Aug 7th, 2008
Destiny beckons on Mimiko, the Iroko of Ondo
Dr. Bolaji Aluko writes via Nigerian Muse:
We all saw it coming – those of us who had not sold our conscience to the devil, that is. We knew that it was a matter of time for the rightful winner of the governorship polls in Ondo State, Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, to keep his date with destiny. He is just about on that highway now with the judgement of the Justice Garba Nabaruma Tribunal which awarded victory to him. Although the incumbent Governor Olusegun Agagu has appealed against that judgement, you don’t need an LLB to know that the power has abandoned the former university teacher. Agagu will soon be history even if he tries to muddy the waters before his long-awaited exit from the corridors of power.
When the whole state erupted into singing and dancing, it was clear that the tribunal had just spoken their minds. For a non-incumbent, the kind of crowds that Mimiko has continued to command attests to his acceptability by the generality of the people. He had come a long way and if the facts pleaded are anything to go by, the people of Ondo State are soon going to have the real man they voted for.
Documentary and oral evidences pleaded and tendered by Mimiko’s counsel to substantiate allegations levelled against the return of Dr Olusegun Agagu of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) showed that Mimiko’s Labour Party (LP) prepared well for the elections right from the time of voters’ registration. PDP’s rigging was not only brazen; it was careless, reckless and silly. Names of popular personalities were borrowed and deployed in the criminal binge. It is quite hilarious sampling a few: Mike Tyson (former world heavyweight boxing champion), Sam Omatseye (newspaper columnist working in “The Nation”), Maurice Iwu (the sit-tight chairman of the so-called Independent National Electoral Commission), Mohammed Ali (the greatest thing that ever happened to boxing), Ahmadu Ali (then chairman of the rigging-ruling party), Dora Akunyili (Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, NAFDAC) and Nelson Mandela, the Madiba himself.
The tribunal’s verdict that nullified the victory awarded to Agagu by INEC marked the eleventh time a gubernatorial election would be upturned by an election petition tribunal since the conduct of the flawed April 2007 general elections in Nigeria. So far, in addition to losing an elected legislator who died before inauguration, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost seven House of Assembly seats out of the 16 declared for it by INEC) following successful petitions filed by Labour Party candidates. Equally, the PDP lost seven out of nine House of Representatives members’ seats and one Senate seat occupied by Senator Gbenga Oguniya, the Chairman of the Senate Committee of Police Affairs.
Before declaring Mimiko winner, Nabaruma said there were no disputes on the results of the election in areas not mentioned by Mimiko in his petition – meaning that the results of the exercise were accepted by all parties except the areas listed in Mimiko’s petition. Giving the summary of the lawful votes scored by the petitioner and the first respondent (Agagu) in all the 18 local government areas of the state, Nabaruma said the Labour Party scored 198,269 as against PDP’s 128,669. The judge said the lawful results of the poll indicated that the petitioner scored 25 per cent of the total votes cast in 13 out of the 18 local governments while Agagu scored at least 25 per cent in nine local governments. The tribunal therefore nullified the return of Dr Olusegun Agagu and declared Dr Olusegun Mimiko as the winner of the poll.
The reaction of the Agagu camp since the judgement has been comical. Hear Eddy Olafeso, Commissioner for Information, Orientation and Mobilisation: “This is travesty of justice. We are going to appeal the judgment. We are civil and we uphold the rule of law. The people’s voice will prevail at the end of the day.”
Not a few people wondered about which people Olafeso was talking about. The same people that were reportedly brutalised by PDP thugs? Or the Mike Tysons and other ghosts that made their ghostly way to the polling booths?
I think Governor Agagu himself knows that the game is up. In his televised address to the people of the state, he urged them to remain calm and go about their normal duties peacefully in a manner that they were noted for. He promised that the decision of the court would not slow down the resolve of the administration to continue with the development of the state. He said he was going to appeal the verdict. He looked defeated and forlorn.
Dr. Olusegun Mimiko has attributed his victory at the Election Petition Tribunal to divine intervention and the resolute of the people of the state for change. He added that his victory was not because he and his people worked wonders but because divine intervention prevented what the opposition had in plan over the tribunal.
So what happens now after victory?
“The first challenge, for instance, what I told our people at the celebration ground on Friday was that they should continue to resist any form of provocation. Their strategy was to provoke us so that there could be massive violence and bloodshed in the state. We have always told our people to resist any temptation to go violent. This was the first challenge. When things were bad, when we were robbed in broad daylight, we appealed to the people to be calm”, says Mimiko.
“The second challenge is to sustain the enthusiasm of our people through the quality of governance that we would put in place. Our people are very hopeful of a brighter tomorrow. They have confidence that we would be able to put in place, a government that would be very responsive to their yearnings. The other side of the challenge is to be able to ensure that our people, after all struggle, after all the vilification, after all the physical violence visited on Labour Party people, to make them appreciate the fact that we are all one in Ondo State. We are working towards the same goal, and we would be ready to accommodate anybody, even if they are on the other side of the divide, to join us because the task ahead of us would require all of us. I have told them to roll their sleeves and keep moving. We want to mobilise the people at an unprecedented level.
“We want to unleash their energy in the direction of development. We want the people to take hold of their own development challenges. We want to change Ondo State from its level of poverty to a state that is prosperous. All these will require that we must all have our hands on the deck. The only enemy we have in Ondo State is poverty and we are going to galvanise all our forces to confront it squarely. In this collective struggle, we cannot afford any division.”
That is the spirit. That is the way I expect a statesman to talk. That is what I expect of someone of Mimiko’s experience. In my opinion, there are five politicians who cannot afford to fail if they get into office. They are Rauf Aregbesola of the Action Congress whose case against Governor Oyinlola has produced so much fraud and pseudo-magic; Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State whose case is almost as crystal clear as that of Ondo except that these days you can’t afford to swear by anything; Mimiko who carries the hopes and aspirations of the people of Ondo State who have laboured under the most unimaginative government ever visited on them; Adama Oshiomhole who has spent all his life criticising governments but will now have to call the shots as Governor of Edo State if the Court of Appeal says so; and Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Governor of Lagos State who has been working with frenzy because he knows that the people actually turned out in large numbers to vote him into office and they would not tolerate failure.
It is good when those we voted for are allowed to govern. We can talk to them; advise them; chastise them even. How does one begin to approach a carpetbagger? He knows that you know that he did not win the elections. The only people he owes anything are the bands of thugs who he has paid off and disbanded. The people? They don’t exist.
But popularity has its burdens as we have seen. And that is why we are going to monitor all these politicians in the mould of Mimiko who carry a flicker of hope to ensure that they continue to meet the aspirations of the people. The victory of Mimiko energises us because it shows that all hope is not lost. We are not too far gone after all.
But the biggest congratulations after the Court of Appeal would have put its official seal on Mimiko’s victory would not go to Governor Rahman Olusegun Mimiko. The people of Ondo State are the biggest winners in this long-drawn-out battle. They voted. They were brutalised. They were cheated. They stood by their preferred candidate. They protested. They filled the tribunal premises in huge numbers throughout the sitting. They shed tears of joy and sang praises to God when the tribunal adjudged their man as the true winner. They have been at the barricades before and since the current battle. They are the ones who defeated Agagu, not Mimiko. As Mimiko marches forward to fulfil his destiny, his biggest allies are the people. They should be the focal point of his administration.
