The payment of access fees, otherwise known as tolls, by road users, is a global practice that also has a long history in Nigeria. Before former President Olusegun Obasanjo stopped the tolling of federal highways and demolished the toll gates in 2003, motorists paid a token for using some of the federal roads. Even after the Federal Government stopped tolling 22 years ago, some states and federal agencies still collect tolls for road usage. For example, there was the collection of tolls at the Lekki area of Lagos (where the controversial #EndSARS protest took place in Lagos in October 2020). Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria better known as FAAN also collect tolls from motorists using the airport road.

This newspaper in its February 4, 2025, online edition reported that the Federal Government had officially launched toll operations on the Abuja–Akwanga–Lafia–Makurdi Road corridor to repay the $460.8m loan obtained from the China Exim Bank for the road’s rehabilitation and upgrade. It also announced that motorists using the highway would begin paying tolls ranging from N500 for saloon cars to N1,600 for multi-axle vehicles. However, police and military vehicles are exempt from toll fees to facilitate their operations.

The toll gates on the route are divided into four sections: Keffi, Akwanga, Lafia, and Makurdi. The 227.2km road was rehabilitated and upgraded through a preferential credit loan from the China Exim Bank. The last administration secured a $460.8m loan from the bank, covering 85 per cent of the project’s $542m total cost. As part of the loan agreement, the Federal Government committed to tolling the road upon completion, with revenue collected from toll operations prioritised for loan repayment.

Speaking at the inauguration of toll operations at the Garaku Toll Station in Nasarawa State, the Minister of Works, David Umahi, reiterated the government’s commitment to ensuring the proper maintenance of Nigeria’s federal roads through sustainable funding mechanisms. Represented by the Minister of State for Works, Bello Goronyo, Umahi stated that the road was rehabilitated and upgraded through a preferential credit loan from the China Exim Bank. According to him, funds generated from tolls would also be used for the maintenance of federal roads nationwide, adding that toll operations would help sustain road networks across the country. He explained that in 2023, the previous administration executed a 25-year “Operate and Maintain” concession agreement with Messrs China Harbour Operations and Maintenance Company Limited in partnership with Messrs Catamaran Nigeria Limited.

The minister stated that the project aligned with the priorities of President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which aimed to build a robust and interconnected infrastructure network. He was quoted as saying, “It is important to state that the toll order/fee schedule has been gazetted as follows: saloon cars will be tolled at N500, SUVs/jeeps at N800, minibuses at N1,000, and multi-axle vehicles at N1,600. However, frequent road users, such as commercial light vehicles defined under the Federal Highway Act, will enjoy a 50 per cent discount.  Additionally, tricycles, pedal vehicles, motorcycles, and other two- or three-wheeled transport modes primarily used by disadvantaged populations will be exempt from toll charges.” Other roads listed for tolling include the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge, Abuja-Kano Road and Makurdi-9th Mile Road. The nine roads listed for concessions are under Phase I of the Highways Development and Management Initiative.

I have granted several media interviews since the reintroduction of the tolls on our highway and I have offered my support with a caveat. I agree to the reintroduction provided the mistakes of the past will not be repeated. Recall that Nigeria previously had tolls on her highways, mostly those owned by the Federal Government until 2003 when former President Olusegun Obasanjo shut them down. Obasanjo, in his justification of the decision to abolish the tolls, said the roads should be maintained through revenue from the increase in fuel pump price, which meant petrol tax. He also said the tolls generated only N63m daily and claimed the revenue was insignificant in terms of the opportunity cost of operating them. Additionally, the then-president noted they were a cesspool of corruption because the government found it difficult to track their earnings.

It is heartwarming that the payment of toll on the Akwanga–Markurdi Road is cashless as motorists are to pay with debit cards. This initially caused delay, which resulted in long queues, but this teething problem has been surmounted. I travelled on that road in September 2024 and I dare say commuters and motorists on that axis are very happy, as it has cut the travel time between Abuja and Makurdi by two to three hours. It is now possible to come to and from Abuja to Markurdi on the same day, which was impossible before due to the hitherto bad road. In fact, the road is very smooth, well-paved and well-lit. My friends who are from Plateau State wished that the Akwanga to Jos road could be similarly fixed to give them a sweet travelling experience.

