Exclusive! How CBN Governor, Emefiele Diverted N89 Trillion Stamp Duty Fund Into Private Accounts - Presidential Committee

The Secretary of the dissolved Presidential Committee on Reconciliation and Recovery of Stamp Duties Revenue, Kazaure Gudaji has narrated how N89 trillion from stamp duties was misappropriated and diverted by the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

Garba Shehu, presidential spokesperson, on Saturday, debunked Kazaure’s N89 trillion missing funds claim, adding that it was “ludicrous that a member of the parliament would claim to be secretary of an executive committee”.

Kazaure had said his committee was secretly constituted by President Muhammadu Buhari, with Adetola Adekoya and him as the chairman and secretary respectively.

He explained that he, in a letter dated 8 August, sought the approval of Mr Buhari to set up the committee that included the Minister of Finance, Zainab Ahmed, the Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Yusuf Bichi, Mohammed Wakili, a retired commissioner of police and one Mr Okafor, a retired staffer of the National Intelligence Agency.

A source in government told revealed on Wednesday that President Muhammadu Buhari is not aware of a lot of things going on in his government, including details about the Stamp Duty charges.

The source added that knowing this weakness, the people around Buhari have ensured he doesn't get to know about some fraudulent activities going on in his government. 

"The President is not aware of all these because all the people surrounding him are not allowing anything that will expose them to pass to him, but now he understands they are cheating him," the source said. 

In a fresh document obtained by SaharaReporters, the lawmaker narrated how the funds were diverted using multiple circulars.

Kazaure added that the committee had flagged the funds ($171.0 billion) in CBN’s private investors account.

It also flagged funds recycled as loans to some banks, N13 trillion; and funds “recycled as FMDQ debt to FGN: N23.3 Trillion”.

He said, “How CBN Circular of 27th March 2013 was used to divert the revenue. School of Banking Honours "SBH" is a banking monotechnic that was registered by JAMB as an Innovation Enterprise Institution "IEI" under a new Federal Education policy to skill, re-skill and up-skill Nigerian Youth on all aspects of banking operations techniques, in making them to be more employable locally, and competitive globally. As SBH does not receive subvention or grants from FGN, it applied loans on research to make a difference on tertiary banking skills.

"With retrenchments ravaging the banking sector, SBH adopted a strategy to create part-time banking jobs for Nigerian youth from GAPS in banking services, hence it began to research into embossed Stamp Duty Paid symbol on cheques.

“When CBN refused to partner on SBH research for "shadow-banking" to absorb our youth on part-time jobs in February 2012, SBH invited NIPOST to represent FGN thereon, and a Master Services Agreement was signed in September 2012. SBH returned to CBN for Approvals to engage banks and others for N50 Stamp Duties on manual teller deposits and electronic transfer receipts from N1000 and above, and to sweep these into FGN coffers.

“CBN obliged SBH by issuing its Approval letters, with that of 3rd December 2012 stating that this was against its policy on financial inclusion, but that despite this, all revenue arising thereon must be swept into FGN coffers on monthly basis. For manual collections on Cheques, SBH invited 3 lead banks (First Bank, Stanbic IBTC and Unity Bank), and they committed to their roles. SBH then called a press conference with NIBSS for all bank customers on their obligation.

“SBH engaged NIBSS as Official Sweeping Agent to FGN on the new revenue, but its then CEO, Mr. Folashodun Adebisi Shonubi (now CBN Deputy Governor) complained, via email dated 18th January 2013 that the CBN Approval was not meant to increase cost of banking to customers; and Payment of N50 Stamp Duty on a N1000 transfer is "absurd" hence the threshold must be increased upwards. Quite unbelievably, NIBSS induced CBN to issue a Circular on 27th March 2013 for an aggregate N100 (i.e. banks N70; NIBSS N30) as "additional charges" on transfers from below their own N500,000 threshold, down to N1000 of Stamp Duties, while N50 Stamp Duties of Government in 2012, was blocked. What then started as "breach" of financial inclusion for banks / NIBSS against FGN in 2013, has now snowballed into monumental fraud that is unknown in banking history.

“Undaunted, the SBH continued its due diligence, and served a Demand Notice for N7.7 Trillion on NIBSS, being Stamp Duties assessed for 2013/2014. NIBSS accepted, and invited SBH on 5th July 2015, for "full recovery" of all share of Government collections. The latter then invited Revenue Mobilization Allocation & Fiscal Commission "RMAFC" to replace NIPOST that had gone on a judicial misadventure with Mr. Buruji Kashamu "KASMAL" which heralded its eventual nullification from any Stamp Duties collection by an Appeal Court.

“RMAFC had no satisfactory answer from CBN + NIBSS, while its Chairman. alerted in-coming President Muhammadu Buhari against Mr. Emefiele's buy-out plan of Nigeria's OIL Joint Venture shares at N14.9 Trillion in funding his critical infrastructure needs. SBH then related N7.7 Trillion demanded on NIBSS, to the N14.9 Trillion buy-out offer from Mr. Emefiele, are 1:2 ratio, and also similar to N50 Stamp Duties and N100 bank charges. So, Mr. Emefiele had shown interest in laundering Stamp Duties to acquire FGN asset since 2015..!

“School of Banking Honours processed its Copyright No. LW1023 on the intellectual research works, and is now representing FGN on all technical aspects of the Stamp Duties since 27th September 2012, and as duly registered on 15th October 2015 under Laws of the Federation.”

The lawmaker continued, “How CBN Circular of 15 January 2016 tried to distort 1st diversion: CBN issued a Circular on 15th January 2016 "in exchange" for an illegal waiver granted to it by Kasmal and NIPOST on all Stamp Duties due from NIBSS recovery invitation for 2013/2014 years, while 2 judgments presented by Kasmal to CBN on same matter revealed disparity on a purported contract (i.e. NIPOST and Kasmal) with terminal dates of October 2018, and October 2015, while 5% commission was inflated to 15%, even as NIPOST wrote CBN to deny formal contract thereon.

“Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of Justice Ministry directed EFCC in March 2016 to investigate the purported Agreement, and SBH was invited to submit memos, but the outcomes have been suppressed between Justice / EFCC till date.

“How CBN Circular of 21st February 2017 diverted revenue from FGN:

1. Total foreign exchange of US $171 Billion that accumulated into CBN Private Investors Account within 3 years to April 2020, was derived from above: a. Mr. Emefiele directed all banks to share their processing fees with CBN in ratio of 40:60, but the fees were not credited to income statement of CBN, but to Private Investors Account on foreign exchange trade.

“b. All forex traded by CBN with bureau-de-change operators are "privately" owned, hence the indifference of Mr. Emefiele to continued devaluation of Naira from about N250 to the Dollar in 2015, to about N700 now.

2. Total loans of over N23.4 Trillion from CBN to some banks as at December 2019, were mostly from the Stamp Duties revenue that was diverted, given that:

“a. NIBSS alerted SBH that N50 Stamp Duties on bank transfers from N1000 and above, would deliver revenue that is far above OIL; and

b. CBN share capital was just N5 Billion, while its reserves were only N280 Billion (all totalling N285 Billion), as at December 2019.

