I’m ready to die — 90 -year-old teacher

Pa Moses Sowole

A retired teacher, Pa Moses Sowole, in this interview with MOTUNRAYO JOEL talks about his life and time

When and where were you born?

My name is Moses Sowole. I was born on June 7, 1927 at Iju-Ota, Ogun State.

How many siblings do you have?

I have a brother and two sisters.

Are they alive?

No, I’m the only one living, the rest are dead. We were all very close, I miss them dearly. Our first born was the first to die followed by the second born and then the third born, I guess I’m the next in line.

What were the occupations of your parents?

My father was a big-time farmer in various crops while my mother was a petty trader. I used to go with my father regularly to the farm to do some weeding, I enjoyed the experience. Whenever we went to the farm, we came back home early, he didn’t like overworking himself.

Where did you have your education?

I attended Iju-Ota African Church Primary School, Onibukun African Church Central School, St. Peters Anglican Church School, Ake, Abeokuta, Ogun State, United Anglican Church School, Abeokuta. I didn’t attend secondary school. That was the norm back then, once one had completed primary school, going straight to secondary was a matter of choice.

How are you able to remember all these names at your old age?

I have a good memory; I believe it’s a blessing from God.

After primary school, what did you do?

I decided to go into teaching; that was is one profession that was very common at that time. My level of intelligence gave me an edge, getting a teaching job was quite easy for me. All the schools I applied to wanted me; It was then left for me to make my choice. However, after my primary school, I spent some time in the village, with the villagers and the Baale(head) of our community, I was there for three years. I was appointed as the Baale’s interpreter. Whenever he needed someone to translate a document into Yoruba, I was called upon. I guess I was the only one that understood the English language in the community.

Aside being an interpreter, what else did you do?

I used to join the villagers in farming and hunting. I loved the thrill I got from hunting. Though I was never attacked by any animal because I was smart about it. Whenever we went hunting, I would walk in the middle, not at the front or the back. I used my western education to outsmart the villagers.

What did you like about hunting?

It was an interesting adventure and the Europeans call it a game, which is very true. The act of killing animals excites me. I also liked eating the animals I killed.

How old were you then?

I was about 16 or 17 years old. We used to use catapult to kill animals not guns which is what is used now.

What was the biggest animal you single-handedly killed?

That was a rat. (Smiles).

After spending time in the village, what next did you do?

I relocated to the city; I then applied for a teaching job at Onibukun African Central School, Abeokuta, one of the schools I attended. I taught in several other schools before marriage came into the picture.

Since teaching was one of the most common professions, was it your passion?

Yes, teaching is still my passion.

Which college did you attend to train as a teacher?

I attended Teachers’ Training College, Ifako, Lagos.

How old were you when you got married?

I got married at the age of 23. I know youths of today may say that was early, but getting married early was the norm back then. I saw no reason why I shouldn’t get married early when I had a good job. Some of my friends who weren’t employed had gotten married; it made me feel intimidated.

How did you meet your first wife?

We met at a gathering, then we courted for two years before getting married, but we separated a long time ago because we were not compatible.

How many children do you have?

I have 11 children; five from my first wife, five from my second wife and one from a woman I didn’t marry.

When did you get married to your second wife?

I got married to her in 1966. We met at one of the schools where I taught. I was transferred to a school to become the head master. She was a student at the school.

What qualities attracted you to her?

I was moved by her level of intelligence. She was very brilliant. I told myself she would make a perfect help mate. I don’t like a lady who is slow. I’m grateful to God for bringing her into my life. She has a wonderful heart and I say this with all humility.

You said your wife was your student, that means you are much older her?

Yes, I’m’ 90 and she is 60.

Why did you choose to get married to someone much younger?

It wasn’t intentional; I was attracted to her irrespective of her age.

What has kept your marriage strong till today?

I think it is because she understands me. It took a while though before we reached that level, the quarrels we had strengthened our relationship. There is no way our marriage could have lasted this long without us understanding ourselves. Even when we quarrel, we forgive ourselves easily. I love her dearly, she doesn’t get upset easily, and she is a jovial person.

What challenges did you encounter in your marriage?

The most challenging period was when I brought another woman into my house. It all started when I was posted to Owode division near Sagamu to teach in one of the schools there. I met a lady and we had a relationship, one thing led to another and she got pregnant for me. When she informed me that she was pregnant, I felt compassion for my child so I brought her into my house. It was only God that kept me, if my wife wasn’t determined to see me live; I would have been long gone. I had two or three sicknesses that could have killed me, but my wife stood by my side and spent almost all the money she had.

Where are all your children?

One is in Canada, the rest are scattered all over the country. All my children are married and are doing well.

How much was your salary back then?

Teachers were not paid well, despite my level of intelligence and even when my superiors commended my good work, they did it verbally; it wasn’t accompanied with salary increase. Almost all the students I taught usually did well in external examinations, but like I said, good work was not rewarded financially. Sometimes I feel I would have been better in life if only I followed my instincts to further my studies. There were times I wanted to leave teaching to study but my superiors refused; they didn’t want to let me go.

Which activities did you enjoy as a youth?

I enjoyed fishing; it was one of my hobbies. I also enjoyed hunting.

Did you retire as a teacher?

No, I moved out of the education sector. However, crossing over to another profession was a bit challenging because my boss didn’t want to give me my testimonial; I had wanted to further my studies. When things got out of hand, I resigned and applied to another school and they gave me employment, the name of the school was National Primary School, Abule Ijesa. I forgot about furthering my studies. After some time, I realised that the money I was earning as a teacher wasn’t enough, so I applied to Guinness Company and I was given employment as a trainee accountant. My nickname was Baba Guinness. The paid me quite well. I earned shift allowance, night allowance, etc. There were so many benefits. I became unlucky one day and lost my job. I was implicated by a colleague who alleged that I took a client’s money when he was the one that took the money from me. After investigations, the management of Guinness decided to sack both of us, sadly, that was how I lost my job. Ever since then, I’ve been doing one little business or the other.

How did you train all your children?

My wife was of great support. She helped me financially, atimes when I was low in cash; she would use her money to offset the bills.

How do you keep yourself busy?

I sleep and eat. These have become my hobbies.

What time do you wake up?

I wake up whenever I like, I don’t have a fixed time because I have no master, and sleep is my master.

What is your favourite food?

I think it is moimoi but it’s not my favourite food. I just enjoy eating it, I can eat moimoi alone for a whole month.

Do you still have friends?

