2027: Timi Frank warns Northern, Southern leaders not to fall for Tinubu’s tricks

A Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank has on Wednesday warned Nigerians not to be fooled by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s tricks to again “grab power and run with it” in 2027. 

Frank who made this call in a statement in Abuja on Wednesday, specifically urged Northern and Southern leaders including opposition parties to resist Tinubu’s desperate 2027 presidential bid.

He revealed that while Tinubu is on one hand blackmailing Southerners, especially opposition Governors on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) by playing the ethnic card to gain support, he is on the other hand threatening to deal with them if they fail to support him by declaring a state of emergency in their States over spurious charges of violence and corruption. 

"He has increased the intensity now by blackmailing, intimidating and putting at least five PDP Governors from the South under duress to defect along with their Members in the National Assembly to the APC. 

"To Tinubu, the 2027 election is about him versus the North and that is why he is trying desperately to enlist the support of the South through manipulation and subterfuge. 

He has forgotten so soon that the North helped him to get to power in 2023,” he said.

According to the Bayelsa-born political activist, 2027 should not be about North or South but who would  fix the myriads of challenges confronting the country, including the incessant killings, kidnappings and banditry as well as the harsh economic conditions foisted on the masses by Tinubu through fuel subsidy removal, increased electricity tariff and high cost of food and other essential services. 

He said: “Nigerians are in need of a President who will help Nigeria become better, not 'Northern candidate or Southern candidate' or 'Northern President or Southern President'.

“The country is overcharged already with divisions along ethnic lines. We therefore can't afford to have a President who is setting one region against another for the sake of his own personal ambition.

"For me, Timi Frank, as a Southerner, I don't believe in a tribalistic and divisive President. I believe in a leader that will come and unite rather than divide Nigeria. 

“I advise every Northerner still supporting Tinubu to have a rethink. They should know that the North that apparently ‘assisted’ Tinubu to gain power in 2023 is suffering the most today.

"It is a fact that the North has been grossly sidelined in appointments and other infrastructure development programmes by Tinubu who has prioritised his personal and tribal life-interests over everything else. 

"This is why the North should wake up. They should know this route Tinubu is going in terms of 2027 politics, is not the best for Nigeria. They should rise and speak with one voice in 2027.

"I want the Northern leaders to know that should Tinubu find his way back to power in 2027, the North will suffer untold neglect as Tinubu and the APC don’t have their genuine interest at heart.

"As we speak, at least five opposition Governors are set to defect to APC not because they like Tinubu but due to intense political pressure, intimidation and blackmail, while those who will remain have been made to sign undertakings to deliver their States to Tinubu, otherwise they will be made to lose their second term elections.

"Tinubu does not believe in the power of the people. Tinubu is working to steal the election results, to grab it (power) and run away with it like he did in 2023.

"If the North can't see the omen of imminent regional stagnation and destruction, they will regret it if they do nothing to stop Tinubu in 2027.

“Tinubu does not believe in democracy and that is why he has succeeded in ensuring that PDP, Labour Party and any other opposition parties are enmeshed in intractable internal crisis in order to deny capable and qualified aspirants platforms to challenge him in 2027. 

“His singular aim is to retain power in 2027 by hook or crook. He is doing all he can at the detriment of Nigerians, a complete negation of the oath of office he swore to on assumption of office as President.”

Timi Frank lamented that at the moment, Nigeria is on auto-pilot under Tinubu's watch, yet he (Tinubu) wants to force himself on Nigerians again in 2027. 

Timi Frank added: “Nigerians must on their part, prepare to reject Tinubu. It is the only patriotic thing to do as citizens. As citizens, we have a duty to reject a bad, clueless and rudderless leader and do all that is legally necessary to prevent him from returning to power.”

He urged the opposition leaders in the country to ensure that their coalition succeeds in defeating Tinubu in 2027.

"The coalition is in the best interest of Nigeria and Nigerians. I therefore appeal to the leaders of the coalition to put Nigeria and Nigerians first as their decision would help reshape the country and its future going forward,” he said.

Comrade Timi Frank is currently the ULMWP Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East

Tinubu as yesterday’s rebel and today’s tyrant, By Farooq A. Kperogi

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s demonstrably unconstitutional suspension of the elected leaders of Rivers State and his illegal imposition of a retired military lickspittle as sole administrator in the exercise of his otherwise constitutional privilege to declare a state of emergency in any part of the country is the latest addition in a long list of instances of his embrace of the very things he once resented and fought against when he was outside the reins of federal power.

For example, he was brutally censorious of Goodluck Jonathan’s withdrawal of fuel subsidies in 2012. He expressed sentiments in writing and in speeches that resonated with the angst of the masses. He even helped finance a nationwide mass protest that so convulsed the country that Jonathan was compelled to back off his plans.

Yet, one of the first acts Tinubu did as a president in May 2023 was to announce an economically and socially disruptive withdrawal of fuel subsidies that has deepened poverty, annihilated the middle class, and ruptured the very fabric of Nigerian society.

Again, when Olusegun Obasanjo unconstitutionally suspended Plateau State’s Governor Joshua Dariye—along with state legislators— in May 2004 and appointed General Chris Ali as the state’s sole administrator, then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos rightly called the act “illegal.”

“It is unfortunate and illegal,” he said. “This has to be discouraged. It is a bad precedent. What the president of the country has done, I pray it doesn’t stand.”

In fact, when Goodluck Jonathan declared states of emergency in the three northeastern states of Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa without suspending the elected leaders of the states, which I commended in a May 25, 2013, column titled “The Malcolm Xian Logic in Jonathan’s Praiseworthy Boko Haram Offensive,” Tinubu condemned it as unacceptable federal overreach.

“No governor of a state in Nigeria is the chief security officer,” he said. “Putting the blame on the governors, who have been effectively emasculated, for the abysmal performance of the government at the centre which controls all these security agencies, smacks of ignorance and mischief.”

He contended that Jonathan’s action “seeks to abridge or has the potential of totally scuttling the constitutional functions of governors and other elected representatives of the people” and that it would be “counterproductive in the long run.”

Given an opportunity to give materiality to the principles he espoused when he had no access to federal power, he has become indistinguishable from, and in many cases worse than, the objects of his erstwhile censure.

Tinubu now implements the same policies he once condemned and has become the same personality he once reviled. He exemplifies the aphoristic wisdom (often attributed to historian Ariel Durant or her husband Will Durant) that says, “Today’s rebel is tomorrow’s tyrant.” In Tinubu’s case, he was yesterday’s rebel and today’s tyrant.

Why do most people who initially invested symbolic and political capital in fighting against authority or oppression eventually become the very oppressors they once resisted? Why do firebrands and idealists often morph into the very thing they once denounced after assuming power?

The evidence of history shows us that resistance to tyranny can, and often does, end in new tyrannies. Critics of war or corruption frequently adopt those same practices when they find themselves in the circles of power.

So, this is beyond Tinubu as a person, who probably never really had any principles to begin with, whose resistance to past oppressive policies was probably mere calculative opportunism.

But why do previously genuinely adversarial people become the very things they once opposed with such regularity? Observers from psychology, philosophy, and political theory have long studied this phenomenon.

A previous column I wrote (and republished twice) on the psychology of power pointed out that “people under the influence of power are neurologically similar to people who suffer traumatic brain injury” and posited that situational, power-induced brain damage may be responsible for this.

Philosophers have also grappled with the paradox of noble ideals curdling into oppression. Friedrich Nietzsche, for example, famously warned of the moral danger that comes with fighting evil too intensely. “He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster,” Nietzsche wrote, adding, “if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you.”

Nietzsche’s metaphor speaks to how the struggle for power or justice can warp people’s souls. Revolutionaries and reformers, in attempting to vanquish a “monster” (e.g. a tyrant or an unjust system), may take on the very methods and mindset of that monster.

