NEWS

‘Nothing will affect Tinubu’s reconciliation plan for APC’

Published

7 years ago

March 13, 2018

Former governor of Ekiti State, Chief Segun Oni is the Deputy National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In this encounter with Niyi Bello (Political Editor), he said the extension of the tenure of the National Working Committee (NWC) would not mar Asiwaju Bola Tinubu’s presidential mandate to reconcile aggrieved factions of the party.

With the feeling among Nigerians that the APC has failed on its pledges, is the party still electable?
What we campaigned for in 2015 is still fresh in our memory. Boko Haram was then holding some territories in Nigeria’s Northeast. We said priority one would be security, to ensure that Boko Haram is dealt with, and Boko Haram has been dealt with. The situation is not perfect yet, and no country in the world has been able to deal with terrorism in a way that is perfect. We are all struggling with it, even the big ones, including the United States, are still struggling with terrorism. So, Boko Haram has now been reduced to occasional outbursts, and I’m sure the military would take care of that.

We promised to fight a war against corruption that was riding on golden horses all over the place, taunting us with its proceeds. Today, we have created a situation where even if somebody is corrupt, he would be trying to hide the proceeds and hide himself. The war is not over yet. So much has been recovered from people. You can imagine some of the mind-boggling figures that we are hearing that have been confiscated from people. You will know that Nigeria has really almost gone under with the level of stealing that occurred in the regime of President Jonathan. So, after such a regime, we had two options. It is either to allow Nigeria to take a plunge and sink completely or to keep it afloat by checkmating and ensuring that a total war would be fought against not just that but also the tendency that produced it. I am happy to say that Nigeria has been raised afloat.

On the economy, no country in the world has stayed alive with the kind of stealing that went on under the Jonathan regime. They were not just stealing the budget, which was the maximum that anybody was doing before. But this was so mindless, and I don’t think it has happened in any country of the world that I know, that after stealing the budget, they were not satisfied and started stealing the revenue and competing with Nigeria for market share for oil. They were exporting and what they were exporting was from a zero cost base. The economy is now stable. It is stabilized, it can no longer go down, it can only come up.
But the people are not really feeling the positive effects of these achievements
If a drowning man was rescued from a pond, will he begin to show the capability to run immediately? If the people who threw him into the pond are now saying because he has not been running instantly, that nothing has been done, I am sure the person who was thrown to the pond would know that there is a difference between what it was and what it is now. The economy is beginning to move up. Let me make rice as an example. In December before the last, out of every hundred bags of rice that people gave out as Christmas and New Year presents, I am sure that at least ninety came from outside the shores of Nigeria. And most of this was expired rice that was just being dumped. But this last December, out of every hundred bags, at least ninety were produced locally. The effect of this is that those who are productive in that terrain already know that their life is better. Of course, it is going to take a longer time for somebody who does not work. That is why we have to let our people know that it is better to have something doing than to start complaining all the time. There are a lot of opportunities. They should try and grab these to be productive.

Let me tell you, the people who are complaining the most are from states that are not doing much to complement what the Federal Government is doing. States that are doing much, that seized the opportunity to do as much as they can so that their people can benefit, their people are into farming, they are into other ventures, the complaints are less. But in states where all they do is gallivant and infect people with the complaining mentality, those are the places where the pangs are more severe.

The fault lines in the formation of the APC are getting widened as the PDP; ACN and CPC arms are still fighting one another. When will the APC become a united party?
This is a matter of blending. You may not provide a perfect blend in one term of four years. In four years, we may not produce a kind of blend that we would say this is perfect. This is work in progress, we will continue to work on it. The only thing we need from everybody, high and low, is sincerity of purpose. If we are all sincere that, as family, we must work together, we don’t have any option, we must accommodate one another, we must listen to one another, we will do it, and it will be well. My own is to say, let us try and encourage everybody, work conscientiously and see ourselves as one family. Because this is the family to which we belong now, not the older associations that we used to belong, no. We are now members of this family. We should make this family work, and it must work well, not only for the interests of that party but also for the interests of Nigeria.