Aside from providing revenue to be used for road maintenance, toll gates will also stimulate the local economy as micro-small and medium enterprises will spring up within the vicinity of the toll gates. Food vendors and those who sell water and beverages, farmers selling raw farm produce, grocery store owners, vulcanisers and mechanics will take advantage of the toll gate to make brisk business. Just imagine the beehive of activities around the Lagos-Ogere-Ibadan Expressway tollgates. That is what will be replicated along all the corridors where tollgates will be reintroduced. The vicinity of the tollgates will also provide security to motorists because there will be the presence of heavily armed security patrols.

I am happy that commercial vehicles have been offered a 50 per cent discount while tricycles, motorcycles and bicycles are exempt from toll payment just as military and police vehicles are. This is commendable. I, therefore, recommend this Federal Government model of public-private–partnership in the form of Build, Operate and Transfer to states and local government authorities. Sincerely, no tier of government can single-handedly fund road construction and maintenance. But for the PPP arrangement, it would have been daunting for President Bola Tinubu’s government to raise N15tn to fund the Lagos–Calabar Superhighway.  It is a lack of sufficient budgetary allocations that has led to the abandonment of many road projects in Nigeria.

I am baffled that the Keffi–Makurdi Highway does not have weighbridges. Could this be an oversight? Weighbridges are very important to deal with the menace of stubborn drivers who overload their trucks and articulated vehicles. It is this category of road users that shortens the lifespan of our roads. Every truck has approved tonnes they are expected to carry. It is at the weighbridges that measurements will be taken to know if the truck drivers have complied with this maximum carrying capacity. I am, therefore, using this opportunity to call for the reintroduction of weighbridges as well. Most importantly, as the saying goes, to whom much is given, from him much is expected. The Federal Government must keep its side of the bargain by ensuring prompt and proper maintenance of these tolled roads.

The national secretariat of the ruling All Progressives Congress was a beehive of activities on Wednesday morning as governors elected on the platform of the APC and party chieftains trooped in for the long-awaited meeting of the National Executive Committee.

Early arrivals at the meeting include members of the National Working Committee, APC State Chairmen, former governor of Zamfara state, Sen. Abdulaziz Yari, former governor of Kebbi state and Minister of Budget and National Planning, Sen. Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Deputy Speaker, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Goodwill Akpabio and Speaker, House of Representatives, and Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas are expected to be in attendance.

As early as 8.30am, there was heavy vehicular movement and party supporters blaring music and displaying APC banners around the party headquarters and neighbouring streets.

Stern-looking security operatives including agents of the Department of State Security were also manned at the entry and exit point of the venue to provide security.

US President Donald Trump unveiled plans Tuesday to sell new “gold card” residency permits for a price of $5 million each — and said Russian oligarchs may be eligible.

Trump said sales of the new visa, a high-price version of the traditional green card, would bring in job creators and could be used to reduce the US national deficit.

“We’re going to be selling a gold card. You have a green card, this is a gold card. We’re going to be putting a price on that card of about $5 million,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.

The Republican president, who has made the deportation of millions of undocumented migrants a priority of his second term, said the new card would be a route to highly prized US citizenship.

“A lot of people are going to want to be in this country, and they’ll be able to work and provide jobs and build companies,” Trump said. “It’ll be people with money.”

Sales of the cards would start in about two weeks, Trump added.

“We’ll be able to sell maybe a million of these cards. We have it all worked out from a legal standpoint,” Trump added.

The billionaire former real estate tycoon said that all applicants for the new gold cards would be carefully vetted.

But asked if wealthy Russians would also be able to apply, Trump said it was a possibility.

“Possibly. I know some Russian oligarchs that are very nice people. It’s possible,” Trump said. “They’re not as wealthy as they used to be. I think they can. I think they can afford $5 million.”

A number of Russian oligarchs have been hit by western sanctions since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago.

Trump has caused shock in European capitals by suddenly opening negotiations with Russia to end the war, amid fears that he could be willing to sell Ukraine short.

