Headlines
And Sanwo-Olu Makes His first Mistake?
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By Eric Elezuo
The best footballers are always those watching from the stands or from their living rooms via cable transmission. These set of people know exactly what a particular player should do or should have done with the ball at any point in time. They know the moves that should result to goals and are quick to heap abuses and insults on the footballers for any slip, no matter how inconsequential. But give this group an opportunity to play the actual game, you will be amazed at the height of their folly. This describes the fact that there is a difference between the game outside and the actual game.
Having said that, it is imperative to recall that not long ago, the governor-elect of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, supposedly played to the gallery, as believed in some quarters, when he informed a set of audience that he would fix permanently the dreaded Apapa gridlock within the first two months of his administration – 60 days in his exact words. Yes, there is nothing wrong with making promises or setting targets for yourself as regards a particular assignment, but the seasoned technocrat should have been guided by precedence as well as the situational variables at work before making such a lofty promise.
Every Lagosian understands how hungry Sanwo-Olu is to make a difference considering the great standard his predecessors vis a vis Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Mr. Babatunde Fashola and Mr. Akinwumi Ambode, who is billed to leave office in a couple of days, have set. This is even considering the circumstance surrounding his emergence as his party’s flag bearer in spite of Ambode. The party leadership roundly rejected Ambode, paving the way for Sanwo-olu. At this point, Sanwo-Olu feels he needs to prove a point, but has he done it the right way with the 60 days target of revamping the Apapa gridlock, which has defiled all known solutions so far.
Has Sanwo-Olu consulted the likes of Fashola and his would-be immediate predecessor, Ambode, to find out the situation that assaulted their breakthrough in that regard? Has he done a thorough preliminary or feasibility study of the situation to decide the timing of action and completion?
He would not have made a mistake if by a dint of hard work or stroke of luck he succeeds – the applaud will be loud and sharp. But should he fail; the jeers will last him a lifetime and make a mess of his four years administration. He would spent the rest of his days explaining the whys and hows of the failure. Ask Fashola how he is fairing with the unguarded statement of 2014 that “any serious government will fix the power situation within six months”. No matter how hard he tries to keep a straight face or defend his statement and actions, deep down in his heart, he knows he shouldn’t have said that, and of course he has learnt his nations.
Sanwo-Olu’s zeal to serve the people Lagos State is very obvious and commendable, but common sense demands that he should have kept the timing close to his chest, face the challenge headlong and surmount it without pressure from any quarters. Of course, he is going to be under serious pressure now.
He is already the governor-in-waiting, and has no reason to play to the gallery for anyone to dance or make any political statement – the campaign seasons are over.
Now you have said it sir, it imperative you prove as many that thinks you have made a mistake wrong. Let the Apapa gridlock be the first in your priority list. In fact, whatever plans you have should hit the ground running very early on Thursday, May 30, 2019.
May this utterance not be counted as a mistake against you by July 30, 2019 when 60 days would have elapsed. Nigerians don’t forget!
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
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By Eric Elezuo
One of the prime actors of the June 12, 1993 incidents, General Ishola Williams, has said that much as Chief MKO Abiola wrong was created having won the election, and denied victory, he cannot be recognized as a former President of Nigeria.
Gen Williams made his revelation while speaking as a guest on Channels television socio-political programme, Inside Source.
He maintained that only those who were sworn in that recognised as former presidents, and Abiola was never sworn in.
“Abiola cannot be recognised as former president because he was never sworn in.
The General, who said that he resigned from the army as a result of the wholesome reception given to General Sani Abacha, when he overthrew Chief Ernest Shonekan-led Interim National Government, contrary to expectation, also picked flaws in the narratives given by former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, in his recently launched book, A Journey In Service.
Williams rose in the army to become the Commandant of Army Signals, Commander of Training and Doctrine (TRADOC) and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, from where he resigned.
Headlines
Breaking: Supreme Court Recognises Martin Amaewhule As Rivers Assembly Speaker, Orders CBN to Stop Releasing Funds to State
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By Eric Elezuo
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has in its ruling on Friday recognised Hon Martins Amaewhule as the authentic speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, mandating him to urgently resume sitting with elected members of the assembly.
The apex court also ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to stop releasing to the Rivers State government until a proper assembly is constituted.
Details soon…
Headlines
Obasa Storms Lagos Assembly with Armed Men, Claims He’s Still Speaker
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Tension escalated at the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday as impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa made a dramatic return to reclaim his position.
Accompanied by heavily armed men, Obasa stormed the Assembly complex in a bold move that has thrown the State’s legislature into turmoil.
In a stunning turn of events, security details assigned to the substantive Speaker, Rt. Hon. Mojisola Meranda, were abruptly withdrawn on Thursday morning, clearing the path for Obasa’s controversial comeback.
Sources revealed that the Inspector General of Police (IGP) ordered the withdrawal of all security operatives attached to Meranda, leaving her exposed in the midst of an intensifying power struggle.
The Speaker’s Special Adviser on Information, Mr. Victor Ganzallo, expressed concern over the security vacuum created by the withdrawal of personnel.
“In the early hours of Thursday, we woke up to the startling news that all security details assigned to Madam Speaker, Mojisola Meranda, had been withdrawn.
This includes the police and DSS officers, leaving her exposed to threats amid the ongoing speakership crisis,” Ganzallo stated.
He further called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, as the State’s Chief Security Officer, to intervene urgently to prevent a complete breakdown of law and order within the Assembly.
“The withdrawal of security personnel has left the Assembly naked and vulnerable at a critical time. Urgent action is needed to restore order,” he pleaded.
With the speakership battle taking a dramatic new turn, political watchers are keenly observing how the crisis will unfold in the coming days.