“3. Total Debt Stock variously issued to Federal Government "FGN" via Financial Markets Dealers Quotes "FMDQ", was stated at about N13.0 Trillion, and this was far in excess of its balance sheet size. For instance, the following ratios as at December 2020 show areas for due diligence:

“a. N13.0 Trillion Debt issued by FMDQ to Government is 94.5% of total Bonds, while non-Government are about 5.5%. This confirms FGN as the easiest source for laundering CBN slush funds as Debt stock.

b. However, FMDQ's own fund on the portfolio is just about 0.4%, hence the need to review the sources of CBN funds recycled into FGN Debt. Desperation of CBN to cover-up Stamp Duties revenue:

“In line with Section 3(2) of Stamp Duties Act, Finance Minister has not reported the Copyright-holder's Invoice of N89.1 Trillion to 36 State Governors for over 1 year, while CBN Governor refused to transfer the unremitted Stamp Duties from its Private Investors Account, into STAMP DUTIES CENTRAL ACCOUNT for the monitoring convenience of Mr. President, as ordered.

“Private Investors Account on foreign exchange was opened by CBN in April 2017, and then funded from CBN Circular of same April 2017. Even EFCC that SBH approached for support on 31st May 2021 has not disclosed its investigation outcome on the accounts publicly, or forwarded a report on the balances to Mr. President for over 1 year.

“Furthermore, Stamp Duties revenue accruing to FGN is still growing at an astronomical rate, and this is quite evident from latest NIBSS statistics that reported eTransactions at N117.3 Trillion in just 4 months of 2022 alone, and by conservative estimates, these could reach over N400 Trillion by year end. It must be noted that NIBSS is just 1 of 15 other switches whose records have not been captured by Copyright-holder, and CBN is jealously guarding the huge revenue that is "above OIL" from Government...!”

The committee according to the document also recommended the suspension of the CBN Governor.

Source: SaharaReporters

2023: Between Makinde And Opposition In A Season Of Coalition Threat | By Henry Odeh

It is no doubt a public knowledge that coalition formed prior to the 2019 governorship election in Oyo state played a key and strategic role in the final outcome of the poll that many have described as historic in the history of elections in the state.

Historic because it was not only the first time opposition parties and their candidates would be united to unseat an incumbent but also the first time a supposed 'rookie' politician, defeated a then strong and powerful sitting Governor in Oyo state.

Political buildup in Oyo state ahead of 2023 is already taking a new twist that's making the whole landscape more interestingly intense especially as coalition threat, which is a new political tool in town among politicians, has now become the order of the day for deployment amidst politicians who are perceived sworn political enemies and arch rivals.

It is very pertinent to state here without mincing words that the success of 2019 coalition pact was not largely due to the popularity of the incumbent Governor, Seyi Makinde, it was largely due to a number of factors, some of which included the deliberate action by the people themselves to vehemently reject the continuation of APC rule, have a successor from the same party that was accused of impoverishing the masses with military-like approach to governance, as well as compensation for Makinde's long-standing philanthropy even after losing elections.

Like a first time employee, Makinde immediately adapted to his public office contrary to the corporate world from where he came. His approach to governance, humility and leadership style especially the all inclusiveness which gives every class of persons, including persons living with disabilities, a representation in his government via political appointments.

All these including appointments of youths of ages as low as 25 and 27 years old as Commissioners and Special Assistants, sustained regular payments of workers salaries, pensions and gratuities to pensioners and retirees, effective management of the global covid-19 pandemic, effective management of the nationwide youths protest; #EndSARS, construction of roads that have opened up connect rural areas to the city for Agricultural development, modernization of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital and strategically positioning Oyo state for global investments have all warmed Makinde to hearts of the masses. The people's love is no doubt evident every time the Governor goes out on the streets.

Prior to the coalition before the 2019 poll, no one would have given a 'Seyi Makinde, the governorship candidate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the slightest of chance to emerge winner of the election considering the participating political gladiators in the race as well as Makinde's lack of prior public office experience.

On the platform of the then ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), there was former Governor, Late Abiola Ajimobi hoping to hand over power to former deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, grandson of renowned Ibadan politician, Late Adegoke Adelabu popularly known as 'Penkelemes' while the former Governor, Late Adebayo Alao Akala was hoping for a second stint at the Agodi Government House on the platform of ADP.

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) boasted of former Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, also son of popular politician in the camp of late Obefemi Awolowo during the second republic who supposedly defeated Late Ajimobi at the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) governorship primary election in 2010. 

Lanlehin is also believed to be the favorite of former governor, and then Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Rashid Adewolu Ladoja while still together in ADC before further political migration led Ladoja and his supporters into Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) which presented former Secretary to Government of Oyo state (SSG), Chief Sarafadeen Alli as its governorship candidate.

Looking at the array of all these 'A-List' politicians in the race, it was almost impossible for any experienced political analyst or observer to think that a certain Seyi Makinde running on the platform of the then divided PDP would emerge atop all these political gladiators whose influences cut across the shores of Oyo state.

But like the Biblical saying, the ways of men is not the way of God and only God, who is the Supreme being and controls the affairs of men enthrones kings and rulers as He alone pleases. Therefore, it would not be out of place to state that a combination of efforts, God's time and grace all played out in favour of Seyi Makinde who is now the incumbent Governor of Oyo state.

In time past, many politicians especially at the national level, who are mostly running for the number one seat in the land; the presidency, often form political alliance and some sort of coalition to improve their chances of winning elections but non of such alliances have made any significant impact until 2014 when virtually all major opposition parties in Nigeria entered into a political marriage now refered to as the '2014 political amalgamation' after which the government of PDP at the centre was brought to an end in 2015.

To understand my drift, there's the need to differentiate between political coalition and amalgamation because even they they have a similar outlook to a layman, they're different in practice and application.

While coalition is a temporary alliance for combined action, especially of political parties, amalgamation on the other is a political marriage where all involved political parties collapse their structures into the marriage for a fresh corporate identity and operations. Parties involved in coalition pact do not have any further obligation other than the temporary alliance which means, their individual party structures remain intact contrary to what is applicable in political amalgamation.

The pronouncement of coalition force by some members of the opposition parties in Oyo state ahead of 2023, even though envisaged by many pundits and political observers may not necessarily birth the same result as 2019 election because the political atmosphere in 2019 was absolutely different from what currently permeates the length and breath of the political landscape in the state and.....watch out for the next chapter!

EFCC To Auction Forfeited Real Estate Soon – Bawa

Following the success of its recent public auction of over 649 vehicles, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will soon commence the process of sale of forfeited properties comprising 160 flats and apartments in 16 locations across the country.

The Commission’s Chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa disclosed this today, Thursday December 15, 2022, while giving account of the Agency’s activities at the 62nd session of the State House Media Briefing organized by the Presidential Communications Team at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.

Though he did not state the exact date for the exercise, the EFCC boss however disclosed that, unlike the public auction of vehicles, some occupants of some of the properties including agencies of government, would be given right of first refusal in the sale.

Bawa, who highlighted the various reforms, innovations and corruption prevention programmes executed in the EFCC since he assumed leadership of the Commission, disclosed that the Commission recorded an unprecedented 3615 convictions between January and December 9, 2022, which surpasses the equally impressive 2220 convictions posted in 2021.

In the same vein, he disclosed that by the end of October this year, the EFCC recorded over N134billion and $121million in monetary recovery. This he said excluded the N354billion it recovered from an oil company in unpaid royalties.

He attributed the feat to the commitment of staff, and the support of both the government and the judiciary.

It was the second time the EFCC boss would feature in the programme, having first appeared in the 11th edition of the series.

Online Publishers Hail Oyo Deputy Governor Over Appointment Of Members

South West Group of Online Publishers, SWEGOP has hailed Oyo state Deputy Governor Barrister Abdulraheem Adebayo Lawal for appointing three of its members as special Aides 

The trio of Omolere Omoetan, Publisher of Sunrise Bulletin; Joel Kehinde, Publisher of Goal Poacher and Ahmed Oyedeji, Publisher of Mouthpieceng received their appointment letters on Wednesday.