Most of my friends are dead, just two of them left. I hardly visit them though, because I can’t walk.

Will you consider yourself as someone who is fulfilled?

Yes, I have so many reasons to thank God. It is only an ingrate who would think otherwise; that I’m alive today, strong and healthy is by God’s grace. So many times, my enemies tried to take my life but God destroyed their plans.

Are there things you hope to accomplish before you die?

I don’t think of anything, at my age what can I do? Sometimes, when my children want to organise celebrations for me, I tell them not to, there is no need of that. I know deep within me that I have limited time left here on earth.

So you are ready to die?

Yes I am anytime, when God says its time, I’m ready. As a Christian, one must not say I won’t leave this earth, our home is in heaven.

What is your advice to young couples?

Couples should marry based on understanding. Marriage should be based on understanding not materialistic things. If a woman marries someone that understands her, when she does something wrong, her partner would have the heart to forgive her because he understands her. Understanding is key in marriage, it makes a happy marriage.

What is your favourite drink?

I used to be a drunk, if you put a lorry load of Guinness before me, I would finish it before the end of the month. My weakness for alcohol was that bad. Something made me change. One night I visited one of the clubs I belonged to, when I got there, they offered me a drink, but I opted for water, the next day I woke with an inability to urinate and pass out faeces. It couldn’t have been the water that caused it because water aids digestion, I realised that it was an accumulated problem caused by continuous intake of alcohol. I was taken to a nearby hospital but they couldn’t solve the problem, I was then transferred to Ayinke General Hospital and they too transferred me to Lagos University Teaching Hospital. When I got there, they didn’t have a free bed. I was then transferred to a private hospital. After spending 24 days in the hospital, I became better. It was God that healed me because for 24 days I couldn’t urinate or pass feces.

As a retired teacher, what is your take on the education sector now?

The education sector is poor, certificates are issued out freely, and students don’t work for it any longer. On the streets, you see people carrying fake certificates. Parents prefer paying bribes instead of allowing their children follow the right path. Even in our schools, teachers who can’t express themselves are employed, things generally have gone bad.

What is your advice to the government?

We should go back to the drawing board. I also I think there are too many decision-makers in the sector, yet these people are there for selfish reasons not for the sake of our children. Bribery also seems to be common nowadays but in my time, if a parent offered bribe, their child would be disqualified.

How do you keep yourself fit?

I do exercise on my bed because I can’t walk. I throw punches in the air as if I’m boxing someone.

What has kept you strong till date?

I would say God, I don’t have any secret.

I sweep, clean my compound daily — 91-yr-old principal

Sir Justus Ezeife

Ninety one-year-old Sir Justus Ezeife, a retired school principal, tells EMMANUEL OBE about his life

When and where were you?

My name is Justus Ezeife, a Knight of St. Christopher. I was born in Igbo-Ukwu in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State in 1923. My father performed the highest title, Ozo, in Igboukwu, which they call Ozo Amuma. But he died young after an attack of pneumonia in 1933. I started school in 1932 with the support of my elder brother, the late Isaiah Ezeife. My father nearly killed him for converting to Christianity. I also became a Christian in 1932. I managed to finish primary school in 1941 and took the entrance examination to Dennis Memorial Grammar School, Onitsha. I came first and won a scholarship. I became the first Igbo-Ukwu person to obtain a university degree and second person in the whole of old Aguata. The first person was the late Mr. Timothy Uzo of Nkpologwu. I got married to former Miss Jessie Akuchukwu Onyekwelu in November 1953. The marriage was blessed with eight children, three boys and five girls. Seven of the children attained adulthood and obtained university degrees.

How was going to school in your area then?

My mother wanted me to consult a native doctor before going to DMGS. But I told her that God, who made me pass the entrance, would take care of me. I entered DMGS in 1942. I returned for my first term holiday to find that my elder brother who was sponsoring me had contracted leprosy and had been taken to Oji River camp in Enugu State where he was for 10 years before he was cured. Because I had nobody to cater for me, I failed the end-of-year examination. But, by the grace of God, I continued and reclaimed my position. I completed my course at DMGS in 1946, passed the school certificate examination in Grade 1 and gained admission to Higher College, Yaba where I was from 1947 to 1948. I became the first person from Igbo-Ukwu to pass the school certificate in Grade 1 and the only Igbo-Ukwu citizen that attended old Yaba College. It was during my days at Yaba that an eclipse of the sun occurred. Many people thought the end of the world had come. But some of us, who were students, knew what was happening and were happy to see the eclipse. We observed it from 2pm till 4pm when there was a total eclipse. The weather suddenly became so cold in the afternoon. From Yaba College, we were transferred to Ibadan in January 1948 where we completed the course in 1948 and did the degree exam. Those of us sponsored by the Church at Yaba had to return home to teach. I taught at Central Primary School, Ekwulobia before I was transferred to DMGS in 1952.

Do you think reintroducing government scholarships can revive education and encourage competition?

Scholarships in those days were for brilliant students. In those days, people didn’t have money to train their children. The problem today (with education) is not finance. It is laziness. People are just not industrious anymore. They are interested in material things. Even today, government still offers scholarship. But it is only those with connections in government that get it. The problem now, to me, is that people are not eager to study.

How do you mean sir?

Nowadays, people don’t study. They look for special centres where they can obtain fake certificates. If you go to some villages, the young boys are no longer interested in hard work or education but after material things. So, to me, overzealousness and quest for material things is the bane of the modern day youth. When I was in the secondary school, you hardly found more than one graduate teaching in a secondary school. But people were devoted in their teaching and students were eager to learn. Now, people don’t want to learn, everybody wants manna to fall from heaven.

Do you think that returning schools to their original owners will restore sanity to education?

I don’t believe that. It is sheer irresponsibility on the part of government to return schools to the mission. It is the responsibility of the government to train the citizens because they have the resources. During the colonial days, the missionaries were only showing government what to do with education. What resources do the missions have? What Ukpabi Asika did at the end of the civil war in 1970 by taking over all the schools was the right thing because it is the responsibility of the government to provide basic education to the citizenry. Any government that hands over schools to the missions is running away from its responsibilities.

Are things better now than in your younger days?

It depends on how you look at it. On material things, I can say life is now better. But spiritually and morally, people are worse off. People these days cannot say the truth and stand by it. Rather than doing that, they will follow the majority to hellfire. Even parents nowadays are not courageous enough to correct their children and that is bad. It is unfortunate that my first son is dead; the second one is a lawyer in the United States. If he does anything wrong, I will correct him immediately. But now, some parents will say, ‘I will not talk to my son because he gives me money.’ We are allowing material things to rule us.

