Author: oduduwanews

It was another round of legal setback for Ladi Adebutu and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday as the Ogun State Election Petitions Tribunal dismissed their application seeking to strike out Governor Dapo Abiodun’s prayers establishing vote buying allegations against them.

Previously, Governor Abiodun had made a strong allegation of electoral fraud against the PDP candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his party, allegedly perpetrated during the March 18 governorship election in the state.

Consequently, acting on what it termed a plethora of evidences at its disposal through discreet investigation and the confessions of some members of PDP who were caught in action, criminal charges were filed against Adebutu, PDP, and Zenith Bank, with the police accusing them of gross criminal conspiracy and money laundering during the polls, following which Adebutu hurriedly sneaked out of the country.

Meanwhile, the portion of Governor Abiodun’s response at the Tribunal, which specifically indicates the degree and effects of electoral fraud committed by Adebutu and the PDP, was unanimously admitted by the panel, against the application seeking to strike it out, giving the governor another victory in the ongoing legal proceedings.

Adebutu and PDP had argued that their petition did not include allegations of vote buying and so the governor’s defence should not also have included such allegations.

However, in its ruling, which was delivered by a member, Hon. Justice J.B. Egele and supported by the Chairman Hon Justice H N Kunaza and the other member Hon. Justice Sannusi Shehu, the Tribunal held that Governor Abiodun was not restricted to the same issues that Adebutu and PDP raised in their petition.

The Tribunal further held that in any event, vote buying is in the same family as corrupt practices, which is a ground on which Adebutu and PDP filed their petition, and accordingly dismissed the application.

Following this ruling, Governor Abiodun is free to present evidence of vote buying by Adebutu and PDP.

The Oyo State House of Assembly has reinstated the suspended Saki West Council Chairman, Salaudeen Omirinde.

The House cleared him of alleged gross misconduct having read the resolution of adhoc committee instituted to investigate allegations leveled against him.

The House also reinstated the Political Head of Iseyin South Local Council Development Area, Hon. Ajibola Raheem.

While receiving the reports of the Ad-hoc Committee set up to investigate the suspended chairpersons on Thursday during its plenary, the house directed the Vice Chairman of Saki West Local government area, Mr Gbenga Akinola, who is acting as the chairman to revert as political Head of the local council development area.

The resolution reads: “Engr. Sarafadeen Omirinde, having found not culpable of all the allegations leveled against him be reinstated as the Chairman, Saki-west Local Government with immediate effect.

“The vice-chairman of the Local Government who is Acting as Chairman of the Local Government be reverted as the political Head of Local Council Development Area.

“The Leader of the Legislative Council who took over the affairs of the Local Government Area be reverted to the leader of the Legislative Council immediately.

“The House directs the Saki-West Legislative Council to reinstate the suspended leader of the House of the Legislative Council, Councilor Fasasi Quadri Amao as the leader of the House and ensure the status quo of the leadership of the legislative Arm remains in the Council.”

Governor of Oyo state, Seyi Makinde, has approved the promotion of 11 Ibadan High Chiefs to beaded crown Obas.

Recalled that the governor recently signed the Chieftaincy Amendment Bill into law seeking to grant him autonomy to present beaded crowns and coronets to chiefs in the state, following its passage by the state House of Assembly.

The High Chiefs are Balogun of Ibadanland, Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja; Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole; Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe; Ashipa Olubadan, Biodun Kola-Daisi; Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Olubunmi Isioye; Ekarun Olubadan; Bayo Akande and Ekarun Balogun, Abiodun Azeez.

An informed government source, who confided in our correspondent, on Wednesday, said the governor had given his consent to the promotion, and the high chiefs will be officially installed as traditional rulers, on Friday, July 7, 2023.

The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has approved the promotion of 11 Ibadan High Chiefs to beaded crown Obas.

The governor recently signed the Chieftaincy Amendment Bill into law seeking to grant him autonomy to present beaded crowns and coronets to chiefs in the state, following its passage by the state House of Assembly.

The High Chiefs are Balogun of Ibadanland, Owolabi Olakulehin; Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rasheed Ladoja; Otun Balogun, Tajudeen Ajibola; Osi Olubadan, Eddy Oyewole; Osi Balogun, Lateef Adebimpe; Ashipa Olubadan, Biodun Kola-Daisi; Ashipa Balogun, Kola Adegbola; Ekerin Olubadan, Hamidu Ajibade; Ekerin Balogun, Olubunmi Isioye; Ekarun Olubadan; Bayo Akande and Ekarun Balogun, Abiodun Azeez.

An informed government source, who confided in our correspondent, on Wednesday, said the governor had given his consent to the promotion, and the high chiefs will be officially installed as traditional rulers, on Friday, July 7, 2023.

