Is Tinubu another Awolowo?, By Oke Umurhohwo

By Oke Umurhohwo  

For some people, it is a tough question. For others, it is an insult to even think of both men in the same sentence. But given the prevailing circumstances, it will not be too hard to understand why that question is coming at this point. Even though Bola Ahmed Tinubu is nowhere near comparison with late Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo, however, there is one thing that seems to bring about questions on whether the former Lagos state governor is another Awolowo.

So, it seems like a simple question with an even simpler answer, but taking a closer look, you'll find it more complex. If you're a close observer of the Nigerian political space and power structures, those two names would not be strange to you as they have featured prominently in the history of Nigeria, right from independence.

Chief Awolowo was one of the founding fathers of Nigeria, and as Premier of Western Nigeria, brought about unimaginable developments in the region that earned him cult-like followership to date. As for Tinubu, he was a former governor of Lagos state, who went from surviving a major onslaught that swept his colleagues on the platform of Alliance for Democracy (AD) to building a political empire that has the Southwest region in a firm grip.

This has nothing to do about their politics and governance milestone, but about the quest to rule Nigeria. If you're a good student of history, one thing you'll hardly miss about Chief Awolowo was his strong desire to be president of Nigeria. But he could not achieve that dream, not because he was incapable, but for some high-wire politics that is almost repeating itself.

Awolowo and Tinubu share a race and follows an almost similar political trajectory, which gained them incredible stakes in power configuration. Though many are quick to push back any rhetoric that attempt to mention Tinubu in the same breath as Awolowo, it would be so unfair to ignore his progress over the years.

Tinubu apparently wants to model himself after Awolowo as the rallying point for Yoruba's political interests, and possibly, someone that would dare the odds and take the top seat in the country. This isn't hard to decipher especially if you pay close attention to the politics of Tinubu, who have shown a remarkable understanding of the public's mood, and how to manipulate foes and friends to reach for power.

Like Awolowo, Tinubu will most certainly, come out openly to pursue his longtime dream of getting the presidency. Forget the denial or pretense, Tinubu has his eyes set on the presidency and would make his intention known when he believes the time is right. But as a realist, I'm careful not to let the impression of history be lost on me, but instead, pay more attention to the lessons it taught us. What does that mean? A lot, but only if people can be objective. 

In a recent chat with a friend, the 2023 presidential election came up and in between, he introduced Tinubu into our discussion and tried to debate his likely chance to the coveted presidential seat. For several minutes, I was silent. Surprised at my posture, he tried to know why I've chosen not to make any contribution.

When I broke my silence, I simply asked him if he had ever heard about Awolowo and his quest to rule Nigeria. Probably, finding what to say, I showed him a WhatsApp broadcast that tried to bring back the past and its bearing on the present. In the broadcast, the author adduced that Awolowo was deceived by the former military ruler, Yakubu Gowon when he said: "Immediately after the war is over, you will be the head of Federal Government of Nigeria as elected president."

But Awolowo was not alone with such experience as the author of the broadcast suggested, citing other examples including that of Tinubu. Though, some may try to play down the message but doing that will only show their naivety and poor understanding of historical trajectory. As memory fades, events of the past can easily repeat itself, and by that, we would have the past, right in the present.

The miscalculation, which could prove fatal, that Tinubu can ever make, is to believe anyone owes him a debt that would be repaid. Every man, no matter how strong he is, lies to himself about something. Thinking that 2023 would be about compensation would be a lie that the experience with Awolowo can easily break.

As 2023 draws closer, pundits set their gaze to see where the pendulum will swing. Taking cues from history and maneuvering, nothing is really sure at this moment, but one thing which almost everyone is keen to find out is whether Tinubu will be another Awolowo or if he will be able to pull the biggest surprise of Nigeria's democratic history. Time will tell.

Written by Oke Umurhohwo, a Political Analyst and Strategist. He tweets via @OkeStalyf and can be reached via oke.umu@gmail.com

Osun 2022: Adelekes pull out of governorship race, say enough of PDP's deceits

By Dansu Peter 

The opposition Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State may have been dealt a big blow following the withdrawal of Adeleke family from the 2022 governorship election in the state. 

The Adelekes, according to Nigerian Tribune announced the withdrawal of senator Ademola Adeleke from the race barely 24 hours after the endorsement of the former senator. 

The family spoke through the elder brother of the former lawmaker, Dr Deji Adeleke, in a statement, Nigerian Tribune reports. 

