FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024 - THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024 VOL 19 NO
We are in momentous mes. Two days ago, the na on with gra tude marked Democracy Day and used
the opportunity to pay tribute to those who fought for the restora on of democracy, start-
•Continued on page 3
Kazeem Badmus
AS Muslims in Nigeria are preparing for this year’s Eid-el-Kabir fes val also known as Ileya, a major challenge before them is the skyrocke ng prices of livestock, foodstuffs, pepper and other essenal commodi es.
This year’s Eid-elKabir, in which Muslim
faithful who are eligible and have the capacity will slaughter ram and other permissible livestock, will be celebrated on Sunday, June 16, 2024.
Findings by OSUN DEFENDER revealed that the economic hardship has already reduced the purchasing power of the people, while infla on has also kept the prices
of food items and commodi es far from the reach of the majority.
The combina on of the two factors, according to some Muslims who spoke with the medium at different interviews during the week, will hinder a blissful sallah celebra on.
A visit to some major markets in Osogbo, Ikirun and Iwo revealed that buying and selling which usually bubbles during the fes ve period is not the situa on this year.
While traders were decrying low patronage
•Continued on page 2
•The situation at the Ram market, Oke-Baale,
on Thursday
Osogbo,•Continued from front page
by customers, buyers were also lamen ng the hike in the prices of commodi es.
The medium also observed a decrease in the number of rams at some markets. Loca ons where rams were usually sold in Osogbo have also reduced.
OSUN DEFENDER noted that the price of ram this year is almost 200 per cent higher than the previous years.
The medium embarked on ram price survey; it was discovered that a ram of N100,000 was difficult to find in the markets, while those who were being sold at the price were very small in size.
The price of a presentable ram started from N150,000, while medium size and above went from between N200,000 and N500,000.
A ram seller at the popular Stadium market in Osogbo, Abbas Muheedeen, said most of them (ram sellers) do not travel to the northern side this year to buy rams due to the increment in transporta on.
Muheedeen noted that most of them buy from the northerners who brought livestock to the state and resell them to buyers.
He said: “Most of us did not travel to the north this year to get rams due to the hike in transporta on cost. The fallen economy affected a lot of things this year.
“Some of us waited for the northerners to bring the rams to Osogbo, we bought from them and resell to our people. With that, we won’t lose money even if we do not get any gain.”
Livestock sellers were lamen ng low patronage amid the rising prices at the Alamisi market in Ikirun, when OSUN DEFENDER visited on Thursday.
One of the ram sellers, Mr Bola Adeyemo, said he was yet to sell 15 rams as of the me of speaking with the medium, which was not the case last year.
According to him: “There are lots of livestock available for sale; but because of high cost, there is low turnout of buyers. We have been here since last week Saturday. People have not really been coming out to buy. The people who patronised us made part payment and we are s ll wai ng for them to balance up.
“Market has never
been dull like this before.”
Responding to why there is increment in the price of ram, Adeyemo said: “We bought one ram at the cost we used to buy four before. The rams are really expensive such that people who do buy to distribute before could no longer afford to buy many rams this year.
The rams we bought at N30,000 before are being sold for N100,000, and this is the reason why people are not turning up.
“You can’t even feel the celebration mood at all, people are not buying, market is not moving. We bought 80 rams; we have only sold 14 so far, even with our long me management.
“We sourced our rams from Masi village around Daura, in Katsina state, you can see the distance. We have to bribe some people to convey the rams down here. The roads are bad too. Before, the
travelling took us only two days, but because of the bad road, we spent almost three to four days. Extra day on the road means extra cost.”
The medium was also at some foodstuffs shops at Oluode market, Osogbo and the story was also the same.
Foodstuffs sellers told the medium that people have not really turned up for the Salah celebra on, while those who have come to buy bought less than what they usually get.
According to find-
ings, a bag of rice that was sold for N35,000 last year was sold at between N79,000 and N80,000 on Thursday.
A bag of beans was sold between N120,000 and N130,000, compared to N75,000 during the fas ng period.
A keg of vegetables is now N55,000, against N31,000 it was sold in 2023.
A foodstuff seller, Mrs Ran Alabi, said economic hardship has forced the market to dry up, adding that most people can’t afford to buy as
they used to before. She said: “We all know that this year’s market economy has risen more than that of last year. Everything is too costly. It was not this bad when we were fas ng because, during the fasting period, people used to inflate price of food. We sold a bag of beans during fas ng period for N75,000 but now we are selling it at N120,000 to N130,000.
A basket of Bonney peppers (atarodo) was being sold at N150,000 while a basket of toma-
toes stood at N90,000.
A grain merchant who iden fied herself as Alhaja Fasilat, said: “There is no money, people can no longer feed; yet foodstuffs prices keep increasing.
“Nigerian rice that ought to be cheap is also N75,000 per bag. We don’t know what to do. We sell a congo of garri at N1300, we can’t even feel any fes vity. This is the ever-busy Oluode market, you can see how dry the market is, no one is buying anything. People really want to buy, but they lack purchasing power.
Yusuf Oketola
THE increasing rate of traffic viola on, especially riding against the traffic by commercial motorcyclists (okada riders) in Osun State has become a serious threat to the safety of commuters and pedestrians, findings by OSUN DEFENDER has revealed.
OSUN DEFENDER noted that it has become a norm for the commercial motorcyclists to take a one-way and ride through the road median, a development that has con nued to endanger the lives of the passengers and other road users.
It was gathered that the prac ce is rampant among
commercial motorcyclists in Osogbo.
The situa on has, however, prompted residents of the state capital to call on the state government and security agencies to address the menace as a ma er of urgency.
Some of the areas where riding against the traffic is rampant, as highlighted by the residents of Osogbo, are Capital, Ring road, Ogooluwa, Halleluyah Junc on, Odiolowo, Isale-Osun, Ilesa garage to Oke Baale, among other routes.
OSUN DEFENDER gathered that several accidents have occurred due to riding against the traffic in the areas men oned.
Just last week, no few-
er than three different accidents were recorded on Ilesa-Garage to Oke Baale road as a result of riding against the traffic by the Okada riders, according to some residents of the area.
Complaining on the increasing viola on of traffic rules by the commercial motorcyclists, a resident of Osogbo, Kehinde Oseni, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said the Okada riders didn’t care about the safety of other road users, including their passengers.
Oseni urged Osun State government and relevant agencies to put an end to the menace, while tasking ci zens of the state to be law abiding.
He said: “There is an urgent need for the Osun State government to address the incessant violaon of traffic rules across the state, most especially in Osogbo. The Okada riders didn’t care about the life of other road users, and even the passengers they carried.
