Politics
2019 Elections: Think Twice Before Taking Decisions || By Olamiposi Ishola
FEW days to the much anticipated February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections in the country, Nigerians are anxiously waiting to exercise their franchise ahead of the Saturday’s poll.
Since the commencement of Nigeria’s nascent democracy in 1999, the 2019 general elections will be the most keenly contested one due to the high political awareness, especially with personalities involved in the presidential race.
Virtually all political parties in the country facing different challenges which include financial, leadership tussle, inter party crisis and among others, while some cases are before the court over issues of candidacy.
The 2019 general elections which coincided with 20 years of Nigeria civil rule is a test on the part of the electorates, political stakeholders and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as well as Security agencies on their readiness to strengthen the nation’s internal democracy.
The decision taken by all election stakeholders Including, Inec officials, security operatives, political leaders, candidates and voters will surely determines the fate of the country in another four years.
Although, Nigerians are found of saying it is just 4 years, but the fact is that it is indeed, a long journey if there is no drastic decision and deep thinking on who to vote for as well as why I want to vote for such person.
No doubt, the 2019 Presidential Election in Nigeria is between the incumbent President Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Former Vice President of Nigeria, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who is standard bearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The electorate, who is the king and determinant factor of any free and fair elections now has destiny on their haned as far as Saturday’s elections is concerned.
Although, the presidential election will be held simultaneously with the National Assembly elections which is the second arm of government.
What this indicates is that if wrong people were elected into the legislative chambers of the country, under the influence of inducement or vote buying, no meaningful development can be recorded in Nigeria for another four years because legislators are the strong bone of any administration.
It is imperative for all election stakeholders to note that the task of safeguarding the country’s nascent democracy can not be left in the hands of INEC alone, hence the need to contribute meaningfully towards ensuring good governance and the nation’s internal democracy.
As INEC and security agencies had guaranteed the safety of Corp members who will serve as Presiding Officers (PO) in various polling units across the country, they must be remembered that any atrocity committed during the exercise may affect their future negatively.
The Apex electoral body in Nigeria must also be vigilant especially in the respect of recent fire disaster that affected both sensitive and non sensitive materials in some INEC state headquarters and the postponement of the election.
What will be the best Valentine’s gift for the country is for the peaceful conduct of Saturday’s election and Nigerians will actually decide who will be the number one citizen of the most populous country in Africa.
Saturday, February 23 Presidential and National Assembly elections is knocking, please think twice before taking any decision.
By Olamiposi Ishola
Mega Icon Magazine Political Desk
House of Representatives member and Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), Engr. Aderemi Oseni, has fulfilled his pledge to support the welfare of the All Progressives Congress (APC) staff in Oyo State.
In a gesture highlighting his commitment, the lawmaker personally funded the salaries of staff at the APC’s Oke Ado Secretariat in Ibadan, reinforcing his dedication to the smooth operation of the party’s activities in the state.
Representing the Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, Oseni recently visited the secretariat, where he expressed gratitude to party leaders and members for their contributions.
As a further commitment to the smooth operation of the party’s activities, the lawmaker generously donated ten million naira (N10,000,000) as an allowance to enhance the secretariat’s functions.
In a statement released Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the lawmaker extended appreciation to the secretariat staff, whom he described as the backbone of the party’s daily functions.
He lauded their dedication, noting their essential role in advancing the party’s goals.
“Leadership is about service, and service begins with supporting those who make the party function from within,” Oseni remarked.
“I am proud to honour this commitment to our staff, as they play a crucial role in making our political structures work effectively. This is my way of showing appreciation for their unwavering dedication”, he added.
Engr. Aderemi Oseni, representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency of Oyo State in the House of Representatives, has paid tribute to former Senate Leader, Senator Teslim Folarin, on his 61st birthday, celebrating his decades of dedicated service and contributions to Oyo State and Nigeria at large.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, in Ibadan, Oseni, who also serves as Chairman of the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), lauded Folarin’s unwavering commitment to leadership and the well-being of the people.
Highlighting the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial nominee in the 2023 elections for three terms in the Senate, the lawmaker noted that Folarin’s legacy of service continues to be a guiding light for emerging leaders and a source of inspiration for countless individuals across the state.
“Senator Folarin has built an admirable legacy through years of selfless public service, consistently advocating for progress and unity,” remarked Oseni.
Reflecting on Folarin’s role as the Ikolaba Olubadan of Ibadanland, the lawmaker commended his leadership approach, which has bridged divides, fostered coalitions, and promoted initiatives aimed at stabilising democracy.
“Senator Folarin’s career is an example of visionary leadership,” he added, “and his commitment to public service will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.”
As Senator Folarin marks this milestone, Oseni extended warm wishes for his continued health and success, expressing hope that his exemplary life of service will keep inspiring positive change across the nation.
In a historic ruling, a Ugandan court on Friday sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison.
This landmark decision, marking the first time a member of the notorious LRA has faced trial for war crimes in a Ugandan court, follows the group’s brutal two-decade insurgency against the Ugandan government.
Kwoyelo, who was convicted in August on 44 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity, faced charges including murder, rape, torture, pillaging, abduction, and the destruction of settlements for internally displaced people.
(FILES) Thomas Kwoyelo a commander of the Lord’s Resistance Army rebellion blamed for brutal civilian murders during a 20-year war in the north of the country is brought into a courthouse in the northern Ugandan town of Gulu on July 25, 2011. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by MICHELE SIBOLINI / AFP)
Michael Elubu, lead judge of the case at the International Crimes Division (ICD) of Uganda’s High Court, delivered the sentence in the northern city of Gulu, underscoring a rare moment of accountability in the decades-long history of the LRA’s violence.
Judge Elubu stated that Kwoyelo retains the right to appeal both his conviction and sentence within 14 days.
Kwoyelo, who was abducted by the LRA at the age of 12 and later rose to a low-level command position within the organization, denied all charges brought against him.
(FILES) Suspected LRA (Lords Resistance Army) member Thomas Kwoyelo is pictured during a pre-trial session at the High Court in Kampala on Februay 1, 2017. – A Ugandan court on October 25, 2024 sentenced former Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) commander Thomas Kwoyelo to 40 years in prison after a landmark war crimes trial over his role in the group’s two-decade reign of terror. The sentence against Kwoyelo, who was convicted on 44 counts of crimes against humanity in August, was announced by Michael Elubu, the lead judge in the case at the court in the northern city of Gulu. (Photo by GAEL GRILHOT / AFP)
The Lord’s Resistance Army, founded by Joseph Kony in the 1980s, sought to establish a regime based on the Ten Commandments. Under Kony’s leadership, the group unleashed widespread terror across Uganda and neighboring regions, resulting in over 100,000 deaths and the abduction of 60,000 children.
The violence eventually spread to Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Central African Republic.
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