SWEGOP, in a statement signed by the Chairman Mr Olayinka Agboola and the PRO Remi Oladoye, said the recognition given to the publishers by the Deputy Governor is highly commendable.

"The Deputy Governor has demonstrated attribute of a genuine interest and intent to encourage the younger generation of professionals".

While expressing optimism that the trio will perform their duties diligently, SWEGOP urged them to be dedicated and further promote the integrity of journalism and maintain good relationship with their colleagues.

Nigerian Ambassador To Spain, Demola Seriki Dies At 63

Popular Nigerian politician and the Country's Ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, Demola Seriki is dead.

Seriki was said to have died in the early hours of Thursday, according to a banner spotted online. He was aged 63.

The banner reads: "Inna lillāhi-wa-inna-ilayhi-raji'ūn

It is with heavy hearts and profound gratitude to Almighty Allah that we announce the loss of our much loved and admired patriarch, husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, His Excellency, Ambassador Ademola Rasaq Atanda Seriki (CON) on December 15th, 2022.

He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family in Madrid, Spain.

Signed: The Children."

Ademola Seriki was a politician, teacher, businessman and public administrator.

He started his career as clerk at the Lagos City Council. He later proceeded to New York, United State, where he studied and bagged Bachelor of Arts and Master of Science degrees in Accounting, Finance & Management from the City University of New York. He also attended Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government, Cambridge Massachusetts where he completed a Senior Executive Education and earned a Certificate in National and International Security.

Prior to his current post, he had previously served as Minister of State for Interior of the Federal Republic of Nigeria between 2009 and 2010, Minister of State for Defence from 2008 to 2009, Supervising Minister for Mines and Steel Development from 2008 to December 2008 and Minister of State for Agriculture and Water Resource from 2007 to 2008.

He was the Otun Aare of Lagos.

Makinde Approves Aides In Deputy Governor’s Office

Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde has approved the appointment of a number of aides who will see to the running of the office of the Deputy Governor, Barrister Abdulroheem Adebayo Lawal.

Those appointed include Barrister Ajibade Hassan Adewumi (Senior Special Assistant, Legal Matters); Mr. Nasiru Ogede Ayinde (SSA Projects); Mr. Badmus Shuaib Adesola (SSA Domestic); Kehinde Joel (SSA Online Media); Mr. Oyedeji Ahmed (SSA Public Affairs); Mr. Ajagbe Yusuff Olatunji (SSA Political); Omolere Omoetan (SSA Media) and Mr. Adebayo Wahab Adewale (SSA Administration).

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the appointments were conveyed in separate letters endorsed by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) Mrs. Olubamiwo Adeosun.

The letter indicated that the appointments take effect from December 7, 2022.

The letter read in part: “I am delighted to inform you that the Executive Governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Seyi Makinde, has graciously approved your appointment.

“While heartily congratulating you on your appointment, which must be seen as a call to service, His Excellency, as well as the Government, expects that you will discharge your duties with absolute loyalty, dedication and diligence.”

Makinde Applauds NHRC On Activism Against Gender-based Violence

Oyo State Governor, ’Seyi Makinde, on Monday, applauded the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) for the  excellent work it has been doing towards ending gender-based violence in the state.

The governor, who was represented by his Special Adviser on Strategy and Political Matters, Hon. Babatunde Oduyoye, made the commendation while receiving the coordinator and members of the Oyo State chapter of NHRC.

Oduyoye also received, on behalf of the governor, a communiqué issued at the final validation meeting by the stakeholders on the theme: ‘unite; end violence against women and girls to commemorate the 2022 International Human Rights day.’

He charged the NHRC team to remain focused and work hand-in-hand with the Oyo State House of Assembly to ensure the enactment of laws towards protecting human rights.

Oduyoye, who expressed the commitment of the governor towards improving the lives of the residents of Oyo State, reassured the team that the communiqué will be presented to the governor and that it will receive due attention. 

The former lawmaker equally urged the NHRC to also approach the Wife of the Governor with a view to collaborating with her office on human rights protection.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the NHRC in Oyo State, Mrs Olamide Akintayo, urged the Oyo State Government to consider setting up of special courts to handle cases of Sexual and Gender-based Violence.

Akintayo said the establishment of such courts would ease the current long and most times exhausting struggle of access to justice by victims in regular courts.

According to her, the advocacy visit is to present a communiqué issued at the end of a stakeholders meeting with the theme - Unite, End Violence Against Women and Girls.

She said the communique contained resolutions/ recommendations that would curb Human Right abuses, especially issues pertaining to sexual and gender-based violence.

The NHRC coordinator stressed that state government should also take urgent steps in strengthening all enforcement mechanisms of existing laws in order to build trust and confidence in the minds of its citizens on the ability of the state to ensure justice for victims.

She added that such steps would bring all perpetrators to justice, thereby serving as a deterrent for future offenders.

She further said the move would motivate and encourage the hard work of first responders doing their best to provide necessary care and support for victims as well as seek justice through legal means.

Ariwoola’s Raw Baptism | By Festus Adedayo

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, got a raw baptism from politicians recently. In a statement attributed to him which went viral and even attracted the excoriation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faction of presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, the CJN was credited with having said that he was happy that Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State was among the five governors of the party loyal to Wike. For those rustling the rubble for dynamites with which to destroy their political opponents, the CJN’s alleged statement was a perfect nuke in need of detonation.

However, the Supreme Court (SC) took the explosion off this masterfully prepared nuke by situating what actually transpired. For those who had hoped to stoke the embers and get a conflagration, it was a deflating shock. According to the SC in its rebuttal, the CJN and other senior judicial officers, who were drawn from different parts of the country, had gone to Port Harcourt for the commissioning of two buildings of the Federal Judicial Service Commission’s South-South Liaison Office and the Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili Judicial Institute, which were constructed by the Rivers State government.

During his brief remarks at a State Banquet organized by the Rivers State government, the CJN, who hails from Oyo State and seeing his governor in attendance, had said “he was very surprised to see the ‘G5 Governors’ (Integrity Group Governors), just as he equally expressed the same surprise when he saw them in Ibadan, Oyo State, during the reception organised in his honour by his state government in October 2022. His surprise particularly stemmed from the fact that he saw his own State Governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde (who incidentally is a member of the G5 Governors) at the Port Harcourt occasion. He equally stated jocularly that being that Engr. Makinde married from Rivers State and is equally very close to Nyesome Wike, he would be able to replicate the developmental strides of the latter in Oyo State for the good of the citizenry.”

Now, but for the desire to make mischief and tar-brush him for whatever ulterior motive, what manner of journalism would breed the inflection that that statement was eventually given by the agent provocateurs who negatively elasticized it in the public?

Judges do not jump from Uranus and thus, also possess human feelings. It is almost inhuman for anyone not to appreciate development, especially growth of physical infrastructure. I remember being on the entourage of an ex-governor to Rotimi Amaechi’s Rivers some years ago. After the visit, I told whoever wished to listen that if any southwest governor achieved ten percent of Amaechi’s infrastructural works, he would be a hero of his people. So I wasn’t surprised that Ariwoola suffered similar pleasant shock as I did. That he wished that “the developmental strides” achieved by Wike would be replicated in his home state was just human.