Tell us about your children.              

I am happy that all my children are doing well because of their upbringing. I gave them all equal opportunities. I had eight children, one (a daughter) died while returning from school. But she too went through the university. Afamefuna Okechukwu Nnamdi Ezeife, my first child and a registered Surveyor died at 42 in 1997. He passed First School Leaving Certificate examination with distinction and passed his B.Sc. at the University of Nigeria in Surveying in Second Class, Upper Division. He had five children and they are all doing well because of the same moral standard I set for them.

What did you miss the most in your younger days?

I did not miss much because I was doing virtually everything that was expected of me. We worked hard. From Igbo-Ukwu, I attended a school at Central School Ekwulobia. I didn’t just wake up and go to school. I swept the compound, took the cows out for three miles to feed, came back and prepared for school. People can’t do that now. If you send children now on errand, they would ask for transport fare. This is sheer laziness. In our days, we trekked from here, Igbo-Ukwu, to Achalla in Awka North, Nimo and Abagana in Njikoka Council Area among other places. My regret now is that people are so lazy. I remember in 1936, I trekked from here to Okigwe.

How did you meet your wife?

It was when I was teaching at DMGS that I met my wife, the late Lady Jessie Akuchukwu Ezeife, who was then teaching at Aguleri. I met her through her sister. I liked her and I started making enquiries. When I confirmed that she was from a good family, I went and consulted the father, asked for the rites and he agreed and I paid the bride prize. That was how we started.

Didn’t you get her through your parents?

No, nobody got anything for me and that is why I advise that anybody who wants to marry should make their own choice so that if it is bad, they will endure it but if it is good, they will enjoy it. That is the only way you can have a permanent rest of mind.

How were you able to stay together without breaking up?

Love implies that you have to tolerate one another. I don’t believe with the general parlance which says that a man is the owner of the house. Both of them have equal rights and when there is misunderstanding, they should discuss it. Lucky enough, my wife was highly gifted in leadership. That was why she was offered the position of the leader of the Holy Trinity Church Women Home and Abroad General Meeting for 23 years. As if she knew, she resigned in 1999 and died on January 27, 2000. It was a great blow to my family but we have taken consolation in God. Her death is still fresh in my memory. My wife and I were admitted as Lady of the Order of St. Christopher and Knight of the Order of St. Christopher respectively at St. Faith Cathedral, Awka by Bishop Maxwell Anikwenwa of Awka Diocese, my former student, in 1996.

How did you resolve issues with your wife?

We discussed. We had mutual respect for each other and we didn’t have much problem as such. We trained our children together and loved them equally.

What about those you attended DMGS with?

At the time I gained admission into DMGS, three of us who came in the first, second and third positions, myself, Prof Benson Agu (now in London) who was second and Wilson Onuigbo (a specialist) now based in Enugu chose to serve humanity. I am happy we are still very much alive. I chose teaching, Agu chose teaching and Onuigbo chose medicine. Agu is in London now but I always meet with Onuigbo.

Who was your political hero in those days?

The only person I admired in those days was the Great Zik of Africa (Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe) who was doing the right things, fighting for what was right. He took over from Herbert Macaulay who was the first real leader of Nigeria.

Apart from Zik, is there no other person that left an impressive legacy?

There are many of them even from ancient history, people like Hannibal, Julius Cesar, Alexander the Great, and Mahatma Gandhi are all people that inspired me because they were people that sacrificed their lives for others not people looking for material gains.

Can you think of others at home?

(Laughs) When we come to education, people like Sir Avan Ikoku, Rev Israel Ransome-Kuti among others stood out. They were truthful. They were not parochial. They inspired others.

What was your experience during the civil war?

During the civil war I was at All Saints Grammar School Umunze and the school was not only used as a base but was later used as a medical unit by Biafran soldiers. The person who was in-charge was a younger brother to my student at DMGS. I received and treated him well but instead of being kind to me he treated me badly by first of all forcing me out of my house and with a family of more than six. I had to go and occupy a little house. Not only that, it was through him they commandeered and seized the only car I had. Thus, during the war I was hopeless but God helped me. At the end of the war I did not receive a kobo as compensation. I lost the car but thank God I am alive and my children survived.

You recently celebrated your 91st birthday. What is the secret of your longevity?

My longevity is a gift from God. Another thing is I know my limitations. First, take care of yourself, eat what will sustain your life and when you come to public affairs, be truthful and don’t oppress anybody. Always pray for people’s prosperity. People have sleepless nights when they have something bothering them. When one is not healthy, one should seek medical attention. That is my policy.

Are you choosy about the food you eat?

Yes. I eat more of local food, like fruits, breadfruits, yam and vegetables. But I eat moderately. That is why I planted trees all around my compound. Trees make the environment cool. Imported food and canned food are not good for one’s health. You don’t need to eat excessively. Some people eat up a quarter of a goat just to display affluence. It’s not good for health. Let’s go back to the natural food of our forefathers. Fruits and vegetables sustain life.

How do you exercise?

There are many ways to exercise the body. For example, in the evening I walk at least five miles. I also trek in the morning. Otherwise, I do manual labour by cutting grass until I sweat. Sweating is enough to revive one’s life. The more somebody walks, the stronger he becomes. Even now at my age, I work and sweep the compound daily.

How is life in retirement?

Life in retirement has not been easy depending on how you look at it. Personally, what one gets in retirement is nothing to write home about. But the most important thing is one’s mind-set. At the time I was retiring as a principal, special class, I wasn’t earning up to N1,000 a month. But with the little I saved, I was able to train all my children and my relations. I bought a few shares from companies. I didn’t depend solely on my salary. I was also farming.

Do you have any word for the younger generation?

They should have trust in God, be hardworking, contended and conscientious. By continually doing the right thing and trusting God, they will succeed. They should stop inordinate pursuit of prosperity because it enslaves the body and the soul and brings bout early death. Religious leaders should stop preaching prosperity but return to holiness, good behaviour and honesty. They should emphasise the principle of “To labour is to pray”. The ruin of the present generation is greed. “Covetousness is the root of all evil.”

Any regrets in life?

I am very grateful to God Almighty who made me what I am today. An orphan, he provided scholarship and opportunity for me to attain the best of education for my family; for all my accomplishments and the grace to remain unflinching in my faith for His unfailing goodness and mercies; for all the times of happiness and times of sorrows He remained our rock of ages. May His name be glorified and magnified forever and ever.

