People who knew the late civil war veteran, Simeon Apata, have described him as a courageous man whose death created a huge vacuum in his immediate environment of Isolo, Lagos.
It is said that when he was alive, he confronted armed robbers and made sure the area was a safe haven.
Unfortunately, he was later murdered by unknown gunmen on January 8, 1995. Although Apata died many years ago, his legacies still live on. His school, Apata Memorial Schools, in Isolo, managed by his three wives, is still thriving. Also, two of his daughters, Teniola and Niniola, have taken the Nigerian music industry by storm.
As the headline artiste of the monthly Industry Nite event at Hardrock Café, Victoria Island, Lagos, Teni revealed that her father’s death inspired her hit song, Wait. She said,
“Wait tells the love story between my mum and dad. I got the inspiration when my dad passed and my mum was crying, wishing he could have stayed back.”
Teni also stated that it took her seven years to graduate and her younger sisters completed their studies before her. She said,
“I recorded Uyo Meyo for my graduation ceremony because it took me seven years to graduate. My sisters graduated before me; so, it was a big deal for me on the day I graduated. I did the song for myself and everyone who hopes to achieve something.”
25-year-old panel beater, Adejoh Ojonugwa, pictured above, who was recently arrested for stealing the pants of his sister and sister in-law, has said that Prophet Olajide Ogunleye also known as Kokoro-Ayo, of the Celestial Church of Christ, Ibanujemidopin Parish, Uso in Owo Council area of the state, sent him to steal the pants as part of the rituals to make him rich.
While being paraded at the Ogun state police command, Adejoh said he recently approached Ogunleye for ways to get rich fast and that the clergyman asked him to get pants and ladies underwear.
“l was given a concoction by the prophet and, from that point, l could not remember what l was doing until l was arrested by police detectives. l regained my memory after four days when l remembered visiting the prophet for assistance to get rich. I had visited the prophet to pray for me because of my work and how to get rich.
After checking my palm, he told me there were ways out but asked me to swallow some concoction and prayed for me but asked me to look for ladies pants and underwear. But when I got home I didn’t know what I was doing again and l started looking for pants and underwear. I found three of my sister’s pants and l went to my brother’s house where l took two of my sister-in-law’s pants.
Hours later, my sister-in-law raised the alarm that her underwear were missing and I was arrested and taken to the police station. Two of the pants belong to my sister-in-law and the three others belong to my younger sister. When the police arrested me, I was taken to Uso Police Station before they transferred me here (Akure)” Adejoh said
The sister-in-law of the suspect, Grace Ojonugwa, said her brother-in-law stole the underwear from where she spread it to dry in their house.
“It was my husband’s younger brother who stole the pants. He was actually trailing me to spread them. I met my brother-in-law inside our room. He had already packed two of my pants inside his travelling bag. l had spread the two pants on the line inside our room. Three other pants that did not belong to me were also seen inside the bag he was carrying” Grace said
Prophet Ogunleye denied hypnotising Adejoh nor asking him to bring ladies pants for money ritual.
“I am a true man of God and I have never seen Adejoh in my life. He is lying against me. The truth of the matter is that they came to me for a parcel of land and I refused to give them. I never asked him to bring any underwear for ritual. They feel it is an opportunity to implicate me in this crime since I had refused to give them the land to cultivate Indian hemp. I engage in spiritual cleansing for people, mostly pregnant women who have difficulties so they can give birth early and easily. I don’t engage in rituals as it is against the belief of our church. The allegation is pure lie against me. l don’t know the boy from Adams and l am surprised about the allegation against me. I am a prophet. l pray for people. l use morning dew and lime to heal diseases but l know nothing about money rituals”Ogunleye said
Commenting, the state police spokesperson, Femi Jacobs, warns parents to advise their female children about where to keep their underwear
”The main suspect claimed to have lost his senses after taking a concoction from the prophet and started looking for ladies underwear. He said he had gone to the spiritualist who is a member of the Celestial Church to pray for posterity. He now said that the man prayed for him and gave him an ointment to take and as soon as he swallowed the concoction, he lost his senses and began to pick ladies pants.