But the extension of APC NWC tenure is believed to have jeopardized the Tinubu presidential reconciliation process.
No, I don’t think it has jeopardized the reconciliation process. It is not something that can be marred by anything; we need it. That is going to be the saving grace for our party. It is a very, very solid platform on which the party would stand for the future. So, I don’t think anything would touch it, I don’t think anything would mar it, I don’t think anything would affect it.

The strains of division are really felt in Ekiti where some old ACN members think that those from other platforms are joiners.
You see, politics is also business that everybody comes into with personal objectives, and they don’t want anything that can obliterate the personal objectives. If they think it is to make allegations that they will get there, or to even do outright lying and so on, people would resort to it. But these are individuals’ actions to be able to achieve what they want to achieve. It does not mean that this is the trend everywhere. If we continue to work conscientiously and with sincerity of purpose, these differences will be reducing as we are going on. It will not disappear overnight but it will continue to reduce.

With just a few weeks to the Ekiti APC governorship primaries, what are your chances?
My chances are bright. As we are talking, I don’t know anybody whose chances are brighter. I would say that first; a lot of people believe that it is something that I can do. And there was some pressure. The Number One priority of our party is to be in government, and we do not want to take chances. The PDP is there, and to drive them away, we have to have the kind of force that will be solid enough to dislodge them. And I think they believe that if I am championing this game, that it would be much easier to muster that kind of force, because I left the PDP, and I left a lot of people who can attest to my capability and who are still willing to stake their everything to say that, yes, we have met with this guy, we’ve worked with him, we think he is good, he is worthy. So, it will be easier for me to break the ranks of the PDP than anyone else. I think that is the reason why the people who came around to say, look, it is you that we want to delegate this job to.

Ekiti PDP under Fayose in Ekiti is seen as a formidable force. How do you hope to defeat such a force?
Even within the PDP, they are expecting an implosion the moment I secure the ticket, because many of them can compare the leadership I gave to the leadership that they are experiencing. Don’t forget politics and governance is a people experience, perception loaded, and human development oriented activity. I was there, they saw me, and after me, they saw others. And in their own view, most of them believe they would rather have my type of leadership.
Guardian

Related Topics:APC Ekiti State PDP Segun Oni

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NEWS

Bobrisky Released On Bail After Denying 15 Million Naira Bribery Allegations

Published

18 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Reporter

Bobrisky granted bail after denying N15m bribery allegation | fab.ng

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) recently granted bail to Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, following his detention.

On Thursday night, Bobrisky was apprehended and removed from a KLM flight bound for Amsterdam at Lagos’s Murtala Muhammed International Airport while attempting to travel to London.

Subsequently, Bobrisky took to social media to inform his followers about his arrest, claiming to have sustained injuries during the incident.

He posted, “Nigerians, help me, EFCC just arrested me. I’m badly injured.”

After his arrest, officials transported him to the EFCC headquarters in Abuja for questioning over alleged bribery claims involving the commission.

The allegations arose when social media critic Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, released a voice note reportedly featuring Bobrisky’s voice. In the recording, Bobrisky allegedly claimed he had bribed EFCC officials with N15 million to drop money laundering charges.

However, late on Friday, November 1, authorities processed Bobrisky’s bail, and he regained his freedom shortly after. EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the release on Saturday but declined to provide additional information.

A source close to the case disclosed that Bobrisky denied all bribery allegations in his official statement. He also challenged the voice note’s authenticity, urging the individual who shared it to prove the claims.

According to the source, Bobrisky asserted that no EFCC official had solicited money from him and insisted he had not offered any bribe.

Through this statement, Bobrisky maintained his innocence, asserting that the bribery accusations were baseless. Meanwhile, the EFCC has yet to comment further on the case. This leaves questions about the voice note’s origins and the nature of the allegations still unresolved.

BREAKING NEWS

Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson’s Producer, Dies At 91

Published

19 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Reporter

Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson's producer, dies at 91 | fab.ng

Quincy Jones, a legendary music producer renowned for his collaborations with iconic artists, passed away on November 4, 2024, at the age of 91.

His publicist, Arnold Robinson, confirmed the news. Jones’ family released a heartfelt statement, expressing their grief and celebrating his extraordinary life and enduring legacy.

