Politics

Governor Sanwo Olu Presents Nomination, Interest Forms to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu

The Governor of Lagos state, Babajide Sanwo Olu, has presented his nomination and expression of interest form to the National Leader of the party. According to a post via his social media handles, he aptly said "I presented the nomination and expression of interest forms to our leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Hours earlier, the form was bought on his behalf by Honourable James Faleke, and handed over to the Governor, at the Lagos House, Ikeja.

Sanwo Olu expressed his heartfelt regard, that the presentation signifies the beginning of a historical journey. In his words, "the presentation of these forms signifies the beginning of a historical journey and the birth of a new dawn in the political landscape of our dear state and country Nigeria." He further said, "With the best of intentions, and a conscientious heart, we say thank you to the leadership and members of our party, The All Progressives Congress (APC), the good people of Lagos State, and Nigeria as a whole."

Following the declaration of Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN) as a terrorist group by the Federal High Court, Abuja and proscription order of the group obtained by the Federal Government, the government is set to publish the order in the official gazette by Monday, July 29, 2019.

For people who neglect news and are unbothered by shiite and El zakzaky news. I mean, really who is he? How will knowing him help in paying fees can ring in our individual’s mind.

But then, it’s a Nigeria Issue and we have to be informed about things happening around us. An Enlightened mind is powerful.

So who and what are the Shi'ite?

The Shi'te also known as Islamic Movement of Nigeria

The Islamic Movement of Nigeria was founded by Sheikh Zakzaky in the early 1980s.

The organization was meant to serve the Shiites of the country socially, culturally, and educationally. Based in Zaria, the movement has so far established a series of charities and clinics. With recent clashes with security officers, protest for the release of their leader and uproar caused by this movement. The movement has been declared a Terrorist group by the Federal Government. According to Nnamdi Obasi, Senior Analyst on Nigeria at the International Crisis Group (ICG), the IMN’s(Islamic Movement Nigeria) goals are twofold: “to ensure more stringent application of Islamic legal and administrative systems...then ultimately to create an Islamic state in Nigeria.”

WHO IS EL ZAKZAKY AND HIS CONNECTION WITH IMN

Ibrahim Yaqoub El Zakzaky is an outspoken and foremost Shi'a Muslim cleric in Nigeria.

Zakzaky is the primary figure and spiritual leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (formerly: Muslim Brothers ), Africa’s most prominent Shi'a Muslim movement. Of Nigeria’s 180 million population, around 50 percent are Muslim, a small minority of which belong to Shi'a Islam. Sheikh al-Zakzaky was injured and arrested along with his wife, in the 2015 Zaria massacre, in which three of his remaining sons, as well as hundreds of his followers, were killed by the Nigerian Army. According to cable news, On January 22nd, 2019, Zakzaky and his wife, Zeenathead to the Kaduna High Court for hearing on the bail application. On July 2019, in order to demand the release of Ibraheem el-Zakzaky, hundreds of people gathered outside government buildings and policemen tried to disperse them by using gunshots and tear gas. During the clash, two people died and 40 protesters were arrested by police. The Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN), a group of Nigeria's minority Shia Muslims, said protests will continue until they secure the release of el-Zakzaky.

Another clash with Shi'ite Muslim protesters in the capital Abuja and gunfire could be heard, according to a Reuter witness. The Shi'ite group marched in protest against the continued detention of its leader, despite a court ruling claimed many lives both of the Shi'tes, police officers and a young reporter, Precious Owolabi under NYSC . A Deputy Commissioner of Police also lost his life during the clash.

IS PROSCRIBING SHI'ITE TERRORIST GROUP THE RIGHT WAY

Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Mr Femi Falana , and Chief Mike Ozekhome on an Interview with Channels Television, have condemned the proscription of the group, saying it is unconstitutional. The proscription, according to Femi Falana is an attempt by the government to stop Shiite members from demanding the release of their leader and his wife. The secretary to the academic forum of the movement, Abdullahi Musa, in an interview with TheCable on Saturday also said All they want is to suppress the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) just to please Saudi Arabia. They want to kill Sheikh Ibrahim Zakzaky and silence all of us.”

Numerous people has also ascribed the proscription as discriminatory on the ground that Buhari administration has refused to proscribe herdsmen that have allegedly been killing Nigerians for a long time. All evidence to prove that the Fulani Herdsman are responsible for killings are abound, yet the administration was proposing RUGA to placate the Fulani Herdsman.

