Yoruba At Ibadan Summit Say Only A Bastard Will Vote For Goodluck Jonathan

The historic Parliament Building in Ibadan was over-filled today as prominent Yoruba in all professions, princes and monarchs, governors and former governors, gathered to articulate their aspirations and minimum demands from the Federal Government.

The high point of the summit, convened by the illustrious Yoruba retired army general, Alani Akinrinade was the total support given the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, General Muhammadu Buhari.

The summiteers declared unanimously, “It is Buhari or nobody else”.

A major proponent of this declaration, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade who was represented by High Chief Eddy Oyewole said, “On 28 March, 2015, let us vote for Buhari”.

He condemned the candidate of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for wasting the meager resources of the country by lavishly bribing various individuals and groups to secure their supports.
While Senator Anthony Adefuye strongly stated, “Only a bastard Yoruba will vote for Jonathan, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye said, ‘We will vote en masse for Buhari”.

Shortly after delivering the message sent by the governorship candidate of Accord Party in the state, Senator Rasheed Ladoja that he would go the way of Yoruba people.

Senator Ayo Fasanmi declared, “At this point, we Yorubas should know where we are going. PDP is distributing money to earn wrong votes. Come May 29, we will be happy when Buhari becomes the president of the nation.

“Why would Jonathan appoint ministers two months to the end of his term if not that they want to use all means to steal what is left in the coffer; that is if anything is left? By God’s grace, I, Senator Ayo Fasanmi will vote for Buhari. May 29, Buhari will be sworn in as our president.”

National Chairman, Afenifere Renewal Group, ARG, Honourable Olawale Oshun said that considering the fact that Yoruba people have been suffering marginalisation within the Nigerian state for the past 16 years, Yorubas should vote for leaders who have its interests at heart in order to bring an end to this unacceptable state of affairs.

Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi who decried the high level of maginalisation of Yoruba in the Jonathan led administration said, “We have been subject of brazen marginalization and deliberate attempt to whittle down our historical contributions to the development of Nigeria. It will interest you to note that in the wheel of power at the centre, there are only two Yoruba people. Indeed, out of the 50 most powerful men and women in the executive, legislative, judicial and even securitycomponents of power in Nigeria, there are only two Yoruba people. These are the Chief of Staff to the President, whose choice was almost an afterthought and the Accountant General of the Federation.”

Following suit, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of State of Osun joined others in condemning Oodua Peoples Congress, OPC, for derailing from the principle of ‘omoluabi” that Yoruba is known for by collecting bribe from a desperate aspirant.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo, the Vice President Candidate of APC, in his short remarks, urged Nigerians to be patient at this trying moment assuring that things would soon change for the better when APC takes over government at the centre.

In the communique issued at the end of the summit, the main grievances of the region include: maginalization which has attained the status of deliberate policy of the central government of Nigeria, calculated attempts to invade and subjugate Yoruba land through covert, disguised and even official policies of the Central Government, misguiding some elements in the region for their selfish reasons, decimation of entrepreneurial ambitions of Yoruba people through Federal Institutions and agencies that are supposed to be enablers and facilitators of economic development, near virtual absence of reliable and critical infrastructure of electricity, energy, and transportation which has led to the collapse of economic activities in Yoruba land, absence of proactive, concerted, and visionary leadership in Nigeria, insecurity at the level of state of emergency, and failure of the resolutions of the National Conference to resolve fundamental issues that are prerequisite to a sustainable federalism. 

As a result, in the communique, they demanded for regionalism, diversification of economy, holding free, fair, credible and transparent elections as scheduled to commence on Saturday, March 28, 2015, resistance to any form of unelected government, be it Government of National Unity, Interim National Government or howsoever described, repealing of laws and policies that stifle the creativity of the people, dismantling of all pseudo-security agencies that impede peace, harass and terrorise her citizens in order to enforce pre-determined agenda that are not consistent with the wishes of the region, and removal of all bottlenecks in the way of provision of effective and efficient transportation system, electrical power, and petroleum refining infrastructure.

According to the communique, “That the effectiveness of the Federal Government of Nigeria lies on focusing on the critical issues of governance that are common to all components, like defence, national security, foreign affairs, currency and exchange rate, etc, while all other socio-economic responsibilities, especially that of resource control, devolve to the federating units. Yoruba must pursue their destiny in line with the development priorities and ambitions of her people. The creation of a structural environment for effective devolution of powers to the country’s constituent units as a strategic development is imperative. Yoruba people will not hesitate to take our destiny in our own hands in the event of any attempt to compromise our democratic existence.”

