Politics
US President, Trump Impeached For Second Time
Donald Trump became the first US president in history to be impeached twice when the House of Representatives voted on Wednesday to charge him with inciting last week’s mob attack on Congress.
The Senate will not hold a trial before January 20, when Democrat Joe Biden assumes the presidency, meaning the real estate tycoon will escape the risk of being forced to leave early. He will, however, depart in disgrace — and likely due to face a Senate trial later.
The only question in the House had been how many Republicans would join the Democratic majority.
In the end, 10 Republicans broke ranks, including the party’s number three in the House, Representative Liz Cheney.
Holed up in the White House, Trump had no immediate reaction but he earlier issued a brief statement insisting that he opposed violence among his supporters.
“In light of reports of more demonstrations, I urge that there must be no violence, no lawbreaking and no vandalism of any kind. That is not what I stand for,” he said.
“I call on all Americans to help ease tensions and calm tempers. Thank You.”
Reflecting the fear of upheaval, armed National Guards deployed across the capital and central streets were blocked to traffic.
In the Capitol building itself, guards in full camouflage and carrying assault rifles assembled, some of them grabbing naps early Wednesday under the ornate statues and historical paintings.
Trump survived the first impeachment almost exactly a year ago when the Republican-controlled Senate acquitted him of abusing his office to try and get dirt on Biden’s family before the election.
This time, his downfall was triggered by a speech he delivered to a crowd on the National Mall on January 6, telling them that Biden had stolen the presidential election and that they needed to march on Congress and show “strength.”
Amped up on weeks of election conspiracy theories pushed by Trump, the mob then stormed into the Capitol, fatally wounded one police officer, wrecked furniture and forced terrified lawmakers to hide, interrupting a ceremony to put the legal stamp on Biden’s victory.
One protester was shot dead, and three other people died of “medical emergencies,” bringing the toll to five.
Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told the chamber that Trump “must go.”
“He is a clear and present danger to the nation that we all love,” she said.
And Democratic lawmaker Ilhan Omar branded Trump a “tyrant,” saying that “for us to able to survive as a functioning democracy there has to be accountability.”
But Nancy Mace, a newly-elected Republican congresswoman said that while lawmakers “need to hold the president accountable,” the speed of the impeachment “poses great questions about the constitutionality.”
The top Republican in the House, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, said that while Trump deserves censure, hurriedly impeaching will “further divide this nation.”
McConnell open to impeachment
Trump, who has been stripped of his social media megaphones by Twitter and Facebook, and finds himself increasingly ostracized in the business world, is struggling to impose his message — let alone any kind of resistance.
His refusal to accept any responsibility for the horrifying scenes on January 6 — including his insistence Tuesday that his speech was “totally appropriate” — has infuriated allies and opponents alike.
The main question now is to what extent former Republican allies in the Senate will turn on their party’s figurehead. Last year, they acquitted Trump overwhelmingly after the House impeached him for abuse of office.
Powerful Republican Senate leader Mitch McConnell has made clear there is no time before Trump’s January 20 exit to hold an impeachment trial, given that the Senate is in recess until January 19.
However, he said Wednesday that he was open to the possibility of voting to convict Trump in a trial, which could still be held after Biden takes over.
“I have not made a final decision on how I will vote and I intend to listen to the legal arguments when they are presented to the Senate,” McConnell said.
The New York Times reported Tuesday that McConnell is signaling privately that he believes Trump did commit impeachable offenses.
This presents a potentially fatal shift in the ground under Trump’s feet, because it could lead other Republican senators to join in convicting Trump with the goal of turning the page in the turbulent relationship between the party and former reality TV host and real estate magnate.
Meanwhile, the increasingly toothless Trump’s social media woes deepened late Tuesday when video-sharing giant YouTube said it was suspending his official account for at least a week, out of concern his videos could incite violence.
He is also being cut out by the business world, threatening his financial future once he leaves the White House.
The latest blow to the Trump empire was when the mayor of his native New York City, Bill de Blasio, announced Wednesday a termination of contracts to run a golf course, two ice-skating rinks and a carousel in Central Park.
“New York City doesn’t do business with insurrectionists,” de Blasio, a Democrat, tweeted.
Source: AFP
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, will on Sunday, April 26, formally declare his ambition to represent Oyo South Senatorial District in the National Assembly.
Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency, is expected to unveil his senatorial bid at the Recreation Club, Ibadan, by 10 a.m.
A statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, said all arrangements have been concluded for the declaration, which will formally signal the lawmaker’s entry into the Oyo South senatorial race ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The statement added that the event is expected to attract political leaders, including party chieftains, state and senatorial executives of the All Progressives Congress (APC), stakeholders, supporters, and members of the public across the senatorial district.
It further noted that adequate security and traffic management arrangements have been put in place to ensure a smooth and orderly event.
Oseni, who currently chairs the House Committee on the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA), is positioning for a broader legislative role in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
The statement described the development as a significant moment in Oyo State’s political landscape.
Politics
2027: Oyo Reps Hopeful, Socrates Rallies APC Unity to Reclaim Power, Drums Support for Tinubu
A House of Representatives aspirant for Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Hon. Monsuru Akintunde Adeyemo, on Friday urged members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that disunity could undermine the party’s chances of returning to power.
Adeyemo, popularly known as Socrates, made the call in a statement, where he also drummed support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The former Vice Chairman of Aare Latosa Local Council Development Area stressed that cohesion among party leaders and stakeholders remained critical to building a formidable opposition in the state.
He commended party chieftains, including Moses Alake-Adeyemo, for their roles in repositioning the party for future electoral success.
“The task before us requires unwavering commitment and unity of purpose. A divided house cannot stand. If we are determined to reclaim Oyo State in 2027, we must close ranks and work together,” he said.
Adeyemo also criticised the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde, alleging that residents were experiencing the effects of what he described as governance failures.
“With the current realities in Oyo State, it is evident that the only credible alternative in 2027 is the APC. I commend our leaders for rebuilding the party and urge members to remain steadfast, as victory lies in our collective resolve,” he added.
The aspirant further described Tinubu’s leadership as pivotal to Nigeria’s recovery and long-term development, urging Nigerians to sustain their support for the President.
Adeyemo, who is also the Oyo State Coordinator of Relax Tinubu Is Fixing Nigeria, called on party loyalists to intensify grassroots mobilisation, deepen engagement across communities, and work collectively towards ensuring victory for the APC in Oyo State in 2027.
…cites NELFUND, LG autonomy, rising allocations, state police, electricity reforms
A member of the House of Representatives from Oyo State, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has restated that the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains his “ultimate political project” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Friday by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele, and made available to journalists in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, Oseni, who represents Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency and chairs the House Committee on Federal Road Maintenance Agency (FERMA), said his position was informed by what he described as “verifiable and far-reaching reforms” introduced by the Tinubu-led administration across key sectors.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is my ultimate political project. I am committed to mobilising all available structures and support across all strata of our society to ensure his re-election in 2027,” the lawmaker said.
Oseni highlighted major policy milestones, including the signing of the Electricity Act, which decentralises the power sector and empowers states and private investors to generate and distribute electricity.
He also referenced the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), noting that the scheme provides interest-free loans to students in tertiary institutions, and described it as a critical intervention in expanding access to higher education.
According to him, the administration’s economic reforms, particularly the removal of petrol subsidy and the unification of the foreign exchange market have significantly boosted government revenue and improved fiscal transparency.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain added that one of the most impactful outcomes of these reforms is the increase in allocations to states and local governments, which, he said, has enhanced their capacity to execute projects and meet obligations to workers.
Oseni further pointed to the push for local government financial autonomy, following recent judicial pronouncements and policy backing by the Federal Government, noting that it would strengthen grassroots governance and service delivery.
He also cited ongoing national conversations and policy steps towards the establishment of state police as part of broader security sector reforms aimed at addressing localised security challenges.
On infrastructure, Oseni said the administration had prioritised road construction and rehabilitation across the country, as well as railway development, with increased intervention through relevant agencies to improve connectivity and support economic growth.
He noted improvements in key economic indicators, including revenue generation and efforts to stabilise the macroeconomic environment, adding that reforms in the oil and gas sector are gradually boosting investor confidence and local capacity.
Oseni, however, acknowledged that there might be challenges, explaining that “While all may not be perfect at the moment, tangible results and key performance indicators clearly show that hope is rising and indeed being renewed. The foundation being laid today will yield greater benefits in the coming years,” he said.
He stressed that continuity in President Tinubu’s leadership was essential to consolidate ongoing reforms and deliver long-term national development.
“This is not the time for disunity or distractions. We must close ranks, deepen grassroots mobilisation, and work collectively to deliver victory for our party and President Tinubu,” Oseni submitted.
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