His concept of the “will to power” also suggests that the drive to attain power can override other moral constraints, so that once the will to power is unleashed, individuals rationalize actions that serve dominance.

French theorist Michel Foucault provides another lens through which we can make sense of the phenomenon of people taking on the very methods and mindset of the beasts of power they once fought.

He said, “Power is everywhere; not because it embraces everything, but because it comes from everywhere.” By that, he means no one is ever truly outside power relations; even the most vicious critics of the most monstrous regimes operate within a field of power. Once the critics take control, he said, they often reproduce the very power dynamics they once criticized, even if their rhetoric changes.

The line between oppressor and liberator can blur: the roles may switch, but the play remains the same. Foucault’s insight is that systems of power tend to self-perpetuate, regardless of who is at the helm, unless conscious effort is made to dismantle those underlying structures.

In other words, a change in leadership without a change in what Foucault calls the “microphysics of power” is likely to yield similar repressive outcomes. The new boss becomes “same as the old boss,” because the circuitry of power channels them into that role.

That’s why the sadly familiar pattern of “condemning in opposition, then doing in government” is so widespread that it almost seems like a political law of gravity. It’s good to bear this in mind as we read and listen to the pronouncements of current “opposition” politicians who seem like they identify with popular causes and sentiments.

Like Tinubu, today’s opponents of executive overreach may extend their own executive powers once they have the opportunity.

Like Tinubu, they will have a story to tell themselves and the public to justify their U-turn: the situation is different, their actions are for the greater good, their previous stance was based on incomplete information, etc. And indeed, sometimes circumstances do legitimately change.

But when the dust settles, the outcome looks awfully familiar. Pro-democracy activists become a congress of tyrants and justifiers of tyranny; the fierce social critic and human rights activist who once decried abuses now defends them; the liberator who once raged against oppressors now only liberates his stomach. As the Roman philosopher-politician Cicero once wrote, “It is easier to criticize than to do better.”

Fortunately, this cycle is not inevitable. Many thinkers advocate checks and balances, institutional limits, and personal integrity as antidotes, although even those seem to be insufficient.

Nigeria’s National Assembly, as we have seen in the last few years, particularly in the last few days, can neither check nor balance the excesses of the executive. It’s a slavish extension of Aso Rock. The voices of the few honest, conscientious ones among them are drowned out by the cacophony that the rapacious, unprincipled, mercenary self-seekers among them, who constitute the majority, emit. The judiciary is even worse.

It is easy to be disillusioned and to surrender amid this reality. To be frank, I have found myself in that state many times. But power must be continually guarded and checked. Philosopher Hannah Arendt observed that only constant vigilance and a commitment to plurality and law prevent rebels from calcifying into tyrants.

We must all do our part to hold people in power to account, even if we’re not sure we would do better ourselves. At this point, the only check and balance against creeping tyranny is the democratic rebellion of the people.

Tinubu: A Squirrel That Climbed The Tree, Left Nigerians Hopeless

 By Buhari Olanrewaju Ahmed 

The lawlessness in Nigeria today is not accidental; it has been nurtured by those entrusted with leadership. 

Before assuming power, they weep before the masses, rolling on the ground, making empty promises to the oppressed. But once they seize power, they transform into ruthless predators, sacrificing the very people they swore to serve. This vicious cycle has crippled the nation for decades.

The impunity orchestrated by these power-hungry elites is unimaginable. 

They exploit the people's trust, manipulate institutions, and prioritise their personal ambitions over national stability. Even when the country teeters on the brink of collapse, their only concern is retaining control at all costs.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's recent declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State is nothing more than a calculated political maneuver.

 It is a strategic attempt to wrest control of the state from the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. By imposing direct federal control, Tinubu and his allies seek to dominate the state's vast resources, leaving the people of Rivers and the entire Niger Delta region at their mercy.

If Tinubu were genuinely concerned about national security, why has he failed to declare a state of emergency in states plagued by relentless violence?

 Thousands have been massacred in the North by terrorists, yet no such measure has been taken. This year alone, hundreds of innocent lives have been lost to herdsmen attacks in Ondo, Benue, and Enugu. Yet, Tinubu has not only refused to declare a state of emergency in these areas but has also remained silent, failing even to issue a formal condemnation.

The political crisis in Rivers State is largely fueled by the power-drunk Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. His obsession with control, coupled with his belief that he wields influence over the president, has exacerbated the situation.

 Despite overwhelming evidence pointing to Wike as the architect of the crisis, Tinubu has spared him—perhaps as a reward for his role in the election manipulations that helped secure Tinubu’s presidency.

Declaring a state of emergency in a region where there is no war, conflict, or oppression is an outright abuse of power.

 Tinubu, who once touted himself as a champion of democracy, is now rewriting the constitution to impose military-style governance. His actions expose the hypocrisy of his administration, revealing a dangerous shift toward authoritarian rule.

Before Tinubu's ascension to power, I warned Nigerians against voting for him. He is not the leader he claims to be.

 Unfortunately, many fell victim to the "Yoruba Ronu" propaganda, a narrative that has only served to erode their dignity and well-being.

With figures like Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas serving as rubber-stamp legislators, Nigeria remains trapped in a cycle of stagnation.

 Those who elected incompetent representatives should not expect progress or meaningful change. These self-serving politiciansprioritizse personal enrichment over national development, betraying the trust of the electorate at every turn.

Tinubu and his cohorts are writing a history of infamy, one that future generations will neither forget nor forgive. 

One day, their descendants may find themselves cursed for the sins of their forefathers, just as former military ruler Ibrahim Babangida now seeks forgiveness for his past misdeeds—only to be met with rejection.

Nigerian history has been shaped by great leaders like Obafemi Awolowo, M.K.O. Abiola, Gani Fawehinmi, Tafawa Balewa, Ahmadu Bello, and Fela Anikulapo Kuti, whose legacies inspire pride among their descendants. In contrast, Tinubu and his allies are inscribing a legacy of betrayal and oppression.

For those who support impunity, continue to do so at your own peril. History has a way of catching up with even the most powerful. One day, the hunter will become the hunted.

State of Emergency in Rivers, Tinubu Led Presidency behind Pipeline Vandalism

There's full blown terrorism in the middle belt, zamfara, katsina, sokoto, the North East yet no state of emergency but as soon as two pipelines where blown up Tinubu imposed State of emergency in Rivers State. 

The speed with which they moved to make the declaration when they have not considered the same thing in states facing real security threats is obvious that this move was pre-meditated. 

How come Wike the trouble maker didn't get suspended or sacked but only the governor who's only crime is refusing to be a puppet. 

And as soon as Tinubu illegally suspended the governor he appoints Wike & Akpabio's friend as administrator. 

Are you still wondering who actually blew up those pipelines? 

Okay ask yourself who benefits the most from all these madness. BAT & Wike of course. 

Wike gets to do whatever he wants in Rivers State with the administrator and may yet force Fubara to cower to him. 

Tinubu gets to make more money by Nigeria depending more on his Malta refinery driving up the price of petrol and sabotaging Dangote's refinery in Nigeria and causing more hardship for Nigerian's.

Also this will please his Western masters who see Dangote's refinery as a threat to their operations in the Nigerian oil industry.

Now you should know who was behind the bombing of those pipelines. Yes it's the same people who imposed the state of emergency in Rivers State. 

They don't even care about the security and economic implications of all these which may yet backfire on them. We have security challenges and our armed forces are spread thing already now they want to open a new war front in the Niger Delta which they know very well they can't handle and when Nigerian's decide to revolt they'll not be enough military men to protect them. 

