Author: oduduwanews

The Governors of Southwestern region of Nigeria have held meeting today to deliberate on the recent terror attack in Owo and to chart a wayfoward on the resurface of insecurity in Yorubaland.

The communique of the meeting as signed by the six Southwest Governors is highlighted thus:

BEING THE COMMUNIQUE ISSUED BY THE SOUTH WEST GOVERNORS’ FORUM AFTER THE VIRTUAL MEETING HELD ON THE 10TH JUNE, 2022 TO REVIEW THE STATE OF INSECURITY IN THE SOUTH WEST.

The Governors of the Southwest, at the meeting held, virtually, on the 10th June, 2022, deliberated extensively on the rising wave of insecurity in the country, especially the South West and decided on some measures, deemed immediate in stemming the tide of banditry, kidnapping and terror attacks in the region.

The recent attack on St Francis Catholic Church, Owaluwa Street, Owo, compels immediate intervention in the whole of the South West to nip the insidious phenomenon of insurgency in the bud. The meeting, consequently, took decisions, some of which are expected to have far-reaching implications in the quest to protect lives and property in the region.

The meeting deliberated on issues which pose great risk to the collective well-being of the people and resolved as follows:

1. The Governors condemn, in very strong terms, the horrendous crime perpetrated by Terrorist against the people and residents of Owo, Ondo State, and, by extension, the peace-loving people of the South West. The Governors sympathise with the victims of the mindless attack in Owo.
2. The Governors agreed to declare a 3-day mourning period in memory of the victims of the 5th June, 2022 terror attack on St Francis Catholic, Owaluwa Street, Owo, Ondo State, starting from Monday, 13th June, to Wednesday, 15th, June, 2022 to symbolise our collective loss across all South Western States in Nigeria.
3. The meeting agreed that all the Governors should direct the flying of Flags at Half Mast in all public buildings, facilitates and official residences across all the States in the South West in honour of the victims of the Owo terror attack.
4. The Governors noted, with great discomfiture, the increasing agitations about spaces taken over by unidentified and unknown migrants in all South West States. The meeting, therefore, recommends an increase in the scope of surveillance of the activities of these undocumented settlers by relevant security agencies in all the States.
5. The Governors, as Chief Security Officers, resolved to continue to assist the security agencies in the areas of crisis management and intelligence gathering at ALL times.
6. The Governors reviewed reports from various States on the factors militating against peace and security in the region. They expressed grave concern on the influx of Okada riders into all parts of the South West, especially the State capitals. The meeting further resolved that efforts be geared toward identity management of Okada riders and stringent regulation put in place for their operation.
7. Consequently, the Forum decided it was time to reconvene the South West Security Committee to look critically into this creeping menace before it blossoms into another intractable social problem. The Committee will be expected to submit its findings on the desirability of Okada operations in the region. It is also expected to submit a multi-level template to combat the threat of insurgency and terrorism in the region.
8. The Forum agreed to convene forthwith a physical meeting of the South West Governors to deliberate on the security challenges confronting the region.

Dated Friday 10th June, 2022.

SIGNED

i. Arakunrin Oluwarotimi O. Akeredolu, SAN
Governor of Ondo State & Chairman Southwest Governors’ Forum

ii. HE. Dr. John Kayode Fayemi
Governor of Ekiti State.

iii. HE. Dapo O. Abiodun
Governor of Ogun State

iv. HE. Babajide O. Sanwo-Olu
Governor of Lagos State

v. HE. Gboyega Oyetola
Governor of Osun State

vi. HE. Engr. Seyi A. Makinde
Governor of Oyo State

Hon. Dele Adeola, the honourable member, representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency has called on all good people of his Constituency and the entire nation to come together and share ideas and opinions towards building better communities amidst a wide range of issues affecting us.

Adeola stated that promoting democracy around the world is a communal effort by all citizens. The nation can only prosper if we come together and follow the path of peace and unity of purpose.

He goes on to say that his vision and mission are to deliver infrastructural development and social amenities through a synergy between legislative and executive arms.

He averred that the challenges confronting us as a people haven’t gone away, but our perseverance and bravery in believing in a democratic union gives him optimism that a bright future awaits us all.

Adeola stated this today in a press statement signed and sent to ODUDUWA NEWS.

“Let us use this anniversary of Democracy Day to renew our commitment to the principles of liberty, free expression, and democracy.

