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Tinubu’s Renewed Hope mantra aligns with MKO’s vision – Sanwo-Olu
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Wednesday, said the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu aligned with the vision of the late MKO Abiola, the adjudged winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election.
Sanwo-Olu added that former President Muhammadu Buhari deserved commendation for naming June 12 as Nigeria’s Democracy Day in recognition of Abiola’s struggle for democracy.
Represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, the governor spoke at a programme held at Abiola Crescent, Ikeja, Lagos, to honour the memory of Abiola.
The event was organised by the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights, the Centre for Anti-Corruption and Open Leadership and the Moshood Abiola Mandate Movement.
While speaking, Hamzat said the June 12 event made many persons lose faith in Nigeria, “but we must appreciate (former President) Muhammadu Buhari, who officially recognised that election; who recognised June 12 and gave our father (Abiola) the title of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic, which is the highest honour that this country can bestow upon someone.”
Hamzat said, “We do this every year. Some of us were not too young when the election was held, and it was regarded as the freest and fairest election. At that time, a lot of us lost faith in our country. We wondered what was going on with Nigeria. Is it that we’re cursed? Why can’t we do this? A great election, why will the military stop it?
“We must also thank President Bola Tinubu who was part of the process; that is why the appellation ‘Renewed Hope’ makes sense. The Renewed Hope was targeted at MKO Abiola’s mantra.”
Abiola’s first daughter, Lola Abiola-Edewor, said the ‘Renewed Hope’ mantra of President Tinubu, aligned with that of her father’s.
Edewor said it was significant that Tinubu chose the mantra, which, she said, aligned with the Hope ‘93 slogan used by Abiola during his presidential campaign in 1993.
“This day in particular is very memorable. If we recall, the mantra of this present government is Renewed Hope. Remember also that the mantra of MKO Abiola during his campaign was Hope ‘93. It’s very significant in my opinion that our President chose his mantra to be Renewed Hope,” she told the audience in the hall filled with government officials, Abiola’s family, pressmen and members of the public.
She said, “He (Tinubu) knows; when we say Renewed Hope, he knew where he took over from the past government. He’s a grassroots politician, he has been through this political work for a long time and he’s very close to the people. So, for him to have chosen the mantra Renewed Hope, he knew that Nigerians were beginning to lose hope, and he made many promises to us. I have confidence that those promises will come to pass.”
Governor Sanwo-Olu’s Chief of Staff, Tayo Ayinde, and the Lagos State Commissioner for Information, Gbenga Omotoso, were also at the event alongside the Managing Director of the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, Abimbola Akinajo.
Nigerians observed Democracy Day on Wednesday in commemoration of the June 12 1993 event. However, protests were held by civil society organisations and other Nigerians in Lagos, Oyo, Osun and Abuja among others.
Prince Kayode Adewale, a contestant for the vacant Owa-Obokun of Ijesa land throne, has urged the Osun state government and traditional kingmakers to rely on oracles and deities in selecting the next monarch of the ancient town.
Prince Adewale of the Owa Bilaro Oluodo Royal Family, made the call during a press conference in Ilesa, Osun State, on Thursday.
He noted that the Ifa oracle, along with the Obokun and Ogun deities, should be the determining factors in the selection process.
The stool became vacant following the passing of Oba Gabriel Aromolaran, who joined his ancestors on September 11, 2024, after a 42-year reign.
As the contest intensifies, an Osun State High Court, presided over by Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe, has restrained Governor Ademola Adeleke and others from appointing a new Owa-Obokun from the Haastrup family or any other candidate.
Amid the ongoing legal battles, Prince Adewale reaffirmed his interest in the throne, advocating for adherence to traditional processes to ensure fairness and legitimacy.
He said: “The Owa Obokun stool is not for sale. In Ijesaland when it’s comes to selection of a new King the Ifa, Obokun and Ogun deities will be consulted and the person that has the highest vote from them will emerge as the king.”
Declaring his intention, Adewale said he is committed to standardizing mining practices and implementing robust land reclamation policies.
“Ijeshaland is blessed with abundant natural resources, particularly in gold mining. However, our gold resources must be harnessed responsibly and sustainably. Under my leadership, I will work towards the standardization of gold mining practices, ensuring that this wealth benefits the people of Ijeshaland while preserving our environment for future generations.”
The House of Representatives on Thursday approved the extension of the implementation of the capital component of the 2024 budget from 31 December 2024 to 30 June 2025.
Leader of the House, Hon Julius Ihonvbere, laid the report of the report of the bill seeking the extension as the House dissolved into the Committee of Supply to consider it.
It is titled, “A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act, 2024 to extend the implementation of the Capital Component of the Appropriation Act, 2024 from 31 December, 2024 to 30 June, 2025 and for Related Matters (HB.2023)”
Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu, who announced the adjournment of plenary to January 14, 2025, urged members to work hard in their various to ensure that the prompt passage of the 2025 budget upon resumption.
The Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) on Thursday condemned in strong terms the suspension of 18 local government chairmen and councillors in Edo state by the House of Assembly.
Governor Monday Okpebholo had accused the suspended chairmen of disobeying his instructions by allegedly refusing to submit their financial records to the state government.
However, the ALGON’s National Executive Council (NEC) and its Board of Trustees (BoT) on Thursday jointly condemned the decision saying the governor and lawmakers did not give the council chairmen fair hearing to defend themselves.
The association at an emergency meeting in Katsina state, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene, emphasising the need to respect the autonomy and independence of local governments as guaranteed by the nation’s constitution and recent ruling by the Supreme Court.
“ALGON views this suspension as a setback for democracy and abuse of power, particularly since the chairmen were not given a chance to defend themselves.
“This suspension is invalid. It contradicts the Supreme Court’s judgment granting local governments autonomy,” the ALGON National Publicity Secretary, Hamisu Anani, in a statement said.
Anani stated that if the Edo State House of Assembly’s decision was right, it would not have generated criticisms across the length and breadth of the country.
“This suspension is unconstitutional; it is null and void.
“ALGON is hereby urging the Edo State House of Assembly to reverse the decision and respect the rule of law to strengthen democratic governance.
“ALGON also appeals to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and halt this abuse of power,” the statement said.
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