So help him God!
Source: Nigerian Muse
31 Responses to “Destiny beckons on Mimiko, the Iroko of Ondo”
Amen!
This is a God inspired write up. Thank you sir. The voice of the people from now on will not be a hopeless voice. May the good Lord support, guide and guard Dr Mimiko as he governs Ondo State. May all the workers on his train of progress carry his vision and ideal with integrity, Godly wisdom and uprightness. Poverty, sufferage, joblessness and the general feel of emptiness and hopelessness that characterised Agagu’s 5 year+ in power must become a thing of the past, so I echo your words and say SO HELP US ALL GOD. Peace.
Well, Ondo State is hoping that Agagu will do the manly and decent thing and remove himself from Alagbaka now as opposed to delaying and prolonging the agony of Ondo State having to cope with his unwanted presence even for a short while for he as well as everybody else knows that with the body of evidence against him, and with the detailed and well documented report from Nabaruma, no appeal court will descend so low as to cause havoc and give themselves a bad name, no, not even with the fast declining “Nigerian factor” that is facing eradication and extinction by well meaning Nigerians both inside and outside our dear mother/fatherland. Peace
I have just heard that Agagu has appealed the Justice Nabaruma ruling on 185 grounds. Well the struggle continues and our assured victory albeit unnecessarily delayed will be ours soon. MIMIKO IS GOVERNOR, THE PEOPLE VOTED HIM IN AND THE PEOPLE IN ONDO STATE WILL NOT BE CHEATED A SECOND TIME. DEMOCRACY HAS WON IN ONDO STATE AND IT SHALL REMAIN SO IN JESUS NAME. Agagu will be so so buried in his own excrement by the time he is driven out of Ondo State. Peace
This man is classless! I have read the judgment as delivered by the 5 judges. I am not a lawyer ,but even an idiot would know that their case is baseless. If this man truly loves the people of Ondo state as he claims, why prolong their suffering. Deep down, this man knows or knew all along that he did not win. I was hoping he would use the opportunity to redeem his battered image by accepting the verdict and declining the appeal. Anyway read on folks.
Agagu appeals ruling on 185 grounds
With two days left to the Friday, August 15 deadline when the stipulated 21 days for filing of appeal against unfavourable rulings at the election petitions tribunal, Governor Olusegun Agagu on Wednesday filed his notice of appeal against the ruling of the Justice Garba Nabaruma-led five-man election petitions tribunal which nullified his election and declared his Labour Party opponent at the poll, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko as winner. In a 156-page Notice of Appeal, submitted to the Tribunal Secretary, Rasheedat Rasheed, Agagu’s legal team, headed by Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), listed 185 grounds on which they rejected the verdict of the tribunal. The governor submitted his documents alongside with his political platform, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which also has filed 185 grounds of appeal which are “similar in nature but different in material facts from that of the governor” as well as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that listed eight grounds. The Police, which were earlier joined as respondents in the petition filed against Agagu’s election by Mimiko, also filed its notice of appeal. The appellants held that the tribunal erred in many ways in the determination of the Mimiko petition and that the final verdict, based on all the “cited errors,” was a miscarriage of justice
AGAGU WILL LOSE AT THE APPEAL,AGAGU HAS NO CASE
It is only in Nigeria that someone will steal what rightfully belongs to you and then have the gall to challenge you to have the loot kept. I have heard the inaptly named Independent? National Electoral Commission (INEC) are also involved in the appeal. Is there not a case for this body to be re-named and have the ‘I’ in the mnemonic ‘INEC’ replaced with PDP, thus ‘PDPNEC’. We were all privy to all the shenanigans embarked upon by the trio of PDP in and out of the state, PDPNEC and the Nigerian Police during the election last year in our state. Do some people really have no shame and conscience? Electorates of this day and age are different from those of the 1950s where people were easily hoodwinked and were not cognisant of political ideas and issues. The present government has no moral legitimacy and it should the right thing and abide by the election tribunal verdict. If at the end of the day the incumbent is forced upon us by the PDP and the court of appeal departs from reason and cave in to underhand machinations from the PDP I am done with the country Nigeria and it can go to blazes for all I care. Sai gobe.
How do you claim to win an election when you through the use of thuggery and manipulation deprived people of their right to freely choose who they want to lead them in the first place. Instead, you relied on multiple thumbprinting of ballot papers by political jobbers and hired thugs, and use of inanimate objects like palm kernel to lay claim to victory.
It will be a big shame if the Nigerian Judiciary will upturn victory achieved through popular vote and declare a man whose claim to victory is through INEC ABRACADABRA.
Until we learn how to be magananimous in victory and gallant in losing, our democracy is going nowhere. Period!
We should not despair or lose hope that justice will prevail in Ondo State even with the Appeal Court. Agagu is only buying time. What appeal court (with all the falacies, falsities and court contempt and pejury presented by Agagu and PDP at the Tribunal) will overturn the only Godly thing that has happened to Ondo State since last year’s shambolic election? It wont happen for the truth is all too clear for the world to see. Nabaruma is the only man with guts and decency that I have come across in the judicial/legal system so far. Agagu is only buying time and will run away not only from Ondo State but also from Nigeria. SO NO PROBLEMS ONDO STATE. HAVE FAITH FOR GOD IS IN CONTROL AND ANYBODY WILL TRIES TO PERVERT THE CAUSE OF JUSTICE IN ONDO STATE WILL BE VISITED WITH NOT ONLY THE EGYPTIAN PLAGUES BUT RAIN OF SULPHURIC ACID WILL POUR DOWN ON THEM AND THEIR FAMILIES EVEN UNTO THE FIFTH GENERATION IN JESUS NAME. Peace
The cross-appeal is highly anticipated and I`m glad it`s done. The elected Governor`s (Gov. Segun Mimiko) Lawyers are first class and I have no doubt they will turn every `stone` to reveal and take care of business at hand.
Enjoy the piece below.
Tribunal verdict: Mimiko files cross-appeal
By Femi Makinde, Akure
Published: Friday, 15 Aug 2008
The Labour Party governorship candidate in Ondo State, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, who was declared the duly elected governor of the state by the state election tribunal, has also filed a cross-appeal on some of the decisions of the panel at the Court of Appeal.
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L-R: Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, Senator Gbenga Ogunniya and Dr. Olusegun Agagu
He filed the appeal barely 24 hours after Governor Olusegun Agagu challenged the verdict of the Justice Garba Nabaruma-led tribunal which removed him from office.
Mimiko’s appeal, signed by his lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), was filed by one of his lawyers, Chief Yinka Adeyosoye, at about 5pm on Thursday
He challenged the judgment of the panel on two grounds but also asked the appellate tribunal to uphold the judgment of the lower tribunal, which declared him the winner of the April 14, 2007 governor-ship election.
The LP governorship candidate stated in his appeal that the tribunal erred in law for rejecting his evidence, certified true copies of voter-register issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission for some polling units of Apoi in Ese-Odo Local Government Area of the state.