He had already picked some in Uso, their village, according to him. And he came to Akure again to pick those of his brother’s wife. We are baffled and shocked to discover that during the time he lost his senses, the next thing for him to do was to begin to pick women underwear. We think the story is too good to be true. That is why we are engaging him. We will further dig into the matter to know what he actually wanted to do with the ladies pants. Once we know what he wanted to do, he will face the consequences.
We don’t want such a thing to happen in our state. And we are using this opportunity to enjoin our ladies and our women to keep very well whatever they put on, whether underwear or dresses. We also plead with parents to ensure that their daughters keep their underwear very carefully. We are using this opportunity to enjoin our ladies and women that this is a very dangerous phenomenon. We have to keep well whatever we are putting on. I also advise parents to warn their children, particularly females, to be very careful about where they keep their underwear.” he said
Popular Comedian, Seyi Law has announced separation from his wife of eight years, Stacy due to irreconcilable differences.
Seyi Law announced the dissolution of his eight years marriage with Stacy, which has produced a child, on his Instagram page early Sunday.
He said the decision was taken due to irreconcilable differences, saying that the child, Tiwaloluwa is safe and good.
Seyi Law praised his ex-wife for her beautiful and good heart, but said it was sad that they had to part ways.
“Due to irreconcilable differences would have been enough to announce this, but the kind and beautiful heart of my ex-wife must be stated. She is one of the best women I have ever known.
“It is however sad, that I announce that my wife and I have decided to path ways for good. We will appreciate your love and support at this time. God bless you. Tiwaloluwa is safe and good,” he said on his Instagram post.
Seyi Law had given hint of what to come when he posted on Saturday that he found so much joy in his daughter which was the reason his pain did not matter.
“I find so much joy with Tiwaloluwa Oluwademiladeola Chidera Aviella. You are the reason my pain don’t matter. Too many wishes in my life right. Major announcement later tonight. Don’t be shocked. It is what it is. I am coming,” he had said on Saturday before he dropped the bombshell around 12:25am on Sunday.
Mikel Obi and his Middlesbrough teammates reportedly escaped a flight mishap after a faulty Middlesbrough plane was grounded before take off.
According to a report by Football live, Mikel and his Middlesbrough teammates were about the leave the Rodney Parade Arena after a 2-0 loss to their opponents but their flight had to be postponed. In the report, the Middlesbrough flight was postponed as the plane suffered from engine failure and was grounded.
If the fault had not been detected, Mikel and his teammates could have suffered a mishap while on air which could have cost the lives of players and officials of Middlesbrough.
The news comes at a time when the football world is still in shock over the passing away for Argentina and Cardiff City striker Emiliano Sala who was confirmed dead days after his flight crashed.
In the report after the plane was not cleared to take off at the Cardiff Airport runway, Mikel and his Middlesbrough teammates had to return home by bus.
A popular Nigerian slay queen has come under fire over her recent video.
Linda Uju, who identifies herself as someone who like sex so much, has jumped on those who ‘always think sex’ whenever they see a lady in a hotel with a man.
She said she goes to hotel and just reads Bible beside her man and then sleeps with guys in the church.
Many have criticised her. Some are asking if she has family members while others are saying that the devil is using her.
The All Progressives Congress says the party is not responsible for the giant broom monument mounted at the city gate in Abuja.
The structure, a broom which is a symbol of the All Progressives Congress, has generated widespread reactions from Nigerians, with some questioning why a party symbol would be erected at such a monumental position as the city gate of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The APC publicity secretary, Mallam Lanre Isa-Onilu in an exclusive chat with Channels Television says the giant broom was erected by Nigerians who support the Buhari-led administration.
In reaction to the PDP’s condemnation of the structure, the APC spokesman told the opposition party to erect its own symbol.
Actress Tonto Dikeh has reacted to claims by ‘a popular’ Lagos-Based Prophet, Dr. Olagorioye Faleyimu, who claimed that actress, Funke Akindele will not have kids.