Only a generational change in leadership will end the country's woes 

Source: Social media

Suspension Of Elected Officials In Rivers State, An Aberration, Slap On The Constitution

 

By Dr. Farah Dagogo 

The Declaration of a State of Emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu raises serious constitutional questions under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) 

1. Power to Declare a State of Emergency: Section 305 of the 1999 Constitution

Section 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) outlines the conditions under which the President may declare a state of emergency. Specifically: Section 305(1) The President may, by instrument published in the Official Gazette issue a proclamation of a state of emergency in the Federation or any part thereof

Section 305(3) states that the President may only declare a state of emergency in a state if:  

(a) The Governor of the state, with a resolution supported by two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly, requests the President to do so; or  

 (b)There is actual breakdown of public order and public safety requiring extraordinary measures; or  

 (c)There is a clear and present danger of an actual breakdown of public order and public safety in the Federation or any part thereof; or  

 (d) There is an occurrence or imminent danger of invasion, war, or insurrection; or

  

 (e)There is a natural disaster or public health emergency; or  

 (f)There is any other danger threatening the existence of the Federation.  

Since President Tinubu admits that the Governor and Deputy Governor did not request the proclamation (as required under Section 305(5), the legal basis for this declaration rests on whether public order and public safety have truly broken down, justifying the invocation of emergency powers.

2. Legality of the Suspension of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and State House of Assembly. 

One of the most controversial aspects of the declaration is the suspension of the Governor, Deputy Governor, and State House of Assembly Under the 1999 Constitution:  

The only legal way to remove a Governor or Deputy Governor is through impeachment by the State House of Assembly under Section 188.

- The Constitution does not grant the President the power to suspend or remove a Governor or Deputy Governor outside the impeachment process or a valid resignation.  

Section 11(4) and (5) states that only the National Assembly can take over legislative functions of a State House of Assembly in cases where it cannot function. It does not allow for the suspension of elected lawmakers.  

Given these constitutional provisions, President Tinubu’s suspension of elected officials is unconstitutional, as there is no provision in the 1999 Constitution granting such powers. Even during a state of emergency, the Governor and Deputy Governor remain in office, unless removed in accordance with constitutional procedures.

3. Appointment of an Administrator: Constitutional Implications

The appointment of Vice Admiral Ibokette Ibas (Rtd) as the Administrator to govern Rivers State raises another constitutional issue. The 1999 Constitution does not recognize the office of an "Administrator" in place of an elected Governor, The Constitution only provides for:  

A Governor elected by the people (Section 176(1)). A Deputy Governor elected alongside the Governor (Section 186)

The only situation where an unelected official can assume control of a state is under military rule, which is not applicable under a democratic system governed by the 1999 Constitution.

4. Role of the National Assembly in Approving the State of Emergency

Under Section 305(2) and (6), the President must transmit the emergency proclamation to the National Assembly for approval within two days. If the National Assembly does not approve it within 10 days, the proclamation ceases to have effect. 

Thus, for this declaration to be valid, it must receive the backing of the National Assembly. If the National Assembly does not approve it, the state of emergency becomes null and void. 

5. Judicial Interpretation and Possible Legal Challenges. 

Given the constitutional breaches in the proclamation, there are strong grounds for legal challenges in court. The Supreme Court’s pronouncement in A.G. Federation v. A.G. Lagos State (2013) LPELR-20974(SC) reaffirms the principle that the President must act within constitutional limits, even in extraordinary situations.

The affected officials—Governor Fubara, his Deputy, and the State Assembly members—can challenge the suspension in court, arguing that:  

- The Constitution does not empower the President to suspend elected officials 

- The appointment of an unelected Administrator violates democratic principles.  

- The National Assembly must approve the state of emergency before it takes effect. 

Conclusion: Is the State of Emergency Constitutional?

While the President has the power to declare a state of emergency under Section 305, the suspension of elected officials and appointment of an Administrator exceed constitutional limits. Any action outside the scope of the 1999 Constitution is illegal and could be overturned by the courts.

LP warned again Military intervention , calls for investigation

The Labour Party in Nigeria has warned against any planning and attempt military coup d'etat or intervention which could abproutly end the democratic governance in Nigeria.

The statement was made in response to a video that's been trending on the social media platform where a military convey was barricaded by certain protesters calling for military intervention and taking over of the Nigeria government.

Oyo state chapter of the part in a statement signed by Comrade Dele Abiola on behalf of the stakeholders said: "We vehemently opposed any call for military coup d'etat or intervention in Nigeria and capital NO to any planned military interrogrum.

"We equally call for security investigation of both the participants in the said protest and military convey involved as it maybe a sponsored protest.

"While we acknowledged the maladministration of the APC led government since 2025 till date, we do not have any hope in any military incursion into the Nigeria's governance and political space.

"The hardship and pains been inflicting on us by the Bola Tinubu led anti-people APC government should either lead us into a fresh election or revolution, if 2027 elections are too far."

'While we must get ride of APC and bad governance, it can not be by and through military ' the statement said in part.

It should be noted that the prolificacy of the APC led government and spending spree in the face of hungers in the land occasioned by cluelessness and hopelessness in their so called renewed hope policies and programs can certainly make the masses to call for any perceived and immediate solution.

Youths have been protesting too, but the APC government of Tinubu is never ready to listen.

The APC government represent incompetency and spring of wickedness against the Nigerian masses.

Video of protesters calling for military intervention 

They voted for him. If we must change this government, it should by either a fresh election or revolution. Nigerian army are the foundation of the country's wors.

An Open letter to President Bola Tinubu by the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams, on the State of the Nation

Your Excellency,I bring you good tidings from the more than 65 million Yoruba of South-West in Nigeria, including Edo, Delta, Kwara and Kogi States.

I also write this letter to you as one of the more than 200 million people God created as Nigerians.

We have no regret that we were created to inhabit this geographical space in the West African axis of the African continent.

In fact, we are happy to be here because I don’t know any country in the world that God has blessed, in terms of natural and human resources, like Nigeria.

Obviously, past leaders, since 1960, disappointed Nigerians with the way ‘Nigeria and Nigerians were badly led and resources selfishly managed’.

When you came with the ‘Emilokan’ coinage in the build up to the 2023 elections, many Nigerians were persuaded that as a democrat exposed to modern way of governance, you will perform better than Muhammadu Buhari, a soldier who deepened the poverty levels of Nigerians and increased insecurity from 2015 to 2023.

Today, events have proved that they were wrong.

Mr.President, to say the truth without minding whose ox is gored, you have really disappointed many Nigerians who thought you were the messiah they were waiting for.

The facts are there to speak for themselves.

On May 29, 2023 when you became the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigerians, the price of a litre of fuel was less then N200.

Today, it is more than N1000.

As the Minister of Petroleum, I ask you, what type of reforms is this?

In May 2023, Naira to a Dollar was less than N740.

Now, your two right-hand men when you were Governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, Wale Edun (Finance Minister) and Yemi Cardoso (CBN Governor) are in charge of the economy.

What exactly are the fiscal, economic and financial briefings they give you daily to convince you that they know what they are doing in those two offices?

When Buhari left on May 29, 2023, many Nigerians heaved a sigh of relief that insecurity would soon become history.

Pitiably today, from the North to the South, East to the West, the rate at which Nigerians are being abducted and some killed, even after ransom was paid, it was as if these blood-thirsty maniacs have just been unleashed on Nigerians from the hottest part of hell.

As the Commander-in-Chief,the rising spate of insecurity across the country has put to question the kind of briefings you get on daily basis, especially, from the Inspector- General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, the Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja,and other Security Chiefs on their modus operandi to send these killers to where they belong?

In August, many Nigerians came out to express their frustration on the way you are governing them.

Today, some of those arrested have been charged with treason.

In the Comity of Nations, who does that? Is that the way governments are overthrown, with placards?

Human rights activists are being harassed by security agents on a daily basis and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have become soft targets of sycophants who speak sweet words to your ears for selfish reasons.

Many Nigerians know the ‘radical’ role you played when you were Governor, and even after 2007, when you galvanised and mobilised them to challenge the status quo at the national level.