He said their son deserved his needed rest after the grueling 2018 governorship poll held in the state and the attendant plethora of litigation.

Dr Adeleke recalled the circumstances that culminated in the emergence of Ademola Adeleke for the 2018 contest, emphasising that the former lawmaker was only dragged into the race as he was never originally interested in the race.

In a clear rejection of the endorsement, Dr Adeleke subtly believed the endorsement was not in tandem to the ideals of democracy.

Part of the statement reads: “I am not a card-carrying member of any political party but I am a sympathiser/supporter of the PDP in Osun State. The Osun State PDP will be better off and well-prepared, for the next general election in the state, if internal democracy is encouraged and enforced.

“All elective positions, including the position of governor of the state should be open to all members of the party to contest in a transparent primary elections. Everyone must be given a sense of belonging, in order to grow the party in Osun State.

“As for the Adeleke family of which I am one, we will like to remind all PDP members that Senator Ademola Nurudeen Adeleke had no intention to contest the governorship election in the first place, but was invited and prevailed upon by the party leadership and party elders to contest the governorship election, which he and his family accepted most reluctantly after receiving assurances and promises that were never kept.

“Everything that followed after this is now history. Senator Adeleke should, therefore, be given a break to take his well-deserved rest and decide what he will do/not do when the time comes.”

EXCLUSIVE: Kyari's Death: Aso Rock Cabal Religated As New Power Force Springs Up

By The Nation 

A fresh power play is covertly in place in the Presidential Villa with a new force trying to dismantle the hitherto powerful cell, otherwise called “The Cabal.” Since the illness and eventual death of the late Chief of Staff, Mallam Abba Kyari, it has been difficult for some members of ‘The Cabal.’

Besides the redeployment of the Permanent Secretary of the State House, Mr. Jalal Arabi, the access accreditation tag of a prominent member (names withheld) was withdrawn to enable the power broker apply as a visitor; a candidate nominated by the Secretary of ‘The Cabal’ to coordinate an agency was removed; and most members do not have firsthand information of the goings-on in the Villa again.

A source told SENTRY that a “new force is emerging and everyone is being careful to avoid belonging to a wrong camp.” There will be more details later in the coming weeks on those now calling the shots

The 4 Invaluable Lessons I Learned In Prison - Orji Kalu

By News Proof 

A former governor of Abia State and the embattled chief whip of the Nigerian Senate has narrated his ordeals and some lessons he described as invaluable while in prison. 

 

He said his five months in jail afforded him the opportunity of learning “invaluable lessons” about Nigeria and the citizenry.

Kalu, who is representing Abia North Senatorial District at the red chamber, stated this while reacting to a Supreme Court judgment delivered in his favour on Friday.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a seven-member panel led by Justice Amina Augie, held that the Federal High Court in Lagos acted without jurisdiction when it convicted Kalu, his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and a former Director of Finance in Abia State, Jones Udeogu, in December last year.

It further held that trial Justice Mohammed Liman was no longer a judge of the Federal High Court as of the time he sat and delivered the judgment that convicted the defendants for allegedly stealing about N7.1bn from the Abia State treasury when he was governor.

Kalu said, “The past five months have been quite a profound period for me. As challenging as that period has been, it has provided me an opportunity to learn invaluable lessons about our country, our peoples, our justice system, and the true meaning of love. I mean love for family, love for our country, and love for humanity.”

He, however, expressed delight that the Supreme court judgment affirmed his right to a fair hearing and equal protection of the law.

BREAKING: Supreme Court Frees Former Gov., Orji Kalu

The Supreme Court, on Friday, quashed the judgement that convicted and sentenced the former governor of Abia State, Orji Uzor-Kalu, to 12 years imprisonment.

The apex court, in a unanimous decision by a seven-man panel of Justices led by Justice Amina Augie, held that the Federal High Court in Lagos acted without jurisdiction when it convicted Kalu, his firm, Slok Nigeria Limited and former Director of Finance in Abia State, Jones Udeogu.

It held that trial Justice Mohammed Liman was no longer a judge of the Federal High Court as at the time he sat and delivered the judgement that convicted the defendants for allegedly stealing about N7.1billion from Abia state treasury.

According to the Supreme Court, Justice Liman, having been elevated to the Court of Appeal before then, lacked the powers to return to sit as a High Court Judge.

It held that the Fiat that was issued to him by the Court of Appeal President pursuant to section 396(7) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act was unconstitutional.