The US president told reporters that lifting sanctions on Russia was possible “at some point” but was not currently on the table.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, standing at Trump’s side in the Oval Office, said of the gold cards that “we can use that money to reduce our deficit.”

Trump, who has branded a series of hotels and casinos in a long business career, even suggested the new cards could also be named after him.

“Somebody said, ‘Can we call it the Trump gold card?’ I said, ‘If it helps, use the name Trump,'” he said.

AFP

Senate President Godswill Akpabio says lawmakers who reclaimed their electoral mandate through the courts are part of the problem of the upper legislative chamber.

Akpabio spoke on Tuesday while announcing that Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, lawmaker representing Kogi central, would face disciplinary action over her outburst regarding seat reallocation.

The lawmaker had on February 20 disrupted plenary by rejecting her assigned seat, defying Akpabio’s order and repeatedly raising a point of order despite being overruled.

During plenary on February 25, Akpabio described the altercation as stemming from a lack of understanding of senate guidelines and directed the national assembly management to organise periodic orientation for senators.

“I think part of the problem is when people come from court… court-declared senators; they missed the orientation,” the senate president said.

“The management of the national assembly is hereby ordered to organise periodic orientation, particularly for senators who are midstreamers, who came midstream and did not start when their colleagues started.

“I remember that this particular senator (Natasha), on the day she was sworn in, raised her hand to speak. I was scared, but I had to recognise her, because I was saying we just gave her the rule book.

“Part of what we give to you when you are sworn in is the standing order of the senate. I asked if she opened the rule book to know what to say, but she made a contribution on that day. I think two days later she brought a motion.

“There is nothing wrong in being vibrant, but there is a lot wrong when you don’t know anything about the procedure.”

LAWSUIT

Akpoti-Uduaghan has filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio.

In the suit filed at the federal capital territory (FCT) high court, Akpoti-Uduaghan alleged that Akpabio and Mfon Patrick, his legislative aide, made defamatory comments against her.

The Kogi lawmaker asked the court to compel the respondents to withdraw the defamatory comments and apologise to her in a national newspaper.

In February 2023, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Abubakar Sadiku-Ohere of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the Kogi central senatorial district election.

Not satisfied with the outcome of the polls, Akpoti-Uduaghan filed a petition seeking to nullify the election over “irregularities”.

The national assembly petitions tribunal upheld the prayers of the PDP candidate and nullified Sadiku-Ohere’s election.

The court of appeal in Abuja later affirmed Akpoti-Uduaghan as winner of the election.

In November 2023, she was sworn in as the senator representing Kogi central.

[TheCable]

Some broken hearts never mend/Some memories never end/Some tears will never dry/Our pains over June 12 will never die! (Adapted from Don Williams’ “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend”).

On the day former self-styled military President Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida (IBB) celebrated his 70th birthday, I was in Minna, the Niger State capital where the self-styled “evil genius” has his palatial home called the Hilltop villa. Self-styled Chief Servant, Aliyu Babangida Muazu (no relation of IBB) was the Niger state governor at the time. Towards mid-day, State Correspondents assigned to the Governor’s Office packed bags and baggage and were hurrying somewhere. SOJ, as my former staff at The WESTERNER newsmagazine was fondly called, hurried to me and said, “Oga, let us go. They are going to the Hilltop Villa. Today is IBB’s birthday”.

We quickly followed. Getting there, we were ushered into a sitting room on the ground floor by some of IBB’s aides. He must have been expecting the journalists. Or did he send for them? It most likely was a ritual understood by both sides. Anyway, the birthday of a personality like IBB would be news any day, anywhere.

I surveyed the environment while we waited for him. I had noticed that the tar on the driveway had collapsed in a few places. Looking around the reception I also noticed that the window blinds had given way here and there. The place was not well kept as I would have expected. That, obviously, could not have been the room where IBB receives very important visitors. As we left the Governor’s Office to IBB’s Hilltop Villa, I asked questions about the relationship between the Chief Servant and the two former military Heads of State (IBB and Abdulsalami Abubakar) that he must play host to.

