PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has described as “bloody nonsense” the penchant of some Nigerians to hide under the canopy of ethnicity and religion to perpetrate injustice and corrupt acts. President Buhari Hosting his former staff who worked with him during his tenure as military head of state (January 1984-August 1985) on Sunday night at the State House, Abuja, the President added that recourse to the smokescreen of religion and ethnicity “is just corruption, pure and simple.” To justify his thesis, President Buhari went down memory lane, drawing lessons from his electoral battles at the courts in 2003, 2007, and 2011, where those who ruled against him were Muslims from the North, but those who defended him were Christians from the South. His words: “I was recently forced to talk to somebody I respect a lot about Nigeria. I said in 2003, when I started out, complaints about presidential election used to start from the Court of Appeal. “The president of the court then was my classmate in secondary school for six years. Himself, myself and Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, were classmates. My lawyer, Mike Ahamba, was Roman Catholic and an Ibo man. “My first witness was in the box. Ahamba said he needed the register of voters in certain constituencies and states to prove that votes were just allocated, and not true reflection of what existed in the constituencies. He asked them to record his request and sign. They did so. “When they came to give judgment later, the matter was not mentioned at all. In the panel were another Roman Catholic and Ibo, who raised his hand and said, this is what Buhari’s lawyer had said
“Did we write to those constituencies and states to submit the register? If so, why is it not in the judgment? They just shut him up. He had to write a minority judgment. Of course, he’s now our Ambassador in United States of America. “I petitioned the Supreme Court. Who was the Chief Justice? A Muslim, probably a Fulani, from Zaria. After 27 months, we went. Ahamba addressed the court for 2 hours and 45 minutes. “They went in, came out after about 45 minutes, and said they were proceeding on vacation the next day. They were away for three months, making it 30 months in all. When they came back, they dismissed the case within 45 minutes. “In 2007, they repeated the same thing. Who was the Chief Justice? A northerner and Muslim. After 18 months, they dismissed the case. “The third time, who was CJ? A Muslim, Fulani man from Jigawa. After 8 months, he dismissed the case. This bloody nonsense about Nigeria on ethnicity and religion is just corruption, pure and simple. Wherever we find ourselves, let’s pray to God that we maintain our faith. That’s all we have. “I try to do my best, and pray to God to help me. May God Almighty give us the ways and means to continue to do our best for the country. “Whatever religion we follow, let’s do it seriously, as finally, we would appear before God. Whether we believe it or not, it will happen. So, we better continue to behave ourselves.
President Buhari described the reunion and interactive meeting as an “emotional one” for him, as he had not seen some of the people since 1985, when the military regime he headed was toppled. Commending his former Aide-de-Camp, Alhaji Mustapha Jokolo, who used his initiative to put the parley together, the President equally commended his former Number two man, Major General Tunde Idiagbon (now deceased), whom he said, showed uncommon loyalty and courage. His words: “He was in Saudi Arabia, performing the hajj, when we were removed. The Saudi king said the coup was not just against us, but also against him, since Idiagbon was praying with him. “He asked him to send for his family to join him in Saudi until it was clear where I was. Idiagbon said no, I want to go back, Your Majesty. If they kill him, let them kill me also. “He joined the next flight and came back. I think there’s no way you can describe such loyalty, such courage. May his soul rest in perfect peace.” Alhaji Jokolo said though the departure of the former staff from government was “unexpected and disappointing, if not regrettable,” the affected people recall the ugly experiences today, “not with bitterness because individually, they had since moved on with their lives, though painfully aware that they were victims of misplaced aggression.” He added: “The fact that among us today are highly respected Royal Fathers, businessmen, captains of industry, lawyers and other specialists in the professions, and a university professor, speaks volumes that God is good and that values of discipline and perseverance that we imbibed under Your Excellency’s tutelage had not been in vain.
The Lead Visioner of the Lagos4Lagos Movement and former governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Dr. Olajide Adediran, JANDOR, has commiserated with the Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Lagos State, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi, on the passing of his wife.
Mrs. Ebunoluwa Esther Ojelabi, the wife of the party State Chairman was announced dead on Monday.
A statement issued on Tuesday by Gbenga Ogunleye, said Adediran described the passing away of Mrs Ojelabi as very sad and painful.
He prayed that God will grant the APC Chairman and his family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
“At this sad moment, my thoughts and prayers are with the family of our party State Chairman and the entire Ojelabi dynasty.
The loss of a loved one, especially a spouse, is an indescribable pain. I pray that God grants the family the strength to bear this loss and may her gentle soul rest in peace” he said.
JANDOR Splashes N100 Million on distribution of Rice to APC Executives Across all wards and 57 LGA/ LCDAs for Sallah Celebration
AJAGBE ADEYEMI TESLIM
SPONSORED BY: H&H
In the spirit of the Sallah celebration and his continued commitment to supporting the people, Dr. Abdul-Azeez Olajide Adediran (JANDOR) has once again demonstrated his love for his party by distributing over 6,000 bags of rice to All Progressives Congress (APC) party executives from the wards to the State, across the 57 Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos State.
This generous gesture is part of JANDOR’s long-standing tradition of philanthropy and extension of love to party managers and faithfuls especially during festive periods. His latest intervention reflects his unwavering resolve to prioritize the welfare of the people, fostering a sense of unity and shared prosperity.
It could be recalled that on Monday 23rd December 2024, Dr. Adediran held a Christmas get together at his campaign office where thousands of party faithfuls were gifted with bags of Rice and financial support to celebrate the yuletide.
