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The founder and chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola has dropped all criminal charges against human rights lawyer, Dele Farotimi.

Babalola stated this on Sunday after the intervention of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ofunwusi, and other prominent traditional rulers in the country.

Recalled that Farotimi published a book titled “Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System” where he alleged that ABUAD founder corrupted the Judiciary.

Addressing journalists, Aare Afe Babalola noted that he has no choice but to obey the commandments of the traditional institutions, adding that the statement of an Oba in Yoruba traditional from time immemorial is a command.

His words, “I rejected an oil block and defended the EFCC law and also rejected ministerial nominees twice, wondering why any one would just wake up and try to rubbish all he had laboured for.

“I have nothing to gain from his imprisonment, I am happy each time I give”.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Oguwusi had earlier appealed to Babalola to consider the various forces and personalities that have intervened in the matter.

The monarch hailed Babalola and commended his contribution to the development of the Yoruba race, the Nation and the world at large.

“We all came together to discuss the matter with him and he gave all the full respect to the Obas and agreed.

“We Obas can attest to the hard work of Aare Afe Babalola and how he had invested so hard to build his name and that can not be tarnished and rubbished by anyone.

“Aare Afe Babalola has proven to the world that he cherished his name and the world has heard him loud and clear.

“Dele Farotimi is your son, we give birth to different children in this world and as elders when our children offend us as Yoruba after a little spank, we also pardon such children”.

President Bola Tinubu Friday in Abuja welcomed the intervention of the Finnish government, with the arrest and detention of Simon Ekpa, saying the government will not tolerate actions and statements that could lead to divisiveness among citizens.

President Tinubu spoke at the State House when he received the Letters of Credence from the Finnish Ambassador to Nigeria, Ms Sanna Selin. He commended the Finnish authorities for the timely intervention that safeguarded the nation’s integrity and mitigated an action that threatened peaceful coexistence.

President Tinubu also received Letters of Credence from the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr Gautier Mignot, and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of Algeria, Hocine Mezoued.

“I must thank you for your record on safeguarding human rights in our country with the trial of Simon Ekpa. Nigeria is indivisible. We have been through turbulent times, and we don’t want to promote terrorism,” President Tinubu told the Finnish ambassador.

“I am a child born into activism, but not divisiveness. We need cohesion and cooperation to bring about development. Our watchword is stability and cohesion to move the country forward.

“The National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, has informed me. I know what the rule of law means. The rule of law safeguards our democratic credentials, morals and values. We must respect the rule of law,” the President said.

The President noted that the Ambassador’s priorities, including ICT, agriculture, and education, will directly impact the country’s development.

“Nigeria is undergoing a series of necessary reforms to stimulate growth and prosperity. Thank you also for the humanitarian support in the North East. I believe that we can work together,” he added.

The Ambassador of Finland extolled the President for his courage in initiating reforms that will benefit the economy and ensure prosperity in the future.

“Simon Ekpa has been hindering bilateral relations. The cooperation between our two countries is going very well now, and the National Security Adviser has been providing all the evidence,” the Ambassador noted.

“I salute you for all the ongoing reforms in the country. They are not easy. Even though it is painful, it is the only way Nigeria can progress. It is essential for the country.

“Finland has been involved in peace mediation as well. We also have opportunities for Nigeria in energy. We can work and make it a realisable dream,” she stated.

In a meeting with the Ambassador of the European Union, President Tinubu noted that the EU remains one of the highest trading partners of Nigeria, urging the envoy to work towards elevating the volume of transactions, and strengthening the ties.

He said Nigeria needs support in digitalising and automating operations and processes for rendering services.

The President said the Nigerian economy could support investments with its vibrant, youthful population.

Mignot told President Tinubu that Nigeria holds “many untapped potentials,” adding that more could be realised through development cooperation and technology leveraging.

“We have a solid partnership based on our shared values,” he said.

President Tinubu urged collaboration between Nigeria and Algeria to implement the trans-Saharan African Gas Pipeline project.

“We need to lift one another in Africa, and we will be stronger together. We can be abused or ignored, but we have nothing to prove to anyone but ourselves. We must lift Africa together,” the President said.

The Algerian Ambassador said the trans-Sahara African Gas Pipeline project and other proposed regional development projects will significantly impact the continent.

“I would like to personally, on behalf of the government and people of Algeria, convey the greetings of our president and express my delight in our shared values politically, economically, socially and economically,” he added.

