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SocialMediaTrends: Oshiomhole’s letter to Ortom, Aisha’s return & Igboho’s ‘Yoruba Nation’ declaration

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4 years ago

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Nigerians on social media had much to say after Comrade Adams Oshiomole wrote a heart touching letter to Governor Samuel Ortom, recanting the libelous comments he made against the governor in 2018 at the wake of Ortom’s defection to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former Edo State governor and immediate-past chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) had during a press conference at the National APC Headquarters on July 28, 2018 accused Ortom of refusing to pay salaries, thereby deepening poverty in Benue State.

He also claimed that Ortom had failed to pay bailout funds and Paris Club funds.

In his retraction, Oshiomole noted that he made those allegations against the governor based on information he had since found to be false and baseless.

Recall that Governor Ortom, aggrieved by the former APC Chieftain’s allegations, filed a law suit against Oshiomole, demanding a retraction and N10 billion to be paid for “punitive, general, exemplary and aggravated damages”.

Oshiomole’s retraction statement read in part:

“That politics aside, Governor Samuel Ortom is a dear friend and brother with whom I have shared so much in common, including mutual respect.

“That as former colleagues and one time members of the Nigerian Governors’ forum and most importantly as someone whom I am just a phone call away from, any ridicule, embarrassment, spite and insult caused Dr Samuel Ortom is regretted.

“Owing to the relationship we share and in the larger interest of peace, harmony and brotherliness, I believe a complete retraction of my comments made on 27th July, 2018, and which Dr Samuel Ortom found offensive is proper and necessary.

“In view of all the above, I hereby retract the comments made during the press conference on 27th July, 2018, as it relates to Dr Samuel Ortom.”

Nigerians reacted thus:

Read Also: SocialMediaTrends: Nigerians react as hijab causes controversy in Kwara school

Yoruba Nation

Yoruba Activist, Sunday Igboho’s declaration of South-West Nigeria as “Yoruba Nation”, with claims that the region was no longer a part of Nigeria, got social media users reacting massively.

Igboho while addressing a press conference on Thursday, said there was no basis for “One Nigeria” as insecurity still loomed large in the South-West.

He further reiterated his stance against killer herdsmen vowing to deal with any found on Yourba land.

“Starting from now, we don’t want herdsmen in our land to disturb our farms again. If we meet any killer herdsmen, we are going to face and destroy them.

“If any police attack us for that, we are ready for them. We don’t want Nigeria again, but Yoruba nation. There is no essence for one Nigeria when major resources in the country are in the hands of the northerners.

“Enough is enough, no going back…we are not scared of anybody, these killer herders are taking over our land and they are killing us,” he said

Mixed reactions from Nigerians however greeted Igboho’s declaration:

Aisha Buhari

Reactions have also trailed the return of Nigeria’s First Lady, Aisha Buhari, to the country after her sudden disappearance from public eye since October 2020.

She was said to have returned to Nigeria on Wednesday night since leaving for Dubai after Hanan, one of her daughters, got married in September.

Although it is unclear why the First Lady left the country, speculations are that her absence was on medical grounds.

See how Nigerians welcomed her:

…By Okiemute Abraham

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