Metro

I Don’t Know How To Advise Nigerians On Current Hardship – APC Leader, Bisi Akande

Published

2 years ago

July 23, 2023

The National Leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande has said that he would not advise Nigerians on the current severe hardships being faced on all fronts as a result of the removal of the fuel subsidy because he is not in government.

Recall that since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy in his inauguration speech, the living conditions of Nigerians have started growing from bad to worst based among others on the progressive increment of prices of PMS from N185 per litre to N515 Per litre and now to N585 per litre and beyond.

Chief Bisi Akande spoke in Oro in Irepodun Local Government rea of Kwara State on Saturday on the sideline of the reception organised by the Oro community to honour the immediate past Minister of Information and Culture, Alh Lai Mohammed for doing the community proud during his eight years in office.

Speaking with journalists in the private resident of the former minister on his advise to Nigerians based on the hardship they are currently facing, he said: “I’m sorry,I’m not in the position to advise Nigerians because I’m not in government and I don’t want to make mistake. Only members of government who are reading files that know a lot of things about the country can do that.im in a position like you and I will see it the way you will see it.”

He nevertheless extolled the virtues of the former minister particularly while he served under him as the Publicity Secretary of Alliance for Democracy (AD),Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)and All Progressives Congress (APC).

“He served Alh Muhammed Buhari for eight years that’s not my business because I wasn’t part of the government but while serving under me as the Publicity Secretary of the AD,ACN and APC I found him to be a diligent people’s servant,” he said.

“I know him to be a great man a very honest individual always willing to learn.He does his job according to rule and I’m happy that he has such a wife that can allow his husband to move among others and be great so I’m happy,” The elder statesman enthused.

Chief Akande also urged the people of Oro to shun “Bad mouthing “syndrome and unite with whoever has the opportunity to be great in order to reproduce many great sons like Alh Lai Mohammed.

“I want to advise our people in Oro to be united because I know they belong to the minority in Kwara state due to the wickedness of the colonial masters who splitted the people of Igbomina and the Yoruba between the old western region and the old northern region.

“So today I can see my people being in minority also in Kwara state and I begin to say that our people must be united in everything they do.When they see anyone of them moving forward in a race they should support him and not say I think I can do it better and then begin to badmouth or pull down.

“The pull down syndrome must not be allowed among Oro people or Igbomina people so that they could produce many more of Lai Mohammed. ” he said.

In his his own remark, the former minister Alh Lai Mohammed said “there is no honor more valued than the one you are given by your own people.”

“Whatever might be their reasons for honouring me I can only thank them for the honour they have done to me its very rare not common because the common parlance is that a prophet is not honoured by his own people.” he added.

Speaking on the current situation in Nigeria the former minister also declined comment.

“I am today Lai Mohammed,a private citizen like you,so what do I know about government?”

He also declined comment about his trying period during the eight years as a minister saying this is not a forum for that,” there will still be fora that we’ll discuss that.

He however commended the people of Oro community for their religious tolerance that bound them together in unity and urged others to emulate them.

He said, “All over the world one of the greatest challenges humanity is facing today is extremism and extremism could come through political groups or religious abuse and in most cases one overlap the other. For those of us familiar with Boko Haram insurgency it was purely intolerance and extremism on the part of some people and this is what I find unique about my community because my people always live in harmony in respective of your religion affiliation.”

Earlier, President of Oro Community Prof Olabode Bojuwoye in his address said the ceremony was a well-deserved homecoming,” for our illustrious son Alh Lai Mohammed.”

“We thank him for his numerous services while in lagos state as Chief of staff then as National Publicity secretary of APC then as Minister for eight years.

“We are extremely happy at home because as they say charity begins at home.

“His contributions to Oro community are immense and cannot be forgotten. “he added.

Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq who was represented by his Deputy Mr Kayode Alabi at the occasion also commended Alh Lai Mohammed for serving the nation meritoriously and make kwara state proud.

He urged politicians and other stakeholders to live in unity and peace among themselves so that the state can continue to witness development.