Those who harangue the CJN for attending politicians’ events are merely crying wolf. By the nature of his appointment and position, Ariwoola cannot distance himself from politicians. He sits atop the judiciary but in occupation of a position which is not an island onto itself. He will constantly rub shoulders with politicians until his last day in office. He can only be advised to be wary of the fact that, cosseting him at such occasions would be evil-minded individuals who are baying for blood.

Whenever Ariwoola and probably his successors are invited to such an event subsequently, it is only society that will lose. It will be denied of non-judicial narratives in the public speeches of a CJN who is also human. This is because the CJN will subsequently approach such events with a temporary taciturnity that he will impose on himself. Since what politicians and their hirelings want is a CJN who is all law and with no human aspect, that is just as well; isn’t it?

Charlatanism At Chatham House | By Festus Adedayo

Egba, Ogun State-born indigenous African Sakara music exponent, Sanusi Aka, popularly known as S. Aka Baba Waidi, in two of his vinyls, illustrates my drift today. This he did in the albums recorded in 1959 and 1974 respectively. While the former was highly political, which he entitled Ibo fedira, (Federal election) the other was entitled Awon Orisha.

The Awon Orisha track is a fabulous narrative of how some renowned deities in Yorubaland, in an ego clash and desirous of sorting out their supremacy battle, met with and had a conversation with God. Some of the deities were Ifa and Osanyin, as well as Islamic/Christian clerics, and the Witch. Each demanded of Him a pronouncement that they were the most powerful and supreme among earthly deities. God then asked them to gather at an appointed date for a test of their individual prowess.

Inside a house with different rooms, God kept in each a cow, black dog and white ram, with no one but His angels in the know of this arrangement. One after the other, God asked these divinities the identity of what He kept inside the rooms. Aka rendered this request by God musically, in his very sonorous, Egba dialect-laced voice, salted with his insignia traditional flute, as ohun to wa ni’yara ko’kan, ko wi fun wa, ka gbo s’eti. As they took their turns, beginning with Ifa, expectedly, the deities were apt in their divination of the objects kept in the rooms. For this, God gave them, beginning with Ifa, kudos – Olohun ni sadankata e, Ifa. When it was the turn of the Witch to be called to demonstrate her prowess, she boasted that, as against the other divinities who could merely see through the fog of the unseen, she was capable of transpolinating destinies – won ni awon le yi kadara eda pada sibikibi t’awon ba fe. So she used her witchcraft to swap those objects that God kept inside the rooms, to the chagrin of all gathered. And as such, the Witch emerged the most supreme of all deities, so said Aka.

The power in the hands of the voter is almost equal to the power of the African witch. In Africa, witchraftery is a powerful occult that gives its initiates the power of life and death. God bless the soul of my teacher at the University of Lagos, Prof Sophie Oluwole, who majored in the study of witchcraft, in Yoruba epistemology, which promotes the witch to an almost imperial realm, the witch is attributed with the power to munch the limb through the narrow passage of the head; devour the heart through the route of the kidneys and the bile-duct from the buttocks. As powerful as the witch is projected to be, virtually every belief woven round it is in the realm of fantasy. It cannot be subjected to hypothesis or empirical verification. Pursuing this belief of the Yoruba further, witchcraftery is said to be a cult whose members kill and look not for the vulture to devour the carcass. They do this themselves.

The voter, the world over, is that African Witch. S/he is imbued with remarkable power to transpose and transpolinate destinies of ordinary aspirants and candidates into political offices. Remember that Honolulu, Hawaii-born Senator of Kenyan descent, Barack Obama who, upon being elected the American president, took the world by storm? Or the Zoologist from Otueke, Bayelsa State, Goodluck Jonathan, who suddenly came in possession of the untrammeled power of the Nigerian president? That is the inexplicably mysterious power of the withcraftery in a vote and the power of its user.

In the 1959 vinyl, Aka lamented the loss of the federal election of that year by Chief Obafemi Awolowo to the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) of the Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello. Very seldom do Nigerians realize that, in the 2023 presidential election equation which produced Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Bola Tinubu, Nigeria is back to the 1959 federal election model. Aka tells us this.

In very epigrammatic musical description, Aka narrated how the trauma pre, during and after of that election was hugely unsettling for the Nigerian people – Ojo nla lojo yen…ese girigiri loju titi gbogbo ilu pa lolo. When the Rediffusion eventually announced the election results, said Aka, as NCNC was being declared victorious in many polling stations, so also was AG – the Egbe Olope. Expectations were splintered along ethnic lines, he said – L’oju tiwa, bi ko j’Awolowo; loju Ibo, bi ko j’Azikuwe (sic); loju Hausa, bi ko je Tafa Balewa… but before anyone knew what was happening, Aka continued, “Egbe Hausa” – Hausa party, that is the NPC – had been declared winner. In Aka’s summary, southern self betrayal, absence of group cohesion and greed were the cause of the loss.

As powerful as the voter is, in the Third World especially, he is at the same time as light as the quill of the feather. He is impressionable, pliant and seems to be easily mollified by the frills of oppressors. The elector is not deep, no matter his level of education; they are flimsy and very easily suaded. When confronted with electoral choices, even if he is a professor, the elector throws away his thinking cap and begins to reason with infantile mindset. What triggers the elector’s excitement at moments of electioneering are flimsy and unenduring fancies. Persuaded of this penchant not to be thorough, the Nigerian politician also treats the prospective electors in this mould.

From the elector who would thoroughly interrogate issues that politicians like Awolowo confronted in the First and Second Republics, we have landed at the feet of electors who are so peremptory, unsound and are easily excited by nothing. The politician has morphed from who he was in the 1960s to the 1980s. He has changed from one who confronted the electors with cogent, persuasive and convincing offering as reasons to be voted. The highly intellectual and perspectival politician of those eras has given way to the politician of today who has the temerity to act in a condemnable way in the face of the elector, knowing full well that the elector will yell in excitement.

That tumbling down of the Nigerian politician is captured by the colossal dropdown from the Awolowo, Bello and Azikiwe Olympian height campaign modalities to, if you pardon the vulgarism therein, something in the mould of another Sakara music great, Yusufu Olatunji’s classification of someone who mutated from the abominable to the reprehensible.

In a famous 1970s vinyl, Volume 17 to be precise, Olatunji, apparently doing a riposte to an earlier vituperative sarcasm from his lifelong musical rival, S. Aka, the man known by the famous sobriquet “Baba L’Egba”, singed the flesh of Aka musically. He began by lamenting that his adversary had luxuriated in infamy, from a decidedly lamentable state – Omo Eran, Son of a Goat – to a worse form – Omo Eshin and finally, to the most precarious state – Omo Garawa, Son of a Metal Bowl, which he rendered in the song thus: A npe won l’omo Eran, won hu’wa omo Eshin/A npe won l’omo Eshin, won hu’wa Omo garawa/Awon Eniyan yepere, ko to si’ruwa lati se Gada f’eniyan yepere.

Translated, it reads thus, I initially called you Son of a Goat, but in manner, utterances and demeanour, you have since earned promotion to be referred to as Son of a Goat. I had not sat down to this classification of your person before you tumbled down into something worse, the Son of a Horse and then subsequently, you transcended further into earning the sobriquet of Omo Garawa – Son of a Metal Bowl. This is due to your roguish and rascally behavior which makes you deserving of my resentment and complete avoidance.

As dire as the Nigerian situation currently is, the least that should have been expected from Nigerian electors is a firm grilling and toothcomb analysis of every move of their intended leaders, lest they travel their usual jaded route again. This is a Shefiu Ayan suggested path for society. Shefiu Ayan Ayan was a renowned Apala musical prodigy of the 1950s, one who sparred fittingly but bitterly with Haruna Ishola, along with Kasumu Adio. He died young and abruptly in the 1950s, at the apogee of his fame.  

