Timothy Olayiwola allegedly defiled an eight-year old

A Lagos family court has ordered the remand in prison custody of a furniture maker who allegedly abducted and defiled an eight-year old girl and in the process tore her private part at Mushin, Lagos State, Western Nigeria.
The 28-year old furniture maker, Timothy Olayiwola forcefully took the victim to his room and pulled her pants down before forcefully penetrating her.
During the process, he tore her vagina and she sustained serious injury and she is now being treated at a General Hospital.
The incident happened at Coker street at Mushin where the accused resides with the victim’s parents. After the act, he gave her N50 to buy biscuit and warned her not tell anyone what happened.
When he later released the little girl, she was in pains and bleeding from her private part. She told her parents what happened and showed them the money he gave her.
The matter was reported to the police at Olosun division in Mushin and he was arrested. He later confessed to the police that he committed the act.
His neighbours also informed the police that it was not the first time he was raping minors in the compound.
The Oyo state-born artisan confessed that it was not the first time he was raping minors, noting that, a handful of them have been victims in the past.
He told police that he defiled a seven-year old girl and pleaded with the victim’s parents who later withdrew the matter.
On why he embark on defiling minors, Olayiwola said he was finding difficult to woo women. He said he failed on many occasions despite his efforts.
Olayiwola was charged before the court on a two count charge of abduction and defilement under the Criminal Code.
When he was arraigned, he pleaded not guilty and was granted bail in the sum of N200,000 with two sureties.
However, he was remanded in custody pending when he will fulfill his bail condition.

 Efcc Operatives

 
An Ikeja High Court on Monday issued a warrant of arrest against a Bureau de Change operator, Dipo Adedokun, over an alleged N155 million theft.
Justice Olutoyin Ipaye issued the warrant after Adedokun failed to appear before the court for the continuation of trial.
The judge revoked the N15 million bail earlier granted to Adedokun and ordered the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to arrest him.
She said Adedokun should be arrested and produced in court on the next adjournment date fixed for 28 October.
Earlier, Counsel to the EFCC, Mr Kayode Oni, told the court that the accused had failed to appear at two consecutive proceedings without cogent reasons.
Oni, therefore, asked the court to revoke his bail and issue a bench warrant against him to enable the EFCC to arrest him and expedite the trial.
However, Adedokun’s Counsel, Mr Rafiu Bello, objected to Oni’s oral application and pleaded with the court not to issue the warrant against the accused.
Bello explained that the accused was facing severe health challenges as a result of his being incarcerated for over 14 months and facing multiple criminal charges preferred against him by the EFCC.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the accused is facing a two-count charge of obtaining money under false pretences and stealing.
The EFCC alleged that Adedokun stole the money belonging to a businessman, Mr Oboden Ibru, under the pretext of helping him to convert the money to U.S. dollars.
The anti-graft agency said the accused failed to convert the money as agreed and refused to refund the complainant’s money.
According to the EFCC, the offences contravene Section 390 (8) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State 2003 and Section 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and other Fraud Related Offences Act, Laws of the Federation 2004.

 Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode

The race for the 2015 governorship election continues to gather momentum with aspirants, especially those in the All Progressives Congress, APC, strategising ahead of next month’s primaries. Many of the aspirants are putting finishing touches to their plans to be elected as the governorship candidate of the APC in Lagos. For Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, former Accountant-General in Lagos, contesting under the platform APC in next year’s governorship election to replace the incumbent, Governor Babatunde Fashola is key to repositioning Lagos and sustaining the gains already achieved.

In APC alone, a sizable number of aspirants kicked off their campaigns in a subtle way immediately after Governor Babatunde Fashola convincingly won re-election in April 26, 2011. Such aspirants include the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Adeyemi Ikuforiji, Commissioner for Works & Infrastructure, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat and former Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr. Tola Kasali.

Other aspirants are the Senate Minority Whip, Senator Ganiyu Solomon, Vice-Chairman of Senate Committee on Lands & Housing, Senator Gbenga Ashafa and former Commissioner for Health, Dr. Leke Pitan among others. But only last week, Ashafa, currently representing Lagos East senatorial district, stepped down from the race, citing the need to serve his people more at the National Assembly.

