr. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, is presen ng his candidacy as a vehicle for what he describes as real con nuity — a governance philosophy built around preserving successful programmes, correc ng exis ng shortcomings and introducing fresh ideas capable of reposi oning the state. OSUN DEFENDER reports that the 61year-old former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly has anchored his campaign on a 10-point development agenda which seeks to combine social welfare, infrastructure, agriculture, security, educa on, healthcare, youth empowerment, women inclusion, tourism and investment with a stronger emphasis on accountability in government. Titled “My Developmental Agenda” and built around the theme, “Restoring Trust, Rebuilding Osun, Empowering the People,” the manifesto describes itself as a contract with the people, rooted in integrity, compassion and a clear vision for prosperity. The document also makes a deliberate case for con nuity, acknowledging that Osun had witnessed periods of bold leadership and reform, par cularly under the administraon of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, whose interven ons in infrastructure, youth empowerment and educa on, demonstrated how purposeful governance could transform lives. Salaam’s argument, however, is that con nuity must go beyond poli cal succession. It must mean retaining what works, improving what requires correcon and introducing new solu ons where exis ng approaches are inadequate. This is reflected in several of the programmes contained in his blueprint. Salaam’s Quick Fixes – 100 Days Agenda For instance, his agenda proposes the re-establishment of the Osun Youth Empowerment O-YES scheme,
with 20,000 cadets to be employed within the first 100 days of his administra on. He equally proposes the return of the school feeding programme and O-AMBULANCE, while introducing new interven ons in areas such as technology innova on, start-up funding, digital governance and performancebased administra on. In agriculture, Salaam proposes to transform Osun into a regional food hub through the establishment of farm estates in the three senatorial districts and the development of a 1,000hectare farm estate or se lement. His plan also includes off-season irriga on, agricultural extension officers in each local government, 62 tractors and mechanised farming equipment, farmers’ markets, agro-processing hubs, financing and input support, as well as guaranteed off-taking and marke ng of farm produce. Security is another major pillar, with proposals for community policing, surveillance systems, security equipment support, mapping of entry and exit points in border communi es and the involvement of tradi onal rulers and youths in the state’s security architecture. On infrastructure and power, the ADC candidate is proposing an ambi ous alternave electricity plan, including 213-megawa alterna ve power plants or systems in each of Osun’s three senatorial districts, rural electrifica on and the construc on or rehabilita on of at least 10 kilometres of roads in each local government. The blueprint also proposes rural access roads, urban renewal and a communitybased infrastructure maintenance system. The educa on agenda similarly combines restora on with expansion. Salaam wants to reintroduce school feeding, provide free educa on from elementary to secondary level, expand bursaries and scholarships, upgrade schools, strengthen technical educa on and introduce skills acquisi on and entrepreneurship into the curriculum.
• Aregbesola (3rd right) endorsing Salaam (4th right) at Saturday’s rally in Ejigbo
He also proposes the return of calisthenics, a programme associated with the Aregbesola era, alongside digital learning systems and upgraded ICT laboratories. Why Salaam Calls It Real Con nuity The philosophy becomes clearer when the manifesto’s proposals are viewed against some of the programmes associated with the Aregbesola administra on. Between 2010 and 2018, the administraon introduced programmes including O’YES, O’Meal, O’REAP and O’Calisthenics, while also pursuing interven ons in poverty reduc on and social welfare, educa on, youth empowerment and infrastructure. Aregbesola’s administra on also embarked on extensive road construc on and rehabilita on across the state, with the administra on leaving behind more than 2,000 kilometres of roads, including rural roads at the end of its tenure on November 27, 2018. The con nuity argument, therefore, is not simply about bringing back old programmes. It is about taking interven ons that produced social and developmental value and rebuilding them within a new governance framework. Salaam’s a empts to do precisely that by combining the restora on of programmes such as O-YES and school feeding with
