The Osun State Chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has issued a stern warning to the outgoing Governor of OsunState, Alh. Gboyega Oyetola and the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSSIEC) against the purported plan to conduct Local Government elections across the Local Government Councils, Area Councils and the Local Council Development Areas in Osun State, maintaining that it is illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional to embark on such wasteful exercise especially at this crucial period and process of transition to the awaiting PDP Administration and countdown to the taking over of power by the Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke. The warning came on the heels of the reports from a reliable source filtering into the space and indicating that the rejected APC administration in Osun State led by the outgoing Governor Oyetola and the APC have concluded plans to embark on such illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional voyage, which is targeted at siphoning Osun public funds over an exercise that would definitely turn to be wasteful and fruitless in the end.
The Osun PDP wishes to remind Governor Oyetola and his OSSIEC that for close to 4 years since the coming into office of Governor Oyetola, and since the inauguration of OSSIEC by the Oyetola- led APC Administration, the APC has failed to conduct Local Government elections in the State, despite persistent demand by the PDP. It is also to be put on record that the PDP resorted to a litigation which is still pending before the High Court of Osun State in HOS/M.139/2021 with PDP as the plaintiff, and Governor of Osun State, Attorney-General of Osun State, the Osun State House of Assembly, the OSSIEC, the APC and the caretaker chairmen in the LGAs, ACDAs and the LCDAs as Defendants to question the legality, propriety and lawfulness or otherwise of the caretaker committee set up by Governor Oyetola instead of conducting valid Local Government elections to usher in a constitutionally recognised Local Government Administration in Osun State, so the matter is subjudice. The concern of the PDP is further premised on the fact that by the provision of Section 28 of the Electoral Act, 2022, notice of any election must be given not less than 360 days before the holding of the election, while by the provision of section 29 of the said Electoral Act, every political party fielding candidates for the election must submit the list of it’s candidates not later than 180 days before the election. By the doctrine of covering the field, the OSSIEC law cannot give a shorter notice for the holding of an election than what is contained in the Electoral Act, otherwise, the OSSIEC law would be running into a collision course with the Electoral Act, and in that circumstance, it is the OSSIEC law that would give way, while the Electoral Act guides through. This is the settled principle of law to which the attention of the Governor Oyetola and OSSIEC is hereby drawn as in the case of OSSIEC. V. ACTION CONGRESS decided by the Supreme Court in 2011. Between now and 26th November, 2022 when the Administration of Governor Oyetola will come to an end, it is clearly less that 360 days, therefore making the planned Local Government election dead on arrival being a nullity ab initio.
It is on this premise that the PDP hereby alerts members of the public to another wasteful spending by the APC administration in Osun State, an administration that failed to conduct Local government elections for close to 4 years, blaming same on lack of enough funds, only to wake up in the wake of countdown to transition to the PDP administration to begin the process of the Local Government election. This is clearly one of the indicators of the concerns raised by the Governor-elect in a release on Thursday 22nd July, 2022 that APC administration has embarked on a last minute looting spree, conversion of public assets, pilfering of public property and conversion of Osun public assets to private use.
Osun PDP hereby calls on the people of Osun State to rise to the occasion by holding Governor Oyetola and OSSIEC responsible in this voyage of illegality and unconstitutionally. The Governor is hereby advised to focus on how to give account of his stewardship and to set up a Transition Committee of Joint Teams of the outgoing and incoming Governor so as to lay a solid foundation for a seamless, transparent and hitch free handing over of power to the incoming Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke post November 26th, 2022.
Barely a week after the Osun 2022 governorship election, Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, today, met with members and supporters of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel Akobo, Ibadan
Governor Oyetola charged the APC members and supporters not to allow the outcome of the election cause dissatisfaction and division within the party, adding that the APC remains the ruling party in the State.
He preached peace and unity among party leaders and members across all levels, from ward to local government to state. The governor also advised party members who have grievances to channel them to the appropriate quarters and stop expressing them in the social media, in the interest of the party.
He noted as Governor of Osun, he will continue to govern with fear of God and love of the people, just as he reiterated his commitment to the well-being of the people and development of the State.
The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, HIM Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale,has congratulated the Osun State Governor elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
In his congratulatory Message, Oluwo commended Senator Ademola Adeleke for his tenacity, courage and commitment to his goal, praying for a divine wisdom and understanding to effectively manage the state.
He enjoined every patriot of the state to cooperate with the governor elect to ensure Osun continuous greatness in the face of global economic hardship.
A statement by Oluwo through his press secretary, Alli Ibraheem, further called for a collaborative effort with technocrats whose inputs will do the state a lot of good.