“Motorcyclists have normalised riding on the median at Capital Area, Ogooluwa, Ring road and others, endangering the lives of passengers and the commuters. Riding against the traffic is alarming. There is need to act fast.
“We all complained about government, but our a tude is also bad. Nigeria as a country won’t get any be er un l we all realized that government is a reflec on of Nigerians and what Nigerians stand for. If an average Nigerian can be law abiding, either someone is watching or not, we won’t be in this mess.
“Have we as individuals tried pu ng a measure in place to curb this threat to public safety? Do you tell your Bikeman to stop when he tries to pass through the median? Governance is
•Continued on page 7
“In fact, we are grateful for the previous year, at least we sold a keg of vegetable oil for N31,000, now it is N53,000. People who bought half a bag of rice from us before can no longer afford it; they now buy in Congo. Semovita is even worse; we sold 10kg at N6000 last year, now it is N13,000, we now sell 5kg for N6000.” The situaon was also the same with pepper sellers.
A pepper seller at Sasa market in Osogbo, Mrs Yemisi Oladosu, lamented that the increment in the price of Bonney peppers and tomatoes, have resulted to low patronage from the customers.
Oladosu maintained that 10 pieces of Bonney peppers was between N500 and N600, while the smallest por on of tomatoes was sold for N500.
She said: “We are not making sales; the price of pepper has not come down. In previous years, the market would have been crowded with people buying for ileya celebra on, but reverse is the case now.
“The smallest poron of tomatoes is N500; on the higher level, a small size of tomatoes is N3,500, the medium plas c is N5000, while the bigger one is N10,000 and it is the same for pepper too. The prices keep increasing.”
Speaking on the economic situa on and salah celebra on, the Chairman, Osun State Muslim Community, Alhaji Mustapha Olawuyi, enjoined Muslims to abstain from forcing what is not compulsory on themselves.
According to Olawuyi,
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“Identity matters and we cannot expect a people to subjugate their identities into a misinformed concept of a unitary state. This was the fatal, catastrophic blunder of the absurd Unification Decree number 24 of 1966. Is malignant goals must now be in slain in every way. In this difficult economy climate, we must restore a Federalist ethos which will increase regional competitiveness and productivity. Only increase production triggering off an export led economy and resolved the current economic crisis”
•Continued from front page
ing of course with Bashorun MKO Abiola, Kudirat Abiola, Pa Alfred Rewane , Anthony Enahoro and so on. Fi ngly, the current president was also in the trenches.
Our democracy even a er 25 years is s ll a work - inprogress. The na on s ll operates on a faulty founda on and the structural defects s ll have to be reengineered. Much of this comes from a misinterpreta on of the understanding of the concept of the State in a mul -ethnic setng. We have not yet exorcised the ghost of military rule and we must. Ironically preceding Democracy Day, Governors of the South-West zone met and adopted an anthem for the zone. A while ago, such a move will have attracted shrieks of “secession”, not any longer for the territory of the discussion has changed in a more posi ve direcon, in favour of the federalist project.
Kudos must go to the indomitable pioneers such as Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola who on his part carved out a dis nc ve identy for the State of
Osun during his pathbreaking tenure as governor. He revived Awolowo’s anthem for Yoruba land and crest for State Of Osun and the new flag was created. The crea on of a renewed sense of iden ty refreshed the ambiance of the state and led to greater developmental impetus and progress. Iden ty ma ers and we cannot expect a people to subjugate their iden es into a misinformed concept of a unitary state. This was the fatal, catastrophic blunder of the absurd Unificaon Decree number 24 of 1966. Is malignant goals must now be in slain in every way. In this difficult economy climate, we must restore a Federalist ethos which will increase regional compe veness and produc vity. Only increase produc on triggering off an export led economy and resolved the current economic crisis. The celebra on of Democracy and the refreshing input of the South West Governors must be a restatement of the impera ve of the reinvigora ng the federalist states. Belated Happy Democracy to us All.
has celebrated another democracy day as a monument to MKO Abiola and tribute to celebrated names men oned in the speech of President Tinubu. A large number of these great Nigerians stepped on the sacrificial blood of MKO to become Presidents, Governors, Senators, Representa ves, Assembly members. In some ways Nigeria has appreciated their sacrifices and rewarded them for their struggle for return to civil rule. I am glad that the president remembered the selfless sacrifices of the media. Some of the media people have been duly rewarded with polical posi ons. Quite a large number of them remain unknown and unsung because they were working for provincial or local newspapers.
Nobody remembers the 14million voters who gave ABIOLA victory… without which there would have been no mandate. Nobody remembers those unknown poli cal workers in the SDP of that me, without whom the landslide victory would have been impossible.
Nobody has paid tribute to restless and great Nigerian students and the unknown labour ac vists without whom the struggle of the already celebrated eminent Nigerians would just have been bubbles.
Nobody remembers the huge role played by the foreign diplomats in the various foreign embassies in Nigeria. It was their efforts that marshalled foreign countries to turn Nigeria into a pariah state.
Unfortunately, nobody remembers the many Nigerians, unknown and unrecognized who died in the streets of Lagos, Ibadan and other ci es under the bullets of the military and security forces as they made Nigeria ungovernable for the military. They fought for a cause they didn’t expect individual benefits or recogni on. They fought not because they hoped they could be president,
“Nobody remembers the many Nigerians, unknown and unrecognized who died in the streets of Lagos, Ibadan and other cities under the bullets of the military and security forces as they made Nigeria ungovernable for the military. They fought for a cause they didn’t expect individual benefits or recognition. They fought not because they hoped they could be president, governors or honourable members of the parliament”
governors or honourable members of the parliament. They fought not because they expected any reward. They some mes paid supreme sacrifices with their lives. They really are the heroes. We saw their bodies li ering the streets…felled by bullets from Nigerian military and security forces… some of whom had become beneficiaries of the selfless struggles of these unknown Nigerians.
President Tinubu rightly quoted American president F.D. Roosevelt who said democracy is the only way. But in 1941, that same president Roosevelt said that democracy must deliver FOUR FREEDOMS. First is freedom of speech and expressions. Second is freedom of worship. Third is freedom from want…. at least for the 132 mul dimensionally poor Nigerians for whom hunger and poverty have become common currency. Fourth is freedom from fear… arising from insecurity caused by bandits, terrorists, kidnappers etc.
Publisher – Moremi Publishing House Ltd.
