The Eagle Gate

Tag: APC

  • Edo 2024: “I am the right man for the job”. –  Anselm Ojezua

    Edo 2024: “I am the right man for the job”. –  Anselm Ojezua

    A frontline politician of the PDP and former Commissioner of Edo State, Anselm U. Ojezua Esq, has formally joined the race for the Governorship of Edo State come 2024. In a declaration video released to the media, he said that he is offering himself to serve the state because he is the right man for the job. In his words, “I believe very sincerely that I am the right man for the job at this critical time in the annals of our collective history because of my knowledge and cognate experience in both governance and politics complete with the relevant skills required to get the job done”.

    He insisted that his aspiration is based on a set of core ideals which he believes are essential to celebrate the strength inherent in the homogeneity of Edo people, recognize the boundless creativity of Edo youth and provide the necessary support for the people.

    Reflecting on our democratic journey since the return to civil rule in 1999, he said, “I have come to the firm conclusion that the recurrent problems confronting us and retarding our development is more political than mere issues of governance hence I believe that whoever must be entrusted with this sacred responsibility must be a well-grounded individual who is educated, possesses the relevant political skills and has the vision to sustain and possibly upscale the current efforts already being made to take this State to an updated, upgraded and technology driven level necessary to ensure a self-reliant and robust economy required to confront the very dire straits that we have been plunged into as a Nation and by implication a State”

    In conclusion, he urged Edo people to unite with him to bring enhanced productivity and growth; stating, “I do not pretend to know it all; rather, as a deliberate policy, I intend to tap into the very vast and sophisticated human resource of our people at home and in diaspora to create the atmosphere for a productive economy within a reasonable time frame in a peaceful and harmonious environment”, he enthused.

    Credit: Anselm Ojezua Campaign Organization

  • EDO SOUTH LEADERS MEET, HARP ON UNITY, CHART PATH TO REGION’S DEVELOPMENT

    In a bid to foster unity and strategies for the sustainable development of Edo South Senatorial District, prominent leaders, and other stakeholders in the senatorial district converged on Benin City, the Edo State capital, to chart a course for the region’s advancement.

    Presenting the eight-point communiqué reached at the end of the meeting to journalists in Benin City, former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun said the parley became necessary to set an agenda for the unity and sustainable growth and development of the senatorial district.

    The communiqué reads: “The meeting was convened at the instance of a core group led by His Excellency, John Odigie-Oyegun (past Governor, Edo State), with His Excellency Godwin Obaseki (Governor, Edo State) and His Excellency, Lucky Igbinedion (past Governor, Edo State) as co-hosts.

    “In attendance was an impressive cross-section of Edo-South sons and daughters from the public and private sectors, different professional and social backgrounds, and cutting across political divides.

    “There was a consensus on the underlying objective to meaningfully interrogate, articulate, redefine, and refocus the collective interests of all the people who constitute the population of the Edo-South Senatorial District within the context of Nigeria’s prevailing political and economic realities.

    “After exhaustive engaging and productive discussion of different perspectives to the stated objective, a number of resolutions were arrived at.”

    It further noted, “It was resolved that a broad-based elite consensus be engendered to enable us strategically leverage on the competitive advantage of our demographic strength, and the unique creative and productive potentials of our people in order to reverse the progressively diminished relevance and influence of our people in all spheres – national and sub-national.

    “It was further resolved that, in pursuit of our stated goals of seeking to effectively reposition the Edo-South Senatorial district for the critical challenges that lie ahead of our State and the nation, we must rise above political partisanship in all its ramifications. Our singular focus must be the interest of Edo-South.

    “Also resolved was the decision to engage, and where feasible, cooperate with other similar groups within and outside Edo State to the extent that such engagement results in the promotion of our stated objective.

    It added, “As the platform for the aggregation of the interests of the Edo South Senatorial District, the meeting will be held on a regular basis.”

