Headlines
Ibadan Monarchs Vow Not to Relinquish Crowns
Four days after a truce was brokered between the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Saliu Adetunji, and his estranged chiefs to return to the palace as high chiefs, two of them on Thursday said they would only return once recognised as kings.
The Osi Olubadan and a former governor of the state, Chief Rashidi Ladoja, had in company with Otun Olubadan, High Chief Lekan Balogun, and High Chief Amidu Ajibade parleyed Olubadan on Monday to settle their differences.
Balogun had again on Wednesday insisted there was no precondition for the truce when The Punch sought his view on the truce.
He said, “Some of the high chiefs could not attend Monday’s meeting because they had other engagements for the day.
“As I am talking to you, one of them is here right now with me. Everybody will be in attendance at the next meeting. We did what we did for peace and tranquility of our land,” Balogun said.
But on Thursday, two of them after a meeting held at the Alalubosa residence of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin in Ibadan said their new status as kings had already been gazetted which meant they were legally recognised as kings and not high chiefs.
They said unless the Olubadan and his aides recognised and addressed them as kings, they vowed never to return to the palace.
Both high chiefs; Owolabi Olakulehin and Tajudeen Ajibola who spoke on behalf of others said, those saying that they could no longer wear their crowns, were living in fool’s paradise and were being mischievous.
Olakulehin wondered why mischief-makers were making a mountain out of a molehill, saying as kings, it is not mandatory for them to wear crowns all the time they go out adding that those peddling the rumour should observe other popular kings in Yorubaland including Olubadan if it is every time they wear their crowns.
They noted that it is a fact that their status as kings has come to stay and nothing on earth could undo that. According to them, after the former governor Ajimobi who meant well for Ibadan and its people approved them as kings, the court attested to it in March 2018 when, in addition to the earlier promoted 21 kings, another 27 kings were elevated and empowered by the Chieftaincy Laws of Oyo State Cap 28, section 28(i) vol. 1.
They said, those casting aspersions on their crowns are either ignorant of what the law says or they are being mischievous.
The Punch
Headlines
Abiola Cannot Be Recognised As Former President; He Was Never Sworn-in – Gen Ishola Williams
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
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…
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.
