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Bashorun Speaks On Next Alaafin

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The Bashorun of Oyo, High Chief Akinade Ayoola Layinka, has said that the Ifa oracle will choose the next Alaafin of Oyo.

Layinka made this disclosure via a statement signed by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin of Oyo, ‘Bode Durojaiye.

DAILY POST recalls that the throne of Alaafin of Oyo became vacant due to the demise of the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Atanda Olayiwola Adeyemi 111.

The monarch, who reigned for 52 years, joined his ancestors at 83.

DAILY POST learnt about 119 Oyo princes had indicated interest in ascending the throne.

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It had been earlier reported that 58 princes have been cleared.

The Bashorun, whose position is likened to that of the Prime Minister in the modern-day political system, has, however, declared that the oracle is the one to decide who succeeds Oba Adeyemi.

High Chief Layinka, in the statement obtained by DAILY POST on Tuesday, said that contrary to rumour making the round, Ifa oracle and not members of Oyo Mesi (Oyo Traditional Council) will decide and choose the next Alaafin of Oyo.

The High Chief added that it would be counterproductive for the Oyo Mesi to pick a candidate through their discretion and without recourse to traditional divination.

He maintained that the Oyo Mesi would never be self-centred.

He added that due process would be followed in selecting the new monarch.

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He said, “In a contest for the exalted traditional stool which involves more than a contestant, it would be counterproductive, naive and unacceptable for the Oyo Mesi members to pick a candidate through their discretion and without recourse to traditional divination.

READ ALSO: Alaafin Stool: 119 Princes Jostle To Succeed Oba Adeyemi

“In the olden days, contestants to the vacant stool of the Alaafin were usually not more than one or two, and not as many as they are presently. So, it is easier to select and choose who the next Alaafin would be.

“In the present day situation that more than forty contestants are vying for the Alaafin seat at a time, how would a right-thinking person expects us (Oyo Mesi) to use our discretion and just pick anyone we deem fit? After the screening, there is a need for divine consultation to lead us aright.

“The Oyo Mesi will never be self centred, egoistic, covetous, money conscious, conscience less and take any retroactive steps that will make the anxious people in the town hurling stones at us on the choice of the Paramount Ruler and Head of the Yoruba. We will never be part of that. Oyo town is about the due process and we will not relent on that”.

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Shaibu Impeachment: Panel Fixes Date For Commencement Of Sitting

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The seven-man panel set up by the Chief Judge of Edo State, Daniel Okungbowa, to probe the impeachment petition against deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, has fixed April 3, 2024 for the commencement of its sitting.

Administrative secretary of the panel, George Odidi, disclosed this in a statement dated March 28, 2024 and made available to newsmen in Benin City.

Odidi said the panel would hold its sittings at Judges Conference Room, New High Court Complex, Benin City.

READ ALSO: CJ Has Seven Days To Set Up Panel On Shaibu – Edo Assembly

He said parties or their counsel are expected to be present while the complainant is expected to be ready to present its case.

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The statement reads, “Take notice that consequent upon the inauguration of the above panel by His Lordship the Hon. Chief Judge of Edo State, Hon. Justice D.I. Okungbowa in line with section 188 subsection 5 of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the said Panel shall commence sitting at Judges Conference room, New High Court Complex, Benin City on Wednesday 3″day of April, 2024 at 10:00Am prompt.

READ ALSO: Again, Shaibu Loses Bid To Stop Impeachment

“Parties and /or their counsel are expected to be present on that day while the complainant is expected to be ready to present it’s case on that day.”

The Chief Judge of Edo State, Daniel Okungbowa, had on Friday, March 22, 2024, constituted a seven-man panel to investigate the allegations in the impeachment notice served on the deputy governor of the state, Philip Shaibu, in line with the resolution of the State House of Assembly.

Members of the panel are Justice S.A. Omonua (rtd), Professor Theresa Akpoghome, Oghogho Ayodele Oviasu, Surveyor Andrew Oliha, Idris Abdulkareen , President Aigbokhian and Mariam Erakhoba Ilavbare.

 

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I Was Tied For Three Days, Abducted Lagos Editor Recounts Ordeal

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The abducted Editor of FirstNews Newspaper, Segun Olatunji, on Thursday, recounted his ordeal at the hands of the military personnel who abducted him from his Lagos home.

Military authorities had earlier on Thursday, yielded to pressure and released Olatunji, who was abducted from his home in Lagos State on Friday, March 15, 2024.

The PUNCH confirmed that he was released to some media stakeholders, including Yomi Odunuga of The Nation newspaper and Iyobosa Uwugiaren of Thisday Newspaper in Abuja after sustained pressure from the media.

They were asked to guarantee that they would make Olatunji available if needed again.

The International Press Institute, the Nigeria Guild of Editors, and Olatunji’s employers had in separate statements faulted his incarceration, asking authorities to either release the editor or charge him to court.

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READ ALSO: INEC Disowns LP’s National Convention

Narrating his ordeal after his release at a press briefing organised by the leaderships of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Nigeria Union of Journalists and IPI in Abuja, Olatunji said he was blindfolded and flown to the Federal Capital Territory where he was moved to a cell in handcuffs and leg chains for almost three days.

He said, “Someone came claiming to be from the military. He identified himself as Colonel Lawal. Immediately, he seized my phones.

“I went to the room to dress up. By the time I got downstairs, I saw soldiers inside the compound taking positions. Outside the gate, I saw about three vehicles with Air Force personnel, Army, Defence Intelligence Agency, and others all fully armed.

READ ALSO:Israel Bombs Gaza, Fights Hamas Around Hospitals

“I was handcuffed and taken straight to the office of the National Air Defence Corps where we waited for three hours. I did not know that they were waiting for an aircraft to pick me up to Abuja.

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“When the aircraft landed, I was blindfolded and moved to the aircraft, and we landed in Abuja shortly. I was leg cuffed also. They removed my clothes and I was left with my boxers. I was taken to Cell 9.

“There, I was left with leg and handcuffs. And at a point, one of the officers came and tightened the right leg and the right hand, and I was there groaning in pain. They did not loosen it until about two or three days after.

“Up till now, I could still feel the pains in my hands and legs.”

READ ALSO: Man Stabs Four To Death In US

Olatunji said those behind his ordeal were close to the government based on the questions he was asked.

He added, “They were asking me questions about certain stories that FirstNews had published.

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“They first told me that I was one of those abusing the Chief of Defence Intelligence (Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye). They did not say much about that.”

He said they also asked him about a story FirstNews had published about the Chief of Staff to President Bola Tinubu (Mr Femi Gbajabiamila), which he described as a “major thing”.

“That is why I told some people earlier that those behind my arrest are people in the corridors of power who are not happy with FirstNews is doing and are bent on taking their own pound of flesh,” he added.

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JUST IN: Secondus, Sekibo, Others Declare Support For Tinubu, Fubara

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A former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Uche Secondus; and members of the Presidential Campaign Council of the party for the 2023 general elections in Rivers State have declared loyalty and support for President Bola Tinubu and the state governor, Siminalayi Fubara.

A former Minister of Transportation and the Director-General, PDP-PCC Rivers State, Dr. Abiye Sekibo, made the declaration during a news briefing in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Nigerian Lady Set To Drive From London To Lagos

Present at the briefing were Secondus; former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Austin Opara; Celestine Omehia, former deputy governor of the state, Tele Ikuru; Senator Lee Maeba; and former Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Gabriel Pidomson. among others.

The council supported the PDP presidential candidate in 2023, Atiku Abubakar, in the last elections.

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Details later…

 

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