Politics
Senate Leader Pays Tributes to Buhari, Oba Adetona …..Describes both leaders as proponents of peace, stability, unity
By George Mgbeleke
Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele has paid tributes to former President Muhammadu Buhari and the Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Awujale of Ijebu Ode, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona (Ogbagba II), describing them as unrepentant proponents of peace, stability and unity
In a statement by the Directorate of Media and Public Affairs, Office of the Leader of the Senate on Monday, Bamidele reflected on how Buhari and Oba Adetona patriotically served their fatherland, states and communities before they were both called home respectively at full ripe ages of 82 and 91.
He, therefore, observed that their passage was not just a huge loss to their immediate families, communities and states, but also to the Federal Republic of Nigeria, West Africa, Africa at large and the black nations worldwide, which they served in different capacities until Sunday, 13th July 2025.
As a Military Head of State (January 1984 – August 1985), Bamidele noted that Buhari was an embodiment of discipline and self-control, leading with personal integrity “to rid the country’s public of all forms of malfeasance and set our fatherland on the track of justice and rectitude.
In the Fourth Republic, specifically, Bamidele reflected on how Buhari pitched his tent with the people; joined forces with the progressives across the Niger and fought the conservatives under whose administrations Nigeria experienced economic regression and institutional decay.
He noted Buhari’s struggles for a graft-free Nigeria, starting from when he fearlessly contested the presidential elections on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party to when he spearheaded the formation of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change and when he teamed up with the progressives across the Nigeria to form All Progressives Congress, the political force that eventually brought the progressives to national prominence in 2015.
Bamidele, thus, extended deepest condolence to his wife, Aisha Buhari; all his children, the traditional leaders of the Daura Emirate, the government and people of Katsina State and of course the Federal Republic of Nigeria, especially the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
On behalf of the Senate and its South-West Caucus on Monday, Bamidele condoled the Anikilaya Ruling House of Ijebu-Ode, the entire people of Ijebu Kingdom as well as the government and people of Ogun State over the passage of the highly revered monarch, whose departure from this life was announced on Sunday.
Bamidele described the departed monarch as a natural proponent of peace and stability, whose reign between January 1960 and July 2025 witnessed real growth and development, ruling consciously not as a sectional leader, but as the ruler of all his subjects regardless of their political leaning, race and religion.
At different dispensations, according to Bamidele, Oba Sikiru Adetona maintained the sanctity of royalty and staunchly defended his kingdom, whether under the military ruler or during the democratic eras.
The senate leader added that the monarch convincingly “lived and worked for the development, peace and unity not only of Ijebu Kingdom, Ogun State or South-west, but indeed of our fatherland at large.”
By David Owei, Bayelsa
Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.
Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.
The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.
“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.
“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.
“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.
Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.
By David Owei,Bayelsa
The umbrella body of Ijaw Elders, the Ijaw National Congress (INC) has rejected the Bill in the Senate seeking to permanently elevate the Ooni of Ife and Sultan of Sokoto as the exclusive Co-chairmen of the Traditional Rulers Council.
The INC said the move would be at the expense of apex traditional rulers from other ethnic nationalities and geopolitical divides.
The Second Vice Chairman of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Chief Alabo Nengi James (OON) said, in a statement on Sunday in Odi, Kolokuma/Opokuma Local Government area of Bayelsa State, the proposal is a continuos infringement on Traditional Rulers in Nigeria.
Alabo Nengi James describes the provision of the Bill as unacceptable and against the Rights of the indigenous People across tribes, Religion, Culture and Customs.
He said the Bill should be reviewed to include clauses such as No permanent Chairmanship for Sultan and Oni only must be allowed in the ongoing bill being discussed in the Senate.
He advocates that the National Assembly should allow the National Council of Traditional Rulers to Appoint their Leadership themselves, rotationaly and based on Federal Character.
“Include the Role of Traditional Rulers into the Constitutio and No Traditional Ruler from another tribe or religion is superior to another.”
“The National Assembly should Step down the Provocative and dehumanizing offensive Bill that will cause a serious rift and breach of peace in Nigeria.”
Chief James called the attention of the Senate President, Rt. Hon. Godswill Akpabio, urging him to immediately step down what he termed a “highly insensitive and dangerous bill.”
He emphasized that traditional rulers across the country must be given equal recognition and should be allowed to choose their national leadership through internal mechanisms that reflect rotational leadership and the federal character system.
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