Recall many months ago, the Prophet claimed Funke won’t have kids except she marries a gateman.. Fastforward to after she gave birth to a set of twin boys, the prophet quickly reacted, claiming Funke had IVF.
Her colleague, Tonto Dikeh has now reacted to his ‘claims’. Dikeh says that people need to know that their pastors are not God.
She wrote;
I NEVER TALK ABOUT PASTORS WEATHER GOOD OR BAD BECAUSE GOD IS VERY PARTIAL WHEN IT COMES TO THESE FOLKS AND THEIR PUNISHMENTS!!
BUT TODAY IM HERE TO TELL YOU THAT YOUR PASTORS ARE NOT GOD AND NOT EVERY WORD THAT THE SAY BELONGS TO GOD!!
THE POWER OF GOD IS SUCH AN OVERWHELMING FEELING AND SOMETIMES WE MISS USE IT BUT EVEN AT THAT GOD DEEMS ALL HIS SERVANTS FIT!!!
NO PASTOR CAN TAKE YOU TO HEAVEN
NO PASTOR CAN HELP YOU MORE THAN YOU CAN YOURSELF!!
#NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD!!
Manchester United caretaker boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been named Manager of the Month for January, and the first to win the title since Sir Alex Ferguson‘s departure.
Solskjaer is the first United manager to receive the award since Sir Alex Ferguson in October 2012 when they last won the Premier League.
Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford, 21, wins the award for the first time in his career after scoring four goals in five appearances in January, including the winner in United’s 1-0 away win over Tottenham.
United were unbeaten in January, winning three of their four games against Newcastle, Tottenham and Brighton, while they were held by Burnley – Solskjaer’s only draw since taking charge.
Solskjaer, who presided over three successive wins in December, has taken United to within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea, ahead of Saturday’s trip to Fulham, live on Sky Sports.
Asked at his Friday news conference about his impressive start at United, Solskjaer said:
“It’s been a great achievement. “The team deserves every single bit of credit in that respect they’ve done it. But I don’t look back at being proud of this and proud of that, I’ve never been that way, I’ve always looked forward and not sat down before a chapter is finished. “I reflect, but I’ve never [pat myself on the back] and said, ‘Well done’, maybe I should do more often. But that’s just me.”
Nigerians have taken to social media to rant over the construction of a giant broom in front of the Abuja City Gate.
Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) noted that as of Thursday, it wasn’t clear what was being constructed when they began, but afterwards, it turned out to be the broom symbol of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among those who reacted to the massive broom are some chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP. Below are their views:
@renoomokri: Nigerians say we can’t point to a single project initiated, started and completed by our administration in the last 4 years.@MBuhari: Osunbade, ask them to go and see the big broom at Abuja City Gate.
@realFFK: They have erected a giant broom at Unity Park near Transcorps Hilton in the centre of Abuja and another one directly in front of the city gate.The broom is the symbol of the ruling APC and a symbol of witchcraft.They are invoking dark forces to stay in power but they will fail.
@ishaku_magaji: Attention: @GWR This is the Largest Broom anybody or group has ever erecting anywhere in the world. This is work of some group of volunteers of @OfficialAPCNg . It deserves your recognition and honour.
@ManLikeDavidd: I hope @OfficialAPCNg is okay ? How do you erect your party emblem in front of a national monument like the Abuja city gate? PDP never tried this rubbish in all their 18 years in power.
@Hailfinger1: Just 1 week to the general elections, the failed @OfficialAPCNg led federal government has erected a statute of a broom at the city gate in Abuja. This is shameful and ridiculous. It’s now clear that he whom the gods wants to destroy, they first make mad. Vote @atiku
Facebook lady identified as Warri Rebel, has taken to the platform to declare her support for Abubakar Atiku and Obi Peter by displaying her boobs to the #atikuobi2019 movement.
The Nigerian lady who dedicated her boobs to the #atikuobi2019 movement, added that this is to ensure that Buhari goes back to Daura in the 2019 election taking place on February 16th.