The lower tribunal had nullified the election results of all the wards in Ese-Odo LG except Apoi 1 Ward 1.
Mimiko also contended that the tribunal erred in law when it rejected in evidence a copy of referral letter from Obafemi Awolowo Teaching Hospotal, Ile-Ife, addressed to the University College Hospital, Ibadan, which was produced and tendered.
Consequently, Mimiko sought the order of the appellate court allowing the appeal and affirm judgment of the tribunal as delivered on July 25.
Adeyosoye, while briefing journalists after filing the notice of appeal said, “We have decided to file these two grounds of notice of appeal while the other grounds have been indicated on the notice to be filed upon receipt of record of proceedings.”
The facts are clear that Agagu rigged the elections and fumbled at the tribunal. The Appeal will not be any different.
Check the latest interview from the governor-elect, and a statement of facts, summarizing the tribunal proceedings.
The investigation of the Gov. will follow immediately after leaving the office, in my opinion. Enjoy the piece below.
N12bn: EFCC, ICPC Quiz Top Ondo Officials
08.19.2008
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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has quizzed the Ondo State Commissioner for Finance, Chief Tayo Alasoadura and two permanent secretaries over alleged diversion of N12.5 billion from the government account to secret accounts.
The Permanent Secretaries being investigated by the EFCC over the alleged diversion of public fund are Abiodun Akinde(Finance) and Dr Deji Akinwalere (Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs).
Speaking in a telephone interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the Spokesman of the EFCC, Mr Femi Babafemi,confirmed that the trio were being quizzed over alleged diversion of public fund to private accounts.
According to him, the three state officials were quizzed by the EFCC following series of petitions received from well meaning indigenes of Ondo State.
”Hence, the commission has no choice than to do its job as directed by law,” he said.
The trio were invited to Lagos for interrogation in a letter with reference number CR3000/EFCC/LS/EG5/VO/4/298 and signed by Kabiru Shehu for the Commission’s Chairman.
According to him, with the EFCC letter dated July 28,2008, the commission is investigating a case of conspiracy, abuse of office and diversion of public fund by the State government officials.
In a related development, the ICPC has also quizzed the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Local Government,Chieftaincy Affairs and Community Development, Akinwalere, over alleged misappropriation of local government fund.
Mr Sotonye Wakama, ICPC Head of Department of Investigation, had directed the permanent secretary to bring all records of statutory allocations to the 18 local government areas from 2003 to date.
ICPC said the permanent secretary should also produce records of all the money released from the excess crude oil account to the 18 councils from January 2008 to date.
Reacting, Mr Kolawole Olabisi,the Labour Party (LP) Director of Press,said this was one of the reasons why Gov.Olusegun
Agagu did not want to leave office. He said Agagu’s hands were not clean, alleging that Agagu had committed financial impropriety running into billions of naira.
According to him, the state and the 18 local governments are now engaged in massive looting of the government treasuries through execution of phony projects done through fake contractors.
However, Mr Yemi Olowolabi,the Chief Press Secretary to Agagu,said the allegation of diversion of N12.5 billion was unfounded.
Olowolabi described it as a diversionary tactic being employed by the oppositions to attract sympathy.
THEY CAN KEEP ON DENYING AND TRYING TO FOOL BUT ONE THING IS CLEAR, LP IS CORRECT IN ITS ALLEGATIONS AND ALWAYS ON TO AGAGU’S PLANS TO LOOT AND DECEIVE. THEY WONT GET AWAY WITH ANYTHING FOR LP BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING. SHAMELESS PDP, ALWAYS SOUNDING LIKE A BROKEN RECORD IN THEIR FAIL FAIL FAIL ATTEMPTS TO DESCREDIT MIMIKO AND LP. THE END IS JUST ROUND THE CORNER FOR THEM, THEIVING LIARS. PLEASE READ ON:
Ondo explains quizzing of officials by ICPC
From Niyi Bello and Julius Alabi (Akure)
THE Ondo State government yesterday described Monday’s questioning of its Commissioner for Finance, Tayo Alasoadura and three other officials by the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) as “a mere routine operational procedure of the anti-graft body.”
Following a petition written by some persons alleging that the state government was in the habit of diverting funds meant for local councils to private accounts, the ICPC invited the commissioner and three permanent secretaries in other concerned ministries to respond to the allegation.
Speaking with The Guardian yesterday just before the start of the State Executive Council meeting, Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Isaacs Kekemeke, through whose office the invitations to the concerned individuals were routed, said the state has a duty to make its books available for scrutiny.
According to him, “both the EFCC and the ICPC wanted some government officials to answer to some petitions written by some people and the officials were released. They have gone there and they are back to their bases as you can see. The invitation is routine and normal. In fact, the agencies will be failing in their duties if they were not doing these types of things.”
The Finance Commissioner, who also spoke to The Guardian, said he spent less than three hours at the Abuja Office of the ICPC where he “disclosed to them the policy of this government to help the councils deliver on their promises to bring development to their areas.”
His words: “The allegation was that we were taking money off the councils and putting them in some accounts, but I told them that the usual practice here is to put any money that is not immediately needed in interest-yielding accounts and at the end of the day both the principal sum and the accrued interest are paid to the beneficiaries.”
Throwing more light on the financial relationship between the state and local council authorities, Chairman of the Ondo State branch of the Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), Adedayo Omolafe, said a mutual arrangement was evolved five years ago to aid development in the council areas.
Omolafe, while speaking in company of his colleagues from Owo and Okitipupa, said: “When we discovered that it was near impossible for council administrations to go beyond payment of salaries, a mutual agreement was reached by the council chairmen and the state government to set aside some percentage of our monthly earnings for development purposes.”
But the opposition Labour Party (LP), which accused the state government of corruption and looting of resources, claimed yesterday that it has information that some elements in the state government had concluded plans to torch the office of the Accountant-General in order to obliterate all documentary evidences of the alleged corruption.
In a statement by its spokesman, Kolawole Olabisi, the LP said: “With the beaming of their searchlights on the activities of Agagu’s tenure since May 29, 2003, by the EFCC and the ICPC, the government has become jittery and at a meeting in the Government House on Saturday last week, it was agreed that vital documents that could implicate officials of the administration be burnt after the close of work while the blame would as usual be attributed to “electric malfunction” in that office complex which is directly opposite the Government House.”
Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Eddy Olafeso, however, described the allegation as “only fit to come from the perverted minds of those who have not seen anything good or wish this state well.”
Also, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to the Governor, Mr. Yemi Olowolabi, denied the allegation, saying that it was unfortunate that LP has reached the level where it could not change its colour, stressing that “nobody is reckoning with LP’s lies gain.”
“Agagu is a man of honour who has put in place due process and accountability upon which many unscrupulous and dishonest people left PDP to form LP,” he said
Olowolabi added that if there were any people planning to burn offices, it is LP supporters.
NEW STADIUM, NEW DEVELOPMENT
Our able Governor of Ondo State, Dr Olusegun Agagu has flagged off New Ultra Modern Stadium in our sunshine state. My people of Ondo State this is the part of development which is going on in our sunshine state, and some ignorant fellows now saying that he does nothing, but why people do not appreciate good things?, my people let us support our reliable Governor to develop and make the sun continue to shine, than to listen to those Iniquity genius that called themselves Messiah. I will continue to support and contribute to the development and progress of our sunshine state. WHAT ABOUT YOU?