I was pointed in the direction of Abubakar’s own palatial building (as I was told) but we did not go there. Having two former Heads of State under one’s roof, as it were, was a privilege that also came with responsibilities which, I was told, was like walking a tightrope. Again, I heard that dealing with one was less demanding than dealing with the other.

I was still lost in my own thoughts when IBB stepped in. We all stood at attention as he made the rounds exchanging pleasantries and shaking hands. His trademark gap-toothed smile (with which he disarmed coup leader Buka Suka Dimka, as we learnt) was still with him. When it got to my turn and I introduced myself, he said, “Ah, my enemy!”. I replied: “I am not your enemy, Your Excellency, but the enemy of your obnoxious policies, especially the annulment of June 12!” He smiled and moved on.

That must have been on August 17, 2011. Nearly 14 years later, Babangida found it inescapable to return to the same June 12, 1993 presidential election annulment issue, which nothing anyone did was able to wish away. Better, then, to confront it headon than continue to play the ostrich! I had requested for an interview, which IBB agreed to grant. He handed me over to one of his aides, a retired military officer, but that one was another Maradona in his own right! June 12; Dele Giwa; Maryam, IBB's late wife’s Better Life for Rural Women’s pet programme, which the wife of a military governor had told me was a cover to accumulate spiritual powers nationwide for the Babangidas to remain perpetually in power, were some of the questions I had wanted to ask him.

One of the big donors at last Thursday’s launching of IBB’s library project described the former military president as the father of the private sector in Nigeria; he may be right, but that is not the only offspring sired by IBB. He is also regarded as having fathered the “settlement syndrome” (euphemism for corruption) in Nigeria. If you hear them say that everyone has a price, it is said to have started with IBB’s regime. What of the ruination of seniority and esprit de corps in the military, when junior officers gained ascendancy over their superiors? That was when Majors, Lt.-Colonels and Colonels began to hold positions that trampled Generals.

Like the proverbial Adepele’s teeth, how many of the Ajantala offsprings of IBB can anyone count? Is it the Hercules air crash? The Gulf War oil windfall that vanished into thin air? The execution of Vatsa? The unending return to democracy rigmarole? The list is endless!

IBB’s confession on June 12 is worthless as it changes nothing. It came too late. Now, it is, quoting Shakespeare, all sound and fury, signifying nothing. The results of the June 12, 1993 presidential election that he now pretends to validate were not only known but were also widely disseminated even before the election was annulled. The results were already in the public domain before the annulment announcement was made by Nduka Irabor. I was the editor of The PUNCH/Saturday PUNCH newspapers at the time and we not only had the results but also declared them.

That was one of the many “sins” compelling the military dictators to shut down and proscribe the PUNCH newspapers many times while I as the editor tasted detention. That was also why the media at the time started addressing MKO Abiola as “the presumptive winner” of the election. Before then, we had been blunt in referring to Abiola as “winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election” before we were advised to err on the side of caution. I remember we had to seek legal opinion before we now settled for the phrase “presumptive winner” So, IBB’s confession on June 12 brought nothing new to the table.

What Professor Humphrey Nwosu, chairman of the National Electoral Commission that conducted the watershed election, shied away from doing in his book “Laying the foundation for Nigeria’s democracy: My account of June 12, 1993 presidential election”, the immediate past president, Muhammadu Buhari, achieved in 2018 when he not only declared MKO Abiola as the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election but also posthumously awarded him the highest national honour of Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) as well as extended unto him all the benefits and privileges due to the president of the Federal Republic of NIgeria. This was something the three presidents before Buhari (Olusegun Obasanjo, Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, and Goodluck Ebele Jonathan) had failed to do.

So, of what use is Babangida’s belated confession that leaves nothing but sour taste in the mouth, and which is akin to surreptitiously dancing on MKO Abiola’s grave? Who needs IBB’s crocodile tears? The book launch ought to have been a very solemn occasion if IBB was truly penitent and remorseful! Not an occasion for all the wry jokes of the Master of Ceremonies! Not an occasion for the display of obscene wealth and vulgarity by the country’s ruling elite! Not an occasion for IBB to smile all his way to the bank with 17 billion Naira and even more! A minute silence for Abiola, his wife Kudirat, Pa Alfred Rewane, Dr. Omosola, Bagauda Kaltho and the countless other unheralded fallen heroes of June 12 would have been met and proper if they all meant well and were not just playing to the gallery.