Dignitaries at the occasion include: Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State, and his deputy, Chief Moses Adeyemo, former governors including: Dr. Kayode Fayemi and Otunba Niyi Adebayo of Ekiti State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola of State of Osun, former Military Governor of the Mid-West State, Samuel Ogbemudia, former Deputy Governor of Ekiti, Modupe Adelabu, Professor Albert Olawale, former Vice Chancellor ofObafemi Awolowo University, OAU, Professor Wale Omole, and his Ekiti State University counterpart, Professor Akin Oyebode, Professor John Ayoade, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, Senator Olabiyi Durojaiye, Senator Bayo Salami, Senator James Kolawole, , The Managing Director of The News Magazine, Bayo Onanuga, President of the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes, CCII, Ambassador Olu Sanu, Adeniyi Akintola, SAN, prominent monarchs in the region including: Soun of Ogbomosho, Oba Jimoh Oladunni Oyewumi Ajagungbade III, Oba Adeniyi Sonariwo, Akarigbo Remo, Oba Kolawole Sowemimo of Owode-Egba, Asheyin of Iseyin, Oba Ganiyu Adekunle Ologunebi, and Eleruwa of Eruwa, Oba Samuel Adegbola.

Thugs Attack, Disrupt Lawyers Campaigning For Buhari In Akure

Hoodlums suspected to be hirelings of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday attacked and disrupted a gathering of lawyersmeeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to support Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Hoodlums suspected to be hirelings of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday attacked and disrupted a gathering of lawyers meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, to support Muhammadu Buhari, the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).A damaged Bus during the lawyers procession in Akure earlier today

The lawyers, who are members of “Lawyers for Change,” were organizing a campaign rally for Mr. Buhari at the time of the attack.

A lawyer, Titiloye Charles, told SaharaReporters that the thugs were armed with guns and machetes, and threatened to kill the lawyers if they carried out any rally in the state. 

The lawyers were attacked as they gathered in front of the State High Court waiting for their other colleagues before proceeding on the road show.

Two owners of businesses near the court confirmed the incident to our correspondent.

“I saw it,” one of the business owners said. He added, “The lawyers gathered together at the front of the court preparing to move out on the street and canvass for APC. Then a group of boys who were already drunk came and disrupted the gathering.”

Mr. Charles disclosed that, a few days ago, the lawyers had written to the securityagencies in the state to notify them of a rally to support the APC.  

“The thugs just came in from nowhere and unleashed terror on our members while we were waiting for others to join us. They disrupted the procession which was about starting,” said Mr. Charles. He added, “our democracy is under threat if lawyers cannot openly associate and express themselves or have a say during the election.”

The lawyer continued, “Everyday, as the election draws near, the ruling PDP’s desperation increases. And our security agents watch helplessly.”

The police in the state were reluctant to speak on the record about the attack. However, an officer at the state command told our correspondent that the incident “will be investigated and culprits brought to book.”

Governor Mimiko Blackmailing Ondo Teachers To Vote For Jonathan

According to the disgusted teacher who asked not to be named, “They educated us on what we've known. Telling us history. They thought we are happy sitting and some people standing while they are vibrating, telling us lies.” One of the teachers disclosed that while some teachers were given N400, during yesterday's campaign they were each given N100 by Mimiko's team.

Governor Olusegun Mikiko

Ondo State governor, Olusegun Mimiko, is trying to blackmail teachers in the State to vote for President Goodluck Jonathan in the presidential contest next week.

A source in the State told SaharaReporters the governor is traveling around with his campaign team, forcing the teachers into meetings with him and preventing them from undertaking their official responsibilities.

The trip is part of Governor Mimiko’s no-holds-barred carrot-and-stick assault on voters in an effort to ensure victory for President Jonathan in the March 28 presidential contest. 

Yesterday the team arrived in Ondo West Local Government where the governor cancelled all school and compelled all the teachers to be present, with attendance taken. 

“The governor was not present,” one teacher told SaharaReporters, “but [members of] his campaign team was around telling us why we should not vote for Buhari and APC.”According to the disgusted teacher who asked not to be named, “They educated us on what we've known. Telling us history. They thought we are happy sitting and somepeople standing while they are vibrating, telling us lies.” One of the teachers disclosed that while some teachers were given N400, during yesterday's campaign they were each given N100 by Mimiko's team.

Governor Mimiko, who defected to the Peoples Democratic Party from the Labour Party last year, is desperate to deliver Ondo to President Jonathan, and is known to be using bribes as one of his weapons. 

It would be recalled that last Monday, he bribed some former members of the Peoples Democratic Movement, pretending to be current members, to “endorse” Jonathan.  They then held a press conference at the Adegbemile Cultural Centre Press in Akure, claiming they had endorsed the PDP candidate.