Deputy Editor – Ismaeel Uthman
Produc on Editor – Petkola Taiwo Ibitowa
Reporter – Yusuf Oketola
Reporter – Kazeem Badmus
Photo Journalist – Olushola Aderinto
Computer Graphics – Zainab Olalere
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing
House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite
Guarantee Trust Bank (GTB), Gbogan Road Osogbo,
State of Osun
ISSN : 0794-8050
Telephone : 0809-301-9152
Website : www.osundefender.com/index.php e-mail : osundefender@yahoo.com osundefenderbank@gmail.com
All correspondence to the above
Let us make the accomplishment of these four freedoms the monument for salu ng the unknown, unsung, unrecognised Nigerians… who really are the true heroes of the struggle. Let our poli cal leaders and rulers make the gran ng of Nigerians the FREEDOM FROM WANT AND THE FREEDOM FROM FEAR…. the true monuments for these unknown selfless Nigerians.
APOPULAR Osogbo based businessman, Alh. Raufu Olaiya, has dragged the Osun State Government before a State High Court,
si ng in Iragbiji, over collec on of levies and fines by one of its consultants. Joined in the suit as the 2nd and 3rd defendants by Olaiya, are the State A orney General
and the consul ng company, MSC Maintenance Systems Consult. In an affidavit filed by the applicant, a copy obtained by OSUN DEFENDER on Tuesday, the
businessman who said agents of the 3rd defendant, on October 11 2023, on the order of the state government, besieged his office, located around Ayetoro area,
•Executives of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Osun State Chapter, with the newly appointed Director General and Permanent Secretary of the Osun State Broadcasting Corporation (OSBC), Mrs Jolaade Igbaroola during a congratulatory visit to her, yesterday
STAKEHOLDERS in Ikirun, the Headquarters of Ifelodun Local Government of Osun State, have raised the alarm over the alleged recruitment of thugs by some individuals to who were planning to claim the vacant Akinrun stool.
The stakeholders, under the aegis of Ikirun Elders Forum, called on Governor Ademola Adeleke and security agencies to forestall any a empt that would disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the town over the years.
Adeleke had on November 28, 2022, through an Execu ve Order, declared Akinrun stool vacant, just as the White Paper of the government also nullified the appointment of then Akinrun, Oba Yunusa Olalekan Akadiri, on the ground that it does not follow due process.
The Ikirun Elders, in a statement signed by its Chairman, Prof. Yakub Fabiyi and Secretary, Mr. Rasheed Omoloye, on Wednesday, alleged that some elements who felt unhappy with the decision of the state government were embarking on recrui ng thugs into their folds.
The forum, in the statement made available to OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, claimed that the
individuals were making move to force their way into the palace illegally.
The statement reads:
“We are concerned with the level at which some individuals in Ikirun, especially those who felt unhappy with the state government’s decision with regards to the Akinrun chie aincy, are now embarking on recrui ng thugs into their folds, in an a empt to force their way to the place, illegal-
ly.
“The lead figure in this dastardly move is well known, and we want Mr. Governor to charge the security agencies in the State to be on guard at all mes in order to curb the ac vi es of these miscreants and their sponsors.
“Our utmost priority as elders is the peace of our town and we call on all meaningful and genuinely concerned Ikirun indigenes and elites to join
hands with the government to ensure that the gathering of these notorious thugs and miscreants is nipped in the bud.
“We will never forget the interven on of Governor Adeleke who rescued Ikirun from imminent breakdown of peace which enveloped Ikirun, as a result of the Akinrun chie aincy stool which was almost bastardised by the immediate past administra on.
the substan ve suit.
Osogbo, with weapons and chased some of his drivers away on the claim that they parked trucks in a restricted area.
Olaiya said the trucks were towed by the 3rd defendant forcefully without any court order to that effect.
He added that a sum of N180,000 was forwarded in two different le ers by the 3rd defendant as fines for the two trucks.
The applicant’s lawyer, Adeshina Olaniyan, in his origina ng summons, asked the court to determine “Whether the provision of the Road Traffic (Amendment) Law 2008 empowers the 3rd defendant to seize and detain the vehicle of the applicant, having not been tried and found guilty by a competent court of law.
“Whether the provision of Road Traffic (Amendment) law 2008 empowers the 3rd defendant to impose fine on defaul ng person without being fined by a court of law and found guilty of the offence.
“Whether the detenon and seizure of the applicant’s vehicles by the defendants under the provision of Road Traffic (Amendment) law 2008 with reference to seventh schedule (further penales) for General Road users and other commercial ac vi es in Osun State is not in viola on of the provision of sec on 6(6)(b) and sec on 44 of the 1999 Cons tu on as amended.”
The lawyer also sought a determinaon as to “Whether the
AN Osun State High Court, sitng in Ikirun, has struck out a suit challenging the selec on of Oba Muritala Oyelakin, as the Aree of Iree, a town in the Boripe local government area of the state.
Jus ce Isiaka Adeleke struck out the case on Tuesday in his ruling on the preliminary objec on filed by Oba Oyelakin. Counsel to the monarch had brought a preliminary objec on against the suit, ci ng non-disclosure of reasonable cause of ac on in the plain ff ’s case and failure to join necessary par es. In his ruling, Jus ce
Adeleke found merit in the preliminary objecon and struck out the case.
It would be recalled that an Osun State High Court, si ng in Osogbo, had restrained Governor Ademola Adeleke from presen ng the Staff of Office to Oba Oyelakin in May this year.
The restraining order dated Friday, May 3, followed a mo on ex parte filed by the dethroned Oba Raphael Oluponle in a suit numbered HOS/20/2024.
In the suit, Oluponle sought an interlocutory order restraining Adeleke from proceeding further in installing Oyelakin as the Aree, pending the hearing and determina on of
The immediate past governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola had appointed and installed Oba Raphael Oluponle as Aree of Iree towards the twilight of his tenure in November 2022.
Adeleke had reversed the appointments of some tradi onal rulers appointed by the former governor in controver-
sial manner through an Execu ve Order.
In January 2024, the state government released a White Paper which nullified the appointment of Oba Oluponle as the Aree, and ordered a fresh selec on process. The fresh selec on processes led to the appointment and installaon of Oba Oyelakin as the new Aree.
imposi on of arbitrary fines on the applicant’s trucks without trial and convic on by a competent court of law under the provision of the Road Traffic (Amendment) law 2008, the 7th schedule is not violated and run afoul of the judicial funcon of the court as entrenched in sec on 6(6) (b) of the 1999 Cons tuon amended.
“Whether the provision of the Road Traffic (Amendment) law 2008 empowers the 1st and 2nd defendants to delegate the control of Traffic on the 3rd defendant who is not a uniform man in line with the provision of Sec on 90, subsec on 1 of the Federal Road Safety Commission Act to control Traffic.”
Olaniyan added that if the issues raised are resolved against the defendant, the claimant will seek a declara on that the deten on of his trucks with registra on numbers YA 62u CHC and XC 778 AKK without an order of a competent court of law by the defendants is unlawful and ultra vires of the law.
