Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih has delved into the history of Nigeria where he said the people in the South South have, for long, built strong political ally with their Northern counterparts.
“In the political history of Nigeria, the South-south has also been a close ally of the North. We have fought political battles together, contested elections on the same political platforms and formed alliances.
“We have given support to the North when it mattered most.”
Anenih spoke on Saturday in Benin city, capital of Edo state, at the South-south zonal Unity Rally of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and emphasized the need for the North to reciprocate the support the South South had given it in the past by support President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election bid in 2015.
“The current situation, therefore, calls for reciprocity and co-operation,” he said, adding that in appealing to the conscience of Nigerians in the prevailing uncommon circumstance, “we would claim our right, with dignity and determination, in the interest of our dear country.
“We have reasons to be proud of the contribution of the South-south to Nigeria’s development. The Zone has over the years, made sacrifices, including supreme sacrifices, not only to keep this country together but also towards its economic development.
“The South-South has, in the past, played a unifying role among the various regions of the country. Our sons and daughters, such as Chief Tony Enahoro, Chief Okotie-Eboh, Mr. Isaac Boro, General David Ejoor, Chief Denis Osadebe, Chief Jereton Mariere, etc., have served this country with great distinction.”
Anenih said that the unity of the South-south is important for peace and progress of the country, stressing: “it is the basis on which other regions will take us seriously.”

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The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, today, conferred on the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, the traditional title of Matawallen Sokoto even as he advised him and others who were similarly honoured with titles to eschew politics of personalities, bitterness and hatred.
The Sultan said: “You should eschew politics of personalities, bitterness and hatred; these obnoxious acts should not feature during the 2015 general elections.”
Others who were turbaned today are the Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Alhaji Lawalli Zayanna, as the Sarkin Gobir of Gwadabawa (District Head) and the state’s Accountant-General, Alhaji Kabiru Tafida, as the Sarkin Fadan Sokoto, Alhaji Aminu Iya as the Iyan Sokoto and Alhaji Fodio kyari as the Wamban Sokoto.
Sultan Abubakar used the occasion to call on the politicians in the country to close ranks and work together for the peace and unity of Nigeria, saying that the politicians and leaders need to work for the people and not for themselves.
“The ongoing war against insurgency and terrorism is succeeding but more can be achieved with a united Nigeria.’’
The Sultan said that the celebrators were bestowed with titles for their honesty, loyalty and dedication to the service of the people of the state and Nigerians.
The monarch urged them not to relent in doing good, saying “to whom much is given, much more is expected.’’
Responding on behalf of the honoured, Tambuwal commended the Sultan for finding them worthy of the titles and for his commitment to the peace and unity of Nigeria.
“we will continue to emulate our fore-bearers and support the Sultanate Council of Sokoto to ensure the success of its laudable activities.’’
The event was attended by former Head of State, Retired Gen.Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Duputy Senate President Ike Ekweramadu and the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Mr Emeka Ihedioha.
Others were Gov. Aliyu Wamakko of Sokoto State, APC National Chairman, Chief John Oyegun, serving and former governors, National Assembly members, emirs, obas and chiefs from across Nigeria.

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Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi of All Progressives Congress (APC) has asked the governor-elect for the state, Mr. Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to conduct himself with decorum, decency and honour before he is sworn-in on October 16, instead of engineering unnecessary political tension that would destroy the state.
The governor who has been in the saddle in the state for nearly four years was responding today, to the political crisis rocking Ado Ekiti, the state capital in the past few days, leading to the killing of the former chairman of the state chapter of the Nigeria Union of Road Transport Workers yesterday and violent destruction of properties today by political thugs.
Said Fayemi: “this was precisely what I was avoiding on June 22. And that is why peace has reigned supreme in the state. We all know who the losers would be if all political leaders resort to extra legal means in resolving the problems they have with one another.
“We cannot allow this state to degenerate into an anarchical society. What we have gained in four years, we do not want to lose it overnight. And I want to appeal to my brother, the Governor elect, he has his date with history, October 16 will be here soon, let him wait and conduct himself with decorum, with decency and with honour. He doesn’t need brigandage, criminality and the things he engages in all the time.”
The hoodlums had today burned down the State and Ado Local Government secretariats of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the residence and five vehicles belonging to the former Chairman of the Road Transport Employees Association of Nigeria, Mr. Joseph Olambiwonu (Mentilo), and several other vehicles that were attacked at the wake of the killing on Thursday night of  Mr. Omolafe Aderiye, former chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).