proposals that did not form the centrepiece of the earlier administra on, including technology innova on hubs, start-up funding, a Governor’s Delivery Unit, key performance indicators for commissioners and quarterly public performance reports. The proposed Delivery Unit and performance framework are par cularly significant. Under the plan, commissioners and heads of government agencies would operate with measurable KPIs, while MDAs would periodically account publicly for their spending. The manifesto also proposes digi sing government processes, reducing the cost of governance and strengthening transparent procurement. Aregbesola: “Salaam Is Contes ng To Win” It was against this backdrop that Aregbesola, ADC Na onal Secretary and former governor of Osun, used Salaam’s 61st birthday solidarity rally in Ejigbo to dismiss reports that the ADC candidate was planning to withdraw from the governorship race. He declared that Salaam was not in alliance with any poli cal party or group, insisting that the candidate remained firmly in the contest and was campaigning to win. Aregbesola’s interven on was significant because it came amid specula on over the poli cal direc on of
the ADC campaign as the elec on approaches. The former governor’s administra on le behind programmes and ins tu onal imprints that have con nued to feature prominently in poli cal debates in Osun, par cularly O’YES, O’Meal, O’REAP, O’Calisthenics, road construc on, youth empowerment and poverty allevia on. At several fora, Aregbesola has previously argued that the state needed to preserve and build on the founda on his administra on laid, rather than discard its achievements for poli cal reasons. That sen ment now resonates with Salaam’s campaign narra ve: Osun should not have to start afresh whenever poli cal power changes hands. A Campaign Built Around Ideas Salaam’s campaign has consequently sought to dis nguish itself through what it presents as a canvass for votes based on ideas, policy proposals and governance soluons rather than poli cal hos lity. His manifesto describes Osun’s current moment as one requiring the state to “build on past gains, correct present challenges, and secure a be er future for all.” That philosophy runs through the candidate’s proposals on healthcare, where he promises to upgrade the 332 primary
healthcare centres, provide free antenatal care and healthcare for children aged one to 18, expand insurance coverage and establish specialist hospitals across the three senatorial districts. For women, he proposes at least 35 per cent representa on in government, support for women-owned businesses, protec on policies and an annual N1bn loan scheme for women entrepreneurs. For SMEs, he promises the revival of the Osun State Investment Promo on Agency, loans and grants, coopera ve support, business development programmes and improved ease of doing business. And for grassroots governance, the manifesto proposes periodic town hall mee ngs and mechanisms for direct community par cipaon in governance. The result is a campaign narra ve that seeks to make “connuity” synonymous with development rather than poli cal loyalty. For Salaam, the task is not merely to inherit Osun’s past but to iden fy what deserves to survive, what must be repaired and what must be reinvented. And that is the central proposi on behind his 10-point blueprint for “Restoring Trust, Rebuilding Osun and Empowering the People” as the ADC candidate heads into the final stretch of the 2026 governorship contest.
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August 15: Oyinlola, PDP Chieftains Dump Makinde-Backed APM Candidate, Endorse Oyebamiji
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ITH just days to the August 15 governorship elecon in Osun State, former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has dumped the candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, APM, Adewale Adebayo and declared support for the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. OSUN DEFENDER reports that Oyinlola, a close ally of Oyo State Governor and APM presiden al candidate, Engr. Seyi Makinde, had on June 25 endorsed Adebayo as his preferred candidate. At the me, he dismissed the relevance of both the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and the Accord alliance in the poll. Speaking at the event held at his Okuku residence, Oyinlola was accompanied by the former Secretary to the State Government during his administra on, Fatai Akinbade, and a former PDP South-West Vice Chairman, Tajudeen Oladipo. The trio formally declared support for the APM candidate. Oyinlola explained that the leadership of the Turaki fac on of the PDP was in alliance with the APM, no ng that the working rela onship between the
two groups at the na onal level was being replicated in Osun State. “There is an alliance between the Peoples Democra c Party and the Allied Peoples Movement. The Turaki-led fac on of the PDP has adopted the APM
candidate in Osun State,” Oyinlola said. He therea er presented the APM flag to Adebayo as a symbol of the fac on’s endorsement of his governorship bid. However, days a er the public declara on for the
