Politics
Yoruba Spilt Over 2023 Presidency
Published
3 years agoon
By
Editor
…Afenifere, YCE, OPC, Agbekoya, Akintoye’s Group, Others State Positions
Many pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisations have stated their stance following the declaration, earlier in the week, by a former governor of Lagos State and National Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubh, to contest the 2023 presidential poll.
There are also claims in some quarters that pressure is being being mounted on the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, to also publicly declare his own intention.
The groups include Afenifere, Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), the Agbekoya Farmers Society (AFS), and the apex Yoruba self-determination organisation, Ilana Omo Oodua (IOO). So, if eventually Osinbajo gets to make public his own declaration, which of them, will the Yoruba as represented by these groups support? That was the question that Saturday Sun put to some of their leaders. National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr. Jare Ajayi, said: “For now, Afenifere does not have a position on any presidential aspirant. Our position is that the 2023 presidency must come to the southern part of Nigeria. The talk on whether we have narrowed it down to any part of Southern Nigeria has not come up at all.”
Secretary-General of YCE, Dr. Kunle Olajide, on his own part, told Saturday Sun, in a phone chat, that both Tinubu and Osinbajo have capacities to govern Nigeria very well. He noted that Tinubu has made his intention known that he would contest for the plum job, while Osinbajo has not made any such declaration. Asked the position of the Yoruba Council of Elders on the duo, he simply said: “It is premature to make comments on whom to support between the two of them. So, let us leave it like that.”
In his contribution to the debate, Mr. Maxwell Adeleye, Communication Secretary, the Ilana Omo Oodua, under the leadership of Prof Banji Akintoye, said that the organisation would not support any presidential aspirant or candidate because it does not believe in the 2023 elections and it does not want it to hold, including the governorship polls in Ekiti and Osun States billed for later in the year. But he was quick to add that the organisation has nothing personal against Tinubu or any other person who wants to contest the 2023 presidential poll.
“Our position is very clear,” he said: “We do not believe in the constitution of Nigeria. We are calling for a sovereign national conference or a transition government that will preside over the conference, and we will discuss on our sovereignty. The Ilana Omo Oouda already said we want to leave Nigeria. So, when we get to the negotiation table, we will discuss how we want to peacefully exit Nigeria. So, we have made it clear that we are not interested in the 2023 elections. In fact, we are starting with Ekiti and Osun governorship elections. We will not participate in any election that will be conducted through the 1999 constitution. It is a rape on our people and a fraud.”
Other groups like Agbekoya Farmers Society (AFS) and Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) also made their intentions known. While the National Secretary of Agbekoya, Prince Adegbenro Ogunlana, said that the group did not care where the president comes from or who emerges as president as long the current constitution, which he said was foisted on Nigeria by the military, is not reviewed, Publicity Secretary, OPC, Yinka Oguntimehin added that the group’s position on the future of Nigeria is clearly stated in their belief in restructuring. “That is why we root for regionalism as the best option for peace and stability in the polity. Even if an angel emerges the president of this nation today, without restructuring, nothing will change for better.” Former Minister of Works and National Chairman, Southwest Agenda for Tinubu (SWAGA), Senator Dayo Adeyeye said that the 16 All Progressives Congress (APC) governors are solidly behind the presidential aspiration of Tinubu.
He disclosed this in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, on Thursday while inaugurating the parallel APC ward and local executives, adding that they have a keen interest in the actualisation of his presidential bid. In his view, former chairman of APC in Lagos State, Henry Ajomale, noted that although both have the rights to contest, Tinubu has always nursed the ambition to be president of Nigeria.
READ ALSO: 2023 Presidency: Group Demands Medical Evidence On Tinubu
“If Osinbajo happens to be Tinubu’s political son and he installed him as the Vice President because he didn’t want to be the Vice President and decided to wait for his turn to run as President, I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. Osinbajo is aware of this right from the beginning.”
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), confirmed its endorsement of Tinubu as a presidential hopeful while noting that it fits into its long-term aspiration of having a Yoruba Muslim rule the country.