Now that you are in government, protest has suddenly become a criminal offence.God is indeed Great!!!

The plain truth is that the

recent fuel price increase by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), an agency which is under your office as the Petroleum Minister, is an attack on Nigerians.

Obviously, your administration is becoming indifferent, insensitive and unresponsive to the plights of millions of Nigerians who can no longer meet their daily needs.

This is a brutal assault on the sensibility of Nigerians.

I think you and your party should be sensitive to the plights of Nigerians.

Mr.President, don’t you think the wicked and draconian increase in fuel price, especially, at this time that Nigerians have been pushed to the wall, is a huge recipe for crisis?

Nigerians can no longer bear this economic hardship any longer.

I am writing this letter to you because of the pressure I am going through from millions of Nigerians, who erroneously, believe that I don’t want to tell you the truth because the two of us are eminent Yoruba citizens.

The truth is that the perverted, opaque, unintelligible, wicked and corrupt handling of the petroleum sector and continuous increase of fuel price under your administration (with the NNPC threatening us the price will still go up) without due regard to the laws of the land and wellbeing of Nigerians is akin to telling Nigerians to go to hell.

Mr.President, if a few of your advisers are telling you that all is well, I can confidently inform you that they are your enemies.

Former President Buhari was here and Nigerians proved to him that they were bigger than him.

If you don’t reverse this ugly trend immediately, soon, the situation may trigger further hardship across the country.

Under your watch as the President, the APC-led administration has consistently shown itself to be anti-people, unconcerned and deaf to the agonies of millions of Nigerians.

Today, more than 75 per cent of Nigerians have sunk below the poverty line. Businesses are collapsing like a badly-arranged pack of cards and the centre can no longer hold in many households.

With over 32 per cent inflation rate and close to 40 per cent unemployment rate which are expected to rise further with the latest dictatorial increase in fuel price, it is obvious that your administration offers no hope to Nigerians.

In the past 16 months,your administration has been using propaganda, power of coercion and rough tactics to oppress Nigerians.

For how long do you honestly think that despotic strategy will last?

Since last year, you have visited many countries, the latest being China.

Do you think your foreign counterparts treat their citizens the way you are treating Nigerians?

Mr.President, remember your promises to Nigerians during your numerous campaigns to all the nooks and crannies of this great country?

In just 16 months into your administration, your campaign promises have suddenly become failed promises?

Your Excellency, do you remember an Austrian-German who became the Commander-in-Chief in Germany in 1933?

Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician who was the dictator of Nazi Germany from 1933 until his suicide in 1945?

Hitler, an elected democrat,

quickly transformed a democratic republic into a constitutional dictatorship.

The Fuhrer vowed to destroy democracy through the democratic process. And he did with the destruction of Germany in 1945.

Before the destruction,

the Nazi leader disabled, then dismantled the Weimar Republic.

The Fuhrer crushed political opposition, destroyed the economy and ultimately undermined Germany’s democratic structures.

When Hitler became history on April 30, 1945, Germany was in total ruins.

But due to the determination of Germans, today, that country has the biggest economy in Europe.

I hope I am wrong but I see a linkage between what happened during the ascendancy of Hitler into power and what is happening in Nigeria today.

Anyway, Nigeria is bigger than any individual.

Mr President, the time is ticking.

Ask this simple question: Are my reforms working?

I come in peace.

Iba Gani Abiodun Ige Adams

Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland

September 10, 2024.

Nigeria’s problems well-known, offer solutions not excuses – Peter Obi tells Tinubu govt

The presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 general election, Mr Peter Obi has said that the problems facing the nation are well-known to all Nigerians and that the Tinubu led APC government should just profer solutions.

Obi said it was disheartening to hear those in charge, who were hired to address problems, saying that Nigerian are not the only ones struggling with poverty and hunger.

Peter Obi suggested that a true leader provides direction, guidance, solutions, and reassurance in times of crisis not excuses.

We are the poverty capital of the world, among the most insecure people on earth, among the hungriest, have poor education quality and the highest number of out-of-school children, high infant mortality,

This is the hallmark of visionary leadership and a trait of nations that are making progress and advancing their development. They don't simply state the obvious but offer a roadmap for overcoming obstacles.

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 21, 2024

Just like a pilot, who doesn't just announce turbulence; they assure passengers that they will do everything possible to ensure a safe journey. Only then can we begin to trust that our country is in capable hands, working towards a brighter future for all Nigerians. -PO

— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) June 21, 2024

Kano: We’ll resist state of emergency – Kwankwaso accuses Nigerian Govt of causing insecurity

Kwankwaso

NNPP Presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections who is also former governor of Kano State and leader of the Kwankwasiyya Movement, Senator Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso, has accused the government of Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu of compromising Kano security by their refusal to take away heavy operatives guarding the deposed Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

Kwankwaso also accused the Federal Government of attempting to create a new breed of terror group and insurgents in Northern Nigeria.

The NNPP led Kano State Government reinstated Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi who deposed under the APC LED government of Abdullah Ganduge.

𝐓𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐛𝐮 𝐬𝐥𝐢𝐩𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐯𝐞𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐄𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐞𝐬 𝐒𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐞

President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday slipped while boarding the parade vehicle at the venue of the 2024 Democracy Day.

The President had approached the vehicle shortly after he arrived at the Eagles Square, Abuja venue of the programme.

Our correspondent observed that the President lost his footing momentarily as he was about to step onto the vehicle.

Nairaland 

#PHOTOSPEAKS: People can no longer afford single tuber of yam so sellers have resorted to slicing the tubers into two piece to make it affordable

This is REAL!! APC is the worst thing that has ever happened to Nigeria!

FACTS CHECKED : Tinubu, Shettima, First Lady Remi Tinubu spent not less than N5.24bn on local, foreign travel in 3 Months

President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, and First Lady Remi Tinubu spent not less than N5.24bn on local and foreign travel between January and March 2024.

An analysis of the travel expenses using GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses the Federal Government’s spending, showed that N1.35bn was spent as provision for presidential trips and other related expenses in three months, N3.53bn was spent on foreign exchange purchase during 10 international trips and N637.85m was disbursed to two travel agencies for the purchase of air tickets for presidential local and foreign trips.

The payment made through the State House transit account to various recipients did not include estacodes of the President’s entourage.

This was as the government spent N12.59bn on maintenance of the presidential air fleet within the same period.

Tinubu's 1st Anniversary gift to Nigeria

By Bolaji O. Akinyemi

His campaign promises were clearly spelt out, on eight (8) points, which are:

Food security

Poverty eradication

Growth 

Job Creation 

Access to capital 

Inclusion 

Rule of law

Fighting corruption.

Upon being declared winner by INEC and pronounced the elected President by the court. He left no one in doubt of his commitment to these promises as he translated them from mere campaign promises to the focus of his administration as 8 points Agenda. Meaning our operations daily will be systemically geared towards making these 8 things the experience for all Nigerians. It is therefore a simple excise to appraise Bola Ahmed Tinubu's one year in office. Just by asking yourself how secure is my daily bread? Am I on my way out of poverty in the last one year? How much of growth have I experienced in 365 days of Bola Ahmed Tinubu?

Those who were jobless before Tinubu's presidency and are gainfully employed through his 50 million job creation promise should help us rate BAT on job creation. 

On access to CAPITAL, the N90 billion given to Hajj I guess is Capital for those who are going to buy dates to resell in Nigeria?

Inclusion must have sounded ambiguous, but how included are you in the system or how captured are you in its delivery?

On rule of law, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is too stubborn to be the yardstick to measure BAT. Moreover, he is a Biafran. Segun Olatunji is a Yoruba-Nigerian, Editor of First News should tell the story of military invasion at his home and the 14 days of rule of law in military enclave.

