News

As Mr No-Nonsense Gov, Baba Akande Clocks 85, Here Are 10 Of His Most Controversial Statements

Published

6 months ago

January 15, 2024

Editor

The pioneer Interim Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Bisi Akande, will clock 85 on Tuesday.

He was the governor of Osun State from 1999 to 2003 as a member of the defunct Alliance for Democracy.

He was born in Ila Orangun on January 16, 1939, in what is now the Osun Central Senatorial District.

President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, celebrated the former governor on his birthday.

“Baba was a principal actor in the founding of our great party, the All Progressives Congress. He has always been a progressive; always noble and disciplined in thoughts and actions, and given to rational and enlightened ideals,” Tinubu extolled.

As the influential political figure marks his 85th birthday, PUNCH Online revisits some of his most controversial statements:

“Jonathan is a kindergarten leader”

He criticised President Goodluck Jonathan, stating that he believed the President was unfit to govern the nation, suggesting that the responsibilities of the presidency require more experience and competence.

Akande stated, “What the country needs is a thinking leader not a kindergarten president with no solution to the myriad of problems plaguing the nation.”

Akande spoke with reporters at his Ila-Orangun country home.

He claimed that Jonathan, instead of focusing on effective government, was abusing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to go after those he saw as opponents.

This sparked a response from the then-president.

According to a statement from Dr Reuben Abati, President Jonathan’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Jonathan urged Akande to show respect for the truth, his age, and Nigeria.

The President expressed disappointment at Akande’s remarks, stating that they were disrespectful to the esteemed position of the President of Nigeria.

“Nigeria may not celebrate 100 years of democracy together”

Akande issued the caution while unveiling his book, “The Bisi Akande Phenomenon: Governance, Economy and Politics.”

Akande emphasised the importance of the Federal Government prioritising an advanced educational curriculum that promotes the principles of democracy while reducing the emphasis on religion and ethnic bias.

“The Federal Government has been charged on the need for technology advanced educational curriculum as a panacea for economic and political advancement. If leaders do not uphold the tenets of democracy, the country might not celebrate 100 years of democracy together as a nation,” Akande said.

“Returning PDP to power will cause more suffering”

Onn Sunday, January 14, 2024 Akande addressed journalists in Ila Orangun, Osun State. He was speaking as part of activities to celebrate his 85th birthday anniversary.

During the event, he was asked about the opposition parties’ plan to form a coalition in order to challenge the ruling APC at the national level.

He said, “If the PDP was rejected and the same PDP coalesced again and people say, okay we will go back to it, the people will go back to their suffering. The PDP was defeated because it had no clue.”

“Nigeria moving in wrong direction”

During an exclusive interview with former presidential aide Laolu Akande, he made this statement on the debut of his TV programme, ‘Inside Sources’ on Channels TV in December.

When asked whether Nigeria was moving in the right direction, the former Osun State governor said, “Nigeria has been having a stunted growth, and today the sources of its nutrition are in deficit. The nutrition for a good polity is infrastructure and human capacity. Both we seem not to have in the right direction.

“So for that reason, I don’t see Nigeria in the right direction. But with the reason attempt to change the situation let’s hope Nigeria will be strong enough to bear the change.”

“Nigeria does not have a constitution now”

In the same interview, Akande noted that Nigeria’s constitution is fickle.

“We have no constitution now. What we have is the understanding. What we have now is that the Federal Government takes a decision and the rest of us queue behind it, that is why you see a market woman whose stall has been blown away by the wind, say we voted for the President (Tinubu), come and see flood (in our market) but that is a local government job and should be directed by the state governor, it has nothing to do with the Federal Government but because the constitution is not well defined, or simply defined see how long it takes, it is too long.”

“All the angels in heaven cannot make 1999 constitution work”

He described the 1999 Constitution as the greatest misadventure of the country, saying that the law cannot make the progress of Nigeria work.

Akande called for the adoption of the 1963 Republican Constitution as a means to facilitate the development of a more appropriate constitution.

“The Constitution breeds and protects corrupt practices and criminal impurities in governance. The 1999 Constitution can never be beneficially reviewed and the ongoing piecemeal adjustments or amendments can only totally blot the essence of national values and accelerate the de-amalgamation of Nigeria.

“All the angels coming from heavens cannot make that Constitution work for the progress of Nigeria. It should only be scrapped as a bad relics of military mentality; it ought to be temporarily replaced with the 1963 Republican Constitution to enable a transition to the writing of a suitable constitution.

“Otherwise, the 1999 Constitution would continue to dwarf Nigeria’s economy and stifle the country’s social structure pending a disastrous and catastrophic bankruptcy,” he stated.