“This is the time Yoruba Muslims need the support of their Muslim brethren all over the country to ensure that Tinubu emerges as the candidate of his party at the primaries,” it said in a public statement. “They should also vote for him massively during the presidential elections to ensure that he emerges as the president of Nigeria to be sworn in on 29th May, 2023.”
(SUN)
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Politics
INEC Announces Dates For Commencement Of Continuous Voter Registration In Osun
Published
13 hours agoon
July 7, 2025By
Editor
The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Osun State Office has given the dates for the commencement of the Continuous Voter Registration, CVR.
This is coming after INEC formally announced August 8, 2026 as the date for the governorship election in Osun State.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Mutiu Agboke who made this known during a meeting with Electoral Officers, EOs, on Monday in Osogbo revealed that the CVR is scheduled to commence on August 18, 2025 for the first phase and august 25, 2025 for the second phase.
Agboke also said the meeting was convened as a crucial preparation to assess the readiness of the Electoral Officers for the upcoming CVR exercise.
READ ALSO:INEC Fixes Voter Registration Resumption Dates For Anambra Election, Nationwide
The meeting, he also said is to deliberate on operational issues and general preparedness ahead of the CVR.
In his words, “the meeting was designed to examine the state of affairs with respect to the CVR as it would provide a platform for internal review before engaging with wider stakeholders.x”
He explained that, “Online registration is slated to commence on 18 August, while physical, in-person registration is scheduled for 25 August. It is important for us to understand each other and align our strategies before we begin.”
Dr Agboke emphasised the need to know their mindset, the level of reality in order to effectively respond to challenges and make adequate preparations for a successful exercise.
READ ALSO: INEC Fixes Voter Registration Resumption Dates For Anambra Election, Nationwide
He also noted that the second part of the meeting would involve a general assessment of INEC local government offices focusing on infrastructure, logistics, and workforce readiness.
“We want to critically examine INEC local governments offices and their officers to ensure everything is in order.
“The meeting is crucial for us to talk to ourselves and have an understanding before we bring the general stakeholders on board,” Dr. Agboke added.
He commended the EOs for their determination and resilience in keeping their offices operational despite the challenges.
“I appreciate your commitment to ensuring that the INEC LG offices keep functioning effectively ahead of the exercise,” he said.
READ ALSO: Atiku, El-Rufai Coalition Seeks INEC Registration For New Party
Chairman of the Osun Electoral Officers Forum and EO of Ifelodun Local Government, Abdulkadir Azeez, expressed gratitude to the REC for his leadership.
Azeez also acknowledged the REC’s efforts in improving the operations of the Osun INEC Office.
“Your trust in us as EOs has been encouraging. We appreciate the REC for his open-door policy and constant engagement,” he said.
He assured the REC that all Electoral Officers in the state are fully prepared for the registration exercise.
“We have been working towards this, and we remain confident that the CVR will be hitch-free. We are ready, and I can vouch for the ability and competence of every EO in this state,” Azeez concluded.
Politics
2027: Peter Obi Speaks On Running For President, Deal With Atiku
Published
1 day agoon
July 6, 2025By
Editor
Presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr. Peter Obi, has reaffirmed his ambition to contest the 2027 presidential election, debunking speculation that he may team up with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as a running mate.
Speaking on Sunday Politics, a Channels TV programme, Obi dismissed suggestions that he was considering a vice-presidential slot under Atiku or any other candidate.
“Nobody has ever discussed with me whether to be A or B or C,” Obi said. “I am going to contest for the President of Nigeria, and I believe I’m qualified.”
READ ALSO:Nigeria Becoming Land Flowing With Tears And Blood — Anglican Bishop Of Warri Laments
Obi also clarified that the coalition of opposition parties, which recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform ahead of 2027, was not a departure from the Labour Party, nor was it an act of disloyalty.
“There is nothing anti-party in the decision,” he explained. “We are not abandoning where we are. We are going there together. What is constant is that we have agreed to work together.”
On his association with some political figures regarded by critics as controversial or having baggage, Obi argued that inclusive leadership was essential to national progress.
