Opinion
Let These Campaigns Of Calumny Against AMBO Stop Forthwith
By Kola Odepeju
“Calumny Is Only The Noise Of Madmen” –Diogenes
As Osun state gubernatorial election draws nearer, we’re now at the dawn of the campaigns for the coming election and so as characteristic of Nigeria’s democracy, wrong accusations, blackmails, character assassinations and all manner of negative campaigns aimed at demarketing the most popular candidate with the highest chances of coasting home to victory in a major election of this nature, must surface. And so in our own dear Osun state here this ugly trend has started surfacing. The mudslinging that has started from Governor Ademola Adeleke’s Accord Party’s camp against the APC gubernatorial candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji AMBO is ‘normal’ and expected because with the massive support for AMBO across the nook and cranny of the state, it’s crystal clear that he’s the candidate to beat.
As mentioned above, a candidate to beat in any major election is bound to face vilifications by his opponents who see him as a threat and a stumbling block against the success of their own ambitions. Therefore given the nature of our politics in this part of the world, the negative campaigns that have started against AMBO are no surprise. We witnessed the same thing against the incumbent president, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu during the 2023 electioneering campaigns for the office of the country’s president. But against all odds, Asiwaju Tinubu emerged victorious. So as Asiwaju Tinubu emerged victorious in 2023, l have that strong conviction that our own Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji will also become victorious in the coming August gubernatorial election in the state irrespective of whatever negative campaigns that may come up against him. This is because the AMBO governorship project is divinely ordained.
Amongst other attacks that are still likely to come up against him as we face the election and as the election faces us, we have heard from those who are afraid of losing power that AMBO is the architect of half salaries in Osun (as if he was the governor in that era). We have also heard from them that he’s not youth-friendly. The spokesperson to governor Adeleke, Malam Olawale Rasheed also amplified these two negative points in his latest article aimed at demarketing AMBO. Like I mentioned, the negative campaigns have just started. We are still going to hear more. I wonder why people cannot engage in issues-based campaigns instead of vilifying candidates.
Ambo has told Osun youths the program he has for them. He has promised to take care of them. And as a God-fearing and honest leader who keeps to his words, l believe he will not renege on his promise for the youths and also his promises for Osun people generally. So let those who revel in vilifying a credible candidate like AMBO tell Osun youths the programs they have for them rather than calumniating a visionary and capable leader who has what it takes to deliver the goods. Of course AMBO – being a focused leader – needs not to bother himself about the negative campaigns being circulated against him by his political detractors because William Shakespeare had for long told us that “*Be thou as chaste as ice, and as pure as snow, thou shall not escape calumny*”. And George Washington also mentioned it that “*Silence is the best answer to false accusations*”.
Finally, the Yorubas in their words do say that “maligning the honey doesn’t reduce its sweetness”. No matter the level of negative campaigns against the APC gubernatorial candidate towards the election, it won’t reduce the love the Osun people have for him while it won’t deter them from casting their votes for him in the upcoming gubernatorial election in the state. He will surely come out victorious by the special Grace of God Almighty 🙏. For, Vox populi vox dei. AMBO should continue on the path of issues-based campaigns and close his eyes against malignant talks by those who are already on their way out of power.
● Odepeju, newspaper columnist and political activist, writes from Iragbiji, Osun state.
Oluwasegun Ajiboye has emerged as the Chairman of the Professional Online Media Practitioners Association.
Ajiboye is a seasoned media professional with extensive experience in journalism and public communication. He was appointed Chief Press Secretary (CPS) by former Ondo State Governor, the late Rotimi Akeredolu.
Before his appointment, Ajiboye served as Assistant Editor with The Nation newspaper. He studied Language and Linguistics at the University of Lagos.
A native of Irun Akoko in Akoko North West Local Government Area of Ondo State, Ajiboye began his journalism career in 2000 as a reporter with The News magazine before moving to The Sun newspaper in 2003.
Between 2007 and 2009, he served as Press Secretary to the late former Ondo State Governor, Olusegun Agagu.
He also worked as Group News Editor of the defunct National Life newspaper until 2012, when he joined The Nation as Assistant Editor of its Saturday title.
His emergence as chairman is expected to bring his wealth of experience in journalism and media management to the association and the practice of online journalism in the country.
In his acceptance message, Ajiboye expressed deep appreciation to members of the association for the confidence reposed in him, describing his emergence as a call to greater service. He pledged to work tirelessly with all stakeholders to strengthen unity, professionalism, and innovation within the body, while advancing the growth and credibility of online media practice across the country.
Mali’s Defence Minister, Sadio Camara, has been killed following a wave of coordinated attacks targeting military installations across the country.
Camara reportedly died from injuries sustained during an attack on his residence in Kati, a key military garrison town located about 15 kilometres from Bamako.
The assault, which occurred barely 24 hours before his death, involved a suicide car bomb and formed part of a broader offensive across the country.
The attacks were reportedly carried out by fighters linked to Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin, an al-Qaeda-affiliated group, alongside Tuareg rebels from the Liberation Front of Azawad.
According to Al Jazeera, the attackers were able to breach Kati, considered one of the most secure military locations in Mali.
Camara, a key figure in Mali’s military leadership, rose to prominence after playing a central role in the coups of 2020 and 2021 that brought the current junta to power.
Al Jazeera’s Nicolas Haque described his death as significant.
“He was one of the most influential figures within the ruling military leadership… His death is a major blow to the country’s armed forces,” he said.
The coordinated offensive extended beyond Kati, with gunmen attacking several locations including Bamako, Gao, Kidal and Sevare.
“As we speak, people in the garrison town of Kidal can still hear heavy gunfire and loud explosions,” Haque said, adding that the operation remained ongoing more than 24 hours after it began.
The attacks have intensified pressure on Mali’s interim leadership, with analysts suggesting that security forces were overwhelmed by the scale and coordination of the violence.
However, Interim President, Assimi Goita, was reportedly moved to safety and remains in control of the military.
International bodies, including the African Union, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and the United States Bureau of African Affairs, have condemned the attacks and called for urgent measures to restore stability.
The President of the United States, Donald Trump, has released CCTV footage and images of the suspect involved in the shooting incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C.
The footage, released shortly before the President addressed the media, reportedly shows the suspect running into the ballroom of the Washington Hilton, bypassing security metal detectors as armed agents moved swiftly to intercept him.
Trump, who described the individual as a “would-be assassin,” said the suspect was heavily armed and had breached a critical security checkpoint.
According to reports by the BBC, the President stated that the suspect “charged past a security checkpoint” carrying multiple weapons.
Images shared by the President showed a shirtless man lying face down in the foyer with his hands restrained behind his back, believed to be the suspect.
Authorities confirmed that the individual is now in custody. Trump disclosed that one law enforcement officer was shot during the incident but survived due to wearing a bulletproof vest.
The shooting occurred on Saturday night during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner, a high-profile gathering of government officials, journalists and dignitaries.
The incident triggered panic, forcing the evacuation of guests and top officials from the venue.
Authorities said investigations are ongoing to determine the motive and circumstances surrounding the security breach.
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