Mezoued said Algeria would continue to support Nigeria in negotiating for improved livelihood on the continent with multilateral institutions.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

January 24, 2025

by Wándé T. Àjàyí 

Politics in Nigeria has always been an enthralling game of loyalty, pragmatism, and, most often, survival. The case of the late Chief Bola Ige, a founding member of the Alliance for Democracy (AD), and his decision to serve in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)-led government as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, presents a perfect example of how political interests often blur ideological lines. Many often wondered if Bola Ige had not been tragically assassinated in 2001, would he have remained committed to AD in the 2003 elections, or would his role as a minister under a PDP government have influenced his political choices? This same question looms over the PDP today with the lingering presence of a certain Nyesom Wike, who, despite his long-standing membership in the party, seems to have found comfort in the embrace of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Bola Tinubu. Perhaps, just as AD struggled with internal wranglings and eventually faded into political irrelevance after Ige’s death, the PDP risks suffering the same fate if it continues to indulge Wike’s political games.  

Bola Ige’s decision to accept a ministerial position under the PDP government was met with mixed reactions at the time. Some saw it as a strategic move to ensure the Southwest had a voice in national politics, while others viewed it as a betrayal of AD’s core principles or even President Obasanjo’s master stroke to reclaim his Zone. Yet, despite his ministerial appointment, Ige never publicly abandoned his party. Unlike Wike, whose romance with APC has become a full-blown political drama, Ige maintained a delicate balance, ensuring that his loyalty to AD was never in doubt. Today, the PDP finds itself in a similar dilemma. Should it continue to tolerate Wike’s dual allegiances, or should it chart a new course without him? More worrisome is the growing suspicion that Wike’s antics may not be mere political survival tactics, but a calculated strategy orchestrated by President Bola Tinubu to decimate the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections. If this is true, then the party’s continued tolerance of Wike could be its undoing.  

The AD serves as a cautionary tale. After Bola Ige’s death, the party lost its prominence, unable to withstand internal divisions and external pressures. The PDP must learn from this and realize that its continuous preoccupation with Wike is a distraction that could cost it dearly. Tinubu, a proven master strategist, has a history of dismantling opposition structures, and it wouldn’t be far-fetched to think that Wike’s position within the PDP is part of a larger plot to weaken the party from within. The PDP should focus on building a strong opposition, reconnecting with its grassroots supporters, and presenting itself as a credible alternative to the APC. Holding on to individuals who are visibly aligning with the ruling party only weakens the PDP’s credibility and sends the wrong message to loyal party members who have remained steadfast through challenging times.  

Ultimately, politics should be about principles, not personalities. If Wike has found comfort in working with the APC, then the PDP should graciously ease him out and focus on strengthening the party with leaders who are fully committed to its vision. Just as AD’s failure to address internal discord led to its downfall, PDP must avoid the same mistake. Wike’s current flirtation with the APC should not dictate PDP’s future. It’s time for the party to move forward, leaving behind distractions and focusing on the bigger picture of rebuilding and reclaiming its place in Nigeria’s political landscape before it’s too late.

Wándé T. Àjàyí writes from Akure, the Ondo State capital.

It’s truly fascinating how the West conveniently turns a blind eye to its own inconsistencies while holding other countries to impossibly high standards. Just a day after his inauguration, Donald Trump wasted no time in undoing several policies put in place by Joe Biden, and somehow, the world hasn’t descended into chaos. No warnings from the IMF, no grim predictions from the World Bank about policy instability scaring off investors. But imagine, just for a second, if a Nigerian president were to do the same act of revoking all executive orders of their predecessor overnight. The alarms would be deafening. Western economic “experts” would flood the media with concerns about Nigeria’s unpredictability and why investors should flee to safer havens. How convenient.  

Nigeria, like any other sovereign nation, has the right to change course when leadership changes. But according to the West, when America does it, it’s called “democracy in action,” and when we do it, it’s “policy inconsistency” and a sign of incompetence. Isn’t it amazing how the same actions are seen through entirely different lenses depending on who’s in charge? We’re constantly told that businesses need stability and long-term assurances, yet somehow, American companies continue to thrive despite policy U-turns every four years. But when Nigeria makes a minor tweak to an economic policy, it’s suddenly a red flag for the entire global market.  

Of course, Western institutions will argue that their concerns come from a place of goodwill because, naturally, they know what’s best for us. We should be grateful for their unsolicited advice on how to run our economy, right? After all, it’s not like they’ve ever made any mistakes managing their own economies, debt crises, or financial meltdowns. And let’s not forget their impressive track record of “helping” developing countries with loans that come with enough strings attached to weave an entire safety net, just not for us.  