“A declara on that the demand for the payment of levies and fines from the applicant is ultra vires and uncons tuonal.
“An order of the court ordering the uncondional release of the applicant trucks and an order of the court prevailing and ordering that the collec on of levies/ fines or a emp ng to collect fines and/or levies from the applicant by the 3rd defendant for traffic viola on without an order of a court of law is viola on of the law.
“Declara on that the delega on of power to the 3rd defendant for controlling traffic in Osogbo and its metropolis to non-uniformed personnel in effect of the 3rd defendant is viola on of the provision of the law.
“An order of the perpetual injunc on restraining the defendant, their agents, servants and privies for collec ng levies, dues and arresting vehicles without any court order to that effect.”
The claimant finally sought “general damages of the sum of N3million jointly and severally.”
However, the Chief State Counsel, B.O Afolayan, in his counter affidavit, urged the court to dismiss the case in its en rety.
The case was adjourned to August 22 for judgment.
MEMBERS of various pressure, advocacy and human rights groups under the umbrella of Osun Civil Socie es Coali on embarked on a procession on Wednesday to celebrate the 31st anniversary of June 12 (Democracy Day).
The pro-democracy ac vists marched through Ayetoro, Igbona, Old Garage, Olaiya and Fakunle, and terminated their procession at Ayegbaju Market, Old Governor’s office, Osogbo, to a end a public lecture on June 12 at an event centre.
Speaking with journalists during the rally, the Chairman of the OCSC, Alhaji Waheed Lawal, said the annulment of the June 12 presiden al elec on is a missed opportunity to set Nigeria on the right track.
According to Lawal, the manifestoes of the winner of the elec on, Chief MKO Abiola, are s ll far from re-
ality a er 31 years, saying basic ameni es and prosperity are s ll elusive.
He said: “It is 31 years of the twist of fate. The historic June 12, 1993 president elec on annulment is s ll fresh in our
memory. The annulment has remained a murdered opportunity to set Nigeria on the right track for all encompassing development.
“Though the annulment is an albatross on the
state and nonstate actors, it denied Nigerians and Nigeria the government that would have ensured prosperity and life more abundant for all. May God rest the soul of the symbol of our democracy, Basorun
MKO Abiola.
“It is unfortunate that MKO’s manifestoes which were provision of basic ameni es and mass prosperity are s ll elusive 31 years a er.
“Besides, the lessons
THE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has challenged Governor Ademola Adeleke to come out clean with the recurring issue of the Federal Government pallia ve rice.
According to the APC, Adeleke has allegedly fraudulently converted the rice to a means of poli cal patronage for the Peoples Democra c Party.
The State Chairman of the APC, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, in a statement issued by the party’s Director of Media and Informa on, Chief Kola Olabisi, claimed that the Federal Government sent many trailerloads of rice and grains to Osun State government for distribu on to the poorest of the poor in the state, in order to reduce the bi ng effects of the removal of the fuel subsidy since last year.
Lawal noted that instead of distribu ng the rice to meet the immediate needs of the people, Adeleke decided to warehouse the trailer-loads of rice and later re-bagged and re-branded them to depict that the rice were being provided by the Adeleke government.
The party said informaon has it that the PDP has started the distribu on of the rice as Eid-eil-Kabir gi s to only members of the party, instead of making it available to all the residents of the state without religious or poli cal considera on.
Lawal queried why Adeleke was reluctant to come out clean with the is-
sue of the Federal Government rice pallia ves meant for the people of the state. He said: “What we are talking about is about the common patrimony of the state which the people of the state are en tled to know the formula for its appropria on in the interest of fairness, accountability and probity in the public office.
“It will not be out of tune for the people of the state to know how many bags of rice were distributed and who were the beneficiaries
“It will also interest the people to know if the government of Adeleke had truly bought addi onal bags of rice to supplement the Federal Government own and at what cost.
“It is only when these ques ons are answered diligently that the governed would be convinced that there have not been sharp prac ces by the government on the recurring issue of the Federal Government pallia ve rice.
“Will it be fair to distribute the Federal Government pallia ve rice to only the members of the
PDP when it wasn’t the only the party members who voted in the governor as the state Chief execuve?
“We, as a party, won’t allow Governor Adeleke to rest un l he gives proper account of the Federal Government pallia ve rice. We won’t allow him to shortchange the people of the state.”
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slaughtering ram isn’t compulsory for any Muslim who does not have capacity to buy.
Olawuyi, in an interview with OSUN DEFENDER yesterday, said: “Slaughtering ram is not compulsory; it is voluntary. You need to buy when you have the capacity, and if you don’t have, you need not to stress yourself to buy.
“Islam is so simple; it doesn’t force you to do something unnecessarily. If you are blessed, give to the people who do not have. It is not compulsory to buy ram if you don’t have the capacity.”
He urged Nigerians to be produc ve to help the country’s economy.
“We believe government can do everything, but we are deceiving ourselves. Muslims believe in hard work; then you pray a er that. You work before you pray, not pray before you work. We should try to be producers, and not consumers. As long as
we remained consumers, we are was ng our me. We are going to remain backward for several years to come, unless there is a change.
“What is most important is for us to come together and embrace produc vity; hard work. Nobody is interested in agriculture again. God has blessed us with everything we need, but we are so lazy. The government is not helping the farmers, while the people are not interested in farming as well. We need to blame ourselves, both the government and the people”, he stated.
Police Beef Up Security
The Osun State Police Command has assured residents the state of adequate security before, during and a er the eid el Kabir celebra on.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Umar Abba, has ordered ‘effec ve and extensive’ deployment of policemen as well as all necessary logis cs to strategic points along the
highway, worship centres and all nooks and crannies of the state.
According to a statement by the Police Public Rela ons Officer, Mrs Yemisi Opalola, yesterday, the Commissioner issued the direc ve to all Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers as well as Tac cal Commanders in the State Command.
The police boss charged them to ensure that no stone is le unturned in making sure that adequate security is provided in their various areas of jurisdic on.
According to the statement, “While stressing that maximum a enon should be paid to cri cal public places and other points prone to public disturbance, the CP assured members of the public that security had already been beefed up to ensure a crime-free Salah celebra on.
“CP Mohammed further charges heads of forma ons to personally supervise their personnel deployed for this special
assignment and warn them not to infringe on the rights of ci zens but to protect them towards untold incidence. They are to ensure a 24/7hourly surveillance of their respec ve area of opera ons.
“While solici ng for the coopera on of all and sundry, the State Police Command is hereby urging ci zens to be law abiding. Parents and guardians are enjoined to take good care of their wards and advise them to stay away from any act capable of causing public disorderliness.
