IF TINUBU’S PRESIDENCY SERVES AS BEST ATONEMENT FOR JUNE 12 ELECTION SPIRIT, ALLOCATION OF MINISTRY OF INFORMATION AND CULTURE BY TINUBU’S PRESIDENCY TO COALITION OF PRO-DEMOCRACY GROUPS FOR A BETTER NIGERIA WILL BE MOST APPROPRIATE
According to Monday declaration by the National Coordinator Coalition of (Pro-Democracy Groups) for A Better Nigeria; Executive President, Bola Ige Centre for Justice (2004-till date); Secretary, Beko Ransome-Kuti Memorial Committee (2008-till date); foremost June 12 Activist (for decades); President-General, Grand Council of Yoruba Youths (2001-till date); and Political Strategist to the Leadership of Afenifere (2001-till date), Comrade Awa Bamiji.
On June 12, Monday, 2023 marks the 30th year of Hope.
The group said: “We were still hoping that Mr President will soon take decisive steps to geniunely recognize all those that delivered during his electioneering Campaign and election proper, we suddenly saw body languages of several support Groups and Politicians lobbying for the inclusion in the Federal Government.
We are June 12 Activists of Decades/Pro – Democracy Groups, that are different from various Support Groups that do spring up only during the electioneering Campaigns, and having worked for decades in seeing Mr President to Aso Rock Villa with massive Support base, if we don’t make our Group request open, Nigerians will think we have a secret deal with the Presidency and abandoned them halfway because they are enjoying our regular broadcast through our well organised Social media Platforms that no Group in Nigeria has ever thought of before now.
For complete 3 Decades running, we still remain the most organized Youths’/Civil Societies’ Platform with intimidating number of affiliate Organisations within and outside Nigeria. Our long chain of successes accounted for the organisational structure and capacity of this promising Group.
Commissioner’s slot for the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure was given to Engineer, now Ogbeni, Rauf Aregbesola, a member of the Civil Societies’ Community, through which he adequately carried this Constituency and Political Class along during his administration in Lagos State. His performance as Hon Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure under Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Governor of Lagos State laid a solid foundation for the beautiful Road Network which the State is enjoying Today. Yearnig for this and efficiency of other Ministries in Lagos State made us, the electorate, vote Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as President of Nigeria.
Another notable member of the Civil Societies’ Community is Barrister Opeyemi Bamidele, who was the Hon Commissioner, Youths and Sports, while the last, but not the least, member, Comrade Olusegun Mayegun, was the Special Assistant to Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Youth and Sports. These 2 wonderful gentlemen also delivered. Today’s Performance of Lagos State in the National, Continental and Global games are testimonies of this solid foundation.
We had proved ourselves during the Presidential Campaign despite, non – inclusion as a member of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) at early stage, through historic bestowment of Grand Commander of African Politics Award on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, inside Conference Room of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), on Valentine’s Day, Tuesday, February 14, 2023.
It was staged through 1st June 12 @ 30 World Press Conference.Similar feat was recorded on Wednesday April 5, 2023 and 2 weeks ago, Saturday, 27 May, 2023, just 2 days before May 29 Presidential Inauguration, where our 2 dear Brothers, friends and trusted members of this Platform, Mr Niyi Idowu and Mr Tunde Oyetola represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR and Governor Gboyega Oyetola respectively. The 2nd outing was titled “Tinubu Mandate Protection World Press Conference” and 3rd Press briefing, Tinubu Mandate Actualisation World Press Conference were held to consolidate our successful taking over of Unity Fountain Square from Opposition parading themselves as Protesters with our own bigger and intimidating Rally held Monday, 27 March, 2023.
We joyfully displayed by wearing, our much advertised tie and die inauguration fabrics and to God be the glory, it was adjudged the best in terms of graphics design and quality, by Public, let alone members of the Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) and Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) despite inability by the immediate past Secretary to the Government of Federation, SGF, Mr Boss Mustapha, to completely accomodate all our opinions suggested in our open letter addressed to him seeking our effective partnership with his Office on May 29 inauguration.