Ayan’s approach to an impending doom, which would have been the most desirable for the Nigerian electors, is that they should face their doom squarely and decisively and not with tantrums and infantile laughter. Ayan was reputed with the song, Kinikan nbe’nugbo which he sang in 1955. In this track, Ayan alarmingly called the attention of the public to an impending doom whose route to town would be the forest. While confessing that the doom was ominous and scary, he canvassed group tackle of the doom as a tree cannot make a forest. This he rendered thus: Kinikan nbe’nugbo ton dun manhuru, manhuru…Eru nba mi, Ominu nko mi, Shefiu Ayan, ki lon ko e lominu? A tiri cannoti make a foresti…

While Nigerian politicians have gone deep down in their lack of thoroughness and excitement with vaporizing issues as campaign objects, the Nigerian voter has gone further down the abyss with them. Only recently, we were sold the dummy of Muhammadu Buhari. Virtually every component of that dummy has fallen. Not only was Buhari the presidential candidate shielded from being grilled by Nigerians in presidential debates, as a political gambit, his mental depth was completely shrouded from view. Voters even rationalized that his opaque academic certification was unnecessary and that even if he presented a NEPA bill, he was fine. The result has been almost eight years of weeping, wailing and gnashing of teeth. Today, those who packaged that fraud as pearl are being rewarded with yet another brand of self-obfuscation and complete representation of dross as gold to us. Rather than critically rejecting this misrepresentation, we yell in childlike excitement and fantasy.

Last Monday, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), ex-Governor Bola Tinubu, honoured the well advertised appearance at the Chatham House in the United Kingdom. Apart from addressing many issues that agitated the minds of the people, though in a scripted speech, whether believable or not, issues like his place of birth, certificates, corruption and sundry others got his explanation. It was a good place to begin. It showed that Nigerians eventually got him to speak to them directly about his opaque past.

“I have a very good exposure in life. My record is consistent in the school, at the university. They (critics) are now convinced that they wasted their money and their time. The record is there, the transcript is there showing March 1952…I am not claiming another father; I am Tinubu and Tinubu proper. If they want DNA, they could as well request it from us. One of them has even been accused of not being a Nigerian citizen. I didn’t touch that area. Equally, it remains the same, Deloitte, Chicago State University where I graduated from has attested to that. Now, I can announce that I have received my original replacement degree certificate from them,” he said.

However, after his opening remarks, when asked to answer, adlib, specific and critical issues bordering his projected governance of Nigeria, Tinubu outsourced his answers. One after the other, he assigned to the Kaduna State governor, Nasir el-Rufai; Director of Strategic Communication of his campaign, Dele Alake; a former Commissioner for Finance in Lagos, Wale Edun; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila; former Ekiti State governor, Kayode Fayemi; APC National Women’s Leader, Dr Beta Edu, the responsibility of answering those burning questions on the administration of Nigeria. He prefaced this queer leadership model with a rationalization thus: “Let me demonstrate here one of those philosophies and doctrines that I believe firmly in; it is team-ship, unbreakable team. To demonstrate that, I’ll assign it to my team”.

This was a man whose extempore speeches since he began the presidential campaign have been pockmarked by embarrassing glitches that spoke to mental mis-coordination; or the burden of one bereft of adequate reasoning capacity. He had been invited to media interviews which he shunned. Rationalizing this at Chatham, Tinubu said he refrained from such one-on-one interviews with Nigerians because, “I see myself as a marketable individual. They want to use me to make money and I said no.” So, what is wrong in that?

Thereafter, Tinubu’s hirelings and his team of supporters began to manifest the Yusufu Olatunji’s mutation traits. In their self-imposed vision limitation, there is nothing wrong with Tinubu sending his child to defecate on his behalf. Didn’t our forefathers posit that defecation isn’t delegable? Again, such assignment of seeking our votes and showing us the depth of his knowledge find a corollary in a principle in constitutional and administrative law rendered in Latin which holds that, delegatus non potest delegare; meaning, one to whom power is delegated cannot himself further delegate that power.

Tinubu’s men however reasoned that that slip at Chatham mirrored team-ship and delegation of responsibility. How can any responsible person justify this? For a man who has suffered awesome shellacking back home on suspicion of a mental gap somewhere, while it is bad enough that his charity must begin abroad, good reason should have dictated that he should have taken time to answer every of the questions posed to him so as to shame his critics. What he did at Chatham House is tantamount to an applicant for a job asking his interviewer to be allowed to outsource the answering of questions to somebody else. The so-called leadership acumen that Tinubu is alleged to possess will begin, if he wins the presidential election, from May 29, 2023 and not now. What we are about now is a process of inquisition into his qualification for the office.

The Yusufu Olatunji Omo Garawa crew who try to blindfold the electorate with all sorts of concoctions should know that, if at the end of the day, these selfsame electors decide that Tinubu, regardless of his limitations, should be Nigeria’s president in 2023, let it be that they opened their eyes wide while making their decision. After all, the American electorate did not jilt John Fetterman, the Democratic candidate who suffered stroke and who was mocked and lobbed acrimony at by his Republican opponent, Mehmet Oz, during a rancorous race for Pennsylvania’s US Senate seat. They however deserve to know every of Tinubu’s limitations, his health status and his depth.

The tragedy of our situation isn’t that politicians have morphed from Son of a Goat, into Son of a Horse; it is that those who should call them out for who they are, have fallen by the wayside. When you hear the comments of those we thought were our repository of morals and knowledge and their rationalization of and pontifications on the charlatanism that is on parade among candidates seeking our Witches’ hands to get to power, the only fitting epithet to this disaster should be, “And Jesus wept.” Most tragic of it all is that these are men and women who are not lured to leap inside this sewage by cash. They are lured by their tenuous minds.

Why It's Difficult For Governor Makinde To Pick New Olubadan

The general public is presently in confusion over who will be installed as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland. That has been the major topic across different media platforms since two weeks ago that former occupiers of the throne, Oba Saliu Adetunji, the Aje Ogungunniso 1, joined his ancestors.

Oba Adetunji, who ascended the throne on the 4th of March, 2016, passed on in the early hours of Sunday, the 2nd January, 2022, at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, at 93.

While some have insisted that the existing rotational system of Ibadan chieftaincy structure should be strictly followed and the next man in line, Senator Lekan Balogun, the Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, be allowed to ascend the throne. This, they say, becomes necessary in order for peace to reign and will further strengthen the smooth process of becoming Olubadan

There are those who have come seriously against such a position, however, describing it as a move capable of promoting disloyalty and conspiracy against the highly revered throne of Olubadan. This school of thought feel Balogun, alongside other High Chiefs who benefited from late former governor Ajimobi’s chieftaincy reform and were promoted to the position of beaded crown and coronets wearing Obas, should be excused from the Olubadan throne. Their point, among other issues raised, is that it would be a kind of double standard for an already crowned Oba to be installed as Olubadan.

They also pointed out the fact that the affected High Chiefs still have pending cases instituted by them in the court of law. Even after the present administration had opted to settle out of court.

They believe since Balogun can’t wear two crowns at the same time, the former governor of Oyo State, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, as the next person to Balogun in Otun line and since the line should produce the next Olubadan, should be installed.

In the middle of all these, however, is the present administration in Oyo State led by Governor ‘Seyi Makinde. In fact, the governor has been inundated with all kinds of opinions and suggestions as to who to and who not to install as Olubadan.

