Opinion

The Ede Danse Macabre

Published

2 years ago

August 14, 2022

One interesting thing about the life of an individual is that it’s full of choices. Aside destiny, one has the latitude to become whatever he chooses to become in this world with a genuine vociferous determination targeted at an aspiration. It’s not the head of a state that shapens and propels the realization of one’s ambition, rather it’s the state of a head of an individual, according to an overburdened common saying.
The post-governorship election intra-Party’s crisis in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)in Ede chapter of the party that unfortunately, had claimed the lives of two members of the rival All Progressives Congress (PDP), Mr Abideen Olalekan a.k.a. Furanga) and a pregnant auxiliary trained nurse, Kafayat Olalekan, cannot be said to be a breaking news again as its reportage since the outbreak of the crisis has been going viral since its occurrence last Friday.
The venue of the perpetration of the heinous brutal act was in the PDP post-governorship meeting at Oloba Atapara Ward One, Ede, which ended up in a fracas over a sharp disagreement on the sharing formular of the left-over of Senator Ademola Adeleke’s election largesse said to be running into millions of naira.
As condemnable and inhuman as the Ede political debacle which claimed the lives of two Ede son and daughter, to human beings who are endowed with conscience is, one noticeable strange development has been the attempt by some characters to change the narrative about the killings in order to shield the identities and involvement of those who needlessly carried out the heinous killings and those who are also vicariously liable for the murder of the innocent souls, whose only sin for being cruelly wiped out from the surface of the Earth is their involvement in partisan politics.
If not for the narrative of the immediate younger sister of the slain Furanga, Mrs Rukayat Olasoji, the PDP women leader in Oloba Atapara ward one, who incidentally, hails from unit one of the ward in the ancient town, the agents of misinformation would have succeeded in changing the authentic narrative for the purpose of hiding the truth. But the wind has blown, the anus of the fowl is widely exposed as the berieved victim’s sister maintained her ground that the unfortunate crisis was purely a family one within the PDP.
It is pertinent to remind ourselves that in the face of the law, any suspect is presumed innocent until a competent court of law pronounces otherwise. Nobody has the right to take the life of a fellow human being unless in a situation of a proven self-defence. The fairest professional expectation of a police officer is to shoot an uncooperative suspect who is resisting an arrest on any area of his extremities that cannot lead to his instant death.
The whole episode that culminated in the inhuman shooting of the victims are shrouded in mystery and could be classified as being reckless as there was no indication, sign or report that Furanga and his brother’s wife were armed during the incident. This goes a long way to suspect and conclude that the killings were needless, unwarranted, premeditated and absolutely condemnable by the right-thinking members of the society.
Assuming without conceding the established alibi for the shooting of the male victim, why was the pregnant female victim shot too? Who pulled the trigger that killed the woman who was strapping her one-year-old baby on her back at the time life was snuffed out of her through the bullet? There is more to the killings than meets the eyes.
The Ede political crisis is a litmus test for the leadership of the police both in Osun State and at the federal level. It is the way the incident is handled that will further instil the type of confidence that the people will have in the police as an institution saddled with the statutory function of protecting the lives and property of the people. It is a monumental anomaly for a statutory guard to turn a killer for whatever reason.
The issue at stake bothers on the sacred lives of the people which, once terminated, are either irreversible or irreplaceable. The unsavoury Ede needless killings of two members of the same family have been a source of a nightmare to all and sundry. I have been wondering if some people are uniquely created in a way that it’s not blood that is running in their veins. Where went empathy during the wicked killings of the two members of the Olalekan Elemo family of Ede? It was indeed pathetic, callous and wicked.
What could have been responsible for the criminal killings of the two indigenes of Ede by the team of a trigger-happy police officers? Could it be for filthy lucre or mere euphoria of having successfully assisted the governorship candidate of a party to win an election which has become a subject of litigation in the court of law?
Could it be the euphoria of the recent deployment of the police team to the embattled Osun governor-elect by the nation’s overall police boss that intuitively occastrated and emboldened the inhuman killings in order for the new appointees to dazzle their new boss of their professional super-efficacy?
It is the belief of some political pundits that a letter of deployment of the suspected trigger-happy police team to the governor-elect which was in circulation through the social media which bears the date of Thursday that preceded the incident speaks volume. The taxpayers who are the real constitutional employers of all the nation’s policemen are keenly watching the unfolding of events.
It is apposite to declare that I am not given to being judgmental until the merit or demerit of a case is dispassionately thrashed out. The kernel of this piece is that the constituted authority must act now with a view to diligently investigating the killings and doing the needful in the face of the law. Anything short of this is balderdash as we are not living in a Banana Republic.
My own take on the hurried appointment of a five-man police security staff by the Inspector-General of Police for Senator Ademola Adeleke amounts to setting up of a parralel government in Osun State which may not be in the best interest of the state. It seems a plot to promote and create anarchy and confusion in the state as two drivers cannot drive a vehicle at the same time. Oyetola still remains the constitutionally recognized sitting governor in Osun State.
When I listened to how some of the actors in the killings in Ede have been either justifying the nefarious incident or absolving themselves of their complexities in the suspected maximum crime against humanity, I came to terms with the fact that it is a matter of compulsion for anyone targeting inheritance of something that is outside the scope of his entitlement to come up with fictitious stories!
One thing that is clear to discerning minds is that it is the way and manner that the unsavoury Ede political debacle is handled that will be an express pointer to its likelihood of replication in other communities in Osun State and beyond.
This is the more reason that Mr Wale Olokode, our number one statutorily recognized police officer in the state, should swing into action on the unveiling of the circumstances surrounding the killings by doing the professional needful before it’s transferred to the judiciary.
Before you harm someone with a pin, it’s proper for one to try it on one’s body in order to know the depth of the accompanying pains. That’s the more reasons that our actions and inactions must always be jealously guided by the principle of whether they are fair to all concerned.
While expressing my condolences to the immediate, extended and political families of the fallen Ede politicians, it’s my prayer that God Almighty will repose their souls and forgive them what might be their excesses. It is necessary for the proverbial Aros and Odofins in the ancient town of Ede to initiate a summit where the need to shun politics of bitterness, hatred, violence, rancour and cash-and-carry especially among the teeming youths would be drummed into their subconscious.
I am still ruminating as to what and how to plead to someone who’s mother has just been devoured by an hungry lion. Is it that he should take it philosophically and forget the ugly incident or he should take the case to the Court of the Supreme Being? Osun State is a subset of Nigeria which is being administered by the Constitution. In order to assuage the trauma of the families of the victims of the Ede intra-Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) crisis, justice must not only be done, it must glaringly be seen to be served.
In peace I come.
OLABISI is the Media Adviser to the Osun State APC chairman