“Members of the public are to report any suspicious movement by giving prompt and useful informa on to the Police in case of any infrac on of the law through the following numbers 08039537995 and 08067788119.
“The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command wishes all Muslim faithfuls and visitors a joyous and peaceful celebra on.”
and gains of the June 12 appeared to be missing at the corridor of power at all levels, making the government to persistently taking Nigerians for granted. Nigeria’s rulers across the divide appear to “have learned nothing and forgo en everything.
“Unfortunately, con nuous decades of bad governance by unpatrio c and self-centred elite, military and civilian leadership that cut across all tribes and religions, produced exploitaon, oppression; poverty, misery, injus ce, hopelessness, insecurity, banditry and violent death as majorly being experienced by the common masses all over the country!”
Echoing Lawal’s posion, the Secretary of the coali on, Comrade Emmanuel Olowu, said the government has con nued to impoverish Nigerians through unproduc ve economic hardship.
Olowu said: “Currently, Nigerians are going through worsening economic hardship that is crea ng more poverty and penury. The administra on of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through its World Bank and IMF teleguided economic policies have con nued to unleash hardship on Nigerians.
“The removal of subsidy, increment in electricity tariff and devalua on of Naira have cast a shadow over the economic stability of Nigeria; and this is hampering produc vity and killing Small and Medium Scale Enterprises, taking away the purchasing power of the Nigerian people, crea ng hunger, starva on and skyrocke ng foodstuffs and essen al commodi es prices, among other woes.
“The worse of the agonies is the ongoing food crisis where staple foods have been priced out of the reach of the common people.
“It is now clear that no poli cal party or polical actor or even the best substance can deliver any change, so long as the erroneous warped system remains in place. It has gone beyond the issue of personal integrity or sincerity of good inten on or Emilokan mantra. Our present system is corrupt and our ins tu ons are weak.
“We are using this June 12 occasion to called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to get down from the ladder of the World Bank, IMF and other interna onal ins tu ons influencing his government. Mr President, please save the country and Nigerians from the unleashed hunger and poverty.”
ALLpraises are due to Allah, we praise Him and ask Him for His help, we seek His guidance, we ask Him for forgiveness, and we seek refuge in Allah from the evil of ourselves and our sinful actions. Whomever Allah guides no one can lead astray and whomever He misguides will find none to guide him aright. I testify that there is no god except Allah. He is One and has no partner. He gives life and causes death and He has power over all that exists. And I testify that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the best of His creation, and His most beloved. He delivered the message, fulfilled the trust, advised the nation, removed the darkness from it, and strove in the path of the religion until his death. May Allah’s blessings and peace be upon him, his family, his Companions, and those who have trodden his path of excellence and followed his guidance until the Day of Judgment.
wants us to be — a united Ummah.
Dear Muslims, Allah the Almighty said to the believers: “This day I have perfected your deen for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your deen”. Quran 5:3. Yes, the favours of Allah upon us are many and cannot be counted. The greatest among them is that He has guided us to Islam. If He had not guided us to Islam, we would not have been guided.
When some of the Jews heard this verse, they commented that if such a verse had been revealed to them, they would have made this day an Eid because of the greatness of its meaning. When Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) heard their comment, he said, “I know the day and the place that this verse was revealed. It was revealed on the day of Arafah, on a Friday. Friday is already our weekly Eid and Arafah is our annual Eid.”
Allah the Almighty has completed and perfected this deen with a complete and comprehensive law. This law covers all aspects of human life. For this reason, in Islam, we can find law that covers our beliefs, acts of worship, behaviours, and all interactions, including social, political, and economical ones. It is not a surprise, because the lawmaker is our Creator, the One Who knows what is best for His creation. Allah says: “Should not He Who has created know? And He is the Most Kind and Courteous (to His slaves) All-Aware (of everything)” Quran 67:14.
Out of his mercy, Allah set aside two `Eids for Muslims to be holidays of happiness. They are also times when
Al Adha SERMON By Sheik Ashraf Salah By Sheik Salah
“Allah made us to worship Him throughout the year and on special days and holidays. He multiplied the rewards of good deeds. Therefore, Eid Al-Fitr comes after the month of fasting (Ramadan), and Eid Al-Adha comes after Hajj and the day of `Arafah. This is the day when Allah forgives many sins of His servants”
Muslims thank Allah for His blessings and bounties that He bestowed upon them. Allah says: “And if you count the Bounties of Allah, never will you be able to count them.” Quran 14:34.
Allah made us to worship Him throughout the year and on special days and holidays. He multiplied the rewards of good deeds. Therefore, Eid Al-Fitr comes after the month of fasting (Ramadan), and Eid Al-Adha comes after Hajj and the day of `Arafah. This is the day when Allah forgives many sins of His servants.
Eids in Islam are not man-made; Allah is the One Who created them. He also laid down special rules and etiquette to be followed during these two Eids. Muslims should not transgress Allah’s laws.
Dear Muslims, we meet here this morning to pray and to listen to this sermon. We have gathered together in one place to worship Allah the Almighty — even though we have different traditions, speak different languages, and are of different colors.
This blessed meeting is practical proof that all Muslims form one body and one Ummah, as Allah says: “Truly! This, your Ummah is one Ummah, and I am your Lord, therefore Submit to Me (Alone)” Quran 21:92. This is how Allah
Omoluabi crest: old wine, new skin
THE only difference between the Osun new crest and the old Western Region Coat of Arms was the African lion that replaced Angus, the Bri sh burping cow. In Osun Government Unusual: A Documenta on of Programmes, Projects and Impacts under Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, 2010 - 2018, the Aregbesola government further shed light on the philosophy behind the Osun rebranding.
“The state adopted the almost forgo en emblem of Western Region as its own crest. It equally developed an iden ty; a flag for the state. The crest, the flag and the anthem,” it further explained, “are an indica on of a commitment to mobilize and mo vate the people towards playing their role in society and improving their percep on of themselves.”
The publica on also gave a detailed breakdown of what it called the “Elements of re-branding, the State of Osun”:
• Adop on of “Omoluabi” ethos
• Changing the tle “Osun State” to “State of Osun”
• Adop ng “Land of Virtue” as against “State of the Living Spring”
• Design and introduc on of unique emblem for the State. These include the state Logo/Osun Coat of Arms, which represent the iden ty of the State and is symbolic of everything it stands for:
• The two elephants symbolize strength, service and prosperity.
• The Cocoa Tree and the two crossed logs of wood where the elephants stand signify our dependence and respect for agriculture and the natural land resources.
• The Ori Olokun represents the common origin of Yoruba and our dexterity in technology. The garland surrounding the Ori Olokun symbolizes victory and triumph.