Did IBB think we have forgotten his SAP without a human face? Nothing speaks better to the hypocrisy and chicanery of that gathering than that the same Obasanjo who had lambasted IBB and his SAP, was chairman of the cheerleaders at the book launch. IBB started the mindless devaluation of the Naira with SAP, which laid the foundations for today’s unthinkable hardship. The real target of the book launch was to launder his image and deodorise a name that never stops leaving a sour taste in the mouth. What is needed, if perchance that task would be achieved, is not the construction of an IBB presidential library but the tearing down of all the ignoble legacies of the IBB years that still hang around our neck like an albatross!

MKO Abiola in his end-years and IBB represent different tendencies. They stand on two opposing ideological pedestals. You cannot love one without hating the other!

June 12: The significance of IBB’s confession

The confession of IBB on the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election is a significant revelation; indeed, it is heartbreaking to acknowledge that IBB’s admission of MKO’s win came decades late. The annulment was a classic case of power-hungry individuals prioritizing their interests over the well-being of Nigerians. To me, IBB’s confession seems belated, especially since the authentic results had already been published. It is likely that IBB wanted to make amends with his conscience, especially at this stage of his life. To honour Abiola’s legacy, I think it is essential for Nigerians to demand genuine electoral reforms. The country must learn from the June 12 experience and ensure that future elections are free, fair, and credible. This includes implementing measures to prevent electoral malpractice, promote transparency, and safeguard the people’s votes. Ultimately, Nigerians must rise up and speak with one voice, demanding a better electoral system that truly represents their will. By doing so, they will be upholding the principles of democracy and justice that Abiola fought for. - Professor (Retd. Justice) Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye.

In a resounding demonstration of commitment to sustainable development, Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo recently embarked on a strategic visit to Orumba South, reinforcing his administration’s dedication to improving infrastructure, boosting economic opportunities, and enhancing community security.

During the visit, Governor Soludo announced plans for the construction of a crucial road linking St. Augustine Rest Assured Hotel to the Community High School and the Umunze Ultra-Modern Market. This significant infrastructure project will greatly improve mobility for residents and visitors, seamlessly connecting Umunze to the Umuchu Bye-Pass Road.

The governor emphasized that the initiative aligns with his administration’s broader strategy to drive economic growth, ease transportation challenges, and improve the overall quality of life in Anambra State.

His tour included key stops in Ogbunka and Owerre-Ezukalla before he addressed a large gathering at Nkwo Umunze. Acknowledging the resilience of the local populace despite security challenges, he commended their determination to build a thriving and prosperous community.

"Despite the security issues we face, the spirit of the community remains strong," Soludo stated, urging Ndị Igbo to reconnect with their roots and foster collective efforts toward lasting peace.

"Let us unite as one people and resist the tide of insecurity. The government is doing its part, but lasting peace requires the cooperation and vigilance of the entire community," he emphasized, warning those involved in criminal activities that they would face the full weight of the law if they refused to change their ways.

Beyond infrastructure and security, Governor Soludo revealed ambitious plans to develop notable attractions such as the Owerre-Ezukalla waterfall and cave, alongside the renowned Ogbunike cave. This initiative aims to boost tourism, create job opportunities, and stimulate economic growth in the region.

Echoing the governor’s vision, local officials expressed gratitude for his leadership and commitment to development. The Mayor of Orumba South, Mr. Shaedrack Azubuike, commended the governor for his relentless efforts to transform the region.

"Your leadership has instilled hope in our communities and set a new benchmark for development," remarked Dr. Foster Ihejiofor, Commissioner for Agriculture.

Community leaders, including Chief Oliver Okolo (President General of Owerre-Ezukalla), Sir Ezekiel Anyazo (President General of Umunze), and Sir Timothy Ikedinma, lauded the governor’s initiatives and pledged their support for further development efforts. They also highlighted pressing community needs and called for continued collaboration with the state government.