Buhari’ll serve one term like Mandela —Fashakin

Rotimi Fashakin

A chief of the All Progressives Congress, Rotimi Fashakin, said a former Head of State and presidential aspirant, Maj-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) has pledged to serve only one term of four years if he emerged as President in 2015.

Fashakin, who was the national publicity secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change, told our correspondent on Sunday that Buhari would do for Nigeria what the late Nelson Mandela did for South Africa.

He said the motive behind Buhari’s fourth shot at the presidency was his desire to rescue Nigeria from corruption, stabilise it and then hand over to a younger person, who has the capacity to lead the country.

He said, “Gen. Muhammadu Buhari would do a term of four years then hand the power over to somebody younger. You can take that to the bank. He is going to be the stabilising factor in Nigeria. Nigeria needs a strong leader like Buhari, who is in the mould of Mandela, who stabilised South Africa.

“That is what Buhari is going to do and four years are enough for him to do that. After stabilising the nation, he will hand over to somebody younger, whom he would have groomed. This is why we are asking Nigerians to give Buhari a chance. He has the capacity, temperament and courage to rescue and stabilise this country. Just four years of Buhari, Nigeria will not remain the same.”

Fashakin added it would be a disservice to the entire nation if Buhari is denied the chance of governing the country in 2015.

He also said there was no doubt that Buhari would defeat President Goodluck Jonathan during the February 14, 2015 presidential election, adding that most of those who voted for Jonathan in 2011 would vote for Buhari in 2015.

Fashakin noted that there was still the possibility of Buhari’s emergence as APC’s consensus presidential candidate.

He said, “In article 20 of the APC constitution, consensus is the most preferred way of choosing our leaders because in consensus all interests are considered. That is democracy. It’s a welcome development that we are working towards a consensus.

“We pray that the best will happen in that scenario so that Nigerians can be given the benefit of enjoying a new lease of life come 2015.”

Peace talks split Boko Haram into two groups

Boko Haram Insurgency

Following the ceasefire deal the Federal Government entered into with Boko Haram, the violent fundamentalist sect has split into two. While one faction wants peace, the other doesn’t.

It was gathered on Sunday that the Federal Government might have entered into the ceasefire with the faction interested in the cessation of hostilities in the North-East.

A reliable source in government told Rev4mation in Abuja that the leaders of the pro-peace faction of the sect , were the ones who took part in the negotiations with representatives of the Chadian, Cameroonian and Federal Government in Ndjamena, Chad last week.

Federal Government and Boko Haram representatives are expected to fine tune the details of the ceasefire at another   meeting in Ndjamena on Tuesday.

Our source said he believed that the attacks on Shafa in Borno State and Sina, Adamawa State on Friday, could have been carried out by the faction not be interested in ending the violence.

He said “The Boko Haram faction that carried out the attack is the one that wants the insurgency to continue. It is made up of   hardcore elements who believe their goal of imposing Sharia on the whole country has not been achieved and for them, the violence must continue until they win the war or perish in their quest.”

There had been reports of disagreements among the top members of the sect following the clamour by some of its commanders for an end to the insurgency.

A yet to be verified report had said that unknown sect members died a few weeks ago in a shoot-out between the pro-peace and the pro-Jihad factions.

The military is however keeping its side of the peace deal by suspending all hostilities against the insurgents, Rev4mation learnt.

This, according to a top military source, was a direct outcome of a directive issued by the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh.

Badeh had on Friday ordered the   suspension of all on-going aerial and ground offensives against the sect.

Our source, who pleaded not to be named because he was not authorised to speak on the issue, said the military did not consider the latest attacks     as a violation of the ceasefire.

He explained that it was very likely that the operatives of the terrorist cells who carried out the attacks were not aware of the peace deal.

The source said, “One cannot say the peace deal has been violated; it is the nature of most terrorist organisations to act that way, and it should be expected because they have several layers of operation.

“They have such a long chain that it takes time for them to communicate with the top unlike the military where you are very quick communication channels.

“Another thing is that each of the cells operates independent of the other. So those who carried out the attacks in the villages in   might not even be aware of the deal.”

He however   explained that security forces would not allow the other faction to exploit the peace deal to violate the security and safety of the people.

It was learnt that while the security forces would not be on the offensive, sustained efforts would be made to prevent crimes from being committed against the people.

Rev4mation gathered from another source that the military had ensured the suspension of aerial and land offensive in compliance with the CDS’ directive to give peace a chance.

He said, “We will not be watching any violation of the security and safety of our people, we will not be on the offensive but we won’t allow crimes to be committed.

“The air operation is suspended for the duration of the ceasefire; we will not be on the offensive; we really need to comply with the peace agreement at least to give peace a chance.”

Investigations   confirmed that soldiers have remained in their areas of deployment in the North-East.

Another security source warned that soldiers would be left with no option than to act if attacked.

He said while the troops fighting the terrorists   learnt of the ceasefire from the media, they were awaiting briefing from their commanders.

He said, “This is ceasefire does not say pull back soldiers; so soldiers have not been pulled back. It is logical, if soldiers are attacked, they would fight back; they won’t sit and watch but soldiers have not gone for any operation since the ceasefire.”

Efforts to speak with the Director Defence Information, Maj. Gen Chris Olukolade,on the latest developments did not succeed as calls to his mobile telephone line did not connect.

But other sources in government said that the   government was still expressing cautious optimism in its dealings with   the sect.

This, it was learnt, was the reason behind its decision to refrain from making a categorical statement on the ceasefire since the news broke on Friday.

A top official, who pleaded anonymity, said   the government has so far decided to keep a dignified silence to “see how the matter plays out during the week.

This, according to him, was the reason why the government was not surprised about the attacks after the ceasefire agreement became a public knowledge.

He said, “The government does not want to jump into the fray. It is true that discussions are ongoing but the government is watching the situation critically.

“The thinking is that once the process scales through, the government will make a public pronouncement.

“Hopefully, once the Tuesday meeting is successful, the government will talk. For now, we are watching events.”

Efforts to get the reaction of the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, did not yield result of the time of filing this report.

Sect captures another Borno town, beheads six

On Sunday, members of the sect   captured another Borno community, Abadam, after laying siege to it.

They also beheaded six people along the Biu – Garkida Road in the state.

It was gathered from security sources that the insurgents, numbering 100, invaded Abadam   on Friday night and took it over on Sunday morning.

They said the heavily armed terrorists arrived in the town in a convoy of about 50 Toyota Hilux vehicles and motorcycles.

