Author: oduduwanews

The Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State has condemned half salary payment made by the previous administration in the State.

The PDP in a press statement made available by its spokesman, Olabamji Oladele as read in part:

“At a time Osun people are pouring encomium on Governor Ademola Adeleke, the State All Progressives Congress (APC) is swimming in its ocean of shame and refusing to show remorse for its wickedness and inhumane treatment meted out to Osun workers and pensioners.

Instead of apologizing to the public servants for imposing poverty and agonizing pain on them for several years, the APC still has the shamelessness to criticise a ‘talk and do’ Governor who is already clearing backlogs of half salaries and arrears left by the APC government.

We find it even appalling that the APC tried to distract attentions from it ugly past of pains and anguishes suffered by those who render services to the state. The evil of yesterday which APC represents shall never resurface in Osun State.

The disjointed narratives canvassed in a recent statement issued by the Osun APC showed its patent hatred for the people, particularly workers and pensioners who had been made to suffer unnecessarily. Osun people have taken judicious notice of the unrepentant anti-people insistence of the APC and they will use their votes to punish all APC candidates this month.

It is ludicrous for the APC to import unreasonable basis as the reason for Governor Adeleke’s decision to clear the wage related debt incurred by the previous government. Instead of throwing meaningless jabs, the APC should be explaining to the people why it owed that much and made no attempt to offset it, even if it is just one month.

The attempt to shift blame of the owed wages to the Rauf Aregbesola government is a bad way to make excuse for failure because, aside the fact that he was a Governor under APC, his successor, Gboyega Oyetola, campaigned for office on the strength of continuity. Yet, Oyetola ignored the plights of workers and pensioners for the four years his administration lasted, as no kobo out of the money was paid.

To now imagine that the APC will have the effrontery to attempt to play down the efforts of Governor Adeleke to clear the backlog of salary and pensions by the past administration, is the height of irresponsibility. It is a further demonstration of the APC’s disastrous attitude to responsibility and a more reason why it led the state to the abyss of ruin.

Osun people are well aware of the atrocious record of the APC, especially in term of welfare, and will find it grossly absurd that it is still bitter that Governor Adeleke is doing what Gboyega Oyetola failed to do in four years.

The reality of the APC lamentation is that it detests the hardworking civil servants and senior citizens in the state. The APC is not comfortable with the fact that Governor Adeleke is not towing its path of wickedness and deliberate negligence of the welfare of the people, which caused untold hardship for workers and pensioners.

In any case, it is imperative to stress to the APC that Osun people are now wiser and will not be swayed by the empty rhetorics of a party that did nothing but impoverish them. Let the APC know that Governor Adeleke will not watch people who laboured hard for the state to go without their entitlements as it was the pattern of the erstwhile ruling party.

We want to reiterate the PDP-led government commitment to clear the mess inherited from the APC government. The PDP will not only ensure that salary and pensions owed are cleared but abandoned projects littering the state will be completed.

This is evident in the latest move by Governor Adeleke to mobilize contractors back to resume construction of roads abandoned by the past administration. Governor Adeleke is committed to fulfilling his electoral promises to the people, and will not be distracted by the little talk of a terrible opposition, whose only idea of governance, is spreading hopelessness and poverty”.

“The Governor of Ondo State, Rotimj Akeredolu has accused the Central Bank Governor, Godwin Emefiele and other powerful people at the Villa of plot to demarket All Progressives Congress APC candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Akeredolu was quoted in a statement made available to news men as read in part:

The people of this country have been compelled to live under excruciating pains occasioned, mainly, by the contrived crisis in the petroleum sector. Nigerians have been at the mercy of the unscrupulous elements in the distribution chain who have sustained the artificial scarcity of the product since late last year. The unsavoury sight of the past has not only resurfaced in all the major cities of the country. It is also eroding the goodwill enjoyed by the Federal Government for the stability achieved in the past seven years.

“Nigerians have been living with scarcity of petroleum products for some time now. Fuel scarcity, a phenomenon which this current Administration had once confined to the dustbin in the chronicle of happenings in an inglorious past, has suddenly assumed a permanent feature of our daily existence and there appears to be no solution to the perennial crisis.