She wrote;
I hereby dedicate my breasts to the #atikuobi2019 movement.
Nigerian singer Adekunle Gold, has also reacted to the Lekki rape incident which occurred few days ago with a 23-year-old victim.
The singer who stated that sex without consent is rape and recording it is also vile, equated both acts to violence against humanity.
Adekunle Gold who reacted to the Lekki rape incident further added that we should not keep quiet down online and offline, until the rape victim gets justice.
He wrote;
This is not a women’s issue, this is everyone’s issue. Any and Everyone with a voice, I implore you to not quiet down online and offline until we see the resolution and this woman gets justice. Sex with without consent is rape, recording it is also vile. Both are a physical and emotional act of violence against humanity.
A six-year-old boy was beheaded right in front of his screaming mother in Saudi Arabia for belonging to the wrong branch of Islam.
The kid and his mother visited a shrine to the Prophet Muhammad in Medina. While there, they were allegedly approached and were asked if they were Shia Muslims. The mum said they are indeed Shia Muslims and several minutes later a car pulled up beside them and the child was snatched away from her.
The boy was then repeatedly stabbed in the neck with a piece of broken glass until he was beheaded, it is claimed. His mum cried out helplessly as he was killed in front of her.
In Saudi Arabia, the predominant branch of Islam is Sunni, accounting for around three quarters of the population.
Human rights groups say practitioners of other forms of the Islam faith are persecuted in the country.
Shia Rights Watch, a Washington DC-based campaign group, said of the public murder:
There was no intervention from anyone and no response from authority thus far.
The Saudi Shia community came together in mourning and to show solidarity with the parents.
The community also reported this incident is a result of ongoing violations and lack of protection by the Saudi authority toward its Shia population.
Saudi Shia have been under military crackdown by their government and many Shia are in prisons and on death toll.
Ex-Super Eagles footballer, Obafemi Martins’s wife, Abigail’s birthday is today and the proud hubby took to his Instagram page to celebrate her and profess his sweet love for his sweet wife.
Obagoal in his message, said his lovely wife and mother of his kids, still look as beautiful as the day he met her. Sharing a lovely photo of her, he captioned it,
“Another birthday! I can’t believe that after all these years, you still look as beautiful as the day I met you. Happy birthday my sweet wife!…”
Popular Comedian, Okechukwu Onyegbule also known as Okey Bakassi, says insecure and jealous men have no business marrying well-educated and beautiful ladies, if they don’t believe in equal rights.
According to him, men who want their wives to ‘worship and serve’ them should rather go for illiterate women.
“If you don’t believe that man and woman are equal and have equal rights, don’t bother about marriage.
“If you are looking for a woman to worship and serve you, don’t marry an educated woman. If you are insecure and too jealous, don’t marry a beautiful woman,” he advised.
Continuing, the father of three stated: “If you are looking for a beautiful woman who will give and raise beautiful children with you, take you to the next level, support you in times of needs, then marry a beautiful woman who is hardworking and educated, and has a mind of her own. If you don’t have the right tools and the right skills set to sustain a marriage, you can learn. But no carry person daughter punish am o.”
Not more than a week after Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo was involved in a helicopter crash in Kabba, Kogi state, the first wife of the state governor, Amina Bello, was involved in a car accident in the same area on Saturday February 9th.
A statement from the governor’s Chief Press secretary, Onogwu Muhammed, says the accident happened around Oshokoshoko area of Kabba while the governor’s wife and some aides were on their way to Isanlu for an All Progressives Congress (APC) woman rally.
The statement added that all occupants of the car were unhurt.
“In appreciation to God Almighty for his faithfulness to the New Direction family, the Kogi state government wishes to announce that three aides to the governor and his wife survived an accident this morning. The government appreciate God once again, that all persons are in perfect condition. The governors wife’s door-door campaign train continues with their rally to the western senatorial district after a successful two days outing in Kogi east.” the statement read
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 19-year-old girl identified as Chika Chukwu, for unlawful possession of a pump-action gun.