They however did not give a casualty figure but a resident told journalists in Maiduguri on the telephone that he saw six corpses, including that of his friend, while fleeing the town.

He said, “Boko Haram gunmen entered Abadam on Friday night and shot at any resident in sight   for almost two days until the early hours of Sunday when many of us started to flee to   our farmlands, bushes and border areas of Bosso in Niger Republic.

“I escaped by crossing River Kumadugu to Diffa   and from there, I boarded a bus to Damasak before arriving in Maiduguri today (Sunday).

“Among the people killed was my friend. My parents and other relations I believe are still in the bush and I do not know their state as I   speak to you .”

The resident added that there was no security presence in the town throughout the period of the attack.

Another resident also told   journalists   that the sect members, as in other places they had captured, hoisted their black and white flag in three strategic locations in the community.

He lamented the possibility of the town, being declared an Islamic Caliphate.

Some     communities in the state under the control of the sect are Dikwa, Gwoza, Marte, Damboa, Banki, Bama, Wulgo, Kirenowa.

Our correspondent in Borno State also gathered that the insurgents   beheaded six people on the same road   where the Emir of Gwoza, Idrissa Timta, was killed a few months ago.

The Executive Director of Stefanos Foundation, Mr. Mark Lipdo, said on Sunday that the terrorists left the bodies of the slaughtered victims   lying on the road   for a long time.

He said the son to one of the victims was injured by the insurgents when he attempted to remove   his father’s body from the scene.

Lipdo said, “Information says in spite government ceasefire agreement with the insurgents,   six innocent civilians were held hands bound and slauterered on the Biu Garkida Road of Borno State on Friday.”

The BringBackOurGirls group, has however asked the Federal Government to continue to secure lives and properties of Nigerians in the areas under Boko Haram attacks.

It also urged the government to maintain a delicate balance in its negotiation with the sect.

The spokesman of the group, Rotimi Olawale, said the government should have   asked for the release some of the abducted Chibok schoolgirls as a proof that the negotiation was being done with the real Boko Haram leadership.

Olawale said, “For us in the BringBackOurGirls, the government needs to maintain a delicate balance in its negotiation with Boko Haram because the recent statement credited to principal secretary to the President says the negotiation is still going on.

“I think they should continue to negotiate with Boko Haram on that platform and secure the release of all those abducted.

“The initial question would be, is the government negotiating with the right group? I don’t know, government needs to take necessary caution.

“For me, the first thing would have been for the group to release some of the girls, so that we can be assured that they are the right group.”

Senator cautions FG

The   lawmaker representing Borno Central Senatorial District in the Senate, Ahmed Zannah, has   advised the Federal Government to be cautious in implementing any ceasefire with   Boko Haram.

Zannah,   in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Maiduguri on Sunday, said the government must exercise high level of wisdom and discretion in dealing with the issue.

He said, “I do not think it is true, because Boko Haram insurgents are still attacking communities in Borno. The insurgents attacked villages in both northern and southern Borno on Saturday.”

Zannah said if the ceasefire was real , the insurgents would not have attacked the villages.

When contacted, the Borno State Government declined comments on the issue.

However, a media associate of Governor Kashim Shettima, Isa Gusau,   told journalists on Sunday that the governor had no comment on the issue.

He said, “Governor Kashim Shettima has no comment on the issue for now. Shettima, whose state has been at the centre of Boko Haram attacks since 2009, says he has no comment for now over the reports, but he will speak at the appropriate time.”

Woman abducts stepdaughter, buries her in soakaway

Aminat Akanni

The police in Lagos have arrested a woman, Aminat Akanni, for allegedly abducting two of her stepchildren and murdering one of them because she claimed her husband refused to provide Sallah clothes for her own son.
PUNCH Metro learnt that the suspect killed one of the kids, Nofisat, by pushing her into a soakaway.
PUNCH Metro learnt that Aminat was arrested by the police at CMS Bus Stop, Lagos Island, on October 9.

Our correspondent learnt that prior to the arrest, seven-year-old Lateef and four-year-old Nofisat had been declared missing on Friday, October 3- a day to the Sallah celebration.
It was learnt that the father of the missing children, Moshood Mubo, who is also the suspect’s husband, had raised the alarm and reported the case to the Adeniji Adele Police Division on Friday, October 3.
However, after the suspect’s arrest, she confessed to have abducted the two kids from Church Street, Lagos Island where they lived.
She further confessed to have also killed the younger, child, Nofisat, by pushing her into soakaway beside a mosque in the Orile area.
Our correspondent gathered that Lateef and Nofisat were pupils in Primary 1 and Nursery 2 classes respectively in a private school.

Speaking with PUNCH Metro on Sunday, Moshood who hails from Ilorin, Kwara State, said his second wife, who he rented an apartment for in the Orile area, abducted the kids claiming that she wanted to “punish him for not buying Sallah clothes for her own son.”
He said, “I married Aminat in 2010. In order to avoid a crisis at home, I rented an apartment for her at Mosalashi Street, Alakara in Orile. She has only one son for me. His name is Yusuf. She does not come to Church Street, Lagos Island where I live with my first wife.
“What happened was that on the evening of Friday, October 3, when I returned from work- just a day to the Sallah celebrations- I sent the two children to go buy biscuits in front of the street. That was around 7pm. We expected them till around 9pm. I was shocked. I quickly rushed to the Adeniji Adele Police Division, and reported the incident.
“Believe me, I and their mother, Funmilayo, could not sleep all through that night. We were walking around throughout the night from one police division to the other, repeating the same thing. The whole Sallah celebration was a sad one as I looked for my two children. Little did I know that it was my second wife who sneaked into our area to abduct them.”
Moshood, who spoke to our correspondent while fighting back tears, added that Aminat had called him the following day, and made a suspicious comment.
He said, “The following morning, around 11am, Aminat called me and heard me crying on the phone. I told her that we were looking for Lateef and Nofisat, she simply said, ‘All I know is that no one can kidnap my own son.’ I was shocked at her statement, but I never thought she was the one behind the whole trouble.
“It was six days later when the police arrested her that she then confessed that she committed the act because she claimed I was not taking care of her, and I had not bought sallah clothes for her son, which is not true. She had sneaked to our area, and asked the two kids to follow her to Orile. This is unimaginable for me.”