Declaring Shi'ite is unconstitutional and discriminatory. You can't choose to turn a blind eye to groups that needs more proscribing as being terrorist.

Time isn't a Limitation to Fulfilling Destiny - Awotiwon Ibiyemi Joseph

In this interview,

Can we meet You?

Ibiyemi: I am Awotiwon Ibiyemi Joseph and I’m currently a 500 Level Law student of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. I was born into the family of Mr and Mrs Awotiwon, in the early 90's and am the first of three boys, am from Ondo state, an Ilaje boy on paper, am fluent in only Yoruba as a local language. I had all my education in Lagos, I went through pre-degree 2011 and was offered admission into the faculty 2012 though resumed 2013. My hobbies are playing games, watching movies, politics, advocating and counselling, am a football lover. My political involvements are:

I served as the Chairman of Angola 2013/2014 and contested for Secretary General of the Union and I went ahead to also contest as President of the Union, though i was the runner up for both elections. Am a political analyst and lover.

As a lover of politics, what is your opinion on the State of the Union currently? What do you think the students can do to make the Union rise again?

Ibiyemi: It was a clear prediction of the result we have in the union that it would fail because the union isn't a training ground. The present issue we have is as a result of power tussle. I’m sure all parties are working together to work out all the issue on ground. I believe that harmonizing our interests as a union and holding strong to the tenets of our union as well. the training of our leaders is Paramount and experience in politics can never be sidelined in politics.

Moyomade: Do you think there's any similarity between the current state of the union and that of LSS?

Ibiyemi: Not at all. The Lss politics is strictly a political tussle and am sure they have resolved it.

How has been your stay in ifelaw so far? What's your most memorable experience

Ibiyemi: I came, I saw and I conquered. It has been a nice experience. Sometimes I wish I could start all over. As for memorable experiences, I don't have any. All of my days in that faculty are memorable.

Moyomade: Nice... What will you miss the most when you graduate?

Ibiyemi: I miss you and all the beautiful sights, the freedom of movements and many others

Moyomade: Lol... We'll miss you too

Moyomade: So, what are your plans for after graduation?

Ibiyemi: I want to go out there and fulfill destiny, change lives and make money.

Moyomade: Well, will that be before or after law school?

Ibiyemi: Within the over 10months I would be waiting for Law school. Time isn't a determinant or limitation to fulfilling destiny, a well structured plan can make a man do whatever he wants even in a day.

Moyomade: Would you like to say anything to your colleagues and juniors?

Ibiyemi: Life is just too short, hold on to the people you know, make good use of your relationship with whosoever you find, make peace with all men because we would all come back to see one day. And as Solomon said: "Fear God and keep his commandment".

Academics isn't all you need to be a success but all you can learn while in school make a great difference. Get information and never be sidelined or isolated. Having A's is good but be involved in some other activities, mine is politics, what is yours? The best in academics don't end up as best in life or even in practise. Wish us the best and with all certainty we would meet at the top.

Thank you

Opinion: When Opposition Goes Wrong by Awosusi Opeyemi

For so long the People's Democratic Party (PDP) has been marauded with leadership crisis. This is however not uncommon to the party as it has always been inflicted with one party crisis or the other, from the onset. The pioneer chairman of the PDP served for just three months due to the inordinate quest for power by some individuals in the party.

Fast forward to the present day Nigeria, one would only wonder if there is any opposition party in the country at all. This is not farfetched from the fact that the PDP which is supposed to be the paradigm of critical evaluation and subtle opposition of the government in power has not been able to put its house in order; one can only liken the PDP to a toothless tiger which only roars but cannot subtly, and out of Nigeria's loyalty, critically appraise and help to set the APC-led government back on track whenever the need arises.

Several loyalists of the APC have argued that the government in power is the choice of the people - this no doubt, is the beauty of Democracy. However the question to ponder on is "What measures are in place to ensure the sustainability of Democracy in Nigeria?". We must not be too quick to commit the fallacy that Democracy is all about exercising our rights, indeed it is about adequate and efficient representation of the masses.