This write up is worthy of note,especially in this age of mudslings and dirty politics. Please read on courtesy of Nigerian Daily Independent:
‘Iroko’ and the Ondo Dream
By McNezer Fasehun, mcnezerf@yahoo.com 0803-716-7464
Lithe-stature medical practitioner, suave politician, athletic campaigner, Abdulrahman Olusegun Mimiko, MB.CHB, is a delightsome subject of an inquisitive biographer. He is an enigma of some sort; a suitable material for 21st century politics. When the medical profession is blessed by individuals with the combination of the foregoing qualities, the patient can heave a sigh of relief that his days of ailment are numbered, since, from this writer’s childhood imagination, a doctor could not have been a true doctor if he were obese and pot-bellied. Rather he should stand at a perpendicular angle of 90-degrees with an athletic build to match.
Olusegun Mimiko, like most political dialecticians of the Marxian hue, made his in-road into politics by being a people’s doctor. His professional sympathy lay more with the proletariat than with the bourgeoisie. Coming from a largely class-conscious and aristocratically delineated community like Ondo town where bell-ringing names in the medical profession include the Dosekuns, Fasehuns, Akinsetes, Akinkugbes, Awosikas – names you kow-tow to in a largely creolized colonial community – Dr. Mimiko emerged on the medical firmament as a doctor who, through his professional practice, would bridge the gap between the lords and the commoners. Before his emergence, individuals who belonged to the ‘aristocratic’ class were those who, having mounted such professional podia as law, medicine, engineering, etc, also consciously or unconsciously promoted the yawning social gap that existed between them and others. While the Venerable Akinrele would produce a Frank Akinrele as the first Senior Advocate of Nigeria(SAN)in the whole Ondo Province (progenitor of present-day Ondo and Ekiti States), a Pa Dosekun would produce a Felix Dosekun, who with the likes of Thomas Oritsejolomi would leave the University College Ibadan to co-establish the Lagos University Teaching Hospital. While a Pa Adedoyin Fasehun,himself the first Nigerian to become the senior prefect of St. Andrew’s College, Oyo, would produce an Odunayo Fasehun who would emerge as one of the few distinguished surgeons in Nigeria and a Pa Sama (later Sasere)Akinsete would produce as many doctors as he could, the Awosikas having pioneered Christian creolization through Bishop Awosika and political aristocracy through Chief Olawoyin Awosika, would also hedge-hop into medicine with a Victor Oloyede Awosika coming to loom large in medicine, business and politics. This writer knew much of these with maternal Awosika blood and paternal Fasehun blood coursing through him.
All these individuals fetched the Ondo community the prestigious pride of place amongst the larger Yoruba community, which, in itself, takes pride in being one of the most evolved cultures in the world. Yet, just as the very bane of the Yoruba people and politics is their grand standing cultural pedestal, Ondo indigenes, with their professional credentials, both as a community as well as a State, have also shut themselves away from the imperatives of grassroots politics. Whereas teachers, in the recent past were posted to Ilaje, Okitipupa, Igbokoda, from Ondo Educational District, ethno-political atomization has made Ondo State play outside the national league.
Olusegun Mimiko’s approach to politics and his professional practice is remarkably different. He, a member of a very aristocratic profession like medicine, is rather at home with the rank and file, with all and sundry. When this writer’s grandmother was going to pass on and her Professor son had mentioned it to Dr. Mimiko, he actually took time to visit the 107-year old woman at home to give medical advice. His medical practice was like a house-to-house evangelism. It was like a mass-mobilization campaign for freedom and salvation from the shackles of ill-health. He probably would not have made a good lawyer taking adversarial stands in legal disputations because it seems natural for him to comb the high and the low, the hero and the unsung. By the time he began to canvass for the people’s votes, he was already lodged in their hearts. They discussed him with passion. Positive passion!
A product of the academic as well as the student union politics of the formidable University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University), and widely regarded as the cove of Africa’s intellectual radicalism, Dr. Mimiko has good reasons to get into politics and perform excellently well. Given the benefit of the Obafemi Awolowo legacy, one had expected the likes of Ayodele Fayose, lately of Ekiti State, to deliver the Tinapa type of civilization Donald Duke gave to Cross River State. One would have also expected to have outstanding performances from the Southwest from one generation to another given that Awolowo himself was a pioneer in many political fronts. Unfortunately the geopolitical zone had lately been infested with looters and buccaneers of a tall, shameless order.
With an Olusegun Mimiko in the saddle, with veritable and verifiable academic credentials to show and with a natural tendency to bridge the gap between social and political classes, one can dream of an Ondo State that would be a reference point – the same civilized way Babatunde Raji Fashola seems to be envisioning the Lagos of our dream. The overwhelming support he got from the last election outside his immediate constituency and in which the Election Tribunal has declared him winner is a pointer to the fact that in the Ondo State of our dream, ethnic chauvinism and distrust will be a thing of the past. And the grapevine is already abuzz with the jist that most of his team in government would be men and women below a certain age limit – individuals who in working outfits would readily hop from place to place delivering efficient and effective service to the good people of Ondo State. Mimiko is expected to be the action governor of our time. Mimiko by virtue of his professional pedigree, having sworn to the Hippocratic oath that he owes every living soul a duty of care to ensure that lives and limbs are properly preserved, cannot but make provisions for adequate construction of roads, drugs, food, shelter and good education. He has no reason to disappoint the people.
However, the Southwest should have only one dream, of not only producing ebullient young governors at the regional level but also grooming them for higher national assignments like the presidency. Dr. Mimiko and his ilk should therefore bear in mind that they are the blocks meant for use in the construction of a political edifice for the geo-political zone. A very formidable region both culturally and politically, the Southwest is hungry and thirsty to have distinguished political icons who in the comity of nationalities can hold their own. It is on this note that we would feel proud to have produced a towering iroko in a political forest where men are men. Then, we would not have failed this and future generations.
This Edo State News rings very true in Ondo State. Please read on courtesy of This Day Newspaper:
Rousing welcome for Oshiomhole in Benin
From Adibe Emenyonu in Benin, 09.17.2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Economic activities in major streets and markets came to a halt yesterday, in Benin, the Edo state capital as the immediate past President, Nigeria Labour Congress(NLC) and gubernatorial candidate of the Action Congress (AC) in the April 2007 election in the state , Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, arrived the state capital to a rousing welcome.
There was an unprecedented traffic as Oshiomhole’s convoy which stretched for over four kilometres made the city impassable.
Artisans, students, market women and party faithful momentarily closed down their shops to receive the Action Congress(AC) governorship candidate in the April 14, 2007 election, who had been away from the state for two months.
Oshiomhole was carried shoulder high by the over-joyous crowd into an open van from the airport to ring road, through Oba’s palace junction to the AC office.
Addressing the crowd at the party office, Oshiomhole who was declared as the elected governor of the state by the Election Petition Tribunal urged the people to maintain the existing peace while reaffirming his confidence in the ability of the judiciary to discharge their responsibilities very well.