For Ambode, his ambition began after he resigned his appointment as the Accountant General of Lagos, even when he still had 12 years to go. He resigned with merit and commendation. With his endorsement early this year by the Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, the former Accountant General’s name appears to be on the lips of many Lagosians as the likely successor to Fashola.

As the race for the 2015 elections hots up, Ambode has unveiled his vision to govern Lagos. He has since been marketing his goals, potentials and vision to 5.436 million registered voters in the state. He has been constructively engaging the APC leaders and delegates across the state.

In spite of the challenges he said he had been facing on the political field, Ambode recently told journalists that he remained convincingly unrelenting, networking with the youths in the metropolis and suburbs, reaching the elders across all the strata as well as connecting the masses with his vision, which he said, would definitely take the state to another level if given opportunity.

Ambode said he had toured all the administrative divisions in Lagos from Epe to Badagry, Ikeja, Ikorodu and Lagos Island, adding that he had reached out to all Local Government Areas (LGAs) and local council development areas (LCDAs), seeking their views and soliciting their support. From all indications, Ambode might have warmed himself into the minds of the elite and the masses alike after presenting them with his agenda for Lagos and telling them why they should join forces with him.

Recently, he unveiled his vision for Lagos at a leadership lecture series on Victoria Island, Lagos, southwest Nigeria, where he addressed thousands of youths. The lecture was organised by For the Future Nigeria (FTF), an affiliate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which provided ample opportunity to x-ray what he described as the pro-poor programme he had developed “to realise a Lagos of excellence.”

Ambode explained how he had tailored his programmes sector by sector and agenda by agenda to APC’s manifestoes. He said APC has developed an all-inclusive action plan to give all Nigerians the tools to get out of poverty and better their lives. He stated that the quest to take governance to the next level is why  he wants to contest.

He stated that APC is an alternative to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He acknowledged the good works the previous administrations had done in the state since the tenure of Alhaji Lateef Jakande through the era of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and his successor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, all of whom he said he had the opportunity to work with in his 27-year public service career.

Ambode disproved his critics who said he lacked requisite experience to govern a city state like Lagos. He said he had worked with seven governors, who he said, had sufficiently equipped him for the task of putting Lagos on a good pedestal for massive investments and sustainable growth. He added that his experience under different administrations had prepared him for the challenges ahead.

At a meeting with the people of Badagry recently, Ambode said he had envisioned an all-inclusive economy in Lagos, where public transportation would run 24 hours; security of lives and properties would always be guaranteed; environment cleaner and safer at all times; economic activities sleepless; and where the younger generation could pursue their aspirations with  strength and vigour.

“I see a prosperous Lagos; a Lagos that is easily accessible, open to foreigners and Nigerians to pursue their potentials; a safe and clean environment; a Lagos that allows every person to achieve their potential; a Lagos that knows no gender, no race, no sex, no religion, no colouration; a Lagos that has connectivity and mobility; a 24-7 Lagos, a Lagos where the economy does not sleep at 8pm,” he said.

According to him, he had been consulting with critical stakeholders, community leaders, party chieftains, youth leaders and women leaders to harness their views on how to take Lagos from where Tinubu and Fashola have stopped to where everyone actually desires for the metropolis.

He said his vision to be the next governor of Lagos State was purely out of his burning desire to consolidate on the foundation laid by Tinubu and built upon by Fashola, adding that, “it is to run a government where every voice, either loud or thin, will be heard equally without discrimination. That is why we are moving around the state to ask what our people want and make it the basis of governance.”

Ambode assured his supporters that his leadership, if elected as the party flag bearer in the primary and eventually elected as the governor in 2015, would create a new Lagos and ultimately a new Nigeria. We want to create a new Lagos so that our people could be free from poverty. We want to create a new leadership that will challenge the status quo and poverty.”

The former Accountant General appealed to his supporters, particularly the delegates not to engage in any act of violence or what might jeopardize the interest of the party on or before 2015, when the election will hold proper. “We realize that we belong to the same party. We need not to fight or engage in any brawls. All we need is to vote judiciously based on our records,” he said.