“The job of a leader is to change,” he said. “You need everybody. If you want to serve, you must serve everybody.”
READ ALSO:ADC, A Coalition Of Failed Politicians – Wike
The former Anambra governor also took a swipe at the Bola Tinubu-led administration, criticising its handling of governance and promising to offer a more disciplined and competent leadership if elected.
“We’re going to ensure that we remove Tinubu’s government by all lawful means,” he said. “I will govern within the law, I will bring civility to Nigeria, and I will appoint competent people into office. I will not be Minister of Petroleum.”
Obi’s remarks come as opposition figures intensify efforts to form a united front in the run-up to 2027, amid growing concerns over economic hardship and governance under the current administration.
Politics
Coalition Illogical, Driven By Personal Ambition – Bode George
Published
2 days agoon
July 6, 2025By
Editor
Elder statesman and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, has criticised former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President, David Mark for “messing up” the PDP and aligning with the Alliance for Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition. He said the coalition is driven by personal ambition, not the collective interest of Nigeria.
George, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Tribune, described the coalition as illogical, ill-timed, and lacking substance. He questioned the rationale behind their departure from the PDP, especially at a time when the party had resolved its internal crisis.
Prominent politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and their counterparts from Kaduna, Rivers, and Osun States—Nasir El-Rufai, Rotimi Amaechi, and Rauf Aregbesola, respectively—formally adopted the ADC as their coalition platform on Wednesday in Abuja.
READ ALSO: Coalition: Abure-led LP Gives Obi 48 Hours To Leave Party
Reacting to the alliance, George said: “If it is not self-aggrandisement, what are they running away from? If your roof is leaking, would you run away from the house? No. You stay there and repair it. What is wrong with the PDP? We had a crisis in the party, which they were part of. We’ve resolved it, so why are they running? I have appealed to them to have a rethink and return home. If they don’t, let them stay where they are. It doesn’t matter.”
He expressed disappointment over their decision to abandon the PDP and form a coalition to oust President Bola Tinubu, rather than staying to build the party.
“Is dumping the PDP and forming a coalition the right way to send President Tinubu out of office?” he queried.
In addition, he said: “They have divided the house they built, and that means they are pursuing personal ambition, not the corporate interest of this country. What is Atiku looking for in the coalition? What is David Mark looking for? They caused the mess at the last National Convention. You don’t need a degree to see that it’s illogical. What are they seeking? They just want to sack Bola Tinubu, and now they’re congregating. Everybody in that coalition wants to be president—so how will that work? I wish them the best of luck.”
READ ALSO: Coalition: Why Tinubu Must Not Sleep —Primate Ayodele
However, he appealed to them to return to the PDP to help rebuild the nation.
“They should all come back and help rebuild the broken walls of this nation. In the PDP, we have resolved our crisis. This isn’t the right time to walk away. These are people who have benefitted immensely from the party. One was the number two man in Nigeria. Another, who claims to be acting chairman, was the number three. What more do they want? I’m disenchanted. I’m angry. What kind of reasoning is this? Do you go to war and surrender to the enemy? Everyone in that coalition, except Rauf Aregbesola, came from the PDP. The PDP made them who they are today.”
“Now that we’ve resolved our crisis and are settling down to build unity, they’re off forming a coalition. An iroko tree doesn’t just sprout and fall in the bush. No matter the storm, the iroko stands tall. Maybe Bola Tinubu has gone to consult a babalawo (herbalist), and that’s what’s disturbing them and making them act irrationally. I don’t believe in babalawo, but maybe he has—and that’s why they’re running around.”
“Our party doesn’t have a single person who owns it. He is just a member like everyone else. He has to redefine his position. Bola has reportedly told him to go and deliver the FCT and Rivers State, and he says he’s still working there.”
“Let the next NEC meeting come; decisions will be made. For me, this coalition is a non-issue. It’s all selfishness and self-aggrandisement. At a time when we should be talking about the corporate existence and livelihood of ordinary Nigerians, they’re not doing that. Nigerians will decide,” he concluded.
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