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2023 Elections: It’s Tinubu Vs Osinbajo For The APC Ticket

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has his eyes firmly set on succeeding his prin­cipal, President Muhammadu Buhari, in 2023 and has already started moves to actualise his ambition, Daily Independent exclusively gathered.

This ambition, however, may put him a collision course with his political leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, former La­gos State governor and national leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who nominated Osinbajo as Bu­hari’s running mate in Decem­ber 2014.

While Tinubu, who returned from London last week after a knee surgery has not formally declared his interest to run in 2023, one of his key associates had told Daily Independent that he will make his position known af­ter the APC national convention when a substantive leadership of the party would have been elected.

However, several political groups, the principal one be­ing the South-West Agenda for Asiwaju 2023 (SWAGA ‘23) has been canvassing support for him across the country.

Our correspondent spoke with several credible sources in the party who confirmed the development even though majority of them chose to remain anonymous.

According to one of them, who was a key member of Pres­ident Buhari’s campaign team in the 2019 presidential elections, Osinbajo’s interest in the race was buoyed by the pressure by many stakeholders in the party, including associates of the pres­ident who believe that he is the “best candidate to continue from where Buhari will stop in 2023”.

He said those pushing for Osinbajo also believe that hav­ing understudied President Bu­hari as vice president for over six years without showing any sign of disloyalty, Osinbajo will continue with the policies of the Buhari administration if elected president.

Speaking further, he said age factor and the clam our by some stakeholders in the party that if APC should zone the presidential ticket to the South, a Christian should succeed President Buhari. Tinubu is a Muslim.

“Osinbajo has his eyes set on becoming the president in 2023. There is no doubt about that. He has not come out directly but he is using some fronts as proxy. His belief is that the cabals in the presidency and those that matter in the North will not accept an Asiwaju Tinubu candidacy.

“Right now, some groups have started campaigning publicly for him and he did not restrain or disown them. Many people are not aware of this but the truth is that he has more or less relocated his base to Ogun State in Ikenne, thereby sending a signal that he is not a Lagosian.

“He has also set up some com­mittees to help him go round the country to assess the situation, his chances and the challenges he may face. He is also banking on the belief that the Christian community in Nigeria will solid­ly back him”, he said.

When asked how Osinbajo will cope given the fact that he has no political base especially in the South-West, our source said the only thing Osinbajo needs is the endorsement by President Muhammadu Buhari and Tinubu.

“It is wrong for anyone to say Osinbajo doesn’t have a po­litical base. Stop comparing the Osinbajo of today with the one that was Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos then. Do you know what it means to be the number two man in Nigeria? I think it is childish for anyone to say that a man who has been in office as vice president for more than six years and had also served as act­ing president doesn’t have politi­cal base. He has political base not just in the South-West but across the country”.

“The only thing he needs is the endorsement by President Buhari and blessings of Asiwa­ju. He may not get that of Asiwa­ju given the current situation but if President Buhari, who is truly the leader of the party anoints him, everyone including Asiwa­ju will fall in line”, he said.

When contacted, Laolu Akande, spokesperson to the vice president, said his principal had issued several statements that he is not focused on 2023 right now and that his position remains unchanged.

In one of the statements, Osinbajo had said he has not declared any interest what soever in the 2023 election, but he is rather focused on working in his capacity as vice president in the Buhari administration to address all the compelling issues in the country.

However, a serving senator in the South-West said that he is confident that Tinubu will not contest in 2023.

“The question is, will Asiwa­ju run in 2023? I strongly believe that he is not going to run. All these activities by SWAGA and others are just to create anxiety in the system. He knows they will stand in his way and he won’t get the APC ticket. So, he won’t want to throw away his money by contesting.

“All what they are doing now is to charge up the polity so that at the end of the day, everybody will pander to him and he will have a say in whoever becomes the presidential candidate. I’m 99 percent certain that he is not going to run. You can take my words to the bank”, he noted.

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Odumodublvck drops 23-track Industry Machine album

Nigerian rapper Odumodublvck has officially dropped his highly anticipated 23-track album, Industry Machine, featuring powerhouse collaborations with Wizkid, Davido, Skepta, Seun Kuti, and several others. Produced by Telz and P.Priime, the project seamlessly fuses hip-hop and Afrobeats, underscoring Odumodublvck’s versatility and bold sonic direction. Within hours of its release, the album soared to No. 1 on Apple Music Nigeria’s Top Albums chart, signaling both widespread acclaim and the rapper’s growing dominance in the music industry.

Among the standout tracks, “Big Time” featuring Wizkid debuted at No. 9 on Apple Music’s Top Songs chart, earning praise for its infectious rhythm, Wizkid’s captivating verse, and Odumodublvck’s sharp lyricism. Fans and critics alike have hailed Industry Machine as a defining moment in Nigerian music, celebrating its high production value and collaborative depth. Speaking on the project, Odumodublvck described it as “a celebration of creativity, hustle, and the evolution of the industry,” cementing his reputation as one of the country’s most innovative and influential rap voices.

For a while now, followers of Nigerian music have been keenly aware of the concept of the ‘INDUSTRY MACHINE.’ The swaggering phrase has been an integral part of the digital vocabulary of Nigerian rapper and singer, ODUMODUBLVCK, hinting at the highly anticipated follow-up to his 2023 mixtape, ‘EZIOKWU’, which spawned several hit tracks and established his reputation as one of Nigeria’s finest Hip-Hop acts.