Ambode’s aspiration has indeed gotten public approval, especially from the state’s top political officers he had worked with in recent years. His record showed that he served the Fashola administration for about five and half years.

In a letter of commendation, which Fashola wrote him on 2 December, 2012, the governor saluted his courage. According to Fashola, “I write on behalf of the government and people of Lagos State to specially commend you for the high sense of dedication, selflessness, loyalty and integrity, which you have brought to bear during your public service career.”

Fashola testified to the dynamism and professionalism which Ambode had brought to the state public service. He wrote that working closely with Ambode “has been of tremendous mutual benefits, particularly for the present administration as you have displayed enviable professional traits and a good team player.”

He further wrote that Ambode “has always been guided by the philosophy of a true public officer, who must place himself last while rendering service to the public. While convinced that your brilliance and zeal would make you excel in your endeavour.”

Former Chairman of Conference 57, Abiodun Faleke said Ambode’s aspiration “is a product of providence.” Faleke, now representing Ikeja Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, acknowledged that there “are many aspirants, but we all decided to support Ambode voluntarily” citing his leadership qualities and passion for the masses.

The lawmaker described Ambode as a man of impeccable character. He said: “I know Ambode a long time ago. He is a team player. His yes is always yes. He does not believe in scolding people. Rather, he believes in educating people. He has what it takes to be the next governor of the state. These qualities mark him out for the first position in Lagos State.”

Faleke thus urged other aspirants and political actors statewide to desist from the politics of mudslinging. He asked them to put paid to the campaign of calumny against Ambode. He, also, urged the delegates not to fight but use their votes to support the right person. He assured that he would work harder to deliver his constituency for Ambode.

From all indications, the lawmaker said, “God has ordained Ambode as next governor of Lagos. We should all give him support. What we expect in return is for him is to develop Lagos. But before he can live his dream, Ambode needs our support and we should not hesitate to support him at the primary and in the final governorship contest. Lagos will never regret voting for him.”

 

Adeyemi Ikuforij Speaker Lagos State House Of Assemble

Simon Ateba
With the primary elections of the All Progressives Congress, APC, slated for 15 November and as campaign heats up, ‎the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has given reasons why he would like to become governor next year.
Apart from being the most experienced candidate among all those who have signified interest, he claims he has a better deal for Lagosians, in an interview at the weekend.
‎”The main reason why I really want to be governor this time is because I think our people are still not getting the best of bargains. ‎I think I can give them a better deal than they’ve ever had before,” he said.
“I want to bring succour to the masses. I have gathered enough experience as far as governance is concerned, and I have this belief the people are yet to enjoy the dividends of democracy to the fullest. The gap between, is what I can fill,” Ikuforiji said.
He said his knack for excellence, his belief in putting smiles on the faces of the people and his conviction that life can be better for Lagos residents are the driving forces behind his move.
More specifically, Ikuforiji who has been cleared of money laundering charges said, he believes that ‎”our people deserve to have better roads, they deserve to have their wards go to school with less pain, they deserve to have their children gainfully employed after they have gone through years of preparation, they deserve to have three square meals, they deserve better housing and better healthcare delivery system.”
More importantly, Ikuforiji emphasised closeness between the led and the leaders. “I think we have arrived at that spot where Lagosians should be the major reason for governance, they should decide what they want and they should get what they want.”
When the people are more involved, he argued, the leaders are put on their toes and deliver the dividends of democracy to their people.
“When you have representatives who ‎can say “this is what my people want. This is the direction my people want to go” and the people feel more comfortable holding their representatives responsible or sending them on errands as they are supposed to be, then the people get the best from their government.”