“I urge our political leaders and everyone in positions of power to think on the role they are supposed to play in advancing human freedom and democracy on this day.

“The current turmoil and challenges have not diminished my belief that our democracy will not only withstand the test of time, but will also provide a balanced union that reflects our Nigerianness in wealth.

“Next year’s general election will not only mirror our readiness to uphold the tenets of democracy but will underscore our preparedness to sustain and improve on the modest gains we have made so far.

“The utmost priority as a lawmaker is to continually engage all stakeholders towards the development of my constituency. The gains so far can only be sustained when we all focus on politics of development as against what can divide us as a people.

“Once again, Happy Democracy to you all”, said Adeola.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed dissatisfaction over the growing insecurity in the country, revealing that he lives with grief daily.

The president made this revelation in a nationwide broadcast on Sunday.

The Nigerian leader gave a reassurance to Nigerians that his government would work hard to rise above insecurity in the country, charging them to be prayerful.

“On this special day, I want us all to put all victims of terrorist activities in our thoughts and prayers. I am living daily with the grief and worry for all those victims and prisoners of terrorism and kidnapping. I and the security agencies are doing all we can to free those unfortunate countrymen and countrywomen safely.”

“For those who have lost their lives, we will continue to seek justice for their families against the perpetrators. For those currently in captivity, we will not stop until they are freed, and their kidnappers are brought to justice. If we all unite, we will be victorious against these agents of terror and destruction.

“We have reformed some of our security structures. Some of the defence assets we procured three years ago have arrived and have been deployed.

“Our cyber security and surveillance systems are being upgraded to further enhance our ability to track and trace criminal elements. We are also recruiting and training new personnel across all our security and intelligence agencies to strengthen the country’s over-all security.”

The Peoples Democratic Party PDP has berated Tinubu for the clash that occured between Igbo traders and some hoodlums allegedly sent by him to prevent them from registering for PVCs..

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary of the party, Ologunagba as read in part:

“Nigerians are disturbed by the dastardly action instigated by leaders of All Progressives Congress (APC) to prevent citizens, particularly people of the South East region resident in Lagos State from collecting their Permanent Voter Cards (PVC) to enable them vote in the 2023 general elections.

That action by the APC in Lagos is part of its desperate design to use violence to sabotage free, fair and credible elections in 2023 having realized that Nigerians have rejected its Presidential Candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the polls.

Asiwaju Tinubu has been in morbid fear of the soaring popularity of the PDP Presidential Candidate, Atiku Abubakar, hence the attempt by the APC to stop Nigerians from obtaining their PVCs to vote in the elections; an action that portend serious threat and danger to our democratic process.

Is it not an irony that the party of the government of the day that pretends to have the support of the people and professes continuity is busy chasing away prospective voters?

The APC is already suffering from Pre-Election Fever Syndrome in trepidation that it cannot win in a free, fair, credible and transparent process where Nigerians are allowed to freely express their Will.

It is particularly disturbing that this pattern is a resurgence of previous attempt in 2019 where APC leaders harassed Nigerians, especially the people of the South East and threatened to throw them into the Lagoon should they vote for any other party other than the APC.

It will also be recalled that similar act of violence was unleased on Nigerians in the Isolo axis of Lagos in the 2019 general elections, where the APC, upon discovering that it has been rejected at the polls, openly sponsored and unleashed terror on innocent citizens and destroyed all votes cast.

The APC has again become chaotic and desperate because Nigerians have recognized it as what it is; a Special Purpose Vehicle which was hurriedly put together to defraud the nation.

Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC must know that they cannot surmount the determination of Nigerians who are now rallying on the platform of the PDP to use this 2023 general elections to take back their country from the stranglehold and misrule of the corrupt, incompetent, inhumane and rudderless APC.

Our Party cautions Asiwaju and the APC to thread carefully and rein in their thugs, hoodlums and terrorists as they will be firmly resisted by Nigerians.

The Ondo State Government has canceled this year’s June 12 celebration earlier slated for Sunday 12th June, 2022.

This is consequent upon the terror attack on
innocent worshipers at St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, on Sunday 5th June, 2022.

The cancelation is to enable the entire people of Ondo State mourn their loved ones who lost their lives in the horrific attack.

Recall that the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, had directed that all flags in the state be flown at half -mast for seven days in honour of the victims of the terror attack.