“Subsidy thieves, corrupt businessmen, enthroned Saraki, Dogara”

Back in 2015, the ex-governor pointed out that fuel subsidy thieves and corrupt businessmen were believed to be responsible for the crisis in the APC, which ultimately led to the unexpected appointments of Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Yakubu Dogara as Speaker of the House of Representatives, going against the ruling party’s desires.

Akande had said Saraki and Dogara were backed by fuel subsidy thieves and business cartels to frustrate the anti-corruption plan of the Buhari administration.

“Those who were jittery of Buhari’s constant threat of anti-corruption’s battle began to encourage and finance rebellions against the APC democratic positions which led to the emergence of Senator Saraki as the candidate of the PDP tendencies inside and outside APC.

“Before the party knew it, the process had been hijacked by polluted interests who saw the inordinate contests as a loop-hole for stifling APC government’s efforts in its desire to fight corruption,” akande said.

“Most Northern elite, the Nigerian oil subsidy barons and other business cartels, who never liked Buhari’s anti-corruption political stance, are quickly backing up the rebellion against APC with strong support,” he said in a statement.

“Godfatherism is common sense”

Akande was lending his voice to the proxy war between the then-governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai and then-APC national leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. Clearly, this was a coded allusion to el-Rufai’s remarks about putting a stop to the godfatherism that plagues Lagos politics.

El-Rufai had insisted he had no apology over his comment that “godfather can be defeated” in Lagos State.

He said, “Like most learners serve article-ship before qualifying as Accountants; and like most lawyers serve tutelage before being professionally competent, so must a university lecturer seek mentor-ship before rising to professorship.

“In the same manner, the lower the hierarchy of a political party member, the more mentorships he required to rise from mere canvasser, to ward organiser, to party officer and to election candidate within his chosen political party.

“It is these political mentor-ships that are being presently euphemistically negated as ‘godfatherism’ by the neo-money politicians struggling to use money to hijack influence from political parties whose ideology they do not care to respect.

“It is not about defending Tinubu or responding to El-Rufai’s statement about defeating godfatherism, I am defending common sense.”

“ASUU is producing vagabond, half-baked graduates”

In 2018, Akande criticised the strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, calling it dishonest and destructive.

He said that the union’s members’ ceaseless strikes had played a significant role in producing low-caliber graduates who, he regretted, are vagabonds and unemployable.

He said, “Can they do that in private establishment’? It is because they are employed by the government that gives them such opportunities, if they are truly sincere about their demands, they should also come together and found university.

“People go to the university and come back with half-baked education. They are teachers of vagabonds and that is the truth. That is why Nigeria is becoming worse.”

“Buhari should have removed fuel subsidy”

Akande, a fierce supporter of Buhari when he was in power, recently expressed his reservations about some of the former President’s economic decisions.

He stated that former President Buhari could have successfully removed the subsidy during his administration.

“And I kept saying it but as part of the administration, I couldn’t go to the press to say it. It would have been senseless because Buhari never closed the door of his house to me. I can meet and talk to him whenever I want,” he said on Channels TV.

“And I was saying that I wasn’t comfortable with economic management. Let’s use, for example, the removal of fuel subsidy, between the time Buhari was elected as President and the time he was inaugurated, we had several sessions of discussion to see if the subsidy should be removed and he was convinced.

“And I thought that as soon as he got to power he would removed the subsidy but I didn’t know what happened. And after his inauguration he started being careful, slowing down until the first four years,” he added.

As we reflect on Akande’s controversial statements, it’s important to acknowledge the impact he has had on the political landscape.

As he celebrates his 85th birthday, we wish Mr. No-Nonsense Gov continued health and happiness.
PUNCH

News

FULL LIST: Those Supporting, Against Aug 1 Nationwide Protest

Published

2 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Editor

photo file copy:

It is no longer news that some Nigerians are planning to march against economic hardship under the ‘EndBadGovernance’ protest from August 1 to 10.

The demonstration, which is gaining traction on social media, has been scheduled to be held across all states of the Federation as well as the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

However, its organisers have remained largely anonymous as no group has come forward to take responsibility.

The August 1 protest comes on the heels of similar demonstrations in Kenya, from which experts say Nigerians may have drawn inspiration.

Kenyan youths staged massive protests for weeks, forcing President William Ruto’s government to backtrack on tax hikes.

Organisers used social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram to mobilise millions of young Kenyans for protests — a similar strategy deployed on Nigerian social media space.