 

 Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State

Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano State Monday that two governors in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would soon defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kwankwaso said this when he paid a courtesy visit on his Kwara counterpart, Abdulfatah Ahmed.
Kwankwaso was in Ilorin as part of his consultations for the presidential ticket of the APC for the 2015 election.
The governor described APC members as practical people with extensive grassroots reach to tackle corruption and other national malaise.
“Our economy can never be good in a situation of crisis; our economy can never be good in the face of corruption,” Kwankwaso said.
He said that in line with the constitution, the APC would explore the possibility of consensus presidential candidate within the ambit of democratic culture.
He commended the Kwara Government for initiating poverty alleviation and employment generation programmes to reduce youth unemployment and restiveness.
Governor Ahmed assured that the choice of the APC presidential candidate for 2015 general elections would be devoid of acrimony and strengthen the party.
Ahmed said that Nigeria had the misfortune of bad leadership and expressed hope that APC would evolve more qualitative leadership after taking over the Federal Government.
He said APC was the fastest growing party in Nigeria and the only truly national political party, given the nature of its emergence as an off shoot of mega parties.

 Justice Augie

Legal practitioners have reacted differently to the reopening of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal after it was shut in March for renovation. RAMON OLADIMEJI writes

Created in 1976, the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal is currently housed in what is formerly the Supreme Court during the period that Lagos served as the nation’s federal capital.

Though over the years its volume of cases and records has expanded and the number of judges has increased to 11, the building however remained in its original state and the courtrooms have remained two.

Over time, court records grew in volume so much so that available shelves and space provided could no longer house them.

It came to the point when almost every available space on the premises not occupied by anything else was taken up by the numerous case files and court records.

The records could be found stacked up even in the oddest places including the passageways, the court foyer and even the staircases were not spared.

It was not unusual to also see mouldy court records, apparently beaten by rain, resulting from leaking roofs.

Speaking at the conference of the Nigerian Bar Association Section on Business Law held in Lagos in May this year, the Presiding Judge of the court, Justice Amina Augie, had lamented that the state of the court had become so deplorable that some of the appellate judges had shifted sitting to a borrowed courtroom on the premises of the Lagos State High Court.

Augie equally expressed frustration over the clumsy and untidy management of court records and case files.

She said that there were many occasions where cases were called and the court registrar would spend so long ransacking through the mountain of files and indeed ending up not finding the file and the judges would be forced to adjourn.

The judge noted at that time that the Court of Appeal was due for some restructuring.

A recent visit to the court revealed that it was beginning to get a new lease of life.

Just before the commencement of the new legal year the two courtrooms had taken very bright looks.

The renovation, which according to sources within the court, began in June this year, was described by some of the court users who spoke with our correspondent as a long due development.

Some of the lawyers recalled that the courtrooms, which now have better lighting and air-conditioning system, were poorly lit and uncomfortable in the recent past.

“These renovations are called for because these courts are really old; this used to be the Supreme Court. But I just got in there now, the air conditioners are really good, the seat are comfortable, I think they also changed the sound system,” a young lawyer, Pelumi Ladelegan enthused. He was familiar with the courtrooms in their former state, having done his internship as a Law School student there.

Another lawyer, Chuks Adiukwu, said that the court was only just now wearing a look befitting of a court of its status.

Adiukwu said,”The renovation is very welcome. It has not been completed yet but from what I am seeing, the Court of Appeal has now taken a new and befitting shape of what the Court of Appeal should look like because this is the busiest division of the Court of Appeal in Nigeria; so we should have a befitting building here. Eventually, when they finish, and I am hoping that they would finish in good time, it would be something worthy of emulation.”

Speaking in similar manner, another lawyer, who was in court to prepare for her upcoming case and gave her name simply as Ayo, recalled that the courtrooms before now were far from being comfortable both for the judges and the lawyers.

She said, “The renovation has brought a lot of improvement considering what the court used to be like. The sitting arrangement, the air conditioning, the lighting, even the way the floors have been remodeled.”

On his part, Mr. Samuel Olorungbemi, also a legal practitioner, recalled that the court in its former state caused the users a lot of embarrassment.

He said, “It is a good development. I was very impressed when I saw it this morning. Everything has changed, especially in terms of compilation or harnessing of records before the sitting of the courts. It would save the judges and everybody unnecessary embarrassment.”

As of the time of the visit, the courtrooms were ready for use. It was also gathered that the judges who shifted their sitting to the High Court had returned.

But when the enthusiastic lawyers were further probed, they expressed divergent views on the question of how much of impact the renovation would have on speedy dispensation of justice.

