Politics

2023: If You Don’t Bid, You Can’t Win, Osinbajo Tells Youths

Published

3 years ago

October 4, 2021

Adebayo

2023: If You Don’t Bid, You Can’t Win, Osinbajo Tells Youths

Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo says if young Nigerians fail to bid for elective offices at the 2023 general elections, they cannot win.

Osinbajo made the observation through President Muhammadu Buhari’s Senior Special Assistant on National Assembly Matters (Senate), Sen. Babajide Omoworare.

Omoworare represented Osinbajo at the opening of a two-day retreat for young legislators at the federal and state levels held on Monday in Lagos.

He said the government had been preparing and equipping the capacity of youths as future leaders.

2023: If You Don’t Bid, You Can’t Win, Osinbajo Tells Youths

According to him, President Buhari’s assent to the “Not-Too-Young-To-Run’’ Bill, was to ensure greater participation of youths in parliament and in government generally.

“In preparation for 2023 general elections, we must realise that greater participation of our youths should not be mere rhetoric.

“Power is never handed over on a platter. If you don’t bid, you can’t win. We must also register to vote.

“The whole essence is to ensure that youths get involved in the process of democracy and also in the parliamentary process,’’ Omoworare said.

He urged youths, who were ready to throw their hats into the ring in 2023, to join political parties or form new ones, adding that the essence of the “Not-Too -Young To Run’’ Bill would be defeated if the youth failed to run.

He said that the youth eligible voter population was still very low, stressing that their turnout on election days had always been abysmally low.

According to him, young persons in another clime volunteer to mobilize eligible voters for the registration process for political parties; they canvass for votes and they participate in political parties’ congresses and conventions.

Omoworare urged national, state, and local government parliamentarians to inculcate the culture of internship and mentorship for youth with a view to foster an enduring legislative practice.

He said that such would make democracy, leadership, governance, peacebuilding, and legislative strengthening a continuum.

Osinbajo said that participation of youths in democratic processes would inject fresh ideas, build public interest, ensure efficiency as well as engender good governance.

According to him, since youths are coming with fresh ideas, it will stimulate the economy, advance democracy and strengthen the legislative process.

“The involvement of young persons in the democratic and legislative processes will give us a better democracy and opportunity to make Nigeria a greater country,’’ he added.

Earlier in his address of welcome, Dr Vladimir Kreck, Resident Representative of Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, a German Foundation funded by the German government, said that its mandate was to promote democratic processes and good governance.

“Following our mandate, there was no hesitation to enter into a partnership with the Young Parliamentarians Forum of the National Assembly and the National Institute for Legislative and Democratic Studies (NILDS) to organise this seminar.

“Young people are the majority in Nigeria. There is no doubt that young people are and will remain a major political factor in Nigeria.

“It is not a secret that today, many young people are dissatisfied with the ruling elites in Nigeria,’’ Kreck said.

According to him, the youth, being the biggest social group of the people in Nigeria, is vastly under-represented in parliaments, government, and committees of political parties.

Kreck, who noted that youth had little or no voice in political decision-making, in Nigeria said that the 2023 elections should give young people a political voice.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat has in attendance young serving legislators from across the country.

The retreat was organized by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) in partnership with NILDS and the Young Parliamentarians Forum (YPF) of the National Assembly.

It has “Youth Alliance – Towards 2023 General Elections’’ as its theme.

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Politics

WHY IS ODUNMBAKU BABA ETO’S NAME ON EVERY LIP? – By Sesan Lamuye, A Political Analyst

Published

2 weeks ago

April 12, 2024

Adebayo

Cardinal James Omolaja Odunmbaku, the Celestial Church of Christ (CCC) cleric and political engineer, is one of a kind who stands in a unique class of his own.

His types don’t happen too commonly. Infact, in our clime, he is a rarity, to have one person clothed in celestial and terrestial robes so fittingly.

Only few of his peers can honestly say they don’t envy his sartorial elegance whenever he appears in his ecumenical garments. And when he sheds that, to adorn the political regalia, he’s also a people’s delight.

Few of his type readily come to mind anywhere – in Africa or in any continent. I think of Bishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa and, elegantly speaking, Archbishop Makarios of Cyprus who ruled from both the pulpit and the polity in his life time.

Odunmbaku, better known as “Baba Eto”, is a mortal, but given the extraordinary gift of the garb and demonstrable style that is uniquely his own, he’s fast assuming the status of an indispensable human specie.

His type acquire larger than life status that is bound to attract positivity and negativity.

Those who are enamoured of him present to the world a cult-like image of him. To them, he can do no wrong. One such person, before the satanic instinct in man, reared its ugly head in him, was so fanatical of the man, Eto, he registered some of his personal vehicles “Aremo”, for which he used to tell those who cared to know, that he was “heir-apparent” to Eto. Today, that person is singing new tunes, as if his new listeners cannot decipher sychophancy and crass opportunism in his new drumbeats.

Another was said to have appeared at a political interview panel where, when asked what credentials she had to seek a position, she matter-of-factly told the panelists “Eto”. And when repeatedly asked what qualifications did she have to think she was fit for the job, she retorted: ” Eto ! Eto !! Eto !!!