PUNCH Metro learnt that as the search for the two children continued, which took Mubo and his first wife to travel to Ilorin, Kwara State to consult their relatives and get ‘spiritual help’, a friend had called them on Thursday, October 9, that she saw Lateef with Akanni around the CMS Bus Stop, Lagos Island. The police were then invited who trailed her movement and arrested her.
The mother of the two children, Funmilayo, told PUNCH Metro that Aminat had bottled up grievances against her for a long time.
She said, “Aminat killed my daughter. She made us to have a sorrowful Sallah. We were running around police stations. She said she wanted to punish me and my husband because she was having issues with us. So, why did she not come after us, why after my two children?”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Kenneth Nwosu, confirmed the incident, adding that Aminat was now in police custody.
He said, “Aminat Akanni is the second wife of the complainant. Investigation revealed that the corpse of Nofisat was recovered by the Orile Division in a sudden and unnatural death.
“The suspect confessed to have drowned the child and dropped the corpse at Orile. The case has now been transferred to the Orile Division for further synchronisation and action.”

Debt: Your allegations are fraudulent, Fayemi replies Fayose

 

Fayemi and Fayose

The immediate-past governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, has dismissed claims of financial recklessness and indebtedness levelled against his administration by the Governor, Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose.

Fayemi described Fayose’s allegations as “fraudulent claims and deliberate distortion of facts” to paint a dismal state of finance for the state.

Fayemi, in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olayinka Oyebode, said Fayose should have gone through the handover note on his four-year stewardship before making unfounded claims.

Fayose had, in his inaugural speech on Friday, levelled allegations of huge indebtedness and financial recklessness against the Fayemi administration.

He said the Fayemi administration, which had 157 accounts in different banks, had committed Ekiti State to financial liability of N84bn.

Oyebode, in statement on Sunday, said contrary to Fayose’s claim that the account of the state was in the red, the state bank balances as at October 15, 2014, stood at N1, 930,739,725.84bn.

“This comprised N1, 463,805,908.56 (state account) and N466, 933,817.28 (local government account). Also the Bond Sinking Fund Account balance as at September stood at N3, 019,987,424.03,” he said.

Justifying why the Fayemi administration opted for bond, he said the Federal Allocation to the state had dropped by about N480m monthly since the beginning of the year, noting that this had placed a huge strain on government finances.

Oyebode said Fayemi had in 2011 approached the capital market where it raised N25bn bond spent on infrastructural projects.

According to Oyebode, about N14bn had been repaid through the laid down repayment regime while the Federal Government   still owes Ekiti State over N17bn.

He said if the Federal Government effected the payment, the debt profile of the state would have been greatly reduced.

He said, “It is our belief that Mr. Fayose was hasty in making a pronouncement on the state of the finances and other matters without first going through the handover note, which contains explicit details of government transactions and financial situation. Nothing can be more mischievous and irresponsible than this. The Debt Management Office still rates Ekiti State as one of the least indebted states in the country.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the indebtedness of Ekiti State as of October 15, 2014, is N36,316,017,758.93bn. Of this amount, N7,830,636,440.62bn represents foreign loans incurred by previous governments since the days of the old Ondo State.

“The remaining sum of N28, 485,381,316.31bn represents internal loan. These include inherited loans from previous government and outstanding balance (debt) of the bond taken at the capital market. In spite of this, the Federal Government owes the state N17, 710,728,299.06bn. This includes N10, 839,493,135.63bn (amount due for construction of federal roads); N4, 012,384,082.60bn (refund on Paris Club) and N2, 858,851,080.83bn (amount due on ecological projects).”

Oyebode also debunked Fayose’s claim that the former administration owed the workers in the state   two months’ salary.

He said the only salary being owed the state workers was that of September, 2014, adding that this was due to the reluctance of banks to give the state facilities following sundry allegations of collaboration levelled against the banks by Fayose.

He said, “The Fayemi administration has had to resort to bank facilities in order to augment the now insufficient allocation and pay workers salaries as well as meet other obligations. There is no responsible leader in Nigeria today that will not acknowledge the poor state of the country’s economy, a development that has made it difficult for the Federal Government to meet its obligations to the federating states. In the last two years, states on many occasions have had to leave the monthly FAAC meetings empty handed, like they did last week. This is in addition to a huge reduction in the amount given to the states.”

Obasanjo’s sudden change from ‘confused’ elder statesman to new ‘bride’

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who has recently been playing host to politicians from across the country, is now believed to be a beautiful bride whose support must be sought for parties hoping to win in the 2015 elections.

The popular aphorism that there is no permanent enemy in politics but permanent interest came to the fore recently as Nigeria’s politicians seemed to have shunned what social commentators described as politics of ideology in their pursuit of power. They have been variously demonstrating the dictum in their quest to woo major stakeholders in the country to support their respective course.

Nigeria’s politicians, majority of who are not known as promoters of any ideology, are always quick to use foul languages against perceived members of the opposition while pursuing their political interests, but will hire drums and other musical instruments to sing the praises of the opposition members when they are able to woo them to their parties.

The All Progressives Congress’ National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and President Goodluck Jonathan appeared to have swallowed their pride and what pundits considered as derogatory comments against former President Olusegun Obasanjo in their respective bid to seek the support of the ex-President ahead of the 2015 general elections.

While Tinubu had personally visited the ex-President, Jonathan was represented by Senate President David Mark and a strong team including Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan; the Peoples Democratic Party Women Leader, Mrs. Josephine Anenih; and Senator Polycarp Nwite, among others to discuss issues bordering on the future of the country.

Former Oyo State governor and a chieftain of the Accord Party, Rashidi Ladoja, also visited the former President the same day.

According to analysts, Obasanjo has now become a beautiful bride whose support must be sought for political parties to win the next election, but they seemed to have forgotten the various tirades they have hauled at the former President in the past.

Shortly after the merger of the ACN, the All Peoples Party of Nigeria, the Congress for Progressives Change and a section of the All Progressives Grand Alliance to form the APC, the party leaders had stormed Obasanjo’s residence to introduce the party to the former President.

The APC chieftains, who had described Obasanjo as a bad leader, suddenly turned themselves to praise singers as they hailed the former President as a great leader whose major concern was the development of the country.

Among the APC leaders that spoke at the Obasanjo’s residence was Tinubu. He described the former President as an elder statesman. He had hailed him thus, “You have come out of tribulation and held the highest position in this country. We are here because of your courage. Nobody can claim that he has information more than you. You have surmounted a number of crises.

“Nigeria is divided now more than before. To realise a stable Nigeria, we want to encourage you to continue to speak the truth. We are resolved and determined to rescue Nigeria, we want you as navigator.”