Ayo said, “I believe that if the judges are comfortable, they would not have to be adjourning cases because of heat and lawyers won’t have to be running around, blowing breeze on themselves because the courts are too hot for them. If not a very large impact, I believe that this renovation would, at least, have a positive impact.”

She added that the compurisation of the court would also go a long way in increasing the efficiency of the court.

She added, “I have a case coming up soon and it is really easier now. Now you get hearing notices via email and you also get notification by text. It makes everything easier on the court and on the lawyers also because you don’t have to wait for the bailiff to come and serve you hearing notices. You can get hearing notices wherever you are.”

Adiukwu shared the same views with Ayo but had a reservation. For him, though the renovation had made the court more conducive for judges and lawyer, not much impact would be made on the speed of justice administration without creation of more courtrooms.

Adiukwu said, “I believe that justice administration will be a lot better now with the new presiding judge. We get hearing notices by text and email and that is how it should be, the court going with the new trend of technology. So I think with this renovation, administration of justice would be hastened.

“I also understand that the cause lists of the court are not going to be as heavy as before where you had twenty-something, thirty matters and the judges had to sit till 4pm almost everyday.

“So I believe that these more comfortable courtrooms will energize the spirit of both the Bar and the bench leading to speedy dispensation of justice.

“However, there is always a room for improvement. The number of courtrooms in this division needs to be increased. Renovation is the first and a right step in the right direction but we need at least between six to eight courts in this Lagos Division especially.”

As for Ladelagan it was premature to say how much of impact the renovation would have, adding that it would take further introduction of technology to achieve any commendable speed in justice administration.

Ladelegan said, “As for whether the renovation would translate into speedy administration of justice, I think that depends on the judges and the lawyers. If we are talking about speed, I believe we should be talking in terms of technology, probably introduction of electronic recorders and stenographers but I have not seen any of that yet.”

But another lawyer, Mr. Azubike Okaro did not think that the renovation had justified the inconvenience occasioned by the shutting down of the court for months.

Okaro lamented the closure of the library since before the court’s vacation, adding that only an expansion of the court could have any significant impact on justice administration.

He said, “I must commend the presiding judge, the renovation is for good. The building has been very old, formerly housing the Supreme Court and now the renovation is overdue.

“But this renovation would not do anything in terms of improving the movement of cases because we have only two courts here and after the renovation the number will remain two.

“The only thing that can lead to a rapid movement of cases is when you have more than two courtrooms, between three to four courtrooms at least, because the appeals are so many that everyday litigants are filing documents. But if the courts still remain two, the renovation cannot change anything in terms of rapid or accelerated determination of cases.”

The Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court and its Administrative Head, Mrs. Ommavuezi Celestina, declined to comment on the issue but led our correspondent around the court to see for himself.

She pointed out a portion of the foyer where she said all the scattered case files would eventually be arranged upon the completion of the renovation works.

 Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka

Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has described the loss of the outgoing Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi, in the June 21 governorship election as a mystery which the All Progressives Congress must unravel.

He said with the various programmes and legacy projects put in place by Fayemi, his successor must continue on the path of development.

He stated this during the inauguration of the new Government House known as “Ayoba Villa” in Ado Ekiti on Sunday.

Fayemi said he had no apology for all he did in government.

He said it was up to his successor to “either honour or desecrate the legacy the APC government is leaving behind.

“For us anyway, in the last four years, it has been truth, sacrifice with integrity, honour, compassion, commitment to good governance and competence in public office.

“For us, public office remains the highest form of duty. We have no apology for all we have done. We thank our people for the solidarity and support.”

In his remarks, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aminu Tambuwal, said posterity would be a better judge that Fayemi ruled Ekiti State in dignified ways to the extent that he left indelible marks in the state.

Tambuwal added that Fayemi combined good governance and politics saying that despite losing an election, the governor still continued to deliver dividends of democracy to the people.

The Ekiti APC Chairman, Chief Jide Awe, at the event reassured the people that the party would continue to galvanise and mobilise to reclaim the state, saying that, “Victory is certain.”