“The Central Bank of Nigeria, through his Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, who purports to act under the powers conferred on the institution by the CBN Act, has chosen this period, when the country prepares for general elections, to redesign the currency notes for sundry reasons, chief among which is the need for the bank to be in control of the currency notes in circulation and checkmate the unwholesome activities of terrorists and their enablers and election riggers.

“The struggles and actual fights recorded in banking halls, ATM and POS points, and markets across the country are disquieting. The choice of this period for the implementation of a policy, which bears an instant negative impact with no discernible mitigation in sight, raises serious suspicion of partisanship on the part of the CBN. The ordinary people are the victims. Depositors can no longer access their monies even to feed their families. Hunger is not the anticipated result of a monetary policy.

“While no reasonable person will contend with the decision of the CBN to discharge its statutory functions, the plight of the downtrodden must, however, be considered. Majority of Nigerians groan, at present, under the crushing weight of these crises. There is pervasive discontent in the land and unless some urgent redemptive steps are taken to ameliorate the debilitating effects of seeming desultory and nonchalant disruptions of their normal simple lives, a series of events with unpleasant consequences is inevitable.

“There is palpable anger engendered by frustration in the land. The wave of discontent increases with unbelievable rapidity across the country. The current hardship being experienced by the ordinary people forebodes unpleasant consequences. These crises may set in motion a chain of events the end of which is better imagined.

“The Federal Government must make a categorical pronouncement on the availability of petrol and its price since it is the general belief that the country still pays humongous amounts as subsidy. A situation which permits a few individuals to inflict pains on the populace, seemingly without check, is deplorable. The CBN Governor, Mr. Godwin Emefiele, must come clean on the new monetary policy. Nigerians are practically buying the country’s currency to feed when we are not in a state of war.

“The fact that the ruling party hopes to present candidates for election in the general elections in the coming weeks accentuates the level of suspicion as regards the possibility of having certain elements whose interests stand at variance with the general aspirations of the party and its committed members.

“There is no better way to de-market a brand than this ruthless execution of a pernicious motive.

The Federal Government, through the President, must act now”.

All Progressives Congress Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, said the fifth columnists behind the current nationwide fuel and new Naira notes scarcity want to foist a political crisis on the country.

Speaking at Ekiti Parapo Pavilion in Ado-Ekiti, venue of the presidential campaign rally on Friday, Asiwaju Tinubu said the people behind the crisis that is causing nationwide frustration and hardship to Nigerians want to spark turmoil that can lead to postponement of the general elections.

“They are hoarding Naira so that you can be angry and fight. They want confusion so that the election can be postponed. What they want is an interim government. But we are wiser than them. We will not fight. Any rat that eats the rat poison will end up killing itself.”

The former Lagos State Governor told the people that he is in the presidential race to better their lives.

“I am in the race for the betterment of the people. If it is what I will eat and what I need personally, God has provided for me. I am in this race to make life good and better for you too.

“Ekiti people are well educated people. They are well read; they don’t joke with education. But it is not good to finish schooling and not get a job. So, we shall provide jobs for you.

“On that day, we will trek to the polling booths to cast our votes. Your polling booths are not far from where you live. So, you should walk down to cast your votes,” Tinubu told his supporters.

Rallying the people of Ekiti to hope for better and happy life in his prepared speech, Tinubu said he believes every Nigerian is entitled to live a life of dignity.

“I believe each and every Nigerian is entitled to a life of dignity and happiness free from the fear of hunger, poverty, violence and hopelessness. I believe we can do better as a nation. I believe we must do better. History calls. Destiny Calls. Greatness calls.

“I came here today to offer you my best and assure you that I will always work for you. Take a look at my plan and ideas for the nation. You will like them because they were developed out of concern and hope for your welfare and for your future.

“Parents, don’t you want your children to enjoy a better life. Young people, don’t you want a nation where you can realize your dreams and also be able to care for your parents, yet nurture and have children of your own.