The event attracted a diverse and engaged audience, including former Deputy Governor Chief Emeka Sibudu, Chief of Staff Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, Special Adviser on Markets Chief Evarist Uba, Chairman of the Anambra Urban Regeneration Council Architect Mike Okonkwo, traditional rulers, and other key stakeholders—all united in their vision for a progressive Anambra State

1. 000 PREAMBLE.

The Afenifere held its regular monthly General Meeting today, the 25^thday of February 2025, at the country home of the late  Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo at Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.

The Meeting which was attended by delegates from the six South West states, Kogi, Kwara and the Itsekiri of Delta State Resolved as follows:

2.00 RESOLUTIONS.

2.01 On the Transition of The Afenifere Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo:

2.02 Delegates were formally briefed of the demise of The Leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo. The Meeting proudly acknowledged the enviable contributions of our late Leader to nation-building as reflected by the glowing tributes in his memory from all walks of life within Nigeria and the world over.

2.03 Meeting commiserated with the children and the immediate family members of our Leader and applauded them for their untiring courteous engagement of large number of people who daily  throng the Lekki Lagos and Isanya-Ogbo Ogun State residence of our great Leader.

3.00 APPOINTMENT OF OBA OLADIPO OLAITAN AS THE NEW LEADER OF AFENIFERE.

3.01 Meeting considered the recommendations of the National Caucus and approved the appointment of Oba Oladipo Olaitan as the new Leader of Afenifere.

3.02  Oba Olaitan  was called to the Nigerian Bar as a lawyer in 1971, a Political Adviser  to Governor  Lateef Jakande and member of the  Lagos  State Executive Council 1979 – 1983; elected Member House of Representatives and Leader of AD in the House  1999 – 2003. He has been a member of Afenifere for over 45 years serving in various capacities including the National Financial Secretary under the leadership of Chief Reuben Fasoranti and Deputy Leader under Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

3.03 Oba Olaitan will function as the Leader in acting capacity till after the final burial of Papa Ayo Adebanjo when he will assume the office as substantive Leader.

3.04 In his acceptance speech the new Leader committed himself to the ideals of Afenifere as a social political organisation and unrelenting advocate of restructuring and true federalism adding that he would ensure the unity of the organisation.

4.00 ON SECURITY

4.01 Afenifere decried the worsening security situation in the country. Members received reports of a young man, Prince Eniola Ojajuni,  the videos of whose ordeal, in the den of kidnappers have been on social media for almost a week.

4.02 The Meeting called on the governments of Ondo and Kogi States around which common boundaries the kidnapping was reported to have taken place and the relevant security agencies to act without further delay and ensure the rescue and safety of the young man.

5.00 ATTENDANCE

5.01 Delegates in attendance include 1. The Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan 2. Senator Femi Okunrounmu 3. Senator Gbenga Kaka, former Deputy Governor of Ogun State 4.  Pekun Awobona, 5. Chief Tola Mobolurin, 6. Tokunbo Ajasin, 7 Engr. Bayo Adenekan, Hon Leke Mabinuori, Olayemi Olajuyinu; Canon Goke Omigbodun,  Olu Pessu, Chief Olusegun Olawoyin

Chief Sola Ebiseni

Secretary General

Justice Faloye

National Publicity Secretary.

With deep sorrow and a profound sense of loss, the Government and people of Odogbolu Local Government, Ogun State, mourn the passing of our highly revered monarch, His Royal Majesty, Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa, Elesi 1,Alaye of Odogbolu, who has joined his ancestors. This solemn occasion marks the end of a glorious era of wisdom, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the prosperity of our land.

The reign of Oba Adedeji Onagoruwa was a beacon of peace, progress, and unity, laying a formidable foundation for the socio-economic development of Odogbolu. Under his visionary leadership, our community witnessed remarkable transformations, empowering our people and strengthening the cultural heritage that defines us. His Royal Majesty was an embodiment of grace, justice, and fairness, earning him the admiration and respect of all.