Police detectives attached to the Central Police Station, Nnewi, in collaboration with the Okpunoegbu vigilance group arrested the girl on Thursday.
A member of the Okpunoegbu vigilance group said “the pump-action gun was loaded with four live cartridges and one expended cartridge.
The 19-year-old woman was arrested at the Amahusa quarters on Thursday, where she concealed the gun inside a bunch of mopping stick in order to avoid being noticed.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Haruna Mohammed also confirmed the incident saying, “on February 7, 2019, at 6am, following intelligence report, police detectives attached to the Nnewi Division in conjunction with Okpuno vigilance group arrested one Chika Chukwu, female, aged 19, of Okpunoegbu Nnewi with a pump-action gun loaded with four live cartridges and one expended cartridge at Amahusa quarters Nnewi. The suspect concealed the gun inside a mopping stick. The case is under investigation in order to ascertain the motive behind her action after which she would be charged to court”.
Ghanaian actress, Yvonne Nelson’s baby father, Jamie Roberts has slammed an IG user who asked him an ‘extremely stupid question’ – the user had asked if any of his children have a Nigerian mother.
Back in 2017, a Nigerian born model, Keela was linked as his estranged wife and also the mother of his two older children, but at the time, the British photographer refuted the claims that he was married to her.
After an IG user then asked a question regarding his two older children and the estranged wife, Jamie took to his page to share a beautiful photo of all his kids including the youngest child who he welcomed with Yvonne Nelson and wrote:
‘This evening I was asked (and not for the first time) an EXTREMELY stupid question, so in the interest of apparent “interest” let me state something once and for all. I am in fact, a very lucky father of three unbelievably amazing children. But none of them, however, have a Nigerian mother. Have a great weekend ?? #naijamyths #stopbeingstupid.’
A teacher’s aide has been arrested after being accused of having sex with a 14-year-old student in her home in New Jersey, USA.
Liz Perez, 31, a per diem teacher’s aide at Dr. William H. Horton School in Newark, engaged in sexual intercourse with the student in her home over the winter break.
The child is a student at the school where Ms Perez works.
Perez is charged with one count of second-degree sexual assault and one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child.
A middle-aged man identified as Nsobila John in Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region of Ghana, set an 11-year-old boy, Maxwell Ayinbisa ablaze for allegedly peeping at a woman in a bathroom.
Mustapha Rahmani, the father of the victim in an interview with Classfomonilne revealed that the suspect; Nsobila John after committing the crime was reported to the Police but after taking care of the initial cost of treatment of Maxwell, he abandoned him.
However, the families of the victim and suspect later reached an agreement to settle the matter out of court.
Controversial media personality, Daddy Freeze has finally come back online and he has said some Nollywood celebrities are prostitutes who live fake lives to deceive their followers.
He said this while sharing a video of a woman who says women dating shouldn’t expect their boyfriends to pay all their bills.
Sharing the video, Freeze added that people need to stop following the lifestyle of so many Instagram celebrities who in fact have to sleep with men to fund their expensive lifestyles.
He wrote,
Nigerian women need to hear this. – Stop following Instagram and Nollywood ‘high maintenance’ celeb role models, who sleep with wealthy and influential men for business class trips, G-Wagons, Hermès bags and Rolex watches while giving credit to God for their ‘blessings’. – God is NOT a pimp! – Get your own jobs, add value to your lives and stop feeling entitled to wealth you did not create! ~FRZ
The gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Lagos, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has vowed to eradicate land grabbing if he’s given the chance to be governor.
He mentioned that these land snatchers were taking away genuine investments in Nigeria and the act has affected Lagos State’s economy.
In his own words,
“We have had various complaints about the activities of land grabbers and we are ready to tackle this problem. We understand the implication of land grabbing on the economy of Lagos and preventable losses incurred by investors. To tackle the issue, we will need to look at the activities of the existing land grabbing committee and strengthen the law setting it up to properly address the issues.