“I congratulate the Osun State Governor elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke on his victory at the keenly contested poll. He has demonstrated an uncommon courage, tenacity to have survived many hurdles. His life is a lesson for many aspiring youths. There is always reward for hardwork”
I look forward to having an Iwo man as the Osun State Governor if God permits ! I pray for a divined wisdom, courage and understanding for Senator Ademola Adeleke to effectively manage Osun State affairs “
Governor Seyi Makinde has met with LAUTECH stakeholders on how to resolve the ongoing ASUU strike.
ODUDUWA NEWS had earlier reported that Oyo State Governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, late on Thursday, met with critical stakeholders of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH), Ogbomoso, in a bid to address major issues affecting the institution.
Those who attended the meeting, which took place at the Presidenrial Lodge of the Government House, Agodi, Ibadan, include representatives of the Alumni body, the LAUTECH governing council, the Ogbomoso community as well as officials of the state’s Ministry of Education.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel Akobo, Ibadan
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, indicated that the meeting, which lasted into the early hours of Friday, addressed major issues including the involvement of the University’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) in the ongoing national strike action, the multi-campus status of the institution and the proposed name change.
Addressing newsmen shortly after the meeting, the Global President of the LAUTECH Alumni Association, Mr. Onilede Solomon, said that the meeting was fruitful and that the strike action and other issues related to the renaming of the institution will be addressed permanently in a matter of weeks. He said: “We are LAUTECH Alumni and major stakeholders in LAUTECH. We have actually come to see the governor on some issues, in which deliberations are still ongoing.
“I can say that in the next couple of weeks, the issue of strike within the LAUTECH will be over and other issues related to renaming of the institution will be addressed permanently.
“The issue of calling off the ASUU strike as it affects LAUTECH was part of the discussion but it would be concluded upon in a matter of days.
“The deliberation we had was very fruitful and, just like you know, the governor loves LAUTECH so much and has invested so much in the institution.
“We came to him as permanent stakeholders in LAUTECH to address some issues and all of our discussions were positive. “However, the resolution will be discussed and announced in a few days time.”
Those in attendance at the meeting include the Deputy Governor, Barr. Abdulroheem Adebayo Lawal; Chief of Staff to the governor, Hon. Segun Ogunwuyi; Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology, Barr. Abdulrahman Abdulraheem; chairman of the LAUTECH Governing Council, Prof. Deji Omole; the Olugbon of Orile Igbon, Oba Francis Olusola Alao; former Military Administrator of Oyo State, General Oladayo Popoola.
Others were the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mrs. Christianah Abioye, as well as current and former Students Union leaders of the institution.
The National Security Council on Thursday announced that it is considering a nationwide ban on motorcycles and mining activities in the country as part of its strategy to curb terrorist activities, checkmate loopholes and cut off their sources of funding.
Waterfield Luxury Hotel Akobo, Ibadan
Addressing state house correspondents after the meeting chaired by the President, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami stated that investigations are still ongoing especially to establish the correlation between mining and motorcycles which they suspect provide funding for the supply of arms to the terrorists.
Malami who noted that terrorists had moved from the conventional ways of funding their activities to mining and ransom taking, disclosed the government was not unaware of the economic consequences of the proposed resolutions, particularly the motorcycle ban but it has become imperative in order to guarantee the nation’s security.
The Governor-elect of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke has warned Governor Oyetola and his allies against the diversion and looting of government assets and public properties.
Adeleke however alerted the general public to clandestine moves to convert public properties to private ownership and bankrupt state finances ahead of the change of government.
The Governor-elect in a statement signed by his spokesperson Mallam Olawale Rasheed alleged that Osun state assets within the state, Kogi, Lagos, Abuja, and outside the shore of the country are being allegedly tampered with for private acquisition.
“The attention of the office of the Osun State Governor-elect, Senator Ademola Adeleke has been drawn to unwholesome criminal activities by some government functionaries and appointees under the watch of Governor Gboyega Oyetola directed towards pilfering of state assets, conversion of public assets into private ownership, illegal awards of licenses and incurring of superfluous loans and expenditure.
“We have it on good authority that Osun state assets within the state, Kogi, Lagos, Abuja, and outside the shore of the country are being tampered with for private acquisition.
“We have detailed reports of several properties currently being processed for ownership transfer involving serving commissioners and top government officials, a hence serious warning to those involved in the illegal deals.
Emerging reports also indicate several shady conducts ongoing within the state finance ministry Aside N17 billion loan allegedly taken by the Governor to prosecute the lost election, we are inundated with credible reports of emergency contract awards, hurried processing of payments vouchers, and a grand agenda to incur further debt under the guise of project implementation. There is an elaborate plot to further bankrupt the state to complicate governance under the new administration.
“We want to use this medium to warn all those involved in this criminal endeavor to desist from these nefarious activities as we will hold everybody accountable for their conduct. Let it be known to the Governor and his team that we have the complete records and inventory of Osun state assets.
