WHY IYABO OBASANJO-BELLO AND OTHERS SHOULD NOT APOLOGISE TO GOV. GBENGA DANIEL!

WHY IYABO OBASANJO-BELLO AND OTHERS SHOULD NOT APOLOGISE TO GOV. GBENGA DANIEL!

A popular Yoruba adage says a river that forgets its source dries up sooner. It is in the light of this that the recent celebration of tyranny and display of arrogance in the name of politics in Ogun State seriously calls for concern amongst the committee of rational beings. The extent with which Governor Daniels tramples with Yoruba culture, norms and values is a deviation from the rich heritage of Yoruba people. Governor Daniel approach to his self-succession agenda in 2011 is highly anachronistic and unstatesmanly.

If the Governor were a good student of history, he would have known he was embarking on a lost battle. He has however embarked on a journey of no return, as he could neither sustain nor triumph in his war against the Egbas. The recent attempt to ridicule notable sons and daughter of Egbaland in the person of the speaker of Federal House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Dimeji Bankole, Hon. Sarafa Tunji Ishola, the immediate minister for Solid Minerals and our daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello is a reflection of the megalomaniac of a Governor suffering from inferiority complex. The demand for apology by the Governor before the conferment of chieftaincy titles on these sons and daughter of Egbaland amount to undue arrogation of naked power and a display of arrogance.

Governor Daniel has forgotten that the Egbas got political independence long before Nigeria and thereafter sent delegates to the Queen of England to demand federation of Egba land. It is rather too late for the Governor to reverse what the Egbas accomplished several decades before Daniel was born. The Egbas are custodians of wisdom, logics and intellectualism of western education without sacrificing their rich traditional culture. The colossal influence of the Egbas on the Nigerian State is divine and enviable and beyond what the likes of Gbenga Daniel could rubbished.

No amount of intimidation, threats and blackmail can prevent the Egbas from discharging their historical responsibilities of liberating the Ogun State people from the bondage and tyranny of Gbenga Daniel come 2011. History has shown that when tyrants are about to fall, they first go mad, then lose sense of rationality and start biting like rabies infected dogs. However, the truth is that the Egbas are gallant enough to tame the madness of rampaging dogs.

We salute the courage of Iyaniwura of Egbaland, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo Bello and the ebullient and brilliant speaker, Hon. Dimeji Bankole as well as the courageous, rugged fighter, Alhaji Sarafa Ishola for not bowing to intimidation. ECONID remains vehement that there is no basis for apology to Gov. Gbenga Daniel. The drum of a drowning Governor needs no serious attention.

Our resolve to fight Governor Daniel inch for inch remains unchanged!

We close this with another Yoruba adage: Adiye B’alokun Ara Oro’kun Ara Oro’diye. The hen that perches on a suspended rope expects no comfort like the rope on which it perches.

Signed

Soyemi Adeniyi

General Secretary

On behalf of Egba Collective

RE: STATEMENT ON THE INCITING AND OFFENSIVE COMMENTS MADE BY SOME AKE CHIEFS

RE: STATEMENT ON THE INCITING AND OFFENSIVE COMMENTS MADE BY SOME AKE CHIEFS

The Egba Collective in Nigeria and in the Diaspora (ECONID) is compelled to react to the highly provocative Advertorial titled: STATEMENT ON THE INCITING AND OFFENSIVE COMMENTS MADE BY SOME AKE CHIEFS, which appeared in most dailies of today 23^rd October 2008. Again, what a way of wasting taxpayers’ money over frivolities! Nevertheless, it is now clear from the tone of the official position of the government of our dear state that only God in His infinite mercies would save us from the siege constituted by dictators who pretend to be democrats. Not even in the days of the military was the affairs of Ogun State left in the hands of infantile who has lost sense of decency in relating with peace loving people as well as royal fathers in the mould of Alake of Egba Land. We would rather not join issue with Kayode Samuel, Hon. Commissioner for Information and Orientation who appeared rather uncultured and unmannerly in his attitude to official matter in a supposed democratic setting. To put it plainly, the problem is with the Governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, whose responsibility is it to ensure that Ogun State is governed with modicum of decency afterall.

As responsible body of proud Egba citizens, we boldly challenge the Governor and whoever his supporters are to dethrone or even banish our revered Alake as indicated in the said advertorial. ECONID feels that the Governor is being deceived to contemplate punitive measures against the Alake or any of our chiefs for standing for the truth and by the truth. We make bold to declare that we stand by our royal father in this matter and would not hesitate to challenge the Governor as expected from free citizens with honour and pride. This is 21^st century, and we sincerely wonder what gives our highly urbane and sophisticated Governor the impression that the seat of Governor confers on anybody, no matter his pride and ego, the license to play with naked fire. What power does our almighty Governor enjoy to deny citizens free speech? If first class traditional ruler cannot enjoy freedom to make harmless comments in Ogun State, what right then has the Governor or anybody for that matter to lay claim to our mandate. We have realized rather too late that we are in pseudo-democracy in Ogun State. Now that we know that we are in deep crisis of governance, we are also prepared to engage the monsters appropriately.