In October 2020, Nigeria experienced massive protests nationwide when thousands of young people demonstrated against police brutality.

As the hunger protest movement gains momentum, with thousands of youths set to take action, national and state authorities have warned the organisers to tread softly.

Meanwhile, human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong has revealed that participants in the planned nationwide protest would receive free legal representation if arrested and/or charged to court in Lagos State.

Citing the loss of life and property that characterised the #EndSARS protest in the country, many stakeholders, CSOs, bodies and others have pleaded with the organisers to shelve their plan, adding that the issues raised by them were already being addressed.

In the same vein, leaders from the southern and northern parts of the country have also joined the government to oppose the protest.

State governors have also cautioned against the protest, saying it is potentially dangerous.

As part of moves to placate aggrieved citizens, the President sent a bill to raise the minimum wage from N30,000 to N70,000 to the National Assembly this week. Both chambers of the legislature speedily passed the bill on Tuesday, awaiting the President’s assent.

So far, here is a list of those who are against, or supporting the planned protest as complied by The Nation

AGAINST

Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education, Ibrahim Waiya

Controversial singer Portable

Christian Council of Nigeria (CCN)

Enugu Innovative Youths

Orji Kalu

Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution

Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly

Kebbi State Government

Lagos State House of Assembly

SDP’s Adewole Adebayo

Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), Ambassador Ibrahim Waiya

Arewa Concerned Citizens Forum

Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU)

Confederation of All Progressives Congress (APC) Support Groups (CASG)

Arewa Youth Assembly

South-East Governors’ Forum

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike

Femi Fani-Kayode

Members of the House of Representatives agreed to donate 50 per cent of their salaries for a period of six months.

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun

Coalition of Concerned Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Kaduna state

Trade Union Congress of Nigeria (TUC)

Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Uche Nwosu

National Council of Traditional Rulers

Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi

National Association of Nigerian Students in Lagos

Self-Reliance for Physically Challenged Traders of Nigeria

Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, High Chief Government Ekpemupolo (Tompolo)

Rising Up for a United Nigeria (RUN) and Coalition of Civil Society Groups for National Stability and Cohesion

Actor Lege Miami

Door-to-door Youth and Women Initiative for Good Governance

Reno Omokri

Middle Belt Forum, MBF, Kaduna State chapter

Executive Director, Business Development of the Nigerian-Export Import Bank (NEXIM) , Hon Stella Okotete

National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS)

Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN)

170 members of the House of Representatives under the aegis of the “New Dawn Caucus – 10th Assembly”

Jama’atu Nasril Islam

Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II

SUPPORTING
Atiku Abubakar

The leadership of the Social Democratic Party led by National Chairman, Shehu Gabam

All Workers Convergence (AWC) led by Comrade Andrew Emelieze

Ayo Adebanjo-led faction of Afenifere

Lagos State Chapter of the Active Citizens Group Nigeria led by the group’s state coordinator, Adamma Ukpabi

Omoyele Sowore

Amnesty International

UNDECIDED
National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) directed its 104 affiliate organizations to remain on standby.

NATION

News

Religious Leaders Harp On Tolerance At Grassroots Sensitisation Programme In Benin

Published

5 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Editor

By Joseph Ebi Kanjo

The need for religious tolerance in Nigeria took the centre stage in Benin on Friday at a Grassroots Sensitisation Programme on survey report on Freedom of Religion and Belief (FORB) in Nigeria.

The programme, themed
MECHANISM TO MONITOR FREEDOM OF RELIGION AND BELIEF IN NIGERIA, was implemented by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC); the Kukah Center (1KC) and Nasrul-lahi-l-Fathiu
Society (NASFAT), while King Abdullah ibn Abdulaziz International Center for
Interreligious and Intercultura Dialogue (KAICIID) provided the fund.

In her opening remarks, Project Coordinator, FORB, Hajia Halimat Oyedele, said the project aimed at increasing the level of coexistence and the opportunity for peace in the country, and also addressing the existing structural limitations.

She added that the project also aims at the “promoting changes to existing policies in order to ensure existing laws and mechanisms promote social cohesion and the respect of Freedom of Religion and Belief.”

She continued: “In addition, to prevent possible future violations, the project will also focus on spreading a culture of respect of difference through targeted awareness raising activities on Interreligious Dialogue (1RD) and the respect of Freedom of Religion and Belief.

“This will increase the level of tolerance of the population and, hence, the possibility for peaceful coexistence between communities.”

On his part, keynote speaker, Barrister Nurudeen Asunogie, while stating that all the major religions in Nigeria preache justice, stressed: “Religion preaches justice. You can’t take everything because you think you are the majority. You can’t take everything just because you think you have the opportunity. Let it go round because the one who doesn’t get would create a situation where you have no peace. Everything you do must be on the wheel of ethics.”