    Other leaders at the meeting include former Health Minister Dr. Osagie Ehanire, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor, DIG Parry Osayande (Rtd), HRH Enogie of Evbuobanosa, Prof. Greg Akenzua, Dr. Tonnie Iredia, Engr. Greg Obeifun, former Speaker of Edo State House of Assembly, Elizabeth Ativie, Sen. Neda Imasuen, Market Women Leader, Blacky Ogiamien, and Dr. Victor Enoghama, amongst others.

  • THE BURNT BRIDGE

    THE BURNT BRIDGE

    By Omololu Ojehomon

    It’s no longer news of the recent happenings in Edo State. Mostly with the attitude and behavior of the deputy Governor Philip Shaibu. For some time now I have held my peace on the matter, but after reading many articles and watching video clips I decided it was time to express myself and provide my view and opinion on it.

    The first test is loyalty and how many of us view it. Everyone believed that Philip Shaibu was loyal to Governor Godwin Obaseki. It as also believed that the Governor was not loyal to Oshiomhole and that he betrayed him. I do not share this sentiment and never have. Governor Godwin Obaseki trusted Philip Shaibu to handle the political matters and dealings with Comrade Adams Oshiomhole while they were in the APC. Philip Shaibu misadvised the Governor concerning the Comrade which led to the problems between both men and the eventual exit from the party by the Governor. We all saw how it played out.

    As we all know, Adams and Philip are brothers and anything Philip wanted politically Adams gave it to him, no questions asked. I also know that Adams listened to Philip and hardly finalized any decision without his input. It was strange that Philip claimed to have begged Oshiomhole and he did not agree with him on Governor Obaseki’s matter. Even stranger when he began to make statements publicly against Oshiomhole, perhaps proof of his loyalty to Governor Obaseki and to gain his trust. One thing was sure Philip had a personal agenda that was sinister, wicked, and selfish.

    It is customary that in a merger between the incoming group and the accepting party that all positions are shared, both in government and politically. The balancing in government would have been in all fairness that the deputy governor came from the accepting party, which in turn would have been receptive to harmonization and integration. With Philip Shaibu remaining as the deputy governor, brought anxiety and disapproval to many in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). The members did not understand how this could be. It was definitely a difficult position for the governor, perhaps to reward Philip for his assumed loyalty and his need for him to assist handle the political matters. (As the saying goes, ‘it is better to deal with the devil you know than the angel you just met.) It was in the dealings that in conclusion Chief Dan Osi Orbih accepted to the vice Chairman South-South and both sides joined together to unanimously affirm him at a congress held in Port-Harcourt.

    Let’s fast forward. In November 2020 an article surfaced just after the governor was sworn into office, “Philip Shaibu for Governor 2024”. I was thrown by this article and contacted the writer to understand what he meant by it. I quarreled that the governor had just been sworn in and by no means should such an article be put out or even discussed at this time. However, it alerted us to the ambition of the deputy governor which was of great concern to us. We knew that if our intuition was right, it would not take long for Philip to show himself like the proverbial tortoise who named himself ”All-of-you” at the party in the sky forgetting he got there on borrowed feathers. Philip Shaibu swung into action; he got the governor to concede Edo North to him to handle the political matters. He called himself the governor of Edo North and his wife the first lady. Philip’s first agenda was to sideline all PDP members there, he made sure that nothing got to the Leaders of party, he literally grounded the party there, leaving its leaders aggrieved. His wife, Mariam called several meetings in Owan West concerning women where she excluded the PDP women. I was called on several occasions and asked why I was not in such a meeting and why PDP women were not a part of it. Of course I did not know. Finance did not get to the PDP. Philip made promises of financial support to us that till date was not kept. He disregarded us and kept leaders waiting at meetings scheduled by him and never showed. Akoko-Edo and Owan were insignificant to him and treated them as such. He did everything to completely dismantle our structure, but we held on to it knowing that Governor Godwin Obaseki had no hand in it. Everyone known or perceived to be loyal to the Governor were targets and everything was done to see that we were grounded by all means, while being termed betrayers and traitors. It was a brutish experience.

    When he and his wife were disgraced in the first election 2023, for the first time he with tears in his eyes called for meetings in Akoko-Edo and Owan, just to tell us to unleash violence on our people that he was the government, and we had his backing. Pity!

    He failed woefully. He had made himself the godfather unleashed on us in Edo North. We had been choked by this man and his wife. Everything was taken away from us. Any resemblance of development and progress in our areas was thwarted by Philip and diverted to his village.

    Now, when he made the statement to our faces, that he followed the governor to PDP and was not a member of the party on several occasions, and also repeatedly told us that he didn’t need us to win his election, we realized we had a fight on our hands. Yet he enjoyed the office of the DG on our platform. He replaced PDP members for positions with members from the APC or those he felt were loyalty to him like his laundry man and driver and any persons willing to be in servitude to his wife and do anything they were asked, even if it meant killing their mother. He disregarded the PDP leaders and took decisions solely on his own. Things were falling apart.

    When he threatened to leave the party he claimed not to be a member of, for the Labour Party (LP) on Channels television, the entire process failed woefully because the Governor told him firmly that he was not going to be a party to that and was forever grateful to the PDP. Shaibu wanted government and without government he had no value so he remained.

    Today, Philip is found wanting. He has shown his hand by attempting to take over the office of the Governor. The truth has come out. PDP will survive like it always does. We are resilient.

    My advice. Rather than wait for the courts to give judgement on a preemptive basis on a nonexistent matter. RESIGN HONORABLY FROM THE OFFICE OF THE DEPUTY GOVERNOR. Let all end well.

    PDP – Power to the People

    God bless Governor Obaseki

    God bless Edo State

  • THE PAIN DAN ORBIH CAUSED

    THE PAIN DAN ORBIH CAUSED

    Chapter Three

    As Chief Dan Osi Orbih continued to pilfer the party funds, he left the PDP Edo State at great disadvantage. We continue to expose this monster in our mist, so that we know exactly what we are dealing with. Keeping quiet has done us no good. We want to win, and we must have a fighting chance.

    • In the 2015 general elections, Chief Tony Anenih made a case for the aspirants in Edo state for their money used in purchasing nomination forms be returned to them, since we did not have a governor. The national body obliged and sent Three Hundred Seven Million Naira to Dan Orbih for onwards return to the aspirants, so that they could assist the party in the elections. Dan Orbih took the money for himself.
    •  Senator Matthew Urhoghide expressed surprise in a stake holders meeting when it was disclosed that the party was owing rent in arrears for its headquarters. The Senator had sent money to Dan Orbih to assist with the payment of rent for same.
    •  Delta state governor, Okowa revealed that he gave Dan Orbih Five Million Naira monthly to run the party, provision was to be made to pay salaries and smooth running of the State secretariat, money sent to the LGA and Ward Chairmen to hold bi-monthly meetings. Every single LGA Chairman during the period of 3 years since 2016 will attest that they never received money from the state. Dan Orbih once again has never accounted for such money not even to his Exco. When Governor Okowa found out that not even the salaries of the staff at the party secretariat had been paid for a period of 6 months, he stopped making provision to the state.
    • In 2015 during the presidential elections Eight Hundred Million Naira was sent to Edo State for the presidential elections before it was postponed to a later date. Dan Orbih claimed that he had already distributed the funds and another Seven Hundred Million was sent. However, every LGA Chairman during period knows that no money was sent to them.
    •  During the 2015 general elections, the sum of Seven Hundred Million was released to Edo State for the House of Assembly elections. 10 million Naira was to be given to each of the party’s candidate for his/her election. Rather the rumor was spread that the then president did not provide money for the election because he lost his. It is the Seven Hundred Million Naira that Dan Orbih faces money laundry charges in court brought by the EFCC.
    •  On the day of the Supreme Court judgement between the PDP Governorship Candidate, Osagie Ize-Iyamu and Godwin Obaseki, Dan Orbih collected the sum of Five Hundred Million Naira from Chief Tony Anenih to service the case. It turned out to be a big fraud. Chief Tony Anenih insisted on him refunding the money until his death. Dan Orbih, because of that never went to see Chief Anenih in his last days.
    • Many of us may recall when Governor Nyesom Wike of River State attacked our leaders in Edo State claiming that he was the owner and the leader of the PDP Edo. This met with serious opposition and challenged by them. Governor Wike revealed that he had been giving Dan Orbih Twenty-Five Million Naira monthly for the servicing of the party structure and the running of the party. Our leaders were surprised to know this, they too had been giving money to Dan Orbih upon his request to meet with the needs of the party.

