Category: Politics

The Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN has expressed delight over the outcome of the just-concluded State Congress of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the State.

The Governor specifically thanked members of the Party for what he described as an “exemplary and unique show of unity and love”. This is even as he congratulated the newly-elected State Executive Committee led by Engr. Ade Adetimehin.

His words:
“Saturday’s exercise was a well proven point. Its outcome, which was the fruit of hardwork and selflessness on the part of Party members, depicts no less, an admirable signpost.

“The exemplary and unique show of unity and love, commitment and comportment as well as the enviable display of commonality are alluring virtues that have singled Ondo APC out during this exercise.

“In all these, aside giving God the Glory, the leadership of the Party deserves a huge commendation and indeed, gratitude for the way and manner members conducted themselves. They have all shown the great men and women in them, as Leaders.

“Their cooperation, understanding and uncommon networking contributed in no small measure, to the moulding of a solid foundation from the Wards and Local Government Congresses which culminated in the seamless State Congress.

“For the newly-elected State Executive Committee ably led by Engr. Adetimehin, it deserves a big CONGRATULATION. Specifically, Adetimehin’s commitment to engender unity, cohesion and deepen party values is as palpable as his passion for the development of the State. There is no doubt he, alongside his team, will take Ondo APC to further greater heights as they commence this task for another four years.

“In spite of all, certain complaints as regards Constitutional infractions in respect of age as it concerns some offices are noted. Such will not be overlooked; they shall be thoroughly investigated and remedial measures will be enforced to redress same”, the governor said.

The crisis in the Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congresses (APC) took a turn for worse on Saturday as two factions of the party held parallel congresses.

The Ilerioluwa Group is the faction loyal to Gboyega Oyetola, Osun governor, while The Osun Progressives (TOP) has the backing of Rauf Aregbesola, the minister of interior and former governor of the state.

Gboyega Famodun was re-elected as the state chairman of the party as the Ilerioluwa Group held its congress at the Osogbo City Stadium.

Tajudeen Lawal was elected as the deputy chairman, while Alao Olabisi was elected as the secretary.

The Osun Progressives, on the other hand, held its parallel congress at the Onward area of Osogbo, Osun state capital.

Rasaq Salinsile was elected as the chairman of the faction while Adelani Baderinwa, a former commissioner for information in the state, was elected as the secretary.

According to NAN, both factions adopted consensus arrangement and affirmation by congress members to ratify the exercise.

Pandemonium broke out during the parallel congress organised by the loyalists of Rauf Aregbesola as suspected thugs attempted to disrupt proceedings.

The thugs were said to have invaded the venue and attempted to hijack the congress.

The Osun Progressives members scampered for safety while some of them sustained various degrees of injuries.

Security operatives deployed to the venue eventually succeeded in repelling the disruptors.

The honourable member representing Iseyin/Itesiwaju State Constituency, Hon. Dele Adeola has congratulated the newly-elected chairman of the party, Hon. Dayo Ogungbenro and other executive members for being counted worthy among the rest that jostled for their seats.

He however appreciated the unwavering efforts and doggedness of the Chairman Local Organizing Committee, Sen. Hosea Agboola (Halleluyah) for the wisdom and intelligence he used towards the successful and hitch-free congresses at both local and State levels.

“Sen. Halleluyah has demonstrated that he is competent to lead any leadership position both at the State and Federal levels and I salute him”, said Adeola.

In the meantime, he appreciated the Executive Governor of the State, Engr. Seyi Makinde for laying a solid foundation that oversaw the smooth transitioning of the party exco at both state and local levels.

He lauded Gov Makinde for the machinery he put in place to ensure hitch-free congress held recently at Adamasingba Stadium, Ibadan.

He equally thanked the Panel led by the Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi for overseeing a smooth conduct of the congress.

He therefore charged the newly elected executive members to be magnanimous in victory and use their offices as instrument of cohesion while embracing peace and tranquility towards the progress of the party.

A loyalist of Governor of Ekiti State, John Kayode Fayemi, Paul Omotoso has emerged the Ekiti Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, following Saturday’s State Congress.

