Jonathan’s objection to Sovereign National Conference is wrong -Tinubu

Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, yesterday objected to the claim by President Goodluck Jonathan that a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) is unnecessary because he has set up a committee chaired by Justice Alfa Belgore to work on a new constitution.

He said the convocation of the conference is imperative, adding that sovereignty belongs to the people of Nigeria.

Tinubu stressed: “We want Sovereign National Conference. Nigerians who voted for the President have the right to demand for the convocation of the conference, and not that the President should select some people to make the constitution. Sovereignty belongs to the people.”
Tinubu also said that the unity of the country must not be sacrificed on the altar of religion, warning those fanning the embers of disunity to spare a thought for nation-building.

The former Lagos State governor spoke at Ilesa, Osun State, where he was turbaned as the Agbaakin-Adinni of Ijesaland by the Muslim community.

The impressive ceremony, which was witnessed by statesmen, captains of industry, politicians, top government officials, friends, associates and admirers,  held at Okesa Praying Ground in the ancient town.

At exactly 2.10 pm, the turbaning ceremony was performed by the chairman of the occasion and Aaare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Alhaji Arisekola Alao; the Asiwaju Adinni of Yorubaland, Alhaji Badmus Adekilekun and other top clerics from Yorubaland.

Also in attendance were foremost traditional rulers, including the paramount ruler of Ijesaland, Oba Adekunle Aromolaran; the  Timi of Ede, Oba Muirudeen Lawal; Olufon of Ifon, Oba Aderemi Adedapo; Oba Magbagbeola Adekunle; the Aragberi of Iragberi, Oba Sunkanmi Olagberuade; the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Asiru Olatoye; the Elerin of Erin, Oba Yesufu; the Oloigi of Oigi, Oba James Adeleke; the Oru of Ijebu-Oru, Oba Muniru Basorun; Oba Taofik Olaposi; Oba Tajudeen Adetunji and Oba Adesanya Ilesanya.

Tinubu also received the insignia of the title as well as a certificate and staff of office amid a loud ovation by dignitaries. As he moved forward to receive them, shouts of “Jagaban Borgue, Asiwaju of Lagos and Aare of Ile-Oluji” filled the air.

At 1.45 pm, Tinubu, who had landed in Ilesa in a chopper, stormed the venue with pump, accompanied by Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola and his wife, Sherifat, Senator Bayo Salami, and Secretary to Osun State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti.
He was decked in a light cream agbada, with a brown cap and shoe to match.

He walked briskly, waving at the crowd as he moved from one spot to the other within the crowded venue to pay homage to traditional rulers, community elders, Muslim clerics and other guests.
After exchanging greetings with many guests on the expansive field, he fell into the warm embrace of Aare Arisekola, who shared the high table with him and other guests.
Welcoming dignitaries to the ceremony, the Chairman of Ijesa Muslim Community, Alhaji Dhikirulahi Sanni, explained that the title was bestowed on Tinubu in recognition of his roles during Aregbesola’s battle to reclaim his stolen mandate from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He also recalled that Tinubu played a major role in the reconstruction of Ilesa Central Mosque, saying that he sent money to the building committee to make progress on the project.

Dhikitulahi added: “We also appreciate your antecedents and contributions to the emancipation of the down-trodden since your days as NADECO chieftain, senator and governor. You fought to sack the PDP cabals from Ekiti, Osun, Ogun, and Oyo states. Our people have never had it so good since the enthronement of democratic rule.”

He appealed to Tinubu to assist in the implementation of the laudable projects of the community, especially the hospital project recently embarked upon by the faithful.

The Chairman of the Chieftaincy Committee of the association, Isa Azeez, said: “Asiwaju is a warrior for the masses. He fought war and liberated the Yoruba from bondage. I pray for long life and prosperity for you. We want you to assist us in the implementation of our projects here.”
Arisekola Alao, who eulogised the host, enjoined him to always thank God for giving him power, fame and honour, adding that the honour done to him was a honour to all the Muslim faithful in Yorubaland.

He called for religious unity and tolerance among the various sects, stressing that those who blame Islam for the Boko Haram onslaught are mischievous.
The Aare Musulumi urged Muslims, Christians and adherents of traditional religion to continue to live in peace in Yorubaland in the interest of peaceful coexistence in the region.

He traced the genesis of Islam in the Southwest, saying that the roles of Mallam Quadri Akinniyi, Sheidu Oogun, Abe Momodu, Umoru Sarumi, Seriki Owoeye and Orikesinro would not be forgotten. He also praised all those who had contributed to the growth of the religion, praying Allah to bless and reward them appropriately.

He cautioned against using Islamic titles to boost personal ego, stressing that it is a divine call to the service of Allah.
Alao, therefore, advised the Muslim community in Yoruba land to bestow titles on Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos State), Abiola Ajimobi (Oyo), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun) and Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), assuring that they would promote the cause of Islam and welfare of the people.
The Muslim leader applauded the achievements of the ACN governors and admonished them to create more employments for youths, who he described as leaders of tomorrow.