He added, “It is to be able to set Nigeria on the right path and for all men of goodwill to come together to rescue Nigeria. It is not a matter of wooing him.

“Yes, Obasanjo is a very unique person in his own way based upon the experience of life, tribulations one way or the other. He saw power, tribulations and then came back to power. If you want to grasp the life of this man from zero to grace, zero again and then to grace. And then you will see what you get in such a person.

“And you will need that wisdom not necessarily to join our partisan politics, but just to draw from the experience of an elder statesman.”

The leader of the team, Chief Bisi Akande, further demonstrated the APC’s bid to seek Obasanjo’s support when he expressed the party’s support for the former President’s 18-page letter to Jonathan.

Going down memory lane, however, analysts recalled that Tinubu had been one of Obasanjo’s greatest antagonists. Tinubu began his tirades against Obasanjo in the build-up to the 2003 general elections conducted by the then Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Dr. Abel Guobadia.

The APC chieftain, who was then the Lagos State governor, felt aggrieved by Obasanjo’s plot to get the backing of the South-West states. The former President, who needed the region to get the PDP’s ticket for a second term in office, began moves, including meeting with the then South-West governors to support his ambition, but fortunately for him, all the governors except Tinubu supported the former President’s ambition and as a result postponed the local government elections they had planned to conduct in their various states.

Pundits, however, believe that this major development set the stage for dispute between the two “foes.” Obasanjo needed the support of the South-West, but Tinubu, his “political foe” refused to back the former president while describing him as “a myopic bull in a crowded china shop.”

The former governor had at a meeting on July 5, 2003, boasted that Obasanjo could not win the battle alone without the support of the South-West states. He had insisted that the former President needed the PDP-AD alliance to succeed.

He also added that Obasanjo was in “deep trouble politically” as the former President was trying to assert PDP’s supremacy in the South-West and hurting his position within the PDP by allowing his relationship with his vice, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, to drift.

Despite the fact that the defunct AD under which the South-West governors were elected had supported Obasanjo’s re-election bid, Tinubu had asked the former President to stop behaving autocratically.

“Obasanjo has to show he is willing to get out of his ivory tower and listen sometimes,” Tinubu had said.

Before then, the former Lagos State governor had blamed “Obasanjo’s woes on his inability to listen to independent advice and his lack of interpersonal skills.”

The APC chieftain had also described Obasanjo as someone who “has learnt the art of deception.”

Stressing that he could not trust the former President, Tinubu had said, “Anybody who has worn the uniform described as camouflage has learnt the art of deception and that is the way I see Obasanjo. He had meetings and meetings with the late MKO Abiola; I was with him, I believe four of us including, Dele Alake, and we ate amala and vegetable soup with hot pepper in Abiola’s house. Everybody was yawning, sweating and looking for water with MKO Abiola and Obasanjo behaving as if it was not as hot as we made it seem; behaving as if they had this deep understanding. Then, not up to two weeks after that, Obasanjo went away to Zimbabwe and announced from there that Abiola was not the messiah.

“Haba! After that, I developed that mistrust in him; I could not believe that a man could do that. Stand by some principles, stand by some integrity, stand transparently and honestly on matter of facts as you lead other people to believe you and support you as a key pillar.”

On the former President’s birthday, Tinubu had said, “I didn’t even remember his birthday. I opened the newspaper and saw it. There are many problems confronting us. I won’t blame anybody who doesn’t read my birthday greetings. I won’t blame them if they say they didn’t see it, there are many problems confronting the nation. There are many news items that are seriously more newsworthy than to be looking for Obasanjo’s congratulatory messages in the newspaper.

“A man who had great opportunity to put Nigeria on the right path and failed to do so; failed to do even the Ota road, not Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. What am I celebrating about him? That is the truth. He deceptively dealt with the country and he handed over to a man who he knew was ill. Obasanjo is a leader that could not find another successor capable of driving through his vision for the country.”

Tinubu’s ferocious criticism of Obasanjo became harsher during a speech at the presentation of a book titled: “Accidental Public Servant” written by a former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mallam Nasir el- Rufai, while criticising Jonathan’s administration for its failure to provide good governance for Nigerians.

The APC chieftain had said, “The criminal third term enterprise of Obasanjo was being re-enacted by the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

In the build-up to the 2011 general elections, Tinubu asked Nigerians not to vote for Jonathan, describing him as Obasanjo’s siamese twin and as such would misrule the country as the former President did.

Notwithstanding his claim that he and Obasanjo were friends, Tinubu had harsh words for the former President over the latter’s comment that the defunct ACN was crying foul over spilled milk after a governorship election in Kogi State.

Tinubu had said, “What integrity has Obasanjo in terms of his legacies for Nigeria to speak on elections? Apart from his aborted third term ambition, he brought about and left a legacy of electoral corruption in the country. What is Obasanjo talking about? He should go away and retire in shame politically. He should leave the political landscape of this country alone. He brought a whole salad of corruption, manipulation and failures.”

But Tinubu had recently returned to the earlier derided but now respected Obasanjo in Abeokuta to seek his opinion on some of the former President’s “old boys” who are currently seeking the APC presidential ticket for next year poll.

In a manner that showed that Tinubu had completely swallowed his earlier disparaging comments on Obasanjo, he praised the ex-President saying, “We are here to pay homage to our former President and discuss with him because he has a number of influences in the political sphere.

“We need to talk to him and find out his thinking about Nigeria and the future. We need to seek his observation on some of his former boys who are running for Presidency in our party.”

The PDP was also not left out in the race to seek Chief Obasanjo’s attention.

Mark, during the visit to him and Obasanjo’s residence some minutes after Tinubu had left the place, was said to have raised concern over the former President’s “unconcern attitude” towards PDP. He had expressed the belief that this might affect Jonathan’s re-election.

This development necessitated another move by the PDP National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu, to seek Obasanjo’s forgiveness.

Mu’azu offered the apology on behalf of the party in Abuja while welcoming defectors from the Labour Party, led by former Ogun State Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, to the ruling party.

He said, “All of us must beg Obasanjo to forgive us. We need to beg him. He is very prayerful and we need to ask him to forgive us so that we can be forgiven. We are your children.”

“We have made mistakes and Baba, please forgive us. Come and lead us. We are your followers and we assure you that we are all good boys and girls. We have sinned. Baba please forgive us.”