“To promote investment in the property development sector, we have to stop the land grabbers. We will also fast-track the process of the issuance of Certificate of Occupancy. We are going to sanitise the procedures and restore the confidence of real estate investors in the government to protect their investment,”
Gorgeous Nollywood actress, Omotola Jalade Ekehinde, had her 41st birthday in the USA alongside her daughter, Meraiah, who turned 19.
The actress, has for a while now been having a swell time with her family in the states and one can just imagine the kinda of fun she’d have celebrating her birthday with them.
Well, to let us have a glimpse of the amount of fun she had, the actress shared these lovely fun photos on her Instagram page.
Sophia Momodu and her lovely daughter, Imade stepped out together recently and the pair served mother-daughter goals as they both rocked matching outfits.
The lovely attire was designed by mama bear, Sophia and she made sure she twinned up with her baby girl as they went out for an event in Lagos recently.
Sharing photos on her page, she wrote,
“Candids are always the best Twinning with the bestie @realimadeadeleke yesterday at the #SMWlagos2019 in our @thesophiamomodubrand mummy & I”
Super Eagles goalkeeper, Francis Uzoho is depressed after being investigated by officials in Cyprus, over a disputed health certificate.
Uzoho is bound to receive another obstacle in his efforts to get his career back on track, following a loan spell at Elche in Spain’s second division.
According to at Goal Cyprus, the Deportivo de La Coruña loanee visited the Police Station on Thursday evening as part of the investigation of the TAE regarding the procedure of issuing the 20-year-old’s health certificate.
Anorthosis say Uzoho is frightened and in a bad psychological condition and wants to leave Cyprus immediately despite receiving assurances from the club all was well.
Apollon complained that the Nigerian’s health card was not properly issued, leading to an official investigation by the Cypriot authorities, and they remain confident that they will win the case, with judgement expected on Monday.
The Federation has taken statements from those involved in the issuance of the disputed health certificate and Anorthosis have sought clarification whether Uzoho is eligible for tomorrow’s away game at Nea Salamis.
The Nigeria international was forced to cut short his loan spell with Elche last month after new signing édgar Badía was installed as first-choice goalkeeper.
Pop star and RnB singer, Chris Brown has sent the address of his house to rapper, Offset who responded to his challenge to fight over detained rapper, 21 Savage.
It all started when Chris Brown made joke of 21 Savage’s arrest for overstaying his Visa. The joke didn’t sit well with Offset who deemed it lame.
Chris Brown fired back:
F**K YOU LIL BOY. BETTER WORRY ABOUT WHAT U GOT GOING AND FOCUS ON ‘YOU’. All this cap on IG I WHATS LAME.. YO ENERGY WONT LIKE THAT WHEN CAME TO THE DRAKE SHOW IN LA.”
“IFI U DO GET YO A HIP A HOP A HIBBET A HIBBET TO THE HIP HIP HOP AND YA DONT STOP THE ROCKIN FACEASS OUT MY COMMENTS. SENSITIVE ASS NI**A CALL ME PERSONALLY. U WANT SOME CLOUT WHEN ALL U GOTTA DO IS PULl UP No camera no flexing an all at!!!!! IF YOU A REAL MAN FIGHT ME. Oh and another thing, SUCK MY D*CK!!!!”
He added:
“If he don’t get his EARTH WIND AND FIRE pootytang space suits WEARING CAP *SS LIL BOY da f*ck out my comments and off my d*ck.”
Offset responded by stating he was ready to fight Chris Brown even though he knows he has a history of only fighting women.
Prof. Wole Soyinka, has gone contrary to expectations and permutations after he endorsed Prof. Kingsley Moghalu, candidate of the Young Progressive Party (YPP), for President.
The Nobel Laureate and his civil society group, Citizens Forum, made the announcement in a statement he personally signed, where he outlined circumstances leading up to the decision which he described as rigorous.
The statement read ;
“The nation has been brought to her knees. Internally, the blaring media testimony needs no augmentation. Beyond her borders, Nigeria is the tale of citizens designated pariahs of the global community for whom special dossiers are opened, and units of security agencies are specifically assigned. Online transactions are programmed to reject basic usage once the word ‘Nigeria’ is inserted in the Data profile. There are few nation left, within or outside the continental borders where – no matter the codeword – a Nigerian ‘room’ has not been designated.