• The Earth Colour represents the fer lity of our land and the shade of our skin.
• The INDIGO colour in the upper part of the shield symbolizes the common Adire fabric of Yorubaland.
• The RUBY RED colour of the lower part of the shield signifies nobility.
• The Lion symbolizes Yoruba nobility, dignity and royalty; while the CUSHION of FERNS represents the tradi onal liar of an African lion.
This is why He ordained in this religion everything that strengthens the bonds of love and harmony. He even warned us against anything that could separate believers’ hearts. He says: “The Believers are nothing else than brothers” Quran 49:10. He also says, addressing the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him): “If you had spent all that is in the earth, you could not have united their hearts, but Allah has united them.” Quran Al-Anfal 8:63. Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, on `Eid, let us remember the saying of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) in which he described the believers: “The believers having love among themselves, being merciful among themselves, and being kind to each other are like one single body; If any part of the body is not well, the whole body shares the sleeplessness and the high fever with it” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
To further deepen this brotherhood among us, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered us to greet each other with peace upon meeting each other by shaking hands, smiling, and saying, “As-salamu `alaykum.” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) once said, “I swear by Him in Whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise until you believe, and you will not believe until you love each other. Do you want me to guide you to something which if you practice, you will love each other? Spread greetings of peace among you” (Muslim).
To deepen this brotherhood among us, the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) ordered us to be merciful, to help people in overcoming their hardships, and to help people in satisfying their needs. He (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “He who is not being merciful with the people, Allah will not be merciful with him.” And he also said, “A Muslim is a brother to another Muslim. He does not oppress him, He does not abandon him when he needs help; Whoever helps his brother when he is needed, and Allah will help him at the time of his need. And whoever clears a distress for a Muslim, Allah will clear for him one of the distresses of the Day of Judgment” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim).
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) commanded us to be merciful with those who are younger than us and to respect those who are older than us: “He is not from us (Muslims) who is not merciful with the young and does not know the right of our elders” (Abu-Dawud).
Below is an excerpt from Chapter 7 of a book titled “Ogbeni: The Osun Renaissance Years”, written by a prominent Nigerian columnist, Olakunle Abimbola. The book details the administration of former Governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the ideological leanings that shaped his approach to governance.
• The rivers Niger and Benue symbolize the connec on between Osun and the rest of Nigeria.
• We are a rain forest people: mber represents the vegeta on of our region.
• The two symbols of CHIEF’S SWORD and the MACE are embodiments of our spirit and our commitment to the ideals of Democra c Governance.
• The seven cowries are representa ve of our success in commerce and the number seven is symbolic of the seven sons of Olofin Oduduwa. Their military valour, diplomacy; dexterity and trade mastery created wealth and resulted in an expansive kingdom.
• State Flag: The Pan-African flag consists of the official colours of the African race. The colour red represents the blood bond among Africans. The colour black depicts the existence of the black race. The colour green denotes the abundance of wealth in the con nent of Africa. The gold depicts the abundance of minerals in Africa. The earth colour represents the fer lity and tone of our land.
The document also published the Osun Anthem, in Yoruba:
Ise wa fun ‘le wa
Fun ile ibi wa
Ka gbe e ga (x3)
F’ aye ri
Igbabo wa nipe
Ba b’ eru lab’ omo
Ka sise (x3)
Ka jo la
Isokan at’ ominira
Ni e je ka ma lepa Tesiwaju f’ opo ire
At’ ohun to dara Omo Odua dide
Bo sipo eto re Iwo ni Imole gbogbo adulawo
Equal religious access
Equal access to all faiths, in the eye of the state, was an integral part of the Osun re-branding project. Faith may be strictly personal. But giving equal official access to major religious prac ces was a re-jig of the Osun infrastructure of the mind. That policy linked what Prof. Ropo Sekoni called “ci zens’ welfare polics” to poli cs of managing religious diversity, mutual respect among the varied adherents and general tolerance. Though Prof. Sekoni traced ci zens’ welfare poli cs to 1952, when Chief Awolowo assumed duty as Leader of Government Business in the Western Region, applying that principle to faith ma ers was nearnovel. It was one of those innova ons that made the new Aregbesola government a “government unusual”, as the Governor had dubbed it. Nevertheless, that latent grain, of religious tolerance, had always been there, if dormant, among the Yoruba. Even in pris ne Yoruba communi es, a liberal a tude to the worship of different local gods, under the guidance of the Almighty Olodumare, was a proud and enduring credo.
www.osundefender.com
OSUN State Football Associa on (FA) has hailed the progress of Igbajo Utd, a Community-Owned Football Club, following their superla ve performance in the course of the league and the subsequent playoffs.
Osun FA, in a congratulatory message signed by the Chairman, Sola Fanawopo, rejoiced with the management of Igbajo Utd, the state government and Igbajo Community, describing the feat as excep onal and novel.
Igbajo United emerged the winner of Osogbo Centre of the Na onwide League One Division One, before moving to Ado Eki where Abray Sports was put to sword in the first promo on playoff before capping it up with Nigeria Na onal League status in Benin, Edo State on Sunday, following another
tricky victory over fellow NLO campaigners FC Ebedei.
The statement reads:
“We are thrilled for the promo on cket picked by Igbajo Utd, we appreciate the foresight of the founding community and their doggedness in bringing grassroots players to limelight under two years of its existence.
“Classically, Osun Football has been on a trajectory of huge developments, following series of innovaons experienced by the ecosystem in the state, all
thanks to the board for rejigging grassroots football ac vi es.
“We want to congratulate the victorious United, Osun State Government and Igbajo Community. These young guns deserve accolades from all and sundry, as the state will parade two clubs in the forthcoming Nigeria Naonal League 2024/2025 Season.
“We therefore call on state government to extend the hand of fellowship to the club by rewarding the lads.”
Kazeem Badmus
THE Osun State Police Command has apprehended two suspects who allegedly specialise in robbing and extor ng residents of the state.
The suspects, Adesina Hammed (29) and Oyeladun Iyanu (28), according to a statement by the state Police Spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, were arrested a er robbing two men around Olaiya area, Osogbo.
OSUN DEFENDER had in its May 31st, 2024 edion reported the ac vi es of some hoodlums with a banner headline “Concern Over Growing Security Threats In Osogbo”.
The story explained how the hoodlums abducted, robbed and extorted residents freely.
Ac ng on the report, Opalola said the police swung into ac on to restore sanity in the state capital.
She said the suspects, alongside two others, on the 5th of June, 2024 at about 7:30 pm stopped their vic ms and forcefully robbed them of their iPhone 13 with a cutlass.
Opalola added that the suspects later took their vic ms to a Point Of Sales operator where they withdrew N400,000 from the vic ms’ accounts.
