- Says state too important to be absent from progressive fold
- Reaffirms commitment to fostering dialogue, reconciliation, healing among ethnic nationalities
- President backs two-state solution in Gaza, seeks end to Israeli aggression
President Bola Tinubu, on Monday, called on all leaders and stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress in Oyo State to put aside their differences and work together to wrest power from the ruling People’s Democratic Party in 2027.
He made this clarion call at the maiden edition of the annual lecture series of the former Governor of the state between 1999 and 2003, Lam Adesina, held in Ibadan, the state capital.
Represented by the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, the president stated that the state was too important to be absent from the progressive fold in the forthcoming election.
He recalled that the late Adesina was a champion of democracy and earned himself a place of pride in the nation’s history due to his exceptional bravery and rare commitment to the ideals of service to humanity and good governance.
“Adesina stood for high democratic ideals that underpin the democratic system of government. Ideals are essential for ensuring that power is held by the people, either directly or through elected representatives.
“Ideals of effective participation in governance with citizens making their views known on policy decisions. Consequently, to honour his memory, the progressives in the state must come together as one. You all must fight the fight and win the battle… Come 2027, the state must return to the progressive fold,” Tinubu insisted.
The Senate Leader, who was also the guest lecturer, Opeyemi Bamidele, represented by Senator Shuaib Salisu, emphasised the need for Nigerians to rediscover the value system, which would encourage citizens to be more responsible, morally upright, and diligent, as opposed to the culture of indiscipline, avarice, and corruption.
Dignitaries at the event included former Governors of Ekiti State, Adeniyi Adebayo, Kayode Fayemi, former Senate Leader and APC Governorship candidate in the 2023 election in the state, Teslim Folarin, Senator Abdulfatai Buhari, former Deputy Governor of the state, Iyiola Oladokun, Alake Adeyemo, acting APC state Chairman, Olayide Abas, Femi Lanlehin, Senator Adesoji Akanbi, Akin Oke, Adeolu Akande, and a host of others.
The late Adesina, who died in 2012, was a member of the House of Representatives (1979–1983), the chairman of the state chapter of the defunct National Democratic Coalition, a celebrated newspaper columnist, and an accomplished educationist who participated in the struggle that ended military rule in Nigeria in 1999.
Reaffirms commitment to fostering dialogue, reconciliation, healing among ethnic nationalities
President Tinubu has equally reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and healing among all ethnic nationalities that make up our great nation.
In a special message commemorating the 2024 Ogoni Martyrs Remembrance Day, President Tinubu stood in solidarity with the National Youth Council of Ogoni People and all Ogoni citizens to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defence of the Ogoni nation’s interests.
“We honour their memory by recognising the sacrifices made and pledging to strive for a future characterised by peace, justice, and sustainable development for all communities, particularly those in the Niger Delta,” said President Tinubu.
The President reaffirmed that his administration will actively address historical grievances and work towards building a united and prosperous nation for future generations. This vision will be realised through constructive engagement and mutual respect.
Oil was first commercially discovered in Oloibiri, Ogoniland, in 1958. The subsequent struggles of Ogoni leaders to protect their environment from harmful oil exploration were met with severe repression, culminating in the tragic execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other leaders in 1995.
“As we remember the Ogoni Martyrs, let us honour their legacy by committing to a future where such injustices are no longer tolerated and where the voices of all Nigerians are heard and respected,” President Tinubu said.
Tinubu backs two-state solution in Gaza, seeks end to Israeli aggression
In another development, President Tinubu, on Monday in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, called for an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza.
Tinubu warned that “empty condemnations” are not enough to end the conflict in Palestine, which, he said, “has persisted for far too long.”
Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed Tinubu’s statement in a release signed on Monday.
The Nigerian leader made this argument at the extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, convened to address the current situation in the Middle East.
President Tinubu expressed deep concern over the humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
The one-day summit was a follow-up to the Riyadh summit of 2023 and was attended by Heads of State and Government from the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the League of Arab States.
The ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza began in October 2023 after Hamas’ attack, which left scores of Israelis dead.
Since the escalation began, over 43,000 Palestinians have been killed, with approximately 70 per cent of the casualties being women and children, according to the United Nations Human Rights Office.
The conflict has resulted in widespread destruction of infrastructure, including schools and hospitals, exacerbating the dire living conditions for Gaza’s residents.
International organisations have repeatedly called for immediate ceasefires and increased humanitarian aid to address the escalating crisis.
In response to the prolonged conflict, there has been a renewed international push for a two-state solution as a pathway to lasting peace.
European, Arab and Muslim nations have launched initiatives to garner support for Palestinian statehood, aiming to build institutions and promote the two-state framework.
Reiterating Nigeria’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, President Tinubu affirmed the country’s support for a two-state solution, where both Israelis and Palestinians can co-exist in security and dignity.
He noted that this solution remained a viable part of lasting peace in the region.
“The conflict in Palestine has persisted for far too long, inflicting immeasurable suffering on countless lives.
“As representatives of nations that value justice, dignity, and the sanctity of human life, we have a moral obligation to collectively bring about an immediate end to this conflict.
“It is not enough to issue empty condemnations. The world must work towards an end to Israeli aggression in Gaza, which has persisted for far too long.
“No political aim, no military strategy, and no security concern should come at the expense of so many innocent lives,” Tinubu stated.
The President called on parties in the Middle East conflict to respect the principles of proportionality and the basic rights of civilians, consistent with global legal and diplomatic frameworks.
He argued, “In a rules-based international order, states have the right of self-defence.
“But self-defence must take proportionality into account, in line with global legal, diplomatic, and moral frameworks.
“An entire civilian population, their dreams and futures, cannot be dismissed as collateral.”
Explaining Nigeria’s principled and consistent stance on the two-state solution, President Tinubu noted that it stands as a beacon of hope, representing the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to self-determination and peace.
“It is not just a diplomatic article of faith; it is a vision grounded in the principles of equality and mutual recognition.
“Achieving this vision requires a commitment to dialogue and respect for history. We all know this conflict did not begin on 7th October 2023.
“It can only be resolved through principled compromise, based on appreciation of the proper context,” he affirmed.
Tinubu described the conflict’s impact on history as “so visceral that the ripples of division spread far and quickly.”
“The corrosive impact of the images of endless violence, repeated on a billion smartphones around the world, is huge. We need to find new pathways to peace, without delay,” he continued.
The Nigerian leader commended King Salman of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman for convening the summit, describing it as a vital opportunity to renew diplomatic efforts and work toward sustainable peace.
He assured the OIC that Nigeria, given its own experiences, would continue to support international efforts that advance peace and stability in the Middle East.
“Our own experiences, domestically and regionally, have taught us that identity politics are no substitute for respecting the nuances of diversity,” he said.
According to President Tinubu, “The path to reconciliation may be fraught with challenges, but it is through honest conversation that we can foster understanding.
“The international community has the opportunity to bring to bear new thinking on this most relentless challenge.
“It is our duty to engage in this dialogue with sincerity and resolve, recognising the complexities that each side faces.”
Tinubu also called for the establishment of a secretariat to implement the resolutions of the summit.
In his opening remarks, Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman condemned Israeli actions in Gaza and Lebanon, including the targeting of civilians and the continued violation of the Al-Aqsa mosque.
He also condemned Israeli ban on the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees from delivering relief aid to Palestinians and the displacement of Lebanese people.
He emphasized the importance of preserving Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The Crown Prince highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role in promoting Palestinian statehood based on the 1967 borders, mentioning international recognition and the establishment of a Global Coalition with the European Union and Norway.
He urged more states to join the Global Coalition.