Of course, the pressure mounting on the governor, from different corners, is understandable. Whoever to be installed as Olubadan is subject to the approval of the governor of the state, Engr. ‘Seyi Makinde.

Little wonder then that a former Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Oyo State, Michael Lana Esq, last week, wrote Governor Makinde a letter. He stated that no Oba can ascend the throne of the Olubadan as long as the High Chiefs still cling to the title of Oba, and any installation of any of them during the pendency of the existing suit is illegal, null and void.

Barr. Lana, in his letter, therefore advised the governor to withhold any approval of any High Chief to become the Olubadan so that he will not become a party to the desecration of Ibadan Chieftaincy Customary Law. Saying that the former governor in the state did not take the situation into consideration before embarking on the journey of illegality.

To counter Barr. Lana’s position, however, the Olubadan-in-Council who also doubles as Kingmakers have said that no court case would stop the appointment and installation of the next Olubadan.

In their letter to Governor Makinde, through their lawyers, Olubadan-in-Council explicitly discussed why Senator Lekan Balogun should be installed as the next person in line to Olubadan throne.It would be recalled that ten members of the Olubadan-in-Council, except Ladoja who was absent at the Mapo Hall meeting, had endorsed the nomination of Dr Balogun as the next Olubadan of Ibadanland.

The High Chiefs, in the letter dated January 4 and copied the State’s Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, described Lana’s letter and his position as self-serving, unfounded and a gross misconception of the essence of the restructuring of the Ibadan chieftaincy order by the immediate past administration in the state.

"First, the law as regards ascension to the Olubadan stool is the 1957 Olubadan Chieftaincy Declaration and the subsequent Government decisions thereon and the rights of the High Chiefs in line to the ascension to the vacant stool of the Olubadan of Ibadan is guaranteed therein as it was not and cannot be eroded by a conferment of rights to wear beaded crown as High Chiefs of Ibadanland as it is on record that none of the High Chiefs was at any point in the time appointed or installed as Olubadan of Ibadanland or vested with the rights to wear the beaded crown as Olubadan of Ibadanland,” the letter reads in parts.

The letter further explained that “all that the reform had done was to confer on the High Chiefs the right to wear beaded crown pursuant to the enabling statute in this regard.

The conferment of the right to wear beaded crowns on the High Chiefs did not elevate any of the Chiefs to the status of the Olubadan of Ibadanland as the Olubadan at all times remained the paramount king and ruler of Ibadanland with the position of an emperor and addressed as “His Imperial Majesty” while each of the high chiefs who are lesser to the Olubadan is referred to as “His Royal Majesty” and they remained in their respective lines and ranks on the Olubadan ascendancy chain and have always retained their respective positions as Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, Balogun of Ibadan, etc.

The pending suit. i.e Suit No. 1/22/2020 which has been adjourned for judgment has nothing to do with the right of succession to the stool of Olubadan, the suit was filed by the High Chiefs and Traditional Rulers of Towns and Villages in Ibadanland to set aside the consent judgment which nullified the Gazette vesting on each of them the right to wear beaded crowns and coronets.

“The suit, therefore, dwells mainly on whether it was proper to divest the claimants of vested rights through a consent judgment entered into by their adversaries without any consultation with them or their consent. 

“We unequivocally state that we are not aware of any suit or any order of a competent court of law as at today which restrains the Oyo State Government from kick-starting the process of filling the vacant stool of the Olubadan of Ibadanland or from approving the appointment of any person next in line of succession to the throne as the Olubadan of Ibadanland,” they stated.Meanwhile, speaking for the first time on the issue, last week, former governor Rashidi Ladoja, the Osi Olubadan of Ibadanland, has said that there is no controversy as the succession plan is clear and unambiguous.

That Senator Lekan Balogun is the most senior in the Otun line and he is the next in line to the throne.

“I do not have the powers to make anybody Olubadan. In 2017, we instituted a case to challenge the needless reform that Abiola Ajimobi as the governor wanted to do.

Almost all of us as High Chiefs and members of the Olubadan-in-Council agreed to the filing of a suit to challenge him and we gave the task to Michael Lana.

"Lana later called me to say some of the High Chiefs told him to remove their names from the suit, leaving only my Egbon Balogun and myself. Two weeks after we started the case, Egbon Balogun said he was no longer interested in the case. I asked Lana if I could do it alone and he told me ‘yes’ and we continued.

"We won the case at the state High Court and Ajimobi appealed. In a judgment, the Appeal Court, a few days to the exit of Ajimobi from the government, sent the case back to the High Court for retrial. The Judges of the Appellate Court said the case was brought under a writ of summons instead of originating summons.

“By the time, there had been a new government headed by Seyi Makinde who said he did not want the distraction of the suit and called for out-of-court settlement which we agreed to and did.

“After the terms of settlement were agreed to, the court gave a consent judgment based on the terms. But they said they were not happy and instituted two fresh cases which are still in court till today.

“So, I need people to understand that I am not causing any trouble. The cases that are in court today in respect of the Obaship tussle were instituted by Egbon Balogun and his colleagues who are still calling themselves Obas. “It is they that the people should talk to. Let them go and withdraw the cases they instituted. I don’t like the unwarranted tension this matter is generating,” Ladoja stated.

As it is now, it’s obvious that the situation has become a bit delicate and sensitive. It requires a high level of wisdom for the next line of action from Governor ‘Seyi Makinde. And if not quickly addressed too, it may delay the installation of the next Olubadan.

This is because all kinds of intrigues are coming up, as well as political cards, as expected, being introduced to the issue.

While some are saying Governor Makinde wouldn’t want to be in the bad book of Senator Ladoja, considering the political alliance between the two, others strongly believe the governor wouldn’t also want to disrupt the existing peaceful succession process to the Olubadan stool.

There is also this video making the rounds, suggesting late Oba Adetunji to have ordained Ladoja as his successor. Oba Saliu Adetunji was seen in the video, at a social gathering, praying for Ladoja.

Meanwhile, Senator Lekan Balogun, on the other hand, even though he’s known to be a PDP man but by the virtue of his dalliance with late former governor Ajimobi during the Obaship crisis, has already been tagged opposition by some.

Interestingly too, Senator Lekan Balogun’s younger brother, Dr Kola Balogun is a PDP serving senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District.

All these and several other factors are the reasons many believe the installation of the next Olubadan may be a bit delayed.

Credit: citypeoplemagazine

Ibadan Foremost Educationist, Bola Doherty Donates Police Post To Fodacis Community

Friday 17th December, 2021, the President/Proprietress, Bola Immaculate Group of Schools, Chief (Mrs) Bola Doherty, MFR, hosted top celebrities into a warm reception in Ibadan. It was the official commissioning and handling over ceremony of a Police Post donated to the Oyo State Police Command by the foremost educationist.

The Police Post, located around Fodacis Junction, Off Ring Road, Adeoyo Hospital area of Ibadan, is not just a police station but a standard one. Apart from the fact that the Police Post is built on an expanse of land and properly fenced, it has a spacious reception, admin offices, cell, armory and several other facilities. It is indeed a highly commendable initiative from the Margaret Thatcher of Ibadan social establishment, Chief (Mrs) Bola Doherty.

