Shockwaves are reverberating across Yorùbáland and the global Yorùbá diaspora following the sudden death of the Baba Ọba (King’s Father) of the famed Oyotunji African Village in South Carolina, USA. The late Baba Ọba, Lukman Arohunfale, a revered socialite and traditionalist, passed away under circumstances already sparking fierce controversy. His death comes just days after he publicly accused the newly installed Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Akeem Adéyẹmọ Owoade, of allegedly ordering his courtiers to beat him mercilessly during a recent courtesy visit to the Oyo palace in Nigeria. In a widely circulated voice recording, the deceased recounted how what was meant to be a simple homage turned violent. Although the Baba Ọba had reportedly battled ill health in the past year, growing insinuations suggest that the alleged physical assault may have aggravated his condition, ultimately leading to his untimely death. The palace in Oyo recently denied that s...
Nigeria’s former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has assured Nigerians that the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration will deliver the dividends of democracy.
These remarks of the former presidential aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) came in the wake of Nigeria’s Democracy Day celebration on Sunday, May 29.
According to Atiku, democracy, despite its limitations and challenges, remains the best form of government anywhere in the world, explaining further that the freedom of choice is one of the most important ingredients of the democratic system.
“The freedom to choose your leaders makes democracy fashionable, adding that any system that subverts the will of the people destroys the progress of the society,” a statement on his media group’s Facebook wall read in part.
The Turaki Adamawa says as an active participant in the democratic struggle in Nigeria and an ardent proponent of the rule of law, rather than the rule of man, he recognises the sacrifices of gallant Nigerians whose struggles brought us to the current stage.
“As Nigerians celebrate democracy day, the memory of late Shehu Yar’Adua and MKO Abiola would resonate across the country, adding that the sacrifices of countless others who paid the supreme price for opposing dictatorship would also not be forgotten,” Atiku said, adding that no sane society would choose despotism over democracy because, under dictatorship, dissent is met with death or torture.
He also lent his voice on the present challenges facing the ordinary Nigerians, saying: “no democratically elected government would intentionally hurt the voters that put it into office” and explained that the APC administration remains committed to the welfare of Nigerians, and that the current challenges are temporary.
The 2016 budget, he averred, is specifically targeted to address the basic needs of the ordinary Nigerians, explaining that the implementation of the budget would bring succour to Nigerians as he urged Nigerians not to lose hope because of the current temporary challenges that they are going through.
In his speech earlier today, President Buhari gave an account of his stay in office in the last one year, while also explaining some of his bitter challenges.
The president, however, vowed not to rest on his oars as he will do everything within his power to restore Nigeria’s glory.
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