APM candidate, the former governor has made a U-turn and declared his total support for the APC candidate. Addressing journalists at a press conference on Sunday, Oyinlola, in the company of former Secretary to the State Government, Fa-
NDLEA Nabs Businessman After Excreting 98 Wraps Of Ingested Cocaine
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HE Na onal Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, arrested a 30year-old Italy-based businessman, Joseph Cyril, at the Akanu Ibiam Internaonal Airport, Enugu, for inges ng 98 wraps of cocaine while a emp ng to travel to Italy through Addis Ababa and France. NDLEA spokesman, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement during the weekend. Babafemi said the suspect was arrested at the departure hall of the airport on Sunday, August 2, during the outward clearance of passengers on an Ethiopian Airlines flight. He was subsequently placed under excre on observa on, during which he expelled 98 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.510kg. According to Babafemi, inves ga ons revealed that Cyril arrived in Nigeria from Italy on July 13, 2026, and allegedly ingested the drug at a hotel in Awka, Anambra State, before proceeding to Enugu to board his flight to Europe. He quoted the suspect as saying he had been doing business in Italy for years before agreeing to transport the drug for €3,500 to raise money to relocate to Germany, where his family is based. In another major breakthrough recorded by the agency, Babafemi said
NDLEA opera ves foiled attempts by suspected drug trafficking syndicates to export 1.2 kilogrammes of cocaine concealed in 25 phone chargers to Saudi Arabia through a courier company in Lagos. The agency also intercepted another consignment containing 500 grammes of cocaine concealed in the false bo om of a backpack and des ned for Italy at a different logiscs company on Monday, August 3, 2026. He said opera ves also intercepted 2.3kg of Loud, a synthe c strain of cannabis, imported from the United States at another shipping company in Lagos on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. Babafemi further said NDLEA officers on patrol along the Akure-Ilesha Expressway on Tuesday, August 4, intercepted a truck heading north with 1,633kg of skunk concealed in bags of rice chaff. Two suspects, Buba Jamilu, 40, and Sanusi Ibrahim, 30, were arrested in connec on with the consignment. He added that 147kg of skunk was also recovered from Ita Ogbolu Forest during a raid on Monday, August 3. In Oyo State, opera ves ac ng on credible intelligence raided a drug warehouse in Elebure village, Orire Local Government
Area, on Monday, August 3, recovering 731.03kg of cannabis and arres ng a 57-year-old suspect, Felicia Thompson. Babafemi said another suspect iden fied as Thompson Vincent Nwaka remained at large. Similarly, in Edo State, NDLEA opera ves, supported by soldiers, recovered 65 jumbo bags of skunk weighing 604.5kg at Ewe Luleha in Owan West Local Government Area on Wednesday, August 5. In Abia State, a suspected drug joint operator, Chibuike Charles, 31, was arrested during a raid at Samec by Powerline, Osisioma Local Government Area, where 7kg of skunk was seized. Babafemi also said a wanted drug dealer, Adome Claude Sikuru, was arrested at the Fibre Market drug area in Badagry, Lagos, on Saturday, August 8, following a three-month manhunt. According to him, 88.5kg of skunk was recovered from the suspect at the me of his arrest. At the Tin Can Port Complex in Lagos, NDLEA opera ves, in collabora on with the Nigeria Customs Service and other security agencies, discovered 73 cartons containing 442 packets of cookies and gummies infused with cannabis, weighing 309.4kg.
The consignment was discovered during a joint examina on of a 40-foot container on Tuesday, August 4. A suspect, Larry Nnaji, was arrested in connec on with the seizure. Meanwhile, commands and forma ons of the agency across the country con nued their War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, sensi sa on ac vi es in schools, worship centres, workplaces and communi es during the week. The ac vi es included WADA enlightenment lectures for students and staff of Islamic High School, Saki, Oyo State; Holy Ghost Academy, Nkpor, Anambra State; and Madarasatul Hidayatul Aulad Islamiyya, Gaya, Kano State. The Rivers State Command also paid a WADA advocacy visit to the management of Igna us Ajuru University of Educa on, Port Harcourt. While commending officers and men of the Drug Control Opera ons and General Inves ga on, DOGI; Akanu Ibiam Internaonal Airport, Enugu; Ondo; Oyo; Edo; Abia; Seme; and Tin Can commands for their opera ons, NDLEA Chairman/Chief Execu ve Officer, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (retd.), urged them and their colleagues na onwide to sustain the agency’s balanced approach to drug control.