Hundreds of political associates who were in attendance were equally provided with gifts in the spirit of the season.
Earlier in July, August and September 2024, JANDOR gifted over 300 political associates cash support and donated 5 vehicles for hailing business (Uber) to political supporters, set up a block industry for someone in Epe and assisted physical-challenged with an electric wheelchair among several other forms of assistSpeaking on the initiative, JANDOR reiterated his belief in the power of community support. “The Sallah celebration is a time for reflection, unity, and sharing with those around us. I remain dedicated to the well-being of the people and will continue to contribute to their progress and happiness,” he stated.
Muslim clerics have tasked politicians to tone down on their desperation for power by all means, at the 34th Sheikh Sadallah AbdulSalam Olumoh Jokogbowo Ramadan lecture series in Ajeromi Ifelodun federal constituency on Sunday.
The guest lecturer Sheikh Ahmod Anofi Al-Mubarak who spoke extensively on the topic: “Destiny” at the Ramadan lecture organized by Honourable Lukmon Sa’ad Olumoh the member representing Ajeromi Ifelodun constituency 1 at the Lagos State House of Assembly, counselled all public office holders and intending aspirants not to see the race as a do-or-die-affair but to always succumb to the will of God in all their cravings.
Sheikh Al-Mubarak also declared that, “Conspiracy remains the root of all political issues, we ought to succumb to what destiny has in stock for us, especially that which is orchestrated by Allah because there is nothing, we can do about it.
“Try to consult God through prayers and whatever he has destined don’t influence anything in the contrary.
“You politicians are fond of doing that, having tried to attain a height repeatedly in politics without much success, you would not accept what destiny has tossed your way, you often try to force it, this most times end up badly”.
The cleric further admonished them to always create time for those who had supported their cause in time past, with the understanding that God loves one who is just in his or her dealings with his fellow human being.
Hon. Olumoh in a chat with newsmen also expressed the importance of the Ramadan lecture held in memory of his late father, stressing that the essence of the period is forgiveness and charity.
“This is the 34th edition and we are practising what the period is meant for- the spirit of forgiveness and giving.
“Today we have empowered over a thousand people with cash of ten thousand naira each, ten people will be given generators, also we will be giving grinding machines and hair dryers to some of our constituents.
“It could not be displayed because of the crowd but it will be distributed as we move on.
“Also, here we have a dedicated party member who we have given a motorbike this is coming as a reward of his hard work and commitment to the cause of the party, we have tried to touch our party people and constituents at every point in time even during stakeholder’s meetings.
A stakeholder within the Ajeromi Ifelodun polity of Lagos State, who also doubles as a Governor Advisory Council (GAC) member Prince Rabiu Adio Oluwa hinted that every Muslims should endeavour to take seriously the teachings of the holy prophet, while adding that the words of the prophet remain a guiding light for our day to day living.
“It is a source of inspiration to all, bringing them closer to Allah. I earlier corrected an impression here that the word of Allah is key, though money is important too. So, with that correction taken and some adjustments made it is a good gathering.”
Speaking to the lecture Olumoh hinted that: “As a Muslim we all believe in destiny, as dictated by Allah that we all believe in what we have destined.
“Rome wasn’t built in a day and for you to become somebody you must work towards achieving it.
“I didn’t come to the House of Assembly by Accident I have tried severally, to be a member of the House of Assembly since 2011and eventually I came in 2019 because it was destined for me to be there.
“I was persistent in my request for me to become a representative of my people so.
“I was well prepared for it to ensure that they get the dividend of democracy so, I believe in destiny and that whatever comes to you positive or negative is from almighty Allah.
“We ought to pray for Allah to give us what will benefit us in life and that is good destiny.
Olumoh further counselled constituents to keep hope alive stressing that things will take shape very soon given the well piloted reforms and economic policies of the Tinubu led government.
“My plea to the constituents is to be patient with the government it will go round, the economy might be what it is yesterday but we can now see the difference of the reforms initiated by our President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Prices of fuel is going down likewise that of foodstuff, so we know that we are getting there gradually, restructuring is taking effect and I am very sure we would all benefit by the special grace of God.”
The incumbent federal House of Reps members Hon. Paul Kalejaiye was also present at the Ramadan lecture.
A former Federal House of Representatives member Hon. Kolawole Taiwo however commended the lawmaker for keeping up with the culture breast taped by his late father Muslim cleric, adding that he had contributed immensely to developmental strides in the constituency.
Colleagues of Honourable Olumoh present at the lecture includes: Hon Noheem Adams (Eti-Osa 1) and Hon. Nureni Akinsanya (Mushin 1) who took turn to harp on the importance of the gathering stressing that Nigeria and Lagos state needs prayer to ensure stainable peace and development across all facets of live.
His Royal Majesty Oba Atanda Amore Tijani Oluwa Apapa kingdom Ajeromi also lend his voice on the impact of Ramadan, “It teaches us how to live amongst ourselves in peace.
The essence of the month of Ramadan is to revive our soul towards the ways of Allah.”
The council chairman of Ajeromi Ifelodun local government Hon. Fatai Ayoola was quick to add that being our brother’s keeper and deviating from all forms of vices, is the essence of the month.
“You have to appreciate your neighbours be in good terms with them and give assistance to the needy. This is a yearly thing that Olumoh kept running the way he met it with those who have been to the House of Assembly before him.
“We all should be prayerful and expect the best from this polity.”
In the words of Okeowo the Chairman of Ifelodun LCDA it is a time to put everything aside in reverence of Allah, he urged people in the locality to embrace peace at all times and to worship God in spirit and truth.