Mr Omotoso’s emergence was through affirmation at a programme held at the Mini Pavilion, around Fajuyi’s Round About, Ado-Ekiti.

The chairman, APC congress Election Committee for Ekiti, Yusuf Galambi, announced that Omotoso had been affirmed.

According to Mr Galambi, 37 candidates showed interest in the different positions, while 36 came for screening.

According to the congress election committee chairman, all the positions were contested unopposed.

Shortly after the affirmation, the new Ekiti APC Chairman, Omotoso, told newsmen that he would take the party in state to an enviable height.

He assured that his Executives would ensure that the APC gets a landmark victory in the coming 2022 governorship election in Ekiti and the General Election in 2023.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Paul Omotoso is the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the party in Ekiti.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has dismissed parallel congresses of the All Progressives Congress allegedly held by some elements as “mere naming ceremonies.”

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Gboyega Akosile, disclosed this in a statement after the congress on Saturday which produced Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi as state chairman of the APC.

According to Akosile, Sanwo-Olu said the authentic congress was the one attended by card-carrying members of the party at the venue announced by the State Congress Committee and supervised by the Independent National Electoral Commission and the party’s national executive committee.

The Governor described the process as “simply decisive, non-controversial,” expressing his confidence in the new team that will be steering the party’s affairs in Lagos.

He said Ojelabi possessed a brilliant resume as a loyal APC chieftain, noting that the new team would work to deepen the party’s stronghold in the state.

Akosile quoted Sanwo-Olu as saying, “We have come to the end of the state congress. All party members are happy with the peaceful conduct of the process and the outcome. I’m certain that the leadership that emerges from this exercise is a round peg in a hole. The man (Ojelabi) that will be leading the team has a brilliant resume as a trusted hand, at the National Assembly level, State Executive Council level, political and community leadership level. He has over 20 years of political experience.”

He added that the new chairman had the mandate to reach out to aggrieved party members and bring them back to the fold.

On his part, Ojelabi praised the Governor for a hitch-free congress, noting that the peaceful conduct of the election manifested good leadership ingrained in the party by the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He also thanked the past caretaker committee members for their service, especially their effort to grow the party membership and its reach.

The crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party PDP in Oyo State has taken a new dimension as some party faithfuls said to be loyal to a faction of the party converged at Jogor Centre, Ibadan to elect their executive members.

It was gathered that a former member of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Michael Okunlade emerged as the Chairman and he emerged during a parallel congress well attended by the aggrieved members of the party.

As at the time of filing this report, a congress by another faction of the party led by Governor Seyi Makinde is currently ongoing at the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

The aggrieved members leading the faction include: a former House of Representative Leader, Mulikat Adeola Akande, Hon Ajibola Muraina, Alhaji Nureni Akanbi, Alhaji Olopoeyan, Alhaji Gbolarumi, Mr Femi Babalola, Asiwaju Yemi Aderibigbe, Alhaji Gani Dosu, Engineer Kayode Popoola, Hon Demola Omotosho, Princess Aderonke Adedoja and Dr Aborode among others.

Other state officers that were elected unopposed at the Jogor center venue were Hon Matthew Abioye (Deputy Chairman), Mr Abiodun Oyesola (State Secretary), Pa Olawuwo ( Vice Chairman Oyo South), Akeem Ariola (Financial Secretary), Mogaji Bola Akinyemi (Publicity Secretary) and Asiwaju Adekola Adeoye re-elected (Youth leader) of the party.

Okunlade, in his acceptance speech promised to pacify all members and work towards the development of the party, calling on all party faithful to support the new executive so as to take over the state’s administration comes 2023.

He also promised never to let down the teeming members of the party in the state in his acceptance speech after his election.

The former state lawmaker said the disagreement of the party members with Governor Makinde is for the best interest of the party assuring that the party would continue to wax stronger and stronger in the state.

He described himself as one of the victims of the misgivings of governor Makinde.
He said “Let me start by thanking you leaders, elders and members of our great party. We have made history today. With what we have done today, we have rescued our party from “Mr. Take it all.”