That secured the job for her !

Such a person is bound to attract envy, jealousy and disdain, dislike, or even hatred to himself. That is the fate of Baba Eto !

There must be something extra going for the “priestly-politico” that the talent-discoverer, otherwise known as Bola Ahmed Tinubu, identified him to drive his gubernatorial campaign in Lagos State; and has ever since held on to him so fanatically that he has solely led the campaign of other guber candidates like Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akunwunmi Ambode and Babajide Sanwoolu to roaring successes.

If beneficiaries of Baba Eto’s gifts turn round to paint scurrilous pictures of the man, such people can only be consigned to the dustbin in which immortal Chief Obafemi Awolowo put those he described as ingrates of his large-ness of heart. As the late sage declared: ” There’s no escape for those who deny benefits”

Let the person without any blemish come out and cast the first stone. If we put aside belly-aching, jealousy and such-like vices, you cannot encounter Odunmbaku, Baba Eto, on the pulpit or the political rostrum and not doff your hats for this quintessential orator, mobiliser and professor of political mobilisation.

If some see him negatively from the positive binoculars with which Tinubu and many more view Baba Eto, then such minority must be wearing blurry blinkers in their faces.

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Politics

Ondo 2024: Akinterinwa meets APC SWC, formally declares for Governor

Published

3 weeks ago

April 3, 2024

Adebayo

Frontline aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the forthcoming governorship election in Ondo state Hon. Wale Akinterinwa, on Tuesday, visited the state secretariat of the APC in Akure, where he formally declared his intention to contest the state Governorship election billed for later this year.

Accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Oluremi Akinterinwa, and a host of notable party leaders from across the 18 local government areas of the state, Akinterinwa met with members of the State Working Committee (SWC) of the party during the visit.

During the program, Barr. Ajisafe introduced Hon. Akinterinwa’s campaign team, which included the member of the House of Representatives representing Ile-Oluji/Odigbo and past commissioners in the state.

The APC state chairman, Engineer Ade Adetimehin, supported by the party’s publicity secretary, Mr Alex Kalejaiye took turns to introduce other members of the state Working Committee to Hon. Wale Akinterinwa and his team.

In his address, Wale Akinterinwa outlined his extensive educational career and political experience, spanning from Lagos to Ondo State. He passionately presented his plans for the government and people of Ondo State if he is elected governor.

Emphasizing his commitment to the well-being of the people and evelopment of the state, Akinterinwa highlighted several key areas of focus.

According to him, emphasis would be placed on the following key areas:

(i) Education: Improving the quality of education at all levels, from primary to tertiary.

(ii) Healthcare: Expanding access to affordable and quality healthcare services.

(ii) Infrastructure: Investing in critical infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and energy.

(iv) Agriculture: Boosting agricultural productivity and creating job opportunities in the agricultural sector.

(v) Youth Empowerment: Providing skills training, employment opportunities, and support for young people.

Speaking further, the frontline aspirant emphasized the importance of unity and collaboration within the party to ensure a successful election

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Politics

APC Group, Ondo Govt, Quarrel Over Money for Endorsement

Published

1 month ago

March 19, 2024

Adebayo

Lucky Aiyedatiwa

The Ondo State government and a group within the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Ondo State Redemption Initiative (OSRI) have disagreed over the allegation that Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is using the State resources to fund his governorship ambition.

While OSRI said the governor has planned to use the resources of the State to procure endorsement of State lawmakers in Abuja’s secretariat of the APC, the government described the allegation as balderdash and not worthy of its reaction.

The group through its President, Pastor Adebayo Ogunsanmi, Secretary, Jide Oriola, and Publicity Secretary, Sunday Ayeni accused the Aiyedatiwa of setting aside $180 million to bribe lawmakers for phantom endorsement.

The group said it would be wrong for a Governor to use the State’s resources for selfish political ambition when majority of citizens are wallowing in abject poverty.

In a statement titled ‘Aiyedatiwa offers lawmakers $10.000 dollars for Abuja endorsement’ said Aiyedatiwa has taken his desperation to another level by using dollars to bribe lawmakers for endorsement.

The group said the previous endorsement has been denied and warned the governor against using the State’s resources meant for Infrastructural development to bribe lawmakers who have lost relevance in their constituency.

The OSRI said “Desperate effort by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo state to offer 10,000 dollars to each member of the state assembly for endorsement has been exposed.

“The plot, according to inside sources, will involve a trip by 18 lawmakers from the state to accompany the governor to the national headquarters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) during which they will stage the endorsement.

“Aiyedatiwa is desperately going round for endorsements. The latest is a plan to get 18 lawmakers from the state to accompany him to the national headquarters of the APC in Abuja where they will endorse him.

“But since he knew that he could not get the 18 members to do the dirty job, he has offered each member 18,000 dollars, believing that the money would be too tempting to reject.”

However, the government in its reaction through Special Assistant to Aiyedatiwa on New Media, Mr Sunday Abire described the allegation as hogwash.

Abire said “Why will the Governor bribe the Ondo State House of Assembly in the first? The same Governor that has been accused by politicians of not being a spendthrift? Which should we hold dearly now? It is the season of mischief and the Governor is too focused to be distracted.”