Also speaking, Mr. Joseph Atang, Country Expert Representative, KAICIID, while emphasising on the need for freedom of religion in Nigeria, warned that disrespect for individuals’ religious beliefs would result in conflict as currently experience in the country.

“Some persons faith is disrespected so it becomes a source of conflict. Every human loves respect. Every human loves honour. Every human wants to have source of of belonging. Where you don’t have all these, you are angry and it could lead conflict,” he added.

Also lending his voice, Dr. Adesoye Mustapha, South-South Coordinator, NASFAT, while stating that religion is being used as a weapon at the grassroots by people in authority, however, noted that such religious intolerance experience among the masses is not obtainable among the politicians.

In his goodwill message, the Chief Imam of Benin, Alhaji Abdulfatai Enabulele, who stated that God is one and that there’s no need for the religious strive in the country, appealed to religious leaders in the country to be more accommodating.

Also in his goodwill message, Humphrey Iriabe, Director of Evangelism & Inter-faith of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Edo State branch, noted: “We must see ourselves as the children of Abraham. Religious leaders need to educate their people that we are one. We are all human created by one God.”

News

Act Fast On Oil Spill Rocking Forcados Area, CSOs Task FG, Delta Govt

Published

7 hours ago

July 26, 2024

Editor

Environmental groups have called on the government at all levels to be proactive towards issues concerning environmental pollution and oil spills.

Their call followed a massive oil pollution ravaging Forcados area which has affected the Okuntu community coastline and other neighboring communities in Burutu Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to reports by the community, the oil spill was caused by a fire incident which happened on a Floating Production Storage and Offloading Facility owned by Brittina-U Nigeria Limited, at Ajakpa Field, OML 90.

Okuntu community which is in Ogulagha kingdom is close to Ibabebe (Isiayegbene) and Odimodi (Beniboye) communities, all along the Forcados area, who are also affected by the pollution, a statement issued by Elvira Jordan,
Communications Consultant to the groups said.

Speaking on the issue, Executive Director of Community Development Advocacy Foundation (CODAF), BENIN Richard, faulted the Federal and Delta State governments for Environment on their failure to conduct an on-the-spot assessment of the incident or issue a statement regarding this environmental disaster in Okuntu.

According to him, the people of Odimodi(Beniboye ), Okuntu and Ogulagha communities and the ecosystem are under assault, and it is imperative that the authorities take immediate action to address this situation.

He urged the Commissioner for Environment to visit the affected area promptly, providing hope and reassurance to the affected communities.

“We demand a comprehensive assessment, prompt cleanup, and adequate compensation for those affected. The government must take responsibility for ensuring the well-being of its citizens and the protection of the environment.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and advocate for justice and relief for the people of Odimodi (Beniboye), Okuntu, Ogulagha and adjoining communities.” He said.

Lending his voice on the issue, the Executive Director of Environmental Defenders Network, Chima Williams, lamented that the neglect of the local communities in relation to environmental pollution has become one too many in the Niger Delta.

He further laments that such neglect by the relevant agencies has driven communities in the Niger Delta into deep levels of poverty, as the people rely on their environment for survival.

Williams also called on the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) to immediately swing into action, and to compel the polluting company to clean up the polluted environment around Okuntu and other communities.

A fisherwoman from one the communities, Baby Oziye, lamented that the pollution has caused hunger in their community, adding that several people are now hospitalized after drinking their water, following the pollution caused by the spill.

She added that the fisher folk are unable to carry out their fishing activities, causing hunger among the people.

Another community member, Akin Ayigo who also spoke on the issue lamented that after the fire incident and pollution, neither the company nor the government has done anything about the issue.

He added that fishing boats are afraid to go close to the polluted area due to the high level of chemical concentration in the area.

He called on the relevant agencies to swiftly swing into action.

On his part, the chairman of Okuntu community, Mofort Mebilaje stated that fire broke out on the 18th of July 2024 from a facility owned by Brittina-U Nigeria, which caused crude oil and other chemicals to drift ashore, polluting the coastline of Okuntu and other communities.

He revealed that the people of the community are unable to carry out their fishing and farming activities which has crumbled the economy of the community, pushing the people into hunger and starvation.

He added that the community had tried to escalate the issue to the company without any response.

Mofort called on the federal and state governments to intervene on the issue and prevail on the company to constitute a Joint Investigation Visit to the community to determine the level of pollution and to send relief materials to the community.