    Chief Tom Ikimi accused Gov. Wike of funding his friend, Dan Orbih when Wike claimed to have spent billions on PDP Edo State through Dan Orbih. Never once did Dan Orbih account for the money to the party and all went to his pocket.

    You will note that Dan Orbih as a State Chairman never won elections in Edo North on the field. Dan Orbih was also used to field APC members in elections and when they did not win returned to the APC. To win his unit in the 2019 election, Dan Orbih was given sixty million naira, while loyal party men were given One Hundred Thousand Naira, with some units even less.

    One thing is sure, Dan Orbih has never supported any aspirant that can win elections for the PDP. In 2015, against all sense of reasoning, Dan Orbih forced his stooge, Barr. Paschal Ugbomeh on the party as its Edo North Senatorial candidate instead of the more popular Abubakar Momoh. Of course, we lost the elections. He didn’t stop there, then imposed Hon. Johnson Abolagba on the people of Owan West in the last elections, claiming an inconclusive election against the party constitution of a simple majority.

    Even as he left, Dan Orbih left the party in crisis and divided. He conducted the worst congresses the party has ever had planting failures like himself in the state working committee.

    The National Assembly and BOT members of the party in Edo state did not attend the state congress because of the irregularities perpetuated by Dan Orbih. Today, there are 9 cases in courts concerning the congress. As a failure he has left no legacy. Instead he continues to dare the Leaders of the party even as a past state chairman by having the Edo South senatorial chairman, Barr. Nosa Okunbor-Ogieva call a meeting contrary to the decision of the Party by claiming zoning for the governorship 2020. A gathering that insults Super Leaders like Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, former Governor of Edo State, and many others who hold the party together at all levels and hailing from the Edo South Senatorial District.

    His accomplices continue to threaten party members who refuse to do his bidding. They are relentless in breaking the party and selling it to the highest bidder in the next elections. This time there will be a reaction.

    CONCERNED MEMBERS IN DIASPORA

  • DAN ORBIH THE PDP TRADER

    DAN ORBIH THE PDP TRADER

    Chapter Two

    It wasn’t long after becoming the State Chairman for PDP Edo that Dan Orbih sank his teeth into the coffers of the party. PDP became Dan Orbih’s private enterprise, and nobody could stop him. Like a wounded lion and the liar, he is, he went to work to create discord, division and pilfer party money. He used his office to dupe the party and PDP state governors cornering several millions of naira meant for the party into his private pocket.

    This Dan Orbih is said to be different from the small-town liar everyone knew him to be. A child almost moron-like had suddenly emerged from dinner with the devil. A demon with an enlarged stomach and a shinning stick in his hand. Built him a satanic chair where Satan visited from time to time. Acquired him a political wife who did his bidding with the dark forces. Together they were unstoppable, the stage was set. He is never at peace; he is drunk from morning till night as though to fade out the spirits that hunt him daily. A pedophile, who spends nights with girls younger than his daughter. No wonder his naked image showed up on the internet further disgracing the party.