“But let me use this opportunity to appeal to the good people of Edo state to maintain the existing peace, there is no cause for alarm. We have waited for more than a year and eight months, and I believe that we can afford to wait a little longer for justice to prevail,” he said .
Oshiomhole told the over 60,000 crowd who trekked for over five kilometres with him that “it does not matter how long it would take, justice will prevail, it does not matter what pains we are going through now justice will come.
The Punch Report on the Edo Saga is another reminder of the awaited justice in Ondo State. Please read on:
Oshiomhole explains delay over appeal, calls for calm
By Fidelis Soriwei Benin
The candidate of the Action Congress in the April 2007 governorship election in Edo State, Mr. Adams Oshiomhole, has appealed to the people of the state to exercise patience over the delay in the hearing of the appeal against the ruling of the election tribunal which declared him the validly elected governor of the state.
Also, Oshiomole accused Governor Oseiheimen Osunbor of running the finances of the state like a family business.
He said the leadership of the AC would bring out the figures to show how the governor had squandered not less than N50bn allocation to the state in the past one and a half years since he was inaugurated as governor.
The former President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, who made the comment during a press conference in Benin, said that contrary to the insinuations in some quarters that he had agreed not to pursue his appeal, the AC and its leadership were priceless and could not compromise.
”I want to assure our people that when it comes to judicial matters, you cannot push the judiciary beyond what they want to do. We can only continue to pray and trust that so far, the judiciary has discharged their responsibilities very well. We want to thank them; we want to appreciate them.
”Osunbor, like a man who is living on borrowed robes, has been doing everything to confuse the people and of course, as we now know, he runs the finances of Edo State like a family business. There are no systems; we will bring out the figures to show that Osunbor has received over N50bn.
But the Chief Press Secretary to Osunbor, Mr. Dan Aigbavboa, faulted the claim by the AC candidate saying Osunbor had ensured a judicious utilisation of the funds allocated to the state to the benefit of the citizenry.
The atticle below is of interest.
Remain blessed
Why appeal panels were delayed – Appeal Court president
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 September 2008 )
Written by Suleiman M. Bisalla, on 17-09-2008 00:00
Views 88
Technical issues as well as the recent annual vacation of judges were some of the reasons responsible for the failure of the Appeal Court to constitute Appeal Panels for some cases already decided by Election Petition Tribunals across the country, President of the Court of Appeal Justice Umaru Abdullahi has said.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Trust in Abuja on Monday, Justice Abdullahi said none of the appeals yet to be heard was ready for hearing before the judges began their annual leave on July 17, 2008. Even now, no case is ready for hearing at the Appeal Court, he said.
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) at the weekend petitioned the National Judicial Council asking it to invoke its constitutional powers to sanction the Appeal Court President if he fails to resign for his failure “to empanel justices to hear appeals pending at the Court of Appeal”.
But in his reaction, Justice Abdullahi said those crying foul were either ignorant of the system or had decided to be mischievous. Besides, he said he could not have recalled any judge from his vacation to come and hear any case since they needed time to rest and possibly go for medical check up.
“Judges are not just cheap commodities that you can pick any time to suit the yearnings of politicians. We are human beings. We cannot work throughout the year. We needour rest. We only resumed work today (Monday) after our vacation,” he said.
He called on those raising eyebrows to seek education on the judicial system and stop displaying ignorance where they ought to know better.
“They don’t even know when appeal is ready and when it is not. We have a system and if they know it, then they are being mischievous. If they don’t know, they need to come and ask.”
He added, “When a case is finished from the tribunal, the first thing you do is to compile the record of proceedings. When you compile the records, the counsels to both parties must have a look at the record to make sure that they are a true reflection of what had happened. From then the record will come officially to the Court of Appeal. From that time, the appellant who is appealing will have two months to file his brief of argument. The respondent will have 45 days to file his reply. After that the appellant will file another reply if need be. If you add up the whole thing it goes up to four months.”
Justice Abdullahi cited the case of the Edo State governorship, one of the references made by the petitioners, saying the counsels were currently talking about filing papers. He assured however that he would empanel judges to commence hearing the Edo case early next month.
“I can’t remember any of the appeals that was finished in March, none of them. The latest one is the Edo case which fished in April or so. Right now they are still talking about filing papers, let alone to say the appeal is ready for hearing. But I had decided that as soon as we come back, this is the first appeal we shall take,” he said.
He said the panel would be constituted soon after the period of fasting. “It has to be after Sallah because this is the time I have to meet my religious obligation to my creator and nobody can tamper with that,” he said.
The Appeal Court president described allegations that he and some judges had perverted the course of justice in some judgments delivered by the Appeal Court as “absolute nonsense,” saying the accusations were mere political gimmicks.
“This is absolute nonsense. Each judgment that has been written has been supported by reasoning and conclusion. Reasons have been cited behind each judgment. It’s just politics. Anybody in his right senses will know that at the Court of Appeal level, we don’t just write any judgment. We look at the materials placed before us and we use it to arrive at our decision. We give reasons for our decisions,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] separately quoted Justice Umaru Abdullahi yesterday as having said on the same issue: “It is not true that there is delay in constituting the tribunals. Political matters generate a lot of interest, but no matter how much interest they generate, we cannot be rushed into doing things. We have to do things in accordance with the rules, no matter what anybody thinks.’’
He said all petitions pending before the various Election Petition Tribunals had been concluded, except in some states such as Kogi, Nasarawa, Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, and FCT, where the cases were being re-tried.
Commenting on calls for his resignation by the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Abdullahi said he was
serving his country to the best of his ability.
He declared: “If there are people who feel that I don’t deserve to be here, it’s up to them to justify why I should not be here. I know I love my country, so I’m serving my country in the best way I can.
“I’ve satisfied myself that I’m doing my best. I know that not everybody will appreciate what one does, but I will try
The article below is of interest.
Remain blessed.
Why appeal panels were delayed – Appeal Court president
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 17 September 2008 )
Written by Suleiman M. Bisalla, on 17-09-2008 00:00
Views 88
Technical issues as well as the recent annual vacation of judges were some of the reasons responsible for the failure of the Appeal Court to constitute Appeal Panels for some cases already decided by Election Petition Tribunals across the country, President of the Court of Appeal Justice Umaru Abdullahi has said.
In an exclusive interview with Daily Trust in Abuja on Monday, Justice Abdullahi said none of the appeals yet to be heard was ready for hearing before the judges began their annual leave on July 17, 2008. Even now, no case is ready for hearing at the Appeal Court, he said.
The Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) at the weekend petitioned the National Judicial Council asking it to invoke its constitutional powers to sanction the Appeal Court President if he fails to resign for his failure “to empanel justices to hear appeals pending at the Court of Appeal”.
But in his reaction, Justice Abdullahi said those crying foul were either ignorant of the system or had decided to be mischievous. Besides, he said he could not have recalled any judge from his vacation to come and hear any case since they needed time to rest and possibly go for medical check up.
“Judges are not just cheap commodities that you can pick any time to suit the yearnings of politicians. We are human beings. We cannot work throughout the year. We needour rest. We only resumed work today (Monday) after our vacation,” he said.
He called on those raising eyebrows to seek education on the judicial system and stop displaying ignorance where they ought to know better.