VANGUARD

Related Topics:#Tinubu Bisi Akande subsidy

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Metro

JUST IN: Gunmen Kill Policeman, Abduct Other In Imo

Published

1 hour ago

July 7, 2025

Editor

Gunmen launched a deadly attack on a police patrol team in Imo State on Sunday, resulting in the death of a police constable and the reported abduction of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident on Monday and has launched a manhunt to apprehend those responsible.

The incident occurred around 9:00 a.m. near Finas Gas Station, along the Okigwe-Umuahia Road, specifically in the Old Gariki area of Okigwe, which sources described as a “dangerous zone.”

During the ambush, Police Constable Oluebube was fatally shot, and his service rifle was stolen by the attackers.

ASP Casmir, who was leading the patrol team, has been missing since the attack, leading to fears that he may have been abducted and possibly killed. Other members of his team managed to return to base with their rifles and are currently receiving medical attention.

Police spokesman Henry Okoye stated that preliminary findings suggest the attackers are affiliated with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“An intense operation is ongoing to apprehend the miscreants responsible for the attack,” Okoye said. He added, “We are aware that some may question why IPOB is being mentioned, but we cannot ignore confessional statements by suspects who openly associate their actions with the group. As a law enforcement agency, it is our duty to report facts as uncovered during investigations.”

Metro

Police Declare Two Wanted Over Attack On Ahoada-East LGA Administrator, Theft

Published

19 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

The Rivers State Police Command has declared two top officials of the Ahoada-East Local Government Area wanted over their alleged involvement in the brutal attack on the LGA’s Sole Administrator, Hon. Goodluck Iheanachor.

Declared wanted are Mr. Hector Ekakita, Chief Security Officer (CSO) of Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi, Chief of Staff (COS) of the LGA.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the police said the duo is wanted for alleged criminal conspiracy, stealing, assault occasioning harm, and attempted murder. The offenses stem from a violent incident that occurred on June 20, 2025, at the Ahoada-East Council Secretariat.

According to the statement, Ekakita and Olodi, alongside a group of about 30 others, allegedly conspired to assault the Sole Administrator, inflicted injuries on him, forcibly obtained his signature under duress, stole his mobile phones and sensitive documents, and carted away both personal and official property from his office.

The police revealed that despite repeated invitations, the suspects have failed to appear for questioning, prompting the declaration.

“The Rivers State Police Command has declared the following individuals wanted… Mr. Hector Ekakita – Chief Security Officer (CSO), Ahoada-East LGA, and Mr. Aloni Olodi – Chief of Staff (COS), Ahoada-East LGA,” the statement read.

“Their actions resulted in bodily harm to the administrator, who continues to receive medical treatment.”

The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga A. Adepoju, psc, mnips, has urged the suspects to report to the Police State Headquarters on Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, without further delay.

He also warned that anyone found aiding or shielding the suspects would face the full weight of the law.

“The Rivers State Police Command remains steadfast in its commitment to justice and maintaining public peace and safety,” the statement concluded.
(VANGUARD)

Metro

10 Die In Ogun Night Bus Crash

Published

24 hours ago

July 6, 2025

Editor

No fewer than 10 persons have been confirmed dead, while three others sustained injuries in a lone crash involving a Mitsubishi bus on the Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan Expressway.

Mr Babatunde Akinbiyi, spokesperson for the Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) in Ogun, confirmed the incident in a statement on Sunday.

Akinbiyi said the accident occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Friday at Ome Bridge, Awa, along Ijebu-Ode–Ibadan highway in Ijebu North Local Government Area.

He stated that the lone crash involved a Mitsubishi bus, registration number EJ829-LSR, which was conveying 15 passengers at the time.

According to Akinbiyi, seven male and three female passengers died. Three others were injured, while a toddler and one adult escaped unhurt.

He said preliminary findings indicate that overspeeding and wrongful overtaking led to the accident.

“Eyewitnesses said the driver wrongly overtook another vehicle at high speed and could not regain control after noticing an oncoming vehicle.

“The driver veered off the road, hit an abandoned gravel pile beside the bridge, and plunged the vehicle into the river,” Akinbiyi explained.

He said the deceased were taken to Ijebu-Ode General Hospital’s morgue, while the injured were also being treated at the same facility.

The spokesperson urged motorists to avoid speeding and to refrain from travelling at night, stressing the importance of road safety at all times.