tai Akinbade and ex-South West PDP Vice Chairman, Taju Oladipo, said the decision was driven by the need for inclusive leadership and the overall interest of Osun State. Oyinlola noted that he and the others remain members of the PDP, explaining that while party loyalty is important, the development of Osun must come first. He said, “Let me start by saying we are not leaving the Peoples Democra c Party. Party loyalty is important, but the interest of Osun State must always come first. Our poli cal iden ty remains with the PDP, but our electoral decision at this moment is to support a candidate who we believe can provide the kind
of inclusive leadership that Osun State deserves. “We are pu ng the interest of Osun above par san considera ons. We are pu ng the future of our children above poli cal senments. And we are pu ng the development of Osun State above every other considera on.” Speaking on why they endorsed Oyebamiji, the former governor accused the current administra on under Governor Ademola Adeleke of lack of inclusivity. “We were among the major stakeholders who worked relessly towards the emergence of the present administra on under the pla orm of the PDP. We believed in that project. Unfortunately, along the line, things began to fall apart. One of the major issues is the lack of inclusiveness in the governance of our state,” he said. Speaking directly to the APC gubernatorial candidate, the Okuku-born Prince said the endorsement comes with the responsibility of pu ng the people first and running an inclusive government. “You must listen to the eople. You must ensure that every part of Osun feels represented in your government,” Oyinlola said. He said the next administra on must focus on good governance, economic development, infrastructure, educa on, healthcare, agriculture, youth empowerment and job crea on. “We do not want a government of exclusion. We want a government where every Osun indigene can say, ‘This government belongs to me,’” he added.
Aug 15: ADC Holds Grand Rally In Osogbo Hafsoh Isiaq HE African Democratic Congress (ADC) will today (Monday) hold a grand rally in Osogbo as the party rounds off its campaign ahead of Saturday’s governorship elec on in Osun State. OSUN DEFENDER gathered that the rally takes place at Nelson Mandela Freedom Park, Osogbo, at noon, according to a statement by the party’s Na onal Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi. Abdullahi said the rally would bring together the party’s na onal leadership, its governorship candidate – Dr. Najeem Salaam, coalion leaders, campaign officials, supporters and members of the public as the campaign concludes ahead of the elec on. He added that all mem-
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bers of the Campaign Council were expected to a end the rally. The event is expected to serve as the ADC’s final major campaign gathering before the governorship poll, providing an opportunity for the party leadership and its candidate to rally supporters and consolidate its campaign message across the state. The ADC had cons tuted an Osun State Elecon Management Council, comprising four members of the leadership team and 73 members of the secretariat and wider council. The council is chaired by Senator Liyel Imoke, with Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha and General Kabiru Nadama serving as cochairmen.
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OW that we are about to establish State Police in the Cons tu on, the next step should be the establishment of House of Chiefs in the Cons tuon too. It is a wish. I am afraid the wish may be dead on arrival. Considering the present set of poli cians that we have, I do not see the possibility. They would not want compe on for power and influence with the future House of Chiefs. They would rather give the tradi onal rulers gi s or collect tles from them or use them for state func ons. Moreover, the tradi onal rulers themselves seem to be sa sfied with what they are indulging in now. Low profile responsibili es without cons tu onal schedules. They are not pushing enough to have cons tu onal roles and they are behaving as if they are helpless. If not for fear and the urgency of necessity the State Police will not be. Yet, the idea of House of Chiefs is not new in our poli cal history. If we want it, we can reacvate the process. A er the London Cons tu onal Conference of 1957, the conference noted with approval the inten on of the government of the Northern Region to secure wider representa on in the Northern House of Chiefs. It agreed that the members of the Northern House of Chiefs should be all first-class chiefs, and 95 chiefs other than first class chiefs, as at present an adviser on Muslim Law, and those members of the Execu ve Council of the Northern Region who were members of the Northern House of Assembly. The conference also agreed