Columns

Beyond the Fall: Seeing the Strength in Mr President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu

Published

3 weeks ago

June 13, 2024

FocusMag

As I watched the viral video of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s fall during the Democracy Day celebrations, my initial shock and concern gave way to a deep sense of admiration and respect. Here was a man in his late 70s, who had just suffered a public tumble, yet he got up, dusted himself off, and continued with the event as if nothing had happened. In a world where leaders often prioritize image over substance, Asiwaju’s display of resilience and determination was a breath of fresh air. It was a powerful reminder that true leadership is not about being infallible, but about being courageous, adaptable, and committed to serving others.

As someone who has had the privilege of working with Asiwaju since 2001, I can attest to his unwavering spirit and unshakeable resolve. He is a man who has faced countless challenges throughout his life, from fighting for democracy to navigating the complexities of Nigerian politics. Yet, he remains undeterred, driven by a fierce passion for his country and its people.

Asiwaju’s determination is not just inspiring; it’s contagious. It has the power to energize and motivate others to strive for greatness, even in the face of adversity. And that’s exactly what Nigeria needs today – leaders who are willing to take risks, challenge the status quo, and push through difficulties to achieve greatness.

Of course, Asiwaju is not perfect. He has made mistakes, and he will likely make more in the future. But what will set him apart is his willingness to learn from those mistakes, to listen to others, and to adapt and grow. He is a leader who is not afraid to confront his own weaknesses and limitations, and to seek help when needed.

As we navigate the complex challenges facing our nation, we need more leaders like Asiwaju – leaders who are brave, resilient, and determined to succeed. We need leaders who will inspire us to be our best selves, to strive for excellence, and to never give up in the face of adversity.

So, let us draw inspiration from Mr President’s fall earlier today and his unbreakable spirit and unwavering resolve. Let us learn from his example, and strive to be leaders who make a difference in our own unique ways. For it is only by embracing our own resilience and determination that we can truly achieve greatness and make a lasting impact on our world.

Several countries around the world have had leaders in their advanced years, who have faced similar challenges and setbacks, yet still managed to lead their nations to greatness. They fell, but they got back up, and their resilience inspired a generation. And that’s my prayer for Asiwaju – that God will grant him the strength, wisdom, and courage to continue leading our beloved country Nigeria out of adversity and into a brighter future. May his unwavering spirit and unshakeable resolve inspire us all to strive for greatness, and may we learn from his example to become better leaders and citizens.

Sincerely,

Sir (Prince) ‘Demola Adegoroye
Abuja, Nigeria

News

Wike Storms Lagos, Advises other Governorship Candidates to Quit Race

Published

2 years ago

October 18, 2022

FocusMag

By Afolayan Adebiyi

The enfant terrible of Rivers State politics, Governor Nyesom Wike stormed Lagos Tuesday (18 October) and shocked all when he declared openly that “it will be a sheer waste of time and resources contesting against the Governor of the State” in the forthcoming general elections in February 2023.