“We fought for the voiceless among us. We defended our party from oppressors. With this, we have began to rebuild our party. We have started a new dawn in Oyo state chapter of our party.

“We are all aware why we arrived at this stage. Like you, I am one of the victims of the misgivings of Governor Makinde. We struggled for him during the electioneering campaign but we are his arch enemies today. The governor met us in the party but decided to send us away from our home. Will you allow that? Will you allow that? Will you allow that to happen?

“We are here today because you refused to be oppressed. I thank you for your steadfastness and endurance. We thank you for your commitment to PDP and we also thank you for your support.

“On this note, I promise never to let you down. I promise to abide by the Constitution of our great party. I promise to listen and work with you.
“If you notice anything, please call my attention to it. Don’t hesitate to visit our Secretariat whenever you notice we are derailing.

“My office is open to all members, especially when you have suggestions or recommendations for betterment of our party.

“PDP will continue to wax stronger and stronger in Oyo state, regardless of the shinanigans of those who believe they are in power.

“However, I must say this for prosperity. When forceful becomes an institution, truth looks like rebellion. We stand nothing to gain to lie against our governor who is a symbol of our party in Oyo state. We stand nothing to gain by destroying what we have laboured for, having being in opposition for eight years.

“During the electionnering campaign, Gov. Seyi promised to be fair to all of us in the state. He promised to continue to correct whatever mistakes he makes while discharging his duty as a governor.
“He promised safety of lives and property of the people of the state. He promised to dismantle any form of thuggery and hooliganism in the state. He promised us internal democracy. He promised that we won’t regret our support for him. He eloquently stated this all the time and we believed him.

“Today, he has derailed from the promises he made. We feel used, betrayed and dumped by him. Yes, we are aggrieved, not only because lack of government patronage but because our leaders here are matured and seasoned politicians who understand the intrigues of governance.

“We are also aggrieved because he doesn’t have respect for internal democracy. No respect for our leaders and he keeps blackmaling them, giving erroneous impression of whose they are. He believes that his money brought him to power and that is why everything starts and ends on his table.

“Unfortunately we called his attention to all these realities but he sees us as rebel. We are being blackmailed for saying the truth. He dismantled the structure we built over the years.

“We cannot move around freely now. Even when we were in opposition during Ajimobi’s era, nobody was harassed. There was religious tolerance and we were free to move around. But today, reverse is the case.

“But we believe in God. We know he will stand by us and fight our course.”

The Police in Ogun State on Friday warned against political thuggery and violence as the two major factions of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are set to conduct parallel State congresses on Saturday.

ODUDUWA NEWS reports that the warring groups led by Governor Dapo Abiodun and his predecessor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, had held parallel ward and Local Government congresses last month.

The factions battling for the soul of the ruling party have now concluded plans to also hold separate congresses to elect the state executive members of the APC in the exercise slated for Saturday.

Amosun group had picked the Ake palace ground, Abeokuta as venue of its congress, Abiodun’s faction will be conducting their congress at main bowl of the MKO Abiodun stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta.

The State Police Command said it had deployed large number of policemen to secure the MKO Abiola Stadium, Kuto, where Abiodun’s faction had picked as the venue of the congress.

The Police Spokesman, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement, on Friday night, warned that “any act of hooliganism and brigandage before, during and after the congress will not be tolerated.”

He also warned that anybody who has no business in and around the venue of the congress should steer clear of the area

Oyeyemi said, “The Command will deal decisively with anybody caught in any act capable of undermining the peace and tranquility being enjoyed in the state, no matter the position or status of such person.

“Parents and guardians are also advised to call their wards to order by counseling them not to allow themselves to be used for political thuggery as such will be viewed with all seriousness.”

The Police Spokesman quoted the Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, to have wished members of the party successful congress, while enjoining them to conduct themselves in a peaceful manner and exhibit high sense of sportsmanship.

However, the chairman of the Congress Committee for Ogun state, Wale Ohu has declared that, any congress outside the one conducted by his committee is “null and void.”