“They don’t even know when appeal is ready and when it is not. We have a system and if they know it, then they are being mischievous. If they don’t know, they need to come and ask.”
He added, “When a case is finished from the tribunal, the first thing you do is to compile the record of proceedings. When you compile the records, the counsels to both parties must have a look at the record to make sure that they are a true reflection of what had happened. From then the record will come officially to the Court of Appeal. From that time, the appellant who is appealing will have two months to file his brief of argument. The respondent will have 45 days to file his reply. After that the appellant will file another reply if need be. If you add up the whole thing it goes up to four months.”
Justice Abdullahi cited the case of the Edo State governorship, one of the references made by the petitioners, saying the counsels were currently talking about filing papers. He assured however that he would empanel judges to commence hearing the Edo case early next month.
“I can’t remember any of the appeals that was finished in March, none of them. The latest one is the Edo case which fished in April or so. Right now they are still talking about filing papers, let alone to say the appeal is ready for hearing. But I had decided that as soon as we come back, this is the first appeal we shall take,” he said.
He said the panel would be constituted soon after the period of fasting. “It has to be after Sallah because this is the time I have to meet my religious obligation to my creator and nobody can tamper with that,” he said.
The Appeal Court president described allegations that he and some judges had perverted the course of justice in some judgments delivered by the Appeal Court as “absolute nonsense,” saying the accusations were mere political gimmicks.
“This is absolute nonsense. Each judgment that has been written has been supported by reasoning and conclusion. Reasons have been cited behind each judgment. It’s just politics. Anybody in his right senses will know that at the Court of Appeal level, we don’t just write any judgment. We look at the materials placed before us and we use it to arrive at our decision. We give reasons for our decisions,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria [NAN] separately quoted Justice Umaru Abdullahi yesterday as having said on the same issue: “It is not true that there is delay in constituting the tribunals. Political matters generate a lot of interest, but no matter how much interest they generate, we cannot be rushed into doing things. We have to do things in accordance with the rules, no matter what anybody thinks.’’
He said all petitions pending before the various Election Petition Tribunals had been concluded, except in some states such as Kogi, Nasarawa, Abia, Bayelsa, Delta, and FCT, where the cases were being re-tried.
Commenting on calls for his resignation by the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP), Abdullahi said he was
serving his country to the best of his ability.
He declared: “If there are people who feel that I don’t deserve to be here, it’s up to them to justify why I should not be here. I know I love my country, so I’m serving my country in the best way I can.
“I’ve satisfied myself that I’m doing my best. I know that not everybody will appreciate what one does, but I will try
Patience is a virtue. Peace. No shakking.
We never bother if the Appeal Panel is constituted 10 years to come, one thing is sure God will be GLORIFIED IN Edo and Ondo State, Adams and Mimiko respectively will be Govenor. They will all celebrate a New year in their various Positions.
God is teaching them how to be patience. Pls some should let them know this. That is how the massess had been for years waiting for the Moses for their deliverance.
Sitting for Ondo State appeal will , hopefully, soon follow.
Edo: Appeal Court Hears Case Tomorrow
From Adibe Emenyonu in Benin City, 09.24.2008
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The Court of Appeal in Benin has fixed tomorrow for hearing of the appeals by the Edo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Governor Oserheimen Osunbor and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) against the ruling of the election petitions tribunal on the disputed state governorship election.
This is coming six months after the state Governorship Election Petitions Tribunal had March 20 upturned the election of Osunbor as winner of the April 2007 election in the state and directed INEC to “withdraw the Certificate of Return issued to Osunbor.”
It also ordered that the Certificate of Return be issued to the Action Congress (AC) candidate, Adams Oshiomhole, as Governor of Edo State having scored a quarter of total votes cast in 12 of the 18 local government areas of the state.
A summons paper issued by the Court of Appeal with number CA/B/EPT/91/2008 and suit number EDGU/EPT/1/2007 between Professor Oserheimen Osunbor and Comrade Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole and ors, INEC and Comrade Adams A. Oshiomhole and ors, and PDP and Comrade A. A. Oshiomhole and ors read: “Take notice that the above mentioned Appeal will be listed for hearing before Court of Nigeria, sitting at the Court of Appeal Building, Auchi Road, Benin City on 25th Day of September 2008 at 9 O’clock in the forenoon or so soon thereafter.”
The PDP and Osunbor are praying the Appeal Court to overrule the tribunal’s verdict and declare them winners of the election.
They are also praying that in the event that the Appeal Court did not deem it fit to award them victory at the poll, it should declare a fresh election in the state.
The tribunal headed by Justice Peter Umeadi had, in its six-hour ruling, declared Oshiomhole winner having polled 166,577 votes against Osunbor’s 129,017.
Oshiomhole, it added, secured one quarter of the votes cast in 12 local government areas of the state, pointing out that the petitioner had proved beyond reasonable doubt malpractices and non-compliance by INEC with the Electoral Act of 2006 in the 12 local government areas of the state.
It held that the petitioner had been able to prove its allegations of multiple voting, rigging and outright electoral fraud and multiple accreditations during the election.
After reviewing the votes cast at the election, the tribunal said it found 51,534 invalid for the PDP because they were not stamped at the back, while it recorded 13,610 invalid votes for the AC bringing the total to 65,144. These invalid votes were cancelled out right by the tribunal.
Similarly, the tribunal cancelled all votes scored by both parties on account of over-voting, and said the total number of votes scored by the AC candidate in the four local government areas of Oredo, Egor, Ikpoba Okhai and Etsako East which were not challenged by the respondents stood at 84,893 for the AC while PDP scored 29,657.
10 years is stretching it! Unfortunately, the delay is symptomatic of the malaise that we are all enmeshed in in our country. You ‘d think a decision that affects thousands of lives would be made within a reasonable period of time. We do things at 10 BC (before Christ) tempo whilst the more successful nations do theirs in the opposite direction.
I am not trying to put a dampener on things, but Ondo state problem in my estimation, as the rest of the country is, is beset by a myriad of fundamental problems that need fixing at the federal level. Dr Mimiko may be successful in alleviating some of these woes during his tenure, but my contention is that a wholesale re-orientation needs to take place, a seismic shift in worldview in short. I say this for the following reasons:
As public office is seen as a means of self aggrandisement and also a realm where officers are not accountable to the electorates, officials thus run amok when they assume and are in office. The upshot of my grouse is this: the governor in our state may mean well and full of vision, but will his subordinates subscribe to the same? For instance we have commissioners and executive of goverrnment agencies who have no clue about what is going on in their respective ministries. For example, I was surprised to learn the other day that we have an agency called Waste Management Board in Ondo state. What irony!!!
Second, how do you remove a common sentiment which is prevalent amongst our people thus – when you are a civil servant and you are attempting to work your socks off in your job, colleagues and family will chastise you for putting in the extra effort with the retort ‘Do you want to kill yourself, afterall is it not government work you are doing?!!!’
I once visited the office of the speaker of the house of assembly’s office and found over 10 people sitting in the speaker’s front office. They all turned out to be employees of the speaker! By the way, this visit occurred some years ago and I would be surprised if this is still not the case.
Also visit any typical government office anywhere and you ‘d be surprised at how many staff you find awake at 10 am in the morning.
