Politics
Defection: Saraki, Ortom,Tambuwal, Ahmed and others, a replica of 2014.
JUST like yesterday when the crisis rocking the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which was extended to the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) chaired by Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers state.
The federal government led by Dr Goodluck Jonathan believed to be supporting the then Governor of Plateau state, Jonah Jang as factional chairman all in the interest of second term ambition of President Jonathan.
Saraki can’t run to PDP with our crown – Oshiomhole, APC Senators
The development prompted pro Amaechi to form New PDP, a formidable force under the party and later extended to the members of National Assembly.
When the negotiations for mega party that comprises Action Congress of Nigeria, (ACN), All Nigeria Peoples Party, (ANPP), Congress For Progressive Change (CPC) and factional group from All Grand Peoples Alliance (AGPA) began, it was with the aim and mandate of taken over from PDP led federal government at all cost.
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After series of meeting with stakeholders of all political parties involved which later gave birth to a new political party called All Progressives Congress (APC)
Immediately after the formation of APC, some Governors,Senators, Federal and State lawmakers under the aegis of nPDP decamped to APC making the progressive fold much stronger.
With more defections rocking the PDP then, APC became formidable opposition party with high hope and expectations
In the build up to 2015 elections, APC held its registration exercise across the country followed by wards, local and state congresses and National convention where former Governor of Edo state, Chief John Odigie Oyegun was elected as Party’s National Chairman who took over from Osun state former Governor, Chief Bisi Akande as Acting Chairman.
In fact it was a real war when the then Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal announced his defection from PDP to APC at the floor of the house despite the majority group of PDP.
To some politicians then, the defection of Waziri Tambuwal, Bukola Saraki, Governor Abdulfatai Ahmed, Rotimi Amaechi, Muritala Nyako and others was seen as a welcome development to the APC; but how do we describe the defection of some of them to the PDP?
Although, prior to the 2015 general elections, some political scientists and analysts have predicted that merger of the three political parties is a marriage of inconvenient when considering the calibers of people that formed the party.
According to observers of Nigeria political scene, it is only in this country that political scenario always recycling.
Fore Instance in 2014, defection gale heated the PDP when former Bauchi state Governor, Alhaji Adamu Muazu was elected as the National chairman of the party and this also occurred in APC after the emergence of immediate past Governor of Edo state, Comrade Adams Oshiomole as APC National Chairman.
It is unfortunate that Nigeria civilian rule will be 20 years of uninterrupted, yet
some of the politicians in the country lacks political ideology.
Defection: Buhari is in pain over Saraki, Tambuwal, Kwankwaso’s exits – R-APC
Now that some political gladiators in APC have defected to PDP, the next line of action is for the party to intensify more efforts in its strategy, especially in its reconciliation process.
PDP on the other hands, should not see defection of Saraki and others as something to capitalise on and forget those who stood with the party during trying period.
If they do so, I am sorry, it may be the biggest blow ever in PDP.
With few months to the 2019 general elections and his defection from ruling party to opposition will Senate President Bukola Saraki and his colleagues retained their juicy positions and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Yakubu Dogara eventually decamped to PDP who will control the affairs of the house?
If the two legislative chambers are controlled by the opposition party only God knows what will be the faith of this country under hide and seek game of politics by our political gladiators.
By Akinyode Ishola
(Mega Icon Magazine Political Desk)
Politics
Oyo Rep, Oseni Pays APC Secretariat Staff Salaries, Donates N10m to Boost Party Operations
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.
Politics
Oseni Salutes Senator Folarin’s Decades of Service at 61
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.
Politics
Ugandan Court Hands Ex-LRA Commander 40-Year Sentence
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.
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.
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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