Adebanjo: Why Afenifere is Supporting Peter Obi’s Presidential Bid Segun James The acting leader of Afenifere, a Pan-Yoruba socio-political group, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, has clarified that the decision to back the presidential aspiration of Mr. Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), was in line with ideological and equitable principles of the group.
Adebanjo, gave this clarification yesterday at a press conference at WheatBaker Hotel, Ikoyi, Lagos, in reaction to a statement by the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, that Adebanjo has turned Afenifere into his 'personal estate' as Acting Leader.
Tinubu had criticised elder statesman over claims that Afenifere had endorsed Obi, insisting that as an individual, Adebanjo could not equate himself with Afenifere. The Afenifere leader said, the decision to support Obi was in line with that of the defunct Action Group (AG), which upheld strong advocacy for federalism as the
best form of government to give the federating units the requisite atmosphere to thrive and peacefully compete among themselves for the ultimate development of the country. But Adebanjo insisted that Afenifere was known for its social welfarist ideology of the defunct Action Group founded by the late
sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, noting that backing of Obi, who hails from the South East as the next president of Nigeria, was Afenifere’s modest contribution to shaping Nigeria into a federation, where no person or ethnic nationality is oppressed. He recalled that Afenifere had insisted and still advocated
restructuring in the countdown to the 2023 general election, and long before the parties conducted their conventions to pick their officers and candidates. Adebanjo argued that it was based on the quest for peace, equity and inclusiveness that a Continued on page 10
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Akeredolu: Amotekun Must Be Given Arms to Carry Out Its Duties Seeks support to fight marauders committing crimes against humanity Fidelis David in Akure Chairman of South-west Governors' Forum and Governor of Ondo State, Mr. Oluwarotimi
Akeredolu, yesterday, said the region's Security Network Agency, codenamed 'Amotekun', must be allowed to bear appropriate tools and weapons to curb marauders
committing crimes against humanity. Akeredolu explained that the incontestable authority of the state must be imposed in the country, which was being threatened by
brazen conflict entrepreneurs as well as armed and audacious non-state actors. The governor spoke in Akure at the Passing-Out Parade of Courses 3
and 4 of the State Amotekun Corps. He asserted that state security outfits backed by law, whether in western Nigeria, Katsina, Borno, Benue or any northern state, must
have access to the same sophisticated weapons that the marauders had. He said his administration Continued on page 10
Ortom Breaks with Wike, Says He’s Not Supporting Ayu's Removal Reaffirms confidence in his ability to lead party to victory PDP stakeholders pressure Atiku to prevail on chairman to quit Dino Melaye: We’re not threatened by our competitors Ex-VP appoints Saraki, Anyim, Shekarau, Secondus, others special advisers Chuks Okocha in Abuja, George Oko in Makurdi and Omo-Julius Onabu in Asaba Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, yesterday, dismissed insinuations that he was in support of the removal of National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Iyorchia Ayu, saying it is impossible for him to advocate the removal of someone he helped to appoint. Ortom reasserted his confidence in Ayu’s ability to lead the party to victory in next year’s general election, in a surprising contrast to the position of his close ally, Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike. The governor was reacting to accusations by a group, Jemgbagh Development Association, that he was involved in the ouster moves against the PDP national chairman, a fellow Benue man. But more PDP stakeholders continued to mount pressure on Continued on page 10
BUHARI MEETS EXXONMOBIL PRESIDENT IN NEW YORK... L-R: ExxonMobil Executive Director, Ms Adesuwa Dozie, President Muhammadu Buhari and President of ExxonMobil Upstream Companies, Mr. Liam Mallon, during a bilateral meeting with PHOTO: SUNDAY AGHAEZE. ExxonMobil President on Upstream at the margins of 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, in New York, USA... weekend