When government does not work or is inefficient, the whole society will be in a mess. There is a correlation between the two.
We need etching into people’s psyche that the civil service domain is solely for the advancement of the public good and not for the advancement of a chosen few.
@T.A – Your comment above is the real reason why Democracy should be given a chance in Nigeria. The Force Field Analysis comes to my mind here. Nigeria has for a long time been trying without success to fight the evil people in our midst and they are in the majority; hence its been like bashing one’s head against a brick wall. Let us take for example that Nigeria is populated by 100 people. Only 5 of the 100 are people of integrity, they are ready to work hard to make Nigeria a corrupt free and advanced country; they are ready to sacrifice their all (not their lives for dead good people are of no use in Nigeria so I am not preaching matrydom); and they are sorrounded by 95 evil minded, corrupt, selfish, lying, cheating, scoundrels. What do they do to change the status quo? Would the 5 start waging war on the 95 (power does not equate sense)? They will tire out, and ultimately fail. What I suggest they do is what the Force Field Analysis would teach. That is, the 5 start doing their own good deeds without physical combat against the 95. They can then identify 10 not so wickedly dinosauric of the 95 and with gently consistence, gradually win them over, they become 15. Now if 15 now very sound and efficient, effective, clean, correct, decent and incorrupt people work together in unity, they could still convert 20 out of the 85, then convert 30 more. Takes time but from 5 good people and with gradual conscious and focussed planning 65 could become converted and the really bad eggs would be at a later stage in the minority and not the majority any longer. At this point, war can be declared on them and they could be cleared off. Some would even quickly change and join the new majority and the die hards will well that’s their name – DIE. This is the way forward and this is why the likes of Agagu in Ondo State, and the Agagus in Nigeria should be shunned and the likes of Mimiko, who the people has voted in in Ondo State for they see in him Integrity Resillience and proven track record of delivering the goods and effecting change; should be given a chance. That is DEMOCRACY should be given a chance, not foolery and indirect autocracy and this absolute power that corrupts absolutely. See what Fashola has done and is still doing in Lagos, and what Daniels did especially in his first term in Ogun State, and of course, Donald Duke in Cross River did are worthy of mention.
There is no quick fix to this deep rooted problem in Ondo State and Nigeria. Hard work, unwavering focussed and solid work towards achieving the goal is needed. A true leader will sorround himself with people of like minds and complementary vision, and work hard to convince the others why the way to success is hard and laborious, but also why it is satisfactory and worthy. If I come into a very dirty room and want to remain there, what do I do? Moan and complain and do nothing? It will get dirtier and I might as well bail out. But if I take broom and start sweeping and brushing and I have people I can call to help, that room with hard work will become habitable, wont it. If I feel dirty, after the hard work, I’ll take a bath and feel clean. But the greater reward is that spiritually satisfactory sense of accomplishement and pride in a job well done.
Well we can blow grammar and rationalise, and become disillusioned, but never say die, is my personal motto, and that change we all yearn for can be effected. With all that has transpired, with all lessons learnt, with all support and with ~God that has taken absolute control and confounded the enemies, our Governor Elect Mimiko has a lifelong experience and reminder of how hard the fight for democracy has been and he will never sacrifice democracy and his integrity. I repeat, Fashola in Lagos State is proving this. Mimiko in Ondo State would have proved even more, but the long wait for the truth to be actualised (although declared already) is Ondo State loss.
The political climate in Nigeria is gradually changing. Things are gradually moving on. Hasnt Nabaruma proved that not all judges are corrupt and would take bribe and declare the untruth? Is EFCC not curbing (yes we could debate this) excessive corrupted excesses? Madame Etteh, Iyabo Obasanjo Bello, and others who wanted to wear the shoes of the likes of Obasanjo, Agagu, Ehindero and co were openly shamed. Even these three mentioned are being investigated. The salient ones are being flushed out, but by and by the hidden ones especially in the North of Nigeria will have their turn for the Force Field analysis model is at work. People who openly flount the law and display their corrupt degenerate beings are gradually going into hiding, and many more will follow. Yes, a hard struggle, but not only a battle of physical combat, but a battle of wit, mind and willpower.
I am seizing this opportunity to use this comment of mine as my 48th Independence day message to my beloved country NIGERIA, and at the same time, begging Ondo State to be a pathfinder, a pioneer and a knight in fighting corruption and flush out greedy governor and followers in our midst.
All said, morning shows the day and not nightime. PEACE.
Today is the last day of another month and tomorrow marks the dawn of the 18th month in our fight for the actualisation of proper democracy in Ondo State. The fight for emancipation and the building of an egalitarian society in Nigeria and particularly in Ondo State must continue and never wane. Tomorrow marks the 48th Independence of our Motherland and the War Against Corruption must continue. Before we know it, Nigeria will be going to the Polls again in 2011, and it is our collective duties and responsibilities to ensure that we do not witness the shame and disaster of the so called massively rigged elections of 2007. Plans must be put in place from now, for prevention is better than cure. Collectively we must give our views and opinions on how we believe this could be done.
I will again call on our efficient, effective and hardworking Admin personnel to open a forum for collective sharing and reasoning, as to how best to effect a free and fair proper democratic election in 2011; especially in Ondo State. By the grace of God, the willpower and finance to keep this website perpetually going, will be granted and the readers on this site will be blessed with sound reasonings, sound political educating and sound planning for a strong front to fight poverty, corruption and foolery of the common man in Ondo State.
From all indications, there may be no need for a Governorship Election in Ondo State in 2011, for Mimiko’s 4 year tenure will start from the day he assumes power in Akure (this is going to happen, mark my words), but the whole burden of making sure that Ondo State turn up trumps in Election 2011 will rest on him. Do not be dismayed that Omotaylor is already focussed on 2011, simply because an impostor of a governor has decided to appeal his removal from office. This is just a paper excercise, for THE TRUTH shall be upheld once again. The road to Democracy is a just road to trod. We are winners. We have never and will never lose hope that “ohun rere le jade lati Jerusalemu” – something good will yet come out of Ondo State, and this would be measurable, visible (not the present phantom projects that are only seen on paper pages), plain and clear, simple to assess, copyable, enviable and assessable. These would be the trademarks of the Governorship Term(s) of Governor Rahman Olusegun Mimiko. Why not join the winning team. Dont leave it too late for now is when to prove that you are against corruption, poverty, psycophancy, divide, looting, bribery, embezzlement, foolery and what have you in Ondo State.
By the way, where is Olusegun Agagu? If on foreign trips, are these holidays, or official? If Official, can we be informed of the purpose and mission? Are these not what are expected of a transparent government who would want to convince that whatever they do is for the good of the common electorate? PEACE
Good Morning Nigeria and a very good morning to my dear Ondo State and all that dwell therein. “A o ji re bi”? Oluwa a mu wa sun layo ki a si tun ji layo lojojumo ni oruko Jesu.
A blessed 48th Independence Anniversary to my beloved country, Nigeria. My Anniversary message to you is a very simple on – GIVE DEMOCRACY A CHANCE.