It will be recalled that the robust relationship between Obasanjo and Jonathan snapped not long after the 2011 general elections. The breakdown of the relationship that could be described as that of father and son became glaring through exchange of open letters between them. The tone of the two letters, analysts said, left the impression of irreconcilable differences between both “combatants.”

Obasanjo, who felt that Jonathan had derailed from the expected path, quickly wrote a letter to him so as to return him to the path of honour. The former President had accused Jonathan, who he had supported to become the President, of training snipers for the purpose of unleashing terror against perceived political enemies and of allowing the PDP to slip in disarray, among others.

Twenty-one days after Obasanjo wrote him, Jonathan replied the former President and accused him of deliberate or inadvertently setting the stage for subversion. The President described Obasanjo’s letter as a threat to national security, adding that he had instructed security operatives to investigate all the allegations made the against him.

Jonathan accused Obasanjo of recommending policy he never implemented while in office as President, citing the Odi massacre during the administration of the former President as an example.

In Jonathan’s reply to Obasanjo, he had said, “More uncharitable persons may even see a touch of sanctimoniousness in your new belief in the carrot and stick approach to overcoming militancy and insurgency. You have always referred to how you hit Odi in Bayelsa State to curb militancy in the Niger Delta. If the invasion of Odi by the Army was the stick, I did not see the corresponding carrot. I was the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State then, and as I have always told you, the invasion of Odi did not solve any militancy problem but, to some extent, escalated it. If it had solved it, the late President Yar’Adua would not have had to come up with the amnesty programme. And while some elements of the problem may still be there, in general, the situation is reasonably better.”

Jonathan hit Obasanjo harder when he said that the former President’s administration was characterised by kidnapping.

He said, “In terms of general insecurity in the country and particularly the crisis in the Niger Delta, 2007 was one of the worst periods in our history. You will recall three incidents that happened in 2007, which seemed to have been orchestrated to achieve sinister objectives. Here in Abuja, a petrol tanker loaded with explosives was to be rammed into the Independent National Electoral Commission building. But luckily for the country, an electric pole stopped the tanker from hitting the INEC building. It is clear that this incident was meant to exploit the general sense of insecurity in the nation at the time to achieve the aim of stopping the 2007 elections. It is instructive that you, on a number of occasions, alluded to this fact.

“When that incident failed, an armed group invaded Yenagoa one evening with the intent to assassinate me. Luckily for me, they could not. They again attacked and bombed my country home on a night when I was expected in the village. Fortunately, as God would have it, I did not make the trip. I recall that immediately after both incidents, I got calls expressing the concern of Abuja. But Baba, you know that despite the apparent concern of Abuja, no single arrest was ever made. I was then the Governor of Bayelsa State and the PDP Vice-Presidential candidate. The security people ordinarily should have unravelled the assassination attempt on me.

“You also raised the issues of kidnapping, piracy and armed robbery. These are issues all Nigerians, including me are very concerned about. While we will continue to do our utmost best to reduce all forms of criminality to the barest minimum in our country, it is just as well to remind you that the first major case of kidnapping for ransom took place around 2006. And the Boko Haram crisis dates back to 2002. Goodluck Jonathan was not the President of the country then. Also, armed robbery started in this country immediately after the civil war and since then, it has been a problem to all succeeding governments. For a former Head of Government, who should know better, to present these problems as if they were creations of the Jonathan administration is most uncharitable.”

On his reply to Obasanjo’s allegation of training snipers, Jonathan said, “I don’t know where you got that from but you do me grave injustice in not only lending credence to such baseless rumours, but also publicising it. You mentioned God 17 times in your letter. Can you, as a Christian, hold the Bible and say that you truly believe this allegation? The allegation of training snipers to assassinate political opponents is particularly incomprehensible to me. Since I started my political career as a Deputy Governor, I have never been associated with any form of political violence. I have been a President for over three years now, with a lot of challenges and opposition mainly from the high and mighty. There have certainly been cases of political assassination since the advent of our Fourth Republic, but as you well know, none of them occurred under my leadership.”

Jonathan again flayed Obasanjo as he described him as a confused man and unstable in his views regarding government’s handling of the protracted Boko Haram insurgency.

Jonathan, who spoke through his spokesperson, Reuben Abati, was reacting to Obasanjo’s comment in a CNN interview that the President had been deploying excessive force and exploring little or no dialogue in solving the Boko Haram problem.

“To deal with a group like that, you need a carrot and stick. The carrot is finding out how to reach out to them. When you try to reach out to them and they are not amenable to being reached out to, you have to use the stick,” Mr. Obasanjo reportedly said.

Concerned stakeholders, who appear not to be surprised by the new development, have expressed divergent opinions.

The founder of Oodua People’s Congress, Dr. Fredrick Fasehun, hailed Obasanjo for his large heart to receive the “characters” who thronged his residence for one favour or the other.

He said, “The former President is a senior statesman and these characters though they derided him in the past, they must have had some remorse which was why they visited him. I believe they must have believed that there is nothing they could achieve without his support, and that is why they went to see him.

“In the other way round, I see it as a mark of commendation for Obasanjo to have received them back. It depicted that they swallowed their pride. Nobody can be proud before Obasanjo. He holds a very crucial role in the politics of the country. I congratulate him for being patient with everyone and for being a groundbreaking man.”

The National Chairman of Labour Party, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, said there was nothing wrong with the “new friendship” between Tinubu and Obasanjo, stating that everybody knew it was all about politics and the 2015 general elections.

He, however, said he would not be able to comment freely on the closed-door meeting between the two political leaders because he was not in attendance.

Nwanyanwu said, “If there was a communiqué issued in respect of the meeting, I would have been able to freely comment, but there is none. But actually, there is freedom of movement and speech in this era of democracy. Anybody can go to wherever they like to discuss issues. Everybody knows it is all about politics and elections. It was a closed-door meeting which no one heard what they discussed and I have no insinuations about that.

“Anybody can meet with the former president. You can say Tinubu and others went to visit him; very soon, you can also hear that Atiku Abubakar has visited also. No one is restricted from visiting him.”

But to a social commentator and poet, Mr. Odia Ofeimu, the closed-door meeting between Tinubu and Obasanjo was of no relevance to the future of Nigeria. He said there should be no restriction from visiting anyone in the country despite political differences.

He said, “The meeting has no relevance to anything; it has no impact on politics. Meanwhile, anyone can visit anyone anywhere, but there has to be a relevance of such to the future of Nigeria.

“Political differences should not determine how people relate in the country and anybody has the moral right to correct his mistakes and seek apology if they had had disagreements before whether in the secret or in the open.”