“Her humanity litters the sand trails of the Sahara, it lines the Mediterranean sea-bed with the bones of a desperate generation, seeking ‘green pastures’. Lines from my poems have been appropriated and embossed as epitaphs on the tombstones of Nigerians washed up the isle of Catania and accorded dignified burials by total strangers, certainly paid more respect than Nigerians themselves consider due to their own humanity. Other would-be migrants have been slaughtered by religious fundamentalists on the shores of Tripoli, while waiting for their precarious crossing on suicidal boats. Yet others end up as commodities in the slave markets of Libya and Mauritania, hundreds recently rescued and airlifted – credit where credit is due! – repatriated by government.
“It was not always thus. Numerous Nigerians believe that it need not remain so. There is always a choice to be made outside any presumptuous orders – in reality associations guaranteed to perpetuate social disorders and the politics of inequality. This is not the thinking of any one individual but of a large section of this populace. If it were not, there would not have been a record number of nearly a hundred political groups aspiring to take over the reins of governance.”
Soyinka said his civil society group did not need any instruction to estimate that several of the aspiring groups were mere plants, raised to sow confusion.
He said:
‘It redounds to the credit of a few individuals, including some of the candidates themselves, who embarked on efforts to winnow down their own ranks, then seek a consensus candidate as standard bearer for the battle against the two political behemoths.
“They did not succeed, but that is no cause for despair. They still deserve the gratitude of Nigerians for their uniquely principled efforts. The Citizen Forum – last heard of during the time of the dictator, Sani Abacha – was pulled out of retirement to join in their effort to arrive at peer consensus. The Forum worked peripherally with them. It made no attempt – I stress this – no attempt whatsoever to impose its own preferences, but utilised material from the deliberations of at least four such selection groups. It remained on the fringe, except on invitation.
“Our mission today is simply to present the result of that effort by Citizen Forum which, I am especially gratified to reveal, coincides with my own personal preference. The CF conclusion is obviously not binding on other groups or individuals involved in the exercise. May I take this opportunity to advise the public that neither Citizen Forum nor myself, belongs to any Third Force or other Consensus seeking councils by any other name. Please ignore any such attributions.”
I physically interacted with some of the acknowledged top contenders, in some cases several times. We participated in handshake across Nigeria, where some candidates presented their briefs.
“Among others, I delivered a keynote address. We watched television interviews. We have exchanged notes with highly respected international Civil Servants. The drive towards Consensus among these dedicated groups sometimes took the form of test questionnaires to the aspirants, including items such as: ‘Who among the contestants would you choose, if you did not emerge as the ultimate preference?’
“There was nothing complicated about assessment parameters: mental preparedness, analytical aptitude, response to the nation’s security challenges, economic grounding, grasp of socio-political actualities, including a remedial concern with the Nigerian image in foreign perception etc. etc. not forgetting a convincing commitment to governance and resource decentralization – commonly referred to as Restructuring. The Forum rejected retrograde propositions of a political merry-go-round, which urge the electorate to choose this or that candidate in order to ensure “our turn” at the next power incumbency. Overall, the exercise was exacting but also – therapeutic. It proved yet again that there is over-abundant leadership quality locked up in the nation, and that it is a collective shortcoming that the political space has not been sufficiently opened up to let soar such potential. Well, to cite the Chinese proverb: a journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step.
“Let me reiterate: there is over-abundant, but stifled leadership material, and there can be no excuse, now that that potential of high quality is being manifested, for constricting the political space in a population that is nudging two hundred million. And that statement is of course specially addressed to those who took part in this exercise, those who deliberately opted out of it, some of whom were assessed anyway. Such potential compelled us to exercise utmost rigour in what proved to be a most daunting exercise. The final determination however is – the flag-bearer of the Young Progressive Party – Kingsley Moghalu.