Ohu insisted that the only congress conducted by his committee will be regarded as valid State Congress election in the state.

Ohu disclosed this while briefing journalists after the screening of all aspirants seeking election into various state party offices, held at the APC secretariat, Moshood Abiola Way, in the State capital.

He said, “I have the mandate of the National Secretariat of the party to vet, screen and conduct the Ogun State congress of the APC. No other election is valid, except the one my committee of 7 sent by the National headquarters of the party.

“You will recall that we had conducted Ward and Local Government Congresses in this State before. The outcome of the congresses were subjected to appeal and subsequently validated and upheld by the CCECP of the party.

“Only a few minutes ago we sworn in the leadership at the local government level because the caretaker committee of the State Executive Council had been dissolved. For emphasis, tomorrow’s Congress of the APC will hold at MKO Abiola International Stadium, Kuto, Abeokuta, not anywhere else. Any other purported or supposed election is therefore a nullity,” he stressed.

According to Ohu, the clarification became necessary because he had been inundated with calls, text messages and physical enquiries over the exercise and insinuations that some other persons are planning to have another election.

The national leadership of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced suspension of the ongoing State Congress in Oyo state due to forging of documents meant for the exercise and other irregularities.

Governor of Yobe state and Chairman, Caretaker/Extraordinary Convention Planning Committee, Hon. Mai Mala Buni, gave the ordered.

In a statement signed by the party’s National Secretary Sen. John James Akpanudoedehe, Saturday morning, said the suspension became necessary to ensure credibility of the process leading to the emergence of new leaders in Oyo state.

The statement affirmed that APC under governor Mai Mala Buni will not tolerate act of indiscipline and fraudulent manipulation of process of any kind.

“It has become necessary to suspend the ongoing State Congress exercise in Oyo state due to information regarding the forging of documents meant to conduct this exercise.

“The national chairman, has however ordered the Oyo state Congress Committee to return to the National Secretariat for further briefing.” The statement said.

The APC also assured the teaming members of the party of level playing ground and justice at all time.

Pastor Tunde Bakare of Citadel Global Community Church (also known as Latter Rain Assembly), has said that it is of no importance what region the next president comes from, as long as said individual is able to govern properly.

“Listen to me, if where the president comes from will make the place he has come from to be better, the northern part of Nigeria should be the richest and should be the most progressive and the most developed because out of 61 years, the north has produced either the president or heads of state for 40 to 41 years, and yet see the retrogression in the North,” Mr Bakare told State House correspondents on Friday afternoon. “Not where they come from, it’s what they carry and what they have to offer. May the best of the best of Nigerians rise, whether they’re from the east, from the west, from the north, and from the south.

Mr Bakare’s comments came shortly after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

His position could widen the raging debate about whether or not the presidency should be ceded to Southern Nigeria by way of consensus in 2023 when Mr Buhari’s tenure will expire. Mr Buhari is from Northern Nigeria and power rotation has been practiced amongst political parties in informal arrangements because the Constitution did not prescribe power rotation between the multiple ethnic and religious groups within the country.

While several politicians in the South have threatened serious political consequences if the power is not shifted to the region in 2023, northern politicians are insisting that no citizen should be disenfranchised because they are from a region that produced the last president.

Mr Bakare, in his exchange with the State House reporters, acknowledged the validity of internal party zoning arrangements, but said such affairs cannot supersede extant constitutional provisions.

“If there are agreements between politicians among themselves on rotation, a bargain is a bargain, that’s between them,” he said. “But as far as this country is concerned, what we need at this stage is a man who can drive us to the Eldorado.”

Mr Bakare also hinted at the 2023 presidential election, saying if Nigerians and God wanted him to run for the position. he would.

“Every Nigerian, who is of age and who is not disqualified by any means, is free. I’m a nation builder, if God wants me to do that, and the people of Nigeria will appreciate that, why not? I’m as free as anybody to do anything with my time. I’ve pastored a church for 33 years, now we raise new leaders. I want to focus on nation-building.