We have taken notice of the rather childish attempt by the government to create division amongst our people. Referring to Egba Chiefs derogatively as Ake Chief is simply arrogant. It is amazing how uncivilized opportunists could be when intoxicated with political powers. Is it the business of the Governor to remind Egba people about the composition of the famed Egba dynasty? Our tradition and history endured long before Ogun State came into existence and would remain intact several years after Gbenga Daniel and his untutored crowd would have been long forgotten in history.

In our sincere view, the government of Ogun State overreached itself by calling on our royal father to call our chiefs to order. We are proud to have competent and forthright people as leaders in our community. We take absolute objection to any attempt to blackmail our royal institution. We don,t see anything wrong in an attempt by His Royal Highness to clarify the non-political character of his position before the Governor of Ogun State, it is simply a mark of civility, respect for constitution and the rule law. We leave the reading publics with their impression of a Governor who refers to a meeting held with a royal father in close quarters to score cheap political points.

Nothing short of open and unreserved apology to the Alake of Egba Land and our much-maligned Chiefs would assuage the feelings of the Egba.

This is our position! We remained un-intimidated un-cowed by Gov. Daniel!

Signed

Soyemi Adeniyi

General Secretary

On behalf of Egba Collective

GBENGA DANIEL’s THOUGHTLESS WAR ON THE ALAKE OF EGBA LAND

PRESS STATEMENT

GBENGA DANIEL’s THOUGHTLESS WAR ON THE ALAKE OF EGBA LAND

The Egba Collective in Nigeria and in the Diaspora (ECONID) strongly condemns the campaign of calumny, conspiracy and contempt orchestrated by Governor Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State against the revered personality of the Alake of Egbaland; Oba Gbadebo Adedotun Aremu (Okunkenu IV).

ECONID believes the recent attack on the Alake by a lackey of the Governor is a declaration of war on the Egba people. We are convinced that the recent denigration of the exalted office of the Alake is the handiwork of a desperate drowning politician at the helm of affairs in Ogun State. We however wish to assure Nigerians and particularly the Egbas at home and in the Diaspora, that the call to battle against Egba paramount monarch by this fast-diminishing Executive Governor of the Gateway State will not be treated lightly but rather with all seriousness and without equivocation. While we sympathize with the Governor over his frustration regarding his dwindling self-serving populism, we vehemently oppose his untactful and thoughtless antics to make issue out of nothing in the bid to draw unnecessary attention. The failure of OGDmaniac propaganda to impress right thinking Egbas must have been deeply frustrating to the Governor who takes delight in hoodwinking people through unrealistic policies and white elephant projects. The failure of this unduly lionized Daniel with respect to development in Ogun State especially in Abeokuta the capital is an open sore that continues to unearth the lies and cants of his cohorts and town criers.

We are least surprised by OGD’s failed attempt to sweep the issue of gross underdevelopment of Abeokuta under the carpet through barefaced; bankrupt argument cloaked in ethnic sentiments. It is fallacious for Governor Daniel to join Egba kinsmen in issue relating to his abysmal failure to give Abeokuta the desired attention. The diversionary tactics of blaming Egba Kinsmen for deplorable condition of roads and infrastructure in Abeokuta City is an acceptance of non-performance and we are delighted that this self-indictment and vote of no confidence is coming from the Governor’s close quarters. But are Egba kinsmen also to blame for the criminal neglects in Ifo, Akute, Giwa-Lambe, Ijebu-ode, Sagamu and other pats of Ogun State?

We have equally taken note of an attempt by OGD to turn genuine criticism of his Government into blackmail of prosecuting 2011 agenda. OGD’s Government penchant for ruthless divide and rule tactics in Ogun State to cover up his poor performance has become irredeemable. Like all corrupt leaders in history, we understand OGD’s dilemma in surrendering to genuine democratic process and surreptitious tinkering with popular mandate come 2011.

Let it be known to OGD and his fellow travelers that OGD’s drum of war has come alive but the dance steps will require more courage than he could ever imagined. Sons and daughters of legendary Lisabi Agbongboakala are duly sensitized and mobilized and would be greatly disappointed if OGD and his men chicken out when the moon come full circle.

Gbenga Daniel has committed a sacrilege by the abuse and contempt meted on our royal father, Oba Gbadebo Aremu, the Alake of Egbaland. The attack on the Egba kinsmen is unfounded and unwarranted. We thank God that the achievements of Segun Osoba remain and are for all to see and compare. Nevertheless, why should a serious minded Governor continue to rue over modest contributions of predecessor who left Office almost six years ago?

In the meantime, we demand open and unreserved apology from the misguided Governor over the careless attack on His Royal Highness Alake of Egbaland. However, on behalf of Egbas in Nigeria and in Diaspora, we give Gov. Daniel 72 hours ultimatum to respond to the demands. He will ignore the ultimatum at his own peril.

We shall prosecute the battle with all the Necessary legitimate means.

THE BATTLE HAS JUST BEGUN

Signed

Soyemi Adeniyi

General Secretary

On behalf of Egba Collective