“Join us, elect us so that the government will work to ensure that you have decent jobs, that farmers make a good living, that enough schools and clinics exist. We will expand industry, assure your peace and safety, make sure that our nation is well fed and without hunger and we shall renew your hope in Nigeria and in your future.”

Speaking on his plans for Ekiti State, Tinubu promised to focus on development of the agricultural sector, employing modern and mechanized farming.

He also promised to make the state an exportation hub for its agricultural products, bringing more revenue to the state.

“My farm policy will establish commodity exchange boards guaranteeing prices for important crops so that you are ensured a decent living for your hard work. Our Agricultural Plan calls for agricultural hubs and improves access to finance.

“Both these will enable you to modernise farm operations, improve productivity while reducing the harshness of physical labour through mechanised equipment and modern technology.

“Your cocoa will supply users in Europe, Asia and beyond. More than that, through our plans to promote agro-allied processing, local companies will begin to turn cocoa into finished products. Ultimately, you will export chocolate candy and other fine things to the rest of the world.

“Implementing this plan in Ekiti and the rest of the nation means progress for you and the entire economy. For we shall grow more food, with less strain and effort. Increased food security means you will be able to visit the market to buy the food you need yet still have money left in your hand for other life necessities,” he added.

Citing the Ikogosi Warm Spring, Tinubu said the state will be a befitting tourist site for the country, attracting foreigners from in and out of the country and boosting the state’s resources.

“You are an industrious people living in a scenic and fertile land. Tourism will thrive under a government that prioritises security, development, commerce and creativity.

“Your beautiful warm springs and waterfalls will welcome tourists from across Nigeria and all over the world. The Ikogosi Tourist Centre will become known as a shining beacon of what Nigeria can achieve,” he added.

Just like in everywhere else, Tinubu emphasised his industrialisation plans, creating jobs and developing infrastructure across the country.

On security, he said, “Rest assured, my security strategy will be tough on kidnappers, killers, terrorists and bandits.

“My national security plan invests heavily on ensuring we have enough active, well trained and well-equipped security personnel to defeat threats wherever and whenever they emerge. We shall significantly augment the number of active duty personnel.

“Moreover, we shall invest in enhanced ground and air surveillance technology so that we can identify, track, outmaneuver and ultimately defeat those who seek to defeat our democratic and good way of life. They will witness and end their evil doings and terrible ways.

“I vow to mobilise the totality of our national security assets to protect all Nigerians from danger and from even the fear of that danger.”

In his address at the rally, Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji introduced Asiwaju Tinubu as an in-law who gave his daughter as wife to Ekiti people and the people of the state must reciprocate with 100% votes for him and all APC candidates.

The governor assured the people of a better Ekiti State with Tinubu as president, the same point he made during the meeting of the APC candidate with Ekiti State Council of Traditional rulers.

Among APC National Leaders and governors who attended the rally were former Interim National Chairman of the party Chief Bisi Akande, former governor Kayode Fayemi, Minister of Trade and Industry Niyi Adebayo, APC National Women Leader, Betta Edu, Ondo State Deputy Governor, Lucky Ayedatiwa, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, Senator Olamilekan Adeola and other Federal and State lawmakers from Ondo and Ekiti States.

The angry youths protesting against the scarcity of Naira in Ibadan have stormed both state and federal secretariat to express their grievances on the economic crisis brought about by the Naira redesign.

The angry youths who fiercely invaded the state secretariat were coming from Agodi Gate where WEMA Bank located in that axis was destroyed while the Police Station was set on fire.

It was learnt that a security officer detailed to the office of the State Governor was injured while trying to prevent the burning fire from further spread.

The police officer has since been taken to an undisclosed hospital for immediate medical attention.

The lingering crisis of Naira scarcity brought by the money redesign has taken its toll on Nigerians as many are left with no option other than to continue storming the banks nearest to them in search of the unavailable money.

There were burning of yres in front of the state Secretariat by the angry mob to register their anger.

As at the time of filing this report, men of the Joint Security Taskforce have been stationed to strategic places in Ibadan to forestall further breakdown of laws and orders.