Governor Elect Olusegun Mimiko, I have an anniversary message for you also. You are a man that God has chosen and your dream will come true. Always remember the story of Joseph whenever you feel so cheated, down but never out. Its a touching story but a story that gives courage when hope seems lost. You see, Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers, all due to jealousy and sold off. That was not all, he was cast into prison for holding on to his integrity and uprightness, and he was forgotten there even by those he had help with interpreting their dreams. Nevertheless, Joseph found favour all the time, he was able to utilise his God given talents in ALL situations and never forgot God, even when in tears and fears. God is your sheild and your all in all. You dont need anything else. For ONE DAY Joseph’s day of victory and glory dawned, for God it is that knows the time for everything we do. Pharaoh called on Joseph, his dreams were interpreted right and Pharoah made Joseph his second in command:
Genesis 41 – “Joseph’s Rise to Power
So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. You shall be over my house, and all my people shall be ruled according to your word; only in regard to the throne will I be greater than you.” And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took his signet ring off his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand; and he clothed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck. And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had; and they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” So he set him over all the land of Egypt.”
Governor Elect Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko, THIS IS YOUR LIFE. Be encouraged and all shall be well. The appeal result will ratify the truth that has already been declared by Justice Nabaruma, for an imposter shall no longer be forced on us. Ondo State needs a Governor, not a taskmaster. Ondo State needs a Governor, not a trickmaster, Ondo State needs a Governor, not a Thiefmaster. Peace
Who can best describe the word Democracy? This question is open to all loyal viewers on this site. No dictionary or Google’d quotes please.
In classical Greece from whence the word emanates, democracy means a government formed by, of and for the people. The idea is that everybody is carried along in every decisions that are made and which are likely to have some effect on the polity in general. Some of it’s salient features are therefore openness/transparency, accountability, respect for the rule of law. People who serve in any structure that spring up from the polity serve FOR the benefit of the polity AND NOT for their selfish myopic interests. They are thus servants not oppressors.
This is an ideal that I believe every democratic nation aspires to meet. In our own case in Nigeria we are as far from it as the distance between the earth and planet Jupiter. For, instead of having individuals who are dedicated in ensuring a utilitarian outcome in every policy initiative, what we have instead are gangsters, halfwits, philistines presiding over our affairs. This fact is not new. We are all privy to their handiwork. You can for instance write their economic and social policy objectives on the palm of your hand.
We are told by some, apologists of the status quo, that ours is a nascent democracy, but is there not a Yoruba proverb that says you can actually tell whether a person will excel later in life from his/her behaviour/action/demaenour when an infant? But I don’t think this is a lost cause, as long as we start doing things right.
Thank you so very much T.A. for your detailed description of Democracy. I definitely agree with every part of it -true say. This is still thrown open to all others, for in describing Democracy in our own words, we stand to learn while sharing. Mr Fred, are you there? What’s your take on this? Peace
Yoruba adage for the day – courtesy of T.A. – “Omo to ba ma je asamu, kekere lo ti nse samu samu”.
What is Democracy for you? Please join in this Democracy update.
Meanwhile, our fight for the actualisation of true Democracy in Ondo State continues. Mimiko is the acclaimed and ratified Governor in Ondo State and this is the simple fact of the matter. Impostors would have no place in any seat of governance no longer in Ondo State and Nigeria for the wind of change is now going to start blowing for real. Let us cast our minds on the South African fight for freedom, vis a vis Nelson Mandela. Took time but without relenting, the believers in Freedom, continued unto the very sweet end of Apartheid. This is our model in our fight for democracy in Nigeria and in Ondo State. We must never sway to the left or right in pursuing a just cause.
My quote for today is that we should all look on to God, the Author and Finisher of our Faith and press on knowing that our victory is assured. The Truth will prevail. Peace
Waking up today and still having the Ondo State political issue at heart, I for a change today feel very positive and good. Why could this be? Well, you see one tends to feel low and dispirited if one allows him/herself to believe that evil forces of corruption, deceit and foolery are the winning group in Ondo State. But why I ask myself this morning would one entertain such thoughts? Would press propaganda of deceit, dirty politics of falsities, or even the slowness of the Nigerian legal system in making a determination of a concern that affects the life of all and sundry in Ondo State; be the state of affairs forever? The answer is a resonate NO.
Ondo State is going to attain its freedom from exploitation, the people of Ondo State who have chosen wisely and voted enmasse for Dr Rahman Olusegun Mimiko. Dr Mimiko is a man of vision and capability, a man of compassion and genuine love of his people, a man who is humble, open, amiable, and who respects both young and old; a man who God has chosen as a favourite and who will forever enjoy this favour from God, a man of class and intelligence, and a man of wisdom and openness. He will be vindicated yet again and will resume office in Ondo State THIS YEAR in Jesus name. I for one cannot wait, Ondo state will echo me on this.
I pray yet again and enjoin all peaceloving, genuine and just people to join me in prayers that God continues to strenghten, refresh, protect and bless our man His Excellency Dr Mimiko. We pray that Labour Party in Nigeria becomes in the not too distant future, a party that is foremost in the forefront in Nigeria. PDP cannot hold on to dictating the political climate and tempo in Nigeria forever. Nigeria will not become a one party system, for this is against the spirit of democracy. We pray that in Ondo State and Nigeria, the preparations for the 2011 elections would have started and lessons learnt from shambolic elections 2007 would be visited and revisited so that past mistakes are not repeated. We pray that in Ondo State, as it is not likely that there will be that many electoral positions in 2011 (oh our Governor Mimiko will complete his 4-year tenure as Governor in Ondo State); Ondo State will for at least 8 years to come, have a Mimiko led government of change and complete turnaround from poverty, decadence and backwardness; to Industrialisation, international alliances that will bring in the machineries of modernisation; good infrastructure; provision of ALL basic amenities; sound education; and the list is endless.
Dr Olusegun Mimiko, once again, I, Omotaylor prays and decrees into your life, good health; good fortune; good governance; progress and stability in your personal/governmental lives; continued endowment of all spiritual powers to rule and govern with the genuine love of God and man, that you already have. I want you to know one thing – ONDO STATE LOVES YOU AND WANTS YOU AS GOVERNOR. Ondo State is grateful that God has brought you up as a Daniel that has come for justice and fairplay. We see in you not only a present governor of Ondo State and a future president of Nigeria. You have all the qualities of a true leader and the sky is the limit in your political endeavours. Dr Mimiko, you shall be now and forever blessed. Ondo State will be blessed through you. All and sundry in Ondo State will continue to acclaim you as David was acclaimed after his victory over Goliath. King Saul was jealous and met a hot end. So God has made your enemies your footstool. God has placed you high above so many and God who stood by King David through thick and thin will stand by you forever. God, in the presence of your enemies will pour His annointing on you and your cup will run over. Read your simple Psalms 23, 91, 27, 121, 4, 3, and 24 regularly sir. Many are praying for you and the collective prayers of the faithful will be effervescent in completion for the host of heavens will on your behalf sing hossanah and alleluia to the Lord of hosts in Jesus name.
I pray for my dear Ondo State, I pray for all who are toiling day and night, sparing nothing materially, physically, intellectually and spiritually to place Ondo State in the Nigerian book of records. All our personal and collective prayers will be answered. Amen. Peace