Other properties destroyed by the arsonists include Fayemi’s campaign office, five APC  vehicles, no fewer than 8 tricycles popularly called Keke Fayemi and some other vehicles on the streets of Ado Ekiti, the State capital.

Dr. Fayemi who lamented that some people did not care about returning the State to its dark old days between 2003 and 2006 in their desperate bid to actualise their ambitions, said that the crisis was fuelled by Fayose and should be held responsible for all that happened during this crisis.

The Governor who adved the Governor-elect to toe the path of civility, rather than brigandage in resolving disagreements said Fayose should have sought redress if there was any court pronouncement he was not satisfied with.
Fayemi stressed that the same Court Fayose was afraid of had more than twice ruled against the State Government under the present administration.

“Don’t let us forget where this originally came from. It is not accidental that we have criminal elements going round, burning properties without prompting. This is not unconnected to what happened to the judiciary, the assault on the judiciary, the attack on the judges and the unfortunate death of Mr Omolafe Aderiye, the former Chairman of NURTW.
“All of these are still being investigated but there was one cause: Ayo Fayose should be solely and primarily held responsible for is happening in the State. Mr. Ayo Fayose can deny as much as he likes, I have it on incontrovertible authority, I knew what happened in the court. I am the chief security officer of the State so I should know that he was the one who first rough handled Justice Adeyeye before his thugs had the gut to tear the suit of the judge and then beat him up. Everybody knows his antecedents so if that’s what he wants to bring back to Ekiti, we all owe it a duty as citizens of Ekiti State not to let that happen.

“There are civilized ways of dealing with disagreements, court rulings and court judgements. Ekiti state judiciary has ruled against this government in the past, not once or twice. I did not say because I am the governor say that the Chief Judge should be sacked or beaten up and that the Judges who made such pronouncement against Ekiti State should be battered or beaten up by supporters of our government or officials of our government. There are processes, if you have disagreement with a ruling or judgement, since you have submitted yourself to the processes of the court and you have allowed representation in the court, you appeal the process. It is the right thing to do.”

While disclosing that his decision on June 22 after the result of the governorship election was announced was to avoid a situation where the State will be pushed into avoidable crisis, the Governor called on Fayose to wait till October 16 when he will be sworn in before parading himself in a manner that shows disrespect for the rule of law.

Fayemi urged President Goodluck Jonathan to begin his promised commitment to security at the United Nations summit by prevailing on Fayose before the Governor-elect turns Ekiti State to a crisis-ridden State.

He also urged all concerned authorities to advise Fayose to stop his flagrant disrespect of the law and be law abiding.

Meanwhile,  Governor Fayemi has paid a condolence visit to the family of the former chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr. Omolafe Aderiye who was killed on Thursday by unknown gunmen in Ado Ekiti.

Fayemi who was earlier advised by some security aides to defer his visit to the family late transport union leader insisted that he had to see Aderiye’s family because the late driver was also one of his citizens until he was killed.

The Governor who was received by Aderiye’s two wives, Kehinde and Funmilayo as well as some of the deceased’s children consoled the family and assured that the perpetrators of the heinous act would not go scot free even as security men are already carrying out their investigations.

“Those who are responsible for burning houses, vehicles and killing an innocent soul, I believe the maximum weight of the law will be brought on them. The investigations are on and will ultimately yield dividends. Enough of this waste of lives in Ekiti. If I am a thug, Ekiti wouldn’t have experienced peace in the last four years of my administration. It is not that I don’t know the politics of bitterness but I was not trained to do such. There’s no way I can wish ill to my neighbour, how much more someone who is close to me?

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