Other prominent personalities at the event include Chief (Mrs) Kudirat Aderibigbe, who represented Chairlade of the Day, Chief (Mrs) Bolade Aderibigbe, Iyalaje Adinni of Yorubaland and Iyalode Majeobaje of Ibadanland; Chief (Mrs) Yewande Durosaro, Osi Iyalode of Ibadanland; Chief (Mrs) Taye Soyege, Balogun Iyalode of Ibadanland; Mrs. Toyin Falade; Prince Yemisi Adeaga, President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and other Exco members; Dr. Olatunji Oladunni, a Director of Oyo State TESCOM; Mrs. Atinuke Animasaun, another Director from Oyo TESCOM; Engr. Taye Kuwesimi, Chairman of the host community, Unity Estate; Alhaji Ademisu, Chairman of Okusaga Layout and several others. The event was anchored by the multi talented broadcast journalist, Anike-ade Funke Treasure. After the commissioning, guests were treated into a colourful reception with sumptuous food and drinks and good music.

Speaking with this reporter shortly after the program, however, Chief (Mrs) Bola Doherty (MFR) revealed that decision to build a Police Post for Fodacis Community was borne out of her passion to give back to the society.

"I have been miffed with the various challenges facing our nation right away from when I attained the status of recognizing the duty of man in developing countries especially, Nigeria," she said.

She went further by saying that, "man is naturally challenged to pick up responsibilities extending beyond his immediate family. Touched by this human feelings, I have always strive to tread where Angels fear to tread. When I had the blessings of God to grow to an independent life, my first area of intervention was in raising children and nurturing them through a school system that would be able to make them useful to themselves and the whole world.

This, however, was not without attendant challenges which I overcome through a lot of sacrifices and unprecedented courage."

"The success recorded by the Bola Immaculate Group of Schools become the foundation upon which other notable interventions ranging from religion to social, community services and security were laid. For the purpose of our gathering today, I will address the latest of my activities which can be visible using the parameter of measurement of a completed Police Post for the service of our people.

It all began a couple of years ago when the people of the Fodacis Area and by extension, the Oluyole Education Zone were faced with myriads of problems, including banditry, the "Omo Onile" land grabbers and unwanted night and days visitors which activities left untold hardships on the generality of our people. Each and every time, these enemies of modern society struck, the community were left to lick their wounds.

To compound the woes, the distance from the areas to the Police Station does not complement efforts by security agencies to get them arrested on the spot. Many at times, they pulled down structures built with millions of naira and get away with their rascality. Sleeping with four eyes closed becomes a luxury while lives were wasted in brigandage style and barbaric manner. A few number of times when they were challenged the victims paid supreme sacrifices of laying down their lives so that others may live.

As a woman imbued with milk of human feelings and also a common victim of their attacks and assault, I came with the conclusion that things can not continue to go on like that. This spirit emboldened me to take a decision to construct this Police Post to facilitate the operations of the police personnel in the state."

On how she sourced for fund to build such a standard Police Post, Chief Bola Doherty has this to say. "It was not that I am that rich nor poor but I have to sacrifice by taking from my hard earned resources to contribute to the betterment of our society. The passion in me overstressed me in the area of financing the project but I don't believe in failure and I have never failed in any challenging areas of human endeavour.

The Police Post is named "Immaculate Police Post" to underscore interest in ensuring that the facility is maintained and serviced regularly by the Police Authorities."
Chief (Mrs) Bola Doherty also said the commissioning was timely considering the spare of armed robbery, kidnapping, banditry, violence, invasion of properties and killing of innocent lives etc, which occur on a daily basis.

"I have no doubt that the addition of the Police Post to available ones will check mate their insatiable urge for crimes and all sorts of ungodly activities perpetrated against fellow human beings. No human life worthy of been sacrificed for altered ego, selfishness and flawed economic advantages."

She therefore called on various classes of people in this community not to hesitate in thinking of what the society can benefit from them and not only what they can benefit from the society.

She also charged the Nigeria Police Force to make use of the facility judiciously.

What Olubadan Told Me In 2019, NUJ Chairman Babalola Mourns Oba Adetunji's Passing

The Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, Comrade Ademola Babalola on Sunday recalled with nostalgia the warm reception the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji Ajeogungunniso accorded him when he sought the royal father's blessing to contest as the Union's chairman in the year 2019. 

Babalola in a statement he released hours after the demise of the first class monarch, said, ''amidst fanfare, Oba Adetunji in his Majesty welcomed us to the palace in what seemed like a triumphant entry of a conqueror, reminiscent of Ibadan warriors of the days of yore; weeks to the said election.

"Kabiyesi recited Quranic verses and muttered Yoruba words in the form of prayers to my hearing that 'you would win and brings development to the Union and Ibadanland.

"When his Personal Assistant and Director of Media, Adeola Oloko reminded him that I, alongside two other journalists, escaped gun shots fired into the palace when we came to cover an installation ceremony of some Mogajis and Baales, earlier that year, Oba Adetunji whispered to my ear and said, 'my son, no weapon against you shall prosper', just as he waived the antics of the then hoodlums who were political thugs sponsored to destabilize the event at his place.

"Two years after he gave his blessings to me and others who were on our campaign train, Oba Adetunji's prayers had remained so potent that we had always invited him to our programmes forthwith, the last being our 2021 press week where he was fully represented with full paraphernalia of his office.

"My fears for his alleged failing health were confirmed on Sunday, December 22, 2021 when my executive members visited the Popoyemoja palace in company of some US-based medical practitioners who we invited to give free medical mission and supports to 1,200 journalists in Oyo State.

"Unlike Kabiyesi who was always in charge of receiving and blessing his visitors, he was nowhere to welcome us. His vivacious queen in her Majesty, Olori Rashidat Ololade Adetunji welcomed us and specially acknowledged me as Kabiyesi's son to the admiration of US team.

"Baba was a very colourful king who brought candour to the throne. He was a consummate and cosmopolitan king and well loved by his people.

"Gifted with large heart and sense of forgiveness, Oba Adetunji welcomed his estranged chiefs back to the palace after a court judgment that their beaded crowns and elevation by the government of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi were done in error.

"He made tremendous landmarks as a very successful businessman and shone brightly as a paramount ruler of Ibadanland.

"May Allah grant Oba Adetunji Aljanah firdaous. Baba was a great monarch who would forever be remembered for his resistance to efforts at bastardizing Ibadan chieftaincy system and tradition.

His last major official assignment was the installation of Mogajis and Baales on 6th December, 2021.

He Was A Great Exemplar In Royalty - Makinde Mourns Olubadan

Oyo State Governor, 'Seyi Makinde, on Sunday, expressed shock at the passing of the Olubadan of Ibadanland, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Akanmu Adetunji,  Aje Ogungunniso 1, describing him as an exemplar in royalty.

Makinde stated that the demise of the royal icon, who he described as a great leader of his people and an exemplary royal father, was painful despite his old age, adding that his wisdom and wealth of experience would be sorely missed.

The governor expressed his condolences to the immediate family of the Olubadan, the Olubadan-in-Council and all Ibadan indigenes as well as the Oyo State Traditional Council.

A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, quoted the governor as saying that Kabiyesi gave his all to see that Ibadanland is developed and took its pride of place as one of the major cities in Africa.

“The news of the death of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I, came as a shock. 

“Kabiyesi's exit at this time is painful, to say the least. His wealth of experience, his immense wisdom and his commitment to seeing a greater Ibadan and a better Oyo State are unrivalled. 

“Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and humanity at large will miss Kabiyesi, who was ever ready to give his all to see a better society.

“I commiserate with his immediate family, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII) and all Ibadan indigenes at home and abroad on the demise of our father.

“I equally extend my condolences to the Oyo State Traditional Council and pray to God to keep all our Obas safe and give them more years to direct the affairs of our people, especially as Olubadan's death is coming on the heels of the demise of the Soun of Ogbomosoland and Asigangan of Igangan. May God grant them all eternal rest.”