They said,

“Tonight, with full but broken hearts, we must share the news of our father and brother Quincy Jones’ passing. And although this is an incredible loss for our family, we celebrate the great life that he lived and know there will never be another like him.”

They added, “We take comfort and immense pride in knowing that the love and joy, that were the essence of his being, was shared with the world through all that he created. Through his music and his boundless love, Quincy Jones’s heart will beat for eternity.”

Born in Chicago in 1933, Quincy Jones’s lineage was a complex tapestry of history. His mother descended from slave owners, while his father, half-white, was the son of a Welsh slave master and one of his enslaved women.

Jones’s early exposure to music began at home, where his mother’s singing and a neighbour’s piano ignited his passion. At the tender age of seven, he started learning to play the piano.

Following his parents’ divorce, Jones and his father moved to Washington State. There, he joined his high school band, mastering the drums and various brass instruments.

His musical journey took a significant turn at the age of 14 when he began performing in Seattle bars. A remarkable moment arrived in 1948 when he backed Billie Holiday, sharing the stage with a young Ray Charles.

After a brief stint at Seattle University studying music, Jones ventured to Boston to complete his education. His illustrious career, spanning over seven decades, was marked by groundbreaking collaborations with legendary artists.

He worked alongside Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra, Ray Charles, and many others. Indeed, one of his most iconic achievements was producing Michael Jackson’s historic album, “Thriller.”

Check out more news updates here.

MOVIES

AMAA 2024: “The Weekend” & “Jagun Jagun” Take Home Major Wins

Published

19 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Reporter

AMAA 2024: The Weekend & Jagun Jagun Wins Big | fab.ng

The 20th edition of the Africa Movie Academy Awards (AMAA) took place yesterday, November 2nd, 2024, at the Balmoral Convention Centre in Ikeja, Lagos.

This year, the AMAA 2024 ceremony honoured first-time winners and celebrated the best in African cinema. This brought filmmakers from across the globe together under one roof.

Notably, Nollywood actor Segun Arinze and Ghanaian actress Joselyn Dumas hosted the event. In addition, legendary Afrobeat musicians Femi Kuti and Yinka Davies performed, adding a unique flair to the ceremony.

A line-up of pan-African artists, including Narh Tettey, Bedwei Kwaku, and Adina Thembi, further entertained the audience.

Leading the jury, filmmaker and curator Dorothee Wenner, along with a distinguished panel, reviewed the nominated films, recognizing exceptional talent and storytelling in African cinema.

Among the major highlights in AMAA 2024, the Nigerian-directed drama “The Weekend” dominated the evening. It won the “Best Film Award” for both Nigeria and Africa.

Furthermore, Femi Adebayo won the “Best Actor in a Supporting Role” award for his performance in the historical thriller “Jagun Jagun.”

Notably, after receiving seven nominations, the film also claimed awards for Achievement in Visual Effects and Make-up.

Meanwhile, Elsie Abang earned “Best Actress in a Supporting Role” for her performance in “KIPKEMBOI.” Likewise, Michell Lemuya claimed the “Best Young Promising Actor” award for her role in “NAWI.”

In the leading roles category, South Africa’s Zolisa Xaluva took home “Best Actor in a Leading Role” for his work in “The Queenstown King.”

Similarly, Ghana’s Jackie Appiah won “Best Actress in a Leading Role” for her performance in “Red Carpet.”

Continuing the list of accolades, “Letters to Goddo,” directed by Harry Bentil, won the “Best Feature Film by a Director” award. Meanwhile, Jahmil X.T. Qubeka earned the “Best Director” title for his work on “The Queenstown Kings.”

In recognition of lifelong achievements, the Academy presented Lifetime Achievement Awards to notable filmmakers Souleymane Cissé from Mali, Nacer Khemir from Tunisia, and Haile Gerima from Ethiopia.

Additionally, Alain Gomis from Senegal and Gabon, along with Zimbabwean author and filmmaker Tsitsi Dangarembga, received special recognition awards in AMAA 2024 for their valuable contributions to African cinema.

See the full list of AMAA 2024 winners below: