OYO STATE PDP: BEWARE OF THE CRYPTO-MISCHIEF MAKERS

OYO STATE PDP: BEWARE OF THE CRYPTO-MISCHIEF MAKERS:

For those monitoring the recent developments in Oyo State chapter of the PDP, particularly as regards the reconciliation efforts, you will discover a few elements that are neither here nor there; they talk faster than reasoning and with utmost hidden agenda to thwalt the reconciliation efforts. No doubt, they would rather have the former PDP than this all encompassing new PDP.

From time immemorial, there are people who benefit from crises and calamities and the Yorubas call them; "arije nibi mabaru". These are the ones I have captured as the crypto-mischief makers because their game is not obvious to the naive and politically unschooled; they appear like one of us but they are not part of us.

Though the formation of COSMA in Oyo State has made attacking anyone in the opposition a forbidden attempt, it is important to clarify that there are few elements out there, particularly on the social media space who have dissented with us long ago and whose efforts have being detrimental to the coalition of the opposition parties in Oyo state.

I refrain from name calling but I want the public to be aware that not all those who appear like us are part of us. Beware of the crypto-mischief makers, awon arije nibi madaru, whose enterprise are getting frustrated daily by the progress of the reconciliation efforts. You can easily unveil their schemes by asking who is their leader in the reconciliation arrangement; oro pa esi je niyen.

Finally, the better Oyo state that we crave is a collective responsibility; no sincere and articulate politician or member of the public will be snubbed. Those that are dangerous are the ones who neither joins us nor part ways with us; "every onlooker is either a coward or a traitor".

Good day friends.

SEYI MAKINDE: UNDERSTANDING THE PDP RETURN

SEYI MAKINDE: UNDERSTANDING THE PDP RETURN

Many people have asked me privately and publicly why I consider the PDP return as a great move and I have tried to explain it; I have reasons to make my explanations public. I must admit publicly that I was praying seriously that if my leader ever considers leaving SDP, that he should lead us back to the PDP, and that early enough, so that we can dot the "I" and cross the "T".

The outcome of the last election was not just devasting to many of us in the opposition but was a great lesson for those of us who care not to repeat mistakes. The devasting effects of the loss help the lesson learnt sink deep; we helped to enthrone the most unpopular Governor in Oyo state, who won with just 32% of the votes cast. We must admit our roles in the successful return of Ajimobi to government House.

When Engr Seyi Makinde decided to announce his defection to SDP on the 15th of December, 2014, we were just about 2 months to the election. Just as he declared and the campaign kicked off, Gov Ajimobi changed his campaign colours from predominantly blue to orange, same as SDP colour and the propaganda that Seyi Makinde has withdrawn from the race hit the public waves. We fought to correct these wrong impressions for about 3 weeks with intensive publicity but time was not on our side.

The move to SDP was greeted with scepticism by some followers and sympathisers of OmiTitun aspiration in PDP and those in that category refused to join the train to SDP; promising to offer their supports from their PDP base but we know that can't be counted on. Also, the kinds of candidates we fielded for the House of Assembly election were not strong enough, many of them became candidates of necessity, not strong ambition, which made Engr Seyi Makinde the main contender for the governorship and state house of assembly elections. Though we worked hard, we didn't approach the 2015 election from point of strength but weakness and sympathy from the people.

In principle, there are only two political parties in Nigeria and these are APC and PDP; all other political parties are offsprings of these two parties, formed to challenge unpleasant status quo in either parties. Looking at the 2015 election in Oyo state, there were 5 major political parties; APC, PDP, SDP, ACCORD, LABOUR. That is, PDP disintegrated into 4 parties and they went into the elections as opponents, pulling one another down with powerful campaign of calumny. It was therefore not surprising that the result turned out that way. APC had a victory she didn't deserve in Oyo state and the stage was set for tyranny and serious impoverishment of our people.

The choice to go to APC or PDP was on the table and APC was sincerely the first consideration though the PDP national leaders never stopped making overtures to Engr Seyi Makinde to return to the party. The choice must be based on trust and the strength of the stalwarts in the party; in Oyo State, PDP has very strong politicians in all the regions of the state, far more than APC where the Governor is the alpha and Omega. Remember, Engr Seyi Makinde and others left PDP because we believed there was no leveled playing ground for the emergence of the party flag bearers. So, with this understanding, the issue that drove us out of PDP could be resolved.

With strong promise of leveled playing field, settling of personal quarrels, desire to put the populace and followers before aspirations; the stage was set for unprecedented reconciliation. It was a journey of about 18months, with wounds washing before treatments. The result is what we have now. For a forward looking aspirant, it is more reasonable and smart to join forces with Oloye Jumoke Akinjide, the former minister of state for FCT, Hon Mulikat Akande from Ogbomoso, Senator Hosea Agboola from Oke-Ogun, Dr Saka Balogun, former Chief of Staff to Governor Akala, Elder Wole Oyelese, Chief Yekini Adeojo, Chief Richard Akinjide, Hon Muraina Ajibola from Ibarapa, High Chief Senator Ladoja, Senator Lanlehin and many others in PDP, Accord, Labour and many others that have become politically complacent due to political injustice.