We've Lost Another Cultural Icon, Senator Balogun Mourns Olubadan

Senator Kola Balogun has described the late Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Saliu Adetunji Aje Ogungunniso I, as a great cultural icon who will be missed by the people and lovers of Yoruba culture and tradition.

The senator representing Oyo South Senatorial District said this in his reaction to the passage of the traditional ruler who joined his ancestors early Sunday morning at the age of 93.

The late Olubadan who reportedly died 

at the University College Hospital (UCH) during an illness, became the Olubadan on March 4, 2016.

Senator Balogun, in a statement by his Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Mr Dapo Falade, said the late Olubadan was a cultural icon and a successful businessman whose reign was peaceful.

He said Yorubaland and its people are gradually loosing their cultural icons, with the demise of the traditional ruler, coming less than one month after the deaths of the Soun of Ogbomoso and the Asigangan of Igangan.

The federal lawmaker however said the family of the late Olubadan, the people of Ibadanland, people of the state and the Oyo State government would be consoled by the fact that the traditional ruler lived up to a very ripe old age.

"The death of Kabiyesi, though not surprising, saddens me. It is a not a surprise because baba lived a good life and lived up to a very ripe old age.

"However, his demise saddens me because, by his passage, we have lost yet another cultural icon and a peaceful traditional ruler in Ibadanland, nay the entire Yorubaland.

"The passage of the Olubadan was coming less than one month after the deaths of the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewunmi Ajagungbade III and the Asigangan of Iganganland, Oba Lasisi Olawuyi Adeboye, Aribiyan II, Gbadewolu 1.

"As humans, we are sad to have lost him to the cold hands of death. But we are, however, consoled by the fact that the late Olubadan lived a good life. He was a very successful businessman before he ascended the throne of his forefathers.

"As a traditional ruler, we witnessed a peaceful era and also the transformation of Ibadanland during his reign and under the Governor Seyi Makinde-led administration.

"I, my wife, Mogbojubola Kola-Balogun and my people in Oyo South Senatorial District hereby commiserate with the immediate family of the late Oba 

Adetunji, the Olubadan-in-Council, the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII).

“We equally condole with the Oyo State Traditional Council, Ibadan indigenes and the government and people of Oyo State over the passage of the late Olubadan.

"It is my prayer that the good Lord will grant the soul of our revered late oba a peaceful rest and uphold the family he left behind," Senator Balogun said in the statement.

Kolapo Kola-Daisi Commiserates With Ibadan Indigenes On Olubadan's Demise

Kolapo Kola Daisi, a prominent son of Ibadanland and Oyo South Senatorial aspirant has commiserated with indigenes of Ibadanland on the passing of the Olubadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I who joined his ancestors this morning.

In a heartfelt statement made available to journalists today, Kola Daisi said the death of the Olubadan was shocking, painful and quite personal to him, and he knows that the rest of Ibadanland feel the same way having just lost a great king who showed unmatched commitment to the cultural and socioeconomic development of Ibadanland.

Expressing his condolences to the immediate family of the Olubadan, the Olubadan-in-Council and all Ibadan indigenes, Kola Daisi said the late monarch was a respectable king who promoted the values, ethos and culture of not just Ibadanland but the entire Yorubaland. 

"I received with utter shock, the news of the passing of our father, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Saliu Adetunji, Aje Ogungunniso I. The pain of his passing will be felt in the void of wisdom and the active manner Kabiyesi held the cultural and socioeconomic development of Ibadanland at heart.

His wealth of experience, his immense wisdom, and his commitment to seeing a greater Ibadan and a better Oyo State are unrivalled in tenacity. Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria and humanity at large will miss Kabiyesi - he was ever ready to give his all to see a better society.

"As I urge us to honour him by celebrating his enduring and exemplary legacies, I pray the God almighty will grant his soul Aljanna Firdaus, and console his immediate family together with all sons and daughters of Ibadanland" Kolapo Kola-Daisi statement read.

Adetunji, who was crowned the 41st Olubadan on March 4, 2016, was born on August 26, 1928 to the family of Raji Olayiwola and Suwebat Amope Adetunji in the Alusekere compound, Popoyemoja, Ibadan.

Ajimobi Produced Oyo-2050 Road Map Before He Left Office – Hon Seyi Adisa

Honorable Seyi Adisa, a current member of the Oyo state House of Assembly representing Afijio State constituency has revealed how the former Governor of the state, Senator Abiola Ajimobi drew a developmental road map tagged ‘Oyo 2050’ to aid the infrastructural and economic development of the state before in left office in 2019. 

Adisa, who was one of the closest aides of the deceased statesman further revealed that the late governor was a passionate bridge builder and courageous leader who had the interest of the state at heart.

“He was passionate to see Ibadan in particular among the league of developed cities of the world”. 

The Lawmaker continued “I can say it anywhere that I have never seen anyone who is more passionate about Oyo State than Ajimobi. I can remember what happened during one of our trips outside Nigeria.  We were in Dubai on this day I am talking about. We were in a car from the airport and he looked at the sprawling beauty of the city. 

Unconsciously, he started talking to himself saying ‘we want to rebuild Oyo state, but some distractors are opposing us, and we will not also permit them too”.

Speaking on his sojourn in the world of Nigerian politics was lawyer-turned-politician said, “I had an urge that God was calling me into politics earlier in my life. While in college I choose politics and I discovered that most of the political bigwigs studied Law and because of the versatile nature of the profession, I decided to study Law and there is no regret studying it. 

Continuing, I got a call to serve as Ajimobi’s Principal Private Secretary and I worked with him for eight years- it was an opportunity for me to learn on the job.  In 2018, I had a conversation with him that I wanted to contest as a legislator and he was surprised but also very pleased. He supported my ambition while encouraging me to adapt to any changing situation I find myself”.

Speaking on his brand of politics, he enthused “My own style of politics is a type that deploys political will to encourage development”.

Hon. Adisa further revealed that the greatest problem confronting the society is underdevelopment while revealing that politics is one of the platforms that can be used to solve the big problem of underdevelopment. 

Speaking on his achievement as a lawmaker, he submitted that he has sponsored a bill tagged Oyo state enterprise and employment trust fund targeted at reducing the rate of employment in the state among many oversight and legislative functions. 

He also revealed that he has facilitated a health mission that saw over 4000 people benefitting as well as facilitation of primary health care centre to Awe town, empowering of youths on ICT and skill acquisition program, donation of boreholes and transformers to communities, financial empowerment programme for traders and owners of micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) among others. 

He, however, revealed that local government, judiciary and legislative autonomy is achievable and practicable especially with a determined political will while refuting that the ninth assembly of the state assembly is a rubber stamp house. 

The former aide to Senator Ajimobi also stated that the current members of the house have engaged the executive arm of the government professionally and constructively on state matters to facilitate development of the state.

The Oyo lawmaker gave these submissions while featuring on a weekly radio show, ‘Ayekooto on Radio’ anchored by Olayinka Agboola and broadcast live on Lagelu 96.7FM, Felele Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State’s on Tuesday evening.  

The youthful APC member further stated that the proposed concept of direct mode of primary election is not a bad idea as it will help to strengthen internal democracy within political parties, while urging for a modification to the direct mode if the need arises. 

Speaking on the agitation for an independent Yoruba nation, “We are stronger together as a nation, I believe there is strength in numbers. We must address the problems leading to the agitations of the people”. 

He used the opportunity to urge competent and forward-looking Nigerians desirous of change to join politics in order to contribute to the building of a country that will make all to be proud and fulfilled.