He said, “He (Fayemi) has rescued a lot of projects from the jaw of stomach infrastructure to have made them real social infrastructure. To us in the APC, it is not over yet, we are marching forward. There might be a temporary eclipse, but after this eclipse comes sunshine.

“We have done a lot in this state through our governor and government that posterity will not forget us. The state belongs to us. We will continue to struggle to ensure that we achieve our ideals for this state.

“We will continue to galvanise and mobilise our party for greater heights. I want to assure that victory is achieved already. Victory is certain,” Awe added.

Soyinka, who, expressed bewilderment at the outcome of the June 21 election said, “Somewhere, something went wrong and it has to be corrected. That is the message I have for all of you. Be patient but at the same time be watchful.

He advised the people to put aside all the mystery surrounding the loss and continue to build on the “good foundation” Fayemi had established.

Soyinka added, “Many people within and outside Ekiti were mystified. There is a clarity in my mind. That clarity has been demonstrated today and has been manifested in the four years of Fayemi.

“My own message is that, put the mystery aside and the emotional attachment. Continue to build on the foundation that has been laid by him. The state has been resurrected in a way that all of us should be proud of.

“I’m glad that there is no sadness on the face of anybody. I’m happy I do not perceive any iota of regret on the face of anyone. That is the way it should be.”

Fayemi said that all the legacy projects inaugurated in his last days were a reflection of his commitment to public service.

“For us, everything that has happened is about the service to our people. It is about putting our people forward. It is about making the fundamental differences in the lives of our people and making their lives more abundant.

“The Ekiti we are leaving is far better than the Ekiti we met. Those who are coming behind us can build on this in a sustainable manner.”

“We are on a journey, we are not in a destination yet. That journey would have remarkable progress, undulating lines, we would go into valleys, we would face challenges, and the triumph of it is to see opportunities in those challenges and to keep moving on until a better and greater Nigeria of our dream comes to fruition.”

Earlier, a thanksgiving service was held at the St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral, Ado Ekiti for the successful completion of the four-year term of the Fayemi-led administration which is the second time a governor would complete his tenure since the beginning of civil rule in the state in 1999.

In his homily, the Vicar General of Ekiti Catholic Diocese, Most Revd Felix Odesanmi, commended Fayemi for his consistency in giving gratitude to God even as he recalled that the governor had on assumption of office in 2010 come to give thanks and gave thanks while leaving office.

Odesanmi said the governor had served the state with integrity, love and commitment.

 

The Governor of Ondo State

The All Progressives Congress in Ondo State has alleged that Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko, has been intimidating some members of the state House of Assembly who have the intention of joining the party.

All the members, except one, had earlier, on the floor of the house, declared their intention to move to the Peoples Democratic Party, shortly after the governor returned to the PDP.

The Commissioner for Information, Kayode Akinmade, on Sunday promptly refuted the allegation, saying it was APC’s wishful thinking.

Addressing journalists in Akure, the state chairman of the party, Isaac Kekemeke, said some members of the Ondo State House of Assembly were not willing to go to the Peoples Democratic Party with the governor, but for his threat to declare their seats vacant if they did not.

He said, “It has also come to our notice that Governor Mimiko has put in place mechanism to entice, intimidate and subdue the people of Ondo State in the Labour Party and in the PDP who have expressed their willingness to work with our party, APC.”

Kekemeke also said his party was prepared to resist Mimiko’s attempt to frighten the people of Ondo State away from their genuine quest to realise their aspirations using the platform of the APC.

But Akinmade replied the APC chairman, saying APC at the moment did not have any member at the Ondo State House of Assembly and lacked any visible political structure in the state.

 

The former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, on Sunday said he bore no grudge against anybody in the Peoples Democratic Party.

He, however, said he was not happy with the choice of Mr. Buruji Kashamu as the Chairman, Mobilisation and Organisation committee of the party in the South-West.

The former president was reacting to the plea made last week by the PDP chairman, Adamu Mu’azu, the Senate President, David Mark, and a former governor of Ogun State, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, for him to return to the party.

In a statement on Sunday, Obasanjo described the plea to come back to the party as wrong and a great misrepresentation. He said he was away to South Africa to attend a meeting of the African Union on crisis in South Sudan when he heard about the plea for forgiveness.