Do I need to bother you about our fight against corruption? Pastor Olanipekun Olukoyede should just carry the EFCC Register of persons under investigation, and go to the national assembly to mark register like an old class teacher. For example, please it's just an example o! He should call out the name of the head of our National Assembly, only if his name is on the list o! Godswill Akpabio! Then we all wait for the response to rate BAT's fight against corruption.

Like the master of the game and expert in public distraction he is. While the debate on his performance was raging and opinions are divided. BAT set a new agenda for public discourse, a narrative that will drown the performance debate, a move that will definitely put the Governors in a bad public light. A strike that is bound to settle the scores of the political crisis that had engulfed Rivers State for some time now! 

Tinubu led Federal Government dropped the ace card of the 2027 game!

Beyond settling the Rivers State issue, it is bound to endear the President to the heart of all the 774 Local Government Chairmen in the country. The President by this, has proven to be the smartest Democrat alive today. 

In his days as Governor of Lagos State, he headed to court to have many conflicts between his state (Lagos) and the Federal Government resolved by the Judiciary.

If politics is a game, the grandmaster of Politics in Nigeria is Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As a matter of fact, he is in a class of himself. In an article I wrote recently, I narrated the legalisation of the illegality of the phenomenon of suppression and oppression of the third tier of government that has become the culture of relationship between State Government and the Local Government as originating from Lagos State; titled Governors are Nigerians' number one enemies'. You can visit my blog;

bolajioakinyemi.com to read the article.

 This President is far more than what his opponents and Nigerians are making of him. "BAT is not drunk with power, rather power is a victim in BAT's hands". This quote should be noted! Posterity will judge me right or wrong on it.

The passage of the bill on Local Government autonomy and assent of President Buhari has made no difference. The illegality has been institutionalised by all the Governors since 1999!

The Federal Government has instituted a legal action against the Governors of the 36 States of the Federation at the Supreme Court over alleged misconduct in the administration of Local Government Areas, (LGAs).

FG, in the suit marked: SC/CV/343/2024, which was filed by the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, is seeking full autonomy for all LGAs in the country as the third tier of government.

It specifically prayed the apex court to issue an order prohibiting State Governors from embarking on unilateral, arbitrary and unlawful dissolution of democratically elected local government leaders.

As well as for an order permitting the funds standing in the credits of local governments to be directly channelled to them from the Federation Account in line with the provisions of the Constitution as against the alleged unlawful joint accounts created by Governors.

Besides, FG prayed the Supreme Court for an order stopping Governors from further constituting Caretaker Committees to running the affairs of local governments as against the Constitutionally recognized and guaranteed democratic system!

It equally applied for an order of injunction, restraining the Governors, their agents and privies, from receiving, spending or tampering with funds released from the Federation Account for the benefits of local governments when no democratically elected local government system is put in place in the States.

Governors of the 36 States were sued through their respective Attorneys General.

In the 27 grounds it listed in support of the suit, FG, argued that Nigeria, as a  federation, was a creation of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, with the President, as Head of the Federal Executive Arm, swearing on oath to uphold and give effects to provisions of the Constitution!

It told the apex court: “That the Governors represent the component states of the Federation with Executive Governors who have also sworn to uphold the Constitution and to at all times, give effect to the Constitution and that the Constitution, being the supreme law, has binding force all over the Federation of Nigeria.

“That the Constitution of Nigeria recognizes federal, states and local governments as three tiers of government and that the three recognized tiers of government draw funds for their operations and functioning from the Federation Account created by the Constitution.

“That by the provisions of the Constitution, there must be a democratically elected local government system and that the Constitution has not made provisions for any other systems of governance at the local government level other than democratically elected local government system.

“That in the face of the clear provisions of the Constitution, the governors have failed and refused to put in place a democratically elected local government system even where no state of emergency has been declared to warrant the suspension of democratic institutions in the State(s).

“That the failure of the Governors to put democratically elected Local Government system in place, is a deliberate subversion of the 1999 Constitution which they and the President have sworn to uphold!

“That all efforts to make the governors comply with the dictates of the 1999 Constitution in terms of putting in place democratically elected Local Government systems has not yielded any result and than to continue to disburse funds from the Federation Account to Governors for non existing democratically elected Local Government is to undermine the sanctity of the 1999 Constitution!

“That in the face of the violations of the 1999 Constitution, the federal government is not obligated under section 162 of the Constitution to pay any State, funds standing to the credit of local governments where no democratically elected Local Government system is in place.”

Consequently, FG, prayed the Supreme Court to invoke sections 1, 4, 5, 7 and 14 of the Constitution to declare that the State Governors and State Houses of Assembly are under obligation to ensure a democratic system at the third tier of government in Nigeria and to also invoke the same sections to hold that the governors cannot lawfully dissolve democratically elected Local Government councils!

It also prayed for the invocation of sections 1, 4,  5,  7 and 14 of the Constitution to declare that dissolution of democratically elected Local Government Councils by the Governors or anyone using the State powers derivable from laws enacted by the State Houses of Assembly or any Executive Order, is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void!

In a 13 paragragh affidavit that was deposed to by one Kelechi Ohaeri from the Federal Ministry of Justice, the AGF said he filed the suit under the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court, on behalf of the FG.

The deponent averred that Local Government system recognized by the Constitution are  democratically elected Local Government council heads, adding that the amount due to Local Government Councils from the Federation Account is to be paid to Local Government system recognized by the Constitution!

FG said it would in the course of the hearing tender Daily Post online publication of January 29, 2024 titled “LG Administration; 15 Governors, under scrutiny over Constitutional breach”, Vanguard online special report of September 12, 2023, Guardian editorial of January 23, 2024, Premium Times online publication of December 1, 2023, Vanguard online publication of December 1, 2023 and Arise online news of December 2, 2023, to justify the national importance and the public interest on the issue of granting autonomy to LGAs in the country!

I am not a fan of Tinubu and I don't have to be one to tell you for free that this is the biggest democratic move since 1999. Nigeria would never see remarkable human capital development except we allow the Government at the Local Area levels to function. That is where we all live. There, our franchises are exercised to elect all political leaders.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has fixed May 30 the day after one year of Tinubu's Presidency to hear the suit.

This ruling of Supreme Court if in favour of the Federal Government's prayers, will definitely translate into a game changer for the governorship elections in Edo and Ondo. I only hope the oppositions are seeing what am seeing and should be back to their drawing boards.

I can't wait for this. Get ready for Owambe(balling); no Ankara-no semo, as we fondly say of owambe parties in the South West. 774 locations across the country would witness eating and drinking by men and women in Ankara; singing "on your mandate we shall stand."

This mandate ehn, na by tulasi! Tuale to the BAT! A creature of two natures. The most 'democratic'...I leave you to assume the unsaid!

Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder.  He's also  President Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table.

email:bolajiakinyemi66@gmail.com

Facebook: Bolaji Akinyemi.

X: Bolaji O Akinyemi.

Instagram: bolajioakinyemi.

Phone: +2348033041236

4 days to 365 days of Tinubu on the Throne By Bolaji O. Akinyemi

Sleeping Tinubu

Ending my response to Reno Omokri's assessment of BAT's one year in office and his adulation of Appointees and Ministers who simply deserve commendations, beginning with the NSA Alhaji Nuhu Ribadu yesterday been 5 days officially to the 365 days of our Chicago State University Graduate whose turn and throne we are experiencing.

Today, It's the turn of the Minister of Information. Unlike Reno Omokri; I won't limit my assessment to just the person of the Minister and his office; the institution of his ministry will feature under our review.

Omokri stated; "The Information Minister has increased Nigerians' trust and confidence in this administration by being truthful and avoiding propaganda. Compared to Lai Mohammed, he is a breath of fresh air. The difference is light and day". 

