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Osun PDP crisis: Those who expelled Babayemi not registered members — Ward Executives
By Ismail Azeez, Osogbo
The Executives of the Ward 2 Ayedaade Local Government of People’s Democratic Party PDP on Monday, disclosed that those who carried out the expulsion of the gubernatorial aspirant of the party in the just concluded election in Osun State, Prince Dotun Babayemi were not registered members of PDP in the ward.
It would be recalled that the Ward Executive members of Otun Balogun 2, Ayedaade Local Government Area of the State, had announced the expulsion of Babayemi at a press conference held at the party Secretariat, Osogbo, last week Friday over alleged anti-party activities.
Addressing journalists at a press conference at the PDP Secretariat at Ayedaade Local Governments Area, Gbongan, the Secretary of the party in Ward 2 Ayedaade, Mr Adekunle Munirudeen described the expulsion as a facade and nullity.
Munirudeen said the purported expulsion was carried out by people acted contrary to virtue of Section 57 of PDP constitution 2017 as amended.
He stated that only duly elected Executives of the ward 2 Ayedaade are constitutionally empowered to discipline any erring members adding that prince Dotun Babayemi worked adidiously for the party.
He said, “That allegations of anti-Party leveled against Babayemi are mere fabrication and imagination of traducers just to achieve sinister motive.
“Babayemi produced 25,000 specimen to educate us that we should vote for PDP, we did not work against the party, PDP is our party we are the authentic member and we can’t do otherwise,” he stated .
Also speaking about a chieftain of PDP Mr Adelani Ajanaku said the expulsion was a misplaced one considering the kind and caliber of Babayemi who he described as grassroot politician.
Ajanaku maintained that the PDP aspirant headed to Supreme Court on the issue that has to do with pre-election matter which according to is not out of place in a democratic process.
According to Ajanaku, “If other group had allowed a peaceful reconciliation shortly after the primaries, Babayemi would not headed to court even to the Supreme Court. It is because the other side refused to shift ground and part away with some out of over 20 requests, we ask for just five but they refused.
While explaining that Babayemi worked tiredlessly for the victory of the party at the last Governorship election in the state, Ajanaku hinted that all legal action taken by governorship aspirant was to make PDP a great party in the state.
He, however urged the party members at Ayedaade to remain united and Law abiding by ensuring that peace prevails at all times for overall interest of the state.
It will be recalled that Babayemi had emerged as the governorship candidate of the party in a parallel congress primary held at the WOCDIF event Centre, Osogbo, against the approved venue (Osogbo township stadium) by the PDP National working Committee.
The leader of the Ijaw nation, Edwin Clark, has called on President Bola Tinubu, to direct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to file a nolle prosequi for the release of the leader of the Independent People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Clark urged Tinubu to ask the Attorney General of the Federation to file a nolle prosequi to release the detained IPOB leader, noting that his (Kanu’s) freedom on political grounds was long overdue.
This was contained in a second letter to the President on Sunday, following a first in which the elder statesman urged the President not to tow the path of his predecessor, President Muhammadu Buhari, who marginalised and subjugated the Igbos, by exempting them from certain appointments
“The release of Nnamdi Kanu by Mr President on political grounds is overdue as earlier explained. Mr President should direct the Attorney General to enter a nolle prosequi to free Nnamdi Kanu who has shown his intention to work with the Federal Government, to bring peace and stability in the South-East and to Nigerians as a whole, as it has been recently done in similar cases of treasonable felony as in the case of Miyetti Allah president, Abdullahi Bello Bodejo of Nasarawa state.”, he said.
The PUNCH however reports that Kanu was denied bail in April by Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, who granted an accelerated hearing instead. https://punchng.com/breaking-court-denies-nnamdi-kanu-bail/
In his letter, Clark said the move would complete the reconciliation of Nigeria and end the sit-at-home order in the Southeast.
He said the IPOB had “fashioned a place for itself” in the hearts and minds of young people, because of the short-changing of Igbos from the South East over the years while urging the use of the “carrot and stick approach”, rather than military force, in addressing the agitations in the region.