But sometimes, our High Chiefs are regarded as mere chiefs. So, it’s a good decision and the governor has given his consent to that. They will be officially crowned on Friday, July 7, 2023, as stipulated in a letter sent to the governor by His Imperial Majesty, Oba Balogun.”

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun on Tuesday, met with the newly inaugurated members of the 10th Ogun State House of Assembly, with a promise to operate an open-door policy to all regardless of party affiliations, religion or tribe.

Playing host to the members, who were led by the re-elected Speaker, Rt. Hon. Olakunle Oluomo, to the Governor’s Office at Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Prince Abiodun reminded them that politics is over, hence the need for all elective officials to join hands to serve the people.

The governor appreciated the members for conducting themselves in an orderly manner during their proclamation and inauguration, noting that it was an indication that the State is peopled by those who know how to resolve their differences amicably.

“Let me deeply appreciate your sense of responsibility, your leadership qualities that has been exhibited by each and everyone of you at this time. This is how we like to be defined as a State. A State that upholds the tenets of democracy, a State that knows how to resolve its problems, a State that resolves its differences peacefully.

“We must remind ourselves that we are the industrial capital of Nigeria. We are the investor’s destination of choice, we are the education and religious capital in Nigeria and we are a State with many firsts.

“By What you have exhibited today, you have enshrined your names in the history book and your footprints in the sand of times. Ogun State is not a crisis riddled State and that is how we like to be defined,” the governor stated.

Prince Abiodun commended those who contested elections and lost, for their magnanimity and ensuring that the proclamation and inauguration was not only peaceful, but rancour free.

He appreciated members of the 9th Assembly for their cooperation and collaboration in the last four years, saying though they are a different arm of government, it was imperative for all arms to cooperatively and collaboratively work together for the successful implementation of the vision mapped out by the executive.

The governor expressed the hope that the 10th Assembly, would build on the foundation laid by the 9th Assembly by legislating on issues that affect the people positively.

“I want to promise you that I will be the governor of all. Elections have been keenly contested and some of us have emerged winners; others were not so lucky but the State remains. We are all here to remain the winner. There is no winner and there is no vanquished. We are all here to represent the people of the State. So politics is now behind us, campaigns are now behind us.

“I am pledging that I will be the governor of all. I will maintain an open door policy to everyone regardless of party affiliations, religion and tribe. I promise to continue to be fair, just and equitable. I promise to support you in the discharge of your legislative duties, which are to pass laws and provide oversights for different sectors of the State,” the governor assured.

While calling for the cooperation of the lawmakers, the State helmsman reminded them of the vision of his administration which is “to provide good governance while creating an enabling environment for a Public Private Partnership which is fundamental to the economic growth of the State and individual prosperity of the people and Building Our Future Together mantra as encapsulated in ISEYA”.

Speaking earlier, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Oluomo, said the members came on a courtesy visit to appreciate the governor for his support to the House at all times.

He informed the governor on the peaceful conduct of the proclamation and inauguration of the 10th Assembly, assuring him of their resolve to work as a team by cooperating with the executive for peace and the development of the State.

All the 26 members of the Assembly, including the new Deputy Speaker, Hon. Bolanle Ayayi, who is the first woman to occupy that position, were in attendance.

ODUDUWA NEWS has gathered that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde has transmitted names of Commissioner nominees to the state House of Assembly.

Source revealed that the State Assembly confirmed the transmission of letter by the State Governor.

See names of the Commissioner nominees below;

Hon. Adeniyi Adebisi

Hon. Akinola Ojo

Prof Musibau Babatunde

Prof Daud Sangodoyin

Hon. Toyin Balogun

Hon. Seun Ashamu

Alhaja Fausat Joke Sanni

A former deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Chief Olabode George has appealed to individuals who are actively opposing the presidency of Ahmad Bola Tinubu. With great fervor, he encouraged them to reconsider their stance.

In a quote, Bode said “That’s enough”. He revealed that he ended his rift with the President, not for appointment, but for peace to reign, and in deference to those who intervened in the matter.

He also stressed that some group of esteemed elders from Lagos State, accompanied by representatives from the All Progressives Congress, visited him to resolve the longstanding conflict and sought his backing for the Tinubu administration

In his own words, Bode George said “Regarding this matter, individuals are merely spouting nonsense and should refrain from speaking. The fact is Tinubu is just embarking on his journey, while we, on the other hand, have pending legal proceedings within my party. They urged us to forgive and forget. The Bible clearly states that vengeance is reserved for God Almighty, and when everyone has convinced you that it is sufficient, there is no need to persist in the fight.”