“We have records of what was handed over to the Governor by his predecessor as well as the true state of Osun finance and properties. Therefore, we put on notice that any attempt to divert state properties and muddle up Osun finances will be visited with a full measure of accountability.
“Every government official from top to bottom will be called to account for their deeds and handling of government’s assets. We specifically warn bureaucrats to safeguard their careers by refusing to collaborate with any appointed and elected officials engaging in such criminal conduct.
“We also wish to alert the public on this subject matter. Let the public be aware that our common patrimony is being tampered with by an administration they just voted out of office. We promise to follow this matter closely and ensure that Osun assets remain secure and protected for the benefit of the public”, the statement concluded.
It is on this premise that the general public and the good people of Osun State are hereby alerted to the dastardly plan by Governor Oyetola and some of his officials, and for the public to report any such criminal moves which they may sense regarding this public alert.
The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Thursday, fixed November 1 to commence hearing on a suit seeking to compel the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Usman Baba, to initiate a perjury case against the presidential candidate of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The court, in a ruling that was delivered by Justice Inyang Ekwo, granted permission to the Incorporated Trustees of Center for Reform and Public Advocacy, a Civil Society Organization, CSO, to apply for an order of mandamus, to compel the IGP to in line with Sections 31 and 32 of the Police Act and Section 3 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2015, prefer charges against the APC flag-bearer, following an allegation that he lied on oath.
Justice Ekwo held that an ex-parte application the group brought before the court on Thursday, was meritorious.
He, therefore, ordered service of all the relevant processes in the substantive suit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1058/2022, on the Nigerian Police Force, NPF, and the IGP, who were cited as 1st and 2nd Respondents, respectively.
The group, had through its team of lawyers led by Mr. Ugo Nwofor, told the court that the suit was necessitated by the IGP’s refusal to take action on its petition against APC’s presidential candidate over an offence it said was established by report of an investigation that was conducted by the Lagos State House of Assembly in 1999.
The CSO, told the court that it earlier forwarded a petition to Police authorities, demanding further action on the said investigative report.
It maintained that by virtue of Sections 214 and 215, of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, as well as Section 4 of the Nigerian Police Act, 2020, the Police, have the statutory responsibility to “prevent, detect and investigate criminal allegations whether brought to their notice by individuals, person or persons, corporate bodies, institutions etc”.
It further claimed that by Section 31 of the Nigerian Police Act, the Respondents, are duty bound to investigate alleged crime brought to them and report their findings to the Attorney General of the Federation or of a state, as the case may be, for legal advice.
The Applicant added that by Section 32(1) of the Police Act, “a suspect or Defendant alleged or charged with committing offence established by an Act of the National Assembly or under any other laws shall be arrested, investigated and tried or dealt with according to the provisions of this Act, except otherwise provided under this Act”.
It contended that it has the legal competence to invoke the jurisdiction of the court to compel the Respondents to discharge their legal, constitutional and public dutiesy in line with the law.
Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, on Thursday marked his 66th birthday with a special holy communion service held at the Chapel of the Epiphany within his residence at the GRA, Ijebu Owo.
The wife of the Governor, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, who also celebrated her birthday yesterday, attended the holy communion service as well as other members of the Akeredolu’s family.
Members of the House of Assembly, Commissioners, Heads of Security Agencies, Council chairmen, political associates and others were also in attendance.
The Bishop of Owo Anglican Diocese, Right Reverend Stephen Fagbemi, in his sermon titled “Living A Purposeful Life” congratulated the governor and applauded him for redefining governance in the state.
In his remarks, Governor Akeredolu, who was full of gratitude to God for His grace and mercy, said God has been merciful to him and his family in all ramifications.
He took time to sing various songs of praise to God for His protection and goodness towards him, his family and siblings in general.
“We want to thank God for His grace, thank God for His mercy. We cannot ask for a better thing. God has been faithful to us. Is it the children He has blessed us with, is it the grandchildren,” the Governor said.
The Governor, who described his siblings as a very strong pillar of support, noted that he is proud that he has a good and supportive family.
In the area of governance, Governor Akeredolu emphasised that God has always been with him since he assumed office as Governor of the state despite numerous challenges.
He appreciated the support and cooperation of members of the State Executive Council, party members, heads of the security agencies among others, saying their supports have greatly assisted him in the development of the state.
The celebrant, who believes that it is God who gives position to man, equally thanked God who has been directing the affairs of the State, even as he prayed for more divine guidance.
On Wednesday, the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun 1 Area command, announced that illicit commodities worth N3,400,226,707 had been seized during the previous six months.
Among other items, seized contraband includes items like imported rice, secondhand cars, frozen poultry products, Tramadol, and Gasoline.