that the West membership of the House of Chiefs should be increased to 124, that power to recognize and grade chiefs for the purpose of the Cons tu on should be vested in the Governor-in-Council and that the House of Chiefs should have delaying powers similar to those possessed in the United Kingdom by the House of Lords. The Conference noted that the Government of the Western Region had decided that the Governor-in-Council, a er consulta on with the President of the Western House of Chiefs, should set up a Council of Chiefs to advise the government on matters rela ng to the discipline of chiefs and any other ma er that might be referred to them by the responsible Minister. The ques on of cons tu onal provision governing the selec on of chiefs and designa on of certain head chiefs as permanent members of the House of Chiefs was under considera on by the Western Regional government. The Conference took note of the agreement of the Western Regional Government that the principles governing the selec on of members of the Western
“Now that we are about to establish State Police in the Constitution, the next step should be the establishment of House of Chiefs in the Constitution too. It is a wish. I am afraid the wish may be dead on arrival. Considering the present set of politicians that we have, I do not see the possibility. They would not want competition for power and influence with the future House of Chiefs”
August 15: Oyinlola Dumps Makinde-Backed APM Candidate, Aligns With APC
PERSPECTIVE
By ERIC TENIOLA House Of Chiefs Should Be Next House of Chiefs should in due course be included in the Cons tu on. The Conference took note that the government and the opposi on in the eastern region had reached on a formula for the classifica on of chiefs which would enable a House of Chiefs to be established. The Conference agreed to recommend that the Southern Cameroons House of Chiefs should for the present con nue to be advisory body and its members should con nue to be appointed by the Commissioner of the Cameroons ac ng in his discre on, but that these arrangements should be reviewed between the Secretary of State and the Southern Cameroons Government towards the end of 1959. Those who a ended the conference among others, were Sir James Robertson, Governor General, Sir John Rankie, Governor, Western Region, Sir Robert Stapledon, Eastern Region, Sir Gawain Bell, Governor Northern Region, Mr. J.O. Field, Commissioner of the Cameroons, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Premier, Western Region, Chief S.L. Akintola, Mr. L.J. Dosunmu, Mr. E.O. Eyo, Mr. S.O. Ighodaro, Mr. S.G. Ikoku, Chief A.O. Lawson and Chief F.R.A. Williams(Ac on Group), Dr. E.M.L. Endley, Premier Southern Cameroons, Mr. P. A. Aiyuk and Mr Mr. J.T. Ndze (Kamerun Na onal Congress), Mr.J.N. Foncha (Kamerun Democra c Party and Mr. P.M. Kale (Kamerun People’s Party). Others were Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Premier, Eastern Region, Mr. A.M.F. Agbaje, Mr. M.O. Ajebo, Mr. T.O.S. Benson, Dr. S.E. Imoke, Mr R.A. Njoku, Chief F.S. Ok e-Eboh, Dr. M.I. Okpara, Mr. D.C. Osadebay and Mr B. Olowofoyeku (Na onal Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons), Malam Amin Kano, Malam Abdul Mumuni (Northern Elements’ Progressive Union), Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Sardauna of Sokoto, Premier of the Northern Region, Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Prime Minster of the Federa on, Alhaji Aliyu, Makama of Bida, Alhaji Isa Kaita, Madawaki of Katsina, Alhaji Muhhammadu Ribadu and Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Wada(Northern People’s Congress). The rest were Mr. H.J.R. Biriye(Rivers), Mr. J.S. Tarka (United Middle Belt Congress), Dr. E.U. Udoma (United Na onal Independence Party), Sir Muhammadu Sanusi, Emir of Kano, Alhaji Usman Nagogo and Emir of Katsina (Chiefs Norther Region), Sir Adesoji Aderemi, Oni of Ife, Oba Aladesanmi, Ewi of Ado-Eki (Western Region) and Chief S.E. Onukogu(Eastern Region). As a result of the London agreement, certain por ons of the Cons tu on relating to the establishment of House of Chiefs were included in the 1963 Cons tu on. Sec on 41 of the 1963 Cons tu on