The reason why some key Leaders of Thought in the Civil Societies couldn’t get the invitations for the event. For the record, he hasn’t reverted till today on a pack of fabric he collected from us during Presidential Transition Committee (PTC) World Press Conference. Not only him, other Political leaders at National and Southwest levels, are also culpable, this is the reason why we are yet to get to other Heroes and Heroines of democracy across the States with same free packs of fabric in geniune appreciation of their individual and sterling contributions. We must not fail to appreciate timely donations of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, H.E Prince Abiodun Ogunleye, H.E Chief Iyiola Oladokun, Mr Tayo Ayinde (Chief of Staff, Lagos State), Otunba Oladele Ajomale, APC Chieftain, Lagos State, Engr (Mrs) Abimbola Akinajo LAMATA MD, Mr Babatunde Fashola LAMATA Staff, Alhaji Asari Dukobo, Engr Dotun Sanusi Owner of Ilaji Hotel and Resort Centre, Ibadan, Eze Goodluck Obi, Royal father in Imo State, Hon Ayo Afolabi, Otunba Jumoke Ogunkeyede (JMK); Comrade Kayode Opeifa, former Commissioner for Transport, Lagos State; Oba (Comrade) Abiodun Sowunmi, Dr Salami Liadi Olagoke of Buhari Campaign Organisation and Hon Wasiu Ayodeji Adeshina, Chairman Ikorodu Local Government, all of whom are our back bone behind our chain of successes in the course of staging 4 powerful June 12 @ 30 Press Conferences since Tuesday, February 14 till date, Monday, June 12.
We have tolerated non – recognition during the setting up of the PCC and PTC and it will be suicidal to continue keeping mute at this early stage of forming a new Federal Government by a leading member of the Civil Societies’ Community, who has never failed to accord us due respect ever since but we understand the power play around any Governor or President, in which the man or woman in question will be completely cut away from his close family members and bosom friends. We just narrated the story of formation of PCC and PTC without noticing our relevance.
He, personally broke this jinx in Lagos State, but it will be stupid of us to think that Lagos scenario will equally play out at Aso Rock Villa, taking into consideration what had happened during the formation of PCC and PTC, by neglecting this ever thinking, ever progressive, ever dynamic Platform laden with ever flowing stream of ideas
It is on record that we have been sourcing for funds that we are using optimally to produce beautiful results at all times
Our media Network is superb and we are first rated in breaking news, Research, Planning and Implementation. Information dissemination, Changing the Orientation of our Youths, Youth empowerment and Youth development are our priorities and these are what we stand for.
We have paid our due, compiling the landmark achievements of the Southwest Governors of the Alliance for Democracy (AD) inside the Insight Magazine, which was formally presented by Senator Ayo Fasanmi led Alliance for Democracy, Southwest, in 2002, inside House of Chiefs, Agodi, Ibadan; inauguration of Grand Council of Yoruba Youths inside Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, 2001, which witnessed the attendance of leadership of both Afenifere Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) alongside the Northern Political Leaders, including the sitting Governor Buka Abba Ibrahim of Yobe State and Gen Buba Marwa (Rtd); mobilising the Southwest and Nigerian Youths for 2023 election.
During the 2007, 2011 electioneering Campaign and Elections, we did the same thing, here are the evidences. Our beautiful designed T – Shirts for various Southwest States’ Gubernatorial Aspirants, all of whom later became Governors during these periods. In fact, this Youth Group was tasked by late Governor Abiola Ajimobi to lobby Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and Dr Kayode Fayemi for him to get nominated by the Oyo APC in 2011.
Thank God, we came out of it in flying colour and our contribution was equally felt in Ogun State by Senator Ibukunle Amosun before he became Governor in 2011. In January 24, 2011, this Coalition of Pro – Groups staged a massive Rally in Lagos State to condemn the ongoing voters’ registration exercise, it emanated from the NLC Building in Yaba, visiting INEC Office in Yaba with a copy of our petition, then moving along Ikorodu Road and terminated at Government Office, Lagos House, Ikeja, where Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, received us in audience.
Aftermath of this was extra one week, INEC later added to the already shacky exercise initially scheduled for 2 weeks. This Rally was intimidating to the extent that President Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, had to formally ask Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, to appeal to us with a promise to act as soon as possible. To God be the glory, the extra 1 week that later made the whole exercise stable was therefore “a promise made, a promise fulfilled”
In 2013, we had Coalition for A Better Nigeria’s 3rd National Discourse inside Trenchard Hall of University of Ibadan, where Alhaji Abideen Oladimeji, then CPC Chairman, Oyo State, and former Commissioner, Oyo State, represented Gen Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, as Special Guest of Honour. Guest of Honour, Governor Rauf Aregbesola was equally represented by Senator Ajibola Bashiru.
The Hall spilled over before 10am commencement Time. In February 2019, we bestowed on former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, “Mr Infrastructure Award”, which was received on his behalf by Dr Adewale Balogun, Executive Director, Beko Ransome – Kuti Centre for Constitutional Governance (CCG), inside Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja, in February, 2019.
