Politics
UNDERSTANDING SHETTIMA ON OSINBAJO AND LAWAN
UNDERSTANDING SHETTIMA ON OSINBAJO AND LAWAN
By: Inuwa Bwala
Those who play around with the English word, risk being misunderstood by those who tend to translate their expressions from their literal meanings.
This explains why it is often difficult to understand poets when they write or to appreciate literary artists when they use slangs, idiomatic or figurative phrases in conveying messages.
This perhaps was the position Senator Kashim Shettima found himself in, when he made those remarks on Television, about the Vice President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, which are now being turned around to haunt him.
Shettima had come out to explain that, he meant no harm in his remarks, and coul not have been as impolite as he is being interpreted to be. To him, he was trying to make a figurative comparison of politics and less controversial trades, to the effect that, a hawker is a more dignified person that those who engage in competitive contests, seeking to lead.
I watched the clips over and over, trying to grasp what the Distinguished Senator was trying to make, and I feel, those phrases were actually figurative and not intended to denigrate the two personalities mentioned.
As a journalist, I understood where my friend Seun was driving Shettima to in his line of questioning and I felt, those who tried to impute meanings into Shettima’s responses were somehow being uncharitable to him.
Although not a poet nor a trained literary artists, it is true that, Senator Kashim Shettima is literarily endowed and plays around with the English language even more than some of those trained in that art.
His reference to popcorn selling or groundnut merchant in my understanding were meant to explain the public perceptions about people not cut out to play politics, rather to engage in some other vocations.
No matter how impolite he might have wanted to be, he could not have used that expression to contest their surface interpretations.
In describing the Vice President as a Goodman nice person, and too nice to occupy position of leadership, Kashim was trying to say Osinbajo as a gentleman, is better suited for a more friendly and persuasive vocation and not the competitive and rather murkier politics, that he is involved.
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Shettima in my understanding, knowing he often uses such figurative expressions to explain other situations, was trying to say, that people like his principal are known to have been in similar fights and may be ready to do it again: dirty as it seems, while the likes of Osinbajo are strangers to the dirty brand of Nigerian politics.
I know that,his remarks were a mere coincidence with what Asiwaju Bola Ahmed was quoted as having said about the president, Muhammadu Buhari, but in seasons of politics, people ascribe deregatory meanings to hitherto innocent views.
As for the remarks about the Senate President, Shettima was referring to the public perceptions about the ordinary northerner in the south, which portrays Lawan as just another merchant of a commodity commonly found in the north.
Shettima has personally explained how he holds the duo of Osinbajo and Lawan, and I am sure, handlers of the two personalities will explain the true imports of Shettima’s remarks.
My personal advice is that, people should not try to wedge a nail in hitherto cordial relationships for sheer political scores, as this may tend to make our politics even murkier.
UNDERSTANDING SHETTIMA ON OSINBAJO AND LAWAN
Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission
By: Michael Mike
The President of the Economic Community of West African States ( ECOWAS) Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, has deployed an Election Observation Mission of 40 observers to Togo to monitor the legislative and regional elections scheduled for 29 April 2024
According to a statement at the weekend, the mission is in line with the provisions of Article 12 of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance and constitutes support from the regional organisation to its Member States for the conduct of their elections.
The mission is led by the former Vice-President of The Gambia, Mrs Fatoumata Jallow-Tambajang.
According to the statement, the mission is made up of Ambassadors from Member States accredited to ECOWAS; representatives of the ECOWAS Court of Justice and Parliament; Civil Society Organisations; media professionals and election observation specialists from the West African region.
It revealed that: “This observation mission is being deployed following the recommendations of a pre-election fact-finding mission that visited Togo from 15 to 20 April 2024 to assess the preparatory phases of the elections.
“During its stay in Togo, the observation mission will hold consultations with the main stakeholders in the electoral process and monitor the voting process up to 29 April 2024.”
Togo Elections: ECOWAS Deploys Election Observation Mission
Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande
By: Bodunrin Kayode
A Plateau elder Ambassador Yahaya Kwande has described the just concluded re-run election into the national assembly as a Triumph of Democracy.
In a release titled Congratulations to the Winners of Plateau State Bye Elections of February 3, 2024, he noted that the entire exercise was a victory to the people of the state.
“With great joy and profound gratitude, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the newly elected Senator, (Plateau North Senatorial District), Prince Pam Mwadkwon Dachungyang, and the Member of the House of Representatives, (Jos North/Bassa Constituency), Hon. Daniel Asama, on their resounding victory in the recently concluded bye election held in Plateau State.
“Your triumph is a testament to the true spirit of democracy and the unwavering support of the people.
“I have no doubt that both Prince Pam Mwadkon and Hon. Daniel Asama will live up to the aspirations and expectations of the voters, as they embark on this noble responsibility of representing their constituents. May your tenure be marked by dedication, integrity, and a relentless pursuit of progress for our beloved state and nation.
“As we celebrate this momentous milestone, let us not forget the challenges we faced during the post-2023 elections period. It is my sincere hope that Plateau State will swiftly recover from the divisions and tussles that marred our unity. Let us unite as one, for the strength of our state lies in our togetherness.
“It is essential for the government and the people to undertake immediate measures to reconcile and bridge the gaps that have emerged. We must never forget that every citizen, irrespective of their religion or ethnicity, is entitled to their fundamental rights. The use of religion as a tool of disfranchisement must cease; we must affirm that citizenship rights are not conditional on faith.
“Let us also strive to recapture the lost glory of our state, when Jos was hailed as the political Mecca of Nigeria, attracting momentous political events and embracing politicians from all shades and ideologies. We can revive this legacy by nurturing an environment that exudes peace, openness, and security for all. Together, we can restore Plateau State as a beacon of democratic excellence.
“In conclusion, I express my utmost optimism for the future of Plateau State. I extend my deepest appreciation to all who peacefully participated in the bye election, be it as candidates or enthusiastic supporters. Our journey towards progress and development continues, and I am confident that we will stand united, empowered by the unwavering spirit of our people.” said Kwande.
Re-run election into the national assembly, a Triumph of Democracy – Kwande
Politics
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
By: Jabiru Hassan
The National President of the APC Initiative for Good Governance (APC-IGG), Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken, has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for intervening to ease the hardships affecting Nigerians.
In a message he issued to newsmen in Abuja on Monday, Ambassador Tsoken described President Tinubu as a leader with listening war by giving a marching order for the release of different food items to ease hardships for the people of Nigeria, which is a good initiative.
”APC-IGG has recognized what Mr. President has done in order to ease the hardship affecting the people on the food price hike, which is very good foresight from our leader. We therefore thank all those who have helped with the implementation of the process to release the food items from the federal government reserves across the country for their well-deserved thought.” The statement was added.
Ambassador Musa Mohammed Tsoken reassured the people of Nigeria that the APC Initiative for Good Governance would continue to work selflessly in order to ensure that Nigeria is progressive under the present democratic dispensation without bias.
Amb Tsoken emphasizes that the emergence of His Excellency Sen. Dr. George Akume as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation depicts the fact that President Bola Ahmad Tinubu has reliable and credible individuals who have verse experience in governance from all ramifications; therefore, the deliverance of democratic dividends is something that Nigerians should believe in its workability and full efficacy in the near future, considering the fact that some of the policies and programs of the Renewed Hope Agenda have started gaining sway in the lives of the citizenry, he concluded.
APC-IGG: Ambassador Tsoken commends President Tinubu for intervening to ease hardship for Nigerians.
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