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states that “There shall be a Parliament of the Federa on, which shall consist of the President, a Senate and a House of Representa ves. 42.---(1) Without Prejudice to the provisions of sec on 46 of this Cons tu on, the Senate shall consist of--(a) twelve Senators represen ng each Region, who shall be selected at a joint sitng of the legisla ve houses of that Region from among persons nominated by the Governor; (b) four Senators representing the Federal territory; (c) four Senators selected by the President, ac ng in accordance with the advice of the Prime Minster. (2) The Senators represen ng the Federal territory shall be (a) the Oba of Lagos, who shall be an ex-officio member of the Senate; (b) a Chief selected in such manner as may be prescribed by the Parliament by the White-Cap Chiefs and War Chiefs of Lagos from among their own number; and (c) two other persons selected for that purpose in such manner as may be prescribed by Parliament. (3) A joint si ng of the legisla ve houses of a Region may regulate its own procedure for the purposes of this secon. 43. Without prejudice to the provisions of sec ons 47 and 88 of this Cons tu on, the House of Representa ves shall consist of three hundred and twelve members. 44. Subject to the provision of sec on 45 of this Cons tu on---(a) a person shall be qualified for selecon as a Senator if he is a ci zen of Nigeria and has a ained the age of forty years; (b) a person shall be qualified for elecon as a member of the House of Representa ves if he is a ci zen of Nigeria and has a ained the age of twenty-one years and in the case of a person who stands for elec on in the Northern Nigeria, is a male person. Sec on 4 of the 1963 Western Region Cons tu on states that “There shall be a legislature for the region, which shall consist of the Governor, a House of Chiefs and a House of Assembly and which shall have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Region. 5. (1) The House of Chiefs shall consist of--(a) the person for the me being holding such chie aincies as may be described by the Governor, who shall be ex officio members of the House; (b) eighty-seven Chiefs having such qualifica ons and selected in such manner as may be prescribed by the Legislature of the Region; © such Special members, being Chiefs (not exceeding four) as may be selected by
the Governor, ac ng in accordance with the advice of the Premier; and (d) if he is not a member of the House of the House of Chiefs apart from this paragraph, the President of the House. (2) (a) The seat in the House of Chiefs of a member other than an ex officio member or a Special member shall become vacant in such circumstances as may be prescribed by the Legislature of the Region; (b) The seat in the House of Chiefs of a Special Member, including a Special Member appointed by the Governor at any me before the coming into force of this Cons tu on, shall become vacant if he is removed from office as a Special Member by the Governor, ac ng in accordance with the advice of the Premier.” Let me refer specifically to Sec on 26 of the Cons tu on of Mid-Western Nigeria Act 1964. It states “(1) The House of Chiefs shall not--- (a) proceed upon any bill, other than a bill sent from the House of Assembly, that, in the opinion of the person presiding, makes provision for any of the following purposes— (i) The imposi on, repeal or alteraon of taxa on; (ii) The imposi on of any charge upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Region; (iii) The payment, issue or withdrawal from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Region of any moneys not charged thereon or any altera on in the amount of such a payment, issue or withdrawal; or (iv) The composi on or remission of any debt due to the Region; (b) proceed upon any amendment to any bill that, in the opinion of the person presiding, makes provision for any of those purposes; (c) proceed upon any mo on (including any amendment to a mo on) the effect of which, in the opinion of the person presiding would be to make provision for any of those purposes; or (d) receive any pe on that, the opinion of the person presiding, requests that provision be made for any of those purposes. (2) Except upon the recommenda on of the Governor signified by not a Minister of the Government of the Region, the House of Assembly shall not---(a) Proceed upon any bill (including an amendment to a bill) that, in the opinion of the person presiding, makes provision for any of the following purposes--- (i) the imposi on of taxa on or the altera on of taxa on otherwise than by reduc on; (ii) the imposi on of any charge upon the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Region or the alteraon of any such charge otherwise than by reduc on (iii) the payment, issue or withdrawal from the Consolidated Revenue Fund or any other public fund of the Region of any moneys not charged thereon or any increase in the amount of such a payment, issue or withdrawal; or (iv) the composi on or remission of any debt due to the Region; (b) proceed upon any mo on (including any amendment to a mo on) the effect of which, in the opinion of the person presiding would be to make provision for any of those purposes; or (c) receive any pe on that in the opinion of the person presiding requests that provision be made for any of those purposes.” •Read full article on www.osundefender.com •Teniola, a veteran columnist and writer, is a former Director at the Presidency
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