The Rivers State helmsman rated Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu high in performance, noting that the Lagos Governor had raised the standard of governance with quality of projects being delivered across Lagos.

Wike said therefore, any political party contesting against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos would be wasting time, as Sanwo-Olu’s performance would outshine anyone campaigning against him.
With this, Wike may have set a new precedent in the nation’s political culture with his open endorsement of a Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for Lagos State in an electoral contest in which his political party has a candidate in Mr. Olajide Adediran.

Wike, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governor, on Tuesday, openly pitched his tent with Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, endorsing the Lagos Governor for second term.

It was at the 22nd National Women’s Conference organised by the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO). The event with theme: “Spring Forth, Stand Out”, was held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.
Another PDP leader and former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose accompanied Wike to the event.

The Rivers State Governor said he had no regrets for openly endorsing Sanwo-Olu, stressing that his endorsement of his Lagos colleague was borne out of his personal conviction about good governance.

Wike said: “If Sanwo-Olu is not doing (well), even if he belongs to my party, I will not come here. If you belong to my party and you are not doing well in governance, you won’t see me. If you don’t belong to my party and you are doing well, you will see me. Good governance is what I stand for. I will not regret to say that I am in support of you (Sanwo-Olu) for second term. Others should not waste their time.
“Look at the kind of project coming from this women’s group. Why would any reasonable person not support the Government that is encouraging this. Let’s also look at the kind of physical infrastructure being delivered in Lagos. This confirms Lagos as a State of excellence. There are some people who will come here; instead of them to continue to make Lagos improve, they will bring Lagos down. For me, I’m satisfied with what Sanwo-Olu has done and it doesn’t matter the party he belongs.”

Sanwo-Olu responded to Wike’s endorsement, describing it as another example of “politics without bitterness”. He said Lagos and Rivers states had learnt from each other in terms of projects and development, adding that both states would continue to cooperate on shared interest.
He said: “There is no better person that is fit as a guest speaker at the conference other than the hardworking Governor Wike of Rivers State. We brought him here to share in his experience and also for him to see what we are doing in Lagos.

“We are encouraging collaboration without bitterness and without talking about our parties or political differences. If you are doing well, it doesn’t matter where you belong. We should encourage peer review across parties. Gov. Wike had invited me to Rivers for projects commissioning in the past. We have challenged ourselves in a positive way; this is good for the growth of our politics and the nation.
Gov. Wike also spoke about the qualities that the next president must bring forward, saying the nation deserved a president that would have the interest of Nigerians at heart.

He urged Nigerians to queue behind someone with vast experience in governance, who has the capacity to turn around the economy and confront insecurity.

Wike said: “We are looking for a president that has the capacity and experience in governance, who can put food on the table for everyone and fight insecurity. That’s the person we are looking for; not some people who are talking about ethnicity.”

The Rivers State Governor said he would be going back home with lessons of the Lagos’ National Women’s Conference, stressing that Lagos had set the standards on how to empower women for growth and development. He promised to replicate the idea in his State to further empower women in Rivers State.

www.focusmagazinesoline.com (C2022)

Opinion

CAN Should Support Tinubu, Otherwise, God Will Punish Us, says Lagos Chairman

Published

2 years ago

October 17, 2022

FocusMag

By Wura Afolayan

The Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Reverend Stephen Adegbite has declared that “God will punish us if we don’t support the presidential aspiration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu”.

The Clergy therefore, vowed to mobilise support for the presidential bid of the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), because of his tremendous support for the Christian community not only in Lagos State, but in the entire southwest region.

Reverend Adegbite declared: “I have told our friends from the North that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is our candidate and we’re going to support him. Nobody can tell us not to support Bola Ahmed Tinubu because he has done more than enough to support the Body of Christ in the Southwest”.

The Lagos CAN Chairman spoke in Lagos on Sunday, (16 October) during the presentation of the stewardship report of 12 years sojourn in the Senate presented by the Senator representing Lagos Central Senatorial District in the Upper Legislative Chamber and the wife of the presidential candidate, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Reeling out the support Tinubu has done for Christians, Reverend Adegbite stated that the APC Flag-bearer initiated a fund to sponsor Christians to Jerusalem and up till today the fund is still there and Christians are benefitting. “We’re still going this year and we will pray for him,” he said.

He stated that Tinubu has through provision of funds saved children of many Ministers of God noting a particular case of one he personally carried dying but through Tinubu’s support was saved and alive today.

“Don’t also forget that it was Tinubu who returned schools to the owners when he was Governor. There are more and we will support him,” he vowed.

www.focusmagazinesoline.com (2022)