“Quote me anywhere,” one of the beneficiaries said after the make-believe press conference, “Governor Mimiko gave us money through our leaders to endorse President Goodluck Jonathan for second term.”

Bashir Yusuf, the National Chairman of the PDM, subsequently disclosed that those who claimed to be members of the movement endorsing Jonathan were “not card carrying members” of the movement.

Nonetheless, he said, the PDM had as far back as January already endorsed the candidature of General Muhammadu Buhari of the APC for the presidency.  

Buhari’s Wife To Patience: Don’t Be Afraid Of Jail

Hajia Buhari said the PDP’s attempt to paint her husband black with the tar of religion is a desperate attempt to hoodwink the people, saying only those who want to loot the treasury campaign with religion which is at variance with politics.

Vanguard

Hajia Aishat Buhari, wife of the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), General Muhammadu Buhari has replied the wife President Goodluck Jonathan, Mrs. Patience Jonathan who has been campaigning that General Buhari will jail his political opponents if elected President in the March 28 election, saying Patience Jonathan needs not fear as Nigerians only want a change in the way Nigeria is being run presently.

Speaking at a mega rally where she interacted with Women in Edo State Thursday, Hajia Buhari said the PDP’s attempt to paint her husband black with the tar of religion is a desperate attempt to hoodwink the people, saying only those who want to loot the treasury campaign with religion which is at variance with politics.

She said: “Each zone of the country has its peculiar problems. For me in this zone, girl-child trafficking should be considered one of our problems, though I know there is unemployment.

Unemployment is the major factor that contributes to brain drain and also the girl-child trafficking. General Muhammadu Buhari is a leader who led Nigeria some decades ago and he is coming back now to sanitize the system.

“For those that are campaigning, saying that he is coming to jail Nigerians, I don’t know what their fear is. But they shouldn’t be afraid, because we are all yearning for change.

The insecurity in the country, the very poor healthcare system, lack of education and other basic necessities that people are lacking I believe Nigerians need somebody like General Muhammadu Buhari now.

 “Already, they have painted him black, using religion. I’m happy today that Nigerians realize that they use religion as a cover to loot Nigeria.

Any politician who talks to you about religion is a liar; he only wants to loot the treasury and the little resources you ought to enjoy. So say no politics merging it with religion to deceive the people.

“I’m here today to let Edo women know that when my husband is elected into office as President, all these will be history. The insecurity, the girl-child trafficking, suffering of the widows in the South East will come to an end.

There must be a cultural design that can accommodate the widow. A design that would make the girl-child comfortable wherever she is in this country. She doesn’t have to leave her country to go and prostitute elsewhere, it’s not her portion.

Her portion is to have a highly standard and moral society for her to live in. Get married, have children, train them and also mold them to become the future leaders.

“We are here today to also let you know that the collection of your PVCs is important and don’t ever sell it. It’s like selling your future. If you sell it for N5,000, you won’t see N5,000 again until after four years which will be bad.

Get your PVC, vote for APC, vote for freedom, vote for a new Nigeria with good security, good education, good healthcare, good roads and all the basic necessities.”

In his address to the women, Governor Adams Oshiomhole urged them to vote for the APC since the PDP has failed in 16 years to deliver on electricity and other basic infrastructure.

According to him, the PDP government fleeces even the poor through kerosene sale.

“In sixteen years, PDP did not provide light, we provide the transformers to the communities but the PDP Federal Government cannot power the lights. They collect fixed charges from the people when there is no fixed light.

“They say there’s power reforms, however instead of reform, they deform. They advertised to employ people into the Nigeria Immigration Service and use private company to charge the applicant N1, 000 each.

The private company collected over N800 million from poor youths and took them to the stadium to conduct an interview, at the end people died. Instead of the Minister in charge to be reprimanded, he was given national honors.

“You need to understand the issues. Our call for Change and for people to vote for the APC and vote out the PDP is because the PDP has completely failed and deceived the people for 16 years. So they must go home.”

The people must vote for APC to return Nigeria from darkness to light, from unemployment to employment and from insecurity to security.”

He flayed some religious leaders who want to polarize the country along religious lines, saying the problems facing the country affect both Christians and Moslems so Nigerians should ignore the attempt to hoodwink them and preach hatred using the religion card.

In an address of welcome, wife of the state Deputy Governor, Deaconess Endurance Odubu said Nigerians have made up their minds to vote massively for the All Progressives Congress.

She noted the achievements of Governor Adams Oshiomhole in Edo State and said when voted into power; General Muhammadu Buhari will replicate it at the national level.

She assured Hajia Aishat Buhari that Edo women would vote massively for the APC.