This meeting comes after Mr Bakare, who was Mr Buhari’s running mate in the duo’s unsuccessful presidential run in 2011, had publicly declared in July that he would no longer visit Mr Buhari as the president failed to improve the lives and wellbeing of Nigerians.

Last year, Mr Bakare had asked that he be exempted from national conversations.

Governor of the state of Osun, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola, his Ondo State counterpart, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu SAN and other stakeholders on Thursday, advocated that constitutional roles should be assigned to traditional rulers to give legal backings to their responsibilities especially in the security of their domains.

The governors were among notable stakeholders who partook in the fourth edition of the Ooni Ogunwusi annual international leadership symposium 2021, in commemoration of the birthday anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II.

The event which has the theme: “Addressing Security Challenges As They Affect Grassroots Development In Nigeria: Need for Constitutional Empowerment of Traditional Institution”, held at the prominent Oba Okunade Sijuwade Memorial Hall, Enuwa, Ile-Ife.

Represented by the Commissioner for Education, Hon. Folorunso Oladoyin, Governor Oyetola, who expressed huge concern about the current challenges confronting the country, revealed that much could be achieved by empowering the traditional rulers.

“As the closest to the people at the grassroots, traditional rulers are critical components of government. They also have the responsibility for ensuring security, governance and economic development in their abodes.

“This is important because as all politics is local, all security is also local. The criminals come from families, homes, villages and towns. To effectively secure our nation, therefore, requires that government should work with our traditional rulers as critical stakeholders in promoting active communal peace building, intelligence gathering, good neighborliness and responsible followership.” Governor Oyetola admonished.

On the other hand, Ondo state Governor Akeredolu SAN who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Chief Olugbenga Ayinde, prescribed that outcome of the symposium should be compiled and transfered to the National Assembly for inclusion in the country’s constitution in line with the ongoing constitutional reform.

Arakunrin Akeredolu however asked salient questions that will determine the type of constitutional inclusiveness that should be given to traditional rulers.

He asked, “Will this entitle them to a share of the security vote?
“Will the present 5% allocated to traditional rulers be enough with the constitutional roles being assigned to them?
“Will they not be perceived as now being part of the government of the day?
“Will it not erode part of their institutional legitimacy and traditional authority?”

In the same vein, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode, described traditional rulers as a great partner in progress to the Nigeria Police, calling for a constitutional backing of their indispensable roles.

“In the 1999 constitution, there is no definite constitutional role for the traditional rulers. This is one of the defaults of the 1999 constitution. How do they operate without a constitutional resolution has seriously been undermined both in terms of authority and power. Their inability to intervene at the earlier stage of crisis has led to the escalation of such crisis leading to a serious instability, chaos and huge damage to lives, property and economic activities of the nation.” The commissioner stated.

Among other items of the event was the presentation of scholarship to indigent Higher Institution students by the Ooni of Ife as powered by Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI), under the leadership of Princess Temitope Adesegun.

The scholarship initiative was supported with five hundred thousand naira, by the representative of the Governor, Honourable Folorunso Oladoyin who is the Osun State Commissioner for Education.

Speaking on the involvement of the nongovernmental organization (HAI) in humanitarian support particularly in the education sector, Dr. Ese Oghene while presenting the scholarship on behalf of Princess Temitope, said, “HAI understands the importance of education in the life of children and so HAI is currently working on operation ‘Send Every Child To School’, as a way of rewarding academic excellence, HAI offers scholarship to A-rated students one of which we just witnessed.”

The Ooni however thanked the organizers including Sooko Kemade Elugbaju, Olamide Awosunle, Comrade Moses Olafare and Hopes Alive Initiative, for putting up the wonderful event despite the challenges during preparations.

“All I want to say is a very big thank you especially to all of you here present, you really made my day and I hold you all in a very high esteem. I really laud the speeches of Governor Oyetola, Governor Akeredolu and Osun State Commissioner of Police as they all addressed the security challenges being faced by all of us in this country. This is the time for all of us to come together and defeat this menace of insecurity so that we can progress as a country.
Ooni Ogunwusi said.