He said, “Talking of inviting me back to the PDP is wrong and it is a great misrepresentation as I have never left the PDP and I will never leave the PDP. I have said it before and I will say it again, I rose to become the President of Nigeria on the platform of the PDP and for that reason alone, I will remain a card-carrying and ward-active member of the PDP for as long as I have to be a political party member.”

He also added that nobody had personally offended him as a result of his membership of the PDP.

Obasanjo, however, noted that if anybody or group felt offended by his continued membership of the PDP, he would offer an unreserved apology and would continue to remain in the party.

He said, “I have had occasions to say to the President (Goodluck Jonathan), the Senate President (David Mark) and the party chairman separately that I have no quarrel with any individual or group in the party. There are, for me, issues of principle, morality, honour, integrity, commitment, and character which are paramount.”

Obasanjo added, “For instance, as a former President of Nigeria, the Chairman of West Africa Commission on Drug and a member of the Global Commission on Drug, I cannot accept that the zonal leader of my political party and, worse still in my zone, will be an indicted drug baron wanted in America. How do I explain that to friends outside Nigeria? This is only one of the many issues that I have pointed and still pointing out.”

He said he had a “national and international standard to maintain and reputation to keep and sustain.”

And for these reasons, he had opted to remain active only at the ward level of the Party till the leadership did the needful.

He said his commitment to the party was total and under no condition would it diminish.

Obasanjo’s Statement

During last week when I was in South Africa as the Chairman of AU Commission of Inquiry on South Sudan and while with my fellow Commissioners, we were deliberating on how to help that new country out of its problem of security and violence, I received avalanche of news and cacophony of appeals and pleadings from some quarters of PDP leadership.
There are misunderstandings and misrepresentations which some of those appeals and pleas manifested; hence this explanation from me. Talking of inviting me back to PDP is wrong and it is a great misrepresentation as I have never left PDP and I will never leave PDP.  I have said it before and I will say it again, I rose to become the President of Nigeria on the platform of PDP and for that reason alone, I will remain a card-carrying and ward-active member of PDP for as long as I have to be a political party member.
Secondly, nobody has personally offended me as a result of my membership of PDP.  If, however, anybody or group feels offended by my continued membership, I will offer an unreserved apology but continue to remain in the Party.  I have had occasions to say to the President, the Senate President and the Party Chairman separately that I have no quarrel with any individual or group in the Party.  There are, for me, issues of principle, morality, honor , integrity, commitment and character which are paramount.
For instance, as a former President of Nigeria, the Chairman of West Africa Commission on Drug and a member of Global Commission on Drug, I cannot accept that the Zonal leader of my political Party and, worse still in my zone, will be an indicted drug baron wanted in America.  How do I explain that to friends outside Nigeria?  This is only one of the many issues that I have pointed and still pointing out.
I have national and international standard to maintain and reputation to keep and sustain.  For these reasons, I opted to remain active only at the ward level of the Party till the leadership does the needful.
But under no condition will my commitment to Nigeria be diminished.  And, for me, it is commitment to Nigeria first and any other commitment can only follow in second or third place. Where any other commitment is in tandem with what I see and understand as commitment to Nigeria, such other commitment will share a pride of place with Nigeria.
I must hasten to thank the President, the Senate President and the Chairman of PDP with whom, at their instances, these issues have been discussed and laid to rest.  My interest and commitment to Nigeria go beyond partisan politics.
Today, Nigeria needs all hands on deck to deal with our pressing problems of security including the issue of Chibok girls, widening inequality, infrastructure, impunity, corruption, poverty and youth education, skill-acquisition, empowerment and employment.  These are issues of concern to most Nigerians.  We all need to join hands to move Nigeria forward.  I don’t need to be begged for that.
Rather, I beg and appeal to those who are begging me to realize that we must put Nigeria’s interest above politics – party or personal – otherwise, we will all be judged at the bar of history if not the bar of current affairs.  In addition, we must preserve, sustain and deepen democracy and democratic practices.
Statement by former President Olusegun Obasanjo