That's the smart decision for anyone desirous of electoral victory, not just playing to the gallery. Nigerians should stop being deceived by political nomenclatures; we should focus on the personalities fielded by the parties. Politicians only use party coloration to deceive the people then move enmasse to another party after soiling the name; let's rise above party prejudices.

Now in PDP, it's not as if anything is automatic but the hope of fairness and leveled playing field encourage us to take up the challenge of return to make a difference in our approach at the same goal of getting to Agodi House in 2019. This we have resolved to do and this we have started without insulting the sensibility of other interested aspirants in the party but forging ahead with great momentum.

Finally in Nigeria, it is a pathetic reality that we don't practice politics of ideology but we follow interests and persons; so where we defect to depends on who are in the party and our opinion of them. Our democracy is still tender, with challenges but the internal democracy in PDP is far better than that of APC. The crises in PDP were borne out of too much freedom and the party discipline has been stepped up now to correct for the laxities.
Engr Seyi Makinde's return to PDP is not only exciting, calculated but is it very timely too. Like he often sang at the political rallies; "the God that gave the task will enable us to accomplish it (Olorun to leru aba wa gbe)". Keep praying for us and feel free to reach out to  support us and give suggestions.

Thank you.

Ojasope cares!

RE: LADOJA AND FREE PLOT OF LAND FROM AJIMOBI

RE: LADOJA AND FREE PLOT OF LAND FROM AJIMOBI:

It was so sad that the Governor of Oyo State could come to the public to announce that he gave a plot of land to High Chief Rashidi Ladoja; this kind of "kiss and tell" attitude from the Governor is becoming unbecoming and rather immature.

Now on the issue of free plot:

1. I read the application purportedly written by High Chief Ladoja and that suggests his request went straight to the Housing Corporation, not the Governor's office; that is, he went through due process.

2. Ladoja did not ask it for free or bargain for reduction of price; he requested for the land and stated why he qualifies for the allocation.

3. He requested for a land the Government wants to reallocate, not just any plot of land.

4. The land in question is the plot beside his house on Ondo street, which according to the purported application, Ladoja he has been responsible for the neatness and security of the land for about 20years.

5. As former Governor, High Chief Ladoja could have converted this plot of land to his, very easily but he didn't. We know the leader that has converted a whole Street to his own in Oyo state.

6. The Governor gave the land to Ladoja, for what? That's abuse of office and mismanagement. It was wrong of His Excellency to have given it for free, even when the prospective applicant can afford to pay for it.

7. From this statement and others in recent time from Governor Ajimobi, is convincing beyond reasonable doubt that he gives favour to people for the wrong reason; blackmail.

8. This particular case is similar to that of the Olubadan when the Governor claims he assisted the Royal father financially several times.

9. There is nothing to brag about giving someone money or land because the office of the Governor is different from the person; Mr Governor didn't give personal money or property, they belong to the state. Let's separate marks from the solidified palp; it's the wrapping leaves that make the marks.

10. I read also the acknowledgement letter purportedly written by Ladoja and it was not addressed to the Governor, it was written to the same officer at Housing Corporation and asked same officer to deliver the gratitude to the Governor.

11. Ladoja in the content of his correspondence  with the Housing corporation has made it clear  that "he no send them or solicited for free land; This suggest to us the body language of; "na you sabi, I no send you".

12. Ladoja mentioned in his request letter that that was the first time he is requesting for land allocation from the Housing Corporation and to us, that shows he his not a covetous Leader, otherwise he would have converted many government properties to personal ones because his administration sold many.

I hope I have been able to convince you beyond reasonable doubts that if the claim of Governor Ajimobi were true and the contents of the letters displayed by government are authentic, then Governor Ajimobi has sold Ladoja more to the public and one wonders how many of such properties he (Governor) has given out like that or even converted to personal property.

Let's treat issues and leave pettiness; leadership goes beyond position, it is responsibility.

Thank you.

Ojasope cares!

WHAT'S IN THE NAME NIGERIA (Part 2): THE CLARION CALL. By Cyrus Johnson

WHAT'S IN THE NAME NIGERIA (Part 2): THE CLARION CALL. By Cyrus Johnson

Mr. President, Federal Republic of Nigeria and all Federal Executive Council Members; The Senate President and Distinguished Senators; The Speaker, Federal House of Representatives and other Honorable Members; dear knowledgeable and unique citizens of Nigeria, I plead with you to take up this challenge of chatting a new good course for this Nation, Nigeria. It doesn’t matter how far we have travelled the wrong road, we can turn back now towards a genuine Rebranding process to arrive at our desired destination. We have to bear it in mind that the year 2017 would mark 103 years that we have been answering to a name that is not working for us.