Consequently, the apex court vacated the judgement that convicted the defendants and ordered a fresh trial of the defendants.

On December 5, 2019, a Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday sentenced Orji Kalu, to 12 years’ imprisonment for N7.2 billion fraud and money laundering.

The court convicted Kalu, now a senator, on all the 39 counts preferred against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission charge.

Kalu was charged alongside a former Commissioner for Finance, in the state Jones Udeogo, and his company, Slok Nig. Ltd.

While Kalu and his company were found guilty of all the 39 counts, Udeogo was convicted on 34 counts and sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment

Culled from Vanguard 

Abacha Loots: US exposes 2 top European countries still in custody of another tranches of $167m, $152m

Just a week after aiding Nigeria to repatriate $311m (N118bn) stolen by the late Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, the United States says there is a separate $319m (N121bn) Abacha loot in the United Kingdom and France, fresh report according to Punch suggests. 

The US Embassy in Nigeria said in a statement on Wednesday that there is $167m in stolen assets in France while there is a separate $152m  in the UK which is being challenged in court.

The statement read in part, “The funds returned last week are distinct and separate from an additional $167m in stolen assets also forfeited in the United Kingdom and France, as well as $152m still in active litigation in the United Kingdom.”

Bloomberg had reported that the repatriation of the $152m (now $155m due to interest) to Nigeria is being challenged by the UK and the US because of alleged plans by the Nigerian government to give $110m out of the money to Kebbi State Governor, Atiku Bagudu, a known associate of the late Abacha.

Nigeria is seeking the approval of a UK court to take ownership of the assets before returning 70 percent of the proceeds to Bagudu under the terms of a 2018 deal, according to Bloomberg.

Nigeria’s Attorney-General, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has, however, denied ever entering a deal with Bagudu but court papers say otherwise.

The UK government’s National Crime Agency is also “opposing the Federal Republic of Nigeria’s application,” according to a motion filed by Bagudu’s brother, Ibrahim, to the District Court for the District of Columbia in the US capital on March 30.

The US Department of Justice said in February that its Nigerian counterpart is hindering its efforts to recover the allegedly laundered money from the UK.

Bagudu was part of a network controlled by Abacha that “embezzled, misappropriated and extorted billions from the government of Nigeria,” according to the US Department of Justice.

While successive Nigerian governments have repatriated billions of dollars looted by Abacha, who died in office in 1998, the current regime of Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), said it is prevented from assisting America’s ongoing forfeiture efforts by an agreement between Bagudu and a previous government in 2003.

Abacha is estimated to have stolen as much as $5bn during his five-year rule

That 2003 settlement, which was approved by a UK court, allowed Bagudu to return $163m to Nigeria “without admitting to wrongdoing,” according to US court filings.

Bagudu was elected a senator in 2009 and the governor of Kebbi State six years later.

What Il-Giornale, an Italian Newspapers reported about the purported death of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu?

An Italian interpreter should help please

2023 Presidency: Ohaneze furious, denies seeking help from Gowon, Tinubu, others

By Dansu Peter 

The leadership of Ohanaeze NDIGBO, the socio-political organization of the igbos has denied reaching out to any group or individual to intervene on Igbo behalf.

Though desirous of having presidency of Igbo extraction come 2023, butthe Igbo apex cultural organisation frowned   at  a report described as spurious  made by some miscreants that Ndigbo are reaching out to people that would help facilitate bid for  an Igbo man to  become president  in 2023. 

The name of President Muhammadu Buhari, former military president, Gen. Gowon, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, were some  allegedly dropped as some prominent Nigerians being sought to help in paving the way for Igbo presidency.

A statement signed by the national publicity secretary, Prince Uche Achi-Ogbaga, said  Ohanaeze Ndigbo had never at any time approached any individual or group to help Ndigbo produce a Nigerian president come 2023.

“The attention of the apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, has been drawn to a spurious news item alleging that it had chosen a former Head of State, Retired General Yakubu Gowon, to spearhead the campaign for the emergence of a president of Igbo extraction in 2023.

“Equally mendacious is the story that Ohanaeze leadership was planning to have an interface with some prominent political figures in the country towards achieving the same objective.

“Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide hereby informs the general public that at no time were the aforementioned situations ever contemplated or was there any meeting at which they were tabled for consideration, let alone any action being taken or a press statement issued on that.

“The purported actions exist only in the imagination of the miscreants and enemies of the Igbo nation who are the purveyors of the unfortunate concoctions.”