Author: oduduwanews

The Arole Oduduwa & Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has decried the abandonment of roads in the ancient city by the Federal and state governments, making transportation of persons and goods a herculean exercise within the Ile-Ife metropolis.

Ooni Ogunwusi made this known on Sunday during the commissioning of a 700 metres road at the popular Odo-Ogbe market (Oja Tuntun), Ile-Ife, facilitated by the Ife-born Senior Special Assistant to the President on Legislative matters, (Senate), Senator Babajide Omoworare.

“I really do not know our offence in Ife to deserve the poor road network that surround us. It is not enough to call Ife the source, this city deserves to be treated as the true source of humanity that it is.

“It is so bad that the same government that has refused to fix our roads is the one denying us access to do what we can do ourselves. All we hear is that” it is a government road” so we have to keep waiting.

“We are aware that the government cannot do it alone, so, we want them to put up a scheme, like a form of concession on all major roads in Ife. We would look for able personalities within the community, they will fix the roads and they will give them task credit. It is the same.

“Let government give us that opportunity and see whether we will perform or not, we can now replicate it in other communities across the state and country. We are willing and able to do that on all major roads in Ile-Ife, all we need is a form of concessioning in that regard.

On the Odo-Ogbe market road facilitated by the President’s aide, Ooni Ogunwusi described the politician a committed Ife son, urging his political contemporaries to emulate the good traits and shun unhealthy rivalry.

“I am proud of you and I am sure that Ife sons and daughters especially those in politics have seen lessons to learn from his (Omoworare)’s conducts especially when it comes to developmental politics.

“I call on all politicians across Ifeland to join hands to develop our heritage regardless of political differences. Ife is bigger than us all, so we must place it above personal interests.” The Ooni added.

Earlier in his address, Senator Omoworare reassured the Ooni and everyone present of the government’s support towards the development of the ancient city.

The former lawmaker said, “I wish to authoritatively confirm to you that in the newly presented Budget by President Muhammadu Buhari, major projects especially road works will be done in Ife. I know of the Mayfair, Lagere, Iremo and Moore roads among others.

“Also, the proposed mini stadium in Erefe, Ile-Ife would be completed within the next six months while the much talked-about Naval Communication School would be completed soon in Ife. These and more are our lofty plans for Ife, all we need is prayers and support from all.”

Osun State Governor, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola was represented at the event by the State Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Tajudeen Eniafe Lawal, at the event that was heavily attended by prominent Ife indigene and members of the Ife Development Board(IDB) led by its President Comrade L.O. Awowoyin.

A group of chieftains of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Oyo State has called for a new date for the party’s state congress.

The group made the call in Ibadan at a news conference on their positions regarding Saturday’s congress of the party.

The leader of the group, Senator Ayo Adeseun said the delegates’ list for the planned congress has been totally manipulated.

He explained that for the congress to hold, the national body of the party must produce the authentic delegates’ list for the exercise.

Senator Adeseun claimed a sitting senator and former Governor of Oyo State were behind the doctored list claiming the national leadership of the APC must ensure that the consensus list which is still in possession of the current leadership of APC in the state is considered for the election.

The party chieftains at the news conference include Minister for Youths and Sports, Chief Sunday Dare, Governorship candidate of the party in 2019, Chief Adebayo Adelabu, Professor Adeolu Akande and Barrister Sarafadeen Aĺi.

Others are Mogaji Joseph Tegbe, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, Hon. Tolu Sadipe and Alhaji Fatai Ibikunle.

Progressives Congress (APC) group in Oyo State named ‘New Era’ has fired that the outgoing Chairman of the Party, Chief Akin Oke is looking for illegal means to secure his chairmanship position for third term.

This is coming in reaction to the allegation made by Oke on Friday night that the delegate list to be hard for today’s congress has been falsified.

In a statement signed by Kazeem Olaosegba, “We are miffed by the allegation leveled against the outgoing chairman of our party, Chief Akin Oke. We are disturbed that a man who should have committed himself to how the party, especially in Oyo State, would be solidified, is the one looking for illegal means to continue as party chairman.

”We would not have honored the allegation with any reaction but for the general public who are in love with our party and may be affected by the turn of events. We want to first of all state that Chief Oke is the chief architect and engineer of the crisis within our party. This was a man who watched and our party, despite winning two out of three senatorial and nine out of fourteen house of representatives seats went on to lose the governorship poll and winning five out of thirty-two assembly seats.

“To unite the various interests within our party, the stakeholders within the party has agreed that we should contribute money to purchase forms and chose ward, local government and state excos jointly until Chief Oke went behind to purchase forms. Apart from working to get a third term at 83, this man is also working behind to bring someone who is yet to be a member of our party as governorship candidate ahead of the 2023 election. That is a discussion for another day.

“Chief Oke and his co-travelers would be put to shame tomorrow. The end has come for divisive elements within our party. We can’t continue to be held down by the minority. Chief Oke’s allegation has clearly shown where he belongs and what he wants. What informed his decision to allege that the delegate list was falsified? In the presence of everyone, the chairman of the congress, the respected Alhaji Gambo Lawan handed over the list to him. Why did he open it behind the stakeholders? How did he come to the realization that it has falsified? Has he sent it to the various wards and local government areas in the state?

”He has no such power to summon any meeting, not even for tomorrow. Tomorrow is congress date. Anybody who isn’t happy with the outcome of the congress has the right to approach the appeal committee. It is as simple as that. It is very absurd that the same Chief Oke who has been running the party like a sole proprietorship without consulting the 36 other outgoing state excos members is coming out to discredit a clean process. This is the same man who kept quiet when a falsified document was given to him last week before it was discovered. Nobody would be allowed to hold us back again. We must move forward,” the statement added.