I therefore want to proffer two solutions to this challenge: Firstly, a change of name or modification of name through a Constitutional Conference. This would make it possible for all concerned to come together to give a name that would add meaning to our present and create a vision for our future. Then our fortune would change for better, this I strongly believe, knowing well that we have all the potentials that it takes to succeed.

Secondly: I recommend a National day of prayer. We may have to pray to the God of Creation, in the way of the ‘Prayer of Jabez’. Jabez was a Biblical character whose name meant ‘to make sorrowful’. Realizing that fact, decided to pray to God of heaven and earth to change the effect of his name to Joy and to also enlarge his coast, so that he would no more cause pain and sorrow but Joy. God answered his prayer. The Bible records it that Jabez was more honorable than his brethren. Nigerians are religious people, whether Christians or Muslims. I therefore call for a ‘National Day of Prayer’ to be led by Mr. President himself. This shall be a day declared as a National Day of Prayer when it will be compulsory for every citizen to fast and pray for our motherland.

Fellow Nigerians, let us come together as one family under the mercy of God the Almighty to chat a new course for this Country. Let’s come together, putting tribalism, religion or politics aside, to begin; let’s stay together to progress; and let’s work together to succeed.

Let us Pray:
Oh God of Creation
Direct our Noble course
Guide our Leaders right
Help our Youth the truth to know
In Love and Honesty to Grow
And Live in Just and True
Great Lofty Heights attain
To Build a Nation where Peace and Justice Reign. Amen.

Cyrus Oluwaseun JOHNSON, Professional Accountant, Public Analyst, Politician & Teacher, Coordinator of YouthQuake Africa. 08036667070

WHAT’S IN THE NAME NIGERIA? (Part 1) By Cyrus Johnson

WHAT’S IN THE NAME NIGERIA? (Part 1) By Cyrus Johnson

I believe you have a name and if you are an African, something must be associated with your name; whether rightly or wrongly. A name is defined by The New Webster’s Dictionary of the English Language as, a word or words by which a person, place or thing is known. A name can also be an appellation or a reputation that a person or place is called or known by. How then do we give a name? It can be given as a result of a single decisive characteristic of the bearer. Or, it can be to recall an event or mood which the parent(s) experienced at or shortly before birth. It could also be to make a statement about the bearer. Names are at times given to create a reputation or fame for the bearer. In all of these purposes and methods of christening, which one of them can we then say was used to christen our dear Nation, Nigeria?

During my search for the meaning of Nigeria, I came across an article written by the Editor of Burningpot.com, an internet Newspaper, Prince Charles Dickson. In his concluding paragraph, he did ask two questions, thus: What is the circumstance of the birth of Nigeria? Can anything be done to bring destiny and fate to conjure up some good for us all? My candid answer to the second part of Prince Dickson’s question is, yes. The onus of that responsibility lies in all of us, Nigerians, to deliberately decide to have a new birth, when all of us will contribute to the christening of ourselves as a Nation. My answer to the first question might sound funny, but that is actually the picture I can deduce.

•  The circumstance of the birth of Nigeria came about by the relationship between a, ‘Romeo and Juliet’, by the names, Flora Shaw and Lord Fredrick Luggard. Flora Shaw was the Editor of the Times Newspapers who later became the wife of Lord Luggard, the First Governor General of the Colony called Nigeria. She was the first person to describe us by that nomenclature, Nigeria in The Times in 1897. My conclusion therefore is that there was neither MEANINGFUL CIRCUMSTANCE nor EVENT nor HISTORY behind our naming than that our name could probably be birth on these two individuals bed or a cup of coffee table. It is very sad to realize that none of our leaders participated in our naming. No philosophy, no historical background reference, nor vision was considered when our name is to be given.

However, my search led me to two probable meanings of the name, Nigeria. One: Niger is a Latin word that means Black. Two: The name Niger, pronounced ‘Niije’ was derived from the Tuareg Natives from “Nighirren” meaning, ‘Flowing Water’. The Tuaregs were members of a nomadic Berber people of the Central and Western Sahara, Hamitic in speech and Muslim in Religion.
Flora Shaw in her wisdom thought that the best name she could describe our Nation was ‘Niger Area’. Which was better referred to as ‘Nigeria’. Another question now is; who gave the name River ‘Niger’? Or who discovered the River? Were there no natives along the banks of the River Niger who could have probably had a native name for the River?

Fellow country men and women, with these probable two sources of our name, Nigeria, I concluded that: 
The name Nigeria was not birth as an outcome of some leaders coming together to form this name either through their philosophical, historical or religious believes. None of our leaders participated in the christening of this Nation, Nigeria;
Our destiny, our future was determined by two people who had no stake in the future of this Nation.