Turning to Tinubu, he advised the new Agbaakin Adinni to dedicate himself to the service of the people.
At the ceremony were the deputy governor of Osun State, Otunba Titilayo Laoye; Senator James Kolawole; Senator Jide Omoworare; Dr. Olu Agunloye; Prof. Ajayi Boroffice; Hon. Bola Akinterinwa; Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose; the Speaker of Lagos State House of Assembly, Yemi Ikuforiji; his Oyo State counterpart, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu; Alhaji Tajudeen Bello; Alhaji Lanre Rasak; Alhaji Lateef Raji; Hon. Sola Akinwumi; Segun Famodun; Chief Alami Macfoy; Lowo Adegbuyi; Peter Babalola and Kunle Famoriyo.

Others include  Adetilewa Sijuwade; Layi Oyeduntan; Mrs. Modupe Awodogan Sola Iji; Akintunde Adegboye; Dr. Samuel Olulade; Bayo Osinnowo; James Faleke; Jide Kosoko; Segun Adekola; Timothy Owoeye; Toyin Omidiran; Hon. Famurewa; Bola Ilori; Sunday Akere; Dr. Muiz Banire; Israel Adekunle; Hon. Olabinjo; Ipoola Omisore; Toun Adediran; Segun Adetola and Sola Lawal.
Muslim clerics at the ceremony were the Chief Imam of Osogbo, Alhaji Mustapha Ajisafe; his Ilesa counterpart, Alhaji Kareem Elesinnla who delivered the opening prayer and Alhaji Dhikirulahi Sanni,

The host caretaker chairmen, whose banners welcomed the guests to the venue were Isa Azeez (Ilesa East); Lanre Balogun (Ilesa West); Segun Olanibi (Ilesa West); Disu Oyedele (Atakumosa East); Dr. Gbenga Ogunleye (Obokun) and Taiwo Fatiregun (Oriade).
Tinubu, who described the day as a day of thanksgiving,  paid tribute to the Owa of  Ijesaland, His Prime Minister Obanla Ogedengbe; Alhaji Arisekola Alao; Ijesa leaders and clerics, and well-meaning people in Osun State for the honour bestowed on him.

He also thanked Dr. Banire, who he described as a worthy ACN chieftain and lawyer who played a prominent role in the liberation battle in Osun State, which culminated in the restoration of Aregbesola’s stolen mandate.

Tinubu thanked the members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the ceremony, especially Pastor Enock Familusi, saying that their presence signified religious unity in Ijesaland. He said he would contribute to the successful implementation of the projects embarked upon by the Ijesa Muslim Community for the benefit of the people.

Praising Arisekola Alao for his gestures, he said: “I stand on what Alhaji Arisekola has said. I am a politician. I was born in Islam. But since I became a politician, I kept my religion in my room. As a politician, I accommodate all religions. In Yorubaland, we must make religion to develop our society and employ wisdom to move towards progress.”

The ACN leader said he was also guided by the Bible, from which the party derived the inspiration to make broom its symbol. Quoting Isaiah 14:23 and 24, he said: “The broom of destruction will be used for those that are dishonest.”

Tinubu congratulated the people of Osun State, saying that God has given them a good and responsible government that has started combating unemployment through various intervention programmes.

He hailed the new dawn in the state, which he said had taken off, following the ouster of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power.

Flaying the PDP leaders, Tinubu said: “PDP consumes resources. In fact, they park all the resources into their pockets to the detriment of the masses. PDP has no mercy. May God deliver Nigeria from them.”

Tinubu spoke on the negative media report about his health, saying that his enemies peddled falsehood.

He said: “They have paralysis of the mind. They do not want anything good for the country. You have done well by sweeping them out of Osun State. We should sweep them out of Nigeria.”

The former governor chided President Jonathan for attempting to divide the country, using the antics of ethnicity and religion.
He said: “The President should stop dividing Christians and Muslims. The country has never been so divided like this. We must promote unity in diversity for economic prosperity and not for economic adversity.

“The nation is divided. It is not good to yield to the agents of destruction. PDP has no programme for the people. They want to divide the country. We must not let them do that. We must reject the idea that one religion is greater than the other. Those exploiting our differences to make money and build a master-servant relationship should stop it. No ethnic or religious group is greater than the other.”

Tinubu maintained that the clammour for a Sovereign National Conference is in order, objecting to the remarks by the President that the agitation is not necessary, following the setting up of the constitution review panel.

Praising Tinubu, Aregbesola said he is a credible leader grooming the younger generation for leadership. He added: Asiwaju does not ask for any favour from those of us he brought to eminent positions. Rather, he keeps telling us to work for the progress of the people, and not for the benefit of ourselves.

“I am happy  that the Muslims in Ijesaland have recognised these virtues and that is why they conferred on him the title: Agbaakin Adinni, which means ‘the leader of the valiant’. He is committed to the restoration of the rule of law and good governance in the country. The progress should spread to Ondo, Kogi, Kwara and Benue soon.”