In a situation where the APC has been voted into power and they have relented in ensuring the adequate security and welfare of poor Nigerians, which is the primary function of every government, the PDP wallowed in a play of political agility and sociological ignorance. Several persons have hoped to see the PDP help in putting the APC-led government on its toes; this hope has not only been shattered, but an exclusive mirage. Parties are more interested in playing bitter politics than clamour for the good of the people. How pathetic!

Heavyweight looters and perpetual law breakers cross-carpet to the APC everyday to enrich their pockets which confirms the yoruba sage saying that 'owo epo l'araye n bani la, won o ki n bani la owo eje' literarily meaning 'the world only stays with you when the going gets smooth'. This further reminds me of the popular song by the pop star, Lil kesh that "NO FAKE LOVE". The political parties in Nigeria have successfully failed in serving as vital tools for a purpose-driven country, when it is time for elections, the party candidates buy roasted corn from the streetside just to 'acclimatize' with the people: indeed, this is fake love.

One could begin to wonder if cross-carpeting has aided our country at all, well, this is a discourse for another blessed day.

It is pretty saddening that opposition parties in the country always refuse to work hand-in-hand with the ruling party and prefer to sabotage efforts of the government in power: the so called ``watchdog`` function they claim to perform is a sheer opium of the masses.

Of recent did the supreme court declare Makarfi the substantive chairman of the PDP in a suit filed by Ali-Modu Sheriff, his PDP rival; although Sheriff's faction claims the judgement to be morally unjust, the law is absolute! It is high time the opposition parties in Nigeria began to perform their watchdog duties and work together with any government in power rather than playing bitter politics as obtainable in Nigeria.

Some political parties however parade themselves in the argument that their major objective is to capture power - Good! But can something else laudable and worthwhile be done on behalf of the poor masses even before gaining power?

Parties must realise that if Nigeria fails under a political party, it is to the detriment of the populace and not just that of the party in power, therefore, checks should be put in place to move the country forward.

If the Democratic party of the USA is able to put President Trump on his toes, to follow the right path and use the most efficient strategies, then this feat is achievable in Nigeria as well.

We have all pledged our allegiance to our dear country Nigeria, and nothing shall set us back no more!

Michael Bloomberg to Trump: Stop Tweeting and Run the Government

Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg has some advice for how President Donald Trump can remove the cloud of the Russia investigation over his presidency.

"Stop tweeting and focus on running the government," Bloomberg said Tuesday on CNN's "Anderson Cooper 360".

"If there's an allegation, you have to have a competent independent investigation that will either find something wrong or remove the cloud. It is very difficult to govern when there's a cloud around you."

The billionaire businessman argued that the President needs to "prove there's nothing there," adding that "you can't just say there's nothing there."

Clinton 'never got a real message out'

Bloomberg has been associated with both the Democratic and Republican parties, but now identifies as an independent.

"I didn't vote for Donald Trump, who is a very nice guy, but I don't think he's the right person to be President of the United States for a variety of reasons," Bloomberg said.

Speaking on whether the Democrats had a message for the 2020 presidential cycle, the former three-term mayor cited messaging.

"Hillary never got a real message out," Bloomberg said.
Clinton's message was "don't vote for that guy and the gender issue, whereas, Donald had a saying, 'make America great again,'" Bloomberg added. "I don't know what again means, but 'America.' That's patriotic. And 'great' -- that's a good word."

On the issue of climate change, Bloomberg said the President's refusal to acknowledge that it's real is "embarrassing."

"No reputable person or scientist doubts that we are creating an environmental and a climate change problem," Bloomberg said.

After President Trump pulled the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement his charitable organization, Bloomberg Philanthropies announced it would put together $15 million to "support the operations" of the United Nation's Framework Convention on Climate Change, the arm of the UN that coordinates the Paris accord.

Bloomberg said, "Is it helpful that America pulls out and the President says these things?" No, it is not helpful. Is it a disaster for the world? No, it just makes us look foolish."

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo is worried about the anger and frustration of youths which if not well-managed, it could lead to an “explosion”.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo spoke yesterday at the Youth Governance Dialogue organised by the Youth Development Centre, an arm of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.

Lamenting that youths were not getting the required help, the former president noted that while his generation had “limitless opportunities but no facilities” in their time, the youth of today “have facilities but little or no opportunities”.

He cited the insurgency in the Northeast, the separatist agitators in the Southeast and militancy in the Niger Delta region as manifestations of anger and frustrations from disillusioned youths.Obasanjo warned that should anger of youths erupt, there might be no limit to the extent it could spread.