At the end of the day, Nigeria should stop waiting for validation from institutions that apply double standards with such ease. If policy changes are necessary for our growth and development, then so be it. Instead of worrying about what the West thinks, we should focus on building an economy that works for Nigerians, not one that fits neatly into the ever-changing narrative of Western approval. Because if we’ve learned anything, it’s that no matter what we do, the goalposts will always be moving but just not for them.

Wándé T. Àjàyí writes from Akure, Ondo State. 

It’s truly fascinating how the West conveniently turns a blind eye to its own inconsistencies while holding other countries to impossibly high standards. Just a day after his inauguration, Donald Trump wasted no time in undoing several policies put in place by Joe Biden, and somehow, the world hasn’t descended into chaos. No warnings from the IMF, no grim predictions from the World Bank about policy instability scaring off investors. But imagine, just for a second, if a Nigerian president were to do the same act of revoking all executive orders of their predecessor overnight. The alarms would be deafening. Western economic “experts” would flood the media with concerns about Nigeria’s unpredictability and why investors should flee to safer havens. How convenient.  

Nigeria, like any other sovereign nation, has the right to change course when leadership changes. But according to the West, when America does it, it’s called “democracy in action,” and when we do it, it’s “policy inconsistency” and a sign of incompetence. Isn’t it amazing how the same actions are seen through entirely different lenses depending on who’s in charge? We’re constantly told that businesses need stability and long-term assurances, yet somehow, American companies continue to thrive despite policy U-turns every four years. But when Nigeria makes a minor tweak to an economic policy, it’s suddenly a red flag for the entire global market.  

Of course, Western institutions will argue that their concerns come from a place of goodwill because, naturally, they know what’s best for us. We should be grateful for their unsolicited advice on how to run our economy, right? After all, it’s not like they’ve ever made any mistakes managing their own economies, debt crises, or financial meltdowns. And let’s not forget their impressive track record of “helping” developing countries with loans that come with enough strings attached to weave an entire safety net, just not for us.  

At the end of the day, Nigeria should stop waiting for validation from institutions that apply double standards with such ease. If policy changes are necessary for our growth and development, then so be it. Instead of worrying about what the West thinks, we should focus on building an economy that works for Nigerians, not one that fits neatly into the ever-changing narrative of Western approval. Because if we’ve learned anything, it’s that no matter what we do, the goalposts will always be moving but just not for them.

Wándé T. Àjàyí writes from Akure, Ondo State. 

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has been declared the winner of all 18 chairmanship and 203 councillorship seats in the Ondo State Local Government election held on January 18, despite controversy surrounding the outcome in Ajowa/Gedegede/Igasi-Akoko Ward 5 of Akoko North West Local Government.  

The Chairman of the Ondo State Independent Electoral Commission (ODIEC), Dr. Joseph Aremo, announced the results at the commission’s headquarters in Akure, stating that the election was contested by 12 political parties, with the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) officially withdrawing 48 hours before the polls.  

However, reports from Ajowa Ward 5 indicated that the PDP candidate, Hon. Lateef Salami, had secured a victory with 1,494 votes against APC’s Toye Ajiboye, who polled 1,271 votes. Despite these figures, ODIEC has refused to recognize Salami’s win, instead declaring the APC candidate as the official winner.  

The decision has sparked outrage among PDP supporters, who have accused ODIEC of bias and electoral malpractice. Party loyalists in Ajowa Ward 5 have insisted that the recorded figures show PDP’s clear victory and are calling for justice. “We have the results, and they show that Hon. Salami won fair and square. ODIEC must do the right thing and uphold the will of the people,” a PDP stakeholder stated.  

Meanwhile, APC members have gathered at the ODIEC headquarters in Akure for the official presentation of certificates of return to the chairmen-elect, while the councillors-elect are set to receive theirs on Tuesday.
 

Dr. Tolulola Bayode, the Chief Executive Officer of Dorian Homes, the largest orphanage in West Africa, has lost her father, Chief Joseph Agboola Bayode. The late Chief Bayode, a renowned cocoa merchant, passed away on January 15, 2025, in Akure after a brief illness. He was aged 85.  

Chief Bayode was a highly respected figure in the cocoa business and was known for his dedication to his family and community. Throughout his lifetime, he contributed significantly to the development of the agricultural sector in Ondo State. His legacy of hard work and commitment to excellence left a lasting impact on those who knew him. Despite his advanced age, he remained active and enjoyed immense love and care from his daughter, Dr. Bayode, until his passing.  

Friends, family, and well-wishers have continued to pay tributes, describing him as a man of integrity and compassion. Dr. Bayode, who has dedicated her life to philanthropy and humanitarian work through Dorian Homes, has received an outpouring of condolences from various quarters. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in due course.