The statement reads partly, “Upon reports and
complaints from the general public through various media such as pe on, social media pla orms; X(twi er), Instagram, etc of a brewing crime of kidnapping and forceful extor on of individuals by hoodlums who are now referred to as
TWO Osun baseballers, Abdulrahmon Faruq and Obidare Precious, were among the select-ed players that will represent Southwest Zone at the forthcoming Naonal Baseball Championship, coming up on July 26 - 29, 2024. This was contained in a release issued by the Public Rela ons Officer of the Osun State Sports Council, Mrs Funmilayo Moradeyo, on Wednesday.
OSUN DEFENDER learnt that the baseballers have moved to the camp in Lagos to join other six selected players from Ondo and Lagos state, respec vely.
Speaking on the selec on made in the Maiden Edi on of SouthWest Baseball Tournament held in Osogbo Township Stadium, the baseball coordinator, Mr Kunle Ajayi, stated that all the players did their best, but those selected performed excellently to make the list.
In their separate re-
marks, the host General Manager, Mr Ro mi Dunmoye and the Director Coaching and Training, Mr Demola Daini, commended the organis-
ers for gran ng the hosting right to Osun; and the efforts put in place to expose Osun athletes to higher training level within the shortest me.
That I was formerly known and addressed as OYEKANMI FELIX DOKUN, now wish to be known and addressed as OYEKANMI FELIX OYEDOKUN
All former documents remain valid General public should take note. That I was formerly known and addressed as ATOYEBI KEHINDE, with former Date of Birth 25/12/1970, but now wish to be known and addressed as ATOYEBI JACOB KEHINDE, with New Date of Birth 25/12/1971. All former documents remain valid. General public should take note.
“mini kidnappers.
“The Osun State Police Command has been able to effect the arrest of two suspects named; Adesina Hammed ‘M’ 29yrs and Oyeladun Iyanu ‘M’ 28yrs who have been terrorising the city of Osogbo.
“The incident happened at about 7:30pm 5th of June 2024, when two young men were stopped along Olaiya towards Osun mall area by a group of four individuals on bikes and were forcefully robbed of their iPhone 13 with a cut-
lass, a er which they took them to a POS operator to s ll rob them of the sum of N400,000.
“Upon p-off, a team of An -cul sm squad swung into ac on and was able to apprehend these two suspects with the remaining two gang members at large.
“Inves ga on is ongoing, while efforts are on the top gear to arrest the fleeing suspects. Meanwhile, the case will be charged to court upon conclusion of the inves ga on.
Kazeem Badmus
ANon-Governmental
Organisa on, Acon Health Incorporated, has harped on the need to eradicate Female Genital Mu la on in Osun State.
The Organisa on, in support of the United Na ons Popula on Fund (UNFPA) and collaboraon with the state government, on Thursday, organised a community dialogue with leaders and stakeholders in Egbedore Local Government Area of the state on the need
to eradicate FGM.
Speaking at the program, a representa ve of
Ac on Health Incorporated, Fa mah Idris, noted that the dialogue was to
enlighten the community about the danger of mula ng their girl child.
•Continued from Page 5
all of us, let’s not wait too long!”
Another resident of the state capital, Fatai Oluran , said an accident occurred last week at the front of Dele Yessir, due to viola on of traffic rule by a commercial motorcyclist.
According to Oluran , “Something really needs to be done along that axis
(Dele Yes Sir, at mes these motorcyclists pass through the media with passengers, even school children. Some of them even face one way. May God con nue to protect us all ooo.
“Hallelujah junc on is even worst and more dangerous. Riding against the traffic has become a normal thing for the motorcyclists in Osogbo.
Meanwhile, a source within the Traffic Warden department of Osun Police Command who spoke with OSUN DEFENDER under the condi on of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, said they do not have power to arrest anyone viola ng traffic rules unless an accident occurred. The source maintained
that they can only charge or prosecute anyone viola ng traffic rules if he or she is involved in an accident.
However, the Public Rela ons Officer of the Osun Police Command, Mrs Yemisi Opalola told OSUN DEFENDER that she would inform the head of the traffic sec on to look into the ma er.
Idris disclosed that four towns were selected in Osun for the program which started on Wednesday.
According to her, “The program is on community dialogue on female genital mu la on in four towns in Osun State. It is a gathering among community leaders and stakeholders.
“What we do is to enlighten the community on the danger of female genital mu la on and the need for them to eradicate the prac ce. They also bring their contribuons on the issue.”
“Our campaigns have been yielding posi ve results. We have been receiving success stories of people who wanted to mu late their girl child but changed their opinion a er our campaign.
“Also, record have shown that issue of female genital mu la on has decreased in Osun State. So, there has been a great impact.”
FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 2024 - THURSDAY, JUNE 20, 2024 VOL. 19 NO 22 www.osundefender.com, email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com
“ ON the March Again (2ice); Looking for Mr. President; On the March Again; MKO is Our Man o.” That was the popular jingle of late Chief Moshood Kasimawo Olawale Abiola for June 12, 1993 presiden al elec on campaign under the pla orm of Social Democra c Party (SDP), organised by Nigeria military junta headed by General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB), as a transi on programme from military dictatorship to civilian rule. IBB and his gang had prosecuted a military coup in 1995 to dislodge General Muhammadu Buhari/Tunde Idiagbon military regime that truncated Second Republic Civilian Rule in December, 1984. IBB was nicknamed “Maradona” and “Evil Genius” for his numerous tricks and pranks on the intelligence of Nigerians, unleashing IMF and World Bank Structural Adjusted Programmes and other neo-liberal policies, ini a ng an elongated piecemeal transi on programme, and perpetra ng various unprintable acts while pu ng on radiant smiling face.
A er eight years of holding Nigeria by the jugular, the final stage of his long transi on programme in 1993 came as a great relief. The June 12, 1993 presidenal elec on between the two registered poli cal par es – Social Democra c Party (SDP) and Na onal Republican Convenon (NRC), was based on only voters’ register with Op on A4, an innova ve vo ng system aimed at increasing transparency and reducing fraud – you simply get accredited then queue behind the poster of your preferred candidate, and the coun ng is done, announced and recorded. At that me, there were no technological innova ons like Temporary or Permanent Voters’ Cards, BVAS, etc to aid electoral processes and guide elecons. Nigerians were red of con nued military rule and desperately yearning for civilian government with the hope of be ering their living condi ons. Hence, they comported themselves from East to West, North to South, and everywhere, making the elec on peaceful, free, fair and credible a ested by Local and Interna onal Observers.