Lai Mohammed was the best tool for the job at hand at the time he was hired, pre and post 2015. If any body will know this, it should be Omokri. His Principal, our former President and his government were submerged in the water of propaganda that sprung from Lai. The loftiness of Almajiri Schools lost to the politics of power and the propaganda that powered them. That was the script APC handed Lai, and Mohammed interpreted the script to detail and delivered on the term and condition of his engagement. Tinubu would never had been President had Buhari not won the 2015 election. The LIES and Propaganda of Lai Mohammed today despised brought Buhari to Power. Except Omokri of course was fooling us like FFK. There is this pack of mouths, the trio, who I will recommend for BAT as hands that must be part of his branding towards 2027. Signed already is Omokri, Bwala is at the negotiation table and FFK is waiting for the scout who will convince this government against his inherited inherent traitor's traits for him to join the duo of Reno and Daniel. Only God, who rules in the affairs of men, whose project Nigeria is and whose turn it is to rule Nigeria can stop BAT in 2027. #Godsturn #Olorunlokan

If a man without power survived all the odds against him and overcomes all the obstacles that the feudalists led by Buhari planted on his way. It is not mortals who will stop a man whose conspiracy with mammon is the best in the land where hunger has become citizens companion.

"He does not sit in an air-conditioned office to attack critics, rivals and opponents of the government. He understands his job. He constantly goes around the country with journalists to make them see with their 'koro koro' eyes, what the government is doing and how Nigerians tax Naira are being spent. 

Perhaps because he is a PR professional, he understands that effective rebranding is a projection of positive things that are now happening".

There are no mincing words that journalists (which was the practice in the past) are misfits in the world of brand enhancement that public engagement for persons in government and their government has become in the millennium.

It has become the job for the gifted and the skilled. Reno Omokri is both, an attestation to modern day exploits in the field. He holds a master's degree in law, a prolific writer, author and social media influencer. A gospeller not limited to the gospel of Christ. Champion of BAT Goodnews! Resident of Southern California and the Pastor; Mind of Christ Christian Centre. His contributions to public discourse far outweigh that of many corporate media outfits. Of course, individuality is the trend of the time. Recognition of this has helped FIFA to keep football (soccer) as the most loved and followed game on the globe that inspired the shape of football. It's a season for individuality in the market place leaving team work to Government and Team game, the very reason we must be very careful how we relate to individuals whose achievements are products of Team spirit and efforts.

The time is here when you have no business speaking as image makers on a discipline they have no expertise on. Though, the niche of endowed ability horned to skills will forever speak for itself. That's responsible for your amusement when a roadside mechanic fixes the trouble with your car that your multi certificated Engineer couldn't!

This must interpret public engagement portfolio at CBN. For example, the office should no longer be filled by people who have no expertise in finance. What is needed by CBN is not policy information, but policy education. Post Emefiele's CBN is still dancing around the damage done and scratching the surface of the assignment of winning back public confidence. Nigerians are lost to monetary policy, and simple info won't do the Job. 

The Job of the Minister and his Ministry of information should be information and data driven. What sampling has he done of the area of disconnect between the leadership and the people? What programme has this Minister designed to bridge such areas of gaps? 

Is there any programme on NTA or Radio Nigeria put up to address monetary policy education, food security and insecurity? The leading trio of troubles in critical areas where Buhari left Nigerians behind, for which the populace are running but not catching up with the BAT administration. Success for this Minister and his ministry should not be premised on road shows across the country. He must come for us where we were left stranded, apologize on behalf of APC and Tinubu as its National Chairman for wasting 8 years of our lives. Show us this administration's plan, inform and educate on how we can be part of the journey and to lend our hands to the building. Intelligent intimidation of their hired many Media to close the evil pages of their 8 years record and force us to forget can't do the job. If memories are failing them, ours are still intact. If the conscience is seared ours are not. If the hearts have turned stony, ours are still fresh in the flesh that God made it.

This Minister of Information is rather fortunate to work with a President who is not in the dark concerning the power of the media as helping the public to form its opinion or at setting agenda to create narratives to wean the public from a propaganda or publicity trend. 

The President is with possibly the highest number of Media Aides and Assistants in the world today with over 20 officially on tax payers neck. Not minding many like Reno Omokri who are on the side of the President in the name of nation building to spew purely narratives that are to the advantage of the President and his Government, out there on the social media as consultant and friends of the President and "Lovers" of Nigeria. Only they and the President can tell if their services are given pro bono or not. Sincerely, no influencer who is not residing in Nigeria deserves the attention of Nigerians on issues of policies and performance of this administration. Those who are not in this shoes with us shouldn't be handling us shoe pads telling us to keep enduring the pains and pinches. Check the profile of your favourite influencer. If he/she is not a fellow in the same ship; then they should mind the captain of their Ships and Leaders of their nations of residences. Biden is Reno Omokri's Captain on board the Capitol hill's ship sailing on freedom high sea towards liberty harbour. Our course is different, so is our Captain. It will be foolish of us and our Captain to listen to people who can't stake their lives and future on this voyage with us.

"Surprisingly, his ministry was able to secure rights for the Nigerian Television Authority to broadcast the AFCON live. An unprecedented achievement". The consolation that Football has become wouldn't allow me go hard on that but it's about time that NTA is unbundled. A platform of 3.3 billion average yearly view shouldn't fail to seal any viewing contract on the shore of Africa. The only need NTA and Radio Nigeria are serving as far as I am concerned is helping the government to say its news the way they want it said. If their content is the truth and nothing but the truth, then they don't need such waste of money that its values are hardly seen. The credibility of some private broadcasting Corporation is most times what the government depends upon to tell its news. What then is the need for keeping those old elephants for milk when they can no longer produce. Those organisations should be in the hands of Business minded people who can make profit with them. Here end my one Kobo advice to the President and Nigerians on information and information ministry.

Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He's also President Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table.

email:bolajiakinyemi66@gmail.com

Facebook: Bolaji Akinyemi.

X: Bolaji O Akinyemi.

Instagram: bolajioakinyemi.

Phone: +2348033041236

Good news from the Presidency! yet, where is our President?

By Bolaji O. Akinyemi

One of the beauties of Democracy is freedom of expression. The liberty to communicate how you see things. Your opinion may not count but you are entitled to it!

Many centuries ago, the world was tied down to the Monarchical system of Government, wherein power was absolutely within the grip and control of one person; the King or the Queen. Authorities without the checks of a constitution on what they do. Though there were laws, but kings cannot err in law, if they do as humans that they are, their errors are automatically accommodated as laws. In the old Persian Kingdom, laws could be changed for flimsiness of a bad dream by the king without consultation. For sadness of countenance, a cupbearer could be beheaded. That was the judgement Nehemiah deserved but grace found with God in the place of Judgement became favour with the King. The one who should say behead him for his sadness of countenance, opened his mouth under divine influence and said, of what, do you make request? That moment of favour became the nucleus of all achievements that Nehemiah will make out of his entire life. John the Baptist wasn't that lucky, for destiny chose his path. He became the victim of the power of the throne that no one should question. Nehemiah or John, divine script of life will play out as written. Many Johns are living like Nehemiah and ending up in death. And many Nehemiahs are confrontational like John and are ending with favour. May your script of life not be hidden from you in the mighty name of Yeshua!

John's head was put on the platter as a laurel for the best dancer who hid behind the oath of the throne to ask for anything as a gift for the impression she made on the king. 

The world had a fair share of this trend, nowhere but Africa experienced the philosophy of absolute power, essentially captured by the Yoruba nation in the word "ka bi o o si" shortened to Kabiyesi, a pronouncement that when made is to remind the one on the throne of his absoluteness and a proof of submission to the same by those chanting it. This is what the world has over time evolved from. And we can't afford to go back to the same nor decorate today's bearers of powers with such beastly exercise of it without control, that has kept animals separated from humans. Of course, both man and animals are dwellers of kingdom, but something defines and differentiates the animal kingdom from the human kingdom. Power without control and power with control. 