 The Executive Chairman of Odogbolu Local Government, Dr. Babatunde Diya, expresses his heartfelt condolences to the royal family, the chiefs, and the entire people of Odogbolu. In his tribute, Dr. Diya acknowledged the personal and historical significance of Oba Onagoruwa’s reign, recalling the instrumental role played by the late Asiwaju of Odogbolu and formal Chief of General Staff to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, LT General Donaldson Oladipo Diya GCON, in facilitating the ascension of Kabiyesi to the throne. He further emphasized the long-standing relationship between the Diya and Onagoruwa families, strengthened by the invaluable contributions of the late monarch’s elder brother, *Olu Onagoruwa, former Attorney General of the Federation.

In this moment of collective mourning, Dr. Diya calls upon the good people of Odogbolu to remain steadfast in unity and to preserve the legacy of our beloved Oba by upholding the principles of peace, equity, and community-driven development that he so passionately championed.

As we bid farewell to our dearly beloved King, we draw strength from the indelible mark he has left on our land. His wisdom, benevolence, and leadership will forever be a guiding light for generations to come. May his soul find eternal rest in the bosom of the Almighty.

Signed, Hon. (Dr.) Babatunde Oyetola Diya

Executive Chairman,

Odogbolu Local Government,

_Ogun State.

The make-up of Babangida’s Abuja crowd during the public presentation of his autobiography- ‘A Journey in Service ‘last week was in character with a leader who like ‘Maradona’ takes delight in devious scheming. On hand to give him solidarity were five of his fellow former military Heads of State who see manipulation of the governed as great asset. They all believe that government doesn’t need to ask what the governed want. Why are they leaders if they cannot dream for their people?

 The second group is made up of former products of Babangida’s school of democracy; he personally christened them ‘new breed’ politicians. They were from the onset forbidden from making contact with neither the past nor their corrupt leaders. Today, some are in the private sector while others have become part of our current governing class. The military is their role model and for them, government is about sharing spoils of war. They didn’t have problem raising N17billion towards the building a presidential library for their godfather, ex-President Babangida, accused by detractors of institutionalising corruption in Nigeria.

Babangida, the self-styled evil genius, often obsessed with self-preservation, loves none but self. He is as selfish as he is self-centred. He is a leader with no abiding faith. Babangida was the leader who carried out a palace coup against his principal he accused of not carrying people along in decision making only for him to take IMF loan roundly rejected by Nigerians as shown by the result of a national survey he commissioned. Despite experts’ advice and general rejection of the Structural Adjustment Programme, it was embraced by Babangida even as the result was the turning of our country into a dumping ground for foreign manufactured goods from all over the world. And finally, the evil genius, thinking he knew what we want, took a multi-cultural and multi-religion nation like Nigeria into OIC without consulting Nigerians.

This is why I think his last week act of contrition over his role in the June 12 1993 fiasco during the public presentation of his autobiography- ‘A Journey in Service’ was an assault on sensibilities of thousands of Nigerians beaten by and detained by the police or killed by soldiers while demonstrating in Lagos and across Nigeria against Babangida’s coup against the nation.

 For anyone who is familiar with the style of the ‘Maradona’ who dribbled the academia, the media that made him, and the traditional institutions that bestowed on him honours without end across Nigeria including the (Opu Omu Alabo), the chief war leader of Rivers, the Oka ome Eme (a man of his words of Enugu) and the Comforter of the Igbos), it is not difficult to dismiss his last week act of contrition over his June 12 1993 coup against Nigeria an assault on sensibilities of Nigerians

And if one may ask, what is the Maradona apologizing for after blaming everyone else for the coup except self? As if the evil genius thinks he is still the Commander-in-Chief 32 years after Nigerians angrily chased him out office, he is identifying those Nigerians should hold responsible for the 1993 coup many believe he masterminded but executed by his friends. He has identified, Arthur Nzeribe, the Association to Better Nigeria (ABN), he admitted was his friend as the one who secured an illegal midnight judgment that threatened the conduct of the election; he named his Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Clement Akpamgbo who in clear violation of Decree 13, which barred any court from interfering with INEC’s conduct or scheduling of the elections, he said misadvised government and  Akpamgbo’s godson, Justice Ikpeme, whose Abuja High Court granted the ABN an injunction stopping NEC from conducting the June 12 elections.in the dead of night. Babangida also wants Nduka Irabor sanctioned. According to him the June 12 elections “was annulled on June 23, 1993 through “a terse, poorly worded statement from a scrap of paper, which bore neither the presidential seal nor the official letterhead of the government, read out by Nduka Irabor”.