In that presiden al elec on, Chief MKO Abiola of the SDP defeated Bashir Othman Tofa of NRC. MKO campaign slogan was “Hope 93.” Because of his humble background and transforma on to becoming a very wealthy man with his philanthropist tendency across the country, people had illusion that MKO would transform Nigeria to a be er country which would posi vely impact their lives.
“Nigerians were tired of continued military rule and desperately yearning for civilian government with the hope of bettering their living conditions. Hence, they comported themselves from East to West, North to South, and everywhere, making the election peaceful, free, fair and credible attested by Local and International Observers”
“The military rolled out tanks, army were stationed in strategic places to violently halt any protest or gathering, blaring siren up and down. But people were not scared; protests continued with various Aluta songs, “How many people soja go kill o (2ice)?; eh, them go kill us tire (2ice); how many people soja go kill?”. These protests shook the military to its foundation and at a stage, General Babangida had to ‘step aside.’ But before he exited power, he hurriedly instituted an Interim National Government headed by Chief Earnest Shonekan in August 26, 1993. Shonekan was later overthrown in a palace coup by General Sani Abacha in November 17, 1993”
They, therefore, thronged out in their millions to vote him. Despite the fact that Gen. Babangida annulled the elec on, the Chairman of the Na onal Electoral Commission of Nigeria, Professor Humphrey Nwosu, had released the elec on results which showed Chief MKO as the clear winner, even defea ng Tofa in his polling unit in Kano State.
There was poli cal turmoil. Nigerians responded with massive protests everywhere, calling for de-annulment of the elec on. The military rolled out tanks, army were sta oned in strategic places to violently halt any protest or gathering, blaring siren up and down. But people were not scared; protests con nued with various Aluta songs, “How many people soja go kill o (2ice)?; eh, them go kill us re (2ice); how many people soja go kill?”. These protests shook the military to its founda on and at a stage, General Babangida had to ‘step aside.’ But before he exited power, he hurriedly ins tuted an Interim Na onal Government headed by Chief Earnest Shonekan in August 26, 1993. Shonekan was later overthrown in a palace coup by General Sani Abacha in November 17, 1993.
Between 1993 and 1998 that General Abacha ruled, there were killings, like the execu on of Ken Saro-Wiwa and other Ogoni ac vists, human rights abuses and suppression of poli cal opposi on, looting of public funds and mismanagement of economy and numerous a empts to perpetuate himself in power. At the end, anyway, Abacha mysteriously and suddenly died on power on June 8, 1998 at the age of 54 with some sources tracing it to a heart a ack and others claiming he was poisoned. It is not important to report wild jubila ons that greeted his death by Nigerians across the land; what is important was that the military dicta-
tor was succeeded by General Abdulsami Abubakar who eventually genuinely iniated and supervised transi on to civilian rule in 1999. It is instruc ve to state that Chief MKO Abiola who had been arrested and incarcerated by the military also mysteriously died on July 7, 1998, exactly a month of Gen. Abacha death. It all looked like conspiracy to clear the road for a new poli cal chapter for Nigerian civil rule.
As compensa on to South-West where MKO hailed, the region was allowed, by the ruling elites, to produce the next President but General Olusegun Obasanjo government sha ered the dream and hope of a be er life for the people. His successor, President Shehu Musa Yar’Adua who was poised to deliver be er living condi on based on his background and disposi on was shortlived; his successor, President Goodluck Jonathan, was a disaster, proclaiming, “stealing is not corrup on!” And General Buhari was brought and packaged to Nigerians as the needed messiah that would lead us out of the “wilderness” by former Governor of Lagos, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu with his followers, who was the Leader of All Progressive Congress (APC), an amalgama on of policians of different shades and characters, in 2014. Poor Nigerians voted Buhari as a be er alterna ve to the supposed 16 terrible years of the PDP. By the end of his tenure, the rejected PDP and its agonising era seemed to be be er comparavely and Nigerians were in a dilemma of choice in 2023 general elec ons between Satan and Lucifer – APC and PDP.
But the PDP split its forces as one of its bigwigs contested on the pla orm of another party – Labour Party. This made the elec on to be very keen but with a low turnout despite huge resources
“President Tinubu genuinely renews the hope he promised the people by reverting to old fuel price, tackle insecurity by arresting and prosecuting their sponsors, which his government knows, and then reset the system of governance for optimal delivery of the greatest good to the greatest majority among others, democracy is clearly and presently endangered”
expended to mo vate voters. But one thing was very clear, APC Presiden al candidate, Bola Tinubu, was a Senator in 1992 during IBB transi on programme that was to concludse by June 12 Presiden al elec on which was annulled and truncated transi on. Despite overtures to him by the military, he stood firmly for de-annulment of June 12 and partook first locally but eventually interna onally, funding and suppor ng every effort to restore democracy. In addi on, he had ruled Lagos State as a Governor between 1999 and 2007, which was adjudged as remarkable viz-a-viz democra c dividends and the quality of managers he surrounded himself with. And coming with a slogan, “Renewed Hope Agenda”, there was a huge expecta on that he would make up for what MKO could not live to do – be a good President by turning things around for be er as he had a record of choosing right people for right posi ons. Indeed, he eventually emerged winner of the 2023 presiden al elec on. Unfortunately, from his inaugura on day, he had begun unleashing IMF/World Bank neo-liberal policies of oil subsidy removal, floa ng/devalua on of Naira, increase of electricity tariffs, commercializa on of educa on, among others which have led to prohibi ve cost of transport, living; making the prices of goods, especially, foods and other consumables skyrocke ng. Insecurity has con nued, which has prevented farmers from working on their farmland and those who surmounted courage to do, herdsman with their cows ravaged their produce and killed those unlucky to escape. This has led to unprecedented food infla on. There is hunger and starva on across the land and people have been stretched to the limit of their elas city. A mass anger and protest are looming as people have seen le and right of successive policians and regimes who have failed them and there is no policy in the pipeline that suggests that things will improve a er one year of poverty and misery. It is in the best interest of the Nigerian ruling elite to quickly reverse their an -poor policies and inject the ones that will guarantee security and make people producve. Unless President Tinubu genuinely renews the hope he promised the people by rever ng to old fuel price, tackle insecurity by arres ng and prosecu ng their sponsors, which his government knows, and then reset the system of governance for op mal delivery of the greatest good to the greatest majority among others, democracy is clearly and presently endangered.
OSUN DEFENDER is published by Moremi Publishing House Limited, Promise Point Building, Opposite Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB), Gbongan Road, Osogbo, Osun State. All correspondence to the Deputy Editor, ISMAEEL UTHMAN, Telephone: 0809-301-9152. ISSN: 0794-8050. Website: www.osundefender.com Email: osundefenderbank@gmail.com, osundefenderhq@gmail.com