    When Dan Orbih took over power in 2009, the PDP had 16 State House of Assembly members, 18 Council Chairmen, 9 House of Reps members, 3 Senators and a governor. At the time he left office in March 2020, the party now has 4 House of Reps members and 2 Senators with none from his senatorial district.  We have lost all our ward council seats, all of the state assembly seats, and no council chairman.

    It is on record that throughout his stay as the state chairman, Dan Orbih never won any election for the party. Not even at his ward level. He has repeatedly expressed himself that he prefers the party in opposition, because without a governor, he continued to be in control of the party’s resources with which he can do what he wants. The reason he was determined to bring in a State Exco that will continue to do his bidding by sharing the party’s resources to the downfall of its members.

    Like a hyena, he pays young men on social media to insult and blackmail our leaders who mean well for the party, causing them to sit back and watch this evil man do his worst.

    Let us take a close look at the tenure of Chief Dan Orbih as the state chairman of the PDP from 2009 to 2020.

    Dan Orbih betrayed the trust of the party and those who believed in him. A few will suffice.

    1. When the then LGA PDP chairman of Esan Central, Adekunle was kidnapped, Chief Tony Anenih gave Dan Orbih the total sum of Six Million Naira to take care of the problem. Five Million Naira was to pay the ransom for his release and One Million Naira given to Mr. Adekunle Oboh for treatment. Dan Orbih never did, but for Hon. Patrick Ikhariale, Mr. Oboh would have been killed. Chief Anenih found out about the fraud a couple of years later. Till date, Dan Orbih never returned the money to Mr. Adekunle Oboh.

    2. The former Minister for Works, Arc. Mike Onolememen sent Five Million Naira every month for 8 years to Chief Dan Osi Orbih for the running of the party. That also was not accounted for. He owed rent for the state secretariat and owed the staff salary for up to six months at a time. The secretariat or the structure of the party was not serviced as required.

    3. In the 2012 Governorship elections between Gen. Charles Airhiavbere vs Adams Oshiomhole it is known that he collected money from Oshiomhole to help crash the PDP from within. Dan Orbih was also known to have gone into a deal with Oshiomhole to come to the PDP after he secured the seat for a second term. The reason the party did not go to court with Gen. Charles Airhiavbere. We all know that Oshiomhole never came to PDP after securing the seat. We lost many party people after that election and Dan Orbih was happy to see them go, claiming we did not need them. It might interest you to know that Dan Orbih throughout the tenure of Oshiomhole in office consistently received patronage from him to throw elections in favor of the APC. On Election day, the State Chairman does not vote, he stays home in Ogbonna drinking champagne to stupor, totally unconcerned.

    As a State Chairman he never won his unit, ward, LGA or Senatorial District, how much more the state. He was a complete failure regarding elections. The seats we won were usually given to us by the court and the determination of the individual involved. A hopeless situation for us to expect such a man to win the state for the party.

    The cash-n-carry State Chairman was always available to the highest bidder.

    To be continued…

  • BREAKING NEWS: Obaseki Set to Decamp

    BREAKING NEWS: Obaseki Set to Decamp

     “Whether you’re incumbent or not, we shall be very thorough with the screening of the original certificates of our aspirants because of our bayelsa experience.” ~Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, APC National Chairman

    Adams Oshiomhole made this statement for a purpose and the purpose is very clear and loud: it is alleged that Governor Obaseki has problems with his results and would not be able to scale through the APC screening process supervised by the APC National Screening Committee.

    Finally, since Adams Oshiomhole made this statement, the Obaseki’s camp has been running from pillar to post to find an alternative platform.

     N3 BILLION NAIRA SCANDAL EXPOSED:  It is however shameful that some elders of PDP Edo State (aka Abuja Politicians), who don’t win their units have negotiated the said sum with an upfront paid to them early last week in Abuja to get Obaseki into the PDP Gubernatorial race. In as much as we are ready to resist this effrontery by this so called shameless leaders in PDP, we must sound an advanced warning that if this is done, not only will Adams Oshiomhole expose Gov. Obaseki’s result issues to nail PDP if he is adopted, Oshiomhole will also expose these leaders of PDP who will sell a soul for shekels. (Source: APC Faithfuls.)