“Apart from demanding the restructuring of Nigeria, the political freedom of Nnamdi Kanu will no doubt complete the reconciliation of Nigeria and bring an end to the needless Monday sit-at-home order, which has disturbed businesses and civil activities in the South-East.
“The short-changing of the Igbos of the South East over the years is the reason why IPOB has fashioned a place for itself in the hearts and minds of the young people in the Southeast with its demand for self-determination. I have physically seen these IPOB boys in action, at the Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State, when I attended a meeting of the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum there.
“None of these youths witnessed the civil war and are, definitely, not abreast with the history of the war and its full ramifications. I advise, therefore, that rather than the use of military force which has already proved counter-productive, they should be carefully treated with the “carrot and stick approach”, in the interest of the peace, stability, and progress of Nigeria as a whole and the Southeast zone in particular.”
Clark further emphasised the importance of reintegrating the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigeria, in which their region would be equal with other regions in the country, noting that anything short of that would not be in the interest of the country.
“Let me re-emphasize the importance and urgency of reintegrating the Igbos into the mainstream of Nigeria where their region will be equal with other regions in all ramifications, meaning that they should be fully and unconditionally united or be admitted into the Union of Nigeria as it was before the civil war.
“Anything short of that is not in the interest of a united Nigeria and there may be no end to the insecurity in Nigeria.”
He also called for the restructuring of Nigeria, of which he said the President had also been a principal advocate before becoming Senator and the Governor of Lagos state, adding that restructuring the country “will be one of your most enduring legacies when you leave office”.
“Mr President you have always been the principal advocate of restructuring even before you became Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and Governor of Lagos State.
“During your time, you passionately advocated for a Sovereign National Conference, which was even more inclusive than the current restructuring we are demanding, in Nigeria. Undoubtedly, this pursuit of restructuring will be one of your most enduring legacies when you leave office,” he added.
Gov. Dapo Abiodun of Ogun on Sunday appealed to Nigerians to promote peaceful co-existence and pray for the country’s leaders.
The governor made the appeal in a message during Eid-el Kabir celebration at Akeja Praying Ground in Ado Odo/Ota Local Government Area of Ogun.
His message was delivered by his Deputy, Mrs Noimot Salako-Oyedele.
Abiodun said that peace and unity were important for any meaningful development.
He added that prayers for Nigeria’s leaders would help them to do better.
Abiodun said that President Bola Tinubu’s administration had formulated programmes and policies to tackle the country’schallenges.
He appealed to Nigerians to be patient with the administration as it continued to strive to tackle the challenges.
The governor called on Muslims to show love and kindness in the spirit of Eid-el Kabir.
The Olota of Ota, Oba Adeyemi Obalanlege, told the Muslim faithful that the celebration was in remembrance of the obedience of Prophet Ibrahim when God asked him to sacrifice his son.
He urged the faithful to always adhere to God’s instructions.
The royal father urged parents to train their children well to reduce vices.
Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State Chapter, on Sunday urges Nigerians to pray fervently for the fast recovery of the nation’s economy.
The CAN chairman made the call in his congratulatory message issued in Minna to the Muslim community on the occasion of Eid-el Kabir on Sunday.
Yohanna said that the price of commodities especially foodstuffs in the market nowadays called for intensive and fervent prayers for God’s divine intervention.
“This is why I am urging muslim faithful in Niger and Nigeria as a whole to use the Eid-el Kabir period for sober reflection and prayer for peace, unity, and economic recovery.
“I hereby appeal to Muslims to pray for the country’s challenges to be overcome.
“We should, as Nigerians, be encouraged and have hope in God for the transformation of the country,” he said.
He commended the Niger State government’s efforts to address security and economic issues.
According to him, there’s need for continued tolerance, synergy, and cooperation among government, agencies and citizens toward overcoming the challenges.
The chairman also called for improved healthcare, youth and women empowerment, investment in education, and addressing socio-economic challenges.
He, however, wished the Muslim community a peaceful and joyous Eid-el Kabir celebration.
Direct AGF to release Nnamdi Kanu, Clark tells Tinubu
Abiodun harps on peaceful co-existence at Eid-el Kabir celebration