In the two years since ‘EZIOKWU,’ ODUMODUBLVCK has only grown more unstoppable, racing to the top of charts in Nigeria on multiple occasions while showcasing the full breadth of his amorphous Okporoko sound on songs like “100 Million” and “NOT ALL THAT” as well as on collabs like “JUJU,” “Funds,” and “Flako.”

Seven months after the surprise drop of ‘THE MACHINE IS COMING,’ ODUMODUBLVCK has finally released ‘INDUSTRY MACHINE,’ bringing a thrilling conclusion to months of anticipation with a blockbuster 23-track release that runs through the full gamut of the Abuja rapper’s fascination and beliefs across a variety of soundscapes.

Throughout ‘INDUSTRY MACHINE,’ ODUMODUBLCK glides between euphoric party starters (“BANZA BOY, “VINICIUS,” and “GROOVING”) and gritty Rap joints (“UNAWARE,” “IF YOU LIKE GYM,” and “LAYI WASABI.”). At different turns, he reveals a new layer to his work without losing touch with the uniquely Abuja perspective that broke him through.

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#SpotlightAfricaThrowBackSeries Ado-Ekiti Indigenes Celebrate the Life and Times of Late Chief Ogunremi

Ado-Ekiti witnessed an outpouring of tributes as family, friends, and dignitaries gathered to honour the life of High Chief Oluwasesan Ogunremi, the Barafon of Ado-Ekiti and a respected leader of the traditional warlord chiefs in the kingdom.

The funeral began with a Christian wake and service of songs at the open grounds of St. Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti, before proceeding to the deceased’s compound in the Idolofin axis of the town for the main service. The ceremony, attended by top figures from within and outside Ekiti, featured prayers, thanksgiving, and eulogies in recognition of the late chief’s contributions to his community.

Following the service, Chief Ogunremi’s remains were interred at his residence, accompanied by hymns and tributes from relatives and well-wishers.

A reception later took place at the Ekiti Parapo Pavilion, where guests—including family members who travelled from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Germany—were entertained with a lavish banquet. The event featured a performance by renowned gospel and highlife singer Evangelist Yinka Ayefele, while veteran emcee Olushola Oladele, popularly known as Pa Aristoe, anchored the proceedings.

The gathering attracted prominent personalities such as Mr. Babatope Adebiyi (King Jafil), Mr. Goke Olatunji, Regent Omotunde Adelabu, Hon. Abiodun Fawekun of the Ekiti State House of Assembly, members of the Ewi-in-Council, lawmakers, politicians, business leaders, and artisans.

Born on February 7, 1929, to Mr. Williams Akomolafe Ogunremi and Princess Abigail Ogunremi in Ado-Ekiti, Chief Ogunremi began his education at St. George’s Primary School, Agere, before moving to Lagos for electrical training. He later founded the well-known Micho Electronics and worked with business figures such as Chief Lawrence Omole and Chief Ajanaku in Ilesha.

He married his first wife in Ilesha, where the ceremony was held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. In 1970, he returned to Ado-Ekiti and established Micho Motors, expanding his business interests into the automobile sector. His ventures took him across Europe, including Austria, Brussels, Italy, and Germany.

In July 1988, he was installed as the Barafon of Ado-Ekiti by Oba George Adelabu, the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti. He became widely known for hosting the Udiroko Festival at his Okeilaja palace, a major cultural event that drew indigenes and chiefs before culminating in celebrations at the Ewi’s Palace. He later served as commissioner of the Ekiti State Electricity Board during the administration of Governor Adeniyi Adebayo.

Until his passing, Chief Ogunremi remained an active member of St. Patrick Catholic Cathedral, Ado-Ekiti. He is survived by his wives, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

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Fresh reaction emerges over Saraki’s peace move amid PDP crisis

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Renaissance group has praised the reconciliation efforts of the committee led by former Senate President Bukola Saraki, describing the intervention as pivotal in preventing the party from collapsing under internal disputes.

In a statement issued on Thursday, August 28, Bashir Sulaiman, convener of the group, commended both Saraki’s Reconciliation and Strategy Committee and the PDP Governors’ Forum under Governor Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State for “restoring peace where many expected chaos.”

“I am very impressed by what Dr. Bukola Saraki, the Reconciliation and Strategy Committee, and PDP Governors Forum, led by Governor Bala Mohammed, have done to get the PDP back on track,” Sulaiman said.

“They were tasked with resolving disputes and preparing the party for its convention, and they have delivered with precision and dedication.

The PDP has been in turmoil since the 2023 general election, with key figures such as Sunday Udeh-Okoye, Setonji Koshoedo, and Sam Anyanwu embroiled in a tussle for the National Secretary position.

According to Sulaiman, Saraki’s intervention was instrumental in ensuring that the long-standing dispute was finally resolved in favour of Anyanwu.

“Many had predicted that the PDP would collapse under the weight of its internal disagreements. Yet, thanks to Dr. Saraki, his Reconciliation Committee, and the backing of the PDP Governors’ Forum, the party has defied those expectations,” Sulaiman noted.

“The 100th, 101st, and 102nd NEC meetings were conducted without rancour, and lingering disputes have been amicably settled.”

With preparations for the party’s convention and zoning framework now underway, the PDP Renaissance group believes the opposition is on course to reclaim power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“The party is now better positioned to take power back from a government that does not care about the needs of the people,” Sulaiman said.

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