    PDP have some of the finest aspirants, let’s stick to them and get the best from them to help rescue Edo people.

     Afasho Tina, Ward 2, Akoko-Edo PDP

  • DAN ORBIH’S EVIL ENTRANCE INTO PDP

    DAN ORBIH’S EVIL ENTRANCE INTO PDP

    Chapter One

    This is how it all began.

    There were Parallel Congresses held simultaneously across the state. One was led by Late Chief Tony Anenih, which produced the Chief Dan Orbih led State Executives and the other by Sen. Prof. Osereimen Osunbor which produced the Barr. Edward Sadoh led Executives. The National body of the party recognized the Barr. Edward Sadoh Executive. They took over the PDP State Secretariat. This led to the opening of another State Secretariat by the Dan Orbih Executives. It is of note that the parallel PDP State congress at that time led to the removal of Sen. Prof. Osereimen Osunbor as Edo State Governor (The lying tongue & evil schemes of Orbih that led to Osunbor’s removal:  The beginning of PDP woes – details in  the coming  chapter)

    Some PDP leaders went to court to challenge the existence of Orbih led Executives. This development created bad blood among party members which led to the dissolution of both Executives by the National body of the Party. The National body called for harmonization between Late Chief Tony Anenih and Sen. Prof. Osereimen Osunbor. At the point of harmonization, the position of State Chairman was conceded to Chief Tony Anenih while the position of Deputy State Chairman and State Secretary was given to the Prof. Osunbor group. It was the harmonization that brought in Late Hon. Barr. Samson EKHABAFE as Edo PDP State Chairman.

    From the day Ekhabafe became State Chairman, he never knew peace in the hands of Dan Orbih (the birth of evil scheming). As Ekhabafe was busy reconciling aggrieved party members and speaking to those in court to withdraw from court, he was at the same time reporting to some leaders that Dan Orbih was not happy with his new position as State Chairman. He complained about Dan Orbih’s attitude towards him till his mysterious death by ghastly accident.

    He was on his usual political visit to Edo North, when on his return to Benin the news of his death came as a shock. He died together with his Son (a lawyer), his driver and orderly. Immediately Ekhabafe was buried, Chief Dan Orbih began to lobby Late Chief Tony Anenih to allow him succeed Late Samson Ekhabafe using some leaders that were close to Chief Anenih. At last, Orbih had his way. When he discovered some party leaders were heading to court to challenge his emergence he hurriedly rushed to Port- Harcourt out of his desperation to take his first oath of office as State Chairman.

    Sometime in 2009, Chief Dan Osi Orbih came on board as PDP State Chairman, heralding the beginning of failure, sellout of votes to APC and on the payroll of Adams Oshiomhole (details in the coming chapters). This was only possible after the sudden and untimely death of Hon. Barr. Samson EKHABAFE in a mysterious way. The way and manner his death came is still a nightmare to so many political players and the general public.

    Chief Dan Orbih’s era as State Chairman brought woe & setback to PDP in the last 11 years – the time for PDP to move forward without a trace of Evil is now.

    To be continued…

  • THE SINS OF DAN ORBIH: Part One

    THE SINS OF DAN ORBIH: Part One

    • This is a series to highlight the atrocities of a wicked and greedy man

    To political watchers outside Edo state, the opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) looks set to take over power from the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in September 2020. The crisis in the APC is in every way, irreconcilable. The PDP only needs to conduct a free and fair primary to choose a governorship candidate and that will be all.

    (more…)
  • Portrait of The Tiger Ambode Rode (4) – Yinka Odumakin

    Portrait of The Tiger Ambode Rode (4) – Yinka Odumakin


    Dear Chief Tinubu,

    The backpage of your The Nation of Tuesday 12 March where one of your Rottweilers under the FORGED name “Segun Ibirogba” wrote “Odumakin’s anxiety over vanishing feeding-bottles” has un-paused the button on this serial.