Imagine this track record, it has been this long that we have been patiently serving all of you and the reason why we understand that power is not served “a lar car te” but you must struggle for it. Public know us very well and what we stand for and our unquantifiable inputs into Presidential election victory of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
It’s on this note, coupled with mouth watering recommendations from various Leaders of Thought, in the likes of Prof Wole Soyinka (January 17, 2005 and August 29, 2006), Senator Ayo Fasanmi (2003 and 28 January, 2004), Chief Bisi Akande and Oba (Alhaji) Olatunji Hamzat (5 February, 2004), Arc Muyiwa Ige for Bola Ige family (21 March, 2005), (2007), Prince Tajudeen Oluyole Olusi (19 September, 2007), Prof Akinwunmi Isola (2013), all copies were attached to our formal requests earlier submitted by this Coalition of Civil Societies’ Group seeking inclusion in the Federal Government it helped midwived, that’s before and immediately after the May 29 Presidential inauguration, we are crying out loud and clear about our collective intention to be formally recognized with allocation of this relevant Ministry.
Still keeping these powerful recommendations in secret will be a disservice to kind gesture of these Elderstatemen, all of whom including their individual families, friends and associates have been patiently waiting to hear from former Governor of Lagos State and now President of Federal Republic of Nigeria but since 2003, it has been “man proposes, God disposes”, complete 20 years, it will be difficult to believe but we are now saying it out according to the dictate of Almighty God.
This is our own version of Emi l’okan. Honourable Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it’s turn of Civil Societies’ Community
Mr President, as Originator of Emi l’okan in Abeokuta, it’s our film belief that he will understand us better, feel our pain, and identify accordingly with his Constituency. Yoruba will say, “so se o ri”, “do you have the requisite experience”, which is the best teacher, of course.
The 3rd copy is what ‘am raising up here for our collective sighting and by God’s grace, it will equally be submitted Tomorrow’s morning.
We thank former President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for recognising June 12 as Nigeria Democracy Day, naming National Stadium, Abuja, after late President MKO Abiola, GCFR, of blessed memory, since 2018, and honouring him posthumously with GCFR but Today, June 12, 2023, celebrating June 12 @ 30, we have reason to thank Almighty God for completely compensating the Progressives with Yoruba Presidency. Therefore, if Tinubu’s Presidency is Best Atonement for the June 12 Election Spirit, allocation of Ministry of Information and Culture by Tinubu’s Presidency to Coalition of Pro – Democracy Groups for A Better Nigeria will be most appropriate.
We, the Organisers, in conjunction with Federal Government, and by extension, Government of Lagos State, are now staging June 12 @ 30 World Press Conference, 4th in the series, and 12th National Discourse, Today, Monday, 12 June, 2023, starting from 12pm, inside Afri Hotels Suites and Restaurants Limited, Opposite War College, Central Area, FCT, Abuja. We thank the Management of this Hotel as our major Partner in progress.
The Chairmen of occasion are Alhaji Tanko Yakassai (North) and Frank Ovie Kokori (South), former Chairman, Arewa Consultative Forum and former General – Secretary, National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) during the June 12, 1993, democratic struggles for actualisation of June 12, 1993 mandate freely given to late former President MKO Abiola, GCFR, respectively.
The former President, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), who doubles as former Governor of Edo State and now Senator, Edo North, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, and immediate past Honourable Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory, Dr Rahamatu Tijjani Aliyu, are father and mother of the day, in the same order while former Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and (Hon) Tajudeen Abass are Special Guest of Honour and Guest of Honour respectively.
The Guest Speakers are Senator Uba Sani, Governor of Kaduna State; former Governor of Imo State, Owelle (Senator) Rochas Okorocha; Comrade Segun Mayegun, former President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) during the June 12, 1993 democratic struggles; Alhaji Asari Dukobo, Leader, Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Front; Alhaji Yerima Shettima, President, Arewa Youth Consultative Forum; Eze Goodluck Obi, an Activist and Royal father in Imo State and Barrister Abukar Omobaba Onalor, Leader, Middle Belt Congress.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, are Chief Host and Host respectively
I duly recognize the presence of Olubadan of Ibadanland in our midst, being represented by Maye Olubadan of Ibadanland, Secretary – General, MKO Abiola Dynamic Group and Cultural Ambassador, Ile – Ife Museum and Monument, Oloye Lekan Alabi. Our man was a Chief Press Secretary to 3 former Governors of Oyo State including late Chief Bola Ige, who brought us together in 2001 during the historic inauguration of Grand Council of Yoruba Youths held inside Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan.
As we are about rounding up this highly informative briefing, we are hereby asking all of you to please watch out for MKO Abiola Epetedo Self Declaration as 1993 President – Elect @ 30, which is to be held next year in Lagos State by God’s grace. We will open up discussions with Mr President, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Governments of Lagos Island to ensure a beffiting outing next year.
Thank you all for your rapt