He appealed to the youth to work hard to help themselves and be ready to pay the price for the right cause they believe. But he said despite all odds, the youth still remained his greatest hope for Nigeria.

Chief Obasanjo noted that when he left secondary school, he received letters of appointments from five establishments and wondered whether any Nigerian university graduate could have such opportunities today. He pleaded with the nation’s youth not to wish the elders dead, saying they need the elders as mentors and advisers in their journey of life.

“Don’t wish us dead; don’t wish us to disappear because you will need us. You need us as mentors and advisers to mentor and prepare you for the future. You need the experience and assistance of some of us to guide you through life.

“You should not lose hope, you should not feel frustrated. Whenever I go, they always ask me what is my fear about Nigeria and Africa. And I said my greatest fear is youth anger, frustrations and youth explosion, which have no bound.

“We have the Boko Haram in the North, the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in the Southeast, the militants in the Niger Delta and the Oodua Peoples Congress in the Southwest. All of these are expression of anger and frustrations.

“We have what it takes to be great as a nation and we can’t transform this country without the youth. My greatest hope in this country is also the youth. You the youth should work to help yourselves. You must be ready to pay the price for what you stand for,” Obasanjo said.

The lead speaker and former Minister of Aviation, Mr. Osita Chidoka who spoke on the theme: “Towards a Guiding Political Philosophy for a Democratic Nigeria,” advised that the nation’s leaders should build a society that harness human and material resources effectively, provide equal opportunities and develop capacity for innovation.

Chidoka proposed a new charter for the country, saying the charter should contain reasons for the country’s unity, and which guarantees the basic rights, privileges and obligations of citizens.

“Our national aspirations should inspire the next generation and provide them with the existential meaning of Nigeria; a meaning that transcends geography, natural resources and ethnicity. To grow Nigeria, we must build a society that harness human resources, provides equal opportunities and develop capacity for innovation.

Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who spoke on the topic:”Preparing Successor Generation for Effective Participation in Governance”, urged leaders to put structure in place for the youth to advance to position of leadership.

“We cannot keep calling them the leaders of tomorrow without ensuring that we put in place deliberate measures that will aid their quest for public service. Sometimes candour and youthful excitement can cause as much harm as the most venal form of corruption. We have to find the means to reduce unemployment. There is no doubt that the current diversification policy of President Buhari government will eventually provide broader opportunities for self-employment,” Tambuwal said.

On Sunday, 2nd March, 2017, the National Association of Ondo State Students, (NAOSS) Obafemi Awolowo University chapter led in a new administration. This was after a series of campaigns and the electoral process led by Mr Ehinmosan Olukolade, the Chairman of the NAOSS Electoral Commission 2017.

After flying campaigns, a total of 236 voters came to exercise franchise. In a release signed by the electoral commission, the results were announced as follows:

Having fulfilled the constitutional provision. The above mentioned commission is pleased to announce the election results held on Sunday, March 2, 2017 to the members of the aforementioned association.

*BALLOT PAPERS* = 250
*TOTAL VOTE CAST* = 236
*UNUSED BALLOT PAPERS* = 14

President
Ogele Timothy = 140 *winner*
Babatee = 91
Void = 5

Vice President
Opebetty = 211 *winner*
Void = 25

General Secretary
Olucrown = 180 *winner*
Ballam's Voice = 44
Void = 12

Public Relations Officer (PRO)
Nelson Vincent Ayomitunde = 125 (Winner)
Sharon = 106
Void = 5

Financial Secretary
Big G = 195 *winner*
Void = 42

Social Director
Sammy = 125 *winner*
Jega = 95
Void = 16

NOTE: The position of the Ass Gen secretary is hereby declared vacant.

Signed:
Akinbote O. Olatomide
*Luther*
P.R.O

Olukayode Samuel
*Sampam*
Secretary

Mark receives Certificate of Return as senator for the 6th time

Mark receives Certificate of Return as senator for the 6th

time

Abuja - Immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark on Monday received his Certificate of Return from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as winner of the Benue South senatorial rerun election.

This s the sixth time Mark would be receiving the Certificate from INEC.

He has previously won all the senatorial elections in Benue South since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999.

Senator Mark expressed appreciation to the people of Benue South and Nigerians alike for the support and prayers that ensure his success at the polls.