    I have always wondered why these intellectual almajiris around you always attack me under fake names. It is either they are afraid of me or they don’t believe in you to risk their names doing the dirty job for you. Well, we know many of them hold worst views about you than us, but for the free money they have been accustomed to from a Robin Hood.

    The piece referenced was a rehash of same old silly lies and freshly minted ones. In keeping faith with my resolve that for every dart of lie you guys throw in my direction, I will return 10 bombs of truth. I make this response and for every line I write, I can say like Fela Anikulapo-Kuti “Na true I wan talk again o, if I dey lie o, make Edumare punish me o”.

    Since you guys made a failed attempt to impugn my integrity, I have chosen to use this edition to place your life side-by-side mine on the scale of integrity so we can know if your hen can point at the boil in a hawk’s eye. I intend to show that were it not that Nigeria has become Caesar’s palace where the leper holds the veil, nobody in your circle should move near that subject.

    I am Yinka Odumakin and nobody can say he had known me under any other identity in my life. I have led a straight life unlike you that people know under different identities depending on where they met you in your about 80 years on earth. Yes, 80!

    Those of us who are knowledgeable about you can’t buy your 66 claim for so many reasons. The current governor of Osun is the son of your immediate senior sister from Iragbiji and he is 63 while you are claiming 66. Your first wife died in Lagos recently unannounced at 74.

    When the son she had for you died many months earlier his age had to be doctored to fit into the lie that you live. And there is a photograph of yours at the palace of Soun Ogbomoso in 1974 when the current monarch was installed with a bottle of beer and packet of cigarette in your front. You mean you were 20 when you were drinking and smoking in a palace?

    There is no school I have attended in my life that my classmates would not come out in droves to say “yeah, we were there together!”. From St Augustine Primary School, Ondo to CAC Grammar School, Edunabon and Oduduwa College Ile -Ife down to Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile -Ife and University of Ghana.

    At your end St John Primary School Aroloya you claimed may be created by your new governor in Lagos. The old boys of Government College Ibadan were planning a reception for you when someone asked which set you belonged to. There has been no answer to that till date and the reception was cancelled. The tales by moonlight on Chigago State University and University of Chicago are all over the place.

    My parents are alive in Osun and by God’s grace I will give them a befitting burial. I will not have to send emissaries to bury them since I have not abandoned “moomi” (that’s how we Oyo people in Osun call mummy) to be calling another woman “maami” in Lagos to fit a life of lie and greed. No Mama HID Awolowo would have told me that she knew all the children of “maami ” and that I was not one of them.

    My parents are not rich, but I am proud of them because it is from their black pot that my white palp has come out. I say proudly among my University mates today that they could not afford more than N60 per month for me throughout my University days. The story of grass to grace is a proud thing among the Yoruba. MKO Abiola was proud of the story that he ate egg for the first time in his life in the home of Simbiat Abiola’s parents.

    With the modest means of my parents, they instilled so much values in me that there is no crime attached to my name in all my years on earth. Forging traveling passports had never appealed to me. Neither has my name been linked to a narcotic ring leading to inquiry and forfeiture of assets. All my life, my hands have provided for me. And they have provided for you too.

    I recall when you returned from exile in 1998 and running for governor. You were not “Ezeego” then. You had only the Sunday Adigun house and all the four cars you used then belonged to Mr Ganiyu Solomon. There were a lot of printings being done for you by your friends at The News. I saw the price you were being offered and I told you my press could do it at 40%. I delivered and saved you 60%. I recall Mr Babafemi Ojodu complained openly that they could not do the price I offered you.

    That should tell you and your attack dogs that I have always separated the cause I believe in from what I would eat unlike you who always mix the two. You pose as a June 12 hero today but Kola Abiola is alive to tell the story of what happened to MKO’s money as Bashorun is no longer alive. In 20 years, there is hardly any boundary between Lagos treasury and your private pockets. Your “O to ge” moment is coming some day and all the dirty deals will be out.