The balance of power for the purpose of control is what makes democracy the best form of Government in human civilisation.

Please, let us not be confused about the purpose of power in a democracy. It is not for development in the context of infrastructure as we easily submit; hence, North Korea would be more desirable than Nigeria. 

The hallmark of Democracy is the calling of its leaders to stewardship! They are leaders called to serve the people. This meaning and the dynamics of its understanding is key for us to having a rewarding, dividend-delivering democratic system. 

Democracy is an amusement of human intelligence to subdue brute power. It's like the stripping of power, to tame it and refine it to the benefits of humanity. Broken down into 3 arms, was simply not just enough, a section of the society was bestowed the honour of the fourth realms, professionals whose calling is to speak truth to power and report the people in power to the people in whose mandate they hold power in trust. This realms largely is where democracy has failed us in Africa, due to the desires of men and women of the fourth estate of the Realms to partake of the crumbs falling from the tables of those in power.

Democracy, a government of the people by the people for the people is premised upon the dynamics of choice, that gives power to the majority and control of that power to the minority through a concept called opposition. Better explained in the relationship between the wheel and the brake system. The purpose of the wheel is speed whilst the function of the brake system is to slow speed and halt it where necessary. Envisaging the failure of the fourth realm, in its wisdom, democracy fashioned the opposition. Whence the majority decision is having their way running with power, Minority opinion will have their say to put checks on power.

This my elementary lecture in political science became necessary because of my perception by friends so dear, men I prayed never to lose in my present "confused conviction" of Apostolic and Nation Building mandate. 

In Igbole Ekiti home town of Pastor Olaitan Aromolaran and birth place of Ven Blessing Ajayi, whom we joined to give his mother the last respect. Pastor Light, as we often call Pastor Olaitan noticing that a fan on the ceiling of St Saviour Anglican Church where the service held was not working, turned to me in his usual humourous way to say I hope you won't go back to Lagos and write that Tinubu is the reason the fan here is not working? Dear readers, is that truly how bad it is?

My closest ally and a man with whom resides my respect; Bishop Joseph Ighalo Edoro, wrote me a note after reading my piece of Tinubu's Disappearance... his many counsels were golden, hidden in it is a line I will like to share here, "no matter what, he is still YOUR PRESIDENT" (emphasis mine). To this friends and many like them that I treasure is the reason for this clarification of my intention. Though a rejoinder to other opinions and perception by pro Asiwaju media, one among them believes I hate the President and his government, truth is my love for the nation and Mr President supercedes that of many of his apologists. A media surrogate of Mr President described me as the Bolaji Akinyemi who is always insulting the President.

Insulting the President for standing up for Nigeria! 

To many who have left me to myself unlike Pastor Olaitan Aromolaran and Bishop Joseph Ighalo Edoro, I have become enemies of friends and social reject among ministers of God who don't have the gut to counsel me but are ignorantly misinterpreting the Bible in the context of civilisation and Democracy. 

Rom 13:1 KJV Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

If you will allow me to interpret that verse in pyramid structure or what is called organisational structure in administrative study.

God will be at the peak of the pyramid, next to him will be the constitution of nations to which leaders of the 3 arms must defer individually and then collectively, drawing inspiration from the spiritual representation of the offices they hold.

Isa 33:22 KJV For the LORD is our judge, the LORD is our lawgiver, the LORD is our king; he will save us.

The Lord is firstly our Judge, the judiciary to whom all men must submit. The greatest damage to our democracy is the immunity to law never intended for any mortal according to this verse that we offer their offices.

His judgement of us must be by the law he gives, so the Lord is our Lawgiver, confirming the Legislative arm of Government as a duty to God and humanity. The verse finally started; "the Lord is our King who will save us! Whao! A king without respect for the Judiciary and reference for the Legislature can't save the people.

Same Lord, our Judge, Lawgiver and King that is the extent of cooperation intended by democracy. Not the collective agreement to pad budget and individual scheming to out do each other at looting the treasury.

Next in line under them is the fourth realm, men who are neither answerable to power or the people but to God through their consciences. Unfortunately many with dead consciences are in the practice of the noble calling of the Scribes.

To understand the concept of Democracy as put forth in the scripture is to accept the fact of life that democracy is not failing us rather we are the ones whose ignorance is failing democracy.

This is not in any way to crave superiority of knowledge or any social importance for myself, but obviously, the article; Tinubu's Disappearance: Shettima stranded! Nigeria is on autopilot, has forced words out of the Presidency. This for me is a moment of national honour, undeserving of an academic literate that I am.

Though he had made a post on his social media handles on the 29th of April 2024. Temitope Adeniyi came to town with; takeaways from President Tinubu’s trip to Riyadh and Hague, he did by tweaking his earlier post into an article, posted and circulated on Whatsapp recently, but was it an article? No! That is the option left for the institution because it was belated, the need to put the Presidency on its toes is our collective duty. Note please, not just Mr President, but the institution accommodating his presidency. Soldiers come soldiers go, but barracks will remain. That Nigeria philosophy applies! His presidency will come and go, but The Presidency will remain. While pledging myself to continuing criticism of Mr President in the interest of a better and greater Nigeria. Let me assure you that a platform of media interrogation of government and its activities that will focus more on the activities of the Presidency as an institution will hit the public soon.

Ayayi reported to us in his take away, the errands of our mandate given to Mr President to run as he wrote; "Like his previous travels where he had forcefully spoken, with admiration, on behalf of Nigeria or for West Africa as Chairman of ECOWAS Authority of Heads of States and Governments and at the United Nations General Assembly and COP28 in Dubai, President Tinubu has not failed to use the available opportunity to send the right message to the world of the immense possibilities to do great things when the developed nations and global business leaders partner Africa, and Nigeria in particular; in a mutually beneficial way.

It was the same message of partnership, collaboration, investment opportunity, shared prosperity, and sustainability that he took to the Netherlands and Saudi Arabia.

Both at The Hague where he met the Prime Minister, the Royal family and business leaders and in Riyadh, where he participated actively at the Special Meeting of the World Economic Forum, President Tinubu was regal in his carriage and convincing in appeal".

Ajayi went further to list the takeaways; 

"Here are the key takeaways from the trips:

Thursday, 25th of April, President Tinubu led the Nigerian delegation to the Nigeria-Netherlands Business and Investment Forum. He used the opportunity to reinforce the more robust economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries. He used the occasion to sell his Renewed Hope Agenda, harping on the favourable investment climate now in Nigeria and the reforms he has undertaken to promote a stronger and more resilient economy where businesses can thrive. In his call to action, he invited investors from the Netherlands to come and reap bountifully from any investment they make in Nigeria. During his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Mark Rutte at his official residence, President Tinubu was at his best element as a salesman. He told the PM of the abundant human and natural resources available in Nigeria, especially the energetic, enterprising, and resourceful young people who are breaking barriers and excelling across the world in their various fields. On his part, the Prime Minister said Dutch investors were ready for a fresh $250 million investment in Nigeria and another $100 million in a waste-to-wealth industrial facility in Lagos State.

At a high-level panel discussion at the World Economic Forum Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, President Tinubu held his audience spellbound.

On the same panel, with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda, Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, and the Managing Director of International Monetary Fund, Kristalina Geogieva, President Tinubu spoke on the imperatives of building global collaboration and cooperation to deal with some of the problems confronting humanity". 

What a joy to hear that our president shared a panel with leaders of nations and organisations that are inspiring the world. I hope the President also has "take backs" from his fellow panelists, ideas, running their estates of leadership, particularly from Paul Kagame through the Rwanda's experience must come the need to tame the monster of religion and promote secularity of the Nigerian state.

The President, Ajayi reported; "called on the global community and more prosperous nations to pay more attention to Africa and the Sahel region of West Africa.