His words: ” My election is unique. I hold this certificate in trust and for service to my people and Nigerians alike.

“ I will serve honestly and with the fear of God”, he stressed. Senator Mark praised INEC for a good job so far but craved for improvement in future polls.

He advised that the electioneering process should be made less cumbersome to enable more qualified Nigerians to participate.

Handing over the certificate to Mark, INEC national commissioner Lawrence Nwuruku assisted by his colleague Solomon Soyebi said the certificate is a confirmation that he won the Benue South Senatorial rerun election according to the rules and regulations guiding the conduct of elections.

Racial feud erupts as Republicans fight 'unstoppable' Trump

Racial feud erupts as Republicans fight 'unstoppable' Trump

Virginia - Donald Trump's refusal to denounce an implicit endorsement from former Ku Klux Klan white supremacist leader David Duke has dominated the narrative just before Republican voters across 11 states head to the polls on Super Tuesday.

Trump's rivals are scrambling to stop the billionaire businessman from becoming an "unstoppable" force in the 2016 presidential contest. And even Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton, fresh from a strong win in South Carolina, has started turning her focus on him.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Florida Sen. Marco Rubio continued to criticize Trump's character and lack of policy specifics in a series of attacks Sunday while courting voters across the South, whose states dominate Tuesday's voting.

Rubio and Cruz acknowledge that time is running out to prevent the former reality television host from becoming the Republican Party's presumptive nominee, as the race to collect delegates for the party's nominating convention this summer continues.

Trump has won three of four early voting states, and Republicans are divided over the prospect of the brash billionaire becoming their nominee.

"There is no doubt that if Donald steam rolls through Super Tuesday, wins everywhere with big margins, that he may well be unstoppable," Cruz said Sunday on CBS.

Trump was asked Sunday on CNN whether he rejected support from the former KKK Grand Dragon and other white supremacists after Duke told his radio followers this week that a vote against Trump was equivalent to "treason to your heritage."

"Well, just so you understand, I don't know anything about David Duke. OK?" Trump said. "I don't know anything about what you're even talking about with white supremacy or white supremacists."

Cruz soon responded on Twitter, telling Trump: "You're better than this. We should all agree, racism is wrong, KKK is abhorrent."

Rubio went further. "We cannot be a party who refuses to condemn white supremacists and the Ku Klux Klan," Rubio told a Virginia rally. "Not only is that wrong, it makes him unelectable. How are we going to grow the party if we nominate someone who doesn't repudiate the Ku Klux Klan?"

Trump hasn't always claimed ignorance on Duke's history. In 2000, he wrote a New York Times op-ed explaining why he abandoned the possibility of running for president on the Reform Party ticket. He wrote of an "underside" and "fringe element" of the party, concluding, "I leave the Reform Party to David Duke, Pat Buchanan and Lenora Fulani. That is not company I wish to keep."

Asked about the issue on Monday, Trump told NBC he had disavowed Duke and asked, "How many times do I have to continue to disavow people."

The Duke debate seeped into the Democratic contest, as Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders lashed out on Twitter: "America's first black president cannot and will not be succeeded by a hatemonger who refuses to condemn the KKK."

Clinton re-tweeted Sanders' message.
The former secretary of state holds a huge advantage among African-Americans, a key Democratic constituency that will play a dominant role in several Super Tuesday states.
Trump holds commanding leads across the South, with the exception of Cruz's home state of Texas, a dynamic that puts tremendous pressure on Rubio and Cruz as they try to outlast each other.
Trump mocked the Republican establishment and his flailing rivals. "It's amazing what's going on," he told NBC, calling his campaign a "movement.

$300m in looted funds to be returned to FG from Switzerland

$300m in looted funds to be returned to FG from Switzerland

Abuja - Foreign Affairs Minister Geoffrey Onyeama has disclosed that negotiations are currently under way with a number of countries around the repatriation of looted funds stashed abroad.

The Minister revealed exchanges between Nigeria and Switzerland, saying that the Swiss had already repatriated $700 million in looted funds, Punch reports.

Onyeama also made mention of a further $300 million that had yet to be recovered but would be repatriated soon. He also revealed ongoing negotiations with the United Kingdom and the US around the repatriation of funds, saying that President Buhari had garnered international cooperation around the loot drive.