Unfortunately, Babangida forgot that in spite his current denials and buck passing, he validated, all the above decisions he now says were not approved through a public broadcast and press conference where he also laid out plan for his Interim National Government contraption.

 Sadly, Babangida, a common trickster thinks no one sees though his subterfuge. The other five perfidious generals who were out with him last week suffer from the same affliction

But how did we get here?

We are an endowed nation. At independence, Nigeria was seen as the hope of the black race. The East was rated as having the highest growing economy in the world, The West had television ahead of Belgium and Germany and was through welfarist policies including free education and free health services, was on the verge of creating an egalitarian society. Our dreams and hopes came into an abrupt end when ethnic irredentists turned the Nigerian Army into an army of balance of terror in 1966.

It is precisely because Babangida style is not different from those of other Nigerian former generals that ruled us like conquered people that I want us to look beyond his Abuja crowd and interrogate how total disrespect for Nigerians by our successive military leaders from Aguiyi Ironsi to Abdulsalami Abubakar has brought the nation to her knees.

First let us take a journey through memory to see how we got here.'

There was a military insurrection in January 1966. Ironsi who emerged as the new leader of the country in a moment of madness promulgated Decree 34 of 1966 that overnight turned a multi-cultural Federal Republic of Nigeria into a unitary state. Unitarism was a social system long canvassed by the Igbo ethnic group.

The response of the north to unification was the July 1966 vengeance coup that led to the killing of many Igbo military officers, massacre of Igbo people in the north and eventual civil war.

Gowon played the ethnic card by allowing himself to be railroaded into power in breach of espirit de corps of the military which favoured Brigadier Babafemi Ogundipe, then the most senior surviving military officer as Head of State. Of course, there wouldn’t have been any civil war but for Gowon’s refusal to abide by the terms of the Aburi Accord.

Obasanjo also betrayed the country when he, as an umpire in the 1979 election, chose to support Shehu Shagari. The rest of the country viewed Obasanjo’s action as a form of payback to the northern hegemonic power that allowed him to succeed assassinated Murtala Mohammed in 1976.

Buhari actually believed he could rule Nigeria without Nigerians’ consent.  In 1984, he treated northern politicians with kid gloves while he sent their southern counterparts who, as government, officially cornered contract commissions to build universities and health facilities for the mass of their people in Edo, Ondo, Ogun and Lagos to prison years ranging from 100 to 200.

Besides stealing the country blind, Abacha, the maximum dictator ruled the country on his own terms. He waged war against Abiola and his Yoruba people while preparing himself for self-perpetuation

Abdulsalami, besides imposing the 1999 Constitution regarded by many as Decree 24 as it was never discussed by Nigerians, believed he and other northern military officers that brought Obasanjo  out of prison, and imposed him as Yoruba preferred candidate and went on to work for his victory, have neither patience or respect for the sensibilities of the Yoruba people.

The net effect of this on the nation was that at the birth of the fourth republic in 1999, there were no politicians with experience in parliamentary democracy or even or even the party system. What we had were military-baked new breed politicians that saw only the outgoing soldiers as role models.

This was why Ayo Opadokun, a former NADECO chieftain, speaking on the legacies of Ayo Adebanjo and Pa Edwin Clark who died after lifelong struggle on Channels Television last week said he holds exception to being told our current political class are politicians. To him as well as to many other Nigerians, they are military apologists who since 1999 could not even guarantee the status of citizenship Nigerians enjoyed under colonialism especially in terms of constitutional engineering.

As a way forward, Opadokun says President Tinubu who understands and has been part of the struggle for nation-building should engage the leaders of ethnic nationalities, the owners of Nigeria.

I think it is time to stop playing the ostrich and let those who claim they don’t know the meaning of restructuring that it is a quest to return our country to a federal arrangement which most multi-cultural societies in the world believe guarantees unity in diversity.