He said: “I am glad the world is recognising the need for cooperation and that with the type of population growth that Africa is experiencing, the diversity of its resources must be married with economic opportunity. We must collaborate to achieve that.

“We are encouraging the entire world to pay attention to the Sahel and the other countries around us. As the Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, I have wielded the big influence of Nigeria to discourage all unconstitutional changes of government. Equally, we have eased the sanctions. We need to trade with one another, not fight each other. It is very necessary and compulsory for us to engender growth, stability, and economic prosperity for our people in West Africa.

“The rest of the world needs to look at the fundamentals of the problem; not just geopolitically, but at the root. Has the world paid attention to the poverty level in the Sahel and the rest of ECOWAS? Have they facilitated the infusion of capital and paid adequate attention to ensuring the exploration of resources and the creation of opportunities presented by the mineral resources available?

“Are we going to play a big-brother role in a talk shop without taking necessary action? We just have to be involved in the promotion and prosperity of that region in order to see peace, stability, and economic growth.”

Engagement with Moller-Maersk Delegation: A key highlight of the President’s participation at the WEF in Riyadh was a sideline meeting with Robert Maersk Uggla, Chairman of the Danish shipping and logistics giant, and his team. The meeting focused on the company’s existing business in Nigeria and the prospect of new investment to expand port infrastructure in Nigeria to accommodate bigger ships. The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, recently announced a $ 1 billion ports expansion and modernisation programme to take care of dilapidated infrastructure at the Western and Eastern seaports. President Tinubu welcomed the genuine interest of AP Moller-Maersk in Nigeria and the company’s willingness to make new investments. He expressed his appreciation to the Chairman for his company’s contribution to Nigeria’s economy over time, assuring him that Nigeria and his government would not take the country’s partners for granted".

The footnotes to the article describes Ajayi as the Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity.

If the media had reported President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's trips adequately; would there have been any need for Ajayi's belated synopsis of an article? The media is not just failing us, they are also failing Mr President.

Let me on behalf of Nigerians thank Mr President for errands so effectively ran and to Ajayi I give the appreciation of his information. However, where is our President? 

In a statement released 9 hours ago by the Presidency through the office of the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Chief Bayo Onanuga, the impression was given that our President is back. I don't know if you have seen a video of Mr President's returning home, but I haven't. I grew up seeing Leaders waving at us when returning to the country. This tradition should be sustained for a President doing so much for our children. I would still love to see the President waving at my grand daughter's generation. May, I because of them ask, where is our President!

For those who don't know the difference between an insult and inquiring, it is insulting for me to ask Mrs Remi Tinubu, "where is your husband" and expect that she is under obligation to tell me; I congratulate the first family, Lady Remi Tinubu and the President children and grandchildren for the safe return of their husband, father and grandfather but it is within my right as a citizen to ask the Presidency, where is MY PRESIDENT?

The President's trip was scheduled for just 2 days, but he wasn't seen back ten days after, was I wrong to ask the Presidency for his whereabouts!

Now that Onanuga has informed us that our President is back ten days after the official period of the trip has elapsed? And the President is back without us sighting him, shouldn't I again, ask the Presidency on your behalf, where is our President?

For those who are quick to quote the Bible and call me to duty of prayer for our leaders. Please, primarily your duty is to pray for all men which includes me and then graduate to pray for your leaders of which President Tinubu is central in the context of our Nation Nigeria! Men not prayed for are dangerous as leaders. Hitler was first a man before he became a leader, had the world prayed for him when he was just a man, the world could not had experienced the Holocaust that is the trauma of the Jews fanning intolerance which is prevalent at Gaza and threatening Global Peace. When men without prayers become leaders the duty of everyone around is to WATCH and pray. Since all you want to do is pray. Please, leave me to the obedience to God of WATCHING and praying.

Dr. Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He’s also President Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table. BoT Chairman, Project Victory Call Initiative, AKA PVC Naija. He is a strategic Communicator and the C.E.O, Masterbuilder Communications.

Email:bolajiakinyemi66@gmail.com

Facebook: Bolaji Akinyemi.

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Tinubu's Disappearance: Shettima stranded! Nigeria is on Autopilot

By Bolaji O. Akinyemi

Tinubu

It was meant to be a brief out of the country trip for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but nine days have gone bye after the trip the President was officially scheduled for at a Forum in Saudi Arabia. Our president is missing in our national space and his whereabouts remain unknown. The question all Nigerians should be asking is where is President Tinubu?

Today 7th of May made it exactly nine days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu attended the World Economic Forum’s (WEF’s) Special Meeting on Global Collaboration, Growth and Energy for Development in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and he is yet to return to Nigeria.

The two-day forum, which aimed to help public and private sector leaders address shared global challenges, opened on Sunday, 28th and ended on Monday, 29th April, 2024.

The Presidency has not released any statement on what was holding the president from returning to Nigeria.

This has led to speculations in some quarters that the president may have proceeded to Paris, France, where he had travelled to several times for medicals. Nigerians are worried against the memory of Saudi Arabia and our once upon a time absentee President.

However, two credible sources have independently said that the president proceeded to London from the Saudi capital of Riyadh, according to news monitored on Daily Trust.

One of the two sources, a highly placed official at the Presidency, told Daily Trust reporters that the president “is at the moment in London on a private visit.”

The official, who pleaded anonymity, declined further comments on the reason for the president’s visit in London.

“I really don’t know, he (the president) has left Saudi Arabia and he should be in London now, but I don’t have details".

“I don’t have an idea about it (the purpose of the president’s trip to London) but I think it is a private visit,” the official said.

Another top official at the Presidential Villa, reported by the Daily Trust said; "there was no cause for alarm about the president’s whereabouts.

The official who refused to disclose his boss’ whereabouts assured that the president would return to the country “this weekend.” The weekend has passed and the President has not been sighted in Nigeria nor his whereabout made known by the Presidency.

The president had on April 23, left Abuja for the Kingdom of the Netherlands on an official visit.

His Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale had in a statement said the visit was on the invitation of Prime Minister Mark Rutte.

Ngelale had said that while in the Netherlands, Tinubu would engage in high-level discussions with the Prime Minister and hold separate meetings with His Royal Majesty, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Kingdom.

“While in the Netherlands, the president will participate in the Nigerian-Dutch Business and Investment Forum that will bring together heads of conglomerates and organisations in both countries to explore opportunities for collaboration and partnerships, especially in agriculture and water management towards innovative solutions for sustainable farming practices,” he had stated.

Ngelale had added that Tinubu would as part of the official visits; also proceed to attend a special WEF meeting scheduled for April 28-29 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The special meeting in Riyadh was to among other objectives, bridge the growing North-South divide, which has further widened on issues such as emerging economic policies, the energy transition and geopolitical shocks.

Events unfolding at the Presidency suggest that all may not be well as Managers of Mr President will want Nigerians to believe.

It is not known whether the President transmitted power to the Vice President before his trip abroad or not but the absence of Mr President is generating confusion over the schedules of the Vice President who may be lost to the whereabouts of his Principal like any of us.

Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima is regrettably unable to leave Nigeria to attend an earlier scheduled event. The Vice President could not attend the US-Africa Summit 2024 due to technical issues with his aircraft. Shettima was slated to depart Abuja for Dallas in the United States on Sunday night to represent President Bola Tinubu at the 2024 US-Africa Business Summit hosted by the Corporate Council on Africa, is another online news been circulated on the social media, particularly Whatsapp.

While the excuse of technical issues with his aircraft may be tenable, the question is, where is our President? If the President is not back, can the Vice President leave the country?

We are not about to see the end of the fuel scarcity and the attendant consequences of the crisis it is generating.

Scarcity of fuel is compounded by the scarcity of Mr President who seems to be on Absence from Work without Leave(AWOL); leaving our Vice President stranded and the nation on autopilot. For how long this will last, only time will tell!