    Like a rapist, you can tell your victims to shout “O to pe” for as long as stolen funds and drug money rule Lagos politics.

    I have noticed that because you and your followers have no abiding principle and you are driven by only lust for money, you assume it is so for everybody. Your being glued to the lowest of all spirits (money) makes it difficult for you to make the right judgement about people thinking they are all about money. Was it that you didn’t have money when I told you in December 2006 that it was over between us politically? Have I ever looked in your direction ever? There are men who may not be able to give N10,000 to a cause but if they say they want to see me at 8AM I would be there at 7. Can you summon me with all your bullion vans?

    I recall how you said to me in 2006 about Senator Tokunbo Afikuyomi and I quote you “Adiye ni Tokunbo, yin agbado fun a pada” (Tokunbo is a fowl, throw corns and it is U-turn). Has he not turned his back at you today? You don’t have “corns” again? This was the man who was your fall guy when you made all the forgeries in 1999. He was among the team that went to bury your biological mother in Iragbiji when you could not show your face, has his exit not shown you there are men who place value on principle than money?

    I have lived my political life on the basis of the fact that an adversary today can be an ally tomorrow and vice versa. I am not beholden to any person outside the core beliefs we share. One of the men I had an open disagreement with was President Obasanjo and when we reconciled it was an open thing. That differentiates me from you who walk both sides of the streets simultaneously. You were with NADECO and also in bed with Abacha through whom you forged friendship with the Chagourys who are your business partners till date.

    The political buffoons around you would hold you out as an anti-third term person today but you know what happened between us on May 2, 2006. We had a meeting at Airport Hotel in Lagos where you were dictating the communique against third term unknown to participants you were at a meeting till wee hours of that morning to work third term in another way.

    I was reading the communique to the press when you called me. I gave the phone to the late Rev Tunji Adebiyi but you told him you wanted to speak with me. We didn’t get to talk till late in the night. I had with me in the car as you spoke with me from VGC to Ikeja then President of Egbe Omo Yoruba in North America, Mr Odusanya. Let me quote you verbatim:

    “I hope you have not released that communique. We need to manage this third term carefully. Obasanjo is a blind cat. If he causes problem now and they kill one Yoruba graduate in Kano and we kill 200 people selling onions in mile 12 it is not equal. I am therefore proposing that we have a win-win situation. Instead of outright third term we can have the confab recommendation of one six-year tenure starting with the incumbent having 2 extra years and so with we the governors. We can use the two years to empower people like you and handover to one of you. I have asked General Alani Akinrinade to come and I am going to meet Prof Soyinka to discuss it. I want you to think about it”

    I told you as a matter of fact that the proposition was unreasonable and there was nothing for me to think about as I would prefer outright third term where we would have elections to automatic two years extension. But my eyes were opened to how unreliable you are that night. Here was a man dictating communique against third term in the morning having this conversation with me at night.

    I made up my mind on you that night. The conversation I had with you minutes after Funso Williams was killed and the way you handled your succession made me to severe political links with you within six months.

    …More to come.

  • I have not, will not and will never abandon Atiku – OGD

    I have not, will not and will never abandon Atiku – OGD

    Atiku is different from PDP. I have resigned from PDP and lost interest in partisan politics having put in about 20 years of my life in a thankless process. I will commit my God given resources to help the less privileged through my Foundation and will contribute sharing the body of knowledge through our not for profit Political Academy. That will be a thankful process. I will continue to support the political process in a non partisan manner. I am clear with my position, without any ambiguity.

    There is no need to insinuate, speculate, extrapolate, anticipate or draw conclusions on my behalf. I did not expect such a simple personal decision can generate such national discourse and for that I remain grateful to God. I am however most grateful to all my friends and well wishers. The phones have not stopped ringing. All the advice are well taken. My very deep appreciation.

    Otunba Gbenga Daniels